Words of Life: Weekly Christian Podcast with Testimonies & Teachings from the Salvation Army

What does God expect from our lives? In this episode of our series on the parables of Jesus, Major Cam Henderson explores one of Jesus’ more challenging stories: the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree.

Jesus tells the story of a fig tree that has been given time and care, yet continues to produce no fruit. The story is a serious reminder of the call to repentance and the importance of allowing God to transform our lives.

But the parable also points to God’s patience and grace. He gives us time, works in us, and calls us to become fruitful through His presence in our lives.

Join Major Cam Henderson as we explore Luke 13 and consider what it means to live a life that produces fruit for God and blesses the people around us.

STUDY ON THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

A GUIDE TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING PRAYER

https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/wordsoflife

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What can an annoying, persistent friend teach us about prayer? In this episode of our series on the parables of Jesus, Major Cam Henderson explores Jesus’ surprising story of a friend who comes knocking at midnight asking for bread.

Through this humorous and unexpected parable, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray with confidence, persistence, and trust. But the lesson goes beyond simply getting what we ask for. Jesus reminds us that God is not reluctant to hear us. He is our loving Father who knows what we truly need and delights in giving good gifts to His children.

Join Major Cam Henderson as we explore Luke 11, the Parable of the Persistent Friend, and Jesus’ invitation to keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking.

STUDY ON THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

A GUIDE TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING PRAYER

https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/wordsoflife

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What does it mean to truly follow Jesus? In this episode of our series on the parables of Jesus, Major Cam Henderson explores Jesus’ teaching about two builders: one who builds his house on solid rock and another who builds on sand.

Both houses face the same storm. The difference is what they were built on.

Jesus’ parable challenges us to look beyond simply hearing His words and consider whether we are actually putting them into practice. What foundation are we building our lives, our families, and our futures on? And when the storms of life come, will that foundation hold?

Join Major Cam Henderson as we explore Matthew 7 and Jesus’ powerful reminder that real wisdom is not simply knowing the truth, but living it.

STUDY ON THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

A GUIDE TO BETTER UNDERSTANDING PRAYER

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What is Jesus asking us to do with the good news we've received?

In the first episode of our new five-week series on the parables of Jesus, Major Cam Henderson takes us to Mark 4 and the parable of the growing seed. Jesus describes a farmer who scatters seed, trusts that it will grow, and eventually returns for the harvest.

We may not understand exactly how God works in someone's heart, or what the future holds, but we can faithfully do our part. As followers of Jesus, we are called to scatter the seed of the gospel wherever we go, trusting God with the growth and the harvest.

Who first shared the good news with you? And who might be waiting for you to share it with them?

Join us for this new series as we take a deeper look at the parables of Jesus and what they reveal about the Kingdom of God and our lives as His people.

Scripture: Mark 4:26-29
Guest: Major Cam Henderson, Atlanta Temple Corps

Learn more about Words of Life- https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/wordsoflife

Major Cam Henderson's church- https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/ga/brookhaven/n-druid-hills-rd-ne-corps/

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In this re-air episode of Words of Life, Bernie Dake revisits a conversation with professor, author, and speaker Jason Thacker about the rise of artificial intelligence and what it means for followers of Jesus. Jason offers a biblical perspective on the questions AI raises about technology, humanity, wisdom, and the way we engage an ever-changing world.

Rather than blindly embracing new technology or simply rejecting it, Jason encourages Christians to slow down, ask thoughtful questions, and consider how technology is shaping the way we see God, ourselves, and one another.

Here is a link to the original episode- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/following-jesus-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence/id1161823629?i=1000736943538

Learn more about Jason- https://jasonthacker.com/

Learn more about Words of Life- https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/wordsoflife

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What do our kids really need from us during the school year?

As we close our Back to School series, we take a step back from grades, schedules, activities, and expectations to talk about something deeper: what it means to be present for our children as they navigate the challenges of growing up.

Our panel reflects on the hopes and prayers they have for their children this school year, from developing gratitude and kindness to knowing who they are, knowing God, and building healthy friendships. But they also talk honestly about the difficult moments that come with parenting, including stress, disappointment, friendship struggles, and the times when our kids simply need a safe place to fall apart.

This conversation also explores the importance of community. Parents don't have to navigate the school year in isolation. Teachers, counselors, youth leaders, mentors, friends, churches, and other parents can all play an important role in helping children grow.

As this Back to School series comes to a close, join us for an encouraging conversation and a prayer for parents, students, teachers, friendships, and the year ahead.

Resources:
www.pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles/mental-health/for-families
www.nami.org/research/publications-reports/guides/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis/
childmind.org/resources
www.schoolsafety.gov/mental-health

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What do you do when your child starts asking questions about faith, God, the Bible, or even whether they believe at all anymore?

