Podcasts from Ambassador Ministries

John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta explore the mental health challenges parents face in the exhausting early years, sharing honestly about spousal tension and the need for personal resets. Jim Daly talks with author Jen Babacan about her book Detoured, the importance of moms refueling themselves, and a memorable Target trip gone awry. The conversation wraps up with practical encouragement around self-awareness, community, and small routines that help parents survive the chaos plus a reminder about Focus on the Family's free counseling line.DetouredDiscovering Your New Identity as a Stay-at-Home Mom (Digital Download)Speak to a counselor

Your spouse's differences aren't a bug, they're a feature. Kathi Lipp and Sheri Gregory, authors of Overwhelmed, join the Focus on the Family Marriage podcast to explore how personality differences—expressives vs. analytics, introverts vs. extroverts, can clash in marriage yet ultimately complement each other when couples learn to value what each brings to the table. Discover why the traits that first attracted you are the ones that later drive you crazy, and how honest conversations and the right perspective can turn frustration into appreciation‌OverwhelmedPractical Help for When You're Overwhelmed

“True contentment,” said one of the great Puritans, “is a rare jewel.” He was speaking to Christians. Why is contentment so valuable, yet so hard to find? Join David Wollen for a new episode of The Great Stories Podcast called “Finding Contentment That Lasts with David Wollen.”

Nobody planted pumpkins in the Gresh farm muck pile—so how did they get there? Dannah Gresh and Suzy Weibel follow the mystery of the pumpkins nobody planted and discover how Jesus can grow something beautiful even out of the messy stories.As our thanks for your gift of any amount this month:Devoted: Six Women of the Bible Who Said "Yes, Lord!".Over 6 weeks study: Mary, the mother of Jesus; the Samaritan woman at the well; Sarah; Hannah; the Shunammite woman; and Anna. Each week highlights a different woman, helping you see how God works in seasons of waiting, longing, loss, and joy.Give today

Love the show? Text us your feedback! A $200,000 wrongful death settlement tied to an abortion case is not a headline you hear every day. This week on Life Defenders our guest, Mike Seibel, a plaintiff-side malpractice attorney, walks us through how informed consent failures can become the fulcrum for civil litigation against abortion providers, clinics, and even the wider abortion pill pipeline. Mike defines what “informed consent” is supposed to look like when abortion is treated as healthcare: clear disclosure of risks, proper screening for ectopic pregnancy, ultrasound dating, and communication of black box warnings. He then shares with us the real-world consequences when those standards of care are ignored, including a case involving consent while intoxicated on methamphetamine and another involving a late-term abortion process that ended in sepsis. Then we discuss how personhood arguments can surface in state tort law, why viability and state statutes matter, and what it could mean if more jurisdictions recognize wrongful death claims connected to lack of informed consent.  Lastly we zoom out to the playbook: how other attorneys might replicate this approach, what legislative tools could make these cases less risky for plaintiffs, and why public awareness campaigns like billboards can shift culture by treating abortion harms like any other product or medical injury claim. We also talk candidly about professional backlash and the personal cost of fighting for life and why faith and perseverance keep the work moving.  If you find this conversation valuable, subscribe, share it with someone who cares about patient safety and informed consent, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show.RESOURCESMike's website is: https://abortioninjury.com/Support the show

Parenting is the best thing in the world — and one of the most exhausting. In this episode of the Focus on the Family Parenting Podcast, John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta dive into the mental health struggles parents face, from the exhaustion of comparing loads with your spouse to the importance of knowing when to step away and reset. They share practical wisdom on putting words to your stress, normalizing the need for space, and finding small routines that anchor your family through the chaos. The episode also features a conversation between Focus on the Family President Jim Daly and author Jen Babacan, who recounts her hilarious and harrowing first Target trip with two little ones and shares lessons from her book Detoured: The Messy, Grace-Filled Journey from Working Professional to Stay-at-Home Mom — a reminder that moms are the temperature gauge of the home, and you can't pour from an empty tank. Plus, discover a free counseling resource, a new Christian music station, and encouragement for the long haul of parenting. Faith is often caught more than it is taught. In this episode, John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss a conversation with Stephen and Sarah Williams about standing firm in your faith when it's challenged. As Stephen shares his experience facing opposition as a public school history teacher, you'll discover how parents can model courage, resilience, and biblical conviction for their children, helping them build a faith that remains strong even in a culture that pushes back against Christian beliefs.Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting AssessmentAre My Kids on Track?Leading Your Child Through Emotional Milestones (Digital)

