Podcasts about Christians

Pastor Hassan Abduraheem Taour helped train Sudanese pastors to be ready for persecution. He didn't know that he was also preparing himself for the day he'd be arrested in Sudan, charged with aiding espionage alongside VOM's Africa Regional Director, Petr Jasek, and sentenced to 12 years in prison. There were difficult days in prison, yet Pastor Hassan experienced the joy of the Lord—joy so powerful it brought tears to his eyes. It is because of that joy, and because of the ministry God gave him in prison, that Pastor Hassan looks back on those long months as "one of the best times of my life." The VOM App for your smartphone or tablet will help you pray daily in 2026 for persecuted Christians in nations like North Korea, Nigeria and Bangladesh, as well as provide free access to e-books, audiobooks, video content and feature films. Download the VOM App for your iOS or Android device today.

In this episode of Pray the Word on Genesis 18:22–26, David Platt intercedes on behalf of believers around the world.Explore more content from Radical.

All the Episodes of the Heidelcast Subscribe to the Heidelcast! Browse the Heidelshop! On X @Heidelcast On Insta & Facebook @Heidelcast Subscribe in Apple Podcast Subscribe directly via RSS Call The Heidelphone via Voice Memo On Your Phone The Heidelcast is available wherever podcasts are found including Spotify. Blessed Assurance: Resting in the Promises of God In a world marked by constant change, uncertainty, and anxiety, Christians often find themselves asking questions they never expected to ask: Am I really saved? Does God still love me? Can I trust his promises when everything feels unstable? These questions are not new, nor are they signs of weak faith. On January 23–24, Westminster Seminary California invites Christians from every walk of life to join them for two days of biblical teaching, encouragement, and refreshment. You don't need to be a pastor or have a theology degree to enjoy this conference. You simply need to be someone who wants to grow in the comfort and confidence the Lord freely gives to his people. You can use this link to register, or learn more here. Call or text the Heidelphone anytime at (760) 618-1563. Leave a message or email us a voice memo from your phone and we may use it in a future podcast. Record it and email it to heidelcast@heidelblog.net. If you benefit from the Heidelcast please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts so that others can find it. Please do not forget to make the coffer clink (see the donate button below). SHOW NOTES How To Subscribe To Heidelmedia The Heidelblog Resource Page Heidelmedia Resources The Ecumenical Creeds The Reformed Confessions The Heidelberg Catechism The Heidelberg Catechism: A Historical, Theological, and Pastoral Commentary (Lexham Academic) Recovering the Reformed Confession (P&R Publishing, 2008) Why I Am A Christian What Must A Christian Believe? Heidelblog Contributors Support Heidelmedia: use the donate button or send a check to: Heidelberg Reformation Association 1637 E. Valley Parkway #391 Escondido CA 92027 USA The HRA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Let's review four differences between work and jobs. First, your job may employ none of your gifts; your work employs all your gifts. Second, your job will inevitably result in income; your work may never result in income. Third, there is always someone else who can do your job; there is never anyone else who can do your work. And fourth, your job may sometimes produce frustration; your work will most often produce fruit. But now, let’s consider two other differences in your job and your work. Your job will end in retirement; your work will not end until death. Jobs come to an end. Either you retire, walk away from the job, or the job is eliminated. If your self-worth is linked to your job, then the loss or end of a job can be devastating, and it is to many people. Work, however, has no termination age. There’s no 65-year cut-off point for your work. Retirement from work is retirement from life, and it is not scheduled by men but by God. Your work may and most likely will take some turns and changes as you progress through life. But I think of elderly Christians who are no longer physically able to do many of the things they did for the Lord earlier in their lives. Their work has changed, and now they are marvelous prayer warriors, doing the most important of all work. Your work may never become your job; your job could never replace your work. Many think the ultimate in life would be to have a job that becomes our work, so what we do every day to enable us to earn a living is the same thing God has called us to do and gifted us to do for his glory. But let me tell you, that rarely happens, and that's because it doesn’t fit into God’s plan for reaching the world. He’s left us in this world to be his salt and light, and that means we need to mingle in the marketplace where the people are. That means we need jobs to get us in there, so we can do the work God has called us to do, in many cases. Most of us will find it necessary to continue committing large portions of our lives to a job that does not fully define or fulfill us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be successful at our work. Our jobs and our work don’t have to be in competition. In fact, when we’re in right relationship with God’s plan for our lives, they will not be in competition. Now, you may be thinking, “You mean, I can’t expect to find a job I really love?” No, that’s not what I mean. If we’re smart, we’ll educate ourselves and do everything we can to match our jobs with our talents and strengths, so that they are not working against our gifts. For example, my last business job was to make training presentations. Not only do I enjoy making presentations, but in the process of doing my job, I was trained to do my work better. I enjoyed my job, though I would not have voluntarily done it if there was not a need to make money. However, that job was a tool in God’s hands to prepare me for my work and to touch other lives I would never have touched otherwise. And then the other great truth of Scripture is when we are walking with Jesus, everything we do can be done for his glory. No matter what job we have, as Christians we can do it to God’s glory, and it becomes meaningful and purposeful. I think of one of my listeners who used to work in a large bakery, doing rather repetitive work, which could be described as unchallenging and unfulfilling. But this woman viewed her place of employment as her Jerusalem where she was to take God’s good news. And God gave her incredible opportunities to witness to many people, including executives in the company. I never knew her to complain about the lack of fulfillment in her job, though I’m sure there were days she got bored with the routine. She went to work each morning to see what exciting thing God would do through her that day, and she didn’t occupy her mind with the mundaneness of the job itself. You can know fulfillment amid a routine job if you know Jesus, and you’re doing your work for his glory. We are in a win-win situation when we know Jesus. He gives us meaningful work, and then he says even our jobs, which are not our work, can be done to his glory if our attitude is right. Either way—whether you’re doing your job or your work, you are working for Jesus, and it counts for eternity. Now, if you understand the difference between your job and your work, then lots of puzzles start to clear up for you. Your ultimate objectives should be: To achieve harmony between your job and your work. That’s going to take different forms for different people. But isn’t it great and wonderful to know it doesn’t matter whether we’re gifted for some great job success. We are gifted for success in our work, and if we do the work God has called us to do, we will be successful in his eyes. To do as much work as possible while doing your job. Our challenge is to know what our work is and then prioritize our lives so we have time to do our work. And is that ever a challenge! Please keep in your mind the ever-present vision of standing before Jesus to give an account of how you’ve used your time here on earth. If you get so involved in your job or anything else so you don’t do your work, you will be very embarrassed when accounting time comes. We’re told in 1 Corinthians 3 our work will be shown for what it is at the Day of Judgment. And we will have wood, hay, or straw, or we’ll have gold, silver, and costly stones. Then the fire at the Judgment Seat will reveal the quality of our work. Now, wood, hay, and stubble take up a lot more space than gold, silver, and costly stones, right? And we get fooled sometimes by volume. If I had a million dollars I could buy a bunch of wood, hay, and straw, and it would take up space. But if I brought a million dollars of gold, silver, and costly stones, I could hold them in my hand or at most a small bag. You might not notice it, and it wouldn’t take up much room. If we don’t understand the difference, we might opt for the wood, hay, and straw because it looks bigger. But that stuff burns fast when you strike a match to it, whereas the gold, silver, and costly stones will survive any fire you put them through. Do you get the picture here? Sometimes, with poor earthly eyesight, we spend our lives doing things that burn up. They look important here because they take up space and time. But in eternity, they are worthless. It is super important to get the priorities of our lives in line with God's word and do the important things, not just the urgent ones. We must look for ways for our jobs to encompass more of our work. Recognizing we spend a large portion of our lives at our jobs, of necessity, and knowing only our work counts for eternity, we need to find ways to incorporate our work into our job. That might mean looking for another job—one that maybe doesn’t pay as much—in order to have more time for our work or to do our work with our job. Here are some good things to consider when evaluating whether you’re in the right job: A good job is one that: plays to your personal strengths. Look for a job that uses your gifts and allows you to polish and perfect your gifts. meets a legitimate need. Even though our jobs are earth-bound, there are jobs which certainly meet legitimate needs, and those are more satisfying than others. There are simply some jobs Christians should not hold, because they don’t contribute to any good in our society. doesn’t compromise your core values or biblical principles. finances your lifestyle and your work. allows you to contribute to ministry. Many people are called by God to jobs so they have money to contribute to ministry. You may have the gift of giving and therefore your job is important to your work. gives you a platform for credible witness. This is one major reason we have jobs, because it gets our feet in the doors where otherwise we would never go. provides contact with people you can impact. People are the most important thing to God. There's a song written by Steve Green, and the words are right on. He wrote, “People need the Lord, at the end of broken dreams, he's the open door. We are called to take his light to a world where wrong seems right. They must hear the words of life only we can share. People need the Lord. When will we realize that people need the Lord.” Wherever your job takes you, there are people. And since no one is in your life by accident, people are in your life to give you an opportunity in some way—brief or small as it may be—to tell them you have found what they are unconsciously looking for—Jesus. That's one way the job you have can be transformed into the work God has given you to do. Just introduce people to Jesus. I hope these thoughts on your job versus your work have been thought provoking for you. I think we could see some significant attitude changes toward our jobs if every Christian had this clear worldview.

