All Things

It is comfortable and easy to remain naive and sheltered from the realities of the American criminal justice system. Hearing the stories of those who've been wrongfully held and convicted is heartbreaking. Reading the statistics is shocking. In our democratic republic, we must do better. You and I and all citizens have conferred the responsibility to carry out justice to our elected officials, so it's on us to hold them to an honest standard. Listen to this episode of All Things to gain a clear understanding of some of our system's grossest injustices and how you can begin to think, speak, and act for positive change. "The United States is the world's largest jailer…accounting for approximately 19% of the world's prisoners, but only 4.25% of the world's population… We need an examination of the machinery, not merely the product, of the criminal justice system." - Matt Martens, lawyer and author of Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal. "The important point for the Christian in a democratic system is that, because government officials exercise power that we played a role in giving them, our duty to love carries with it a moral obligation to supervise the exercise of governmental power we conferred…You and I have a political relationship, and thus a moral proximity, to the situation.” - Matt MartensMany thanks to this season's sponsor, Crossway! https://www.crossway.org/ Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal by Matt Martens: https://www.crossway.org/books/reforming-criminal-justice-hcj/ Keep up with Matt Martens: https://matthew-martens.com/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/martensmatt1

Do you find yourself grumbling about life, circumstances, work, stress? Are you quick to complain? Do you have an established routine of giving thanks? Do you know to whom you give thanks and why that matters? What about giving thanks in the midst of a dark trial? It's Thanksgiving week and Dustin Crowe and Jen Oshman are diving deep into all of this. We hope you catch this episode before Thanksgiving, but if you don't, it'll encourage and equip you anytime of the year! Stopping a habit of grumbling and cultivating a habit of giving thanks is always a good idea. Not to mention it improves sleep quality, blood pressure, and overall well-being! Who doesn't want all that? So listen in!We give thanks to our episode sponsors: Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/You're Not Crazy: Gospel Sanity for Weary Churches, by Ray Ortlund, Sam Allberry - https://www.crossway.org/books/youre-not-crazy-tpb/ Dwell Differently - https://dwelldifferently.com/ Keep up with author and pastor Dustin Crowe - On X/Twitter and Instagram - @indycrowewww.indycrowe.comThe Grumbler's Guide to Giving Thanks: Reclaiming the Gifts of a Lost Spiritual Discipline, by Dustin Crowe - https://amzn.to/47A5Y0L Data mentioned on this episode: https://coachfoundation.com/blog/gratitude-statistics/#:~:text

“Debates about women's roles in the church are back in the headlines, but a lot of them leave out a large and important group of American Christians: the Black church.” - Khristi Lauren Adams, author, minister, dean, and advocate.When we read these first lines of a recent Christianity Today article by Khristi Adams, we knew we wanted to hear more. Why do so many of our conversations about the church or the Evangelical church sideline the wisdom and experience of the Black church? Khristi Adams graciously joins us this week to talk about church mothers, gender roles, and the wide open arms of the Black church. We barely scratch the surface, but it's a helpful start to a lengthier conversation that would benefit all Christ followers.Special Thanks to our Sponsor: Crossway - https://www.crossway.org/ Sunday Matters: 52 Devotionals to Prepare Your Heart for Church by Paul David Tripp - https://www.crossway.org/books/sunday...Khristi Lauren Adams: https://khristilaurenadams.com/ Pre-Order: Womanish Theology: Discovering God through the Lens of Black Girlhood - https://amzn.to/3QEccFY Parable of the Brown Girl: The Sacred Lives of Girls of Color - https://amzn.to/3Qzjvif Unbossed: How Black Girls Are Leading the Way - https://amzn.to/3FWxOIF Black Girls Unbossed: Young World Changers Leading the Way (for readers ages 9-12) - https://amzn.to/47p34Ma Resources mentioned in or related to this episode: The Black Church - from Henry Lewis Gates Jr. - https://www.pbs.org/show/black-church/ Speech given by Jelly Roll when he won best new artist at the CMAs - https://twitter.com/KhristiLauren/sta... The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism, by Jemar Tisby - https://amzn.to/479QwZs

Should white parents adopt children of color? Today more than 40% of adoptions are transracial, so it's a conversation we need to have. November is National Adoption Month, so we're talking about adoption, ethnicity, adoptee and birth mom voices, and more on this episode with Dr. Brittany Salmon. As an adoptive mom herself, she offers a ton of wisdom and encouragement to adoptive parents. Adoption and cross-cultural adoption can be both hard and beautiful. There are opportunities here, though, for the adoptive family who is ready to commit more than love. Thanks to our Episode Sponsors! Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/Dwell Differently: https://dwelldifferently.com/ Keep up with Brittany Salmon: http://brittanynsalmon.com/ It Takes More than Love: A Christian Guide to Navigating the Complexities of Cross-Cultural Adoption - https://amzn.to/3MvYDY7Resources to get involved with Vulnerable Families and Children: CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocate® (CASA) and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for children's best interests.https://nationalcasagal.org/ SAFE Families - Safe Families for Children seeks to keep children safe and families together. Safe Families for Children is rooted in faith, fueled by radical hospitality, disruptive generosity, and intentional compassion, to build a network of caring and compassionate volunteers to support families facing social isolation. https://safe-families.org/ Embrace Grace - Embrace Grace exists to help inspire and equip the church to love and encourage single and pregnant young women and their families. Women experiencing unexpected pregnancies receive practical, spiritual, and emotional support through our global support groups.https://embracegrace.com/our-story Brave Love - A pro-adoption movement dedicated to changing the perception of adoption by acknowledging birth moms for their brave decision.https://www.bravelove.org/ Project 127 - Helping churches and families in Colorado serve children through faith-based family preservation, kinship care, foster care & adoption since 2004.https://www.project127.org/ Resources for Foster and Adoptive Parents: Fostered: One Woman's Powerful Story of Finding Faith and Family through Foster Care, by Tori Hope Petersen - https://amzn.to/3MvlUcB Foster the Family: Encouragement, Hope, and Practical Help for the Christian Foster Parent, by Jamie Finn - https://amzn.to/47j0HdQ The Connected Parent: Real-Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment, by Karyn Purvis and Lisa Qualls - https://amzn.to/47jyfIF The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family, by by Karyn Purvis, David Cross, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine - https://amzn.to/3QMpmBX Cam Lee Small - https://therapyredeemed.wordpress.com/ Books from the adopted perspective. Not Christian, but helpful: Adopting Hope: Stories and Real Life Advice from Birthparents, Adoptive Parents, and Adoptees, by Lorri Antosz Benson - https://amzn.to/3QMUnWASurviving the White Gaze: A Memoir, by Rebecca Carroll - https://amzn.to/3QtWY6f All You Can Ever Know: A Memoir, by Nicole Chung - https://amzn.to/3QqGMmr Research mentioned on the episode: https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/private/pdf/264526/MEPA-Graphical-Factsheet.pdf https://time.com/the-realities-of-raising-a-kid-of-a-different-race/https://ifstudies.org/blog/the-changing-face-of-adoption-in-the-united-stateshttps://adoptionnetwork.com/adoption-myths-facts/domestic-us-statistics/

A new survey of churches across the US reveals that only 17% of women's ministry leaders are in paid staff positions at their churches. Put another way, 83% of women's ministry leaders serve totally as volunteers. Additionally, only 5% of women's ministry leaders conduct their planning with the involvement of the wider church staff.Women's ministry can be a great joy, but it can also be a heavy burden. Women's ministry leaders often face variables that are unseen by other church members and leaders. Navigating inequities in pay and involvement in overall church vision and strategy can be isolating. On this episode of All Things Jen Oshman asks Jen Wilkin tons of women's ministry questions: Why it's beneficial. Why and how to integrate it within the broader church staff and vision.Why it's important that women are paid for their work (Serving is good too! But pay does matter.).What makes a substantive women's ministry. How women who lead as volunteers can begin a conversation about wages with their leadership. If women should go to seminary if they aren't guaranteed paid work. How women who serve in healthy churches can encourage their sisters who don't. A gospel-centered perspective on growing women's ministry, even when it feels tough. . We cover a lot of ground! If you are a woman in ministry, a woman in church, or a man in ministry, this episode is for you.Many thanks to our episode sponsor: Crossway: crossway.org Behold and Believe: A Bible Study on the "I Am" Statements of Jesus, by Courtney Doctor, Joanna Kimbrel - https://www.crossway.org/books/behold-and-believe-tpb/Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds, by Jen Wilkin - https://www.crossway.org/books/women-of-the-word-tpb-2/Word-Filled Women's Ministry: Loving and Serving the Church, edited by Gloria Furman, Kathleen Nielson - https://www.crossway.org/books/word-filled-womens-ministry-tpb/ To learn more about Jen Wilkin's work: https://www.jenwilkin.net/Resources mentioned on the epsidoe: Honor Thy Church Mothers—with Wages: Christianity Today article by Jen Wilkin - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/october/wilkin-women-ministry-leaders-church-staff-wages-lifeway.html The State of Ministry to Women by LIfeway Research - https://research.lifeway.com/state-of-ministry-to-women/ Resources for growth for women in ministry: Lifeway Women Academy: Online Courses for Women, by Women - https://www.lifeway.com/en/special-emphasis/lifeway-women-academyWomen's Ministry Leadership cohort with The Gospel Coalition - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/tgcwomen/#cohortsSimeon's Trust Online Courses - https://simeontrust.org/online-courses/Bible Equipping Cohorts - https://bibleequipping.org/cohorts

While the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022 was a victory for life, we have so much more work to do. Most Americans are pro-choice and lack a vision for what a truly pro-life society could look like. Pro-life advocates must get better at articulating our position and moving our mission forward with energy and passion.This episode includes both data and answers to practical questions for our current historical moment when it comes to abortion in the United States. Be sure to pursue more information and equipping from Scott Klusendorf at the Life Training Institute: https://prolifetraining.com/Many thanks to our episode sponsor: Crossway: crossway.org The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture, Second Edition, by Scott Klusendorf: https://www.crossway.org/books/the-case-for-life-tpb-2/ Cultural Counterfeits: Confronting 5 Empty Promises of Our Age and How We Were Made for So Much More, by Jen Oshman: https://www.crossway.org/books/cultural-counterfeits-tpb/Keep up with Scott Klusendorf: https://prolifetraining.com/about-speaker/scott-klusendorf/ Resources mentioned in this episode:https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/01/11/what-the-data-says-about-abortion-in-the-u-s-2/https://time.com/6270530/abortion-rates-post-roe/https://www.axios.com/2023/06/24/abortion-dobbs-roe-wade-supreme-courthttps://www.lifesitenews.com/news/10000-abortions-prevented-in-first-two-months-after-roe-v-wade-overturned-report/https://usafacts.org/articles/which-states-ban-the-abortion-pill/Episode 56 of All Things: At-Home Abortions via Telemedicine are Legal in the US—Here's Why That's Dangerous: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-things/id1449943664?i=1000519419295

On this bonus episode of All Things we are taking time to listen to the experience of our Palestinian brother in Christ, Pastor Marwan Aboul-Zelof. He shares openly with us what it's like to be a Palestinian Christian in the Middle East at this time in history. Pastor Aboul-Zelof was born in the Middle East and has family roots throughout the region. Due to war in his birth country, his family moved to the US when he was a child. While in university, Marwan's desire grew to return to the Middle East for the sake of the gospel. He served as a pastoral intern and church planting resident with Redeemer Church of Dubai and moved to Beirut, Lebanon in 2016 to plant City Bible Church. Marwan is married to Marci and they have two young boys. He loves to spend time with his family, is a self-proclaimed foodie and coffee connoisseur, and loves walking around and exploring Beirut. Resources:As a Palestinian Christian raised in an Israel-loving church, how I see this latest conflict, written in 2021 by Marwan Aboul-Zelof: https://www.christianpost.com/voices/as-a-palestinian-christian-how-i-see-this-latest-conflict.htmlFurnace of the Lord: In Support of the Arabs, written by Elisabeth Elliot in 1978: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/1978/october-6/furnace-of-lord-in-support-of-arabs.html?share=U3AEfB+KYIW0bhlHn+xFtb3dyK0/S2j5&utm_medium=widgetsocialAmid Israel-Hamas War, Local Christians Seek Righteous Anger and Gospel Hope, by Jayson Casper, October 11, 2023: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/october/israel-hamas-gaza-war-palestinian-evangelical-messianic-jew.html?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=articleMarwan Aboul-Zelof on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/theUrbanArab City Bible Church, Beirut Lebanon: https://www.cbcbeirut.com/ Marwan Aboul-Zelof on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/theUrbanArab City Bible Church, Beirut Lebanon: https://www.cbcbeirut.com/

Almost half of all Christians and pastors associate “unity” with “agreement.” Almost half of all Christians say they experience unity in their friendships, but only about one-third say they experience unity with their church family. The data bears out what many feel: our local church families are not deeply unified. In fact, we find agreement, harmony, and alliance elsewhere. How can we, as followers of Jesus—who gave his own life that we might be reconciled to the Father—be truly and deeply reconciled to and united with other believers?On this episode we're chatting with Capitol Hill Baptist Church pastor and 9Marks author Jamie Dunlop to talk about loving the ones who drive us crazy—something we all need to be ready to do with voting season on its way. Many thanks to our episode sponsor: Crossway: www.crossway.org/plusLove the Ones Who Drive You Crazy: Eight Truths for Pursuing Unity in Your Church, by Jamie Dunlop: https://www.crossway.org/books/love-the-ones-who-drive-you-crazy-tpb/Jamie Dunlop: https://www.crossway.org/authors/jamie-dunlop/Resources in this episode: https://www.barna.com/research/pastors-christians-unity/#Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy: Eight Truths for Pursuing Unity in Your Church, by Jamie Dunlop: https://www.crossway.org/books/love-the-ones-who-drive-you-crazy-tpb/

Muslims make up about 1% of our population here in the United States. But what do most of us Americans really know about Islam in general and what do we know about our Muslim neighbors in particular? A.S. Ibrahim, professor of Islamic studies and director of the Center for the Christian Understanding of Islam at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, says most Muslims immigrate to the United States in search of a better life—more freedom, more opportunities, a higher standard of living. As Christians, though, are we prepared to engage our Muslim neighbors and offer true hope? In this episode of All Things, Dr. Ibrahim helps us unpack some misconceptions we may have about Muslims and some they may have about us. His goal is that you and I and every Christian listener would see Muslims as Jesus sees them. Dr. Ibrahim wants us to make the most of every opportunity to befriend our Muslim neighbors and offer them true Hope. The yoke of Islam is heavy, but the burden of Christ is light. Many thanks to our episode sponsors: Crossway: www.crossway.org/plusDwell Differently: https://dwelldifferently.com/ Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age, by Rosaria Butterfield: https://www.crossway.org/books/five-lies-of-our-anti-christian-age-hcj/Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor with the Gospel, by A. S. Ibrahim: https://www.crossway.org/books/reaching-your-muslim-neighbor-with-the-gospel-tpb/Keep up with A. S. Ibrahim: A.S. Ibrahim: https://www.crossway.org/books/reaching-your-muslim-neighbor-with-the-gospel-tpb/Religions articles by A. S. Ibrahim at World News Group: https://wng.org/authors/a-s-ibrahimReaching Your Muslim Neighbor with the Gospel, by A. S. Ibrahim: https://www.crossway.org/books/reaching-your-muslim-neighbor-with-the-gospel-tpb/Resources in this episode: Crossway Podcast: What Your Muslim Neighbor Misunderstands about Christianity (A. S. Ibrahim) https://www.crossway.org/articles/podcast-what-your-muslim-neighbor-misunderstands-about-christianity-ayman-ibrahim/When Muslims Leave the Faith in the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-muslims-leave-the-faith-11596755143New estimates show U.S. Muslim population continues to grow at Pew Research: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2018/01/03/new-estimates-show-u-s-muslim-population-continues-to-grow/The share of Americans who leave Islam is offset by those who become Muslim at Pew Research: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2018/01/26/the-share-of-americans-who-leave-islam-is-offset-by-those-who-become-muslim/How many Muslims are there in the United States? At Gordon Conwell: https://www.gordonconwell.edu/blog/how-many-muslims-are-there-in-the-united-states/Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor with the Gospel, by A. S. Ibrahim: https://www.crossway.org/books/reaching-your-muslim-neighbor-with-the-gospel-tpb/

Research and common sense say most of us are suspicious of our authorities. The American way is to be ruggedly individual and totally autonomous. As a people, we don't like anyone meddling in our own goals and dreams and how we plan to reach them. Making matters worse, examples of terrible authority abound. Daily news headlines reveal bad authorities in our government, police forces, schools, and even churches. Should we do away with authority altogether? Author Jonathan Leeman says that authority, done biblically, is not only good, but essential to human flourishing. Hey says Jesus is our ultimate model. On this episode Jen Oshman and Jonathan Leeman discuss the difference between power and authority, how to identify good authority, how to help our kids flourish under good authority, and how to cultivate Christlike authority. The answer to abusive authority is not to do way with it altogether but to understand how God created authority and bestows it for our good. Special thanks to our sponsor: Crossway - crossway.org/plus Authority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing by Jonathan Leeman: https://www.crossway.org/books/authority-tpb/Keep up with Jonathan Leeman: https://www.9marks.org/about/jonathan-leeman/https://twitter.com/JonathanLeemanAuthority: How Godly Rule Protects the Vulnerable, Strengthens Communities, and Promotes Human Flourishing by Jonathan Leeman: https://www.crossway.org/books/authority-tpb/Resources for this episode: https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2022/06/06/americans-views-of-government-decades-of-distrust-enduring-support-for-its-role/https://news.gallup.com/poll/403124/majority-continues-say-government-powerful.aspxhttps://www.benefitnews.com/news/25-of-workers-dont-trust-their-employers

In the 21st century, culture changes fast. It may seem like there's never been a more tumultuous period in history. But there was one year - 1776 - that changed the social trajectory of the Western world as we know it. On today's episode we're talking with Andrew Wilson about why we are the way that we are. It turns out we in the West underwent some tremendous shaping influences in 1776 that continue to shape us today. Wilson's desire is “to explain why the modern world is the way it is, so the church can understand, serve and love it better.”Weaving together history and sociology and philosophy and so much more, today's conversation will begin to give us the historical lens we need to understand today's post-Christian trends and respond accordingly.Special thanks to our sponsor: Crossway - crossway.org/plus Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West, by Andrew Wilson - https://www.crossway.org/books/remaking-the-world-hcj/ Keep up with Andrew Wilson: https://thinktheology.co.uk/https://twitter.com/AJWTheologyRemaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West, by Andrew Wilson - https://www.crossway.org/books/remaking-the-world-hcj/Resources for this episode: Welcome: Loving Your Church by Making Space for Everyone, by Jen Oshman - https://amzn.to/3ESIyHG https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2015/04/02/religious-projections-2010-2050/https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/https://careynieuwhof.com/the-self-awareness-gap-what-non-christian-people-really-think-about-the-church/

Mental illness has historically been so taboo in the church. Christians struggle to know how our mental health and spiritual health impact one another. Many are paralyzed by the fear of saying the wrong thing. Still others feel ashamed by their own struggles and silently suffer because they fear the judgement of others. Church, this should not be.With September being National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this is a perfect opportunity to grow in our holistic understanding of mental health and our faith. Listen in to this timely and crucial conversation with Christian Psychologist Tom Karel.Thank you to our episode sponsor: Crossway: www.crossway.org/plusA Christian's Guide to Mental Illness: Answers to 30 Common Questions: https://www.crossway.org/books/a-christians-guide-to-mental-illness-tpb/ Tom Karel and David Murray: A Christian's Guide to Mental Illness: Answers to 30 Common Questions: https://www.crossway.org/books/a-christians-guide-to-mental-illness-tpb/David Murray: https://www.crossway.org/authors/david-p-murray/Tom Karel: https://www.crossway.org/authors/tom-karel/, https://www.pinerest.org/clinician/tom-karel/ Resources mentioned in this episode: https://988lifeline.org/help-someone-else/https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/suicidal-behaviorhttps://research.lifeway.com/2018/05/01/13-stats-on-mental-health-and-the-church/https://www.crossway.org/articles/can-a-christian-have-mental-illness/https://research.lifeway.com/2013/09/17/mental-health-half-of-evangelicals-believe-prayer-can-heal-mental-illness/Created in God's Image by Anthony Hoekema: https://amzn.to/48coBZX

In 1997 only about 1 in 5 American adults had been on the internet in the last three months. Today, over 85% are online every single day and 30% say they're almost constantly online. On average we check our phone every 12 minutes and a large portion of us check ours right when we wake up. This is a massive shift for humanity over the span of just one generation. Implications are sweeping with everything from increased loneliness despite connectivity, increased depression and self-harm amongst teens, and increased rage and division amongst all of us. Our digital connectivity is shaping our hearts, minds, souls, relationships, and lives. As Christians, though, we have access to the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God to help us apply wisdom to our time online. Listen in to this helpful conversation with Samuel James, tech-realist and author of Digital Liturgies. Samuel doesn't offer any quick, pat answers, but he does help us think deeply about our online engagement.Episode sponsor: Crossway: www.crossway.org/plusDigital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age by Samuel James: https://www.crossway.org/books/digital-liturgies-tpb/ Samuel James: Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age by Samuel James: https://www.crossway.org/books/digital-liturgies-tpb/On Substack: https://www.digitalliturgies.net/ On Twitter: https://twitter.com/samueld_james Resources on this episode: Most data cited is directly from Digital Liturgies. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/04/25/1171773181/social-media-teens-mental-healthhttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/oct/14/the-lost-art-of-concentration-being-distracted-in-a-digital-world#

"No one is immune to suffering. It's a part of life on this side of heaven, and yet we do all we can to avoid it, numb it, or end it. We in the West have a poor theology and practice of suffering. On this first episode of the fall 2023 season of All Things, we are joined by Joni Eareckson Tada. Joni is a well-known author, speaker, and advocate who became a quadriplegic over fifty-six years ago as the result of a tragic diving accident when she was just seventeen. She is CEO of Joni and Friends, a global ministry that serves the practical and spiritual needs of people with disabilities. She is also an artist and the author of numerous bestselling books. Joni reminds us that joy comes through suffering. Her personal stories and practical advice teach us to persevere through pain, fixing our eyes on our Savior, the Man of Sorrows who knows what it is to suffer. This episode is packed with scriptural truth and will minister to all who are weary. Listen, be encouraged, and share with someone you know. Episode sponsor: Crossway: crossway.org/plus Impossible Christianity: Why Following Jesus Does Not Mean You Have to Change the World, Be an Expert in Everything, Accept Spiritual Failure, and Feel Miserable Pretty Much All the Time by Kevin DeYoung: https://www.crossway.org/books/impossible-christianity-hcj/ Joni Eareckson Tada: Joni & Friends - Sharing Hope Through Hardship: https://joniandfriends.org/ Songs of Suffering: 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls by Joni Eareckson Tada: https://www.crossway.org/books/songs-of-suffering-hconly/ Resources from this episode: Cultural Counterfeits by Jen Oshman (information on assisted suicide and abortion were drawn from chapter 4): https://www.crossway.org/books/cultural-counterfeits-tpb/ https://www.pewresearch.org/interactives/in-their-own-words-how-americans-explain-why-bad-things-happen/https://news.gallup.com/poll/397286/poor-life-ratings-reach-record-high.aspx#:~:text=Since reaching a record high,estimated 14 million American adults.https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics https://drugabusestatistics.org/https://wng.org/roundups/states-remove-protections-from-assisted-suicide-1690922301https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/reflections-on-50th-anniversary-of-my-diving-accident/

Thanks for listening to this Bonus Episode of All Things! Jen is joined by Dr. Christina Crenshaw to discuss the blockbuster Barbie movie, which hit theaters just last weekend. If you've already seen it and you're eager to process it with some girlfriends through a theological lens, this is the conversation for you! Or, if you haven't seen it, but you're curious what all the hype is about, we can fill you in. We're talking feminism, masculinity (or emasculation), motherhood, gender roles and norms, Biblical imagery, Creator and creation, visions of the good life, visits to the gynecologist, and more. Leave us a comment and tell us what you thought of the movie! We know the opinions out there are limitless!https://www.drchristinacrenshaw.com/https://www.jenoshman.com/

The conversation surrounding disabilities and people with disabilities is evolving and confusing in the West. On the one hand, we see record numbers of abortions due to parents being afraid or unwilling to bring a child with disabilities into the world. For example 67% of children who *may* have down syndrome are aborted in the United States. On the other hand, conversations about inclusion and access are at an all time high. Do we as a culture value and want to include people with disabilities or are we more eager to end their lives and exclude them from our narratives? This is a complex conversation and I'm so glad my friend and author Laura Wifler joined me for it. Laura is known for her role at Risen Motherhood, which she founded along with her sister-in-law Emily Jensen, as well as their book and podcast by the same name. Most recently, though, Laura wrote a children's book called “Like Me: A Story About Disability and Discovering God's Image in Every Person.”As a culture, and even as Christian churches and individual followers of Jesus, it seems we are wrestling with whether we are an inclusive or exclusive people. Do we embrace difference or reject it? Do we truly value people with disabilities or do we see serving them as a good deed to accomplish? Laura helps us to think through all of this, as well as God's sovereignty, his goodness in the way he makes each person, what it's like to receive a disability diagnosis as a parent, how to genuinely care for families that include members with disabilities, how to take life one day at a time, what's waiting for us in heaven, and more. We even discuss whether we should be saying “person with special needs” or “person with disabilities.” This is a rich conversation including personal stories colliding with cultural trends. I hope you'll listen and share it with others. Resources: Like Me: A Story About Disability and Discovering God's Image in Every Person by Laura Wifler: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780736985758/like-me Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments by Laura Wifler and Emily Jensen: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780736976220/risen-motherhood-hardbackYou can keep in touch with Laura here: https://laurawifler.com/Heaven by Randy Alcorn: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780842379427/heaven-hardback

One major reason unity in our nation, families, and churches is so fragile is because division and cynicism have been incentivized. We all stand to gain a lot when we retreat to our own corners and tribes. It's easier to sit in an echo chamber and be told you are right than to wrestle with different perspectives. Less gracious, more extreme opinions get more clicks, followers, and campaign donations. It costs us nothing to think ill of the other side, create caricatures, and retreat—but it costs us a lot to move toward one another. Division pays, but unity requires sacrifice. On this episode of All Things I'm talking with Daniel Darling, a cultural commentator, author, pastor, and professor, who regularly appears in mainstream media to talk about current events and trends through a Christian lens (you know that's my fave). Dan and I talk about: - Why we bother engaging in culture anyway—especially when it can be costly personally and professionally. - Why 2020 was such a watershed moment for division amongst Americans. - How some issues are worth dividing over, but most are not. - How it's costly, but so worth it, to fight for unity. - How Christians will indeed be judged by the outside by how well we love one another on the inside. - How you and I can determine to be people who fight cynicism and move toward unity. - How God's best days are not behind him. He is at work here and now. - We are called to go (Great Commission) and we are called to love (Great Commandment) and with God's help, every Christian really can do both! In a world of cynicism and division, be a hopeful stayer. This conversation is so helpful and encouraging! Resources mentioned in the episode: How the Nations Rage: Rethinking Faith and Politics in a Divided Age, by Jonathan Leeman: https://amzn.to/3otDdC1Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I? by Tim Keller: https://amzn.to/3BUb7mA Agents of Grace: How to Bridge Divides and Love as Jesus Loved, by Daniel Darling: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780310366324/agents-of-grace-paperback A Way with Words: Using Our Online Conversations for Good, by Daniel Darling: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781535995368/a-way-with-words-paperback The Dignity Revolution: Reclaiming God's Rich Vision for Humanity, by Daniel Darling: https://amzn.to/3oBDh2u Keep in touch with Dan Darling at https://danieldarling.com/

