Podcasts about Barna

Where do we find absolute truth? We find truth in the Bible.  What God says is true, and it is true absolutely.  There is no wavering in God's truth.  Truth does not change according to polling data or by decisions handed down by Congress or the Supreme Court.  Why?  It is God's truth.  Truth is what God says.Main Points:1. We don't usually think of a belt as a piece of armor, but the belt was important because the breastplate was tied into it.  The belt even held the sword and the helmet when they were not in use.  It was the first piece of armor that was installed.2. The Apostle Paul gives us this image:  we should tie up all the loose things in our lives with the belt of God's truth.  If we are going to stand when attacked we must have a firm grip on spiritual truth.3. Studies conducted by the Barna organization showed that only 22% of Americans believe in absolute truth.  It is no wonder so many people lose more spiritual battles than they win.  It's no wonder they get tripped up in Satan's schemes.Today's Scripture Verses:Ephesians 6:14 - “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.”John 18:37b-38 - "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”  “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. John 8:32 - “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

El grup indie rock de Vinyoles d'Or

Gary Kah Mary welcomes Gary Kah back to SUFTT. Gary has been a valued guest of the podcast for many years, warning, exhorting and encouraging Christians to pay attention to globalism, Islam, communism, and general church and culture issues. Today we talk about communism’s rise and how it is reshaping everything about this nation. We also discuss current antisemitism statistics, up considerably since 2023. We talk about voting, and the latest Barna poll indicating that Christians really don’t intend to vote this year or ever. And yet, who IS voting? Muslims, Communists, friends and neighbors without biblical worldviews – so we are abdicating our worldview to them. Sobering, but it’s not just politics as usual today. Who will speak up for our kids in public schools, for the defenseless, for those of us who want to be free to worship and speak about the gospel openly? Plenty to consider in these times. A full hour of insights into our world with Gary.         Stand Up For The Truth Videos: https://rumble.com/user/CTRNOnline & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgQQSvKiMcglId7oGc5c46A

Bestselling researcher and cultural analyst George Barna will join us to take us on a transformational journey to build a truly biblical worldview; one grounded not in culture, emotions, or popular opinion, but in the unchanging truth of God. Through biblical insight, cultural analysis, and practical application, Dr. Barna will challenge us to move beyond cultural Christianity and develop the mindset of a true disciple.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lytterdilemmaet handler om noe Christer Falck har tydelige meninger om: Å blande seg inn i barnas konflikter. Hvor går grensen mellom å la barna ordne opp selv, og å involvere seg som forelder?Christer snakker også om barn som faller utenfor, hva han ALDRI ville akseptert som pappa og hva han enda ikke har løst i oppdragelsen. Han forteller om hvordan han har forandret seg som far, hvorfor det er mye lettere å være pappa nå og om den gangen han knakk TV-en til sønnen på grunn av en stor misforståelse. I tillegg får vi høre om Robinson-tiden, da Christer både ble hyllet, hatet og kopiert i ettertid. Og hvorfor Christer definerer seg som en "hobby-anarkist"! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Thursday, September 17th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Russia fining Christians who help with Bible distribution Russia is cracking down on foreign religious organizations.  One of the groups is Mission Eurasia. The U.S.-based ministry works across post-Soviet Eurasia, equipping Christian leaders, distributing Bibles, and planting churches. Those who cooperate with the group in Russia have been convicted and fined.  Sergey Rakhuba, the president of Mission Eurasia, told Christianity Daily, “Governments can close an organization's office. They can prohibit a foreign organization. They can confiscate books. … But it is much harder to stop the Gospel when it is already in the hearts and hands of thousands of local believers.” In Isaiah 55:11, God said, “So My word that goes forth from My mouth … shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Send a polite, 4-sentence note to the Russian Ambassador to America, Alexander Darchiev, and urge him to tell President Vladimir Putin to stop fining Christians who help distribute Bibles. Send it to the Russian Embassy, 2650 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20007. To get the correct spelling of his name and the address, look at our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. 2,634 Germans baptized in last 4 years Evangelical churches are experiencing growth in Germany. The Federation of Free Evangelical Churches in Germany reported 2,634 baptisms over the last four years. That's up 76 percent from the previous four years.  Meanwhile, mainline Protestants and Roman Catholics continue to decline in Germany.   Christian mother allowed to adopt despite believing only 2 genders Here in the United States, a Christian mother in Oregon is free to adopt in accordance with her beliefs. Jessica Bates described her case. She said, “As a widowed mom of five, I was surprised to feel God nudging me to adopt. I never dreamt it would lead to a years-long lawsuit when Oregon excluded me just because of my religious convictions about gender.”  Alliance Defending Freedom announced she finally won the legal battle on Monday. She is now free to adopt without violating her Christian beliefs that God created only two genders – male and female. (Genesis 1:27) More American mothers killing their unborn babies Abortions continue to increase in the United States. Analysis by the Charlotte Lozier Institute found there were 1,129,020 reported abortions in America last year. That's up 1.8 percent from 2024.  Plus, an estimated 393,700 babies were murdered in the womb during the first four months of this year. At that rate, abortions are set to keep rising in 2026.   Trump champions deregulation of fossil fuel power plants The Trump administration repealed most greenhouse gas requirements on U.S. power plants on Monday. The regulations from the Obama and Biden administrations limited carbon emissions from fossil fuel power plants.  Listen to comments from Lee Zeldin, the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  ZELDIN: “Under the Obama and Biden administrations, the EPA went to war, targeting coal and natural gas. Many Americans remember the message being sent that our coal workers should just learn to code. “It's a different day under President Trump. Today, we are cutting the red tape to deliver the largest power sector deregulatory action ever saving 310 billion dollars for American families. We are also proposing to rescind all remaining greenhouse gas emission standards for power plants, all of them. “If finalized as proposed, energy producers will be given certainty for the future, empowering them to unleash the full potential of American energy and provide it at an affordable price for American families.” Average American spent $800 more on gas Americans have spent an extra $100 billion on fuel this year. Brown University estimated how much more gasoline and diesel has cost due to the Iran war. The figure comes out to over $800 per U.S. household in higher fuel costs.  Barna: 85% of voters likely to vote on November 3rd Arizona Christian University released a new study from Dr. George Barna ahead of the midterm elections in November.  The study found that 85 percent of voters will likely vote in primary and general elections. These are often high-profile state and federal elections. However, only 55 percent will likely vote in down-ballot races. These are more local elections. Dr. Barna noted, “School board, city council, judgeships, city and county executives -- these are common examples of the thousands of seats across the country that often directly affect the lives of citizens more than the high-profile, big-money, high visibility seats.” Tennessee Governor proclaims day of prayer, humility, & fasting And finally, Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee proclaimed September 18 as a day of prayer, humility, and fasting.  The proclamation stated, “We acknowledge God's sovereignty and the need for God's grace over our state and our nation . . . We seek forgiveness for our many transgressions so that our hearts and our minds may be renewed . . . Scripture tells us that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, [Proverbs 9:10] and the Lord gives wisdom freely to those who ask for it.” Indeed, James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, September 17th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Við fræddumst í þættinum í dag um ráðstefnuna Töfrar tengslanna, sem fór fram á vegum þekkingarseturs BUGL, Barna- og unglingageðdeildar, fyrr í mánuðinum. Mikilvægi tengsla fyrir vellíðan og þroska barna var yfirskrift ráðstefnunnar. BUGL hafði safnað saman fjölbreyttum erindum og fræðsluefni um líðan, þroska og velferð barna og ungmenna auk þess að ráðfæra sig við ungmennaráð, þar sem notendur þjónustunnar fengu að koma að sínum áherslum. Unnsteinn Jóhannsson, verkefnastjóri og ráðgjafi á BUGL og Daðey Albertsdóttir sálfræðingur sem flutti erindið „Ertu að tengja við unglinginn þinn?“ á ráðstefnunni, komu í þáttinn í dag. Svo kom Jónatan Garðarsson til okkar og hélt áfram að fræða okkur um okkar frábæra íslenska tónlistarfólk. Í dag talaði hann um Helga Pétursson, Helga Pé, sem lést í nóvember. Helgi stofnaði Ríó tríó ásamt þeim Ólafi Þórðarsyni og Halldóri Fannari árið 1965, en seinna átti Ágúst Atlason eftir að ganga til liðs við sveitina. Helgi spilaði á kontrabassa í sveitinni og söng. Jónatan fór betur yfir feril Helga í þættinum og við heyrðum tvö lög með honum. Tónlist í þættinum: Upp á rönd / Hjálmar og GDRN (Guðrún Yr Eyfjörð Jóhannesdóttir og Sigurður Halldór Guðmundsson) Kvennaskólapía / Ríó tríó (Arlo Guthrie, texti Jónas Friðrik Guðnason) Þú ert / Helgi Pétursson (Þórarinn Guðmundsson, texti Gestur (dulnefni f. Guðmund Björnsson) UMSJÓN: GUNNAR HANSSON OG GUÐRÚN GUNNARSDÓTTIR

Hun ba barnevernet om hjelp. Det som fulgte, endte med at hun mistet begge barna. I denne episoden av «Snakk med Silje» er forfatter Aage Sivertsen tilbake for å fortelle historien han dokumenterte i boken «Prosessen mot Svanhild». Saken begynte da Svanhild selv tok kontakt med barnevernet fordi hun ønsket hjelp i en vanskelig situasjon. Barnefaren hadde rusproblemer, og Svanhild samarbeidet med barnevernet og gikk etter hvert fra ham. Likevel økte bekymringen. Så ble hun bedt om å ta en IQ-test. Resultatet ble 53 – et resultat som fikk stor betydning i den videre saken og vurderingen av hennes omsorgsevne. Senere tok hun en ny IQ-test og fikk 95. Sivertsen mener den første testen og vurderingene fra de sakkyndige psykologene fikk en helt urimelig betydning i prosessen som endte med at hennes to små barn ble hentet og plassert i fosterhjem. I episoden diskuterer vi også hvor mye en IQ-test egentlig kan fortelle om et menneskes evne til å være forelder. Hvor mye makt bør sakkyndige psykologer ha i barnevernssaker? Hva skjer når ulike psykologer kommer til helt forskjellige konklusjoner? Og kan det oppstå økonomiske og profesjonelle bindinger når barnevernet selv bruker sakkyndige de har erfaring med fra tidligere saker? Aage Sivertsen beskriver behandlingen av Svanhild som en moderne «hekseprosess». Han mener saken illustrerer et større systemproblem og argumenterer blant annet for at sakkyndige bør oppnevnes av rettsvesenet fremfor av partene selv. Vi snakker også om bekymringsmeldinger, fosterhjem, samvær, norske barnevernssaker i Den europeiske menneskerettsdomstolen (EMD) og spørsmålet om hva som skjer når systemet gjør alvorlige feil. Dette er en sterk historie om makt, psykologi, barnevern – og konsekvensene avgjørelser tatt av profesjonelle kan få for en hel familie. Hva tenker du: Hvor stor betydning bør IQ og sakkyndige psykologers vurderinger ha når myndighetene skal vurdere foreldres omsorgsevne? Del gjerne dine tanker i kommentarfeltet. ► DONASJONER Vipps: Søk opp “Snakk med Silje” eller bruk vippsnummer: 65100 Bitcoin lightning adresse: schevig@bb.no PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LZBFC3PKM8ECA Internasjonal bankoverføring: BIC: DNBANOKKXXX IBAN: NO9015068887892 ► KANALER Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3XIJBJlX8FyZkyluivEch7 Apple podkaster: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/snakk-med-silje/id1684607083 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SnakkMedSilje Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/psykologsilje ► SOME Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psykologsilje?igsh=MW84MDE0MWplc2FwbA== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@psykologsilje?_t=8oc3HBC1r4z&_r=1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psykologsilje Twitter: https://x.com/Silje_Schevig LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/silje-schevig-243750101?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium= See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when the job everyone assumes is becoming obsolete is actually where some of the most human work is happening?Middle managers live between pressure and people. They translate expectations from above, absorb problems before senior leaders ever see them, and help teams move through conflict, uncertainty, and burnout. Much of that work is invisible until it stops happening.Amy and Doug Barna explore what leadership looks like as AI becomes increasingly capable of handling coordination, reporting, and other technical tasks that once defined management. Doug argues that this shift does not make human leadership less important. It exposes the part of leadership technology cannot simply automate: understanding what motivates a particular person, noticing emotion, listening closely, building trust, and staying present when a conversation becomes uncomfortable.The discussion also reframes the skills we often call “soft.” Active listening, social awareness, empathy, and relationship management are not decorative additions to leadership. They are the capacities that allow someone to lead people rather than simply manage information.As technology becomes better at organizing the work, the question becomes more human, not less. Who can still read the room, recognize the person inside the performance, and help people stay connected when pressure pulls them apart?Moments That Create Momentum:The Invisible Work Between the Layers – Explore why middle managers often carry the human side of leadership that others do not see.When AI Removes the Administrative Work – Discover why empathy, trust, and relationship skills may matter even more as technology takes on more technical tasks.People Tell You What Motivates Them – Learn how listening closely to concerns and frustrations can reveal what someone actually needs from their leader.Presence Changes Difficult Conversations – Understand how shifting attention away from your own discomfort can help create more trust and connection.The Skills We Carry Beyond Work – See how stronger listening, awareness, and compassion can influence not only teams, but relationships and communities too.About the Guest:Doug Barna is a Team Building and Leadership Coach with Acclaimed Summit, LLC. With over 20 years of experience as a project leader and people manager, Doug has dedicated over a decade to studying psychology and organizational behavior, honing the soft skills that are crucial for effective leadership. Doug's not just another coach; he's the compassionate mentor he wished he had so many years ago, bridging the gap between a scientific mind and an empathetic approach. In this quest for clarity and connection, Doug developed strategies that cut through superficial tactics and dive into the foundational elements that work.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougbarna/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dougbarnaAbout Amy:Amy Lynn Durham, known by her clients as the Corporate Mystic, is the founder of the Executive Coaching Firm, Create Magic At Work®, where they help leaders build workplaces rooted in creativity, collaboration, and fulfillment. A former corporate executive turned Executive Coach, Amy blends practical leadership strategies with spiritual intelligence to unlock human potential at work.She's a certified Executive Coach through UC Berkeley & the International Coaching Federation (ICF) In addition, Amy holds coaching certifications in Spiritual Intelligence (SQ21), the Edgewalker Profile, and the Archetypes of Change . In addition to being the host of the Create Magic At Work® podcast, Amy is the author of Create Magic At Work®, Creating Career Magic: A Daily Prompt Journal and the founder of Magic Thread Media™. Through her work, she inspires intentional leadership for thriving workplaces and lives where “magic” becomes reality.Connect with Amy:https://createmagicatwork.net/https://www.linkedin.com/company/create-magic-at-workhttps://www.facebook.com/112951637095427https://www.instagram.com/createmagicatworkhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEm4h3fUgaq8qgvZpz6dGgThanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the podcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.Leave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you are enjoying the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

What does it actually mean to think like Jesus?On this edition of Priority Talk, Greg Davis and Jennifer Rash sit down with researcher George Barna to discuss his new book, How to Think Like Jesus: 7 Cornerstones to Build a Biblical Worldview.Barna explains the seven foundational beliefs that research shows are critical to developing a biblical worldview—including belief in God, the reality and consequences of sin, salvation through Jesus Christ, absolute moral truth, the authority of Scripture, God's purpose for our lives, and consistent obedience to Him.The numbers are sobering: Barna says only 4% of American adults currently have a biblical worldview, with the percentage falling to just 1–2% among some younger generations. He also explains why simply attending church, reading the Bible occasionally, or identifying as a Christian doesn't necessarily mean someone is living as a disciple of Jesus.The conversation also explores syncretism—the increasingly common practice of picking and choosing beliefs from different philosophies and constructing a worldview that feels comfortable rather than one grounded in God's truth.If Christians want to disciple their children, grandchildren, churches and communities, Barna says we need to return to the biblical standard Jesus Himself gave us.Can we truly say we are following Jesus if we aren't learning to think like Him?

The AI Frontier labs are building AI to do what YOU do, only faster and cheaper. And most leaders have no idea what's coming.  Will Jones of the Future of Life Institute says this is the part nobody tells you: the more you lean on it to keep up, the more replaceable you make yourself.  Will Jones, an AI safety researcher fighting to ban superintelligence, walks through the race to AGI, what it does to your work, and whether you should use AI or resist it.

Jannicke Almenning møter Elias Omberg til en samtale om samlivsbrudd, ansvar og hva som skjer med barna når familien splittes.Elias mener voksne gir opp for lett, og at vi har blitt for opptatt av egen lykke og for lite opptatt av forpliktelse, familie og konsekvensene for barna. De snakker om hva barn kan miste når foreldrene går fra hverandre, om to hjem, konflikt og lojalitet - men også om når det faktisk er riktig å gå.De snakker også om hvordan vi kan bygge sterkere relasjoner med bedre kommunikasjon, mer ansvar, mindre ego og mer vilje til å stå i det vanskelige.Har vi gjort kjærlighet til noe vi bare skal føle i stedet for noe vi også må velge og jobbe for?

For more than 50 years, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement has helped Christians see the Bible—and their own lives—through the lens of God's global mission. In this episode, Perspectives president James Mason joins Matthew Ellison and Ted Esler to unpack why the course has had such lasting influence, what new Barna research reveals about its impact, and what's changing in the newly released fifth edition of the Perspectives Reader. They also explore the challenge of deep formation in a soundbite culture, the growing role of the Majority World and multilingual communities, and why missions mobilization begins not with asking, “What should I do?” but with understanding what God is doing in the world.The Mission Matters Podcast is a place to talk about the importance of our Mission as Christians. The Mission Matters is a partnership of Missio Nexus and Sixteen:Fifteen, who have a shared passion to mobilize God's people to be a part of His mission.Links:https://perspectives.orgIG: https://www.instagram.com/perspectivesusaFB: https://www.facebook.com/perspectivesusaChapters:00:00 Introduction00:44 Meet James Mason of Perspectives02:20 What Is the Perspectives Course?06:39 What Makes Perspectives Different?11:04 The Global Impact of Perspectives12:31 Is Perspectives Only for Missionaries?14:02 What the Barna Research Revealed21:18 Inside the New Fifth Edition29:45 Can a 15-Week Course Survive a Soundbite Culture?34:33 The Future of Perspectives38:42 How to Get Involved

Døden kan utløse både frykt og mange spørsmål hos noen barn. For andre kan den oppleves veldig ukomplisert. Hvordan forteller vi barn sannheten om sykdom og død uten å gjøre dem redde for livet. Med psykolog Hedvig Montgomery. Programleder er Ulla Rafaelsen. Produsent: David Vekony.

Hvordan kan vi hjelpe barn og unge til en tro som blir deres egen, og som varer gjennom livet? Eirik N. Helgøy snakker om hvordan tro og verdensbilde formes, hvorfor barn trenger mennesker rundt seg som viser vei, og hvilken rolle hjemmet og kirken spiller for trosreisen.

Í Vikulokunum í dag var rætt um fjárlög og kjaramál, fjölmiðlalandslagið og þær fréttir sem hafa snúist um börn og ungmenni í vikunni, aukna áfengisdrykkju, útivistartíma og annað. Fyrsti hluti: - Daði Már Kristófersson, fjármála- og efnahagsráðherra Annar hluti: - Birkir Karl Sigurðsson, stjórnandi hlaðvarpsins Chess after dark - Eyrún Magnúsdóttir, ritstjóri Gímaldsins - Oddur Ævar Gunnarsson, fréttamaður á Sýn Þriðji hluti: - Erlingur Sigvaldason, frístundaráðgjafi og kennaranemi - Árni Guðmundsson, sérfræðingur í æskulýðsmálum - Þóranna Rósa Ólafsdóttir, skólastjóri Rimaskóla

El quintet barcelon

2026-09-01 I Inquiry I A Gratitude Meditation I Joel Barna by Appamada

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Lust Dr. Eric J. Gilchrest | August 30, 2026 Check out the weekly sermon here or on our SRBC podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify. While you're at it, check us out on Facebook and Instagram too. Like what you hear? We'd love to know.At South Run, we read every message personally. Whether you have a question, want to share how God is moving in your life, or are thinking about visiting in person, this is the place to start. If you click the link below, Pastor Eric will personally reach out to you. Listening online? Let us know. Sermon Transcript Pastor Eric J GlchrestIt's good to be with you this morning. I come bringing an exciting sermon to you.I'm glad you're here today. If you are new to South Run Baptist Church, I first want to say welcome. We are so pleased that you have chosen to join us this morning. I believe you're here for a reason. I do believe that God has brought you to this place at this time because he has something for you. I believe this of all of us gathered together here. But you should know you've come on a unique Sunday because we've been working through, well, actually, I was thinking about this. We're kind of like a set of Russian nesting dolls this year. So the broad theme is transformation. We've been kind of working on that all year long. And then we've been on this two ways journey where there's these two ways that Jesus offers us abundant life, but he says it's the narrow way, right? And so it requires some adeptness at traversing that narrow way. And then he talks about the broad way, which leads to destruction. And on the broad way, it appears that this is in many ways the easy way. This is the path of least resistance. And so we've been, the nesting doll has been on that path of least resistance. And to do that, we've been talking about the seven deadly sins, right? And so here we are, we're at the 7th of seven. And so if you've come for the first time this morning, you've come on a Sunday in which we are talking about lust. Before we get there, this is a test for those of you who have been with us the whole journey to see if you can name the other six. And if you can't, well, then we're going to start it all over again and we'll do it together. So say them with me and I'll parrot them back to you. What would one of them be? Enri. Gluttony, wrath and sloth, greed, I think we said anger, and vanity, somebody said. I think we got them. Those are the six, leaving us today's message on lust. Part of what we've been trying to do with all of them is also tie together how our technologies the phones in our pockets, the computers that we all sit behind every day, they shape us and they form us and they misshape us and they malform us into beings we were never intended to be. And so my hope through this whole time together actually has been to demonstrate to you that the object in your pocket is not value neutral, that it is having an effect on you in one way or another. And I can really think of no better example than this morning's topic. And so we will talk about some sensitive issues. I've tried to do so in a fashion that is sensitive to all of the various ears this morning, but do know that this is what we're talking about. Let's begin with prayer. God our Father in heaven, you look down at your children and you want what is good for us. You want what is best. You want us to live lives filled with life and abundance and all that is good. And God, yet sometimes we choose the lesser way and we find ourselves going down paths we were never intended to go down, being shaped into people we were never intended to be. And this morning, Lord, speak to us. Speak to our hearts. Speak to our marriages and our families, that we might live lives according to your word, but according to the grain of the universe that you have created, the good universe, the one we intend to live in, the kingdom of God. I pray this in Christ's holy name, amen. You should have gotten a handout when you came in, at least the adults in the room. Yeah, I'll take it, just to wave it around. At some point in the sermon, we will get to this. And this may end up being the most practical sermon I could possibly give to you where there's an actual handout that you can take home with you to give you some resources for how to walk this way well. The Bible has a lot to say about sex. If you've ever read the Bible in full cover to cover, you might be surprised about what you find there. And now that I think about it, I should probably use this as a pitch when I try to get you to read the Bible more often because sex sells and it's filled with it. even has a whole book devoted to it. Did you know this? It's called the Song of Solomon. who himself had 1000 wives and concubines and apparently knew something about the matter. If you think it's a prudish book or that its authors would clutch their pearls at the smallest innuendo, well, you've simply not read close enough. But if you're new to the Bible reading thing and you thought this way, you would be forgiven. Because often this is how we Christians approach the topic, sheepishly in whispers And I confess it's how I often approach this topic, especially from the pulpit. I get nervous and frankly a little weird about it, which is why I'm writing this sermon out rather than trying to go off script. It'll keep me from blushing, hopefully. If the Bible is okay with this topic, then we probably should be too. So I'm going to speak frankly about the matter while recognizing that our congregation has members of all ages listening right now. Parents, you shouldn't feel on edge for what is about to happen, but know that it might spark some interesting conversations around the lunch table that I think you're ready for. And in fact, I encourage these conversations. It's a hope that I have for all of us to be a little more open and in dialogue with one another about this matter. But that said, if at any point you feel the need to take a bathroom break with your child, please go right ahead. I won't be offended. In the beginning, God created the Garden of Eden. And he said to that first couple, be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. And I know of only one way to be fruitful and to multiply. There's also the matter of Genesis 2, 24, in which God tells the first couple while they're still enjoying the safety of the garden, that when the two are joined together, they become one flesh. Two bodies united into one body. Sounds like a description of the topic we're talking about today. which means to me that God creates it as part of the good creation. It is something that is beautiful, is certainly enjoyable, and I would even say it is spiritual. Two becoming one is a mystery. But don't take my word. It's what Paul says in Ephesians 5 when he compares marriage to our union with Christ. And he also raises the two becoming one mystery as a warning to the Corinthian people in 1 Corinthians 6, who are uniting themselves with temple prostitutes. And Jesus raises the two becoming one mystery as a way to affirm marriage and to limit divorce. Which is all to say, that Genesis and Jesus and Paul, they talk about two becoming one flesh as something to happen within the marriage covenant. The covenant binds two people together by law and by custom, and it requires that the two people remain together in sickness and in health and richer and poorer till death do us part. And why? because it is only this kind of union that makes it safe to practice the deep magic we call sex. There are two ways to preach a sermon about sin, one that I would call an Old Testament sermon and the other a New Testament sermon. The difference is subtle but important. The Old Testament sermon relies on the law. It tells you where the boundaries are. are external to you. For example, an Old Testament sermon tells you the rules to keep and then you simply keep them. Don't murder, don't steal, don't lie, don't break the Sabbath and so on. An Old Testament sermon on adultery would stick to the basics. Don't have sex outside of marriage and you're good to go. But A New Testament sermon, the kind that Jesus would give, drives us deeper to the heart of the matter. which is always a matter of the heart. Jesus is helping us fulfill the Old Testament promise that Jeremiah 31, 33 expresses when he says, I will put my law within them and I will write the law on their hearts and I will be their God and they will be my people. Jesus is trying to write the law on our hearts and to do that, You must look below the surface, which is what Jesus is doing in his most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapter 5. Please turn there now and we'll read verses 27 to 30. You have heard it said, you shall not commit adultery, but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away, for it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away, for it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell. Now some people want to read their Bible with a precise literalism that demands that every last passage be understood with no nuance. But let's all hope that Jesus is here using hyperbole. Pulling out your eye or cutting off your hand is a bold move. But I'll say in all of my years of church life, and I've had many, I've met a lot of people with a lust problem. but I've never met a single person wearing an eye patch. Here's what Jesus is saying in brief if you ask me. The root of the external act of adultery happens in your heart well before it happens when you walk into a bedroom. If you are to be a kingdom follower, living life abundant, then you will need to get radical in your attempts to root out the heart condition because the alternative is a road that leads to Gehenna, a place that elsewhere is said to be filled with weeping and gnashing of teeth. If you've ever known someone whose partner has cheated on them or who has been sexually assaulted or abused, or someone who has lost a spouse or a job or ministry because of this sin, then you know that the weeping And the anxious grinding of the teeth isn't just waiting on the other side. It starts in the here and the now. How many lives have been broken by this sin? How many marriages and families have been shattered by it? So let's talk about what's in the heart. When I was a kid, Before the internet existed in my house and well before the iPhone had the internet in everyone's pocket, I remember my mom telling me that I shouldn't look at dirty magazines. When my neighbor, Sam Weissman, came outside with his dad's Playboys, I ran inside because I did not want to disappoint my mom. And then later, about a year later, we were digging in a forested area at my friend's house. His name was Brian. And we dug up a stash of more magazines. And once again, I ran away back home because I did not want to disappoint my mom because I wanted to be a good boy. This was a different age and a time when temptation didn't follow you everywhere you went. The magazines stood waiting in a forest for years. But the screens that you take everywhere are constantly offering temptation. The internet made *********** readily available, cheap and easy to find. The smartphone, it made it available everywhere you went. The algorithm and social media learned who you are and began to feed you whatever it takes for you to spend more and more time on your device. If you're a boy or a young man, the girls too, the algorithm knows, and it knows that lust is a powerful drug, and so it is ready to feed you images again and again before you finally say yes. The magazines no longer stay put. They follow you home and everywhere else you go. Let's start with some statistics. Common Sense Media surveyed teens between 13 and 17 years old in 2023 and here's what they found. 73% have watched *********** online, 54% saw it by age 13, 15% by age 10 or younger. The average age of first exposure is 12 and 58% first encountered it accidentally. That's just the kids, the adults in the room. Barna and Pure Desire did a survey in 2024. Here's what they found. 54% of practicing Christians reported viewing **** compared to 68% of non-Christians. Among pastors, 67% report a personal history and then nearly one in five of those currently struggle. of practicing Christians view it weekly. 75% of Christian men and 40% of Christian women report viewing occasionally. And 62% of Christians agree a person can regularly view *********** and live a sexually healthy life only four points below the general public. Jesus says that lust is part of the broad Rd. that leads to Gehenna. But 62% of Christians seem to disagree. The statistics bear out something very important here. Lust and *********** is something that doesn't just go away when you get older. We must all learn to fight this battle, no matter the age. Running from the magazines weren't the end of my personal history. So for me, I know I need to stay vigilant about this. In my house, we talk about these things openly. We have rules and protocols that I want to share with you around our technology. If you were here for a Sunday morning Bible study, we've talked through some of these and you should have received a sheet of paper, adults, as you walked in that hopefully will guide you through some of what I'm going to say that we went a little deeper this morning in Sunday school. I think of lust a little bit like I think about the weeds in my yard. As long as there's a plan and a strategy that is actively keeping the weeds at bay, the yard is going to look great. But as soon as that stops, the yard goes untended. And then once you start looking for it, you start to see more and more weeds popping up here and there until eventually you look out and you realize there's weeds everywhere. And you wonder how'd that happen? If you're a child, it might happen like this. You're simply playing a video game and up pops an ad with a voluptuous woman in something that can't really be called clothing, encouraging you to visit her website. Or maybe you're simply on a website like me, Bible Gateway, preparing a sermon on lust when up pops an underwear ad. Yes, this did happen. Or you're on X or Instagram and they begin to put pictures and products on your screen that you're not really seeking out. But the more it shows up, the more you're interested and the more you click and then the rabbit hole goes deeper and deeper and deeper. And so what does one do in this situation? You should think of yourself and your marriage and your family in the middle of a castle, and your job is to protect it at all cost. You will want to put up high walls, thick walls, a big moat around all of it. And so I want to offer you some very practical advice in two parts. Part one is how to build the walls, and part 2 is what to do if your castle has been sieged. So the protection piece. The first thing I'd want to say here is that you cannot wait on the technology industry to keep you safe or to keep your kids safe. They will not build this wall for you. In fact, they are selling a drug and they are hoping that you get hooked and that your kids get hooked. You may have heard it before. There are only two industries that call their customers users, illegal drugs and big tech. Therefore, you must get radical and take matters into your own hands. Number 2, start with locking down your devices. There are computers and there are phones and there are iPads and whatever else you have in your house. Each will be a little different, but parents especially, both for yourself and for your kids, learn how to limit their screen time. Learn how to manage their content. Learn how to use what the tech companies actually do give you at their disposal to limit what is coming through those big walls that you're trying to create. Number 3, your computers are a little harder to lock down. And so in my house, we pay for something called covenant eyes. We pay $200 a year for this. It might sound like a lot of money. I think it sounds like a very little amount of money for the peace of mind that it gives me, knowing that I'm offering protection, another wall for my kids and my family to feel safe within. Whatever you choose, I would encourage you to once again get radical. Don't just find yourself floating down the broad Rd. just because everyone else seems to. Instead, you have to take matters into your own hands. Number 4, there is the matter of your internet or your routers. And you can try to create as high a wall and a moat as you can. And one tool in the toolbox is using your internet provider to block certain sites or to even automatically turn off at certain times of day. Let's say 1 A.m. There's no good reason for somebody to be on the internet at that point. Number 5, know that with all your best efforts, there will always be workarounds that you haven't thought of, which gets to the most important thing that I can give you. Have a good relationship. with loved ones, with your kids, especially spouses with each other. Have open, honest dialogue. Reduce the shame. It is the shame that drives you into the closet and into the darkness. And the only way out is to get rid of some of that shame and to be willing to talk about it. And so make this a regular conversation in your house. The more you do it, the less awkward it gets. Men talk to your sons. Women talk to your daughters. Have these conversations with your kids. And please, spouses have them with each other. The easiest rule, no devices in the bedrooms. If you're wondering, what's the one quick win that could come out of here as to how I manage my own household and what the kids can do and can't, This is probably the easiest thing that you could make happen right now. But what happens if the army has already sieged the castle and you're in the middle of a fight that you're losing and you are struggling and you can't seem to find your way out? Well, that's the backside of the sheet that I've given you. I've got 4 steps for you. Step one, step out of the darkness and into the light. It will have control over you until you tell someone who is safe and importantly, someone who will force you to do something about it. Men, I want to offer you this morning that I am safe and I will help you do something about it. I have heard stories from young boys to very old men and nothing will shock me, I assure you. Step 2, depending on your situation, and the level of your problem, you should probably find a group to meet with. There are lots of groups dedicated to helping people break their addictions, some in person and some online. Two groups I'm aware of and I know meet locally are called Pure Desire and Celebrate Recovery. I would start there if you're just simply looking. Number 3, develop a strategy and know where the weak points are in your defense. Share these with an accountability partner. For example, maybe you're on a work trip. We'll have your spouse keep you honest when you come home. Late nights or certain times of day. We'll just know when that is and don't be alone during that time. Maybe it's a certain device. Go ahead and ditch that. Is alcohol involved? It might be time to address that problem too. And know that stress will always cause you to do things you might not do when you're not in stress. So manage that. Fourth and finally, replace the bad habit with good habits. More exercise, a new hobby, intentional time with your family. We had this conversation, as I said, this morning with the Sunday morning Bible study. And it was brought in that we should certainly infuse all of these steps with a healthy spiritual life that loves God with all our hearts and souls and minds and strength and our neighbors as ourselves and our spouses as ourselves. But sometimes we maybe keep praying to God and we say, oh, help me with this and help me with this and it never seems to go anywhere. That's what this roadmap is for. It has helped you if you've been there again and again and again and again. One final word I would want to give is to the spouses in the room, because the part I haven't yet addressed is that lust and adultery is not a victimless crime. There is often a spouse or a family that feel the effects of this betrayal. If that is you, know that God sees you too. And you too need help and you need encouragement. And the steps for what you should do are not the same as the above. They are similar. It involves talking to someone. Maybe it's finding a group. Some of the groups offer spouses groups as well. And so if the person who has hurt you needs to build their defenses, I would encourage you to build some of your own as well. Build walls and boundaries that they should not break in order to keep yourself from being hurt again and again. And develop lines that cannot be crossed and communicate those clearly and what would happen if they do get crossed. And finally, do things that will fill your soul as well. In the beginning, God created all things good. And this includes sex. But it is a powerful force. And a desire for it sits deep within us. And we live in a dangerous world where the temptations are everywhere. So let me encourage you to protect it. Keep it safe. Build the walls of a covenant marriage around it. Put them up high. Build a moat around it so that you keep temptation at bay. Talk to your spouses. Talk to your kids. Have these conversations regularly. Help is available. Victory is available. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, let us pray. Father in heaven, Jesus, King Jesus, who sits on the throne, who has power over all the universe, Holy Spirit who has been sent to us to live in us, to dwell in us, to cleanse us from the inside out, empower us this morning, convict us of where we need changes, Give us the path forward. Show us how we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds and to take on the mind of Christ and to live as you would have us live, O Lord. May we walk that narrow way, the hard way, but a way that leads to life abundant because Lord, we know that other way leads to the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. God, this morning, no doubt if the statistics bear out, some people hearing my voice right now, whether in person, online, or on a podcast into the future, they are wrestling. They are wrestling with something that has sat hidden for way too long. It is time to take the thing that existed in the darkness Bring it out into the light. Because God, you have a better way. You have a way that is filled with joy and freedom. So Lord, this warning, convict of sin, but also convince us that you are powerful enough to heal. We pray this in Christ's holy name. Amen.‍

2026-08-23 | Guo Gu Guided Meditation | Joel Barna by Appamada

Óriási örömmel jelentjük be, hogy készül és saját oldalunkon már előrendelhető nyomtatott lapsorozatunk, a Válasz Offline legújabb száma! Ez a kiadvány a magyar történelem egyik legfontosabb pillanatáról, az éppen ezekben a napokban 500 éve vívott mohácsi csatáról szól. „Nem voltak lúzerek – A helytállás pillanata. Mohács újraírt története" – ezeket az elsőre megdöbbentőnek hangzó sorokat írjuk címként a borítóra. Miért nem voltak lúzerek a mohácsi síkon csatát vesztő harcosok? Hogyan gondolkodjunk történelmünknek erről az elképesztő tragédiájáról? Miért hat ez szinte közvetlenül napjainkig? Ez mind benne lesz könyvújság formátumú kiadványunkban. Megjelenés novemberben, most pedig, az 500. évforduló hetében Varga Szabolcs történésszel beszéljük át a Válasz Offline-ban is kifejtett témákat. Műsorvezető: Borbás Barna, Zsuppán András. Előrendelés: https://www.valaszonline.hu/termek/valasz-offline-no-7-mohacs-rendeles/

Dr. Barna is a professor and director of research at Arizona Christian University, which has led him to write many books, including Raising Spiritual Champions: Nurturing your Child's Heart, Mind & Soul. In the first half of Dr. Barna's lecture (which you can find here), titled Cultural Transformation through Biblical Discipleship, he broke down why our country is headed down the wrong track culturally. In this episode, he shares our role as Christians on transforming our culture through the means of biblical discipleship.… Continue Reading