Today, Pastor JD dives into the conflicting reports surrounding President Donald Trump's proposed peace plan for the Middle East. As Christians, we should definitely be paying attention to this. The Bible is clear: in the last days, a peace treaty will be made with the nation of Israel. Could it be that we are on the cusp of seeing that very peace treaty being made?

It's Mailbag Friday! You've got questions, we've got answers. Segment 1 • When we say that Christians cannot lose their salvation, what exactly do we mean? - Ralph • In regards to Deuteronomy 4:9, should grandparents be taking a big role in teaching the things of God to their grandchildren? - David • Are near-death experiences and visions of heaven or hell legitimate? - Anonymous Segment 2 • Is it wise to listen to sermons or teachings from a pastor that has since fallen into sin? - Seth • How can we guard ourselves from a performance-based mindset, such as thinking God is happier with us when we are doing good? - Alexandra Segment 3 • Should our beliefs about the rapture and the tribulation guide our choice of a church? - Anonymous • Is it wrong to ask God to send me a sign when I need help deciding on something? - Anonymous • At what point does a hobby become an idol? - Josiah Segment 4 • Should a church host secular plays from their stage? - Joann ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

On this episode of The Federalist Radio Hour, Drew Allen Thomas, author and host of The Drew Allen Show, joins Federalist Senior Elections Correspondent Matt Kittle to examine Charlie Kirk's faith-filled mission and explain what the Turning Point USA founder's martyrdom means for Christians and the future of the country. You can find Allen's book For Christ and Country: The Martyrdom of Charlie Kirk here. The Federalist Foundation is a nonprofit, and we depend entirely on our listeners and readers — not corporations. If you value fearless, independent journalism, please consider a tax-deductible gift today at TheFederalist.com/donate. Your support keeps us going.

“Was Jonathan Roumie wrong to kneel for Communion?” This question opens a discussion on liturgical practices, while also addressing varied topics such as Old Testament references to speaking in tongues, the Catholic perspective on dancing during the liturgy, and the relationship between Catholics and Protestants. Join the Catholic Answers Live Club Newsletter Invite our apologists to speak at your parish! Visit Catholicanswersspeakers.com Questions Covered: 04:00 – “Was Jonathan Roumie wrong to kneel for Holy Communion If Others Stood?” 16:16 – Are there Old Testament references that mention speaking in tongues? 19:27 – How do I respond to my Sedavacantist family members who say protestants are not Christians because they are not Catholic? 22:50 – Did the Virgin Mary have sisters? 32:59 – What is the church's stance on dancing during the liturgy? 41:46 – Are the Torah codes reliable? 45:40 – Why did the Latin Mass change to Novus Ordo Mass? 50:21 – What is the process to ensure a Catholic book is published (without error)?

In this episode of Pray the Word on Genesis 17:3, David Platt teaches us to respond appropriately to God's glory and God's Word.Explore more content from Radical.

 This episode dives into the heated clashes over immigration enforcement and media narratives in the wake of the fatal January 7, 2026, ICE shooting in Minneapolis, where a 37 year old mother of three, Renee Nicole Good, was killed by an agent during an operation. Federal officials claim the shooting was justified self-defense after she allegedly drove toward officers, while Minnesota leaders including Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey dispute the account, demand accountability, and criticize the broader crackdown. The incident sparked immediate protests in Minneapolis (with clashes involving snowballs and police pullbacks), vigils, and solidarity demonstrations in cities like New York City, where the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) organized marches demanding an end to ICE operations—highlighting claims of orchestrated chaos by the left.Dan Bongino fires back at the "Black Pill crowd" in a fiery segment, refusing to let pessimists, grifters, and division-stokers hijack the movement he helped build. The show also connects these tensions to broader media bias, spotlighting how legacy outlets may downplay or frame stories like the ongoing Minnesota welfare/child-care fraud scandal (with federal charges against dozens, convictions mounting, and estimates reaching potentially billions in misused funds.Join guests Judd Saul, founder of Equipping the Persecuted and Truth Nigeria, for an in-depth look at the escalating persecution of Christians in Nigeria including recent coordinated attacks killing dozens in early 2026 and calls for stronger U.S. and international intervention. Then, Sam Anthony, founder and CEO of YourNews.com, discusses building a decentralized, citizen powered media platform to counter censorship and bias, with real time insights into covering fast-moving crises like Minnesota's ICE fallout and fraud investigations. Tune in for unfiltered truth, advocacy, and the fight against division!

Join the EDIS Free Community here: https://www.skool.com/everydayissaturday Why do so many Christians still live cautiously, quietly, and afraid—when they claim that Jesus Christ lives inside them? In this episode, I unpack a conversation that made me stop and think about fear, faith, and identity. I share why I don't operate with fear of failure or fear of looking foolish—and why that mindset should be normal for believers, not rare. This isn't about arrogance, recklessness, or hype. It's about understanding what it actually means to believe Christ lives in you—and how fear often disguises itself as wisdom, comfort, or “playing it safe.” If you've ever felt stuck, hesitant, or unsure about stepping forward in your calling, this episode will challenge you to rethink how fear has been shaping your faith. Topics covered: – Why cultural Christianity produces cautious believers – Fear of people vs. trust in God – When “being wise” is really just fear in disguise – What fearless faith looks like in real life This episode is for anyone who believes in God—but wants to start living like it. Join our free group and get in the best shape – financially, physically and spiritually –  of your life. https://www.skool.com/everydayissaturday

Israel and the Jewish people always seem to be in the headlines. Terrorism. War. Antisemitism on university campuses and around the globe. Jews are the topics of conversation in podcasts, on school campuses, and in our homes. Yet Christians are wondering about the modern State of Israel and contemporary Jewish people. Are they related to the biblical kingdom of Israel and the ancient Jewish people of the Scriptures? Others question whether Jewish people are only God’s people of yesterday, or do they have an ongoing place in God’s plan? How does the Church relate to the Jewish people and why should Christians care about the Jewish people and their homeland? Dr. Michael Rydelnik joins us to offer clarity and biblical guidance.Become a Parshall Partner: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/inthemarket/partnersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Pastor Matthew addresses a timely cultural question at the start before diving into deeper conversations about how Christians navigate freedom, authority, parenting, and fractured family relationships in today's world. As theology meets real life, this episode offers biblical clarity and pastoral wisdom for believers facing complex and emotional realities.

On this episode of Crosspolitic at AmFest 2025, Pastor Toby and Gabe welcome on Mike Ring, CEO of Old Glory Bank, to talk about the issue of debanking and why Christians and conservatives are being systematically canceled by major financial institutions. Sign up for the FLF 2026 Holy Wars Conference for Early Bird pricing! https://tickets.flfnetwork.com/holy-wars-conference

Is America witnessing a quiet Christian revival - and why does it terrify the cultural gatekeepers? For decades, Christians were told to sit down, shut up, and stay out of politics. That faith belonged in private. That masculinity was toxic. That truth was negotiable. But something has shifted. Young men are pushing back. Churches are filling back up. And a generation raised on chaos is searching for meaning, order, and moral clarity - whether the culture likes it or not.In this episode, I'm joined by Bryce Eddy to break down why Christian values are re-entering public life, why Gen Z men are rejecting secular nonsense, and why politics can never be separated from belief systems. We dig into masculinity, persuasion vs arguing, Charlie Kirk's legacy, weak men vs dangerous men, and why selling good ideas matters more than winning debates. This isn't about nostalgia - it's about whether a free society can survive without a moral foundation. Order ⁠Cardio Miracle⁠ (⁠CardioMiracle.com/TBNS⁠) for 15% off and take a step towards better heart health and overall well-being! WATCH The Brian Nichols Show on ⁠YouTube⁠ & ⁠Rumble⁠ Follow Brian on social media: X.com/Twitter ⁠(https://www.briannicholsshow.com/twitter⁠) & Facebook (⁠https://www.briannicholsshow.com/facebook⁠) LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to ⁠The Brian Nichols Show ⁠for 3 new episodes per week! Email Listener Questions to ⁠brian@briannicholsshow.com⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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On this episode of Crosspolitic at AmFest 2025, Pastor Toby and Gabe welcome on Mike Ring, CEO of Old Glory Bank, to talk about the issue of debanking and why Christians and conservatives are being systematically canceled by major financial institutions. Sign up for the FLF 2026 Holy Wars Conference for Early Bird pricing! https://tickets.flfnetwork.com/holy-wars-conference

