Life can change in an instant. In this heartfelt episode of Connecting Faith and Life, I share two major updates—one very unexpected and personal, and another that marks a new chapter for Proclaim Ministries.

First, I open up about a serious hand injury that required surgery and recovery. What began as an ordinary morning suddenly turned into an ER visit, stitches, and weeks of physical therapy. Yet through the pain, I experienced God’s presence and the power of prayer in ways I never had before. The love, compassion, and encouragement I received from family, friends, and our ministry community reminded me that we don’t always need to “fix” people’s problems—sometimes just being present makes all the difference.

Second, I reveal the exciting new direction for Proclaim Ministries. We are sharpening our focus: helping kids and teens connect faith and life—and equipping the adults who disciple them with clarity and competence.

This means new content, a fresh framework (the One10 Faith & Life Framework), and renewed commitment to serving churches and families worldwide.

This episode is both a story of gratitude in hardship and a vision for the future. Whether you’re a parent, youth leader, or simply passionate about reaching the next generation, I invite you to join us on this journey.

"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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There is a story in the Bible that shook me, but still gives me hope.

[0:00] Intro

[0:40] Proclaim News

[5:20] Keep moving forward

[16:45] Final thoughts

Bible verses:

Romans 5:6-8

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Ministry News and Prayer Requests

Please pray for new editors as one of our editors, Noah, is going off to college and has been doing an amazing job editing the podcast. We also invite you to support the ministry through donations.

I am headed into a busy time of year with speaking at schools and professional development events. I truly enjoy this opportunity to be salt and light, and make real-life connections through The Choose Well Program.

I believe we are all full-time ministry workers. We live out our faith, regardless of our profession.

Biblical Reflections and Personal Growth

I am always amazed by the raw and real nature of the Bible, which shows both the depravity of man and the greatness of God.

Reading God’s Word helps me better understand God’s love for us, that it is not based on performance but on His mercy and grace.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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Are you weak, strong, or wise? You can be all of those things through God alone.

[0:00] Intro

[3:20] Helping teens with social media

[9:00] Proclaim Kids Ministry

[14:30] Weak, strong, or wise?

Bible verses:

1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Colossians 1:16

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Challenges of Social Media and Cell Phones

On behalf of adults, I apologize to kids and teens for creating addictive devices and networks. Adults fall victim to the comparison trap that social media creates, but kids and teens do so much more. Social media has created an environment where people not only compare themselves to other people they know, but to other people in the world, including fake accounts.

I want to encourage kids and teens to be faithful to their own paths, as set by God, rather than trying to be like others.

One way to do that is to spend time with God's Word. Reading the Bible helps all of us understand God’s true nature and avoid creating false idols.

Are you weak, strong, or wise?

"Weak people seek pleasure. Strong people seek purpose. Wise people seek God."

We can be easily tempted to only seek pleasure in our lives. But we are just as readily tempted to seek purpose. True pleasure and purpose are only found in God.

“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” - C.S. Lewis

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16

"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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Are you too distracted, busy, arrogant, or lazy to spend time with God everyday? This is not a guilt trip, but a gracious invitation to spend time with the Creator of the universe.

[0:00] Intro

[1:00] Do what you know

[6:00] Join the club

[14:00] Be sharpened

Bible Verses:

James 4:8

Mark 1:35

Luke 10:38-42

Proverbs 27:17

We have all been there. We get distracted or busy and put our personal time with God on the back burner. We know we should read our Bibles and pray more, but we don’t.

The key message is that knowing what to do must be translated into doing it. A new employee cannot be too busy to meet with their boss or they may end up making mistakes. Spending time with God is essential for growth, guidance, and empowerment.

This is not a guilt trip, but a gracious invitation to spend time with the Creator of the universe.

Jesus had a practice of rising early in the morning to spend time with the Father. Even during the most intense instances of Jesus’ ministry, He chose to spend time with God. Jesus is an example that we need solitude and intimacy with God before serving others.

Intimacy with God must be scheduled, not squeezed in. Time spent with God is the most important meeting we will have each day. Like an ax needs to be sharpened before cutting wood, we are sharpened by spending time with God.

Questions to consider:

What practical steps can you take to make your time with God a priority, even on your busiest days?

How can you overcome the distractions and busyness that prevent you from spending consistent time with God?

Action Items:

Reflect on whether you are too busy, distracted, arrogant, or lazy to spend time with God, and make adjustments as needed.

Consider joining the "before the world wakes up club" and making time to connect with God in the morning.

Ensure that you are being "sharpened" by God before engaging in the "deep work" for Him.

Prioritize spending time with God daily, even if it's just for a short period.

"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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In this podcast, I reflect on the temptation to worry and the importance of seeking God as the source of all things. I also discuss the concept of trusting God and the peace that comes from giving our worries to Him.

[0:00] Intro

[2:50] Worry about nothing

[10:00] Help kids not to worry

[13:00] Philippians 4:6 memory verse

[14:50]

Bible Verse:

Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6 memory verse

At times, I am tempted to worry.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I like this verse because it reminds me about God’s provision. He is the source. When I am tempted to worry, I can look to God and know that He is in control. No matter the outcome, I know that it is part of God’s plan.

Teaching Kids to Pray and Not Worry

Kids have a lot they are worried about. That is why teaching them how to pray is essential. Teaching them memory verses can help them not to worry about anything and pray about everything.

Personal Reflections and Practical Advice

Being disconnected from God can lead to worry. That is why spending time in God’s Word is so important. We have the privilege of being honest with God about our worries because we can trust Him to carry the burdens.

Questions:

How can you practically give your worries to God through prayer?

What are some ways you can teach kids not to worry and instead bring their concerns to God?

How can you make spending time with God a priority in your life to reduce worry and anxiety?

"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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What does it actually mean to have a relationship with God? All relationships need to be defined and that is especially important for your relationship with Jesus Christ. But who gets to decide the level of commitment in your relationship with the one true God? Jesus does.

[0:00] Intro

[0:53] The power of prayer

[5:35] What is “doing good”?

[8:45] Jesus defines the relationship

[18:45] Final thoughts

Bible verses:

Luke 9:23

James 1:22

Philippians 4:9

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Prayer and Doing Good

Sometimes the only and best thing you can do in a crisis is to pray.

The importance of prayer is not in accomplishing a certain outcome. The main significance of prayer is seeking God in all circumstances.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer is an act unto God. It is doing “good.” Galatians 6:9 encourages us to not become weary in doing good, as it will lead to a harvest at the proper time and it will always glorify God.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” - Galatians 6:9

Defining Your Relationship with Jesus

All relationships need to be defined and that is especially important for your relationship with Jesus Christ. But who gets to decide the level of commitment in your relationship with the one true God? Jesus does.

There is a cost of following Jesus. In Luke 9:23, Jesus calls for self-denial, to take up your cross daily, and follow Him. Self-denial means saying no to selfish ambitions and following God's plans, not your own.

You also must be willing to suffer for Christ. In Acts 5, Peter and John are beaten but they rejoice because they were worthy to suffer for Christ's name.

The depth of your relationship with Jesus is more than just believing but involves belonging and loyalty. It is a relationship of discipleship, where you follow and obey Jesus as the leader. Your relationship must stand firm on truth and not be swayed by the world's opinions. As described in James 1:22, you must be doers of the word and not just hearers.

The relationship with Jesus is one where God calls individuals into a relationship, not just into following rules or religion. Jesus calls us into truth.

“​​Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” - Philippians 4:9

"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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Are you being programmed by social media? Whether you believe it or not, what you consume is influencing your affections for God.

[0:00] Intro

[2:00] Proclaim News

[6:30] Are you being programmed?

[10:00] Bible verses to set your mind on God

[17:00] Final thoughts

Bible verses:

Colossians 3:1-2

Hebrews 12:1-2

Philippians 4:8

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Proclaim Kids Ministry

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Andrea Brown’s ministry content

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Proclaim News and Ministry Updates

Thank you for your support.

We have some good momentum at Proclaim Ministries in the kids and teen ministries after Vacation Bible School. New Proclaim Partners are joining, and many kids are visiting the Proclaim Kids website to do memory verses. I am so grateful for the support and encouragement we have received from our in-person and online communities.

We are working on developing the ONE10 Framework for teaching kids and adults, focusing on one story and ten truths shaping what we believe and how we live. The content is designed to be engaging for kids but also beneficial for adults.

Are you being programmed?

What you focus on, you will follow. What you follow impacts your choices and your affections for God. The media and activities you engage with can either stir or steal your affections for God. Social media can have a major influence on your mindset. That is why it is so important to set boundaries and be intentional about what you consume.

Scriptural Guidance and Practical Tips

Colossians 3:1-2, Hebrews 12:1-2, and Philippians 4:8 emphasize the importance of setting your mind on things above and focusing on Jesus. Seek God. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Turn your attention to what is right in God’s sight. Be intentional about your habits and create good habits that draw you closer to God.

Questions:

What specific things in your life are stirring your affections for God, and how can you intentionally focus on those things?

What habits or boundaries can you set up to help you avoid the things that tend to steal your affection for God?

How can you use the Bible’s teachings about setting your mind on things above to guide your media consumption and focus?

Action Items:

Identify things that stir your affections for God.

Identify things that steal your affections from God.

Establish habits and boundaries to prioritize the things that draw you closer to God.

"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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Would you want to go to heaven if God wasn’t there? That’s a question we’ll consider in this podcast episode.

[0:00] Intro

[1:00] The Proclaim Ministries app and YouTube channels

[4:00] Stories from VBS

[5:50] 5 ways to get kids’ attention without yelling

[12:15] Thought of the Day

[17:05] Final thoughts

Bible verse: Psalm 73

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5 Effective Ways to Get Your Students' Attention Without Yelling!

How to Keep Kids’ Attention Once You Have It

Sha Linne, "My Portion"

Dealing With Doubt, Psalm 73

Proclaim News

The Proclaim Ministries app is in the Google Play Store after being removed for a while. The app has been downloaded 2,744 times and has had 20,000 launches with 175,391 impressions. Download the app and subscribe to the YouTube channels, Proclaim Ministries, Proclaim Kids, and Proclaim Student Ministries.

Becoming a Proclaim Partner, downloading the app, and subscribing to the YouTube channels are great ways to support Proclaim Ministries.

Vacation Bible School Stories

My daughter, Sophia, who loves working with kids, did a great job leading songs and sign language at Vacation Bible School this summer. It was great seeing her flourish in serving kids.

Another story from VBS involves a kid misusing my teaching on his mother. He used the attention getter called "waterfall" on his mom during discipline. The kid's mom texted me, thanking me for the teaching and shared the funny story.

Thought of the Day: Would You Want to Go to Heaven if God Was Not There?

This Thought of the Day question is inspired by a song by Sha Linne called "My Portion." .

The question and the song challenge us to consider if heaven is desirable without God, emphasizing that salvation is about a personal relationship with God, not just a place. In Psalm 73, Asaph realizes that God is his portion and his strength, not the things of this world.

Questions to consider:

How can we encourage kids to apply biblical principles in their daily lives?

What are your thoughts on the idea that salvation is about a relationship with God, not just about going to heaven?

"Live for God by connecting faith and life."

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