We are living in an age where darkness seems to prevail. As Christian parents, our responsibility to prepare our children for what lies ahead has never been more urgent. It is sobering to realize that we cannot insulate our sons and daughters from the harsh realities of the world—realities that include not only open hostility toward biblical truth, but escalating violence and a culture that is increasingly unmoored from foundational values.

Our children will face a world that mislabels truth, distorts conviction, and often celebrates what is evil, even as it mocks or maligns those who live for Christ. We cannot afford to be passive or naïve.We must equip the next generation not just with words, but with the kind of resilient faith and spiritual armor that will hold firm when tested by crisis, loss, or persecution.

This week’s episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, was created with these sobering realities in mind. It centers on the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, a man whose voice for truth and faith was tragically silenced through assassination. His death shook me deeply—not just because of what it means for his family and ministry, but because of what it means for all of us who bear the name of Christ.

(Mourners outside of Turning Point USA.)

Here’s the reality we live in: Evil doesn’t knock politely. It doesn’t wait to be invited in. Evil shatters—it crashes into our lives without warning, demanding a response.
 

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🛡️ Why This Moment Matters

When I think about Charlie’s legacy, I can’t help but reflect on Paul’s words to the church of Ephesus:

“Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes,
you may be able to stand your ground.”
Ephesians 6:13
Notice Paul doesn’t say if the day of evil comes. He says when.

I’ve literally prayed through this passage of Scripture hundreds of times, but that reality hit me hard in the wake of Charlie’s death. Our children will face ridicule for their faith. They will be misunderstood. They will be labeled. And in some cases, they may even face hatred for the sake of the Gospel.

We can’t shield them from all of that. But we can equip them with a faith that stands.

And that raises the question:

👉 Are we, and are our children, truly prepared to stand firm in our faith when that day of evil comes?

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🎯Truth vs. Slander

Charlie wasn’t perfect. None of us are. There were times when his words carried too sharp an edge. But what struck me as I followed his journey over the years was how he grew. He softened, he seasoned, and he increasingly combined bold conviction with genuine compassion. That growth is a model for us—and for our children.

But one of the striking things about Charlie’s story is how often his critics tried to define him by a few heated exchanges or sharp soundbites. That’s what the world does—it reduces a life to moments of weakness in order to discredit the truth.

But here are some important takeaways for us as parents and believers:

• Truth will always be slandered. That’s nothing new—it’s what happened to Jesus Himself.
• We must teach our children to discern. Not everything labeled “truth” in headlines or on social media is truth. Only God’s Word has the authority to define reality.
• Train them to measure every claim against Scripture. Help them ask: “What does God say about this?”

When culture twists reality, our kids need the courage and clarity to stand firm on what God has spoken.

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💛Conviction and Compassion Together

Charlie’s greatest growth came in this area: learning to speak truth without losing kindness.

• After a fiery clash with Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks, Charlie sought him out—not to escalate, but to reconcile. Few people know they actually sat down together for a civil conversation to find common ground.
• Just a week before his death, Charlie had been sparring online with Van Jones. Behind the scenes, however, he sent Van a heartfelt message of kindness and reconciliation that he didn’t find until after Charlie’s death. Van was so moved that he went on CNN and Anderson Cooper to talk about it.

This is what we must model for our kids:

• Stand firmly for biblical truth. Never compromise the Word of God.
• Refuse to dehumanize opponents. See them as image-bearers, even when they oppose us.
• Teach conviction with compassion. Truth without grace hardens; grace without truth weakens. Our kids need both.
• Like Charlie, seek to reconcile and find common ground!

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✨REMEMBER: God Works in Darkness

The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a tragedy. Yet, even in the darkest moments, God’s light shines.

• We saw Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, publicly forgive the man who killed her husband. “The answer to hate is not hate… always love,”she said. That is the clearest evidence of the Gospel I have seen in my lifetime.
• We saw atheists and skeptics shaken, openly questioning their unbelief because of the testimony of Charlie’s faith and Erika’s forgiveness.
• We saw unity across unlikely divides—even some ideological opponents (like Cenk and Van Jones) acknowledging Charlie’s sincerity, courage, and willingness to extend an olive branch.

God specializes in redemption. When evil strikes, He brings unexpected good. This is what our children need to see—not a faith that collapses under pressure, but a faith that shines brightest when the world is darkest.

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🎧 Listen to Charlie in His Own Words:

I spent a LOT of time curating some of the best exchanges Charlie had with kids on campus and even with his critics for this must-listen episode. You can listen on Life Audio by clicking the image below:

 Or find us on  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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🌱Raising Kids for Courage, Not Comfort

Charlie once said, “I want to be remembered for courage, for my faith.”

That’s the legacy we must long for—not comfort, not popularity, not ease—but courageous faith.
Ask yourself:

• Am I preparing my children for comfort, or for courage?
• Do they see me standing firm in my own walk with Christ?
• Am I cultivating habits of prayer, Scripture, and obedience that will anchor them when storms come?

The world doesn’t need more casual Christians. It needs disciples who are willing to stand when everyone else bows.

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🙏 My Prayer for You

Friend, I know the world feels heavy right now. As parents, it’s tempting to let fear drive us. But fear is not our portion—faith is.

My prayer is that you will raise children whose faith is not borrowed but owned. That you will raise young men and women who know God’s Word, who love Christ more than comfort, and who will not waver when the world presses in.

This episode is one of the most urgent messages I’ve ever shared. I believe it will strengthen you, challenge you, and call you higher as you lead your family.

Together, let’s raise a generation that cannot be shaken.