Children are a blessing — but they're also one of the biggest disruptors a marriage will face. In this episode of the Focus on the Family Marriage Podcast, host John Fuller sits down with Dr. Greg and Dr. Erin Smalley to discuss how couples can protect their relationship amid the chaos of parenting, navigate disagreements about roles and responsibilities, and stay unified when their parenting styles differ. You'll also hear a candid and humorous conversation Jim Daly had with Pat and Ruth Schwenk, authors of For Better or For Kids, about the unpredictable early years of raising kids — including one unforgettable story involving a yellow umbrella and a Michigan football game — and why fighting for your marriage matters in every season of parenthoodFor Better or for KidsFocus on Marriage AssessmentLoving Your Spouse in the Midst of Parenthood

Alexandra Hudson explains that civility isn’t about being polite—it’s about recognizing the inherent dignity of others, even in deep disagreement. She shares how true civility requires moral courage: the willingness to engage in hard conversations, challenge what’s wrong, and still see opponents as equals, while rebuilding trust and connection in the fractured, polarized culture. She calls each of us to make an impact for Christ right where we are, by treating one another with respect. SUPPORT REFOCUS! GIVE HERE! Send your feedback or questions to Jim in the Contact Form.DAILY CITIZEN: Focus on the Family’s The Daily Citizen provides a faith-based perspective to counter the mainstream media’s anti-Christian bias. The publication exists to provide timely, relevant analysis of current events and cultural trends all from a biblical worldview.TRUTH RISING: The world is shifting. Truth is under attack. Truth Rising, a new documentary from Focus on the Family and the Colson Center, reveals the crisis shaking faith, identity, and morality. But we can make a difference when we stand in God’s truth. Join the movement—watch now! ROSARIA BUTTERFIELD ON REFOCUS: Rosaria Butterfield shares how her worldview shifted from feminism and LGBT culture towards God's truth after some loving Christians befriended her. She addresses five prominent lies in the culture regarding homosexuality, gender, feminism and spirituality as she helps you speak biblical truth to others in a loving way. BOOK: Buy your copy of Jim Daly’s book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.PASTOR J.D. GREEAR ON REFOCUS: Jim Daly and Pastor J.D. Greear explore how Christians can faithfully engage a polarized culture without losing sight of the gospel. Drawing from J.D.'s book Everyday Revolutionary, he challenges believers to avoid the twin errors of political disengagement and over-identifying Christian hope with political power.

Week 3 of the series The Porchlight is OnA Message by Max Lucado.

Faith is often caught more than it is taught. In this episode, John Fuller and Dr. Danny Huerta discuss a conversation with Stephen and Sarah Williams about standing firm in your faith when it's challenged. As Stephen shares his experience facing opposition as a public school history teacher, you'll discover how parents can model courage, resilience, and biblical conviction for their children, helping them build a faith that remains strong even in a culture that pushes back against Christian beliefs.Take the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting AssessmentProtecting Your Child's Faith in Public School (Digital)Resources: Schools and Related Issues

Teamwork takes intentionality. No matter how hard it gets, it's worth the effort. Erin Smalley shares some exciting news about how teamwork has paid off in her marriage. Then, Dr. Randy Schroeder joins Jim Daly to give couples a framework for encouraging each other in your daily lives. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILYSimple Habits for Marital HappinessFocus on Marriage AssessmentForming New Habits for Your MarriageFilling Your Marriage With JoyListen to Focus Live on Godcaster

These and other sayings come from a culture that often glorifies work, productivity, and the self-made person. Yet God’s Word tells us something quite different. This week on the Great Stories Podcast, David Wollen is joined by Brett McCracken to explore why sleep matters and what our need for rest reveals about God’s design for us in Brett McCracken on Why Sleep Matters.

On the Gresh Farm, the goats keep showing up somewhere they definitely don’t belong—and Dannah and Suzy can’t figure out how they’re getting there! Join them as they solve the mystery and discover what Lamentations 3 teaches us about God’s mercy.As our thanks for your gift of any amount this month:Devoted: Six Women of the Bible Who Said "Yes, Lord!".Over 6 weeks study: Mary, the mother of Jesus; the Samaritan woman at the well; Sarah; Hannah; the Shunammite woman; and Anna. Each week highlights a different woman, helping you see how God works in seasons of waiting, longing, loss, and joy.Give today

Love the show? Text us your feedback! “Late-term abortion isn’t even a thing.” That claim gets repeated so often it can start to sound like settled fact, but we don’t think the public can afford comforting myths. This week we sit down with Dr. Kathy Altman, a retired board-certified OBGYN and associate scholar with the Charlotte Lozier Institute, to sort out what people mean by “late-term,” what the data suggests about abortions later in pregnancy, and why “rare” can still mean thousands of lives every year.  Dr. Altman also tells her personal story, including performing abortions earlier in her career, what she saw in clinical practice, and the moments that forced her to re-examine the humanity of the unborn. We discuss how language can sanitize violence, why viability keeps shifting with medical technology, and why the same medications used for labor induction, including mifepristone and misoprostol, raise hard questions when the goal changes from delivery and care to ending a life.  We also dig into the legal and cultural side: laws that allow abortion up to birth, the debate around born-alive protections, and why silence in churches can leave people with their moral compass set by politics and pop culture. If you want an unfiltered conversation about late-term abortion, fetal development, women’s health, and what a pro-family culture could look like, this one is for you.  Subscribe for more conversations like this, share the episode with someone who avoids the topic, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Support the show

Week 2 of the series The Porchlight is On. A Message by Max Lucado.

As Anchor Devotional celebrates its 50th anniversary, David Wollen and Kathy Daane come together on this week’s Great Stories Podcast to look back on memorable stories and reflections from Anchor throughout the years.

How do you raise kids who will have a good attitude? Arlene Pellicane and Jim Daly give some ideas for how to encourage godly character in your kids instead of entitlement. Also, Danny and John discuss how building character in your kids can help improve their mental health. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.Parents RisingTake the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting AssessmentRaising Godly Children in Today's Culture (Digital Download)8 Strategies PDFCan a Parent Expect Respect?

Without feeling emotionally safe, it's hard to work together as a couple. Josh Straub and his wife Christi talk to Jim Daly about how he learned to make her feel seen and heard. Also, Greg opens up about why it's so meaningful when Erin encourages him. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILYA Crazy Little Thing Called MarriageCheck Out Greg & Erin's PodcastWorking Together as a Team in Your MarriageDeveloping Teamwork in MarriageListen to Focus Live on Godcaster

Have you ever watched your brother do something that seems crazy to, and you wonder why boys and girls are so different? You're not the only one who's asked that, and there are many ways people try to answer the question. What matters is what God.As our thanks for your gift of any amount this month:Devoted: Six Women of the Bible Who Said "Yes, Lord!".Over 6 weeks study: Mary, the mother of Jesus; the Samaritan woman at the well; Sarah; Hannah; the Shunammite woman; and Anna. Each week highlights a different woman, helping you see how God works in seasons of waiting, longing, loss, and joy.Give today

Love the show? Text us your feedback! How do we speak truth with real compassion without losing the goal of protecting babies? This week on Life Defenders we discuss this and other tough questions with Breanne a post-abortive Christian and pregnancy help leader. Breanne shares her story with clarity and humility, from choosing abortion as a teenager to finding healing, faith, and a calling to help women on the brink of the same decision.Breanne shares her thoughts as a post-abortive woman on the debate shaping pro-life strategy right now: should abortion be treated like any other homicide, or is exempting the mother necessary for compassion and effective outreach?We talk about why “criminalizing women” is a loaded phrase borrowed from the abortion industry, why law acts as a teacher that reshapes culture, and why consistency matters if we expect anyone outside our movement to believe what we say.Then we get practical about the current landscape: chemical abortions, pills shipped through the mail, women going through painful and risky processes alone, and where abortion pill reversal (APR) fits into a bigger plan to save lives. Breanne explains why she doesn’t believe equal protection would destroy pregnancy resource centers, and why truth-telling and love have to stay together if we’re serious about protecting both mom and baby.If you care about ending abortion, not just managing it, this conversation will challenge you to think harder and act clearer. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find Life Defenders. Support the show

Hi, friend. I hope you're doing well today. This week on the podcast, we're encouraged to remember that God’s promises are greater than our circumstances. Elijah’s faith and prayers during a time of drought encourage us to trust God, listen for His voice, and believe His promises even before we see them fulfilled.   Through Elijah’s story, we’re reminded that seasons of drought are temporary, but God’s promises are eternal. When we humble ourselves, pray, and trust Him, we can have hope in His faithfulness and confidence that He will fulfill what He has promised.