2026-08-23 | Body Scan is Full Presence | Joel Barna by Appamada

Parents cannot afford to ignore why so many Gen Zers are walking away from Christianity. Understanding the reasons behind this dramatic cultural shift is essential for any Christian parent hoping to nurture enduring faith in their children. In this sobering and highly relevant episode of Christian Parent/Crazy World, Catherine is joined by guest Laurie Christine (author, podcast host, and biblical parenting coach) for a deep dive into the top seven reasons Gen Z is leaving the faith. Pulling from recent Barna research, Catherine outlines the most prominent factors cited by young people, including the prevalence of evil and suffering, hypocrisy within the church, challenges regarding science, accusations that Christianity is “fairy tale,” historical injustices, church irrelevance, and personal bad experiences with Christians. Each of these issues is explored, not only in terms of what is driving the exodus but with practical suggestions and resources for parents at every stage—from young children in the home to teens on the brink of adulthood. Key Points Covered: A Crisis of Worldview in Churches Only 37% of pastors and 51% of evangelical pastors have a biblical worldview (09:24), according to the American Worldview Inventory. Parents are cautioned not to outsource spiritual formation solely to churches—home must be the primary place for faith development. The Power and Pervasiveness of Cultural Influence Social media, internet, and secular worldviews bombard kids daily, requiring parents to proactively engage in conversations about pantheism, secularism, suffering, identity, and more (10:49). Barna’s Seven Reasons Gen Z Is Leaving the Faith (12:02), (32:55) 1. I have a hard time believing that a good God would allow so much evil or suffering in the world (29%): see EPISODE 66 w/ Dr. Douglas Groothuis 2. Christians are hypocrites (23%) 3. I believe science refutes too much of the Bible (20%) See Dr. Stephen Meyer: Signature in the Cell, The Return of the God Hypothesis, and Darwin’s Doubt; also see Dr. John Lennox (The “God Delusion “ Debate with Richard Dawkins) 4. I don’t believe in fairy tales (19%) see “The Case for Christ” & “The Case for Christ for Kids” by Lee Strobel 5. There are too many injustices in the history of Christianity (15%) see Episode 9: How Does Christian Worldview Creates the World We all Want to Live”, see Episodes 93, 94, & 95 w/ Os Guinness 6. I used to go to church, but it’s just not important to me anymore (12%) 7. I had a bad experience in church/with a Christian (6%) see Episodes 39, 40, 41, & 42; see “When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community from Emotional & Spiritual Abuse” by Dr. Chuck DeGroat Parenting Solutions for Each Season Practical foundation-building for young children: daily devotions, scripture memory using music, and apologetics resources like Foundation Worldview (21:45). Teen and adult strategies: prioritizing tough conversations, choosing churches wisely, and seeking out other trusted Christian influences when parental voice decreases (19:08), (25:20). The unique call to pray for, encourage, and intentionally speak truth into the distinctive gifts and struggles of each child. Featured Resources Foundation Worldview curriculum (with discount code) Books: The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, Signature in the Cell by Dr. Stephen Meyer, When Narcissism Comes to Church by Dr. Chuck DeGrow Podcast episode recommendations for parents of prodigals and those wrestling with the problem of evil Guest bio:Laurie Christine is an author, podcast host, wife, and mom to four adventurous boys. She leads Redeeming the Chaos, equipping moms of boys to raise courageous kids rooted in Christ. Want deeper guidance?Subscribe to Catherine’s website for a free prodigal bundle (podcasts, articles, scripture lists, and music), plus weekly encouragement and parenting resources. For parents walking the prodigal path, there is hope—you are not alone. Do not miss this critical conversation—because if we want to help Gen Z return to the faith, we must first understand why they’re leaving. RESOURCES REFERENCED AND CITED: “Emerging Gen Z may deliver huge blow to religion in U.S.” by Jeff Brumley (June 8, 2018) The American Worldview Inventory in 2022 highlights worldview beliefs of American pastors. “Only Half of Evangelical Pastors Possess a Christian Worldview: Incidence Even Lower for Most Denominations” (Cultural Research Cente::ACU) ACU Cultural Research Center Worldview Inventory 2020-current Foundation Worldview Curriculum (use “CPCW10” code for 10% discount) Apologia: What We Believe (4 volume set) EPISODES CITED: Episode 57: “How To Teach Your Kids the Christian Worldview” w/ Elizabeth Urbanowicz Episode 58: “7 Lies Culture is Selling Our Kids: Are They Buying?” w/ Elizabeth Urbanowicz Episode 72: “What Do People Leaving the Faith often Get Wrong about God?” w/ Elizabeth Urbanowics Episode 84: “How To Learn More Scripture in 2024 Than You Ever Have Before” w/ Zac Fitzsimmons Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Andy Crouch didn't set out to write a parenting book. But when he'd mention offhand that his family had no screens in the house until his kids turned ten, young parents would rush to him afterward with what he described as hungry desperation in their eyes. The Tech-Wise Family came out of that hunger — and out of original research with Barna that helped quantify what most people were already sensing: something has shifted, and it isn't just about the kids.In part one of this two-part conversation, Michael and Andy discuss why the real problem isn't screen-time limits but the entire posture of a life shaped around "easy everywhere." Andy makes a surprising case that the quest for effortless technology is, at its root, the same quest as alchemy, and that something spiritually dangerous coils around devices that promise to make us like God. They also talk about boredom: what it actually is, why creativity lives on the other side of it, and what we lose when we never have to sit still long enough to find out.Part two continues next week.Support the showENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:- Follow us on YouTube - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS- Like us on Facebook- Follow us on Instagram & Twitter- Follow Michael on Twitter- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!

Olyan kihívások előtt vagyunk, amilyenre a magyar társadalom mérsékelten van felkészülve – mondja a klíma- és vízhelyzetről szóló adásunkban Rácz Lajos környezettörténész. A hortobágyi élőhely-rekonstrukció jó példa, a duzzasztott Hármas-Körös a rossz példa arra, hogyan vizesíthető vissza a táj – állítja Jakab Gusztáv paleobotanikus. Mi történik a kárpát-medencei ökoszisztémával a rekord hőségek és aszály közepette? Volt-e már hasonló helyzet a történelemben? Milyen alkalmazkodási stratégiák működhetnek? Mélyelemző műsorunkban ezúttal fontos, hogy lássuk is, amiről beszélünk, ezért Youtube-nézőink rendhagyó módon nemcsak a stúdiót, hanem időnként az éppen említett tájakat, növényeket is megmutatjuk. Műsorvezető Borbás Barna.

Half of all U.S. teenagers say they already have a business idea they're passionate about pursuing. That's the headline finding host Justin Forman digs into with David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, in this data-rich conversation about a generation quietly gearing up to build. David has spent his career turning research into a roadmap for the church, and in this episode he brings fresh findings on entrepreneurially minded teens — their hope, their hunger for mentors, and the pressure they carry to succeed. Justin and David trace the thread from Lego sets and Shark Tank reruns to the Old Testament story of Daniel, building a case for what David calls a “theology of influence”: preparing young people for a level of impact none of us can fully predict. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation exploring Barna's newest research on faith, identity, and the entrepreneurial generation — and what parents, pastors, and business leaders can do with it. Key Topics: • New Barna data: 49% of U.S. teenagers already have a business idea they're passionate about pursuing • A “theology of influence” — what Daniel's story in Babylon teaches us about preparing the next generation • Why entrepreneurially minded teens report 85% more hope about the future • Growing up in “digital Babylon”: raising kids among tech built to capture their attention • The mentorship gap — and why entrepreneurial teens are 88% more likely to already have one • Identity formation in a world where AI is reshaping the whole idea of a career • A practical next step for families: Faith Driven Entrepreneur for Teens David Kinnaman is CEO of Barna Group, the research firm he has led for over two decades, helping churches, nonprofits, and business leaders understand cultural and generational trends through a faith lens. He is the author of several books on faith and the next generation, and continues to lead original research at the intersection of faith, work, and identity. This conversation is for any parent, pastor, or entrepreneur wondering whether the next generation is ready to build — and whether the church is ready to help them. Notable Quotes: “We need to prepare this generation with a theology of influence that God can and will use them in their faithfulness.” — David Kinnaman “We prepare a generation for success, but we don't prepare them for suffering.” — David Kinnaman “I think we've seen the funeral of the lone wolf over the last decade.” — Justin Forman Watch the full episode on YouTube or continue to stream audio on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of the Gospel Mobilization Podcast, Dave Jacob sits down with James Mason, CEO of Perspectives USA, for a rich conversation about discipling people to the nations.  James explains how education helps believers see the whole Bible through the lens of God's global purpose, and how mobilization begins with God's mission rather than human activity. James and Dave unpack the difference between recruitment and discipleship, the importance of "generous mobilization," and how a biblical worldview shapes the way Christians pray, serve, work, and live.  James also shares key findings from a recent Barna study showing the long-term impact of the Perspectives course, including how it continues to influence alumni years later and multiplies into new mobilizers.The two also discuss how you can be involved with Perspectives to help you mobilize more missionaries. Listen today to help you send more to the nations!

