Crosstalk America from VCY America

Pastor Ken Spilger was invited by some other pastors to fly with them to a Pastor's Conference. He was the sole survivor when it crashed just short of the runway. He tells of his near death experience of surviving a plane crash and what this did for his walk with the Lord

In Erfurt's monastery, Luther sought salvation through strict vows and monastic rigor but found no peace—ultimately discovering only Christ's righteousness saves, echoing Hus' legacy and igniting a world-changing Reformation.

This week's news was highlighted by the shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis where 2 children were killed. Jim provided additional related stories as well as the following: --On Wednesday, the FBI said they're investigating the Minneapolis church shooting as domestic terrorism and a hate crime and that the person said to be responsible (Robert (Robin) Westman) was a transgender person born a male but who self identified as a female. --The issue of transgender mental illness and violence has quickly moved front and center in the media and online. In fact, the term trending on X is "trans terror." --Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced that there will be new studies launched into the effects of some anti-depressant drugs and their use by those who turn out to be killers. --Robert (Robin) Westman's mother is allegedly not cooperating with law enforcement. --Comments from the father of one of the two victims who died in the Minneapolis shooting. --Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki offered comments criticizing prayer in regard to the shooting in Minneapolis. --The University of Michigan hospital system is suspending its gender transition practices on minors. --On August 30th, Children's National Hospital, in the nation's capital, will become the latest institution of its kind to cease offering all remaining gender transition drugs to minors thanks to the Trump administration's rules for federal health dollars. --Parents are outraged after a Massachusetts school district allegedly forced students to take a survey that their parents had recused them from.

Fred Pry is Vice President of Administration for Child Evangelism Fellowship, an international, nonprofit, Christian ministry that is dedicated to see every child reached with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, discipled and established in a local church. Sadly, every 47 seconds, a child is abused or neglected. Also, every 3 hours and 33 minutes a child or teen ends their own life as suicide is the 8th leading cause of death among children ages 5-11. What is bringing such desperation to the lives of some children? Fred pointed to the loss of hope and the influences of the world that provide hollow answers that don't last. There's also the issue of social media. Fred indicated that 40% of children ages 8-12 use social media. This means that these children are impacted by peer pressure, the messages claiming they deserve certain things or that they should look or act in a certain way. Worse yet is the fact that social media can become an addiction and in the end, when the world doesn't deliver, anxiety and depression can set in. As a response, in partnership with local churches, Child Evangelism Fellowship offers its Good News Clubs. Fred described these as one day a week, high powered Sunday schools that meet throughout the school year. While there are over 4,000 such clubs in the U.S. operating in public schools, there are over 70,000 public elementary schools in the U.S. This means your help is needed so that many more children will hear the Gospel. As Jim noted, if we don't reach children, the world's system will.

William J. Federer is a nationally known speaker, historian, author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc. He is the speaker on "The American Minute" daily broadcast. Polls seem to show that Gen "Z" voters (age 18-29) are drawn to socialism and therefore it's this demographic that appears to be the source for the current popularity of candidates like Zohran Mamdani who is a New York State Assembly member running for mayor of New York. What's behind this appeal for socialism? William explained that there's two ways for people to give up their freedom: fear and free stuff. After WWII and the cold war, the communists couldn't defeat America from the outside so they tried doing it from the inside. It's the idea of making everyone dependent. He used the example of wild pigs. You put a post in the ground and throw some corn down. The pigs come and eat the corn and ignore the post. You keep adding posts and throwing down more and more corn. Eventually all you'll have left is a small opening for the pigs to enter the circle. The pigs will still squeeze their way in. Eventually, you shut the gate behind them and you've caught yourself some wild pigs. In other words, you've trapped them by dependency. Drug dealers use a similar approach in order to take over a neighborhood. They can cause fear by use of guns or they can be so nice that for a time they give away free drugs. They may do this until you are hooked at which point you are dependent upon the dealer as the source to supply your addiction. These examples are known as the Cloward-Piven Strategy, named after Richard Cloward and Frances Piven who were professors at Columbia University.

Our Christian Heritage goes "On Location" with Randy Melchert to a Princeton, NJ cemetery to find the grave of America's Founding Pastors: Jonathan Edwards, Samuel Davies, and John Witherspoon. Explore the intertwined histories of Princeton University and the prominent religious figures who shaped its early development. It highlights the legacies of Jonathan Edwards, Samuel Davies, and John Witherspoon, demonstrating how these influential ministers – pivotal figures in the Great Awakening and champions of religious freedom – also served as presidents of the institution and profoundly impacted the intellectual and spiritual landscape of America. The narrative underscores the original purpose of Princeton as a training ground for ministers dedicated to spreading the Gospel, and connects these academic leaders to the broader narrative of American patriotism and the founding of the nation.

Andrew Arthur is Resident Fellow in Law and Policy for the Center for Immigration Studies. He began his legal career as a clerk to an Administrative Law Judge at the United States Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review. Crosstalk receives daily updates from the Department of Homeland Security listing the arrests of what they call: The worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens. Jim listed a number of recent offenders originating from South Korea, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Laos. Supporting such individuals are governors and mayors who are "digging in their heels" and who apparently would rather sacrifice the safety and security of their residents than remove those individuals who are here illegally. In addressing this issue, Jim had Andrew comment on a wide variety of concerns. For example: The legitimacy of asylum claims and whether this is overwhelming the judicial system. What we can learn from the news story of the illegal alien who made a U-turn that took the lives of 3 people while driving an 18 wheeler in Florida. How the Biden administration's border policies had border patrol agents so overwhelmed, personnel were very limited in terms of what they could do to stop illegal drugs from crossing the border. The latest on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, obstruction attempts such as those to shut down "Alligator Alcatraz," unaccompanied alien children and much more.