Author and mental health therapist Mark DeJesus reflects on his journey from a performance-driven, “superhero” version of Christianity toward a healthier faith rooted in receiving the Father's love. He explains why grief, anxiety, and weakness are not spiritual failures, but places where deeper connection with God is formed.Listen to the full episode hereSpotifyiTunes----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you've been searching for.Don't wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information, go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

In this profound episode, Jesse Schwamb delves into the theological treasure found in John Owen's work on being free from sin's dominion. As Christians enter a new year, the question of our relationship with sin becomes particularly relevant. Owen's core thesis—that sin still lives in believers but no longer rules them—provides a framework for understanding the Christian's true freedom. Jesse unpacks how union with Christ fundamentally changes our relationship with sin, breaking its dominion while acknowledging its continued presence. This episode serves as both theological instruction and pastoral encouragement, reminding believers that our freedom comes not from our perfect grip on Christ, but from Christ's unbreakable grip on us. Key Takeaways Sin's Presence vs. Sin's Dominion: Sin continues to dwell in believers, but it no longer reigns as king—it remains a presence, but not a ruling power. Understanding True Dominion: Sin's dominion means it calls the shots, sets the direction, issues orders, and gets obeyed. The diagnostic question is: "Is sin merely present in you, or is sin in charge of you?" Freedom Through Union with Christ: Our freedom from sin's dominion comes not through self-improvement but through our union with Christ in his death and resurrection. Evidence of Grace's Reign: The very battle against sin is often evidence that sin has lost its dominion—tyrants don't get resisted by loyal subjects. Practical Test for Sin's Rule: Owen provides diagnostic questions: Do you make peace with sin or war on it? Do you hide sin or expose it? Do you justify sin or confess it? Do you plan and cherish sin or grieve and fight it? Ordinary Means of Grace: God provides ordinary means—Word, prayer, sacraments, and fellowship—as the channels through which grace's reign is established and maintained. Christian Hope: Our freedom is not based on our perfect grip on Christ but on Christ's unbreakable grip on us. Grace doesn't just forgive rebellion; it overthrows the rebel regime. Understanding Sin's Dominion When we speak of sin's "dominion," we're referring to something far more significant than sin's mere influence or temptation. Dominion speaks to a reign, a throne, a ruling power. In his exposition of Romans 6:12, John Owen helps us see that sin's dominion means it "calls the shots, sets the direction, issues the order, and gets obeyed." This is crucial to understand because many Christians confuse sin's presence with sin's rule. The diagnostic question Owen poses is profound: "Is sin merely present in you or is sin in charge of you?" This distinction helps us avoid both the despair of perfectionism and the complacency of antinomianism. Sin's presence in our lives—even when it causes us to stumble—is not the same as sin having dominion. In fact, our very resistance to sin is often evidence that sin's dominion has been broken, for "tyrants don't usually get resisted by loyal subjects." Freedom Through Union with Christ The gospel's answer to sin's dominion is not found in our determination or moral improvement but in our union with Christ. This union fundamentally changes everything about our relationship with sin. As Jesse articulates from Owen's work, "Grace doesn't just pardon rebels; grace transfers rebels into a new kingdom." This is the heart of the Christian's freedom—not that we've somehow eliminated sin from our lives, but that we've been brought under a new reign, a new dominion. Christ didn't merely come to forgive sin's guilt; He came to break sin's rule. Through our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, we have died to sin's dominion and been raised to walk in newness of life. This means that our fight against sin isn't waged in our own strength but in the power of Christ who has already secured the victory. The Christian life is "warfare under a victorious King," not a horror movie where we're unarmed against an unstoppable monster. The Ordinary Means of Grace Owen reminds us that God has provided ordinary yet extraordinary means through which grace's reign is established and maintained in our lives. These are not secret spiritual hacks or techniques but the divinely appointed channels through which the Spirit works: the Word of God (not merely read, but received with faith and applied with honesty); prayer (not as performance, but as dependence); the sacraments (as God's visible grace to strengthen faith); and fellowship and accountability (because "lone sheep Christianity is basically wolf delivery"). As Jesse notes, "These are simple but profound, ordinary but extraordinary in their effect." The neglect of these ordinary means doesn't create mysterious seasons of spiritual dryness—it creates predictable weakness. Our freedom from sin's dominion is maintained not through extraordinary spiritual experiences but through ordinary faithfulness to God's appointed means. Memorable Quotes "Take heart, Christian, you're not free because your grip on Christ is perfect. You're free because Christ's grip on you is unbreakable." "The Christian life is not a horror movie where sin is the monster and you're unarmed in the basement. The Christian life is warfare, yes, but it's warfare under a victorious King." "Sin doesn't need you to throw a parade for it. Sin just needs you to keep paying tribute." Guest Bio Jesse Schwamb serves as co-host of The Reformed Brotherhood podcast alongside Tony Arsenal. With a passion for making Reformed theology accessible and practical, Jesse brings theological depth combined with pastoral sensitivity to each episode. His ability to distill complex theological concepts into applicable wisdom makes him a trusted voice in Reformed circles. Full Transcript

It's Friday, January 9th, 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 Adam McManus Nayereh Arjaneh, a Christian convert living in Iran, began serving a five-year prison term on December 23 because of her faith, reports International Christian Concern. Christian converts are often targets of imprisonment, false accusations, mistreatment, and torture under the Iranian regime, with hundreds of Christ followers targeted by Iranian authorities in 2025 alone. Arjaneh and her husband, Qasem, were arrested on July 7, 2025, after they attended a Christian training event in Turkey. She was initially released on bail and later convicted of “promoting deviant propaganda and teachings contrary to Islamic law” and “providing financial and material support to groups affiliated with Zionist Christianity.” Senate restricts Trump from future strikes on Venezuela Here in America, the U.S. Senate has passed a war powers resolution, which would limit President Donald Trump's ability to conduct further strikes in Venezuela, reports NewsNation.com. Five Republicans voted with Democrats to pass the resolution including Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Todd Young of Indiana, and Josh Hawley of Missouri. The legislation will require Trump to get approval from Congress before conducting any strikes on Venezuela. Democrats have previously failed to pass resolutions limiting the president's ability to strike alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific. The move comes after a surprise strike on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Congress was not notified of the mission in advance, breaking from tradition. While only Congress has the power to declare war, presidents have used broad authority to act unilaterally in the absence of a formal declaration of war. The last time the U.S. formally declared war was World War II. Devastating admission by lesbian lover after ICE shooting Wednesday's fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minnesota has brought even more national attention to arrest and deportation efforts, reports The Western Journal. Media members and the public alike took to dissecting Wednesday's footage of Good's altercation with ICE as she tried to stop officers from doing their jobs, parked her car in the street, refused to move it, and threatened to run over an officer. Good's last moments as she tried to drive into an officer have been the subject of intense debate as to what her intentions actually were, but another telling moment from her lesbian lover reveals why she was trying to stop ICE in the first place. In the immediate aftermath, Good's faux wife, was heard saying, “I made her come down here; it's my fault. They just shot my wife,” according to the New York Post. Samuel Short of The Western Journal wrote, “Left-wing media outlets consistently refuse to look at the entire story when a fatal shooting takes place involving law enforcement. In this instance, Renee Good's [faux] “wife” brought her out to do this. Good was a problem for ICE that day already as she refused to comply with officers who told her to get out of her car. Good put her foot on the gas despite the fact an agent was standing in front of her vehicle. “She put herself in a dangerous position, stopping armed federal officers from arresting dangerous people.” J.D. Vance: Woman ICE killed tried to run them over In a White House briefing, Vice President J.D. Vance put the press, which defended Renee Good, in its place. Listen. VANCE: “What's going on here? You guys are meant to report the truth. How have you let yourself become agents of propaganda of a radical fringe that's making it harder for us to enforce our laws? “You just asked me a question that presumed that the reason why this woman died is because she was engaged in legitimate protest. She tried to run somebody over with her car, and the guy defended himself when that happened.” The Department of Homeland Security reported a 1,154 percent increase in assaults on officers in November. That's not to mention deadly shootings targeting ICE detention centers. House Republicans reject Trump's call to be “flexible” on Hyde Amendment Most House Republicans appear to uphold the party's longstanding principle against allocating taxpayer funds for abortion, despite President Donald Trump's call for them to be “flexible” on it, reports LifeNews.com. As President Trump laid out a game plan for Republicans to win on the healthcare issue in 2026, he said, “You have to be a little flexible on Hyde.” TRUMP: “Now you have to be a little flexible on [the] Hyde [Amendment]. You know that you got to be a little flexible. You got to work something.” House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, who spoke at the March For Life in 2025, said, “We're not going to authorize taxpayer funding for abortion. I mean, it's been a consistent policy. We are not going to change the standard that has been, frankly, bipartisan up until recent days. … I'm just not going to allow that to happen.” The Hyde Amendment is named after the late Republican Rep. Henry Hyde of Illinois whose 1976 amendment to a health funding bill prohibited funding for abortions “except where the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried to term.” Since then, Hyde provisions have been a non-negotiable item for Republicans in funding bills. Republican Rep. Mark Harris of North Carolina told The Daily Signal, “All the folks I hear from are very committed to Hyde.” House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, a Roman Catholic who chairs the House Pro-Life Caucus, also rejected the idea of finding middle-ground on the issue. He told reporters, “There's no flexibility. You're either using public funds to pay for abortion or you're not.” And appearing on Washington Watch with Tony Perkins, Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma said this. LANKFORD: “I'm not flexible on the value of every single child. Every single child is valuable. There aren't some children that are disposable and some children that are valuable. Every child is valuable.” Proverbs 31:8 says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.” Baltimore Ravens rookie kicker turns to Bible after missing field goal And finally, after missing a crucial field goal in the final moments of Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens rookie kicker Tyler Loop pointed probing reporters to Scripture, reports FaithWire.com. There's no doubt Loop was discouraged; he immediately buried his face in his hands after the failed kick. But once he was in the locker room, he opened up about how his personal devotional time — and one passage in particular — comforted him. Tyler told sports journalists, “I had written down a little prayer before the game and [I was] just re-reading it. Faith is a big part of my life and, right now, I'm reading the book of Romans. In Romans 8, it says, ‘God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.'” The pro-athlete was referencing Romans 8:28. In that verse, the Apostle Paul spoke directly to Christians, encouraging those who have found salvation through Jesus with the promise that — for them — all things will work out for their good. The verse says, “And we know that, for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, January 9th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

