An emergency fund acts as a financial shock absorber, providing stability and breathing room during uncertain times. Wise financial planning involves considering factors such as income stability, job loss, and medical emergencies when determining the right amount to save. Understanding Social Security and disability insurance can help individuals plan for retirement and navigate complex financial situations. Charitable giving through qualified charitable distributions can also be a strategic way to reduce taxable income and give back to the community. [... more]

The rejection of God's authority leads to the degradation of humanity, as seen in the glorification of transgression and the pursuit of autonomy. This is a fundamental aspect of human nature, dating back to the story of Adam and Eve. The consequences of rejecting God's will are evident in modern society, where technology and feminism have contributed to the desecration of the human body and the devaluation of human life. The pursuit of autonomy and the rejection of God's authority ultimately lead to the desecration of humanity, as individuals seek to become their own gods and defy God's laws. [... more]

The rejection of God degrades humanity, leading to a crisis of meaning and a loss of moral depth. This is evident in modern society's glorification of transgression, autonomy, and the pursuit of self-creation. The Christian faith offers a solution to this problem through the consecration of man, which involves a return to deep, rooted conceptions of our limits, obligations, and ends. [... more]

The Todd Starnes Radio Show discusses various topics, including the misuse of food stamps, the importance of redistricting, the rise of Islam and Sharia law, the limits of free speech, the dangers of excessive screen time, and the impact of gas prices on the economy. [... more]

Families are struggling with rising healthcare expenses, but there are alternatives to traditional health insurance. Medical cost sharing programs like Christian Healthcare Ministries allow individuals to share medical costs with a community of believers, providing a more affordable option. Meanwhile, listeners ask questions about Social Security, retirement planning, and investing, highlighting the importance of financial stewardship and making informed decisions about one's money. [... more]

A young adult shares her perspective on the pressures facing teens and young adults, including bullying, perfectionism, and anxiety, and how to trust God for their future. Her mother, a best-selling author, joins the conversation to offer guidance and support to parents on how to help their children navigate these challenges. [... more]

Moms of the Bible, including Naomi and the unnamed mother of David, demonstrate the importance of community, faith, and motherly love in shaping their children's lives. Rhonda Stoppe shares insights from her book, highlighting the value of older women mentoring younger mothers and the impact of mothers on their children's faith and character. [... more]

Moms of the Bible, like Rahab and Jacobed, demonstrate fearless faith and motherly love, while flawed moms like Herodias and the wife of Lot show the consequences of idolatry and a lack of urgency in parenting. Rhonda Stoppe shares life-changing lessons from the Bible to help moms live with purpose and raise their children to know God. [... more]

Defining enough is a crucial step in achieving financial contentment and living a life of purpose. Scripture reframes the question of enough, emphasizing trust, stewardship, and contentment. By setting a financial finish line and prioritizing generosity, individuals can create margin for kingdom impact and live on mission. [... more]

Practicing morning and evening prayers, listening to scripture, and being intentional about communication and romance can strengthen a marriage. Jay John and his wife Killy share their 42-year marriage experience, highlighting the importance of respect, responsibility, and resolve in a relationship. They also discuss the value of praying together, making time for each other, and being honest in conveying feelings to avoid disrespect and build a stronger bond. [... more]

When someone you love is suffering, it's tough to discern what they actually need from you. A biblical model for coming alongside the suffering involves compassion, instruction, exhortation, and intercession. God promises to walk with us through hardship, not to rescue us from it. [... more]

Retirees face a crucial question: how much can they safely withdraw from their savings without depleting their retirement funds too soon. Mark Biller joins the discussion to revisit the widely used 4% rule and explore a more flexible, thoughtful approach to retirement withdrawals. [... more]

A couple shares their 42-year marriage journey, discussing the importance of faith, communication, and prayer in strengthening their relationship. They offer practical advice for couples, including the need to respect each other, take responsibility, and navigate conflicts with a Christ-like heart. [... more]

