The Bridge Austin

Do you know the real reason that Jesus was crucifed? In today's episode, Rabbi reveals the truth behind the crucifixion of Jesus and what that means for your life today.

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Today, Pastor Jack teaches that when the church functions with unity and vision through the power of the Holy Spirit, it builds the church from the inside out. Church growth happens when God’s choice is more important than our own agendas.

Life can feel like standing on shifting sand—everything around us moves and changes. Friends drift away, plans fall through, and the things we once depended on start to crumble. But there’s one solid rock beneath it all: Jesus. He never changes, never leaves, and never stops loving us. Pastor Chris will tell you today that when the ground is shifting, Jesus remains steady. Hebrews says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” He’s the one constant you can always count on.

When teens act out, it’s often a sign of much deeper issues at play. In today’s episode, Mark Gregston chats with two more Heartlight teens, including Daniel, a student who shares his journey from spiraling into drugs and depression to finding hope and healing. Daniel opens up about the pressures at home, the struggle to escape overwhelming feelings through getting high and the long road to reconnecting with his family. Through the support of caring staff and counseling at Heartlight, Daniel is learning to rebuild relationships and reclaim his future.

Is your teen spiraling out of control? Heartlight may be able to help. Learn more today at heartlightministries.org

Parenting Today's Teens is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be, visit parentingtodayteens.org. 

When you feel overwhelmed by others this holiday season there are things you can do to find hope. Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory talk about how to quiet the chaos and find peace. They share what being overwhelmed by others feels like, how we can “pre-decide” and set boundaries before we interact with family, how to practice self-care, and how to deal with “crisis creators.” They also share how to determine if something is a “big deal” or a “deal breaker.” A final reminder is given that with God’s help you can find peace at the holidays and throughout the year.

Receive the book Overwhelmed and an audio download of "Reducing Drama in Your Relationships" for your donation of any amount! Your Gift DOUBLES to Help Deliver Hope and Joy! Save 2X the marriages and families this Christmas with your life-changing gift today!

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You’re likely familiar with the story of the baby Jesus born in a manger. But how about the story of two kings? Dr. Robert Jeffress takes an unconventional approach to the traditional Christmas story by contrasting two very different rulers.

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Most of us think of generosity as a sacrifice—something that costs us. But what if giving is actually one of the wisest, most joy-producing ways to live? When we open our hands, God not only blesses others through us—He transforms us in the process.

That idea lies at the heart of Chip Ingram’s book The Genius of Generosity, and it’s why we were grateful to welcome him to the program. Chip is the founder, teaching pastor, and CEO of Living on the Edge, a discipleship ministry helping believers live like Christians every day.

Chip’s understanding of generosity was forever shaped by a man named John—a seventy-year-old accountant who invited Chip, then a young pastor, to lunch one day. After the meal, John handed him a small white box. Inside was a checkbook labeled Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.

John said, “Chip, here’s what I’d like you to do. Carry this checkbook with you every day. Anytime you see a need that Jesus wants to meet—or that you think I’d want to help with—write a check.”

Chip was stunned. He barely knew how to manage his own finances, let alone someone else’s. But John invited him back three times each year to review every check. And so Chip began paying attention to needs around him—fueling a single mom's car, providing groceries for a struggling family, restoring electricity for another.

Over time, something unexpected happened:

• Chip handled John’s money more carefully than his own.
• He found himself eager to spot needs.
• And a deep friendship formed between two men who had nothing in common except a commitment to generosity.

Years later, Chip realized the deeper lesson: What John did for him is what God does for all of us. We manage resources that are not ours. We steward what belongs to the King.

That realization became the seed for The Genius of Generosity.

Chip told me that generosity didn’t just change his financial habits—it changed his life. He began seeing giving as an adventure. He describes generosity as a “gateway to intimacy with God,” a doorway into deeper trust and joy. The more he gave, the more he saw God show up.

And interestingly, secular research agrees. Chip noted that even if the Bible didn’t exist, studies consistently show:

• Generous people are happier.
• They enjoy stronger relationships.
• They live longer and experience greater satisfaction.

Why? Because generosity is a creative, life-giving act. It aligns us with how God designed the world.

Jesus taught that wherever our treasure goes, our hearts follow. So every act of giving is spiritual formation. It’s discipleship.

And generosity builds unexpected bonds with others. Chip shared the story of a homeless man he saw regularly at a bagel shop. For months, the man never responded to Chip’s greetings. One morning, Chip quietly bought him a coffee and a bagel. Minutes later, the man spoke—opening up about his life, his experiences, even pointing out the rare appearance of Venus in the sky.

A simple act of kindness became the doorway to relationship and transformation.

These moments, Chi