May is National Foster Care Awareness Month and there is so much missing in our national and church conversations when it comes to foster care. I'm loving this chance to increase my own awareness and yours on this episode of All Things. Jamie Finn, who wrote Foster the Family, and runs an organization by the same name, joins me today to talk about all the parties involved in foster care. Jamie says her perspective and understanding of foster care has changed so much in the past 10 years, during which her family has welcomed home 30 foster children. Her heart used to break only for the children, she says, but her eyes have been opened wide to the burdens and plights of the moms and dads who find themselves having to hand their children over to CPS. Jamie's heart now breaks for everyone involved and she seeks to do the good, hard, messy gospel work of coming alongside the child's entire biological family. She preaches us a good word over and over on this episode, so I hope you'll listen! This episode is not just for foster parents. It's for anyone who wants to live a life of meaning and sacrifice and follow Jesus in carrying the cross he has for you. While it's certainly informative about the breadth of foster care, it will encourage your soul wherever God has you. Have a listen and share with your friends. We all need this truth! Recommended resources: Jamie Finn's ministry: https://www.fosterthefamily.org/Foster the Family: Encouragement, Hope, and Practical Help for the Christian Foster Parent by Jamie Finn: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781540901866/foster-the-family-paperbackJamie Finn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosterthefamilyblog/Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781601422217/radical-paperback?affiliate=jenoshman

Mother's Day is this weekend in the United States and for most of us that means celebration mingled with some kind of grief. Many women are childless for a variety of reasons: infertility, miscarriage, child loss, they made an adoption plan, they chose abortion, they never married, and more. The reasons are varied and complex and the weight of that is felt especially on Mother's Day. Motherhood is a beautiful and worthwhile gift. We celebrate it and praise the Lord for it! At the same time, we acknowledge that our society and our churches often fall woefully short when it comes to conversations and beliefs about motherhood and children. Chelsea Patterson Sobolik joins us on All Things today to discuss all of this, as well as the intrinsic worth of women no matter their story regarding children. Chelsea is uniquely situated for this conversation because of her own story, plus her years of writing about and advocating for both women and children. She is herself an adoptee and an adoptive mom, at the age of nineteen she learned she could never have biological children, and she works daily on behalf of vulnerable women and children. Her perspective is both deep and wide when it comes to womanhood, motherhood, children, and the worth and dignity of every human life. This episode will benefit you if: - You ever wondered what a woman's role or worth is if she has no children. - You or someone you love experiences childlessness for any reason. - You are a friend or ministry leader to women who suffer grief on Mother's Day and you don't know what to say. - You suffer for any reason and you're looking for hope. - You struggle to reconcile your losses with a loving God. - You need a hopeful vision for your future. Recommended Resources: Longing For Motherhood: Holding On to Hope in the Midst of Childlessness by Chelsea Patterson Sobolik: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780802416124/longing-for-motherhood-paperback?affiliate=jenoshman Waiting In Hope: 31 Reflections for Walking with God Through Infertility by Kelley Ramsey and Jenn Hesse: https://amzn.to/42meyxS Cultural Counterfeits: Confronting 5 Empty Promises of Our Age and How We Were Made for So Much More by Jen Oshman: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781433576324/cultural-counterfeits-paperback Risen Motherhood: Gospel Hope for Everyday Moments by Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780736976220/risen-motherhood-hardback Missional Motherhood: The Everyday Ministry of Motherhood in the Grand Plan of God by Gloria Furman: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781433552274/missional-motherhood-paperback Follow Chelsea on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseasobolik/

Obviously one 30-minute podcast episode to commemorate Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is not sufficient—but I'm hoping you'll tune in to at least get the month going. On this episode I am joined by my friend and journalist Curtis Yee. Curtis regularly contributes to Christianity Today and Sojourners, as well as other outlets, covering a breadth of topics including Asian American culture, church, and mental health. This conversation is a great introduction to all of that! Curtis and I talk about:- The origination of the term Asian American - The history, distinctiveness, and function of the Asian American church - What it's like to move between Asian American church and contexts and the broader American context—burdens, joys, unique experiences. - How journalism and media affect how we all understand Asian Americans (This is the white tourism part of our convo—so interesting! Don't be a white tourist this month.)- The challenges of investigating mental health in Asian American contexts and churches. Pursue further reading and resources this month! Checkout Curtis Yee's articles below, as well as a few books and ideas he recommends.Keep up with Curtis Yee, Journalist here: https://curtisfyee.carrd.co/Articles by Curtis Yee at Christianity Today: Asian American Theologian: Our ‘Culture' Is Not to Blame: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2023/april-web-only/asian-american-theology-trauma-mental-health-daniel-lee.htmlAt Gracepoint Ministries, ‘Whole-Life Discipleship' Took Its Toll: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/september/gracepoint-berkland-asian-american-church-discipleship.htmlCru Divided Over Emphasis on Race: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/june/cru-divided-over-emphasis-on-race.htmlOther recommended resources: The Making of Asian America: A History, by Erika Lee: https://amzn.to/3TJfXLiOff the Pulpit - A podcast hosted by three Korean American pastors, often about the AA church, but also about the American church in general: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-pulpit/id1530814844The Asian American Christian Collaborative (AACC) seeks to encourage, equip, and empower Asian American Christians and friends of our community to follow Christ holistically. We are committed to amplifying the voices, issues, and histories of Asian Americans in the church and society at large. While the Asian American community is extremely diverse and we cannot speak for every individual and perspective, we aim to spotlight and celebrate the Asian American Christian community as inclusively as possible: https://www.asianamericanchristiancollaborative.com/Stay True: A Memoir, by Hua Hsu: https://amzn.to/3TP9hLRCrying in H-Mart: A Memoir, by Michelle Zauner: https://amzn.to/3z5olLR

Not a week goes by that the US isn't rattled by a racially-charged news story. Just last week we reeled and lamented the shooting of young Ralph Yarl, a black teen boy who went to the wrong address in Kansas City to pick up his young brothers. It's tempting to think such headlines have nothing to do with us, or that we as individuals have nothing to offer our national strife. Christians especially might want to shrink back from the conversation, not wanting to become too political. The racial distance and even division we see in our Christian communities testifies that ethnic unity is not a high priority for us as a whole. Dr. Derwin Gray, a pastor of a multiethnic church in North Carolina and author of How to Heal Our Racial Divide: What the Bible Says, and the First Christians Knew, About Racial Reconciliation, says pastors and seminaries have failed to disciple our generation of Christ followers when it comes to God's Word and our diversity. Dr. Gray says, “In western christianity we've turned the gospel into 'Jesus died for your sins and you can go to heaven when you die.' The gospel is more than simply saving individuals. It's saving individuals who are of different ethnicities to bring them into a family… What we've done in America is we've made a package of ‘here's how you can go to heaven when you die' versus ‘how do we become the redeemed new people of God for all time.'”On this episode of All Things we're diving into both the Bible and culture when it comes to ethnic unity and disunity. Dr. Gray refuses to be siloed into one political camp or the other. Rather, his insight and comments are nuanced and laser-focused on the Kingdom of Jesus. We talk about: - Derwin Gray's fascinating life story: how he played football at BYU and then the NFL, how he came to Jesus, his rigorous theological pursuits, and how he—a chronic stutterer—came to establish multiethnic megachurch with his wife in Charlotte, North Carolina. - How our vertical reconciliation to God requires our horizontal reconciliation to all people. - How the Bible is saturated with God's plan for a multiethnic family. - How there are indeed demonic powers at work in the world, seeking to keep us divided. - The cost and joy of pursuing multiethnic ministry. - Identity in Christ alone, especially when you preach against the cultural grain. - How to respond to the shooting of Ralph Yarl—you might be surprised by the multifaceted response Dr. Gray gives here. Like I said, he refuses to be siloed and I really appreciate that!- The benefits of detoxing from media and social media and feasting instead on God's Word. - How the church of Jesus is over 2,000 years old and political parties are new and temporary. Let's be rooted in what will last forever! Recommended Resources:How to Heal Our Racial Divide: What the Bible Says, and the First Christians Knew, about Racial Reconciliation by Dr. Derwin L. Gray: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781496458803/how-to-heal-our-racial-divide-hardbackhttps://www.derwinlgray.com/

