HOPE 94.5 Podcasts

Send us Fan MailThis weekend, Lancaster native Jeff Bianchi joins us to share about his career in professional baseball, and how the Lord guided him and his wife to use baseball as a ministry in Lancaster, across the country in MLB and MiLB, and even across the sea in Spain. Learn more about Jeff’s baseball training academy in Lancaster, Bianchi Baseball Academy!Click HERE to follow Beyond The Scoreboard on Facebook for shareable soundbites and the links to every week’s show on-demand! Check out the websites for both of our radio stations in Southeastern PA: WDAC 94.5 Lancaster and 107.5Alive Boyertown!Included soundbites courtesy of CBN Sports and Grace Community Church of Willow Street. Beyond The Scoreboard does not claim ownership of said soundbite. 

Greek philosopher Epictetus once said, “Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” That insight may be more relevant today than ever. We live in a world constantly urging us to want more, upgrade more, and pursue more. But what if that endless pursuit is costing us something far more valuable than money? What if wanting less is one of the most powerful financial decisions we can make? On today’s episode of Faith & Finance, financial coach and author Bob Lotich joined the show to discuss why contentment creates freedom—and how learning to want less can reshape our financial lives. A Better Financial Question Most people make spending decisions by asking one question: Can I afford this? That’s not a bad question—but it may not be the best one. Bob suggested a deeper question: Can I afford to want this? That shift matters because some things we own eventually begin to own us. A purchase may fit the budget, but still bring new pressures, obligations, and distractions. The issue isn’t always the price tag—it’s the grip that desire can have on our hearts. Bob shared the story of Roman general Manius Curius Dentatus. When enemies attempted to bribe him with gold and expensive gifts, they found him roasting turnips for dinner. Seeing his simple lifestyle, they realized a man content with so little could not be bought. The lesson is timeless: contentment removes leverage. When we need less, we are less vulnerable to manipulation, fear, and compromise. The fewer things we depend on for identity or security, the freer we become. How Desire Can Become a Chain Every unchecked desire can create a new chain. A larger lifestyle often requires a larger paycheck. More possessions usually mean more maintenance, more bills, and more commitments. Debt can magnify that burden even further. Scripture warns, “The borrower is slave to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7). While that may not mean literal slavery today, the principle still stands: financial obligations can reduce flexibility and limit our ability to respond when God leads us in a new direction. Bob shared the story of someone who sensed a clear call into ministry but couldn’t accept the opportunity because debt payments made the lower salary impossible. That’s more than a budgeting issue—it’s a discipleship issue. Jesus said, “You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). That warning is not only about greed. It is also about control. Financial obligations demand time, energy, and attention. When too many of them pile up, they begin directing our choices. As Bob put it, sometimes our possessions end up possessing us. Two Very Different Responses to Wealth The Gospels give us two striking examples. The rich young ruler walked away from Jesus because he could not release his wealth (Mark 10:17–22). Zacchaeus, on the other hand, responded to an encounter with Jesus by joyfully giving away half of his possessions and making restitution to those he had wronged (Luke 19:1–10). The difference wasn’t the amount of money involved. It was the hold that money had on their hearts. The Secret of Contentment The Apostle Paul wrote: “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Philippians 4:11). Paul had experienced abundance and need. Yet his joy wasn’t tied to either one. That kind of contentment is true freedom. It means we can live faithfully in seasons of plenty or scarcity because our confidence rests in God, not in circumstances. Wanting more often begins with comparing more. Social media can intensify this struggle by putting everyone else’s highlight reel in front of us every day. It becomes easy to feel behind, dissatisfied, or pressured to keep up. One practica

Marriage didn’t get easier when the kids came; it got louder, tighter, and easier to miss each other. Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler, authors of Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments, meet you there in survival-mode advice with honest, lived-in perspective. From overstimulation to quiet resentment, they name what’s real—and point toward a better way to stay on the same team when connection feels out of reach. Show Notes and Resources Ge your copy of Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments on our shop. Get to know more about Emily and Laura at  → risenmotherhood.com Become a monthly partner with FamilyLife Today — your gift is matched for a full year (double your impact!)  Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at CSBible.com. Follow us on all social platforms: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Find resources from our podcast at shop.familylife.com. Download FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network See cru.org/us/en/about/privacy FamilyLife’s Privacy Policy

Every mom has wrestled with the whispered promise she says to herself, “I’ll be a better mom tomorrow.” The post Biblical Encouragement for Everyday Motherhood, Part 1 appeared first on Dr. James Dobson Family Institute.

From the largest galaxies to the smallest atoms, God is the Creator of the universe and the Author of life itself. Yet He loves and thinks about us non-stop! Dr. David Jeremiah looks at this marvelous truth and the priceless treasure we will see when we look at ourselves through God’s eyes.

What does it look like to truly please God? Drawing from 1 Samuel 13 15, this message uses the contrasting stories of Saul and David to explore obedience, repentance, and surrendering your will to God's authority in everyday life. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1213/29?v=20251111

In ‘GOAT,’ a skinny goat gets a shot at the big leagues. He must build a winning team while trying to keep from being sat on—or eaten.   Read the full review.   If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback.

Send us Fan MailThis weekend we begin the month of May, and come down the home stretch of the high school baseball season with Jeff Swarr, head baseball coach at Lampeter-Strasburg high school. He shares with us about coaching as a believer, and how a Bible study with other coaches influenced how he approaches faith-based leadership. Click HERE to follow Beyond The Scoreboard on Facebook for shareable soundbites and the links to every week’s show on-demand! Check out the websites for both of our radio stations in Southeastern PA: WDAC 94.5 Lancaster and 107.5Alive Boyertown!Included soundbites are both courtesy of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Beyond The Scoreboard does not claim ownership of said soundbite.Themes and theological beliefs featured in this program may not necessarily reflect the exact beliefs of WDAC Radio Company. 

It may suffer from an identity crisis, but Young Sherlock is still much cleaner than other recent interpretations of the iconic detective.   Read the full review.   If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback.