Family Shield

Family Shield Ministries' board of directors unanimously approved taking over the ministry of Faith Family Reunion at its March 2023 board meeting. Faith Family Reunion has ministered to parents and grandparents that had adult children raised in the church but have turned away from their faith in Christ. It was founded by Paula Isakson. Paula was away from the faith for 25 years. Thankfully she has recommitted her life to Christ and his church. During those 25 years, her parents prayed fervently for her, maintained a positive relationship with her, made sure she knew they loved her, and gently reminded her of God's love through Christ for her. My guest today is Paula Isakson. She has a heart for parents that have adult children that have left the faith, and a wealth of experience helping parents of prodigal children. Today we'll learn more about Faith Family Reunion.

How can a coffee shop be used to introduce people to Christ? How can we as Christians learn to open up conversations and build trusting relationships with those we meet in our community? Join us today as I talk with Reverend Mark Femmel, a member of the Family Shield Ministries board of directors and pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Maryland Heights, Missouri. We'll learn about Higher Ground Coffee Shop at Zion and we’ll learn what Rev. Femmel does as a volunteer police chaplain for the St Louis County and the Maryland Heights Police Department.

Has technology taken over your home? In this digital age children spend more time absorbed in screens and less time playing outside, reading a book, or enjoying family. With Screen Kids you'll become empowered to make positive changes in your children's lives, discover how to take back your home from an over-dependence on screens, and learn to teach the five A+ skills that every child needs to master – affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention. This updated edition features interactive assessments and the latest research so you can best confront the issues technology creates in your home. Screen Kids: 5 Relational Skills Every Child Needs in a Tech-Driven World is co-authored by Arlene Pelicane and Dr Gary Chapman. Arlene is my guest today. She's a mom, popular speaker, and author of several books. She has been a featured guest on The Today Show, Fox and Friends, Focus on the Family, and Family Life Today. Arlene lives in San Diego with her husband and their three children.

Explore who God is, what He does, and what He promises in His Word as we talk about Promised Rest: Finding Peace In God's Presence. As you study this book it will draw you closer to God's real and present peace through His Word. Michelle Diercks, the author, uses personal stories, scripture, and devotional reflections to help the reader understand the names and traits of the Lord and encourage them in their faith journey. Promised Rest encourages you to rest your heart in the promises of God who chose you and gives you His peace, now and forever. Michelle has taught God's Word as a director of Christian education, and volunteer for over 35 years. She and her husband are the parents of two sons and live in Iowa. She's also the podcast host of Peace in His Presence.

In our culture of sound bites it's easy for Jesus' words to be taken out of context and misunderstood. What do we make of these challenging words? Jesus Said WHAT? is a book written by Christopher Kennedy. The book brings clarity to 15 of Jesus' most difficult teachings on topics such as money, family relationships, and consequences for sin. Each chapter explores one teaching of Jesus by looking at His full treatment of the topic, parallel passages throughout the Bible, and the Biblical context to help you come to a faithful and faith enriching understanding of His words. Jesus doesn't always tell us what you want to hear but He always tells you what you need to hear, and even the hard words are a gift given to you in love. Christopher Kennedy is a writer, podcaster, and the pastor of a large congregation in San Antonio, Texas. He and his wife have four children.

What is grief and why do people grieve differently? How can Christians find ways to share God's love with people who are grieving that know the Lord? How can we offer God's comfort and peace to those who are grieving and do not know Christ? Today my guest is Daniel Verkoyan, a Christian funeral director. Daniel is a husband and father of two daughters and lives in Ontario, Canada. Today we'll talk about ministering to the grieving.

Why are so many young adults leaving the church? How do we learn to open up conversations with those who are unchurched about faith issues? And what should a church for Millennials look like and do? Join us today as I interview Dr Tony Cook, director of the United States Ministries for Lutheran Hour Ministries. We’ll discuss outreach to the next generation.

How can a couple stay connected? How can a couple keep their marriage centered on Christ; and how can a couple receive encouragement during times of joy and times of stress? By staying connected to God's Word. 5-Minute Bible Studies for Couples is for every married couple, especially those whose calendars are overloaded with events and obligations but who are determined to set aside time for nurturing their marriage with God's Word. This Bible study is written by Rev. Randy Hunter who has taught thousands of couples through the WELS Marriage Enrichment Weekend. The Bible study is designed to teach couples how to bring joy to each other and glory to God in their marriages.

Jacob seems to be anything but a model disciple. He's a trickster, liar, and a selfishly ambitious man who fathers children with four women and leads a dysfunctional family life with jealousy and backstabbing. But Jacob is also Israel, the namesake of the Old Testament community of God, chosen and blessed. As such the sinner-saint who limps along with the Lord burdened by weakness and beset by problems, is the mirror image of all of us who follow Jesus. In His life, we see our lives, our struggles, our failures, and most especially, the God who loves us and chooses us as His own. As we explore his bio, from his wrangling in the tomb with Esau, to his death as an old man in Egypt, we’ll learn more about ourselves, and the God who is with us, and for us, in Jesus, the Messiah. My guest today is Chad Bird, author of Limping with God: Jacob & the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship. Chad is a scholar in residence at 1517. Besides being a popular author, he speaks at conferences and congregations, and co-hosts the podcast 40 Minutes in the Old Testament. Chad and his wife Stacie live in Texas, where they’re blessed with 4 children and 3 grandchildren.

Why did Matthew, a college student raised as a Jehovah's Witness leave the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society? How did Matthew's friend, Daniel show love and help him learn more about what Christians believe and teach? And how did Daniel grow in his faith as he became friends with Matthew? I met Rev. Matthew Finn and Daniel Verkoeyen recently when the three of us were guests on a panel discussion for a video that will equip Christians to witness to Jehovah's Witnesses. During today’s program, they’ll share their story.