So many of us have not only one copy of the Bible, but several, with some of those often doing little more than collecting dust. We go to church and most everyone has a copy or one is available. Bookstores regularly have them as well. We take this for granted yet in other parts of the world, many people long to have their own copy of the Scriptures. In such places, sometimes their pastor doesn't even have a copy! Jason Woolford is out to change that. He returned to Crosstalk to reacquaint listeners with information about Mission Cry where he's president. It all began about 70 years ago when a junk dealer found a Bible in the garbage and didn't want to throw it out. He kept collecting used Bibles and before long he had a box full which he sent to India. All these years later, Mission Cry has sent nearly 500 million dollars worth of donated Bibles and Christian books to over 180 nations around the world. You may be wondering what good could possibly come from sending used English Bibles to a foreign nation? What things can you do in order to obtain used Bibles to send to Mission Cry? Can you hold a Bible drive at your church? Are there testimonies that show the effectiveness of this ministry? These and other questions are answered on this exciting program, showing how you can be a world missionary without even leaving your area!

Jeremy Beller's father, the late James Beller, is the author of America in Crimson Red, a study in early American Baptist History The interview explores the enduring legacy of Baptist Christians who, throughout history, prioritized faith over personal safety and comfort, exemplified by figures like Patrick of Ireland and Shubal Starnes. It emphasizes that persecution and sacrifice are inherent aspects of a life devoted to Christ, and that these individuals, rather than seeking recognition, lived out their faith, leaving behind a powerful testimony of resilience and commitment. The narrative underscores the importance of defending biblical doctrine, championing the right model for the church, and upholding principles of religious liberty, ultimately revealing that Baptist history is a story of unwavering devotion to Christ and a courageous defense of faith in the face of adversity.

Pastor Erwin Lutzer takes us to the Johann Sebastian Bach Statue in Leipzig, Germany. "Two hundred years after the Reformation, Johann Sebastian Bach was at this church. All of us not only know him by name, but we've enjoyed his music. I think, for example, of "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." You have to understand that because of the Reformation, there was this belief that music can be sacred and can be God-honoring. Bach actually believed that when he wrote music, he was, in a sense, mirroring the Trinity, because the Trinity was unified. It was in harmony."

In today's internet and media focused world, the news cycle can come at us like a flood. This is why it's important that we sift through it all from a Christian perspective. Jim does that each week on these News Round-Up broadcasts. Here are several examples featured from the first quarter hour: --Jim began with a number of audio clips. The first dealt with an individual openly admitting that Muslims must destroy empires such as the U.S. Next, an Islamic scholar spoke on why he believes that no sane person can love the U.S. A third came from a Muslim civil rights attorney and former director for the Florida chapter of the Council on American/Islamic Relations who discussed the role of Muslims in America on the issue of dawah. This involves converting people to Islam. --Top Trump administrative officials are drafting plans to restrict both temporary visit and legal immigration by Muslims affiliated with the revolutionary Muslim Brotherhood and other extremist groups. --President Trump said that Ukraine would have to continue attacking targets inside Russia if it hoped to win the war, even as Moscow unleashed a massive, new bombardment on Ukrainian cities. --Russia disavows every advance anyone thought was made in Alaska and the D.C. meetings. Russia has vetoed the idea that European troops could be used as peacekeepers. Beyond that, Russia demands that they be given a role in guaranteeing Ukraine's security and deciding how violations are dealt with. --North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un today appeared to acknowledge for the first time that the troops he sent to fight Ukraine for Russian President Putin have suffered losses en masse.

Controversial author, drug addict, broken marriages, and a Presidential Medal of Honor recipient. Yet at the end of his life - he found Jesus! The highlight reflects on the life and late-life spiritual transformation of a prominent media figure, highlighting the profound realization that eternal significance outweighs worldly achievements. Drawing from the figure's own testimony, it emphasizes the importance of embracing each day with gratitude and trusting in God's timing, particularly in the face of mortality. The message underscores the universal truth that all individuals confront the certainty of death and the crucial decision regarding their eternal destiny, ultimately finding solace and strength through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It serves as a poignant reminder to prioritize faith and focus on what truly matters in the grand scheme of life.

Karen England is the Executive Director of the Capitol Resource Institute. They educate and strengthen families and engage in public policy. There have been numerous attempts to usurp parental authority here in the U.S. through the years and Crosstalk has kept listeners informed regarding such efforts. This Crosstalk looked at another such threat that's coming from the state of California. The concern deals with an act proposed by the California Assembly. It's AB495, the so-called Family Preparedness Plan Act. Karen describes it as the "Pedophile Protection Act," something that redefines the family by, for example, expanding the definition of what a relative is. This legislation is being sold as a way to help immigrant children. However, Karen described how it would allow anyone to print off a caregiver's authorization (including the child's name), sign it, check a box indicating you weren't able to get a hold of the child's parents and that you assert all medical, mental and schooling authority over that child. According to the legislation, no parental signature is needed. Although this is California legislation, this would also affect children traveling to California as well. This legislation is thought to be dangerous by some individuals and organizations. For example, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) says this puts parental rights at risk. California Families says this will bypass and sidestep parents. Save California indicates that this strips parents of their parental rights and allows for kids to be stolen from their parents. The Center for Arizona Policy warns that this would produce legalized child trafficking.

Frank Gaffney is president of the Institute for the American Future, President & CEO of Save the Persecuted Christians and Vice Chairman for Committee on the Present Danger: China. He's the speaker on the Secure Freedom Minute. Frank acted as an Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Reagan Pentagon. He is author of The Indictment: Prosecuting the Chinese Communist Party & Friends for Crimes Against America, China, and the World, Sharia: The Threat to America Abridged, Guilty Knowledge: What the US Government Knows about the Vulnerability of the Electric Grid, But Refuses to Fix and additional other titles. In just a few days we'll be at the three and one-half year mark since Russia invaded Ukraine. Last Friday, President Trump met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss ending this war. Then on Monday, Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, along with a delegation of leaders from Europe, in an attempt to bring about bilateral meetings between Putin and Zelenskyy in order to restore peace. Have you noticed who was absent in these meetings? It's a key individual that Frank believes green-lit this conflict: Chinese leader, Xi Jinping. As Frank noted, due to this war, the Chinese have received large quantities of cut-rate fuel, arms sales, and they've also created chaos that has distracted America while at the same time depleting our financial and military arsenal. All of this has allowed them to act aggressively in their own area of the globe as they seek to pursue their own dominance on the world's stage. Can we assuredly say that China is the source that's keeping this war going? What would a world reordered by China look like?

Our Christian Heritage goes "On Location" with Tim Schmig in Boston, MA. What happened at Holton's Shoe Store? How did a Sunday School teacher change the life of D.L. Moody? Tim Schmig explains!

Travel the museums of the world from America to London to Paris to Berlin to Israel as we search for evidence for the Bible in secular museums! Highlights include the British Museum, the Louvre, the University of Chicago, and even the Cleveland Public Library!

Pastor Artur Pawlowski is pastor of Street Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is a Canadian who was born in Poland and grew up under a Communist regime seeing soldiers with machine guns and tanks on the streets. People rose up in 1981 to fight for their freedoms. Soon after, he watched the end of communism. In 1995 he immigrated to Canada and went through depression, suicidal moods and heavy drinking. He lost all his money from his escapades in traveling through Europe. As he was married in 1997 his wife introduced him to Christianity. He later became known as a street advocate and started "Street Church Ministries" which took the Gospel into the middle of the worst places for drugs and prostitution in the city of Calgary. He became the recipient of many threats in his advocacy of getting people to leave the lifestyle of drugs and various individuals have sought to shut him down. He stood up during the time of the COVID lockdowns and has faced many trials for his stand for the Gospel and for human rights. He's the author of Lions Do Not Bow: The Unbreakable Courage of Canada's Pastor. Having lived under communism, an existence that is so foreign to most of us, Pastor Pawlowski described what it's like to live in an environment where every aspect of your life is under government control. A key point from his comments is where he notes 2 Corinthians 3:17: "...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." Is it possible the reason we're seeing an erosion of liberties in America (and other Western nations) is because in many respects God is not welcome here? You decide how to answer this question after hearing this warning from Pastor Pawlowski.

Shahram Hadian is the Founder of Truth in Love Ministry. He is a Christian pastor and a former Muslim. Shahram was born in Iran and came to America in 1978 to escape an oppressive Islamic regime. He committed his life to Jesus Christ in 1999. He has an extensive background not only as a pastor, but also as a former police officer, teacher, coach and servant leader in his community. This past Saturday pro-Islamic and anti-Israel protesters flooded Manhattan calling for "a global intifada." New York City is nearing an election in which an Islamist Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed Democratic socialist, is perhaps on the verge of being the mayor of the largest city in the United States. Further just recently exposed are Islamic city councilmen out of Hamtramck, Michigan being accused of election fraud. Minneapolis may be electing a Muslim mayor. In Illinois there is body camera footage of an arrest of a Muslim woman for reportedly assaulting a man she claimed was "Islamophobic." She also indicated the police should "bow down to her and listen to her orders." In Tennessee a man by the name of Mohamed Mohamed is being charged for allegedly raping an unconscious woman in front of a church. In Boston a member of a Palestinian group was arrested for vandalism and possession of a hoax device. His mother was also arrested for assaulting a police officer. Meanwhile there are significant endeavors underway to bring peace with a number of Islamic nations. What is going on? It's important for us to understand Islam's advancement.

Vickie Beller speaks on the story of her late husband's book America in Crimson Red. The program explores the life of James Beller, a Christian historian whose work, *America in Crimson Red*, highlights lesser-known figures who sacrificed for religious freedom. Through his personal story, the narrative traces a journey of faith sparked by a recurring pamphlet, leading to a lifelong pursuit of understanding Baptist history and a commitment to sharing it with others. The program emphasizes the importance of preserving Christian heritage, recognizing the sacrifices made to secure religious liberty, and the enduring power of faith in the face of adversity, culminating in a celebration of the legacy of those who championed freedom of conscience.

So you were too busy to listen to much news this past week? Crosstalk has you covered. Dalton had much to share and he'll get you caught up when you review this edition of the weekly News Round-Up! Here are some highlights from the first half of the broadcast: --As Dalton was getting started with the program, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were about to meet, with the talks being held at the heavily guarded Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. --On Thursday, Vladimir Putin praised the Trump administration's energetic and sincere efforts to end the war in Ukraine, even suggesting that a nuclear arms control agreement could emerge from broader peace talks. --An Al Jazeera journalist who was killed by an Israeli air strike in the Gaza Strip was in fact the leader of a Hamas terrorist cell. --Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted that cease-fire efforts in Gaza are now focused on a comprehensive deal that would release the remaining hostages all at once rather than in phases. --Israel is engaged in discussions with five nations: Indonesia, Somaliland, Uganda, South Sudan and Libya over the potential voluntary resettlement of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. --President Trump has said he was able to call Aleksandr Lukashenko, president of Belarus, about the release of 16 prisoners, as well as the potential release of an additional 1,300 prisoners being held in that nation. --Australia will recognize a Palestinian state in September. --Israeli Defense Forces discovered documents in Gaza that show the overlap between UNRWA and Hamas relative to the October 2023 atrocities.

This Crosstalk featured Paul Washer who originally became a missionary to Peru where he founded the HeartCry Missionary Society. Today he works at his home church in Alabama, but he also speaks periodically in other locations, as he did in February, 2008 at a VCY America rally. The broadcast began with Paul discussing how the gospel has been reduced to a number of simple questions which include: Do you know you are a sinner? Would you like to go to heaven? Would you like to pray and ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart? If the respondent prays that prayer, we then ask if he/she was sincere. If the respondent says 'yes' to these questions, we declare the individual to be born-again. Paul pointed out how this is not the gospel of Jesus Christ '...and that methodology and evangelism has done more to hurt this country than every heresy introduced by every cult combined.' This is just the beginning as Paul expounds on other aspects of the true gospel. For example, there's the importance of the need for preaching on sin so that people see the contrast of where they stand eternally in the light of God's perfection. From there he moves on to explain the concepts of justification, grace and propitiation.

