The Bridge Austin

Today, Pastor Jack teaches that faith is not just belief, but action in spite of uncertainty. Faith can push you to do what seems irrational to others, but it’s that very boldness that can change the outcome.

Have you ever gone out to grab a bite to eat, and when you see a restaurant with its lights on, you walk up only to find that it’s closed? That’s what Jesus experienced when He came to a fig tree in Jerusalem. It looked full of fruit, but when He got there, there was none to be found. Sometimes in life, people can appear to be Christians, but their spiritual tree bears no fruit. So today, Pastor Chris invites you to read the Word of God, study it, and live it out each day so that your life doesn’t just look fruitful, it truly is.

The Hebrew Bible offers a multitude of ways to defend your faith and stand steadfast in God's Word.  Join Rabbi Schneider in this episode to become fully confident and convinced that the scriptures point and bring us to Messiah Jesus.

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Listen in as Mark Gregston reflects on how today’s teens struggle to distinguish “true life” from the filtered world of social media. He explains that constant exposure to idealized images and comparisons fuels loneliness, anxiety and low self-worth. Mark encourages parents to help their teens critically evaluate online content, ask “Is this real?” and maintain perspective by balancing social media with genuine relationships. Ultimately, he urges families to teach discernment, set boundaries and foster affirmation at home so that teens find their value in truth, not digital illusions.

Would you like to ask Mark a question? Visit markgregston.com to send him your parenting questions today!

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. 

Why do so many Christians want to give more—but feel like they can’t?

Most of us want to be generous, but there are often barriers—spiritual, financial, or even emotional—that hold us back. Today, Ron Blue joins us to unpack five key reasons why Christians don’t give more, and how we can begin climbing toward greater generosity.

Ron Blue is a financial teacher, author, and co-founder of Kingdom Advisors. He has helped countless Christians apply biblical wisdom to their finances and is best known for his bestselling book, Master Your Money: A Step-by-Step Plan for Financial Contentment.

Generosity is one of the greatest marks of spiritual maturity, yet many Christians find themselves wanting to give more but feeling unable to do so. Over the years, most believers face five primary barriers to generosity. 

These form a kind of “pyramid,” with each level building on the one below it. The journey toward greater giving begins with the heart and ends with intentional planning.

Before generosity ever shows up in our bank accounts, it begins in our hearts. When we grasp who God is, who we are, and the grace that has been extended to us, generosity naturally flows from that understanding.

The more we understand God’s ownership and our role as stewards, the more we want to give. Spiritual maturity is the foundation—without it, our giving will always feel like an obligation instead of an act of worship.

Even when our hearts are in the right place, poor financial habits can make generosity difficult. Many believers simply can’t give more because they’re weighed down by debt, overspending, or disorganization.

It often takes time—sometimes even years—to align our finances with our convictions. That might mean getting out of credit card debt, restructuring a business, or learning to live within our means. When we get our financial house in order, we create margin for generosity to flourish.

People don’t give to spreadsheets or buildings—they give to vision. When we can picture the impact of our giving, we’re motivated to invest more deeply.

A clear vision fuels generosity. Ask yourself: Where has God stirred my heart? What Kingdom work do I feel most passionate about? When we see how our resources can change lives—whether feeding children, funding missions, or supporting local ministries—we begin to give with joy and purpose.

Generosity rarely happens in isolation. We need relationships that encourage us to live open-handedly. When we surround ourselves with generous people—friends who talk about giving, pray about giving, and celebrate giving—we’re inspired to do the same.

Scripture reminds us that we are to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). Community reminds us that generosity isn’t just an individual act—it’s part of how the body of Christ functions together.

Finally, generosity grows through intentional planning. I’ve seen it over and over in my work as a financial planner: when people create a plan for their giving, their generosity increases dramatically—sometimes fivefold.

A plan brings clarity and purpose. It helps you set a “finish line” for lifestyle and accumulation so you can redirect mo

Have you ever sat down to watch an hour of television, and ended up staying there the whole night? Or scooped yourself a bowl of ice cream, only to eat the entire carton? Most of us have been guilty of such relatively minor overindulgences. But they serve as an important reminder that pleasure can become addictive. Dr. Robert Jeffress explains how pleasure lured the prodigal son away from his father.

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What causes you to feel distant from God? In The Life You Were Reborn to Live, Pastor Gary Thomas reveals twelve powerful lies that keep us disconnected – inviting us to exchange those falsehoods for the rich relationship God designed us to enjoy.

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