Faith Footnotes

How can Christians find trustworthy resources in a world full of competing voices? The question isn’t new. During the Reformation, Martin Luther worked to make Scripture and its teachings more accessible to ordinary Christians. Today, the challenge isn’t a lack of Christian content but knowing which resources faithfully teach God’s Word amid so many competing messages. On this episode of Faith Footnotes, Pastor Joel Voss draws on more than 35 years of parish ministry and years of synod leadership to discuss what makes a Christian resource trustworthy. He shares why knowing and revisiting the basic teachings of the Bible matters, how Christians can stay grounded in God’s Word, and the opportunities and challenges new forms of media present for churches and Christian publishers. As Northwestern Publishing House marks 135 years of serving God’s people, Pastor Voss reflects on what has changed in Christian publishing—and what hasn’t. His perspective offers a timely reminder of why faithful Christian resources matter and how they can help people apply God’s Word to everyday life.

Struggling with addiction or other destructive patterns can be difficult to talk about, especially when we feel like we should be able to handle our struggles on our own. For Christians, guilt and shame can make that even harder. We know what God’s Word says about sin, but we can still find ourselves returning to the same struggles again and again. In this episode of Faith Footnotes, we talk with Jason Jonker, one of the editors of 90 Devotions in 90 Days: Messages of Hope for Those Recovering From Addictions and someone involved with Resilient Recovery Ministry. Jason shares why God’s Word is so important in recovery and how Christians can point people struggling with addiction to God’s grace and forgiveness in Christ. Join us as we consider how God’s Word brings hope in the midst of struggle, why we don’t have to face those struggles alone, and how our confidence rests not in our ability to overcome every weakness but in the forgiveness and grace we have through Christ.

God’s people have never been perfect. Scripture gives us an honest look at people who struggled with sin, made poor choices, turned away from God, and sometimes struggled to remain faithful. And yet, through it all, God remained faithful to his promises. In this episode of Faith Footnotes, we talk with Pastor Nate Scharf, one of the four brothers who wrote Faithful God, Flawed Followers, part of the People’s Bible Devotions series. The book takes readers through 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, exploring the lives of flawed people and the faithfulness of God. We talk with Nate about our own struggles with sin, why we continue to battle sins we know will be part of our lives in this world, and what we can learn from the people God worked through. We also consider what happens when the shortcomings of other Christians—or even pastors and church leaders—hurt or disappoint us. How can we acknowledge those shortcomings without becoming cynical or losing sight of God’s promises? Join us as we look at how the stories of God’s people can help us recognize our own weaknesses, grow in faith, and live faithfully as we follow Christ.

Smartphones and technology have changed the way we communicate, learn, and spend time together. In this episode of Faith Footnotes, we talk with teacher, mother of four, and author Amy Vannieuwenhoven about Christian parenting, technology, and how families can protect the relationships God has given them in a smartphone world. Amy is the author of Look Up From Your Phone So I Can Love You, an interactive journal that helps parents and children have meaningful conversations about smartphones, social media, and healthy technology habits. Drawing from her experience as an educator and parent, Amy shares practical encouragement for families navigating screen time, phone boundaries, and the challenge of staying connected. We discuss how technology has changed since Amy wrote her book, why parents' own smartphone habits matter, and how Christians can use technology as a blessing without allowing it to interfere with their relationships. Listen as we explore how families can look up from their screens and focus on the people God has placed in their lives.

What defines who you are? Dr. Phil Huebner explains how finding your identity in Christ—not your feelings—brings lasting confidence, peace, and hope. For full show notes and the links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://blog.nph.net/identity-in-a-confusing-world.

Christians often say we should trust the Bible—but how do we know we can? In this episode of Faith Footnotes, we talk with Professor Stephen Geiger about his new book, How the Bible Came to Be: Exploring Its Origins, Preservation, and Translations (the final volume in the Bible Discovery Series), and some of the biggest questions people have about the reliability of Scripture. From ancient manuscripts and Bible translations to “lost gospels” and claims that the Bible has changed over time, this conversation explores how God preserved his Word throughout history—and why Christians today can still have confidence that the Bible is truly God’s Word. Whether you’ve wrestled with these questions yourself or want to better answer them for others, this episode offers clear explanations, historical insight, and gospel-centered reassurance. For full show notes and the links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://blog.nph.net/can-we-trust-the-bible-we-read-today.

What makes a father’s role so meaningful in a child’s life? In this episode of Faith Footnotes, we talk with Emily Krill, author of Why God Made Dads, about the value of fathers and father figures and the everyday ways they shape the lives of children. From simple, ordinary moments to lifelong influence, Emily reflects on how dads provide care, guidance, and consistency—and how those relationships can point children to the love of their Heavenly Father. Whether you’re a dad, a parent, or someone who plays an important role in a child’s life, this conversation offers encouragement and a reminder of the lasting impact those relationships can have. For full show notes and the links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://blog.nph.net/why-dads-matter-the-gift-of-fathers.

What does it look like for children to truly be part of worship? For many families, bringing young children to church can feel challenging—especially when attention spans are short or when children have unique learning or sensory needs. But what if worship isn’t just something kids sit through, but something they can actively experience and grow into? In this episode of Faith Footnotes, we’re joined by Madeline Lindke and Dr. Rachel Youngblom, co-authors of "I Can Go to Church!", to talk about why it matters for children to be present in worship and how families and churches can support that experience. Drawing from both personal experience and professional insight, Madeline and Rachel share how children engage with worship in ways we may not always see, why consistency and participation matter, and how small, intentional steps can help every child feel included. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or church member, this conversation offers encouragement and practical ideas for helping children belong in worship. For full show notes and the links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://blog.nph.net/helping-children-belong-in-church.

What does it mean to approach prayer not as a duty, but as a conversation with our gracious King? In this episode, Pastor Joel Petermann helps us rediscover the gift of prayer through God’s promises in Scripture and practical encouragement for seasons when prayer feels difficult or answers seem delayed. Whether you’re building a daily habit or learning how to begin, this conversation points you back to the confidence we have in Christ. For full show notes and the links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://blog.nph.net/how-to-build-a-stronger-prayer-life.

Water flows through every page of Scripture, pointing to God’s promises and our salvation in Christ. In this episode of Faith Footnotes, Rev. Dr. Michael Berg discusses his book The Baptismal Life and reflects on how baptism connects believers to Christ in daily life. Whether you were baptized as an infant or recently, this conversation offers insight, encouragement, and a fresh perspective on living out your baptism. For full show notes and the links to the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://blog.nph.net/your-baptismal-life-explained.