My daughter Ellie Hiller joins me to share the story behind her new book, To Whom Shall I Go, and the faith journey that inspired it. Once convinced she needed to convert Catholics, Ellie never imagined she would become a Catholic convert herself.  In this candid conversation, she talks about how her husband's conversion impacted their marriage, the doubts and questions that shaped her path, and why she intentionally wrote this book for those who aren't Catholic.    QUESTIONS ANSWERED ABOUT ELLIE'S FAITH JOURNEY:  What ultimately led Ellie to convert to Catholicism? Does Ellie believe Protestants can be Christians? Why did Ellie choose the title To Whom Shall I Go for her book, and what does it mean to her faith story? What was it like when Ellie's husband, Sean, became a Catholic convert before her? How did their differing beliefs impact their marriage? What was the pivotal moment that moved Ellie from questioning Catholicism to embracing it? What is the difference between Catholic and Protestant communion, and why did that distinction matter so deeply to Ellie?   LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED: To Whom Shall I Go by Ellie Hiller on Amazon Sean Hiller's YouTube Channel   WHERE TO LISTEN The SavvyCast is available on all podcasting platforms and YouTube. One of the best ways to support the show is by leaving a rating and review—I so appreciate you sharing your thoughts, my friends!   ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? CHECK THESE OUT! My Husband Converted to Catholicism: How We Navigate Faith Differences in Marriage Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube Our Family is Growing, We're Going to be Grandparents! Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Watch on YouTube

That's not fair! Virtually every parent has heard that complaint countless times from their children. But many adults, including Christians, say the same thing when confronted with the spiritual teachings on election, predestination, and salvation by God's free sovereign grace. What does the Bible have to say about these complex and controversial subjects? Find out on Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/791/29?v=20251111

We're back. Not with a reset episode, not with resolutions—but with a real conversation.This episode wrestles with evangelism as it actually exists for pastors and everyday Christians: fear, hesitation, prayer, relational tension, transfer growth, and the strange reality that preaching can feel easier than talking to your neighbor.No formulas. No guilt. Just honest reflection on why evangelism matters—and why it's harder than we admit.Contact us at podcast@tobethechurch.com

1 Peter 2:11-25 (NKJV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin recognize the main theme of the second half of 1 Peter 2 about instruction in honorable conduct before the Gentiles who mistreat us.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=24013The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

Is America witnessing a quiet Christian revival - and why does it terrify the cultural gatekeepers? For decades, Christians were told to sit down, shut up, and stay out of politics. That faith belonged in private. That masculinity was toxic. That truth was negotiable. But something has shifted. Young men are pushing back. Churches are filling back up. And a generation raised on chaos is searching for meaning, order, and moral clarity - whether the culture likes it or not. Studio Sponsor: ⁠Cardio Miracle⁠ - "Unlock the secret to a healthier heart, increased energy levels, and transform your cardiovascular fitness like never before.": ⁠CardioMiracle.com/TBNS⁠ In this episode, I'm joined by Bryce Eddy to break down why Christian values are re-entering public life, why Gen Z men are rejecting secular nonsense, and why politics can never be separated from belief systems. We dig into masculinity, persuasion vs arguing, Charlie Kirk's legacy, weak men vs dangerous men, and why selling good ideas matters more than winning debates. This isn't about nostalgia - it's about whether a free society can survive without a moral foundation. ❤️ Order ⁠Cardio Miracle⁠ (⁠CardioMiracle.com/TBNS⁠) for 15% off and take a step towards better heart health and overall well-being!

Is digital evangelism the new wave of sharing the gospel? In this video, we sit down with Dani Villanueva to talk about online evangelism, social media ministry, and whether the internet is actually an effective place to reach people with the message of Jesus.With Gen Z living more of life online than ever before, Christians are asking important questions: Does digital evangelism really work? How do you share your faith online without being cringey or combative? Can social media actually lead people to Christ? We explore these questions honestly, biblically, and practically.Whether you're a new Christian, someone curious about Jesus, a skeptic, or a believer who wants to strengthen your faith and learn how to evangelize in today's culture, this conversation is for you. We talk about real strategies for online ministry, common mistakes Christians make online, and how to represent Christ well in digital spaces.If you're interested in Christian apologetics, faith and social media, Gen Z Christianity, or learning how to share the gospel in a digital age, this video will challenge and encourage you.Got any questions or topics you'd like to hear about? You can email us at ⁠tydhcpod@gmail.comLike our content? Consider helping us grow through Patreon, a follow, or subscribe!Leave a rating on whatever platform you listen on and write some nice commentsYOUTUBE ⁠here⁠PATREON  ⁠here⁠INSTAGRAM: ⁠www.instagram.com/thingsyoudonthearinchurchpod⁠YOUTUBELike our content? Consider helping us through Patreon, a follow, or subscribe!INSTAGRAMhttps://www.instagram.com/thingsyoudonthearinchurchpodSPOTIFY:https://open.spotify.com/show/1Ttha9t5PEg2vLVKEbzRABPATREON:https://www.patreon.com/TYDHCGot a question? You can email us at tydhcpod@gmail.com

This episode of Dangerous Dogma features a conversation between Word&Way Editor Brian Kaylor, Lutheran minister and journalist Angela Denker, and Disciples pastor and author Beau Underwood. The conversation includes consideration of the U.S. attack on Venezuelan and how Christians are responding, Pete Hegseth's pledge to change the military chaplaincy program, and how people are now betting on the return of Jesus and pretty much everything else in life. You can watch a video version of the conversation here. Here are a few pieces related to the episode: Brian wrote at A Public Witness about Christian responses to the U.S. attack on Venezuela. The Bulwark unpacked problems with Hegseth's criticism of the military chaplaincy program. Brian documented Hegseth's Christian prayer services at the Pentagon. People have been betting on the return of Jesus. Also, check out the most recent books by the three panelists: Brian Kaylor, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power Angela Denker, Disciples of White Jesus: The Radicalization of American Boyhood Beau Underwood (with Brian Kaylor), Baptizing America How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism

What does the Bible say about putting labels before our beliefs? Do you describe yourself as a hyphenated individual? God's word specifically speaks about Christians who think like this and what we should be doing instead.(00:00) A hyphenated culture(04:30) Patrick Henry and the end of divided identity(07:30) Biblical unity: One in Christ(11:20) Temptation vs. identity(18:40) Cultural labels and political faith(24:20) Cultures, denominations, and biblical truth(28:40) The global church without hyphens(33:40) Final call: No labels, only Christ CONNECT WITH PASTOR JACK:Get Updates via Text:  https://text.whisp.io/jack-hibbs-podcast Website: https://jackhibbs.com/Instagram: http://bit.ly/2FCyXpOFacebook: https://bit.ly/2WZBWV0 YouTube: https://bit.ly/437xMHnTwitter/X: https://x.com/RealJackHibbs CALLED TO TAKE A BOLD STAND:https://boldstand.org/DAZE OF DECEPTION:https://jackhibbs.com/daze-of-deception/ Did you know we have a Real Life Network? Sign up for free today for more exclusive content:https://www.reallifenetwork.com/

Many Christians think stewardship is just about money or volunteering. Dr. Tony Evans stretches our understanding of stewardship, showing how God's expectations touch every area of life, from family to work to spiritual responsibility.