Dr. Christina Crenshaw has a long history of writing, speaking, and working to protect women. What began as work in the anti-trafficking sphere, has evolved into speaking out in defense of women and girls and female spaces. Dr. Crenshaw has endured a lot of online heat and hate for her solid stance that females deserve their own spaces, but her reasoning, strength, and views are based not only on a Biblical worldview, but also biology and plenty of data. On this episode of All Things she offers us so much common sense, wisdom, experience, and commitment to a worldview and practice that protects everyone. I so value her balanced perspective, grace, and nuance. You will hear both grace and truth in this conversation!If you are concerned about gender identity and spaces, please listen in. Dr. Crenshaw and I talk about: -The history of feminism —the good and bad of all four waves.-The impact (good and bad) of critical theory.-Cancel culture and personally enduring online threats.-How we need not/should not look for a fight, but engage wisely when these issues impact us, our families, or our communities personally. -Acknowledging that our fight is not against flesh and blood and it's not personal—we must engage prayer, God's Word, and God's strength. -The risk and harm girls endure when biological males are allowed into their bathrooms, prisons, shelters, and sports. -The shifting tide and trends in the UK and how that may be on the horizon for the US.-Reasons for hope and practical ideas for moving forward. Recommended Resources:Dr. Christina Crenshaw on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.christinacrenshaw/Dr. Christina Crenshaw on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrenshawPhD What God Has to Say about Our Bodies by Sam Allberry: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781433570155/what-god-has-to-say-about-our-bodies-paperbackHoly Sexuality and the Gospel by Christopher Yuan: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780735290914/holy-sexuality-and-the-gospel-paperbackGod and the Transgender Debate: What Does the Bible Actually Say about Gender Identity? By Andrew T Walker: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781784986940/god-and-the-transgender-debate-2nd-edition-paperback?affiliate=jenoshmanIrreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier: https://amzn.to/3nJ0wqI

Why do we in the west value things like equality, compassion, and freedom? These virtues are so woven into our DNA they feel automatic to us. Such virtues, however, are not a given across all time and all peoples. There's a reason we see headlines and collectively cry out, “Consent!” Or demand, “Progress!”These virtues are the direct result of the holiday we celebrated this past Sunday—Easter. Our reflex to march for justice or to lift the marginalized come from somewhere. On this episode of All Things I'm talking to Glen Scrivener who wrote The Air We Breathe: How We All Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality. Glen points us back to what he calls the “Jesus revolution”—the way the world (and especially the west) totally changed after Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again. We dive into history stretching from the Roman Empire to 2023. We trace the birthplace of these virtues in Christianity and see how they impact our current moment. Glen helps us reflect especially on the value and treatment of women. We cry “Me too” today precisely because we know women deserve to be treated well, protected, and cared for. But why do we think that? The Roman Empire certainly did not—female infanticide was practiced in the first century. Christ and his church came on the scene, valuing life, dignity, and caring for the marginalized. The Jesus revolution changed how women, and all marginalized groups, are seen and treated.Easter was the beginning of the Jesus revolution—Christ's life, death, and resurrection is not simply a nice story or tradition. It truly changed everything. If you uphold compassion and equality, it's because of Jesus and his massive influence over the last 2,000 years. Resources mentioned on this episode: Dominion by Tom Holland: https://amzn.to/3TRbyGfThe Case Against the Sexual Revolution by Louise Perry: https://amzn.to/3nw2tXhThe Air We Breathe: How We All Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality by Glen Scrivener: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781784987497/the-air-we-breathe-paperback?affiliate=jenoshman Follow Glen Scrivener at https://speaklife.org.uk/

If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, then we have no hope, no reason to gather, and no reason to celebrate Easter. The life, death, resurrection, and second coming of Jesus are all keys to our faith, how we think, and how we live. The resurrection in particular is crucial—did it really happen and how do we know? And why does it matter 2,000 years later? Listeners are in for a treat on today's episode because I've invited Dr. Michael Kruger, one of the leading New Testament scholars of our day, to join me. Dr. Kruger is a gifted scholar and teacher—and I would know because he was my New Testament professor last semester at Reformed Theological Seminary! Dr. Kruger and I talk about everything from philosophical foundations for faith, the historical reliability of the resurrection, and the historical reliability of the New Testament scriptures. Our conversation culminates in a worshipful contemplation of our future hope in Christ. One day we too will rise and see Jesus face to face. He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Recommended resources: Surviving Religion 101 by Michael Kruger: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781433572074/surviving-religion-101-paperback Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the True Meaning of Easter by Timothy Keller: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780525560791/hope-in-times-of-fear-hardback Is Easter Unbelievable? Four Questions Everyone Should Ask About the Resurrection Story by Rebecca McLaughlin: https://amzn.to/3zxziGe

“I have the minimalist life. My home is beautiful. Now all I have to do is be LDS and I can be an influencer!” It was a joke made by a friend over coffee with Elizabeth Santelmann, who you may know as Sunshine in My Nest on Instagram. Elizabeth points to that coffee date as a watershed moment when she realized Christians are missing a massive opportunity to share the light of Christ on social media. The reality is moms and women flock to Instagram for advice on everything from home decor to raising children to homeschooling. Mormons excel at using social media to spread their message. And it dawned on Elizabeth then that the church should be embracing the same opportunity to give the gospel and grace and all kinds of goodness. As one of my favorite apologists asks, “Would Christians be willing to do for the Truth, what Mormons are willing to do for a lie?” If we ditch social media altogether we miss out on a harvest-ripe mission field. But can you use social media for good and not evil? Can it be a place of warmth and hospitality, rather than coldness and condemnation? Elizabeth thinks so, and I think she's doing it really well! Elizabeth logs onto social media asking what she can give, rather than what she can get. She enters with a hospitality frame of mind—her desire to see and serve the women on the other side of the screen. She wants them to receive the levity of grace, the freedom of the gospel, the genuine good life in Christ from her squares. She wants women to visit her profile and see compassion, beauty, and true life in Jesus. If you want to redeem your online presence and use your social media account to love God and love others, listen to this episode for a great place to start. Additional resources: Extraordinary Hospitality (for Ordinary People): Seven Ways to Welcome Like Jesus by Carolyn Lacey: https://www.thegoodbook.com/extraordinary-hospitality-for-ordinary-peopleSay the Right Thing: How Your Words Can Glorify God and Encourage Others by Carolyn Lacey: https://www.thegoodbook.com/say-the-right-thingToday's sponsor: https://www.thegoodbook.com/Keep up with Elizabeth Santelmann here: https://www.instagram.com/sunshineinmynest/Listen to Elizabeth Santelmann's weekly podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sunshine-in-my-nest/id1625483086

For the first time ever in history, American women are leaving the church faster than men. Millions have left over the last decade, and that was even before the pandemic. Research shows they have left church but they still value their relationship with God. What's going on?Ericka Andersen joins us on today's episode of All Things to discuss this issue, as well as Reasons to Return: Why Women Need the Church and the Church Needs Women—as her new book is titled. Ericka and I ponder the reasons women have left the church. We live in an increasingly post-Christian society, and the religion of self-help is on the rise. Ericka says secular self-help gurus offer a replacement for religion—but it's not sustainable. She thinks our attraction to self-help is going to soon run its course, as people are realizing they need more than what's inside of them to get by. Ericka says church is often misunderstood. She says church is relationships, friendships, a safety net, where you feel like you have people on your team, and where we learn about God. She says, “When we get together with others we see a part of God that we cannot see ourselves.” Further, “It is the church that God uses to save people—it's through the witness of the church that people are drawn to Jesus.”We also tackle church hurt and religious trauma. And we talk through different scenarios for conversing with our friends who've left. Ericka helps us imagine how we might invite a friend back to church who has left over politics or shame or sheer busyness. She says the number one reason people return to church is because someone invites them. Ericka exhorts us, “Be someone's introduction to to Jesus by being there for them without expecting anything in return.” One bonus element of this episode is when Ericka talks about her journey to sobriety—her transparency is such a gift! Recommendations from this episode: Reasons to Return: Why Women Need the Church and the Church Needs Women by Ericka Andersen Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods by Jonathan Brooks and Sho Baraka Welcome: Love Your Church by Making Space for Everyone by Jen Oshman Keep in touch with Ericka at https://erickaandersen.com.