Week 1 of the series The Porchlight is OnA Message by Max Lucado.

From conversations about disability and caregiving to grief, perseverance, and hope, this season has been a reminder that you are never alone in your hardships. No matter what you're facing today, God sees you, loves you, and is continuing to write a beautiful story of redemption and grace. In this episode, you'll also hear what's coming next for the podcast, including an upcoming mini-series on disability and the church featuring some familiar voices from past seasons. Until then, we pray these conversations continue to encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus because our God is faithful. Listen to Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Sharing Hope” Podcast Subscribe and review our podcast wherever you listen   KEY QUESTIONS: Where have you seen God's faithfulness in your own story this year? Who in your life needs encouragement and hope right now? You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.

I guess I’m just too sensitive. I feel guilty when I walk in a store, knowing I’m not going to buy anything. And some bored salesperson sees me come in, and then you see that look of hope, that look of expectancy on their face, “At last I can justify my existence. At last I’ve got a customer! At last I can accomplish something. At last I can sell something.” And so they very pleasantly ask, “May I help you?” And then come those two most hated words to the ears of a salesperson, “Just looking.” Suddenly they lose all interest in me and they retire dejectedly back to their corner. Did I say I’m too sensitive? Well, I’ll tell you this, nobody ever gets very excited about someone who is just looking. I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Spiritual Spectators.” Our word for today from the Word of God comes from John 9. I’ll begin reading at verse 13. It’s the story of the man who had been born blind who Jesus healed. Now, Jesus has always been troubled by people who are just looking. For example in this passage, “They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was the Sabbath. Therefore, the Pharisees also asked Him how he had received his sight. ‘He put mud on my eyes’ the man replied, ‘and I washed and now I see.’ Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God for he does not keep the Sabbath.’” This is amazing! You want to say to the Pharisees, “Guys, wake up! A man who could never see before was just healed! Do you understand what just happened?” And they are busy doing their theological analysis of the situation. They have no intention of buying into what Jesus is doing. They’re just looking. Everywhere Jesus performed miracles it seemed that there were two groups of people: the "expectors" who had faith, who wanted to get in on the supernatural and who did, and the "dissectors" who stood off with their arms folded and said, “What shall we call this? Where does this fit in our theology?” And they saw no miracle. What bothers me is that the dissectors were the religious folks, the spiritual veterans, the Bible people. That’s me. That might be you. And they were always so busy analyzing the miracle, they missed the miracle. You know, as you get more settled into Christian things and you know more Christian ideas, and hold more Christian jobs, a subtle numbness can start to grow inside of you. You go to church to watch God speak to others. You make spiritual events happen, but you stop letting them happen to you. You start to become a discusser of God’s working rather than an experiencer of His working. You used to have an experience now you just have knowledge. You start to become critical of His leaders and their methods. Can you see that creeping sleep in your soul? Somewhere you stepped out of the middle of God’s life-changing work and you moved to the edges to watch, to analyze, to categorize, to criticize. Hey, it’s cold out there. You show up at God’s store, you look around, but you don’t buy into the wonder of it all. Why don’t you get back into the mainstream where the miracles are? Let God happen to you again, not just happen around you. When Jesus is offering such supernatural merchandise, it would be a shame if you were just on the edges and just looking.

It’s often said that what God desires for us is not our happiness, but our holiness. But what if, through making us holy, God is also changing what makes us happy? Join David Wollen with special guest Andrew Wilson on a new episode of the Great Stories Podcast, Andrew Wilson on Finding Happiness in Christ, as they explore where true and lasting happiness is found and how our greatest joy is ultimately found in Christ.

You’ve probably been told since you were really little that you need to forgive. But when someone hurts you, forgiveness isn’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, sometimes it feels impossible. So why is it so important?As our thanks for your gift of any amount this month:Devoted: Six Women of the Bible Who Said "Yes, Lord!".Over 6 weeks study: Mary, the mother of Jesus; the Samaritan woman at the well; Sarah; Hannah; the Shunammite woman; and Anna. Each week highlights a different woman, helping you see how God works in seasons of waiting, longing, loss, and joy.Give today

Love the show? Text us your feedback! Two high school students, Josie Bushman and Clara Gates are doing what a lot of adults only talk about: building community, taking heat for it, and still showing up with calm conviction. This week Josie and Clara share how young pro-life leaders learn to speak about abortion without losing their humanity or their friends, even when the lunch table gets tense and the comments turn sharp. Get honest information about pushback, fear, and the awkward moments that come with taking a public stand.  What actually grows a pro-life club on a Catholic high school campus? Posters that spark curiosity, meetings that cover more than one life issue, and steady participation in events like the March for Life. They explain the reality of school limitations, why some students stay quiet even when they agree, and how simple visibility can “plant seeds” without turning every conversation into a debate. You will learn practical ways to build a pro-life club, navigate tough conversations, and use your own sphere of influence with courage and restraint. If you have ever wondered how to start a student club, find a trusted adult ally, or get involved locally when you feel alone, you will leave with a practical path.  We discuss about a wider shift many people are noticing in Gen Z: renewed interest in faith, youth groups, and traditional values, plus the role social media plays in making courage feel contagious. Finally, we address the most common pro-abortion arguments they hear day to day and what resources help students respond with clarity. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs courage, and leave a review with the moment that challenged you most.Support the show

Hello, friend. In This Encouraging Word, Max Lucado takes us to Elijah’s showdown on Mount Carmel, where God reveals His power and reminds His people that He alone is Lord. Through Elijah’s story, we’re reminded that spiritual battles are real, worship matters, and faith calls us to stand firm in God’s truth. This episode also points us toward the ultimate victory of Christ and encourages us to trust God’s power in every battle we face.

Week 4 of the series For The Next.A Message by Travis Eades..

When Average Boy comes home after dominating a basketball game, he gets a shock. His bedroom has been painted bright pink! What his parents hoped would be a red-iculously cool surprise has turned into a colorful disaster. AB now has a big problem and an even bigger decision: Will he panic, complain or find a creative solution? Listen to find out how flexibility, teamwork and a good attitude can help us handle when things don't go according to plan. Plus, hear a fun listener joke, learn Jesse’s favorite paddle sport and discover why Proverbs 16:2 reminds us that God sees the motives behind our actions.Click here to see the new Average Boy book title and cover! Click here to visit the Average Boy Store to gain access to books, devotionals, subscriptions to Cl… We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail. If you enjoyed listening to The Official Average Boy Podcast, please give us your feedback.Shop our podcast store

What if the life you've been given is more beautiful and purposeful than you've allowed yourself to believe? Living with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, mental health struggles, and countless surgeries, Renee Dollenmayer knows what it means to go through the hard. But she's also discovered something profound—joy isn't found in perfect circumstances, but in the presence of Jesus. In this episode, Renee shares how God has transformed her understanding of disability, singleness, waiting, and purpose. From founding Even If Ministries and serving families through Joni and Friends to adaptive skiing in Colorado and faithfully surrendering her dreams to the Lord, Renee reminds listeners that disability is never a disqualifier for living a full and meaningful life. Together, Stephanie and Renee discuss what it means to behold God's presence, wait well for the desires of our hearts, cultivate joy in difficult seasons, and courageously say "yes" to the life God has placed before us—even if it looks different than we expected.   Connect with Renee at ReneeDollenmayer.com Follow Even If Ministries on Instagram @weareevenif   KEY QUESTIONS: What does it mean to behold God's presence in my everyday life? How can I find my identity in Christ rather than my circumstances? How can I courageously say "yes" to the opportunities God places before me?   KEY SCRIPTURES: Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Philippians 3:13-14: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and <a href="https://www.joniandfriends.org/ministries/church-training-resources/?utm_source=ministry_podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_cam

This week on Great Stories Podcast, Dr. Thomas Kidd continues his conversation with David Wollen about George Whitefield and the lasting impact of the Great Awakening. They explore Whitefield’s surprising friendship with Benjamin Franklin, the flaws that shaped his life and ministry, and the story of his death. Dr. Kidd also explains how the seeds of the Great Awakening helped give rise to the evangelical movement and continue to shape the Church today. Listen to the new episode: Dr. Thomas Kidd and the Birth of the Great Awakening Part 2.

Do you ever wonder if Jesus is disappointed with you when you make a mistake? Join Dannah Gresh and Suzy Weibel as they answer one of the hardest questions girls ask, "Dear Jesus, do You still love me when I mess up?"This podcast is only possible with the support of listeners like you. Please consider giving generously to the work of helping women thrive in Christ: Give today

Love the show? Text us your feedback! You trust your doctor with your body, your family, and sometimes your life. So what happens when medicine starts treating “do no harm” as optional and replaces it with a customer-service mindset where the request matters more than the ethical guardrails?  This week we talk with board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Christina Francis, CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to unpack what the Hippocratic Oath was really trying to solve. The Hippocratic tradition drew a hard line between healing and intentionally harming patients, and that line still matters for trust in healthcare today.  We trace how abortion helped shift medical ethics toward an autonomy-first provider model.   We also discuss how major medical associations like ACOG(American College of Obstetrics/Gynecology) shape standards of care and influence court decisions, especially on politically charged issues such as abortion, abortion pill reversal, conscience rights in medicine, physician-assisted suicide, and transgender medicine. You will learn how to choose an OB you can trust, share clear questions to ask your doctor and what to look for in hospitals and professional affiliations to find physicians committed to do no harm.  If this conversation challenges you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more Straight Talk on Life Issues, and leave a review. What questions would you ask your doctor after hearing this?ResourcesHome page for AAPLOGFind a pro-life doctorSupport the show

Hello, friend. Thanks for joining me on The Encouraging Word Podcast. In this message, we continue our study of Elijah and the showdown on Mount Carmel, where God exposes the emptiness of Baal and reminds us that He alone is Lord. If you have ever felt pulled between two loyalties, or wondered whether God can really come through in a hard place, this episode will encourage you to stand firm and gaze at Christ.

Week 3 of the series For The Next.A Message by Travis Eades..

What if caregiving isn't an interruption to ministry, but ministry itself? For more than three decades, Dr. Michael Beates has served as a theologian, professor, author, and longtime leader with Joni and Friends. But beyond the classroom and the conference stage, his greatest ministry has been at home, alongside his wife,caring for their daughter with profound disabilities, his aging mother-in-law, and their adopted son who has ongoing support needs.  In this thoughtful and deeply personal conversation, Dr. Mike Beates shares how disability reshaped his understanding of the Gospel, the image of God, and what it means to faithfully follow Christ. Together, Stephanie and Mike explore why weakness is central to the Christian life, how caregiving reveals the heart of God, and why every person possesses immeasurable dignity, not because of what they can do, but because they bear God's image. Whether you're a caregiver, a ministry leader, or someone walking through a season of dependence, this episode offers biblical encouragement to see caregiving as holy work and weakness as a place where God's grace shines brightest.   Get a copy of Dr. Michael Beates book, Disability and the Gospel Connect with Mike on Facebook   MENTIONED RESOURCES: Tune in to Joni Eareckson Tada’s Radio and Podcast Programs Get your copy of Considering Sparrows by Kevin Burrell Listen to Jess Ronne’s episode: Caregiving with Grit, Grace, and Joy   KEY QUESTIONS:  Do I define my worth, or the worth of others, by what they can do rather than who they are as an image bearer of God? How has weakness revealed my need for Christ? Who has God placed in my life that needs to experience His love through practical care?   KEY SCRIPTURES: Deuteronomy 30:6, "The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live." 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ." You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their p

Is it a challenge for you to keep the house clean? As we approach a new school year, Kristi Clover and Jim Daly offer young moms some encouragement for how to teach kids to clean. Plus, John and Danny will give some guidelines for how to make cleaning fun, even if you kid doesn't want to do it. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/parentingpodcast. Or call 1-800-A-FAMILY.M.O.M.: Master Organizer of MayhemTake the 7 Traits of Effective Parenting AssessmentSimple Ways to Organize Your Home and Family (digital)Avoiding Chore WarsListen to Focus Live on the Godcaster app

What happens when God raises up a preacher to proclaim the Gospel to a generation in desperate need of revival? This week on Great Stories Podcast, Dr. Thomas Kidd joins David Wollen to explore the beginnings of the Great Awakening, George Whitefield’s dramatic conversion, and the powerful preaching ministry God used to draw thousands to hear the message of the new birth. Listen to the new episode: Dr. Thomas Kidd and the Birth of the Great Awakening

Dannah Gresh and Suzy Weibel are in the True Girl studio this season answering questions we get from our listeners. They’ll use the Bible to try to figure out how Jesus would write back. The first question up to tackle: Will my dog be in heaven?As our thanks for your gift of any amount this month:Finding Beauty in Every Season."Finding Beauty in Every System: 30 Reflections to Start Your Day" invites women to begin each morning with quiet encouragement, biblical truth, and reminders of God’s faithfulness through every season of life.Give today

Love the show? Text us your feedback! “It's deeply offensive to think that a child only has value if it meets a certain profile standard that not even necessarily a parent, a purchaser sometimes is trying to find,” Chelsea Painter Davis.IVF is sold as a hopeful shortcut to parenthood, but hope doesn’t erase the ethical math happening in the lab. This week we talk with Chelsea Painter Davis, an IVF survivor and disability advocate known as the viral Blind Mom, about why IVF can’t be treated as a value-neutral “family building” tool when embryos are created, graded, frozen, and destroyed. We wrestle with what a consistent pro-life ethic demands, how disability screening can become eugenics, and what ethical alternatives could look like for people facing infertility.Chelsea shares her personal story, from learning she was conceived through in vitro fertilization to becoming blind after a pulmonary embolism linked to hormonal birth control. That lived experience sharpens the conversation around disability and value, especially when she describes being pushed toward termination after an abnormal ultrasound during pregnancy. We unpack how quickly “likely disability” can turn into a cultural permission slip to end a life, and why that mindset echoes inside IVF when embryos are screened for traits and “undesirable” outcomes.  We also dig into the bigger picture: embryo selection and destruction, the commodification of human life, and why the word “purchaser” shows up when fertility becomes a marketplace with limited oversight. From the question of frozen embryos in cryo storage to the tension between political pragmatism and moral consistency, we try to name what’s true without treating IVF-conceived people as anything less than fully human.  If you found this conversation clarifying or challenging, subscribe for more, share it with someone who cares about IVF ethics and disability, and leave a review so more people can find it. What’s the hardest question you think the IVF industry avoids?Resources:Chelsea's InstagramCreated to LiveSupport the show

Learning to adapt well as a blended family is not a simple process. Jim Daly talks with Ron Deal on some of the top stressors in blended marriages. Then, Greg and Erin encourage all couples to deal with issues when they're small before they turn into something problematic. Find us online at focusonthefamily.com/marriagepodcast or call 1-800-A-FAMILYThe Smart Stepfamily MarriageFocus on Marriage AssessmentImproving Your Marriage as a Blended Family Couple (Digital)Listen to Focus Live on Godcaster Counseling Consultation and Referrals

Week 2 of the series For The Next.. A Message by Travis Eades..

How can Christians faithfully care for a loved one living with dementia while holding onto hope, truth, and compassion? In this practical and hope-filled conversation, dementia care expert Lizette Cloete shares biblical wisdom for navigating one of life's most difficult caregiving journeys. Drawing from decades of professional experience, Lizette explains why caregiving is more than a responsibility—it's a God-given calling that shapes our hearts and deepens our dependence on Christ. Stephanie and Lizette discuss how to care for a loved one with dignity, navigate difficult family dynamics, communicate truth without deception, avoid caregiver burnout, and find lasting hope in God’s promises. Whether you're caring for a parent, spouse, or friend with dementia—or simply want to support someone who is—this episode offers practical tools and biblical encouragement for every step of the journey. Connect with Lizette at  ThinkDifferentDementia.com   KEY QUESTIONS: Am I viewing my loved one through God's eyes? Have I accepted caregiving as my situational calling from God? How can I steward my circumstances to better serve my situation?   KEY SCRIPTURES: Psalm 13:1, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" Ephesians 4:15, "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." Revelation 21:4, ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on <a href="https://www.joniandfriends.org/media/rad