The Light

Find comfort in knowing that God encourages us when our hearts are troubled.

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What does it mean to enter God's rest? Why is the cross not enough? What role does the resurrection play in our salvation? What purpose do the Ten Commandments serve? What about in the life of a believer? Do Christians "fall out of fellowship" with God when they sin?

Our experiences with earthly fathers can shape the way we view God, but they do not define who He is. Where human relationships may have included inconsistency, disappointment, or conditional love, God reveals Himself as a Father who is faithful, approachable, and unchanging. His love is not based on our performance, accomplishments, or ability to measure up—it is rooted in His grace and what Christ has already accomplished for us.

Highlights:

• God invites His children to approach Him with confidence and receive His mercy and grace
• Our experiences with earthly fathers can influence how we view God, but Scripture reveals His true character
• God’s love is not earned through accomplishments or perfection—it is a gift of grace
• Through Jesus, we can come before God without fear of condemnation or rejection
• Our Heavenly Father is faithful, approachable, and always present in our time of need

Join the Conversation

Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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Full Transcript Below:

Approaching Our Father

By Cindi McMenamin

Bible Reading:
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV).

Do you ever need help but hesitate to ask someone, unsure of what their response might be? The writer to the Hebrews must have known we would experience that type of hesitation when approaching God, and apparently wanted us to know that we can approach our Father God with confidence and find Him full of mercy and grace when we need help. 

This wasn’t an easy concept for me to grasp. Even though I grew up in church, learning about the love and forgiveness of my heavenly Father, I also believed I had to earn my earthly father’s love. I don’t often remember my dad saying “I love you,” but I do remember how pleased he was with my accomplishments, so I often heard him say, “I’m so proud of you.” Thus, it was ingrained in me that if I accomplished much and made him proud, that equated to his love for me. 

I also grew up fearing my dad’s reaction if I made a dent in a wall, left a scratch on our car, or broke something of value. I was especially fearful of bringing home a traffic ticket. I learned how to tiptoe around him a

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What do you do when you've prayed faithfully, trusted wholeheartedly, and the answer still hasn't come?

In this heartfelt episode of God-Sized Stories, Patricia Holbrook welcomes author, speaker, and ministry leader Lauren Gaskill for an honest conversation about infertility, chronic illness, unanswered prayers, and learning to trust God in the waiting.

Years ago, Patricia met Lauren during one of the most difficult seasons of her life. Struggling with health challenges and longing to become a mother, Lauren wrestled with questions many believers quietly carry: God, where are You? How long will this last? Can I keep hoping when my heart is tired?

Today, Lauren is the mother of two beautiful boys and the author of Until the Miracle Comes: Finding Victory in a Faith That Won't Quit. In this encouraging conversation, she shares how God met her in the uncertainty and strengthened her faith through seasons she never would have chosen.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to remain faithful when prayers seem unanswered
• Why waiting seasons don't mean God has forgotten you
• What it means to cultivate a faith that won't quit
• Encouragement for women navigating infertility, chronic illness, or delayed dreams
• How God can bring purpose and intimacy even before the miracle arrives

If you've ever wondered whether God still sees you in the waiting, this episode offers both honesty and hope.

Lauren's new book, Until the Miracle Comes, provides biblical encouragement and practical wisdom for anyone learning to trust God through life's most uncertain seasons.

If this conversation encouraged you, would you take a moment to subscribe, follow the podcast, and leave a review? Your support helps us continue sharing stories that point others to God's faithfulness.

You'll find links to Lauren's book, resources, the book giveaway and the accompanying blog post HERE:

Book giveaway: If a giveaway is associated with this episode, visit the blog for details on how to enter.

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Click on the link above to support us and help keep this show going!

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When we think about difficult relationships, especially with our parents, God invites us to view them through the lens of His grace and redemption. Honoring a father does not mean ignoring pain, excusing harmful actions, or pretending wounds do not exist. Instead, it means trusting God to bring healing, justice, and transformation in ways only He can.

Highlights:

• God cares about both the wounds we carry and the people who have caused them
• Forgiveness does not mean ignoring pain, excusing wrongdoing, or removing healthy boundaries
• God’s grace extends to every person, including those who have deeply failed others
• We can trust God to bring healing and transformation where we cannot
• Honoring others begins with allowing God to shape our hearts through compassion and forgiveness

Join the Conversation

Have you experienced a time when God reminded you that He saw your pain, needs, or circumstances? How does knowing that God is El Roi—the God who sees you—change the way you approach difficult seasons?

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

Do you want to listen ad-free?

When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! 

Sign Up Today!

Full Transcript Below:

No Father Left Behind

By Lynette Kittle

Bible Reading:

“There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.” - Proverbs 30:11

Nowadays, some adult children believe they are justified in dismissing their earthly fathers, seeing it as a personal matter between the two of them and believing God is okay with whatever they decide to do.

But nothing could be further from the truth, because God cares not only for us but for our fathers, too. Like the Marines’ unofficial slogan of leaving no man behind, God doesn’t leave fathers behind either, even in their failures and sins.

Sadly, many individuals have valid reasons for turning their backs on their fathers. Yet God calls us to follow His lead in responding to the pain in our lives, because too many fathers have fallen by the wayside and need His help, mercy, and redemption.

Tragically, some fathers have been drunkards, drug users, criminals, murderers, prisoners, abusers, and more.

Still, God holds children accountable for their attitudes toward their fathers because it’s a matter of the heart—the kind of issue that, if left unchecked, can lead to lifelong sorrow.

Regardless of a father’s sin, God doesn’t write fathers off or give children permission to do the same. Instead, He calls us to forgiveness and to trust Him to work in our fathers’ lives.

God sees you.

Take heart in knowing that God can use your failures to reap a harvest of righteousness.

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