In this episode, I review some recent research done by the Barna group on the impact of AI on Christianity and discuss different modes of creation.  To access the sources for this episode, visit:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5asTACoqEeITo become a subscriber of this podcast, visit:⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/seth-hensley/subscribe⁠

In a shocking turn of events, the Texas Senate race is heating up, and the speaker is sounding the alarm about the rise of socialism among young adults and its connection to the Democratic Socialist Alliance. This episode delves into the alarming trend of young people embracing socialism, and how it's being fueled by a false premise that's being used to justify the ideology. The speaker discusses a recent Gallup survey that shows a significant drop in the number of Americans who view capitalism favorably, with 50% of US adults now viewing it negatively. This is largely attributed to the partisan divide, with Democrats increasingly embracing socialism. The speaker also highlights the Barna report, which reveals that one in three churchgoers prefer socialism, and that this trend is being driven by a lack of biblical worldview among young adults. The conversation also touches on the idea that socialism is being sold to young people as a way to address economic injustices, but in reality, it's a recipe for disaster. The speaker shares a powerful analogy from Doctor Degner, who explains that socialism is like a system that promises to fix people's flaws, but ultimately leads to a worldview where personal sins become systemic ones. This is a concerning trend that Christians need to be aware of, as it's being used to justify a fundamental transformation of America. If you're concerned about the direction of our country and the impact of socialism on our youth, tune in to this episode to hear the speaker's insightful analysis and warning. Follow Carl Jackson:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carljacksonradioX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/carljacksonshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarljacksonshowWebsite: http://www.TheCarlJacksonShow.comStore: https://CarlJacksonStore.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a shocking turn of events, the Texas Senate race is heating up, and the speaker is sounding the alarm about the rise of socialism among young adults and its connection to the Democratic Socialist Alliance. This episode delves into the alarming trend of young people embracing socialism, and how it's being fueled by a false premise that's being used to justify the ideology. The speaker discusses a recent Gallup survey that shows a significant drop in the number of Americans who view capitalism favorably, with 50% of US adults now viewing it negatively. This is largely attributed to the partisan divide, with Democrats increasingly embracing socialism. The speaker also highlights the Barna report, which reveals that one in three churchgoers prefer socialism, and that this trend is being driven by a lack of biblical worldview among young adults. The conversation also touches on the idea that socialism is being sold to young people as a way to address economic injustices, but in reality, it's a recipe for disaster. The speaker shares a powerful analogy from Doctor Degner, who explains that socialism is like a system that promises to fix people's flaws, but ultimately leads to a worldview where personal sins become systemic ones. This is a concerning trend that Christians need to be aware of, as it's being used to justify a fundamental transformation of America. If you're concerned about the direction of our country and the impact of socialism on our youth, tune in to this episode to hear the speaker's insightful analysis and warning. Follow Carl Jackson:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carljacksonradioX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/carljacksonshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarljacksonshowWebsite: http://www.TheCarlJacksonShow.comStore: https://CarlJacksonStore.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Statistically, if you're a Christian man, you've struggled with pornography — and statistically, you've never told a single person. Today I want to talk about why that silence, not the struggle itself, is what's actually destroying you.We've been told the answer is more willpower. Try harder. Pray harder. Feel guilty next time. But if that worked, you wouldn't still be stuck. A Barna study found nearly 7 out of 10 men sitting in church pews every Sunday are struggling with pornography — and many pastors are too. You are not alone, and willpower alone fails against secrecy every time.In this video I break down:✅ Why secrecy — not weakness — is why you keep losing this fight✅ What 1 John 1:7 actually means for men stuck in this cycle✅ The one move that changes the trajectory (it's not another promise to yourself)✅ Why Romans 8:1 says there's no condemnation for you TODAY, not "once you're fixed"I work at a company that exists to help men win this fight, and I've sat with more of these stories than almost anyone you know. Here's the pattern: the men who get free aren't the ones who feel the worst about it — they're the ones who stop hiding it the moment one person really knows.This is part of an ongoing series on porn addiction, shame, and freedom for Christian men. Subscribe so you don't miss what's next.⏱ TIMESTAMPS00:00 The lie nobody says out loud in church00:33 Why willpower alone always loses to secrecy01:41 What 1 John 1:7 actually teaches about fellowship02:34 The pattern I keep seeing in men who get free03:11 The one text that changes everything03:35 You are not your addiction (Romans 8:1)04:31 The assignment for today04:57 What's coming next in this series

Spencer Inch is one of those musicians who makes you realize how wide this career can actually be. We talked about his path from Wilton, Connecticut to the national touring circuit, and I kept thinking: this is exactly what Broadway Bound and Beyond is about.Here's what we got into:* Spencer started on drums at age six when his parents bought him a CB700 from a neighbor — he still talks about that kit like it was a Stradivarius* He studied classical percussion at Penn State, then pivoted to jazz drum set at the University of Miami's Frost School — going from big fish to small pond overnight, and what he did about it* He did multiple contracts on cruise ships right out of grad school, playing everything from waltzes to Glenn Miller to German polka with no internet and no time to prepare — and why he says he learned more there than in six years of school* He toured the country opening for the Counting Crows with singer-songwriter Seán Barna — playing to amphitheater crowds of 3,000 to 7,000 people, and the moment the Counting Crows' drummer handed him the sticks to close out a show* He spent a year and a half on the Come From Away national tour playing bodhran — on stage, in the action, 467 shows — after saying yes to an instrument he'd never played before* He's now on the Water for Elephants national tour, a gig that came directly through the music director he built a relationship with on Come From AwayThe throughline in Spencer's story isn't talent. It's relationships, saying yes, and taking every single gig seriously — no matter what it is. The polka gig. The Les Mis at a children's theater. All of it.Watch the full episode above!Clayton Craddock is the drummer for Cats: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre. He is also the founder of Broadway Drumming 101 and the author of Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career.His Broadway credits include Memphis, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, Ain't Too Proud, and Cats: The Jellicle Ball, with additional credits spanning tick, tick…BOOM!, The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, and subbing on Rent, Motown, Evita, Avenue Q, and the Hadestown tour.Clayton has appeared on The View, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Today Show, and the Tony Awards. He has performed with artists ranging from Chuck Berry and Ben E. King to Kristin Chenoweth and Norm Lewis.www.claytoncraddock.com Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe

2026-07-28 I Slippery words I Inquiry Joel Barna by Appamada

Kevin Hu and Pastor William Mack talk pastoral burnout: mental and physical health, sabbatical, and setting real boundaries. Backed by a recent Barna study, they get honest about what actually helps versus what pastors are usually offered instead. A real, unscripted conversation for anyone in ministry trying to figure out how to rest without guilt. Article referenced: Barna study

Send us Fan MailIf you've ever wondered why someone hesitates before walking into a church, James 2 gives a blunt answer: favoritism and subtle bias can turn God's house into a place that feels unsafe. We start with the uncomfortable picture James paints a rich man gets the best seat while a poor man is pushed aside and we call out how modern versions of that same partiality still show up through clothes, tattoos, grooming, money, and social status. We also sit with a question we hear all the time: “Will I be welcome there?” That one line exposes how many people feel disconnected, judged, or talked about, and it forces us to look in the mirror instead of pointing at someone else. We bring in why research like Barna's finds outsiders often describe Christians as judgmental and hypocritical, especially younger adults, and we clarify the difference between accountability that restores and judgment that nitpicks preferences and first impressions. Then James turns the corner to action: faith without deeds is dead. We talk prayer, practical help, and why a living faith actually moves toward people in need. From Abraham to Rahab, James uses an unexpected contrast to prove that nobody earns a seat at the table by image, background, or reputation only by trusting God in a way that changes what we do. If this challenged you, share the episode, subscribe, and leave a review, and tell us: what makes a church feel genuinely welcoming?

Most Americans hold clear beliefs about humanity and the supernatural, but those beliefs often conflict with biblical teaching—even among church-goers. We break down the latest worldview study with Dr. Adam Rasmussen of the Cultural Research Center, and learn how to be effective ambassadors for Christ in a confused culture. *Originally aired on Faith Radio Network, posted with permission. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faith-works-live-with-rebekah-haynie--5411714/support.

According to the Barna Research Institute, there is something happening in America and in our spiritual world that is frightening, even alarming. According to Mr. Barna, nearly two out of three American adults say that the choice of one's faith is really irrelevant since all religions basically teach the same message. That is, it's a smorgasbord; you can pick and choose which Biblical truths you like, or don't like, and it really doesn't make all that much difference what you believe.     Christ is just one of many options, and you can choose to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ if you want to.  We live in a day of pluralism. Now, what pluralism means is that we are all un-American if we don't put our arms around them and say, “Your faith, your religion, is just as good as ours.” As a matter of fact, today even tolerance is passé. They say, “We don't want to be tolerated. That infers we've done something wrong. We want to be accepted and affirmed, no matter what we practice or how we believe.”  Beyond just tolerating them, we are told that we have to affirm them, and even celebrate them.   Now, that is happening right here in America, and it is no longer just a left coast thing, it is a very real fact all across America. And, what I want to talk to you about today is “How to Stand Firm in An Unbelieving World,” and give you some support, and to give you some hope.  Because we don't need to stutter or stammer when we talk about our faith.   We can understand what we believe, and why we believe it.  And we can hoist the flag of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ very high, and expect people to bow their knee to Jesus Christ. And, we have good reasons for believing what we believe. Click on the link below to hear a lesson on how you can stand firm in your faith. This is a live recording of The Master's Class Bible Study at LifeChange Church Wichita, KS. Amen.

→ The podcast has a new YouTube Channel! @axisconversationspodcast Three Big Conversations: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got married in a garden in The Garden - 08:04 So-called "butter moms" are setting the vibe for a deep-fried summer - 19:00 New data from CIY and Barna gives us insight into how Christian teens are using AI. - 32:20 Slang of the Week: "NPC" - 00:56 In Other News:- 48:00 The round of 16 is officially wrapped in the 2026 World Cup, with all three host countries (Canada, Mexico, and the US) failing to continue. Another notable casualty is Portugal, with global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo saying goodbye to World Cup competition. Building on the trend of hosting in-person experiences, Charli xcx has announced official listening parties, hosted around the world, for her July 24th album, titled Music, Fashion, Film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 529 new members, perhaps as an attempt to regain relevance with the rising generation. The new Oscar voters will include Gen Z notables like Jacob Elordi, Jenna Ortega, and Mia Goth. The video game industry continues to be volatile, as Xbox announced this week that they're laying off almost 5,000 employees and "resetting Xbox." While perhaps not indicative of all, trends where young people reject modern "big tech" continue to rise in popularity, like the "Luddite Festival" that took place in New York City last week.

How do Christians engage politically without losing their witness, their humility, or their neighbors? A rich meditation on one of the most quietly devastating experiences in the Christian life — doing the right thing and getting punished for it, or doing good work that simply goes unseen. Brian walks through the biblical pattern from Joseph to Paul: faithfulness often precedes obscurity, and obscurity often precedes the thing God was building all along. A burnout study showing that the most burned-out workers aren't the ones working the longest hours but the ones whose work feels most meaningless — a finding with real implications for how Christians think about calling and vocation. A new Barna study on what churchgoers say they most want from a sermon: not inspiration, not entertainment, but practical application they can actually use on Monday morning. Social media's new frontier — AI-generated influencers with millions of followers who don't exist — and what it means to build your sense of identity on an audience's approval. And a closing word from Proverbs 3 on trusting God with your reputation: commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established — even when no one is watching.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got married in a garden in The Garden, so-called "butter moms" are setting the vibe for a deep-fried summer, and new data from CIY and Barna gives us insight into how Christian teens are using AI. Slang of the Week: "NPC" In Other News: The round of 16 is officially wrapped in the 2026 World Cup, with all three host countries (Canada, Mexico, and the US) failing to continue. Another notable casualty is Portugal, with global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo saying goodbye to World Cup competition. Building on the trend of hosting in-person experiences, Charli xcx has announced official listening parties, hosted around the world, for her July 24th album, titled Music, Fashion, Film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 529 new members, perhaps as an attempt to regain relevance with the rising generation. The new Oscar voters will include Gen Z notables like Jacob Elordi, Jenna Ortega, and Mia Goth. The video game industry continues to be volatile, as Xbox announced this week that they're laying off almost 5,000 employees and "resetting Xbox." While perhaps not indicative of all, trends where young people reject modern "big tech" continue to rise in popularity, like the "Luddite Festival" that took place in New York City last week.

Guest: George BarnaOrganization: Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian UniversityPosition: Director of ResearchTopic: comments regarding respondents' views on basic Biblical teachings, concentrating on views on humanity and the supernaturalWebsite: georgebarna.com, culturalresearchcenter.com

Summary Can real discipleship survive in a world of influencers, algorithms, and unlimited Christian content—especially inside a transient military life? In this episode of OCF Crosspoint, we continue the conversation on influencer culture with Lt Gen Clint Hinote, USAF (Ret.), and CH(COL) Light Shin, USA. Together they draw a sharp line between being inspired, informed, and truly discipled, and explain why spiritual formation depends on proximity, accountability, and community rather than content consumed alone. They tackle discipleship amid PCS moves and deployments, what it means to point others to Christ rather than yourself in uniform, and why grace—not performance—sustains it all. The episode closes with one practical first step any Christian military leader can take this week. Resources mentioned:  The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt   Questions answered and themes covered in this interview include: How can Christians in the military stay discipled through frequent moves and deployments? Frequent moves, deployments, and training cycles make the in-person proximity that discipleship requires harder, but a transient military life also creates constant opportunities because new people are always arriving and need to be welcomed. The practical key is welcoming the stranger: those already established at a base should intentionally invite newcomers into a small group, offer a meal, even offer to pick them up. Practical advice for newcomers? Don't wait; get plugged in fast. This is a strong argument for keeping small groups open rather than closed. Discipleship also doesn't have to last a lifetime to be real. Jesus discipled His followers for about three years, roughly a single assignment cycle, so the quality of the time matters more than its length. Video tools can also help sustain a relationship after a PCS. What does "follow me as I follow Christ" mean for a Christian military leader? For a Christian military leader, "follow me as I follow Christ" is first something you do rather than something you say. You live your faith out consistently, and that example earns the credibility to explain it when others notice you're different. When people ask what makes you different, you point past yourself to Christ, admitting you're imperfect and fail often but are genuinely trying to follow Him—a 1 Peter 3:15 moment. The deeper aim isn't building a personal brand but acting as a signpost pointing to Christ as the ultimate Commander, much like faithfully carrying out the commander's intent. Following the Apostle Paul's example also means imitating a life that lays down its rights, absorbs costs, serves others, and is willing to suffer well—not one measured by worldly success. Philippians 2 is an excellent chapter for further study on these themes. Can Christians be discipled through podcasts, sermons, and Bible apps, or do they need community? Short answer: No, content cannot disciple you. Christian content like podcasts, sermons, and Bible apps is genuinely valuable, and God can use it powerfully, but on its own it isn't discipleship because consuming content is largely one-way, while real discipleship is two-way and relational. You can't be truly formed by a curated persona or a platform; formation happens through proximity—sharing meals, offering hospitality, doing life together, and holding one another accountable. A helpful picture is apprenticeship: a master shows the apprentice, works alongside them, then releases them to do the work while staying available. That's a progression content can't replicate, especially for leadership and the Christian life. Content is best treated as supplemental to connection and grounded first in Scripture. Barna research (2022) found that 39% of Christians aren't engaged in any form of discipleship. How is Christian discipleship based on grace instead of performance? Christian discipleship is grounded in grace rather than performance. It isn't about earning check marks or leveling up spiritually, but about responding to what Christ has already accomplished. The means of grace include knowing and storing God's Word in your heart (not just reading it on a Bible app), living a life of repentance when you fall short, and resting your confidence in Christ's finished work rather than your own efforts. This kind of formation is slow—more like a slow cooker than a microwave—which can frustrate a culture that wants quick hacks. But it's freeing: unlike an algorithm that demands constant performance and can cancel you, the gospel means that when you fail, you're forgiven rather than canceled. That freedom is a distinct mark of grace-based discipleship. How can a Christian start a discipleship or mentoring relationship? A simple, concrete way to start a discipleship relationship is to invite someone to coffee—or a Coke, lunch, or a meal at home—and let honest conversation grow from there. If you're a younger or emerging leader hoping to learn from someone more experienced, invite them; most people who are worth being discipled by genuinely enjoy this and may not even realize you're interested. If you're the more seasoned leader, take the initiative with someone you'd like to know better—ask questions, get to know them, and let one conversation lead to the next until a real relationship forms. Another step is to pray, by name, for a specific person to invest in or to be invested in by. It might also be a good idea to take a fast from technology by turning off social media for a while to make space for that prayer. You can also find more information about mentoring on our website: https://ocfusa.org/mentoring     Data and metrics related to the topic: Mental Health and the Anxious Generation: Nearly half (47%) of Gen Z ages 12–26 report feeling anxious often or always. More than 1 in 5 (22%) report feeling depressed often or always. Source: Gallup / Walton Family Foundation survey, 2023 Rates of anxiety among Gen Z increased 134% between 2010 and 2018. Depression rose 106% in the same period. Source: Jonathan Haidt, The Anxious Generation (2024), citing epidemiological data Loneliness and the Mentoring Gap: Young adults (18–34) report the highest loneliness rates of any age group, which is counter to the common assumption that elderly people are most at risk. Source: Gallup, 2024; Cigna national survey 24% of young people with no adult mentor say they never feel their life has meaning and purpose. With even one adult mentor, that number drops to 6%. Source: Springtide Research Institute  Only 8% of Gen Z respondents say there is a religious leader they can turn to. Source: Springtide Research Institute Trust: Influencers vs Institutions: Gen Z's most trusted sources: family members (88%), friends (84%), ordinary people doing good (81%). Religious/faith leaders rank at 44% — below doctors (77%), scientists (75%), and teachers (74%). Source: Edelman Gen Z Trust Survey — 9,600 Gen Zers ages 14–24 across six markets Confidence in religious institutions fell from 60% in 2001 to 37% in 2021. Source: Gallup, cited by AEI Survey Center on American Life (2025)  

Evangelical Christians should earnestly hope for, pray for, and work for revival. Maybe that's why we're always looking for and too often declaring, with only limited evidence, that revival has broken out. We want it to be true, so we declare it to be true with just the slightest encouragement. We should also not be ignorant to the fact that many purveyors of revival talk have financial incentives. If I can say that God is at work here, and you should support the work that God is doing, that provides a powerful and sometimes manipulative message that will separate well-meaning but naïve Christians from their money. Revival talk sells books, fills auditoriums and arenas, and causes donations to flow. And while we do not want to quench the spirit (to use biblical language), we should be clear-eyed and discerning when we hear people talk of revival. And we've been hearing a lot lately that America is experiencing revival. Kenneth Copeland has repeatedly declared that America is entering a season of revival. On his broadcasts and at ministers’ conferences, he has described the nation as being on the verge of “the greatest awakening” and has tied it to his own prophetic announcements. Mario Murillo has been one of the strongest proponents of the “America is in revival” narrative. He argues that mass tent meetings, conversions in California and elsewhere, and openness among young people indicate that the country is already experiencing a “Third Great Awakening.” Lance Wallnau has likewise said that America is experiencing a spiritual awakening, often linking it with political developments and what he describes as a national “reformation.” But people who study religion say…not so fast. Today, I have one of the godfathers of Christian polling and survey work on the program, George Barna, and we address the question directly: Is America experiencing a revival. His thoughts on the subject may surprise you. George Barna is one of the best-known researchers of religion and culture in the United States. He founded the Barna Research Group in 1984, pioneering the use of survey research to measure Americans’ religious beliefs, church attendance, worldview, and cultural trends. After selling the Barna Group in 2009, he launched several research initiatives focused on faith and public life. Today, Barna serves as Professor of Cultural Research at Arizona Christian University, where he is Director of Research for the university’s Cultural Research Center. He is also Senior Research Fellow for the Center for Biblical Worldview at the Family Research Council and the author or co-author of more than 60 books on faith, culture, leadership, and worldview. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. I'm your host, Warren Smith. Until next time, may God bless you.

It's Tuesday, June 23rd, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson and Timothy Reed Pray for Leah Sharibu's release in Nigeria Eight years after 14-year-old Leah Sharibu was kidnapped by Islamic extremists, along with 109 others from a girls' school in Nigeria's Yobe State on February 19, 2018, she is the only remaining captive. Evangelical Focus reports that Leah, now age 22, refused her captors' demands to deny Christ and convert to Islam in order to be released after the attack by Islamic State West Africa Province on the Government Girls' Science and Technical College in Dapchi. Most of the other kidnapped girls have been released, with some dying in captivity. Leah's parents, Nathan and Rebecca Sharibu, said that she has chosen to remain true to Christ at great cost. In their words: “For this courage, she has endured unimaginable hardship in the wilderness. Reports from those who escaped speak of forced marriage, repeated trauma, childbirths in captivity, and the constant shadow of sexual violence used as a weapon of war and control.” Please pray for Leah's freedom from captivity. Brazilian homeschoolers sentenced to 50 days in prison Brazilian parents Audato and Ieda Denardi have been sentenced to 50 days in prison for homeschooling their daughters. The Christian parents were convicted of “intellectual neglect” because the judge said their program failed to include lessons on “gender and sex education” and “tolerance and diversity.”  The Denardis are appealing their case to a higher court. The mother told Alliance Defending Freedom, “As a mother, I cannot conceive a more dictatorial state than the one that wants me in jail because I chose to exercise my right to direct the education and upbringing of my daughters.”  Over 70,000 children are being homeschooled in Brazil today.  Trump-endorsed Columbian conservative wins presidency Colombian right-wing politician Abelardo de la Espriella won the Columbian presidential runoff on Sunday. He garnered 49.6% of the vote compared to leftist Iván Cepeda who took 48.7% of the vote.  De la Espriella was endorsed by U.S. President Donald Trump and promised to take his country in a more conservative direction.  Connecticut liberals require homeschoolers to seek state permission The state of Connecticut is doing its part to keep parents from teaching their own children. The Connecticut Legislature passed House Bill 5468, a bill requiring parents to receive permission from the Connecticut Department of Children and Families in order to homeschool. Regrettably, Democrat Governor Ned Lamont signed the restrictive bill into law.  Attorney Kevin Boden of the Home School Legal Defense Association said, “This profound shift transforms Connecticut from a state where parents had significant freedom to the only state that imposes mandatory background checks on fit parents before they can teach their own children in their own home. By requiring every parent to be pre-screened before they can begin homeschooling, it ceases to acknowledge parents as trusted actors and instead casts them as risks to be managed.”  American farmers in trouble American agriculture is in crisis. Since 2020, the United States has lost almost 150,000 farms and 21 million acres.  Bankruptcies were up 50% year-to-year between 2024 and 2025, according to the State of the American Farmer Report, 2026. Only about half of farmers expect to be profitable this year. And 60% of farmers believe that farming as we know it today will cease to exist without a course correction.  Plus, the U.S. cattle herd is at a 75-year low -- roughly one-quarter cow per person today vs. one-half a cow per person 40 years ago. Deuteronomy 28:1-4 reminds us of God's blessings upon nations:  “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the Earth.   “And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God: ‘Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground, and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle, and the offspring of your flocks.'” Franklin Graham: Ebola outbreak in Congo much worse Evangelist Franklin Graham is calling for prayers as the most recent Ebola outbreak continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  The first symptoms are usually fever, sore throat, muscle pain, and headaches. These are usually followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and renal dysfunction, at which point some people begin to bleed both internally and externally. Outbreaks of the disease have had a mortality rate of between 25% and 90%, averaging 50%. According to Graham, “We believe the Ebola outbreak is much worse than we initially thought. We think it's spread much more because it went undetected for several weeks, and it's very difficult.” Graham added, “We need prayer. Our 70 staff members, they're there for a month or so and then [we] rotate them out and then they get a new team in. This is complicated because the borders are closed between [Congo] and Uganda. If you come back into the United States from [Congo], you could be quarantined and so forth. It's not easy. … We just ask people to pray and that God would continue to guide and direct us.”  Fewer women are attending church Women are leaving the Christian church.  Barna.com reports the largest gender gap in recorded history — with only 36% of women attending church compared to 43% of men. The gender gap at the beginning of the 21st century was 50% women attending and only 37% of men. The reversal dates back to 2018. Married dads now lead the charge with 41% attending church in the last week. By contrast, only 30% of married moms attended church in the last week and only 24% of single moms. Witchcraft-themed shows on the rise And finally, NARRATOR: “Once the world was full of wonders, but it belongs to humans now. We have all but disappeared: demons, vampires, and witches hiding in plain sight.” Witchcraft is dominating in the media today — with at least 20 witchcraft-themed shows emerging in the 2020s, and over 50 shows that incorporate occasional witchcraft themes. Examples include: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, the Charmed reboot, A Discovery of Witches, Mayfair Witches, Agatha All Along, The Owl House, Fate: The Winx Saga, The Worst Witch, The Bureau of Magical Things, Motherland: Fort Salem, and The Witcher. Witchcraft communes and retreats are on the rise, reports The Guardian.  Women are seeking more avenues for power in the rising age of what they call “patriarchy.” Deuteronomy 18:10-12 warns, “There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, June 23rd, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

The Imago Dei, the image of God, is seen in each person. On Equipped with Chris Brooks, we'll see how that looks in two different conversations. First, Chris will talk with York Moore about Juneteenth and the celebration of faith and freedom that it is. Then, a recent study by Barna sheds light on the questions and issues teens face today. Don't miss the conversations on the next Equipped with Chris Brooks. Featured Resources:Documentary: Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom (Our Daily Bread Ministries)Article: New Research: The Big Questions on Teens’ Minds Today June thank you gift:72 Questions (and Answers) About Life and Becoming the Man God Designed You to Be by Tim and Mark Shoemaker Equipped with Chris Brooks is made possible through your support. To donate now, click here.

Continuing our Summer Reset series on the Jesus Over Everything show, this conversation between Lisa Whittle and renowned researcher and author Dr. George Barna focuses on a foundational question: What does it mean to have a biblical worldview, and what's at stake if we fail to pass one on to the next generation?   The data Dr. George Barna brings to this episode is the kind that should wake every believer up. A biblical worldview isn't formed by accident: it's built in homes, modeled in churches, and lived out in the daily rhythms of faithful adults. The next generation is watching. The question is: what are they seeing?   Listen in to learn more: (00:24) Dr. Barna gets honest about nerves, aging, and why he still says yes to interviews (04:24) Why millions of Christ followers have walked away from Sunday mornings (08:04) How a 40-year researcher processes hope and despair in the data (13:54) Only 4% of American adults and just 1% of teens have a biblical worldview (14:36) Why a child's worldview is substantially formed by age 13 (16:42) Barna's simple definition of a biblical worldview (20:58) Is skipping church a sign of lost faith, or just doing faith differently? (31:22) Only 37% of pastors have a biblical worldview, and what that reveals about seminary (35:31) Barna's unfiltered take on social media and discipleship (36:09) Introducing the “seven cornerstones of a biblical worldview”   Mentioned in the Episode: Book - Revolution by Dr. George Barna: https://a.co/d/0iHdx2rZ Book - Raising Spiritual Champions by Dr. George Barna: https://a.co/d/05O2sSOV Latest Reports - Cultural Research Center at ACU: https://azcu.edu/culturalresearchcenter/   Connect with Dr. George Barna: Website: https://georgebarna.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drgeorgebarna/ Connect with Lisa:Website: https://www.lisawhittle.comSubstack: https://letsbeclear.substack.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittleFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial

The Pope's New AI Encyclical: The hosts discuss a groundbreaking 250-page encyclical from Pope Leo XIV that explores the intersection of Catholic faith and artificial intelligence. The encyclical calls for AI to serve humanity rather than displace it, emphasizing that our inherent human limitations and vulnerabilities are actually a good design by God. Pew Research on Church Politics: A surprising new poll reveals how much churches actually address political and social issues like abortion, immigration, and environment from the pulpit. The hosts unpack how these subjects are fundamentally theological and ethical rather than purely political. Texas Creates First Clinic for De-transitioners: The discussion turns to medical developments in Texas, where a first-of-its-kind clinic has been established specifically to help individuals who are de-transitioning. Highlighting cases like advocate Chloe Cole, the hosts touch on the courageous public stance of young people addressing the lifelong impacts of early gender procedures. Audience Question: Navigating the Holy Spirit Differently: The hosts answer a listener's question about how cessationists and continuationists can maintain charity despite theological differences over miraculous gifts. They advise focusing on core doctrines like the Trinity, extending mutual grace across different denominations. Audience Question: Turning to AI for Spiritual Guidance: Responding to a Barna report about Christians using AI for spiritual direction, the hosts weigh the legitimacy of the practice. They emphasize that AI should only serve as an efficiency tool to point users back to Scripture and local community, rather than replacing relational human mentorship.Audience Question: Critique of James Talarico's Theology: The hosts address a listener's question regarding guest-host Dr. Thaddeus Williams drawing a parallel between Texas politician James Talarico and Chinese communist state ideology. The hosts read a response from Williams and clarify that he was making a functional analogy about co-opting Scripture for state ideology, not directly comparing Talarico's personal character to a brutal totalitarian leader.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.