Family Shield

Philippians 4:6-7 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." We all experience anxiety at times. What causes anxiety? Why should we learn our triggers or red flags? How do we learn to cope with anxiety? What does God's word say about it, and when should we see a professional counselor? Join us today as we talk about anxiety and learn ways to cope when our anxious hearts get overwhelmed. My guest is Cheryl Thompson. She's a Christian counselor at Concord Counseling in St. Louis, Missouri.

Witnessing to those who are not Christians is not always easy, but all Christians are called to be His witnesses. Just as Christ shared God’s love in a myriad of ways, so can we. Consider some of the ways you might share your faith with unbelievers or those who have fallen away from the church or the faith. Start by building a relationship with those you come in contact with on a regular basis, then wait on the Lord to open doors and give you the words to speak of His love.

How do we cross the chasm that separates us from God? Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” It’s a Biblical fact, we cannot save ourselves through our own good works. Jesus saves us; our good works do not. Yet many in today’s world think their good works can save them. Mormons believe this, as well as many other people; even some Christians. Today my guest is Rev. Jon Leach, the president of Truth in Love Ministry. We’ll talk today about one of their new books: Crossing the Chasm: Helping Mormons Discover the Bridge to God, and some practical tips for talking with Mormons and others who think their good works are necessary for salvation.

Why are fathers important to their children? What are joys and challenges of fathers? Statistics tell us that children with involved fathers are more confident, better able to deal with frustration, better able to gain independence, and their own identity. More likely to mature into compassionate adults, more likely to have a higher self-esteem, more sociable, more secure, and less likely to show signs of depression. Yes fathers are important and they are part of God's plan for the family. Today I'll visit with Dave Powell, the production director of Family Vision Media. We’ll learn about his family and talk with him about being a father, and we'll talk with his son Jackson.

This year is the 20th anniversary of Family Shield Ministries as a nonprofit organization. Our theme for the year is “Families Trust Him.”  How have you trusted God in good times and in bad? Trusting the Lord in good times usually isn’t too difficult. But trusting Him when things are challenging can be difficult. Join us today as we hear from several people we’ve worked with through the years. They’ll share how they stayed close to the Lord and continued to trust Him. Our prayer is that this program will encourage you in your faith and help you continue to trust God in all circumstances. This program was recorded in 2014.

Family Shield equips individuals and their families to implement the six traits that build strong, healthy families. Those traits include a commitment to each other's welfare and happiness, appreciation and affection, positive communication, spending time together, spiritual well-being, and the ability to cope with stress and crisis. Taking family vacations can accomplish most of these traits. Traveling with our children is today's Family Shield topic today. Traveling with children can be fun, educational, and sometimes challenging. As you travel with your children how do you keep them engaged? What games do you play? Why is it important for parents to be flexible, and how can we share our faith with our children as we travel? My guest is Jamie Clausing. She is a mom that have traveled with her family and is on the phone line with me.

When you hear the phrase spiritual warfare, you might think of angels, demons, and demonic encounters. But spiritual warfare also includes the battles you face everyday--battles of temptation, doubt, stress, and anxiety. The book, Equipped:The Armor of God for Everyday Struggles, helps Christians like you and me recognize the spiritual roots of hardships and how to fight against Satan’s schemes in the only way that works - with the spiritual weapons and armor God gives us in Christ. Each chapter focuses on a piece of armor God gives Christians from Ephesians 6, and how we are equipped in Christ to resist the evil one in our daily life, and find healing, forgiveness, understanding, and peace. Rev. Christopher Kennedy is our guest today. He’s the author of Equipped, and the Senior Pastor at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas.

What are Satan’s lies? One lie is that Satan doesn’t exist. Another lie is that some people are beyond God’s grace. They’re just too evil to be saved. Join us today as I interview Michael Newman, the author of the book, Satan’s Lies. During the program we will discuss how Christians can overcome the Devil's Attempts to Stunt Your Spiritual Growth.

What do you do when you're diagnosed with cancer? How can you help a friend who is diagnosed with cancer; and how can churches help those in their congregation that have cancer? Join us today as I interview Karen Tripp, president of Cancer Companions. Karen is also the author of God is Bigger than Your Cancer, and a marriage and family therapist.

As Christians we’re called to lovingly enter into conversations about our Savior with neighbors and those we meet in our daily life. It might be the person behind us at a coffee shop, someone we meet on a flight across the country, or a family member or friend. The call to shine the light of Christ allows us to share His love with those who desperately need to hear the news that the sweet life transforming gospel is given from God to them. We do this because God loved us first. Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa's new book Faith that Engages the Culture will help us learn how to speak with the people God puts in our lives and share the life-saving Word of God with them. Join us today as I visit with Rev. Espinosa. He’s the pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Irvine, California, serves as the vice chair on the board for National Mission of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and his bio says his most cherished service is being husband to his wife, Tracy, and a father and a grandfather.