Developing faith, exposing wrong, learning obedience, cultivating humility, and glorifying God are reasons we suffer, as explained through scripture and personal experiences, highlighting the importance of compassion, instruction, and exhortation in helping those who are suffering. [... more]

Investing can become an act of worship and a tool for human flourishing when approached with biblical wisdom. Scripture calls us to use what we have to serve others and reflect God's purposes. Faithful investing starts with surrender, inviting God into our investment decisions and asking for wisdom and discernment. It's about directing resources into productive work that serves others, advancing the goodness of God's world, and promoting dignity, justice, and opportunity. [... more]

Chuck Swindahl explores five biblical reasons for suffering, including developing faith, exposing wrong, learning obedience, cultivating humility, and glorifying God. He draws from 2 Thessalonians and shares practical ways to encourage those who are suffering, emphasizing the importance of compassion and affirming their dignity and security in God's family. [... more]

A North Carolina House Select Committee is recommending broad changes to the state's mental health and criminal justice systems to reduce violent incidents and address untreated mental illness. The committee aims to improve access to mental health services, increase the mental health workforce, and enhance data collection and sharing between state agencies. [... more]

Exploring a more biblical perspective on borrowing and debt management, and how it can impact our financial freedom and ability to live out God's call in our lives. Discussing the importance of budgeting, retirement planning, and understanding taxes and Medicare, to make informed financial decisions and find freedom rooted in contentment, not comparison. [... more]

I have cerebral palsy--what's your problem Whatever difficulties you face you can't help but be encouraged as you hear David Ring describe how God's strength helps him overcome the limitations of his severe disability Receive the book The Boy Born Dead and the audio download of the broadcast Living Joyously for your donation of any amount Plus receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today Your monthly support helps families thrive Get More Episode Resources If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly please give us your feedback [... more]

David Ring shares his powerful testimony of living with cerebral palsy and finding hope and joy in God's love, despite facing numerous challenges and hardships. He emphasizes the importance of faith in Christ and the impact it has on one's life, relationships, and spiritual journey. [... more]

When one spouse dies, the surviving spouse's Social Security check is affected, and the amount they receive depends on various factors, including the deceased spouse's filing status, age, and benefit amount. Understanding these complexities is crucial for effective retirement planning and ensuring a secure financial future. [... more]

The benefits of the Lord are indeed great and marvelous, including forgiveness, healing, redemption, and glorification. God's mercy is infinite and enduring, and He forgives all iniquities, cleanses us from all sin, and redeems our life from destruction. His greatest benefit is the gift of salvation by His mercy. [... more]

Michelle Singletary shares practical advice on managing finances, including the importance of emergency funds, retirement savings, and long-term planning. She also discusses the Christian perspective on money and how it can be used to bless others. [... more]

Michelle Singletary shares practical advice on managing finances, especially in times of crisis, and emphasizes the importance of discipline, savings, and giving. She also discusses her personal experience of growing up in a financially struggling household and how her grandmother's frugal ways influenced her own financial decisions. [... more]

Amanda Dykes discusses the importance of nature and God's creation in her book A Pocket Full of Wonder, sharing hands-on adventures for kids to discover the wonders of the world around them, and how this can help parents and children develop a deeper faith and connection with God. [... more]

Marriage is a gift from God, and it's meant to be a source of joy and connection. However, many couples struggle with intimacy and communication, leading to frustration and resentment. Dave and Ashley Willis share their insights and experiences in their book 'Do Marriage Better: Seven Simple Shifts for a Deeper Connection.' They discuss the importance of understanding each other's needs and desires, and how to navigate the different seasons of marriage, including the 'beach season' of honeymoon-like intimacy, the 'busy season' of practicality, the 'baby season' of exhaustion and distraction, and the 'broken season' of vulnerability and healing. By applying the seven simple shifts outlined in their book, couples can experience a deeper connection and a more fulfilling marriage. [... more]

Couples can make a 20% improvement in their marital relationship by implementing seven simple shifts, including having curiosity and compassion when communicating, being mindful of tone, and prioritizing their marriage over other aspects of their lives. [... more]

Deborah Paget shares her insights on how to tame your tongue and improve relationships by being more positive, encouraging, and self-aware, drawing from her book '30 Days to Taming Your Tongue' and biblical principles. [... more]

Christian financial advisors equipped with biblical wisdom and professional credibility help clients align their values with financial decisions and investments. They provide guidance on faith-based financial planning, retirement planning, and navigating complex financial situations, including Social Security benefits and inheritance tax. [... more]

Saving and stewardship are not just about accumulating wealth, but about living with purpose and aligning our financial habits with values that reflect the kingdom. Scripture reminds us that we are stewards, not owners, and what we have is entrusted for purposes that reach beyond us. A life without margin leaves little flexibility to serve others, support ministry, or participate in kingdom work. God designed generosity often requires readiness, and readiness requires margin. [... more]

Navigating financial decisions in blended families requires intentional effort and a clear plan. Couples can use a Togetherness Agreement to promote peace and unity in their marriage by addressing emotionally charged issues and creating a roadmap for their financial future. This agreement can provide clarity on financial decisions, including how to manage debt, investments, and assets, and can help couples make decisions that align with their values and faith. [... more]

Work is not just a means to an end, but an act of worship to God, reflecting the God who creates, orders, and sustains all things. Scripture reframes the conversation on work, showing it as a sacred calling woven into what it means to bear God's image. Faithful stewardship of resources, including finances, is a key aspect of living out one's faith, and trusting in God's provision and sovereignty is essential for navigating life's uncertainties. [... more]

Greg Kochol discusses the importance of understanding relativism and objectivism in moral truth, and how to effectively communicate the Christian perspective on issues like abortion and gender identity. He emphasizes the need for Christians to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to engage in gracious and loving conversations with those who hold different views. [... more]

Dr. Tony Evans explains how to lean on God's grace to carry us through life's struggles and challenges, and how to access and experience the power of God's grace in our lives. [... more]

Many faith-based ministries are missing out on billions of dollars in charitable gift matching programs due to restrictive policies. A Christian investment firm is working to change this by engaging with companies to create more inclusive programs. Meanwhile, a couple is seeking advice on how to manage their retirement accounts, including a TSP with a large balance, and a listener asks about the factors that determine when to start taking Social Security payments. [... more]

Greg Kochl discusses the importance of effective evangelism and apologetics, emphasizing the need for Christians to be prepared and equipped to share their faith in a gracious and respectful manner. He introduces the concept of 'gardening' as a metaphor for the process of sowing seeds of truth and trust, rather than trying to 'harvest' immediate conversions. Kochl also shares practical examples of how to use questions to engage with others and create opportunities for spiritual growth, while navigating the challenges of a hostile culture and the influence of deception and lies. [... more]

Todd Stern discusses various topics including Sharia law, Social Security benefits, immigration overhaul, public education system, illegal voting, radical Islam, terrorist attacks, Department of Homeland Security funding, taxes, business growth in Seattle and Bellevue, and more. [... more]

Believers can reframe their view of taxes as evidence of God's provision, rather than just an interruption to their finances. This mindset shift can lead to gratitude, humility, and trust in God's sovereignty. Christians can also apply biblical wisdom to their financial decisions, such as prioritizing integrity and honesty in their financial dealings. [... more]

Melanie Shankle shares her personal experiences with generational trauma, mean girls, and finding identity in Christ. She discusses the importance of unconditional love, setting boundaries, and advocating for oneself in difficult relationships. Melanie's book, Here Be Dragons, explores these topics and offers guidance for parents and individuals seeking to navigate complex relationships and find their true identity in Christ. [... more]

Melanie Schenkel shares her personal story of healing from generational trauma and protecting her daughter from the same toxic patterns she experienced as a child. She discusses her book, Here Be Dragons, and how it explores the complexities of motherhood, mean girls, and the impact of bipolar disorder on family relationships. As a Christian, Melanie emphasizes the importance of faith in Christ and the process of healing from childhood wounds. [... more]