Segment 1 • When can we address an event without it being gossip? • As we get older, the temptations and challenges that we face change too. • We're not gossiping about anyone - but these are warnings that apply to everyone. Segment 2 • A respected Christian author admits to an 8-year affair. How did this happen? • As we get older, we can get bogged down with fatigue and complacency. • If we grow soft and lethargic, our theology leans that way too. Segment 3 • Older Christians don't automatically become wiser. • When leaders aren't held accountable, they can drift in silence for years. • Isolation makes us vulnerable. If no one can speak truth and accountability into your life, you're in danger. Segment 4 • We will not be free of temptation and sin until this life is over. • Don't wait until it's too late - be on the lookout for signs of “softening”. • 5 warning signs: Bible boredom, church indifference, gospel apathy, worldly comfort, and minimized sin. ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Genesis 4:1–15 Jealousy, anger, and murder have existed from the beginning. We see them in the first few pages of the Bible. How Christians handle their emotions and temptations toward sin matters. Dig deep into Genesis 4 with Pastor Chuck Swindoll. Face the reality of hatred and sin by examining the tragedy of Cain and Abel. Refuse to tolerate jealousy and unrestrained anger. Release it to God. His way provides the way out—take it!

From Pews to Planet: Faith-Based Steps to Better Creation Stewardship   In this episode of the Good Faith Podcast, host Curtis Chang and guest Dr. Katherine Hayhoe—Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy and a committed evangelical Christian—explore why Christians and churches should care about climate change as a biblical "love your neighbor" issue rooted in justice for the poor and vulnerable. Hayhoe explains how political polarization and "solution aversion" fuel climate skepticism. She introduces the "Six Americas" framework and offers practical guidance for having hopeful, effective conversations that connect climate action to what people already care about. Dr. Hayhoe offers actionable next steps for individuals and congregations—like sharing solutions, starting church initiatives, and leading with hope instead of doom—so Christians can faithfully steward God's creation.   05:23 - Dr. Hayhoe's Faith Journey and Science 07:12 - Experiencing Creation's Vulnerability  09:17 - Is Climate Change a Justice Issue? 10:42 - Encountering Christian Climate Skepticism  18:06 - Christian Organizations and Climate Action 24:35 - Connecting Climate to Personal Values A 28:23 - Navigating Difficult Conversations  33:31 -  What Are the "Six Americas" of Climate Attitudes? 43:02 - Scientific Evidence and Human Impact  48:15 - Focusing on Solutions, Not Just Science  50:03 - What Is One Action Step for the Unsure Christian? 53:00 - What Is One Action Step for the Committed Christian  55:00 - Are There Practical Church-Based Climate Actions?   Episode Companion: Christians and Climate Change Guide 1   Sign up for the Good Faith Newsletter   Mentioned In This Episode:   Organizations and Networks A Rocha USA Evangelical Environmental Network Tearfund Compassion International World Vision Yale Program on Climate Change Communication   Websites, Tools, Books, and Newsletters Skeptical Science Global Weirding (Video podcast) Colby May's Energy For Purpose (ministry Energy Management) Mark Noll's The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind Dr. John Cook's Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change: How to Understand and Respond to Climate Science Deniers Bill McKibben's website   Studies and Surveys National Academy of Sciences Survey Results (2023-2024) Belief in divine (versus human) control of earth affects perceived threat of climate change (npj) Pew Research: The pope is concerned about climate change. How do U.S. Catholics feel about it? (2023) The Yale Program on Climate Change Communication: Climate Change in the American Mind: Beliefs & Attitudes (2025)   More From Dr. Katharine Hayhoe: Katharine Hayhoe's Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World Katharine Hayhoe's Substack: Talking Climate Katharine Hayhoe's website  Subscribe to Katharine Hayhoe's Newsletter   Follow Us: Good Faith on Instagram Good Faith on X (formerly Twitter) Good Faith on Facebook   The Good Faith Podcast is a production of a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan organization that does not engage in any political campaign activity to support or oppose any candidate for public office. Any views and opinions expressed by any guests on this program are solely those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Good Faith.

In this episode of Pray the Word on Genesis 15:1, David Platt challenges us to put our faith in God as our Shield and Great Reward.Explore more content from Radical.

In this episode, we welcome Raymond Ibrahim back to the show. He is an author, translator, columnist, and vocal critic of Islam. He is an expert in Islamic history and doctrine and is fluent in English and Arabic. He is the author of multiple books including “Sword and Scimitar: Fourteen Centuries of War Between Islam and the West”, “Defenders of the West: The Christian Heroes Who Stood Against Islam”, and his newest book “The Two Swords of Christ: Five Centuries of War between Islam and the Warrior Monks of Christendom”. In this interview, we discuss why there is so much ignorance as to the true tenets of the Islamic religion, his commentary on the targeting of Christians by Muslims in Africa, an overview of “the Crusades”, an overview of the Templar Knights and the Hospitallers, how Muslims use slavery as a tool of warfare, how Muslims are taught to pretend to assimilate into countries that they hope to conquer in the future, and much more. Let's get into it… Episode notes and links HERE. Donate to support our mission of equipping men to push back darkness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our loving heavenly Father wants His children to be a joyful people. But sometimes we seek out joy and fulfillment where they can never be found. Today, Sinclair Ferguson shows where true happiness lies and how Christians can obtain it. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/how-to-be-happy/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

How can Christians know which biblical commands and promises apply to all believers? Today, Joel Kim explains how to read Scripture faithfully by honoring both its context and its enduring wisdom. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/ask-ligonier/which-commands-and-promises-in-the-bible-only-apply-to-those-being-immediately-spoken-to-and-which-apply-to-all-believers/ Study Reformed theology with a free resource bundle from Ligonier Ministries: https://grow.ligonier.org/ Submit a biblical or theological question of your own by calling 1-800-607-9386 or by emailing an audio recording of your question to askligoniervm@ligonier.org. You can also receive real-time answers through our online chat service at https://ask.ligonier.org/. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In this special edition of the Theology Mom podcast, Krista examines the "I" in DEI from a historic Christian perspective. She contrasts the widely agreeable "noble" definitions of inclusion and belonging with their real-world applications in workplaces and Christian institutions, highlighting unintended consequences, ideological conflicts with biblical teaching, and how DEI practices often infiltrate conservative Christian universities through a shifting of definitions. A thoughtful call for Christians to pursue biblical unity, hospitality, and impartial justice rather than secular social engineering. The Biola Chronicles | Theology Mom YouTube playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHfxxaVbHJaajgjRpeC6w2d2h3ftjiYrD Diversity/DEI | CFBU YouTube playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSr-7Jtur6g_bGxIsIWliAUr-H25uipQu Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology―Implications for the Church and Society https://a.co/d/2ftQnuf #DEI #Inclusion #Belonging #Christianperspective

A few years ago, a study found only ten percent of Christians, and only four percent of young people, in America have a biblical worldview.

In this encore episode of Us & Them, host Trey Kay shares the story of a simple song written more than 250 years ago that now has a profound and universal legacy. John Newton wrote the hymn Amazing Grace to connect with Christians and over decades it's been sung to a number of melodies. However, addition to its religious origins, it is now a popular folk song and an anthem for civil rights which transcends divisions and speaks to people across time and faiths about shared pain, hope and forgiveness. Newton's creation may have been inspired by his past as a slave and captain of a slave ship. But today, Amazing Grace is a comforting song of redemption that helps many recover from dark times and see ahead to the light. 