Conversations around women and work are complicated, often heated, and rarely satisfying. The heart of the issue for women is: how can we thrive in our capacity for productive work as well as provide care for others (children, aging parents, and other loved ones). This conversation hit fever pitch during the pandemic and it seems we've been in a prolonged season of flux since then. The conversation in the church feels tense too. There's been a gap in discipleship regarding women and work for decades now, and trusted voices are few. Not only that, but women often endure conflict or judgment from both sides of the work vs. stay home divide. We need to be having a better conversation. On this episode of All Things we are having that conversation! Joanna Meyer, the founder of Women, Work, & Calling (an initiative of the Denver Institute of Faith & Work), helps us think biblically and practically about the issues of work and family that women face today. She invites us to think more holistically and it's so helpful. We are all made for productive work, so I invite you listen for some soul-deep encouragement.You can learn more about Joanna Meyer's work here: https://denverinstitute.org/contributor/joanna-meyer/ You can learn more about Women, Work & Calling here: https://www.womenworkandcalling.com/ Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live): https://amzn.to/3S31jh9 Called Together: A Biblical Look at Gender in the Workplace by Joanna Meyer: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/63855492/calledtogether-final Women & Work: https://womenwork.net/

Do you derive your value and identity from productivity? Do you try to live beyond your limits? Do you try to live a super-human life rather than a human life that is Spirit-filled?Most of us are constantly asking how we can get more done in the 24 hours a day we each have. We read books, go to workshops, and download apps to help us manage our to-do lists and be as productive as possible. But if we're honest, I think we also suspect we're missing the point. Something is off. We work hard and run fast through our day, but we're usually exhausted and unsatisfied when we come to the end of it. This conversation with Jen Pollock Michel is so helpful in trying to understand work, productivity, and our limitations as humans. Jen Pollock Michel and I talk about: * How time management originated in factories with stop watches and how keeping time mechanically is altogether inhuman.* Whether or not productivity and time management are even for our good.* How women are often required to manage both shifts—the one at work and the one at home.* What God's time is like—he is from everlasting to everlasting, so how does he measure productivity?* How the posture of time management is really just about control.* How God is the maker and giver of time. As humans we must receive time in whatever ways God deems is for our good.* How to confront our own frenetic energy and our idolatrous urgency to produce.* Considering a practice of gratitude and receiving the limitations in our lives.* The idea of a Rule of Life—developing routines and habits and practices that will help us to love God and neighbor.Jen Pollock Michel: https://www.jenpollockmichel.com/In Good Time, by Jen Pollock Michell: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781540900548/in-good-time-paperbackA Habit called Faith by Jen Pollock Michel: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9781540900531/a-habit-called-faith-paperback/?affiliate=jenoshmanThe Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780830845606/the-common-rule-paperback?affiliate=jenoshman

What was behind the Asbury revival? Can we trust it? On this episode of All Things I am talking with my friend and theologian Missie Branch about: - Why every woman (and human!) is actually a theologian. - What caused revival at Asbury University to break out. - What it looks like to struggle and depend on the Holy Spirit. - How the Spirit moves when and where he pleases, as he is doing at Asbury. - The desperation we see in Gen Z. - The critical spirit we see in the church. - How to cultivate a spirit of grace and unity in the church. - What the church is getting wrong and right(!) in this cultural moment. Missie is the Asst. Dean of Students to Women and Director of Graduate Life at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and also completing her graduate degree in Ethics, Theology, and Culture there. She is also Chair of the Board Trustees at Lifeway Christian Resources and co-host of the Women & Work Podcast. Missie is a wife and mom to four. Missie Branch: https://www.missiebranch.com/ (https://www.missiebranch.com/) The Women & Work Podcast: https://womenwork.net/podcast/ (https://womenwork.net/podcast/) The Whole Woman: Ministering to Her Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength, with a chapter by Missie Branch: https://amzn.to/3SiKm2o (https://amzn.to/3SiKm2o) Other recommended books and resources: https://us.10ofthose.com/partners/jenoshman (https://us.10ofthose.com/partners/jenoshman)

You should listen to this episode just to hear how Doug Logan met Jesus. It's a wild story involving Doug's barber shop, the rapture, and a fire alarm at 3am—only God! Ever since Doug's first days of faith in the barber shop, he's become a pastor, church planter, and President of Grimke Seminary. Doug has a lot to say about the gospel of Jesus, the mission of the church, and how we can better contextualize the gospel for urban ministry. Listen in as we wrap of National Black History Month, and be encouraged by how one man's faith can blossom into generations of church planters and Jesus followers. On the Block by Doug Logan: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780802414724/on-the-block-paperback?affiliate=jenoshmanUrban Apologetics, with a chapter by Doug Logan: https://amzn.to/3kk6qx0Grimke College: https://grimkecollege.org/Grimke Seminary: https://grimkeseminary.org/

What do you do when it's hard to love? Or forgive? Or extend patience? Do you try harder? Vow to do better? Grab another cup of coffee? Author, editor, and spoken word poet, Quina Aragon, answers that tough question in her third children's book called “Love Can.” On this episode of All Things we talk about both the goodness and brokenness in all human beings. We talk about God's provision of the Holy Spirit to help us extend love in a divisive world. Quina's book and words on this episode will spur you on to love others, with the help of the Spirit. Lastly, we talk about representation and why it matters in all forms of art. I love Quina's passion for biblical, historical, and cultural truth and I know you will too! The following book links are to Jen Oshman's personal bookstore. All books are discounted and shipping is always only $1! Love Can is the third book in 3-part series and can be found here for just $12.59: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780736974400/love-canAlso checkout Love Made here: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780736974363/love-made-hardback?affiliate=jenoshmanAnd Love Gave for JUST $5 here: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/9780736974387/love-gave-hardback?affiliate=jenoshmanOr all three Love books by Quina for $25.99 here: https://us.10ofthose.com/product/LOVEMGC3PK/love-made-gave-can-pack?affiliate=jenoshman You can find Quina on Instagram @Quina_Aragon and at her website QuinaAragon.com.

Portia Collins loves God's Word and God's church. Both loves come through in this episode of All Things. Portia's words and wisdom provide us with a rich backdrop for continuing our conversations through Black History Month. Listen in to hear how God's Word is truly sustenance for Portia's soul and how it has driven her and her husband to make some really counter-cultural decisions where they live in the Mississippi Delta. I love Portia's heart for unity in the church. Her words will undoubtedly challenge you to move beyond your comfort zone, and to do hard things for the sake of God's glory, to love your neighbor, and for you own good. Keep up with Portia at https://www.portiacollins.com/ and https://www.sheshallbecalled.com/Find her work in His Testimonies, My Heritage here: https://amzn.to/3HOApVw

Author and history teacher Jasmine Holmes is kicking off National Black History Month for us on All Things! Jasmine loves Jesus, her family, and speaking and writing about black history and identity. I think this conversation will serve you well! Jasmine and I talk about: An eternal perspective on race and ethnicity.Where we are as a nation when it comes to our American perspective on race and ethnicity.Why we even have a Black History Month.Why it's important to “check the footnotes” and “read primary sources” when it comes to history.The state of Florida's recent rejection of a proposed Advanced Placement course focused on African American Studies.Some of Jasmine's favorite black women in history.And some of the unique issues that come with being a black woman in the 21st century.Jasmine has so much wisdom and historical knowledge to share. This is a great way to kick off February! Resources mentioned in this episode: Mother to Son, by Jasmine Holmes - https://amzn.to/3JlNA2S Carved in Ebony, by Jasmine Holmes - https://amzn.to/3HI4Td5 Carved in Ebony Shop - Jasmine's shop offering products that raise awareness around the lives and work of trailblazing black men and women whose stories are often overlooked - https://carvedinebony.shop/Keep in touch with Jasmine - https://jasminelholmes.com/

You've undoubtedly seen the photos and videos streaming out of El Paso, Texas. Migrants running across highways, crowds camping out on the streets, and of course the stories of mayors and governors putting immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers on buses and sending them to other places in the United States. The images and headlines are hard to process. I invited Jenny Yang, the Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Policy at World Relief, onto the episode of All Things to help us sift through what's going on. Jenny and I discuss what's currently taking place at the border, how the situation got to be like it is, what Biden's visit to El Paso and his newly proposed legislation means, as well as what Christians ought to think about and do about immigration in our country. Jenny's expert and seasoned perspective is really helpful. It's true that monthly encounters between migrants—attempting to cross north into the United States from Mexico—and agents with the US border Patrol are at levels we have not seen for over two decades. In November 2022, for example, 206,239 encounters were reported, with most migrants coming from Colombia, Cuba, Nicaragua, Peru and Venezuela (https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2023/01/13/monthly-encounters-with-migrants-at-u-s-mexico-border-remain-near-record-highs/). World Relief says, “Today, over 100 million people around the world have been forced to leave their home. Each day, that number grows by over 37,000. These families are fleeing for their lives, praying for their safety and desperately seeking refuge. If you're like us, you believe that everyone deserves a place to call ‘home'. You believe that families and young children deserve safety and security.”Jenny says, “Advocacy is speaking up with those who are vulnerable to address the underlying causes of injustice and oppression by influencing the policies and practices of people in power. We should love our neighbors on an interpersonal level. But when systemic injustice is at the root of a problem, loving our neighbor means advocacy as well. Advocacy consists of organized efforts and actions seeking to highlight critical issues, influence public attitudes and enact or implement laws and policies. It starts with the reality of “what is” so that a vision of “what should be” can be realized. The ultimate aim of advocacy is to demonstrate the good news of the coming of the Kingdom of God.” (https://worldrelief.org/blog-imagine-what-it-should-be/)Resources mentioned in this episode: World Relief - https://worldrelief.org/Women of Welcome - https://womenofwelcome.com/Welcoming the Stranger by Matthew Soerens and Jenny Yang - https://amzn.to/3wCa2Nn