This Crosstalk features Dr. Henry Morris III as he recounts the life experiences that led his father to become credited with the publication of a special Bible edition. Dr. Henry Morris III is the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Creation Research. Dr. Morris has four earned degrees. He is a former college professor, administrator, business executive and senior pastor. He is also an articulate and passionate speaker frequently invited to address church congregations, college assemblies and national conferences. He is the eldest son of the founder of ICR. He has authored numerous books including: 'The Big Three: Major Events That Changed History Forever,' 'Exploring the Evidence for Creation,' 'The Book of Beginnings,' 'Your Origin Matters' and numerous other books and articles. Dr. Henry Morris (the father of Henry Morris III) lived from 1918 to 2006. He had an engineering background with a double major in hydraulics and geology and was a civil engineer by profession. He taught at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and during those years he corroborated with Dr. John Whitcomb to write the book, 'The Genesis Flood.' That book was the catalyst for the modern creation science movement. Dr. Morris wanted to guide the academic world into thinking of science from a creationist perspective so he worked with Dr. Tim LaHaye in the late 1960's which led to the development of Christian Heritage College in San Diego and from that was birthed the Institute for Creation Research. The Henry Morris study Bible came about from the notes Dr. Morris was making in his teaching efforts and personal study.

How many times have you heard the phrase: settled science. It's been used in regard to man-caused climate change, the use of COVID masks, social distancing, and more. We're told that the debate is over and we must act now because if we don't, there will be grave consequences. If you resist or even dare to ask probing questions, you're labeled a science denier. How should a Christian respond when confronted like this? Joining Jim for discussion on this issue was Jay Seegert. Jay is the keynote speaker and managing director of The Starting Point Project. He is the author of Creation to Christ, Creation & Evolution, and Faith is Not a Four-Letter Word. First of all, what is science? Jay explained that in the Bible, science means knowledge, but it doesn't mean wisdom. He went on to note that most major areas of science were birthed out of the Christian community. For example: antiseptic surgery, calculus, chemistry, computer science, electrodynamics, fluid mechanics, galactic astronomy, gas dynamics, genetics, hydraulics, hydrostatics, oceanography, optical mineralogy, paleontology, physical astronomy, thermodynamics, thermokinetics, the scientific method, and many more were founded by Bible-believing Christians. The founders of these fields of study took it for granted that God created everything and since God is a God of order they expected to see order in His creation. So a simplistic definition of science would be the search for explanations in the natural world around us to see how it functions. In other words, what did God do to get these things to work.

Sitting in for Jim Schneider, Dalton Windsor continued the tradition of presenting news stories often left uncovered by the mainstream media. Here's a sample of what he presented: --A new poll conducted found that Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, has a significant lead in the current field of five candidates, attaining 50% of the vote regardless of his opponents. --According to one of the advisors from the Democratic Socialists of America, Zohran Mamdani is planning to turn New York City into an alphabet nirvana so that anyone in the U.S. who wants gender affirming care can get it for free. --JihadWatch is reporting that Zohran Mamdani is preparing to enable a new wave of anti-semitic violence. He has proposed that the NYPD should not respond to hate crimes, but instead such cases should be handled by social workers. --Performing abortions in churches? Arguing for dismantling the family unit? Comparing marriage to prostitution? These topics were part of a round-table discussion called, "The Left and the Family" which was part of a socialism conference that took place back in July in Chicago. Dalton provided audio from the event. --President Trump announced that Apple will invest 600 billion dollars in the U.S. over the next four years. --Newly released Census Bureau data shows all income groups in America advanced more during President Trump's first term than they did during the Biden administration. --Cambodia has announced that it is nominating President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize after he helped bring the Cambodia/Thailand border conflict to a cease-fire agreement.

Dr. Erwin Lutzer spoke at the Waukesha Expo for the VCY America Rally on March 18th, 2023. His topic was We Will Not Bow. Dr. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church where he served as the senior pastor for 36 years. He's the speaker on the radio programs Running to Win and Songs in the Night. He is a speaker and an award-winning author on several books. Some of his titles include The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent, Life Changing Bible Verses You Should Know, We Will Not Be Silenced, No Reason to Hide and The Power of a Clear Conscience. Dr. Lutzer began by mentioning Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn who told an interesting story. Solzhenitsyn said that in 1937 a speech was given by someone who extolled the virtues and the greatness of Stalin. When he finished, everyone rose to clap. Solzhenitsyn described how this went on for several minutes. Under such circumstances, who's going to sit down first? After 11 minutes of non-stop clapping, the director of a paper factory stopped his clapping and sat down. Everyone else then stopped as well and sat down. That same night the director of the paper factory was arrested and sent to prison for 10 years. During his interrogation he was told never to be the first one to stop clapping. Dr. Lutzer said, "How does freedom die? Solzhenitsyn would say with thunderous applause; everybody clapping at the Soviet system." Dr. Lutzer then asked if America is being "sovietized"? Victor Davis Hanson asked that question and he indicated that in the Soviet Union it wasn't merit that enabled people to climb the ladder. Instead, it was loud enthusiasm for the communist system.

David & Barbara Leeman founded Hosanna Hymnals to preserve and introduce classic hymns of the church to a new generation. Barbara taught private piano and classroom music and served 23 years at a Christian school in Texas. David served over 40 years as minister of music and worship at churches in California, Oregon, Illinois & Texas. They are co-authors of Hosannas Forever: Hymns of Heaven and our Pilgrimage. To open the program, Jim noted the appreciation so many VCY listeners have for the traditional, sacred music played on the network. Such music is often comprised of hymns and spiritual songs that direct our hearts to the Lord as we praise Him for who He is and His wonderful works. So while Christian music can cover a broad range of doctrinal and theological topics, unfortunately in the church at large, hymnody has fallen out of favor in our day. Why is this? It may be because we have it so easy in our day whereas hymns were often written out of trials, suffering, longing and need. There's the fact that Christian music today is often derived primarily from the writer's emotions. Then there's the factor of commercialism. As these factors have affected Christian music, guess what got left out? It's the topic of heaven. Review this broadcast and find out what your personal and corporate worship may be missing as David and Barbara describe the tremendous blessing that comes from singing the hymns of heaven!

In the news you'll sometimes hear of the Federal Reserve and the battle over the setting of interest rates. According to the Federal Reserve website, they state that they are the central bank of the U.S., providing the nation with a safe, flexible, and stable monetary and financial system. Now that you know what they say their purpose is, do you know where their authority comes from? After all, our guest has said that you can't understand what's going wrong in our country without an understanding of the Federal Reserve. Alex Newman is an award-winning international freelance journalist, author, researcher, educator and consultant. He is senior editor for The New American. He is co-author of Crimes of the Educators, author of Deep State: The Invisible Government Behind the Scenes and author of, Indoctrinating Our Children to Death. He is founder & CEO of Liberty Sentinel and a national syndicator of radio and TV programs including Behind the Deep State which airs on WVCY Television and vcy.tv. From its origins stemming from a secret meeting in 1910, its relationship to the U.S. Treasury, to quantitative easing, a central bank digital currency and much more, listen as Alex takes you through the history of how we got where we are under the influence of this central bank and what it may mean for America's future.

This video reflects on a monument in Kansas City dedicated to the "Pioneer Mother," emphasizing the enduring significance of faith and unwavering trust in God. Drawing from the biblical narrative of Ruth, it highlights the commitment to follow and share in God's blessings, even amidst hardship and the unknown. The reflection connects this historical commemoration, dating back to 1927, to the broader Christian heritage of the nation, suggesting a quiet but persistent influence on the shaping of the American landscape. It presents a thoughtful consideration of faith as a foundational element in the pioneering spirit and the establishment of a homeland.

Listed below are several headlines from the program. Be informed, and then please be in constant prayer for our nation and the world. The solution to all of this is only Jesus. Trump says 10-day deadline for Russia to broker ceasefire in Ukraine starts Tuesday Trump orders 2 nuclear submarines to be positioned in 'appropriate regions' Zelensky signs law allowing citizens over 60 to join military during wartime Corporation for Public Broadcasting will shut down after Trump funding cuts Virginia Councilman Was Burned Over Half His Body in Attack, Supervisor Says Socialist Zohran Mamdani called for 'abolition of private property' Rep. Jerry Nadler draws a 26-year-old primary challenger New Evidence Uncovers Obama-Directed Creation of False Intelligence Report Used to Launch Years-long Coup to Undermine President Trump and the American People Trump's Former Impeachment Lawyer David Schoen Flips the Script: Uses Democrats' Own Argument to Prove Obama Can Still Be Impeached, Stripped of Immunity, and Indicted for His Crimes Kash Patel Finds Hidden Trove Of Trump-Russia Probe Documents At FBI Office FBI Caught Hiding Smoking-Gun Thumb Drives Containing "Unreviewed Info" on Clinton Scandal New Evidence Ties Soros Foundation to Russiagate, Top Official Actively Involved Israel pauses attacks in some of Gaza to allow limited aid, as global criticism grows NYT admits emaciated Gaza child used in famine article had 'pre-existing health problems', does not retract story Israel to Hamas: Agree to deal or face annexation of buffer zone Arab States Call for Hamas to Disarm Amid Push for a Palestinian State Iran demands US compensation before nuclear talks can resume

The talk by Dr. Clayton Shumpert explores the profound responsibility Christians have to share the gospel, framing the withholding of this message as a form of "murder by neglect" akin to withholding life-saving water. Drawing parallels to historical tragedies and contrasting the generosity of the Sea of Galilee with the barrenness of the Dead Sea, the message emphasizes the importance of a mission-minded church, highlighting its potential to build faith, fellowship, and financial stability while ultimately securing a future reward and witnessing the fruit of labor as converts express gratitude for the life-giving message received.

Brad Mattes is the President of Life Issues Institute which was founded in 1991 to serve the educational needs of the pro-life movement. Brad is also President of the International Right to Life Federation and a frequent international speaker and lecturer on abortion and related life issues. He is the host of Life Issues, a daily radio commentary, and also co-host of the weekly Straight Talk on Life Issues. Victor Nieves currently serves as Life Issues Institute's Communications Lead and co-host of their weekly program Straight Talk on Life Issues. Victor has had a passion for pro-life since a young age while working in state House and Senate campaigns in Missouri. He has a degree in Political Science with a dual focus on American government and Constitutional law. Those who listen regularly to Crosstalk know that the matter of life is one we regularly address. The sanctity of life is promoted throughout the scriptures and is critical for us to address from conception to natural death. There are many that will complain about the violence in our society today while at the same time give their full blessing to violence in the womb. We thank God that 3 years ago we saw Roe v. Wade struck down. Most recently in the One Big Beautiful Bill, funding is being pulled from Planned Parenthood. We know there is a court challenge to stop this, but its passage is inevitable. Over 30 Planned Parenthood Centers have announced their closure this year and there are more to come. In so many states babies continue to be targeted in the womb and tragically, according to numberofabortions.com, we are approaching nearly 67 million lives lost.

Usama Dakdok is the Founder of the Straight Way of Grace Ministry. He is the speaker on the daily radio broadcast Revealing the Truth About Islam. Born and raised in Egypt, Usama learned about Islam just as every other student does in a Muslim country. He also studied for a university degree in Egypt which included the study of Sharia, which is Islamic law. Islam is pushing for world domination. Consider what is happening in France, the UK, Montreal, Canada, and Greece, and also what is being witnessed right here in the United States. A strong contender in the race for mayor of America's largest city, New York City, is a Muslim man who has called for the defunding of police, the very system of public protection to uphold the law, and has refused to condemn "globalize the intifada." This is in a city that has the largest concentration of Jews in the U.S. We also see another Muslim rising up vying to be mayor of Minneapolis. As a matter of fact, just 9 months ago, Voice of America ran a story titled, "Muslim candidates surge in local elections in US." CBN recently ran a story in which they quoted Israel's Minister of Diaspora Affairs, Amichai Chikli, who said, "I think it's very important for Americans to understand that there is a plan of the Muslim Brotherhood. They have a vision, in 100 years, to make America a Muslim state." And yet with the trajectory we are presently on, it will take far less than 100 years for this to happen. We've got many stories to bring to your attention today, all which focus on Islam's push for world domination.