Share a commentFire tore through Rome and a rumor finished the job. As the city smoldered, Nero's propaganda machine named Christians as arsonists, and what had been scattered suspicion hardened into open hostility. Into that pressure cooker, Peter writes like a seasoned shepherd, urging believers to hold their confession without panic and to choose a defiant, settled joy that makes the world curious.We walk through why the shortest creed, “Jesus Christ,” is both the church's anchor and culture's stumbling block. Peter stakes the claim that Jesus is the anointed Messiah and God the Son, echoing Acts 4:12 and the earliest preaching of the apostles. We contrast the apostles' experience with Paul's sudden encounter on the Damascus Road, unpacking why he often says “Christ Jesus” and how that reinforces the same confession from a different angle. The thread running through it all is grace: not a cushion for comfort but solid ground that cannot be shaken by mockery, loss, or marginalization.To bring the theology to life, we zoom in on Peter himself. He's brave, impulsive, corrected often, and yet restored—exactly the kind of flawed follower grace can turn into a pillar. From the Mount of Transfiguration, where his words drift into nonsense, to Caesarea Philippi, where his insight nails the truth, we see how God shaped him to sign his letter, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,” with a steady hand. Along the way we get practical: why the end of casual Christianity can be good news, how joy functions as evangelism, and why a rooted local church is a lifeline for worship, teaching, prayer, and mission when the cost of faith rises.If you're sensing that cultural comfort and Christian conviction no longer fit together, you're not alone—and you're not without a map. Press play to learn how to stand firm in true grace, keep a clear confession, and live with a luminous joy when the lights go out. If this resonated, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review to help others find the show.Get our magazine and daily devotional: https://www.wisdomonline.org/lp/magazineSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

What happens when an Australian butcher starts reading Leviticus—and finds it fun? In this unique episode, Dru Johnson speaks with Phil Bray, author of Leviticus on the Butcher's Block, about how his day job cutting lambs and steaks helped him see the book of Leviticus in a whole new light. Phil traces his journey from casual Bible reader to Leviticus superfan, exploring how rituals, sacrifice, and atonement make far more sense when you've broken down hundreds of animals by hand. Phil shares how ancient sacrificial rituals weren't necessarily about violent death but about preparing food as a gift to God. The conversation dives into the Hebrew understanding of holiness, clean vs. unclean, and why God's presence is depicted as a space without disease or death. Along the way, Phil and Dru reflect on Mary Douglas, Jewish slaughter laws, the power of smell and memory, and how the altar isn't where the animal dies—but where it becomes holy. Phil's insights bring theology and meat science into one coherent (and hilarious) frame, showing why Leviticus is deeply spiritual, richly embodied, and more relevant than most Christians assume. For Phil's YouTube Channel, go here: https://www.youtube.com/@Leviticus_is_fun We are listener supported. Give to the cause here: https://hebraicthought.org/give For more articles: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Social Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HebraicThought Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebraicthought Threads: https://www.threads.net/hebraicthought X: https://www.twitter.com/HebraicThought Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hebraicthought.org Chapters: 00:00 The Journey to Leviticus 03:19 Understanding Atonement and Sacrifice 06:19 The Butcher's Perspective on Rituals 09:15 Cultural Context of Sacrifice 12:32 The Nature of Death in Sacrifice 15:29 The Art of Kosher Slaughter 18:23 Leviticus: A Fun Exploration 21:27 The Meaning Beyond Death in Rituals 27:01 The Olfactory Experience of Worship 30:24 The Significance of Sacrifice in Ancient Cultures 34:07 Rethinking Atonement and Sacrifice 39:19 The Life of Jesus: More Than Just Death 45:06 Leviticus: A Guide to Drawing Near to God

Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN   Carey Nieuwhof Interview - Podcast Notes Overview Conversation with Carey Nieuwhof about the shift in modern church worship from entertainment-focused to encounter-focused experiences, live streaming strategy, and church growth in the digital age. Key Themes 1. The Shift: Entertainment vs. Encounter The Problem with Modern Church Production Social media created a "copycat phase" where churches could suddenly see what megachurches were doing Churches adopted same equipment, same songs, same production values What was unique became ubiquitous - "we all became copies of each other" Gen Z is "the most marketed to generation in human history" and numb to production Quote: "Gen Z is the most marketed to generation in human history. And we're all kind of numb to the production. I don't think people are looking for hype. They're looking for hope." What People Actually Want Something real and tangible An experience of God, not just information about God Presence, not just presentation Transformation over information The Internet's Limitation Really good at delivering information (especially with AI) Cannot facilitate an encounter "There's something that happens in the room that doesn't happen online" 2. What "Encounter Over Entertainment" Looks Like The Tonal Shift Worship leaders being more sensitive to what's happening in the room, not just rehearsed transitions Preachers leaving space, not just hitting time marks Paying attention to what God might be doing (people crying, leaning in, visible reactions) Creating space to breathe Silence and Space "When I started in ministry, my goal was to get rid of as much silence in church as I could" Now: "Where else are you going to get silence? You don't get it unless you're in church" Don't have to fill every moment with words Can be silent or "noodle" on instruments while creating space Quote: "People's lives are so noisy and so crowded. I mean, we don't even sleep without white noise machines or anything like that. So where else are you going to get silence?" Evoke vs. Manipulate Can't plan a revival - it happens or it doesn't Job is to "set the table" and make space for the Holy Spirit Example: Great movies evoke genuine tears by accessing real emotions Cheap manipulation feels different Quote: "It's not our job as Christians to manipulate. It's our job possibly to evoke, to say, 'I'm going to set the table. I can't control the Holy Spirit.'" 3. The Liturgy Issue Modern Church is "Liturgically Malnourished" Liturgy = order of service (not an outdated term) Modern church handles joy and praise well Missing: contemplation, confession, lamentation, reflection Lost practices: prayers of confession, prayers of the people Carey's Confession Presbyterian background included prayers of approach and confession As church became attractional, prayer became "just an opportunity to clear the set for the sermon" Regrets thin prayers: "God, it's so good to be here today. We thank you so much. Amen." Quote: "It's like confess your sins to one another and you will be healed. We don't do that anymore. What if we did that?" Not Either/Or, But Both/And Keep good lighting, sound, production, and musicians who can play Add breathing room, texture, color, tone, mood Use liturgical calendar and historic practices adapted to modern context Don't approach Sunday as "slots to fill" Creative Freedom 52 Sundays = 52 blank canvases Already do this well at Easter and Christmas Can be more creative without confusing people Example: Good Friday Service Ended in darkness with no announcement Faded to black and stayed there People sat in uncomfortable silence, then slowly left "I wanted them to feel that discomfort... if you can even get a small sampling of that" Easter Sunday picked up in darkness, then sunrise/resurrection 4. Live Streaming Strategy Who Should Live Stream? Not every church needs to live stream everything Need good musicians to sound great online (around 400-500 attendance to have talent base) Need separate mix for online vs. in-house Poor production = "school play" - only interesting to those directly involved Quote: "A lot of churches, and these are well-meaning, beautiful Christian people. If you don't have the talent in production or in worship, you sound like a school play." Alternatives Stream just the message On-demand after, mixed in post-production Audio only if video isn't good Consider what strangers stumbling on feed would think The Discovery Argument Pre-COVID minority of churches streamed Now "everybody you want to reach is online" "All of non-Christian America, all the nuns, all the duns, all the atheists, all the agnostics, they're on the internet" Can't remember last time truly unchurched person hadn't watched online for weeks/months before visiting The New Foyer Online is now the foyer, not the physical lobby People investigate online before visiting By the time they show up, they're ready to go "further, faster" "They've already done their investigating. They've already asked ChatGPT all the questions" 5. Practical Service Design Handling Growth Pressure Multiple services create pressure to program everything tightly Solution: Trim 5 minutes from sermon Do 60-minute service with breathing room between Create more lobby/connection space Leverage outdoor space (if climate allows) Worship Set Strategy Don't need extended mix of everything Maybe two songs and a tag instead of three full songs "Sit in the tag for a while" Find the high-impact moments (example: bridge of "How Great Is Our God") Get to what matters, like talent shows do 90-second versions Quote: "You don't have to do the extended mix of everything, the seven minute version, do the tag. That would be great. Space is something that you can do in three minutes if you know how to do it well." Service Flow Examples Don't make people stand and greet (where else does that happen?) Have emotionally intelligent people on doors, not just available people Greet people the way THEY want to be greeted Consider kids moments, announcements, communion as natural transitions Call to commitment/involvement comes sooner now than 10 years ago 6. Online Presence Best Practices Website Design Design for new people first Show service times and location prominently (mobile friendly) Staff page is #3 most viewed - people want to see "are there people like me?" Use accurate photos (don't show 27-year-olds if congregation is 70+) Show actual diversity if you have it Quote (Seth Godin): "Culture is people like us do things like this. So what people are looking for, are there people like us?" Content Strategy Lead with best sermons, not just latest Most popular videos should be easy to find People don't care if it's from 2 years ago (still watching The Office) Have robust FAQ section for unchurched questions Position yourself for lost people, not just members 7. The Current Moment The Harvest is Ripe People are seeking more than maybe in past decade or two Culture is saturated with production - not the competitive edge anymore Mental health crisis caused by social media People desperate for something real What to Do Pray for it (spiritual activity) Make newcomer journey easy Take them somewhere when they show up Go deeper faster - they're ready Quote: "People come to church looking to find God, but sometimes all they find is us. They found a really cool song, they found a really great message, but they didn't actually find God in the midst of it." Give Them Meat Reference to Tara-Lee Cobble and The Bible Recap Provide historical context (helps Christians AND non-Christians) Don't be afraid to go deep on sin, gospel, redemption Write/speak in accessible "street Greek" like the New Testament Example Opening: "Hey, we're going back 3000 years. And there was a guy named David who was King of Israel. He was trying to keep the kingdom united because there was a north and a south. You can relate to that. These are divided times..." Quote (Tim Keller): "It's worse than you can possibly imagine and better than you can possibly dream." 8. Leadership Advice For Young Church Staff (25-40) Navigating Frustration with Leadership Write down actual issues you're facing (budget, staffing, expertise) Present respectfully, thoughtfully, submissively Good leaders will either provide resources or adjust priorities Identifying Toxic Culture Unrealistic expectations Unsympathetic to staff needs Expects 60-hour weeks with no life Toxic leader will get mad/defensive when approached Options in Toxic Environment Respectfully approach and share difficulties Accept the glass ceiling and stay Build healthy team within unhealthy body (temporary solution) Leave - "unhealthy bodies drive out healthy cells" Interview Questions for New Positions Ask to talk to current staff (not the pastor) Ask to talk to FORMER staff Find out who left and why Read Google reviews Have meals/experiences together (reveals character under pressure) Quote: "Ask around, ask if you have permission. Don't ask the pastor. Don't ask the pastor. Are you healthy? The toxic people, 'I'm so healthy.'" 9. Team Building & Growth Hiring Philosophy Only hire A players C players: you know immediately (late, unmotivated, incomplete work) - should be gone B players: good but not great - "it's too bad but we'll survive" A players: if they quit you'd need 3 people to replace them Quote (Netflix): "Adequate performance gets you a generous severance package." A Player Test If they knocked on the door saying "this is my last day," how do you react? C player: "Thank goodness, now I don't have to fire them" B player: "Too bad but we'll survive" A player: "Grabbing the waste basket and throwing up" Growth Wisdom Don't settle on staff because you're panicking Will eventually become bloated with no profit Profit = "permission to do this again tomorrow" (Seth Godin) Most businesses fail not from lack of vision but lack of cash Use tools like Working Genius to find right fit Don't just find A players - find A players with gifts your team needs Cultural Values Write them down and review regularly Ritz-Carlton: 26 values, reviewed 2-3 daily in team meetings Use to evaluate: "Where are we winning/losing with our values?" Catch team members exemplifying values Values help instill culture as org chart grows 10. Upcoming Projects Carey's New Book Topic: AI and the Future Church Thesis: "As the world becomes more artificial, we need to become more human as Christians" Church's future direction is human connection Expected publication: 2026 Latest Book "At Your Best" - about time, energy, and priorities Notable Statistics & Data Points 72% of teenagers have tried AI chatbots 31% prefer AI companionship to human companions Pre-COVID: minority of churches streamed services Can't recall single unchurched person who didn't watch online for weeks/months before visiting Around 400-500 attendance: churches start having talent base for good production 80-95% of church growth in America is conversion growth (not transfer) Top 3 website pages: Homepage, Messages, Staff/About Production Quality Basics Good Enough to Stream Great singing (doesn't need to be phenomenal) Decent lights Pretty good mix Can work with church of 150-200 with good coaching Everything else can be helped with technology Bare Minimum Great guitarist + great vocalist = "off to the races" Don't feel pressure to have full mediocre band Add musicians as you find/afford great ones Practical Takeaways Create space in services - silence, breathing room, sensitivity to the room Recover lost liturgical practices - confession, lamentation, contemplation Go deeper faster - people are ready for meat, not just milk Design for online discovery - unchurched people are investigating you Lead with best content - not just latest content Only hire A players - don't panic hire when growing Build real human connection - counter to increasingly artificial world Make newcomer journey easy - they're ready to engage quickly Be creative with 52 Sundays - not just slots to fill Focus on encounter over entertainment - production supports experience, doesn't replace it Questions for Further Reflection How can we create more space for confession in our services? What would it look like to "evoke" rather than "manipulate" in worship? Are we positioning our online presence for unchurched discovery? Is our production supporting encounter or replacing it? What emotions are people carrying into our services, and how do we acknowledge that? Are we moving too fast for the Holy Spirit to work? Memorable Quotes "I don't think people are looking for hype. They're looking for hope." "People aren't looking for more information. They're looking for presence, not just presentation." "The internet is really good at information, especially with AI. You want to know anything, you can find out anything, but the internet can't really facilitate an encounter." "It's not our job as Christians to manipulate. It's our job possibly to evoke." "Where else are you going to get silence? You don't get it unless you're in church." "If you don't have the talent in production or in worship, you sound like a school play." "Everybody you want to reach is online." "Your foyer has moved online." "People come to church looking to find God, but sometimes all they find is us." "As the world becomes more artificial, we need to become more human as Christians." "Adequate performance gets you a generous severance package." "Profit is permission to do this again tomorrow."

Many Christians think stewardship is just about money or volunteering. Dr. Tony Evans stretches our understanding of stewardship, showing how God's expectations touch every area of life, from family to work to spiritual responsibility.

On this episode of The Ricecast, Pastors Willy Rice and Dan Pigsley talk about New Years Resolutions and things that every Christian should do. Support the showFind us at! Calvary.us

Share a commentFire tore through Rome and a rumor finished the job. As the city smoldered, Nero's propaganda machine named Christians as arsonists, and what had been scattered suspicion hardened into open hostility. Into that pressure cooker, Peter writes like a seasoned shepherd, urging believers to hold their confession without panic and to choose a defiant, settled joy that makes the world curious.We walk through why the shortest creed, “Jesus Christ,” is both the church's anchor and culture's stumbling block. Peter stakes the claim that Jesus is the anointed Messiah and God the Son, echoing Acts 4:12 and the earliest preaching of the apostles. We contrast the apostles' experience with Paul's sudden encounter on the Damascus Road, unpacking why he often says “Christ Jesus” and how that reinforces the same confession from a different angle. The thread running through it all is grace: not a cushion for comfort but solid ground that cannot be shaken by mockery, loss, or marginalization.To bring the theology to life, we zoom in on Peter himself. He's brave, impulsive, corrected often, and yet restored—exactly the kind of flawed follower grace can turn into a pillar. From the Mount of Transfiguration, where his words drift into nonsense, to Caesarea Philippi, where his insight nails the truth, we see how God shaped him to sign his letter, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,” with a steady hand. Along the way we get practical: why the end of casual Christianity can be good news, how joy functions as evangelism, and why a rooted local church is a lifeline for worship, teaching, prayer, and mission when the cost of faith rises.If you're sensing that cultural comfort and Christian conviction no longer fit together, you're not alone—and you're not without a map. Press play to learn how to stand firm in true grace, keep a clear confession, and live with a luminous joy when the lights go out. If this resonated, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review to help others find the show.Get our magazine and daily devotional: https://www.wisdomonline.org/lp/magazineSupport the showStephen's latest book, The Disciples Prayer, is available now. https://www.wisdomonline.org/store/view/the-disciples-prayer-hardback