When Andrew Tate and his brother were arrested for sex trafficking in Romania last month, it was the first I'd heard his name. But my teen daughters knew exactly who he was because, as they told me, most of the Christian teen boys they know enthusiastically follow Andrew Tate online. I soon found out that Tate was the most Googled name in 2022 and he had over 11.6 billion views on his TikTok account before it was banned for violent content. Why would a man like this be attractive to the teen boys and young men in my community and, evidently, around the world? What's the draw? And what void or need is Tate evidently filling in their lives? Tate is a British-American former kickboxer who rose to fame by selling his “successful” lifestyle online. His videos and content include nutrition and body-building advice, luxury cars, throngs of women, and training on how to get independently wealthy. Tate's Hustler University (now known as Join the Real World) trains young mean in all of the above for a monthly fee. Behind Tate's ultra-confident facade and obvious worldly fortune lies a dark side. His wealth comes from trafficking women across the US, the UK, and Romania and coercing them to perform sex acts on camera. Tate boasts he's had as many as 75 women working for him at one time. Romanian authorities allege Tate, his brother, and two other suspects misled their victims “into believing that they intended to enter into a marriage/cohabitation relationship” while transporting them to Romania and later sexually exploiting them with physical violence and coercion. Romanian police said the men forced the women to perform pornographic content via “physical violence and mental coercion,” using “intimidation, constant surveillance, control and the invoking of alleged debts.”It's tempting to quickly move past Tate and think he's history now that he's in prison. But the bigger question is, why is he so popular? Why are young men drawn to a clearly violent and misogynistic man? And further, for those of us in the Christian community, how can we disciple our sons and brothers away from this kind of content? What better hope can we offer the teen boys and young men in our lives? To get at the answers to these questions I invited Vince Greenwald onto this bonus episode of All Things. Vince is the director of student ministry at Immanuel Nashville and a student at Covenant Theological Seminary. Vince has also written for the Gospel Coalition and Rooted, which is an organization that comes alongside churches and parents to disciple teens. Obviously as a youth pastor, Vince is more closely connected to young men than I am, and he's a writer and thinker, so I knew his perspective would be needed in this conversation! He offers excellent socio-cultural and theological insight. If you are a parent, teacher, youth worker, or someone in the church who loves teens (hint, that should be all of us!), you do not want to miss this episode. While Tate may fall out of fashion very soon, the cultural issues that have led boys and men to follow him will likely remain. We need to be prepared to lean into that. And, finally, here's the best news and reason we have hope even in the face of darkness like this: Jesus is on his throne, he is good, and he is all-satisfying to those who come to him. Vince does a great job of bringing us back to what's eternal and true in this conversation. While we must be prepared, we have every reason to hope. Links mentioned in this episode: The Death of Porn: Men of Integrity Building a World of Nobility by Ray Ortlund: Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids by Dr. Kara Powell and Dr. Chap Clark: Cultural Counterfeits: Confronting 5 Empty Promises of Our Age and How We Were Made for So Much More by Jen Oshman Rooted: Advancing Gospel-Centered Youth MinistryVince Greenwald on The Gospel Coalition

What do you think of when you think of your church? What comes to mind—affection, duty, joy, sorrow? On today's episode of All Things I'm chatting with Tony Merida and Barnabas Piper. These two men are my brothers in the faith, as well as my coworkers in the broader church, and the three of us want you to love your church! We recently released books at the same time, in the same series. The series is called Love Your Church and the books are meant to be very practical tools for churches to use—hopefully to read together—so that church members, attendees, and leaders can have fruitful discussions about how to love their churches better. Tony wrote Gather, Barnabas wrote Belong, and I wrote Welcome. I thought it would be fun for the three of us to have a conversation together about the state of the church and why we wrote these books. I especially appreciate how Tony zeros in on the call of scripture to love your church—if you love Jesus, you must love his church. And Barnabas casts a vision for the deep community that can be found at church—a genuine safe space to let down your guard, process life's ups and downs, and grow with others. I'm grateful for these guys and I'm excited about this series. Be sure to checkout these books plus the free small group kits that are available for each one. Today's sponsor: The Good Book Company The Love Your Church series + Free small group kits Welcome by Jen Oshman Gather by Tony Merida Belong by Barnabas Piper

On today's episode I am joined by Pastor Marwan Aboul-Zelof, the lead pastor at City Bible Church in Beirut, Lebanon. Marwan holds passports to both the US and Lebanon, but he chooses to live in the Middle East with his wife and two young sons, to share the hope of the gospel in a difficult place, which many choose to flee.Marwan and I discuss what life in Beirut is like amidst government corruption, a failing currency, a population with 80% of people living below the poverty line, and shortages of food, medicine, and electricity. No doubt you recall the explosion of the grain silos in the Port of Beirut in 2022 and the more recent attempts by Lebanese citizens to forcibly remove their money from the country's failing banks at gun point. While Marwan is honest about the complicated living conditions there, he communicates tremendous hope, firmly rooted in the goodness and faithfulness of our God. He says, “We wouldn't be here if it weren't for the hope of Jesus.” Don't miss the encouragement in this episode. Take time to learn what life is like for Lebanese citizens, and take time to be reminded of hope that never fails and security that is always sure. There is so much we can learn from our faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Beirut. Keep in touch with Marwan Aboul-Zelof and City Bible Church in Beirut at https://www.cbcbeirut.com.

Tomorrow is the 2nd anniversary of the riot or insurrection at the United States Capitol. Additionally the January 6th Congressional Committee just finished its work and referred former President Donald Trump to the Department of Justice on four criminal charges relating to that day. Nationalism and Christian nationalism are on our minds again, as they have been nearly nonstop for the past two years. On today's episode of All Things, Pastor and Author David Ritchie helps us look at Christian nationalism through a Biblical lens. Ritchie says nationalism is a disordered love. You can have an ordered love of nation—that's called patriotism. But nationalism is when one's love of country becomes one's hope and vision for their future or safety or fundamental security.Ritchie shows us that nationalism itself is a religious shell that encases a political vision. Nationalist movements advance with religious fervor, even summoning people to worship and the adoration of a messiah figure. Christian nationalist movements co-opt and utilize Christian language and categories to advance their cause. Christian nationalists elevate individuals to the category of messiah—someone who will deliver us. In the US in particular we have looked to George Washington, or Barack Obama, and more recently Donald Trump as salvation figures for our nation. When someone says, “Donald Trump is God's man,” we as Christians should pause at the very least and reflect on what it means to assign salvific qualities to a politician. As Ritchie shows us in this episode, the stakes are high. To whom are we devoted? For what future vision are we living? Where is our hope? Does our faith influence our politics or are our politics shaping our faith? You can keep in touch with David Ritchie on social media, at @DavidARitchie on Twitter.Hear David's sermons at www.redeemerchristianchurch.com.Checkout his book, Why Do the Nations Rage?: The Demonic Origin of Nationalism here: https://amzn.to/3VEdlxF.Listen to my first conversation on All Things with David Ritchie here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-things/id1449943664?i=1000565954723

It's fitting that this week when the world population reaches 8 billion humans, this podcast reaches 100 episodes. Here's why: being human matters, and every human being matters. These two truths drive every episode of All Things. There are now 8 billion humans created in the image of God in our world. Being created by God has tremendous implications. It means we are dependent on God, loved by God, accountable to God, and more. You, and I, and all 8 billion people who live now, were made with care and intentionality—on purpose, for a purpose. Each human life has dignity and worth and value simply because each human life has been created with care by our God above. Join me on this episode to reflect on our massive human population. Let's also pause in wonder at the God who holds us all together. World's Population Reaches 8 Billion—Here's What You Need To Know - Forbes World Population Reaches 8 Billion, U.N. Says - NY TImesShould We Panic About Overpopulation? - Breakpoint

Last month I had the privilege of speaking at the Acts 29 North America Conference. I gave a message entitled Brothers and Sisters on Mission Together, an issue I am passionate about and one that continues to require care and attention. I'm sharing the audio from that message here, on this 99th episode of All Things. Or you can see video here. This message is brief, just about 18 minutes long as it was one in a series of shorter Ted-style talks. I hope it's an encouragement to you, wherever you serve—whether that's in professional ministry or lay ministry in your local church. And as always, Thank you for listening in.

On this episode of All Things I have the joy of sharing Dr. Vanessa Hawkins with you. Dr. Hawkins thinks, writes, and speaks about Biblical justice (and more!) and she's sharing her wisdom with us on today's episode. We're looking at questions like: What is Biblical justice? How do we know if we're pursuing it or avoiding it? Why do we tend to have more conversations (even in the church!) about critical race theory and wokeness than we do about what God says about justice? How can we pursue justice at the polls next week? As we prepare for another election week, I hope you'll tune in and that this episode serves you well.

In recent years women and girls have become increasingly active users of pornography websites. Not only that, but young women are increasingly viewing violent porn. Pornography should not be considered a man's issue, but a human issue. More women and girls are addicted every day and unsure of where to find help.To shine a light on this weighty topic, I invited Ashley Jameson of Pure Desire Ministries onto today's episode. Ashley says she spent years in a pattern of finding freedom from one addiction only to find herself in another. She has overcome betrayal and her own love and sex addiction.She knows firsthand the power of walking with others through recovery and she wants women who feel alone and stuck in their struggles to know they are not alone and there is hope. Ashley Jameson is a certified Pastoral Sex Addiction Professional (PSAP) through the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) and has been trained in the Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model (MPTM) through The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS). She has been instrumental in training new leaders to advance the message of hope and healing throughout the church. Ashley's transparency is refreshing; her love for Jesus is contagious. You don't want to miss her story and expertise. Resources:Cultural Counterfeits - by Jen Oshman Pure Desire MinistriesPornhub Stats Reveal Women Search for More Hardcore Genres Than You Might ExpectHow Many Women Watch Porn?