Pastor Randy Zeman is the Senior Pastor of Freedom in Christ Assembly in Baraboo, WI. Jerome Ormson is an evangelist. Jordan Cernek is a former teacher in the Argyle School District in Lafayette County, WI who was let go for not using correct pronouns. He is now a bi-vocational pastor ministering to the Nora Community Church and the McConnell Community Church. In Romans chapter 1 starting at verse 21 we read, "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools," In verses 24 and 25 we see, "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator..." Then in verses 26 and 27 we read, "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly..." Finally in verse 28 we read, "...God gave them over to a reprobate mind..." This is exactly what is happening in our culture today! In this program we were introduced to two pastors who are concerned about what's happening in their community. This is followed by a person who was let go for not using proper pronouns.

An old hotel, a small town, and the birthplace of the Gideons in Boscobel, Wisconsin The narrative recounts the serendipitous encounter of two businessmen who, through a shared practice of nightly Bible reading, initiate a global ministry dedicated to distributing God's Word. Drawing from a historical anecdote originating in Boscobel, Wisconsin, the story highlights the power of simple acts of faith and fellowship to spark movements of significant impact. It emphasizes the widespread availability of Scripture through the Gideons' ministry, demonstrating a commitment to providing access to the Bible in hotels and communities worldwide. The account serves as an encouragement to recognize the potential for faith-inspired initiatives to flourish from humble beginnings and bear fruit on a grand scale. Ultimately, the story underscores the enduring importance of Scripture and its accessibility to all.

Evangelist Matt Galvan is engaged in full-time evangelistic work. He travels across the country speaking in churches and camp settings in an effort to reach young and old with the Gospel. Christian teens are impacted and influenced by a number of sources. Certainly, they have guidance from their parents, grandparents and their family. There is the influence coming from their church and youth group. But there are also influences brought on by peer pressure, the internet, social media, random popups, the gaming industry, television and streaming services, dating relationships, music, entertainment and of course the educational system. Sometimes the natural trend is to assume everything is okay with your son or daughter or with your grandchildren and to believe there's nothing to be concerned about. That is, until something occurs and you say, "Oh my, how could this have happened? I never expected this." Today, we don't want you to assume that everything is just "A-OK" even if you homeschool or send your children to a Christian school. Do you really know what your teen is thinking? Are you aware of the struggles they may be having internally? Are you aware of the challenges they face? Sometimes we tend to cast statistics aside and say, "That couldn't be my son or daughter." Our guest today ministers to many teens across the country, especially Christian teens. He has some information that should cause our ears to perk up. He may encourage you, but he also has some significantly disturbing finds.

Randy Melchert speaks with Pastor Bob Hassel about an outbreak of revival at his church in Champaign, Illinois. The interview explores the challenges of ministry in a post-Christian nation and the pursuit of revival, drawing from personal experiences and historical examples. It emphasizes the importance of prayer, transparency, and humility as foundational elements for encountering God, recounting a transformative revival experience in the church and the subsequent ministry assisting others. The speaker underscores that true revival isn't about grand events but a return to a normal, intimate relationship with God, marked by honest confession, a willingness to be vulnerable, and a recognition that God's plan surpasses human understanding, ultimately leading to a deeper joy and a desire to share His love.

Jim was back at the microphone and with the help of the Crosstalk team, he relayed many stories for listeners to consider. Below is a sample of what can be heard: --French President Emmanuel Macron took to X yesterday to announce his intention for France to become the State of Palestine (recognize the State of Palestine) at the U.N. General Assembly next September. --Iran confirmed on Monday it will not give up its nuclear enrichment program. --A foreign national from Lebanon has been sentenced to nearly 4 years in prison for conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian transactions and sanctions regulations when he attempted to smuggle U.S. made drills into Iran. --The U.S. will examine "alternative options" to bring home the 50 captives held by Hamas as the terrorist group "does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith," according to U.S. Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff. --The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia have unsealed a civil forfeiture action targeting approximately 2 million dollars in digital currency allegedly tied to a Gaza based terror finance network. --Newly released Israeli Defense Forces footage exposes Hamas operatives living in luxury beneath Gaza's devastated streets, feasting on elaborate meals in well-stocked underground tunnels while the terrorist group simultaneously spreads propaganda, claiming that Israel is starving the Palestinians. --A woman in her 70's was indicted for an alleged attempt to assassinate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Recently, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, released a declassified file that she indicates contains overwhelming evidence that former President Barack Obama and his national security team manufactured and politicized intelligence pertaining to Russian collusion. This goes back to when candidate Donald Trump was accused of colluding with Russia in order to influence the 2016 presidential election. Gabbard indicated that she's submitted a criminal referral to the Department of Justice and as such, the Justice Department has formed a strike force to assess the evidence. Returning to Crosstalk to discuss this latest news was Robert Knight. He's a former Los Angeles Times news editor and columnist for the Washington Times as well as other publications. Take the time to review this edition of Crosstalk as Robert reveals why this case truly does have the evidence behind it to qualify as a conspiracy. As he points out, the FBI and other intelligence agencies assessed the idea that the Russians were colluding with the Trump campaign so that he would win the 2016 election. They concluded that there was low intelligence (low value) so it probably wasn't true. However, they released the report saying just the opposite; that it had high value. They leaked it to the press who then accused Trump of colluding with the Russians and hearings took place, all designed to cripple Trump's presidency. So what's really going on here and why does it matter all these years later? Was Russian collusion designed to not merely destroy Trump but to protect Hillary Clinton. After all, wasn't it her campaign that allegedly paid for the Steele Dossier that kicked this off?

Mark Krikorian is a nationally recognized expert on immigration issues serving as the Executive Director of Center for Immigration Studies. They are an independent, non-partisan research organization examining and critiquing the impact of immigration on the United States. Jim opened up the program with a news item from BizPac Review. They reported that immigration agents arrested a 52 year old illegal migrant accused of storing and abusing the corpse of an Illinois woman on his property months after she died from a drug overdose. Day after day we continue to hear of illegal immigrant crimes, yet despite the fact that ICE agents are doing their job protecting citizens from such individuals, according to DHS, ICE enforcement officers are facing an 830% increase in assaults against themselves. In addition, there are mayors and governors actively opposing the actions of ICE agents, with their efforts clearly showing their priority of those here illegally versus the safety and security of U.S. citizens. This edition of Crosstalk is an important one as it will help you understand why the Trump administration is executing immigration enforcement the way they are. You'll also begin to understand why so many people are against such steps, in spite of the crimes caused by some illegal immigrants.

One week ago, on July 15, U.S. Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin held a hearing titled: Voices of the Vaccine Injured. Senator Johnson is the Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. Five witnesses gave their testimonies related to vaccine injuries and two witnesses spoke on vaccine efficacy. Interestingly, on the day of this hearing, WND.com released a story concerning an undercover video by the O'Keefe Media Group. They allegedly caught a scientist with Johnson & Johnson on undercover video who indicated that proper testing was not done on the COVID vaccines. This should surprise no one as there have been many individuals who've experienced severe health consequences due to certain vaccines. Unfortunately, their stories are largely ignored. This edition of Crosstalk brings such stories to light as you'll hear testimony from the following individuals: Emily Tarsell, whose daughter Christina died following the Gardasil vaccination. Dr. Brian Hooker, Chief Scientific Officer for Children's Health Defense, gave testimony concerning his son Steven. Dr. Robert Sullivan, a board certified anesthesiologist who himself was vaccine injured. Polly Tommey, the mother of a son who was vaccine injured. Krystal Cordingley, whose son Corbyn, died after a flu vaccination.

As Jim noted to begin this broadcast, we live in a time where good is considered evil and evil is considered good. In fact, the prophet Isaiah gave a troubling woe to those who take that position. The Bible also tells us that parents, particularly fathers, are to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. In spite of that, the United Nations seeks to usurp that mandate to instead, raise your children in the ways of the world for what they deem, the global good. Joining Jim to discuss this continuing trend was Alex Newman. Alex is an award-winning international freelance journalist, author, researcher, educator and consultant. He is senior editor for The New American. Alex described how the U.N. is particularly upset with the U.S. because even though we've signed on to most international treaties, agreements and conventions, they've noted through an investigation that the 10th Amendment to the constitution is problematic for them because a lot of power over education is still controlled by state and local authorities. This means the U.S. federal government can't simply enforce the U.N.'s agenda for more LGBTQ, DEI, etc. on public schools. In the U.N.'s report, released during their 59th session of the Human Rights Council on June 16th-July 11th, they said that the aim of their U.S. investigation was to, "...gather firsthand information on the provision and enjoyment of the right to free quality and inclusive education for all and to engage in a dialogue with and offer recommendations to the government and other stakeholders in this regard."

Dalton Windsor was behind the microphone for this edition of the "Round-Up" program as Jim was away at Trail Ridge Camp in Hillsboro, Wisconsin. Dalton had plenty to bring to everyone's attention with the following stories taking the lead in the first half hour: Beloved Pastor John MacArthur passed away Monday at the age of 86. Dalton provided tribute message audio cuts from Charlie Kirk, Ben Shapiro, Todd Friel, Ray Comfort and Ken Ham on the ministry impact of Pastor MacArthur. The statewide death toll from the recent flooding in central Texas has risen to 135. President Trump said he's directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to release relevant Grand Jury testimony concerning anything related to Jeffrey Epstein. Billionaire Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone has had a complete turn-around regarding President Trump after first blasting the president and his sweeping tariffs. During a CNBC appearance, Langone said he was wrong in calling out the president back in April. Other stories dealt with Joe Biden's health and Secret Service security failures during the Donald Trump, Butler, Pennsylvania, rally. Listeners wrapped up the broadcast with their questions and comments.

Some people claim that the Bible is full of errors. Such comments center on things as the origin of man, the age of the earth or the idea of a worldwide flood. Then we have those folks who see the Bible as nothing more than a "good book." They claim that it has good moral teachings but they certainly can't take it seriously as a book of facts! How can Christians respond to those who believe such lies? Are we ourselves as grounded as we should be so we can stand for biblical truth? What evidence should we be aware of that will allow us to make such a stand for truth? Joining Dalton to help you answer these questions was Dr. Tim Chaffey. Dr. Chaffey is content manager of the attractions division at Answers in Genesis. He's responsible for overseeing the development of content for the exhibits at the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. He writes articles for the Answers in Genesis website and Answers Magazine. He holds a BS in biblical studies and theology, an MA in biblical and theological studies, a MDiv with an emphasis in apologetics and theology and a ThM in church history. He's also earned a doctor of ministry degree, specializing in advanced biblical and theological studies. He's been an author or co-author on more than 2 dozen books. From the mountain of archaeological evidence, the more than 200 flood legends from various civilizations, the biological evidence, the virgin birth...all that and more is discussed which shows the Bible to be God's truth. Also included is an update on what's happening at the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter!