In this episode of Words of Life, our Back to School series continues with an honest conversation about helping children and teenagers develop a faith that is truly their own. As kids grow older, they encounter new ideas, difficult experiences, outside influences, and questions that can challenge the faith they were taught as children.

For Christian parents, those questions can be scary. But doubt and questions don't necessarily mean a child is walking away from God. In fact, asking questions can be an important part of developing a mature and lasting faith.

Resources:
www.pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles/mental-health/for-families
www.nami.org/research/publications-reports/guides/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis/
childmind.org/resources
www.schoolsafety.gov/mental-health

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Twenty-five years ago, the United States experienced the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Thousands of lives were lost, families were changed forever, and a nation was left grieving and searching for hope.

In this special episode of Words of Life, we remember September 11th through the experiences of people who witnessed the attacks and participated in The Salvation Army’s response in the days and weeks that followed.

From Ground Zero in New York City to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Salvation Army teams provided meals, water, emergency relief supplies, emotional and spiritual care, and a compassionate presence to firefighters, first responders, military personnel, volunteers, families, and others affected by the tragedy. The Salvation Army also served people stranded across the country and in Canada when hundreds of flights were diverted following the attacks.

Joining us for this special episode- Jeff Jellets, Major Ethan Frizzell, and Major Otis Childs.

Learn more about The Salvation Army’s disaster services at https://salarmyeds.org/

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In this episode our panel of teachers and parents discuss practical ways parents can support their children’s emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being in the ordinary rhythms of family life. The conversation centers on building trust, making space for honest conversations, creating room for fun, and making wise choices around phones and schedules. It’s a parenting discussion with a strong emphasis on relationship, consistency, and teamwork.

Key topics

• Supporting kids emotionally is different from supporting them academically, and both matter.
• Letting kids talk first, then listening before trying to solve the problem, helps build trust.
• Timing matters when asking questions, and consistency helps kids learn the door is always open.
• Family dinner, prayer requests, and praying for one another help children feel known and teach empathy.

Resources:
www.pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles/mental-health/for-families
www.nami.org/research/publications-reports/guides/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis/
childmind.org/resources
www.schoolsafety.gov/mental-health

Timestamps

00:00 - Words of Life opens and sets up a parenting conversation on emotional health
00:26 - Why this episode shifts from academic support to emotional support
01:19 - Letting kids talk first and listening before offering solutions
02:12 - Consistency, timing, and playful questions that lower barriers
03:04 - Family dinner as a built-in place for prayer and empathy
03:52 - How counseling can create safe space for deeper struggles
04:48 - Parents, counselors, teachers, and youth leaders working together
05:42 - Why overscheduling crowds out natural conversation
06:40 - Choosing relationship over productivity and performance
07:56 - Making room for joy, games, and fun in family life
08:40 - Why parents should want kids to enjoy spending time with them
09:40 - The changing pull of home, family, and social connection in Gen Alpha
11:09 - Phone habits, classroom engagement, and the cost of easy access
12:37 - Parenting requires hard choices, and sometimes the unpopular one is the loving one

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In this episode, we focus on how parents can support their children academically without making performance feel like identity. It covers practical ways to work with teachers, understand the real reasons behind struggling grades, and encourage independence, especially as kids get older. It also addresses how AI is changing schoolwork and why those conversations need to start early.

Key topics

• Parents often focus on grades and assignments, but the deeper goal is helping kids grow without linking worth to performance.
• One major theme is resisting the urge to rescue children from struggle, since doing too much can keep them from learning resilience.
• Technology now gives parents more school visibility than ever through notifications, grade trackers, and teacher posted class guides, but that can also create information overload.
• The conversation emphasizes that knowing the assignment is not the same as understanding what a child is learning or taking away from it.

Resources:
www.pta.org/home/programs/Healthy-Lifestyles/mental-health/for-families
www.nami.org/research/publications-reports/guides/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis/
childmind.org/resources
www.schoolsafety.gov/mental-health

Timestamps

00:00 - Episode introduction: helping kids without tying identity to achievement
01:17 - Parents rescuing too much and why struggle matters
02:13 - School apps, grade trackers, and the problem of information overload
03:09 - Why conversation matters more than assignment scores
03:38 - Why parents need to talk with kids about AI use now
04:35 - AI as a tool, not a replacement for learning
05:33 - Creativity, thinking, and the risk of outsourcing too much
06:29 - Separating a child’s identity from a bad grade
07:28 - When and how parents should contact the teacher
08:20 - Asking questions with curiosity instead of accusation
09:44 - Supporting kids through social and emotional stressors
10:40 - Bringing in guidance counselors when needed
11:08 - Getting to the real why behind academic struggles
12:06 - Celebrating progress, effort, and small wins
12:35 - Finding and nurturing each child’s strengths
13:05 - Why an 89 can still be worth celebrating
13:53 - Closing remarks and support information

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