Protests began erupting across Iran in late September following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested in Tehran by morality police. Amini, who was visiting Tehran with her family, was arrested for not wearing her headscarf, and died in a hospital three days later. Her brother reports she was taken to a “re-education center” for not abiding by the state's hijab rules and was beaten there. State police say Amini died from a heart attack, but her family insists she had no heart issues and was beaten to death by the police. Massive demonstrations began at Amini's funeral, and they continue to sweep across the country now five weeks later. Human rights monitors have reported hundreds dead, including children. As of a few days ago, the count is up to at least 233 Iranians dead, with 32 below the age of 18.To take a deeper look at what's happening right now in Iran, I invited my friend Laurie Meberg on to today's episode. Laurie lives in France and she has about 10 years of experience serving the Iranian church in different cities and capacities around the world. Laurie also grew up worshipping in a church with connections to the Iranian church, so she's been praying for the Iranian church and Persian Christians her whole life. Laurie shares the perspectives of her Iranian friends with us, as well as some ways we can be better informed, pray, and even protest from the other side of the world. Helpful links related to today's episode: Shervin Hajipour's song Baroye (For/Because of) w/ English subtitles: https://youtu.be/TPyHuCZzsVAarticleeighteen.com is an organization by Iranian Churches in Europe geared toward holding the Republic of Iran accountable for human rights offenses and especially against Christians.This explains a bit about the morality police: https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2022/oct/13/explainer-who-are-the-morality-policebasijs-leading-the-crackdown-on-irans-protests-2507716.htmlListeners can pressure their own congresspeople to hold Iran accountable for human rights offenses. Ghazaleh Pakdel and Sarah Bahiraei have drafted a letter or template to use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/131jpaWSjq9hr9tsQ57msNhAZ0a2BWWv985dJpb2PFQQ/edit"The daily" podcast from NYT dated September 28 is a really good overview/background for what's going on: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcasts/the-daily/id120036?i=1000580894944Iranian Bible Society: https://www.onemorelamp.org

In 2021, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (the first Indigenous American to serve as a Cabinet Secretary in the US) called for an investigation into the Federal Native American Boarding School System. In May of this year, the first report was made from the investigation—it was the first acknowledgment by the US government that between 1819 and 1969 (150 years!), the United States operated or supported 408 boarding schools across 37 states (or then-territories), including 21 schools in Alaska and 7 schools in Hawaii. The report finds that indigenous children (American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian) were forcibly removed from their homes and suffered abuse, malnourishment, and even death in the boarding schools. So far, 53 burial sites for children have been found across the school system. Native Nations scholars estimate that as many as 40,000 children died. Many survivors live today and even shared their testimonies at a Congressional hearing earlier this year. This American history has been hidden for so long, but is now coming into the light. How ought we receive it? What can we do? How can we be used to advance justice, mercy, and light in what has been so dark? Let's not look away from this history, but look toward it, toward these precious image bearers who were lost and those who have descended from them. This history is near—both in time and place. Let's cry out to the God of all nations for healing. The following links provided background for this episode: ‘It is a history that we must learn from if we are to heal': U.S. reckons with role in Native American boarding schoolsFederal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative ReportInvestigations Into Abuse At Native American Boarding Schools Going Back To 19th CenturyColorado begins review of former Indian boarding school at Fort Lewis CollegeH.R.5444 - Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies ActS.2907 — 117th CongressState-Sponsored Abuse in CanadaReport outlines federal 'abuse' of Native children at boarding schools

Should Christians call our friends, relatives, coworkers, and kids by their preferred names and pronouns if they do not match their biological sex? This is the million dollar question we've been asking amongst ourselves for the past few years. I am asked it all the time and I've been reluctant to address it publicly until now. As I say on this episode, I think we should offer one another tremendous charity and generosity in this conversation. This past weekend, while speaking on a panel alongside some friends from my church, I heard some very helpful wisdom, which my friend attributed to Sam Allberry: Our aim as Christ followers should be to maintain our witness and maintain our relationships. Listen to the episode to find out more about what that means.

Americans only take about half of their paid time off, leaving the other half unspent and unused. Further, only one-third of American adults regularly get at least seven hours of sleep a night. Why do we struggle to rest? What keeps us at work and awake? On this episode of All Things I invite my husband and pastor, Mark Oshman, to help us understand the Biblical idea and command to rest. He helps us to see what we often attribute to one commandment in the Old Testament is actually a pattern throughout scripture and creation. He says Jesus came to give us true rest. Taking one day a week to pursue rest and restoration is a “get to” not a “have to.” Together we talk about how we pursue rest both professional and personally, as well as so routines we've carved out as a busy family with busy teens in the home. My hope is that this episode will spur you on to create a rhythm of rest in your own life. Additional resources: Why it's so hard for US workers to ask for time off - BBCOne in three adults don't get enough sleep - CDCRedemption Parker sermon series on Margin - This is just the first in a 4-part sermon series.

Hopefully you're enjoying a brief work week after having Labor Day off on Monday! On this week's episode we are taking a look at work from a Christian perspective. We're going all the way back to the beginning and unpacking the Creation Mandate and what it means to bear God's image in the spheres where he has placed us. My hope is that this episode will encourage you in your work, wherever that may. As followers of Christ you are an outpost of his kingdom whether your work is in the home, in an office, out in public, across the world, or across the street. Our God is creative and our callings are diverse—all work is a way to honor God, love him, and love others. Beyond an understanding of work, we take a quick look at a few fun and interesting statistics regarding women in the labor force and we close out with a reminder that we are limited humans and called to not only work, but to rest. Be encouraged—your work is good work! Your work is a means of bringing light to dark places. Your work matters. Be sure to check out the Women & Work Website and the Women, Work, and Calling one-day conference hosted by the Denver Institute for Faith and Work. Women in the US Workforce

Welcome back to All Things! As I come off a two-month break and head back to school, along with many of you, I'm contemplating how my family might pursue rest rather than hustle this year. Many (most?) of us in the wealthy west are over-scheduled and over-tired. Study after study (linked in the show notes below) reveal that our kids are not getting enough sleep or down time. Stress and anxiety are on the rise, while slow family dinners and restful times at home are on the decline. What is it about our identities or culture or flesh that drive us to live at an unsustainable pace? How can we move forward this year with care and intention so we don't hop back on the hamster wheel that so many others are running on? This episode is a reminder to myself and an encouragement to you about what really matters as we kick off another school year and new season of All Things. 5 ways kids spend time differently today than in the pastNew Survey on Free Time Illustrates the Challenges Today's Families Face in an Age of ScreensA Study on Children's Free Time: How It Is Spent, Prioritized and ValuedAfter-school activities: The pros and cons of filling your kids' scheduleIs Your Child Too Busy?Extracurriculars: How many is too many?Kids are losing interest in organized sports. Why that mattersNew CA law requires later start times for middle and high schools this upcoming yearYoung Bible readers more likely to be faithful adults, study finds

On this episode of All Things I am joined by Lori Arfsten who has been entrenched in pro-life work in Colorado for decades. Lori's frontline work gives her a wholistic view of the movement and an educated perspective on how we might better meet the needs of abortion-vulnerable women. I so appreciate Lori's humility and desire to pay attention to the voices and perspectives of women from across the movement: those who are faith-based and those who are not, women of color, indigenous women, and more. Lori says that while politicians control the public pro-life narrative, it's really this diverse and compassionate crowd in the trenches who hold the key to expanding our pro-life care. She exhorts the church to get serious about understanding the multi-faceted issue of abortion (there are so many interrelated reasons that cause women to consider abortion) and how we might offer wholistic care to women and youth on the margins so that abortion no longer feels like a necessary option to them. Because Lori is driven to never stop learning, she's a truly helpful teacher on this topic. Have a listen and consider how you might expand your own thoughts, words, and actions in the pro-life movement. Resources mentioned in this episode: Alternatives Pregnancy CenterErika Bachiochi - author and pro-life legal scholar Pro Black Pro Life New Wave FeministsStamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America

Christian Nationalism has been something I wanted to dive into for a long time on All Things. But I knew I was ill equipped. I'm so glad to bring this conversation with David Ritchie to you. David is a pastor in Texas, as well the author of the new book, Why Do the Nations Rage?: The Demonic Origin of Nationalism. We talk about the definition of nationalism and Christian nationalism (as opposed to patriotism, for example), what happened on January 6 2021, the unique pitfalls and opportunities for Christians in this sphere of society, how our faith should inform our politics, and many other things. It's a really helpful conversation. Why Do the Nations Rage?: The Demonic Origin of Nationalism by David RitchieDavid A. Ritchie's website