A nation and world in turmoil. We're certainly seeing that in the news cycle as Jim presented the following stories and much more on the Round-Up this week. --Jim presented numerous stories related to the tragic flooding that occurred at a Christian camp in Texas. In the aftermath, hundreds gathered for a ceremony at a Texas high school stadium to remember at least 120 people who died in the flood over the 4th of July holiday. --At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Trump, Vice President Vance and the full cabinet bowed their heads for a spontaneous prayer on behalf of the people of Texas. The prayer was led by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner. Jim provided audio of the prayer. --A Texas pediatrician who took to social media to wildly claim that Texas flood victims were supporters of President Trump and got what they voted for has been fired. --White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt debunked the notion that President Trump is responsible for the flooding in Texas. --Monsoon rains trigger flash floods in New Mexico. --Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has introduced legislation to ban weather modification. --The skies over President Trump were busy with uninvited company last weekend as the North American Aerospace Defense Command scrambled aircraft to chase airplanes out of restricted airspace. --6 Secret Service agents were suspended for failures involving the assassination attempt on then candidate Donald Trump last July in Butler, Pennsylvania. --Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Rev. Jim Harden is president and CEO of CompassCare Pregnancy Services in New York. Theirs is one of many centers targeted with criminal activity including firebombs, vandalism and threats. As Jim noted in his opening comments, we call ourselves a civilized society. In spite of that we continue to prey on human life in the womb. He cited Hope Clinic in Chicago, a business that advertised they perform late term abortions up to 34 weeks. Also, while some states are acting to protect life, others are putting unborn children in the crosshairs and declaring open season on them all year long and at all stages of development. Yes, the battle is raging and is, in fact, intensifying as you'll hear as Reverend Harden comments on the following: Recently, Wisconsin's liberal supreme court determined that the state's 1849 law that banned abortion doesn't ban it. They reason that prior to the Dobbs decision, the 1849 law was superseded by newer state laws regulating abortion. An abortionist in South Korea is facing murder charges after allegedly performing an abortion on a 36 week pregnant woman which resulted in the baby being born alive and then left to die unattended. The problem of rogue activist judges who feel it's their duty to enact a form of secular fundamentalism in government policy which then circumvents both the legislative and executive branches. This undermines the rule of law by way of law. In other words, are we seeing a judicial coup in America? Reverend Harden summarized the current battle this way: The enemies of life don't care about women, choice or access to medical care. They only care about abortion and what it gives them.

Todd Nettleton is the Host of Voice of the Martyrs Radio and is Vice President of Message for the Voice of the Martyrs-USA. Todd is author of When Faith is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians. Despite what some skeptics of Christianity might try to claim, Christian persecution is as strong as ever, particularly outside America. The situation can be summed up by noting this troubling headline Jim read from the Free Press: "As Christians are Slaughtered, the World Looks Away." So don't miss this edition of Crosstalk as Todd has returned from Asia. He joined Jim to bring an update regarding persecution hot spots and what you can do to make a difference. Some of what you'll hear on this broadcast includes: The amazing story of a Hindu priest who came out of that religion to faith in Christ. A pastor whose life was taken in front of his wife and children. A former leader in Al Qaeda and ISIS now leads Syria. What does this mean for Christians there? An evangelist martyred in Ethiopia. A Christian woman came under attack by her own family so that voodoo rituals could continue in the family. The Taliban is stepping up persecution against Christians in Afghanistan.

Martin Mawyer is president of Christian Action Network. Martin began his career as a journalist for the Religion Today news syndicate and as the Washington news correspondent for Moody Monthly magazine. In 1990 he founded the Christian Action Network. As Jim opened this edition of Crosstalk, he noted a just-released Newsmax story that someone used Artificial Intelligence-powered software to imitate Secretary of State Marco Rubio's voice and writing style in contacting foreign ministers, a U.S. governor and a member of Congress. It's thought that the offender was likely attempting to manipulate powerful government officials with the goal of gaining access to information or accounts. So exactly where is Artificial Intelligence (AI) going and into whose hands is it falling? If you haven't been concerned up to this point, consider that just recently Mark Zuckerberg announced the creation of META Super Intelligence Labs to propel the advancement from Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) to Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI). ASI can hack into any system in existence such as water treatment systems. It can also break codes or even come up with biological weapons. However, what's even more concerning is his desire to make this open source. This means that anyone would have access to this super intelligence machine, and if they choose to, they could remove any human life parameters that are part of it in order to pursue unlawful goals.

Barbara Loe Fisher is the President of the National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC), a non-profit charity she co-founded with parents of DPT vaccine injured children in 1982. NVIC is a national, grassroots movement and public information campaign to institute vaccine safety reforms and informed consent protections in the public health system. She has researched, analyzed and publicly articulated the major issues involving the science, policy, law, ethics and politics of vaccination to become one of the world's leading non-medical, consumer advocacy experts on the subject. There has literally been a shakeup at Health and Human Services since President Donald Trump took office. In recent weeks HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr has disbanded the old vaccine advisory committee and has appointed new members to provide guidance. Indeed, HHS has taken a new direction, and as such a leaked report indicates there is a plot to get rid of RFK Jr. The staunch recommendations of the COVID shots have been lifted to some extent as cardiac deaths have increased significantly since the pandemic. There are many who are concerned by the childhood vaccination schedule and there are many parents concerned by vaccine mandates as children head back to school as early as next month.

William J. Federer is a nationally known speaker, historian, author, and president of Amerisearch, Inc. He's the speaker on "The American Minute" daily broadcast. He has authored numerous books including, America's God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations, Who is the King in America?, Socialism: The Real History From Plato to the Present - How the Deep State Capitalizes on Crises to Consolidate Control and the newly released, Silence Equals Consent: The Sin of Omission. On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence. At that time, those living in the colonies were outraged concerning the control that England held over them. The Declaration carefully laid out their grievances and reasons for seeking to break away from Great Britain. There were 56 signers of the Declaration, all of whom pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. In other words, they had much to lose if the war was lost and many did suffer hardship because of their resolve. Contrary to what some skeptics may try to allege, at its birth, America revered God so allegiance to Him was naturally assumed. With all of the blessings we have, it should shame us that we have drifted so far off course. Therefore it's critical that we remember Psalm 33:12: "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for his own inheritance." Don't miss this edition of Crosstalk that looks back at the forming of this powerful document. The discussion begins with what led up to the Revolutionary War and the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord in 1775, the specific grievances against Great Britain and more!