Utah's Hope

Pastor Dan Seaborn returns for more great conversation on reflection in marriage. When was the last time you asked yourself, "What caused me to do that?" when you responded to your spouse in a not-so-productive way? Greg and Erin also have an exercise to build connection that will open up your spouse's inner world, and we answer a listener question about how often to have sex in a healthy marriage.

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What if the most important question about your savings isn’t how much you have—but what it’s really for?

We often think of saving as a financial skill—and it is. But Scripture invites us to see it as something deeper: a purposeful act of stewardship. When we understand saving through that lens, it begins to shape not just our finances, but our hearts.

Let’s be honest—saving rarely feels automatic.

If it did, we wouldn’t need reminders, spreadsheets, apps, or the occasional sticky note on the fridge. Saving requires us to resist the pull of the present in favor of the future. And that kind of restraint has always been in short supply.

Our culture encourages consumption and immediacy. Spend now. Upgrade now. Enjoy now. But saving calls us to a different rhythm—one marked by patience and preparation.

For many households, the challenge is even more pressing. Without financial margin, it only takes one unexpected expense—a repair, a medical bill, a job transition—to create significant strain. In that sense, saving isn’t just about numbers—it’s about posture.

Saving teaches us to slow down, to hold back, and to make intentional decisions. It’s the discipline of saying “not now” so we can say “yes” when the time is right.

Scripture consistently affirms this kind of foresight.

The book of Proverbs praises diligence, prudence, and gathering in season (Proverbs 6:6–8). These aren’t presented as signs of fear or lack of faith—but as wisdom in action.

Saving doesn’t compete with God’s provision. It responds to it.

When we save, we acknowledge that God has entrusted resources to us—and that we have a responsibility to steward them wisely. Biblical wisdom is never passive. It’s thoughtful, intentional, and forward-looking.

At the same time, Scripture gives us a clear guardrail. Our security doesn’t come from what we accumulate—it comes from the Lord.

When saving becomes a substitute for trust, it quietly shifts our foundation. We begin to rely on what we’ve stored rather than on the One who provides.

Jesus addresses this in Luke 12:24, pointing to the ravens: “They neither sow nor reap… and yet God feeds them.” His message isn’t that planning is wrong—it’s that anxiety is misplaced.

God knows our needs. He is faithful. Saving, rightly understood, is not self-reliance. It’s stewardship under God’s care.

Purpose is what keeps our savings from drifting into fear or accumulation.

Without purpose, saving can feel like deprivation—a constant delay of gratification. It can become a way of managing fear or building a false sense of control.

But with purpose, saving becomes something entirely different.

Saving with purpose transforms restraint into readiness. It isn’t just personal—it’s communal.

Scripture reminds us that we are stewards, not owners. What we have has been entrusted to us for purposes that extend beyond our own lives.

A lack of margin often limits our ability to respond when needs arise. But when we’ve prepared wisely, we’re positioned to give, serve, and support others more freely.

Generosity often requires readiness. And readiness requires margin.

It’s important to remember: Scripture doesn’t prescribe a universal savings percentage or target balance.

Faithfulness isn’t measured by a number.

For some—especially those facing financial hardship—saving may feel out of reach. That struggle is real, especially in today’s economic climate.

For others,

You love Jesus—but marriage still feels complicated. Ministry pressure. In-law tension. Career moves you didn’t plan. What does a strong Christian marriage actually look like after 25 years? If you're wondering How can I make a relationship last? Stephanie Carter and her husband Bryan--author of Made to Last: 8 Principles to Build Long Lasting Relationships--get you started in the right direction. They chat about conflict, calling, compromise—and the quiet resilience that keeps love standing. If you’re tired of clichés and want faith that works at home, this one’s for you.

Show Notes and Resources

• Learn more about Bryan Carter's and his book Made to Last: Eight Principles to Build Long-Lasting Relationships at bryancarter.org.
• Attend a Weekend to Remember marriage getaway, our faith-based retreat with biblical teaching, practical tools, and focused time for couples: Register now at WeekendToRemember.com
• Sign up for the free Blended and Blessed livestream: a one-day event focused on building unity in blended families: Happening April 18, 2026 — register at blendedandblessed.com
• Set sail on the Love Like You Mean It Marriage Cruise! Now through 3/31/26, use promo code CruiseMadness27 and enjoy exclusive savings on your stateroom. 

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You know, when you share a smile with someone, it’s not like they take it from you and you don’t have it anymore. Often you both end up smiling. When you share a word of encouragement, both of you are the better for it. When you share the Good News of God’s love, it can touch both of you profoundly. Today on A NEW BEGINNING, Pastor Greg Laurie shares how the Gospel is at the very center of God’s plan for mankind. It’s the one thing that can change the eternal trajectory of someone else’s life.

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Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years.

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Dr. Champ Thornton wants to inspire children – and their parents – with fascinating Bible facts, biographies of great Christians, humor, trivia, and more! He believes kids need to integrate their faith with the “real world” all around them and learn how to discern between godly truth and cultural perspectives.

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You’re not crazy. Blended family life is complicated—and sometimes it feels like you’re fighting battles that started long before this marriage. Old fears. Ex-spouses. Money tension. Kid loyalty binds. Ron Deal and Gayla Grace name the “ghosts” haunting stepfamilies—and why you lean out when you meant to lean in. If you’re tired of walking on eggshells, this one will feel uncomfortably familiar—in the best way.

Show Notes and Resources

• Watch Women & Blended Families 
• Attend Blended & Blessed for free this year! 
• Get the All- Access didgital pass from previous Blended & Blessed years 
• Listen to the podcast with Dr. Juli Slattery 
• Get your copy of The Mindful Marriage 

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Meditating on God’s Word, following His instruction, and trusting Him to provide for your needs are the foundation of obedience.

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For this episode of the Oddcast Rewind, we grabbed a handful of classic moments from the archives. Whether you've heard them before or are hearing them for the first time, we hope they brought you some joy to your weekend.
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