The Bridge Austin

In this episode, Mark Gregston tackles some more of the toughest, most heartfelt questions sent in by listeners. From managing frustration and anger as a parent, to navigating complex family dynamics like custody battles and divorce, Mark shares practical, compassionate advice. He also addresses concerns around screen time, gaming rules and the challenges grandparents face when supporting teens struggling with gender identity. Drawing on decades of experience working with families, Mark offers actionable strategies and a reminder to lead with empathy and relationship first.

Have a parenting question for Mark? Submit it at markgregston.com!

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. 

Whether you’re the mother of a toddler or an angsty teenager, one thing we all have in common is the need for regular prayer. Hillary Ferrer and Julie Loos developed a habit of journaling prayers early on in their lives, which became the foundation for their prayer habit with their families. They share how raw, honest prayer is essential to navigating the ups and downs of the parenting journey.

Receive a copy of Honest Prayers for Mama Bears and an audio download of "Building an Honest Prayer Life as a Mom" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

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If you’ve ever wished your giving could be both simpler and more strategic, there’s a powerful tool worth knowing about: the donor-advised fund, or DAF for short.

Generosity isn’t just about how much you give—it’s about the heart behind it. As Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Wise stewardship allows us to align our giving with God’s purposes, using tools that help us maximize our Kingdom impact. A donor-advised fund—when used rightly—can help you do both: give joyfully and steward resources efficiently.

Think of a DAF as a charitable checking account designed to support the causes you care about. You contribute cash, stock, or other assets, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to ministries or charities on your timetable.

In other words, it separates the act of giving from the act of distributing. You might contribute during a high-income year or before selling an asset to take advantage of tax benefits, while taking time to decide where those dollars should go prayerfully.

Behind the scenes, your DAF is managed by a sponsoring organization. At FaithFi, we recommend the National Christian Foundation (NCF)—one of the largest and most trusted Christian providers, founded by Larry Burkett and Ron Blue. NCF handles the record-keeping, issues the grants, and provides online tools to manage your giving.

Suppose you plan to sell a business or a piece of real estate that would normally result in a significant capital gain. By donating it to your donor-advised fund before the sale, you can avoid paying capital gains tax, allowing more of the donation to go directly to Kingdom purposes.

You receive an immediate tax deduction for the full value of your gift since it’s considered an irrevocable charitable contribution. The funds can be invested for potential growth while you prayerfully decide which ministries to support—or you can give immediately.

When you’re ready, you simply recommend a grant, such as $10,000, to your church or a mission organization. The DAF sponsor verifies the charity and then sends the gift—either in your name or anonymously.

Donor-advised funds have become the fastest-growing vehicle for charitable giving in America, and for good reason. They combine flexibility, simplicity, and intentionality—all with a focus on Kingdom impact.

Here are some of the key advantages:

• Simplicity – One contribution can fund all your charitable giving, with a single tax receipt and one dashboard to track every grant.
• Tax Efficiency – Receive your deduction when you contribute, not when you give. Donating appreciated assets can help avoid capital gains taxes, increasing the amount that goes to ministry.
• Flexibility – Give now and decide later where the funds should go, allowing generosity even as you discern where God is leading.
• Legacy Planning – Name successors—such as children or grandchildren—to carry on your legacy of generosity.
• Focus on Mission – Since the administration is handled for you, you can focus your energy on prayerfully deciding where to give.

No giving tool is perfect. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Irrevocability – Once you contribute to a DAF, it’s a completed gift—you can’t take the funds back.
• Qualified Recipients – Grants can only be made to IRS-approved charities, not individuals or political causes.

Have you ever longed for a best friend—someone who truly understands you and supports you through life’s ups and downs? The Bible reveals that we have access to the most faithful friend imaginable: Jesus Christ Himself. Dr. Robert Jeffress shares why Jesus wants an intimate relationship with you that will last for all eternity.

To support Pathway to Victory, go to ptv.org/donate.

Chip Ingram continues his conversation with apologist Sean McDowell, offering guidance for parents whose child is struggling with their gender identity or sexuality. They explain how to reject parental guilt, adopt a long-term perspective, and initiate dialogue rooted in both love and biblical truth.

Key Topics:

• Your Initial Response: How to lead with love and preserve the relationship.
• Giving Yourself Grace: Avoiding the trap of self-blame and the "perfect parent" myth.
• Moving Forward: The power of asking questions and listening to understand.
• Holding Firm: How to balance unconditional love with biblical conviction.
• A Proactive Culture: Creating a safe home for conversations about faith and sexuality.
• Defending God's Design: Answering the "outdated Bible" objection with Scripture and reason.

Actionable Steps for Parents:

• Lead with Unconditional Love: Affirm your relationship first to establish a foundation of safety and trust.
• Listen More, Lecture Less: Ask thoughtful questions to understand their heart and experience, not just to correct them.
• Hold Firm with Grace: Maintain your biblical convictions with compassion, establishing loving boundaries without compromising truth.
• Build a Culture of Conversation: Intentionally create a home where it’s safe to discuss any topic before it becomes a crisis.
• Know the "Why": Be ready to explain the goodness and purpose behind God's design, not just the rules.
• Use Their Interests as a Bridge: Use your child’s passions (movies, hobbies, etc.) as a natural starting point for deeper conversations.

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Hope in the Night - Forgiveness

In this episode of The Creative Connection, Ed Young explores the significance of intentional friendships, emphasizing that just as Jesus had an inner circle of close believers, we too need a committed, faith-centered "personal Board of Directors" to guide and uplift us spiritually and relationally, urging believers to cultivate relationships that lead somewhere meaningful rather than being stuck "on a bridge to nowhere."

Everything we have is derived from God's loving, generous hand. Yet it's so easy to fall into pride. In this message, Pastor Lutzer introduces us to five stages in the career of God's number-one angel: Lucifer. Why did this archangel turn traitor and rebel against his Creator?

This month's special offer is available for a donation of any amount. Get yours at https://offerrtw.com or call us at 1-800-215-5001.

Moody Church Media [https://www.moodymedia.org/], home of "Running To Win," exists to bring glory to God through the transformation of lives.

Erwin W. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church in Chicago, where he served as Senior Pastor for 36 years. He is a prolific author of over seventy books. A clear expositor of the Bible, he is the featured speaker on "Running To Win" and "Songs In The Night," with programs broadcasting on over a thousand outlets in the U.S. and across more than fifty countries in seven languages. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in the Chicago area. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren.

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