{"id":1194,"date":"2025-12-08T10:43:06","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T15:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bibleforcatholics.com\/faith-family\/?p=1194"},"modified":"2026-01-14T10:58:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T15:58:01","slug":"listening-for-gods-voice-in-a-noisy-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bibleforcatholics.com\/faith-family\/blog\/2025\/12\/08\/listening-for-gods-voice-in-a-noisy-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Listening for God\u2019s Voice in a Noisy World"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this month\u2019s newsletter, Steve reflects on Isaiah\u2019s promise that God guides us step by step\u2014even in a noisy and confusing world. Looking back on the Family Life Center\u2019s mission, he highlights four places where the Lord has led us to serve: strengthening fathers, helping men break free from pornography, teaching biblical prophecy, and confronting the growing crisis of youth leaving the faith. As we prepare for 2026, Steve shares a renewed focus on forming the next generation in a culture pulling them away from Christ. Amid the challenges, this Christmas message reminds us that God is still speaking\u2014and your support helps families hear His voice.<\/em><\/p>\n

From the Desk of Steve Wood at the Family Life Center (December 2025)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listening for God\u2019s Voice in a Noisy World: <\/strong>A Christmas Reflection<\/strong><\/em><\/h2>\n

One of my favorite Bible verses for guidance is Isaiah 30:21:<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
\n\u2018This is the way, walk in it,\u2019
\nwhen you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This verse reminds us that divine guidance rarely arrives in the form of a detailed map. Instead, God tends to guide us as we move<\/em>, offering gentle \u201con-course corrections\u201d along the way.<\/p>\n

Abraham lived this truth. God didn\u2019t hand him a blueprint\u2014He simply said Go<\/em>. Hebrews 11:8 tells us:<\/p>\n

\u201cBy faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out\u2026 not knowing where he was to go.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The adventure of faith is that God often reveals the road only after we take the first step. And looking back over the decades of the Family Life Center, I can now see patterns\u2014distinct pathways\u2014where the Lord has consistently nudged us to fill crucial gaps in service<\/u>.<\/p>\n

What follows is a brief look at four of those gaps\u2026 and how your support is helping us address them.<\/p>\n

Gap #1: Reaching Husbands and Fathers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cWhere are the men?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

After wearing out 100,000 frequent flyer miles attending Catholic family conferences, I realized something was missing\u2014husbands and fathers. For twenty years, our team felt called to strengthen men as the irreplaceable foundation of strong Catholic families.<\/p>\n

Pope John Paul II emphasized the indispensable role of fathers:<\/p>\n

\u201cAbove all, where social and cultural conditions so easily encourage a father to be less concerned with his family \u2026 efforts must be made to restore socially the conviction that the place and task of the father in and for the family is of unique and irreplaceable importance.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We adopted the John Paul II exhortation as our own. Though our efforts are imperfect, God continues to use them far beyond anything we imagined.<\/p>\n

Here are a few testimonies received about our work with Catholic fathers:<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a priest today because my father read your book Christian Fatherhood\u2026 He was transformed, and in turn transformed our family and parish.\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Fr. Scott<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYour clear-cut and straightforward style on family is very effective.\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 First-time father<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI went to a St. Joseph\u2019s Covenant Keepers conference expecting fluff\u2026 Instead, I left with deeper faith and a renewed sense of my calling as a husband and father. Thank you!\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Charles<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And sometimes the fruit of this ministry is\u2026 a child!<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can credit our 7th child to you! Your words helped open our hearts, and she is a joy to us.\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Catherine<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Gap #2: Battling Pornography\u2014A Hidden Epidemic<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Twenty-five years ago, I handed out a small pamphlet on pornography at a Catholic fatherhood conference. I expected polite interest. Instead, one man literally sprinted across the room to grab a copy. That moment opened my eyes to the scale of the crisis.<\/p>\n

Since then, our Breaking Free<\/em><\/strong> booklets have shipped over 150,000 copies worldwide. They remain one of the most practical tools available for Catholic men and young men.<\/p>\n

Here is just one testimony:<\/p>\n

\u201cI received a Breaking Free<\/em> booklet in the confessional in Denver. It began a huge positive change in my life\u2026 I\u2019m ordering 500 more to distribute to men\u2019s groups and parishes.\u201d<\/strong>
\n\u2014 Matthew<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But the porn industry is always evolving\u2014especially with today\u2019s AI-driven platforms. So in 2025, we dramatically expanded our reach, making our resources available to anyone, anywhere, at any time.<\/em><\/p>\n