What's the difference between true revival and revivalism, and how should Christians respond when God seems to be stirring something fresh? Mark reflects on the Salt Company Conference and the broader signs of spiritual hunger he's seeing among Gen Z. He explains why this moment is deeply encouraging, while also offering a needed distinction between revival and revivalism.Mark draws from Iain Murray's Revival and Revivalism and echoes a helpful framework often attributed to Tim Keller: in true revival, dead Christians come alive, sleepy Christians wake up, and non-Christians are converted. As he looks ahead, Mark shares both a fear and a hope: that momentum could drift toward big event “mountaintop moments,” or instead fuel a lasting renewal centered on the local church, discipleship, and church planting.Episode Highlights00:04 — What does it look like to be deeply rooted in Christ in a world of cultural chaos? 00:32 — Reflecting on Salt Company Conference and what God is doing through it02:29 — Introducing the key question: revival vs. revivalism 05:03 — Defining revival: God's Spirit igniting ordinary means of grace 06:06 — Defining revivalism: using human methods to produce extraordinary results 06:57 — Mark's fear: momentum gets centered on big events and emotional moments 07:29 — Mark's hope: a renewal movement that strengthens the local church 10:13 — The main point: God's plan is the local church (not revival events) 15:43 — Luke 10:2: pray for laborers and for lasting fruit through church plantingResourcesCornerstone Church Sermons: Listen onlineSalt Company Conference: Listen to Sessions & BreakoutsRevival and Revivalism — Iain MurrayThe Gospel Coalition — "It's Here: Gen-Z Revival Hits Campuses This Fall"

1 Peter 2:9-12 (ESV)Andrew, Isack, and Edwin discuss the war being waged against our souls from the enemy, the world, and our flesh.Read the written devo that goes along with this episode by clicking here.    Let us know what you are learning or any questions you have. Email us at TextTalk@ChristiansMeetHere.org.    Join the Facebook community and join the conversation by clicking here. We'd love to meet you. Be a guest among the Christians who meet on Livingston Avenue. Click here to find out more. Michael Eldridge sang all four parts of our theme song. Find more from him by clicking here.   Thanks for talking about the text with us today.________________________________________________If the hyperlinks do not work, copy the following addresses and paste them into the URL bar of your web browser: Daily Written Devo: https://readthebiblemakedisciples.wordpress.com/?p=24006The Christians Who Meet on Livingston Avenue: http://www.christiansmeethere.org/Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TalkAboutTheTextFacebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/texttalkMichael Eldridge: https://acapeldridge.com/ 

As Amanda's sabbatical begins, we are revisiting previous episodes of the podcast. This week marked the 5th anniversary of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. In today's episode of Respecting Religion, hear a conversation two years after the attack. Amanda and Holly share their reactions to the report released by the January 6 Select Committee at the end of 2022, including the lack of any mention of Christian nationalism and why that matters. They also discuss the importance of Christian leaders providing an alternative witness in 2023 to the Christian nationalism exhibited during the attack on the Capitol. And, they review how the insurrection still shapes our world and how it – surprisingly – doesn't shape Capitol tours. This program originally aired on January 12, 2023, in season 4 of Respecting Religion.   SHOW NOTES This episode was originally broadcast as episode 10 of season 4 in 2023. For another conversation about January 6 and Christian nationalism, check out S3, Ep. 12 from 2022. Segment 1 (starting at 01:06): The Select Committee Report Read the final report of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. We played a clip compiling three individuals' statements during the January 6 hearings claiming the Constitution was divinely inspired: Greg Jacob, Rusty Bowers, and Rep. Liz Cheney. See the video on Amanda's Twitter (now X) account. The comprehensive BJC/Freedom From Religion Foundation report on Christian nationalism and the January 6, 2021 insurrection is available online. Click here to read the letter organized by BJC and Christians from Christian Nationalism to the Select Committee, asking them to investigate how Christian nationalism motivated and intensified the attack. Watch Amanda's testimony about Christian nationalism before a House subcommittee in December 2022 at this link. Amanda and Holly discuss it in more detail in episode 9 of season 10. Amanda and Holly mentioned this article by Vera Bergengruen for TIME Magazine: Why a Group of Christians Is Fighting the Growing Threat of Christian Nationalism Additional media coverage on the absence of Christian nationalism from the final report: Despite ample evidence, Christian nationalism mostly absent from final Jan. 6 report by Jack Jenkins for Religion News Service Christian nationalism conspicuously absent from January 6 report, featuring an interview with Amanda Tyler and MSNBC's Alicia Menendez on the Alex Wagner Tonight program   Segment 2 (starting at 21:01): Contrasting images on the 2nd anniversary of January 6 After this podcast was first released, BJC created a compilation of clips from the 2023 prayer vigil, which you can watch on BJC's YouTube channel.  See BJC's photos of the prayer vigil in this Instagram post. There are also photos still online from Getty Images and Reuters at the vigil.  Watch this short compilation of the two events on January 6, 2023, on the @EndChristianNationalism TikTok.  You can follow the Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign on Instagram and TikTok at the handle @EndChristianNationalism.   Segment 3 (starting at 29:29): Scrubbing the insurrection from Capitol tours Amanda and Holly discussed this story from The Washington Post by Joe Heim: Official U.S. Capitol tour guides told to only mention Jan. 6 if asked Respecting Religion is made possible by BJC's generous donors. You can support these conversations with a gift to BJC. 

Jase offers a painfully funny account of a pre-dawn mishap that leaves his family jewels in serious jeopardy and the rest of the room somewhere between laughing and wincing. Al celebrates turning 61 and reflects on feeling healthier than ever—even as Jase's story proves that the margin for error gets slimmer with age. The guys lay out an overview of 1 John, as well as an account of John's remarkable life. They also dig into why the early church had to defend the truth that Jesus really appeared in the flesh, not as an idea or symbol, but as a living, tangible person.  In this episode: Proverbs 6, verses 26–29; John 20, verses 30–31; 1 Timothy 3, verse 16; John 17, verses 20–26; 1 John 1-5 “Unashamed” Episode 1242 is sponsored by: https://chministries.org/unashamed — See why Christians are ditching health insurance for good. Get a simpler alternative at half the cost! https://helixsleep.com/unashamed — Get 27% off sitewide and make sure you enter our show name after checkout so they know we sent you! Get an extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas when you download the FREE Upside App and use promo code UNASHAMED! http://unashamedforhillsdale.com/ — Sign up now for free, and join the Unashamed hosts every Friday for Unashamed Academy Powered by Hillsdale College Check out At Home with Phil Robertson, nearly 800 episodes of Phil's unfiltered wisdom, humor, and biblical truth, available for free for the first time! Get it on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you listen to podcasts! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/at-home-with-phil-robertson/id1835224621 Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. Chapters: 00:00-13:08 Jase nearly burns off the family jewels 13:09-19:32 Why Willie is bitter about Zach's congressional run 19:33-27:19 Jase finds better hunters than even the Robertsons 27:20-37:00 Overview of 1 John & John's amazing life 37:01-43:34 The fellowship of life 43:35-54:10 The fellowship of death — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Tuesday's Mark Levin Show, Michael Reagan, the eldest adopted son of President Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman, passed away at age 80 in Los Angeles. He was a man of deep faith who overcame early issues to become an engaging and supportive figure, strongly defending his father, Ronald Reagan, and backing President Trump. He wasn't just the son of a president; he was a strong voice for conservative principles and a defender of the values that made this country great. Also, the military's operation that swiftly removed Nicholas Maduro from Caracas, without injuring any American soldiers, was spectacular. Democrats previously called for Maduro's removal but now criticize the action, raising questions of impeachment of President Trump and war crimes. There's a lack of national unity. In the past both parties would celebrate such an event and praise the president and military, but now Democrats oppose it while their militia protests in U.S. cities. The country is in deep trouble regardless of the president, as constitutional protections for free speech and association are exploited by these groups, now joined by a recurring Hitlerian wing of neo-fascists who celebrate Hitler and Stalin, obsessively trash Jews, evangelical Christians supporting Israel, and the U.S. itself, while promoting Islamism and Sharia law. Later, property rights are fundamental human rights, earned through intellectual and physical labor, reflecting one's limited time on earth to accumulate wealth for family. Slogans like Zohran Mamdani's "warmth of the community" mask an iron fist of centralized government that erodes individual rights and liberties, rejecting Enlightenment and Judeo-Christian values in favor of Islamism and Marxism, which are incompatible with America's founding. The collective dehumanizes individuals and diminishes their creations. Afterward, these ideologies, whether Islamist or Marxist are incompatible with Americanism, posing a survival threat rather than an affordability issue. Marxism has failed everywhere, yet it's not taught in schools, media, or by podcasters. Our generation—parents and grandparents—must reclaim the public square to shield children from brainwashing by these diabolical saboteurs, including the Democrat Party, historically hostile to American beliefs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices