Podcasts about city on a hill

Send me a Text Message!This episode is going to hit on a few of my favorite themes, calling, travailing prayer, revival, finishing well, and God's desire to do a new thing. You know I have found over and over again, that it's difficult, to finish well, if we aren't willing to lean into new things. And it's almost impossible to lean into new things, without being done with the old things. So my question is, "Are we done with the old things?" As a church are we done with the old things? I long to see the church shine bright like a city on a hill. I long for us to be known as the hands and heart of Christ. I still believe that the church that Jesus is building is the hope of the world. I want to be part of that church and I'm praying for that church to be done with old things. Do you know what the Bible calls being done with old things? It's called repentance. That's where we will end this episode, with a call to repentance. 

As we wrap up our City on a Hill series, we tackle an essential question: What motivates our outreach?Many people care, but not everyone acts. While guilt, religious duty, and judgment can all produce temporary action, none of them reflect the heart of Jesus. In Matthew 9, we see that Jesus was moved by compassion—a deep, inward mercy that saw people, understood their condition, and moved toward them in love.This episode explores why compassion is the necessary fuel for healthy outreach and how believers can become people who don't just talk about loving others, but consistently live it out.A city on a hill isn't bright because it's impressive. It's bright because it burns with the compassion of Christ.

J.John sits down with Peter Anderson, Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Church in Edinburgh, to explore the journey of building a church from humble beginnings to a thriving, multi-community movement. Starting with just 30 members after four years, Peter shares how City on a Hill has since grown to reach hundreds across seven communities. In this honest and inspiring conversation, he reflects on the tension of holding onto a big vision while facing the challenges of a small reality. Peter also opens up about the powerful culture of prayer among church leaders in Edinburgh and what it looks like to witness signs of a spiritual awakening across Scotland today. If you've ever wrestled with slow progress, big dreams, or staying faithful in the early stages, this conversation will encourage and challenge you.--Follow Peter Anderson on Instagram: @peteedinburgh.Visit the church website: cityonahill.org.uk.Find his book 'Foundations' at https://amzn.eu/d/0bTYOZ6X

Chris Cuomo lays out the analogy he says explains this entire political moment: Ronald Reagan was Superman, and Donald Trump is Bizarro — the dark, distorted mirror image selling the same thing with none of the charm. Trump isn't original, Cuomo argues. He's running Reagan's playbook with all of the darkness and none of the optimism. Cuomo breaks down the structural parallels: the same supply-side economics, the same trickle-down promises that have never worked, and the same explosion of national debt — Reagan blew it up first, and under Trump the debt has now passed GDP for the first time in history. Where Reagan sold a shining city on a hill and played to the better angels, Trump sells anger, destruction, and outrage. Same pitch, opposite delivery — and Cuomo argues it's failing the same way it did in the Reagan midterms of 1982 and 1986. Drawing on his own family history — his father, Mario Cuomo, was the Democratic Party's most powerful answer to Reagan — Chris makes the case that the left won't beat Trump by matching MAGA's anger. The only thing that worked then and works now is being about better: better policies, real ideas on the chip economy, worker training, and small business, not just pointing out that the other side is corrupt. Join The Chris Cuomo Project on YouTube for ad-free episodes, early releases, exclusive access to Chris, and more: https://www.youtube.com/@chriscuomo/join Follow and subscribe to The Chris Cuomo Project on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday: https://linktr.ee/cuomoproject NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to https://NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad Get 15% off OneSkin with the code CUOMO at https://www.oneskin.co/cuomo #oneskinpod #news #trump #politics #reagan #gop #republican #democrat #cuomo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patrick begins with Father James Brent’s encouragement to absorb and ponder Scripture deeply, then reflects on scientific studies about animal intelligence, particularly why apes never ask questions while even young children do which raises profound questions about the soul. Patrick brings in Chris Pratt’s outspoken faith and Marco Rubio’s deep assessment of the Catholic Church’s impact on American history, weaving together spiritual insight, real-life questions, and public witness in unexpected, sometimes even joyful bursts. Audio: As we receive the word of God with our faith, our souls come alive with Fr. James Brent - https://x.com/dominicanfriars/status/2054689776645677258?s=46 (01:14) Apes don’t ask questions - https://x.com/anishmoonka/status/2054558279775240554 (07:13) Martin (11-years-old) - What does this verse from Matthew mean where nations rise against nations? (09:07) Audio: Chris Pratt “you take a risk being vocal” Matthew 5:14 — “A city on a hill cannot be hidden” - https://x.com/newstart_2024/status/2056479303370490228?s=46 (16:01) Audio: Marco Rubio on the Catholic Church in America - https://x.com/Sachinettiyil/status/2053609739716632987?s=46 (22:44) Daniel (13-years-old) - My teacher said there is no sin that God can't forgive. I always thought that it was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that could not be forgiven. (29:58) Patrick reads and responds to an email from a daughter who has been put in a precarious position (37:57) Deacon Mike (email) - A young mother wants to baptize her child but her anti-Catholic, Protestant husband is very much against it. I’m unsure how to advise her. (45:46)

Why are you here? Why now? Why has God placed you in this specific community, city, workplace, family, and season?In this message, we talk about what it means to resolve our location theologically. Through Acts 17, Jeremiah 29, and Matthew 5, we see that God is intentional about where and when we live. Our community is not an accident — it is an assignment.Jesus calls His people salt and light, meaning we are called to proximity, presence, and visibility. We cannot influence people we refuse to be around, and we are not called to hide the light of Christ in us. As followers of Jesus, we allow people to taste and see that the Lord is good through proximity, and we generate visibility for Jesus by reflecting His light.

There's a difference between hearing a sermon and receiving a message. A sermon is something you sit through. A message is something God speaks directly into your life. It's when the living Word of God reaches past information and into transformation. It reshapes how we live, how we love, how we lead, how we parent, how we speak, and how we walk with Him every day.In this message we discover the personal power of God's Word.

In the premiere episode of season five of Our Seven Neighbors: Religion and Resistance in America, host Reza Aslan joins historian and Smithsonian curator Peter Manseau for a sweeping conversation about the real history of religious freedom in the United States. Together, they dismantle the comforting myth that America was founded as a uniformly Christian nation devoted to liberty for all, revealing instead a far more contested and complicated story. From Puritan theocracy and the execution of Quakers to the struggles of Jews, Muslims, Native peoples, and enslaved Africans for recognition and belonging, the episode explores how pluralism in America was not gifted from above, but forged through centuries of conflict, resistance, and negotiation. Drawing on Manseau's landmark work One Nation, Under Gods, the discussion reframes American religious history as a living, unfinished struggle over who counts, whose beliefs matter, and what freedom truly means in a diverse democracy. Aslan and Manseau examine the enduring power of myths like the “city on a hill,” the dangers of Christian nationalism, and the ongoing fight to widen the circle of belonging in American life. At a moment when religious diversity and democratic pluralism are once again under pressure, this episode offers a powerful reminder that the American experiment has always depended on people willing to challenge exclusion and insist that the story is bigger than any one faith, nation, or identity. Subscribe to O7N: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-7-neighbors-religion-and-resistance-in-america/id1511771313 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaius and Germanicus debate in their favorite wine bar by the Thames, in Londinium, Spring 92 AD. This segment critiques the "Redeemer Nation" myth, which portrays America as a divinely appointed "city on a hill" tasked with saving humanity. While this vision was cemented following World War II, the hosts argue it is now an "inappropriate myth" for a nation that has moved closer to the original Roman model of "might makes right." Over the last 25 years, the U.S. is seen as having abandoned its role as a "wellspring of good" in favor of "Roman imperial fiat," using a "gossamer curtain of altruism" to mask the forced bringing of nations to heel. The hosts list a series of failed interventions—including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya—that have resulted in millions of deaths and degraded America's remaining moral authority. They conclude that the idea of American redemption is now a "lie that is no longer sustainable," as the world recognizes the disconnect between the nation's rhetoric and its actions. The episode ends with a stark depiction of the "emperor" lecturing children on the "madness of Iran" while appearing physically diminished and disconnected from reality, suggesting that the U.S. has become the very tyrannical force it once sought to liberate the world from. (3/3)1793 VIRGIL READING THE AENEID TO AUGUSTUS

Visitors drop in unannounced, uninvited, and unprepared for. But guests are planned and prepared for. We live with the anticipation of serving others and bringing them to Christ. In this message we discover how Jesus welcomed those around Him and how we can too.

It's time to do a tribute to yet another key STAR WARS TV show music composer: Kevin Kiner (Ahsoka and the many cartoon shows).   Outside of this, you get to hear an interview clip during this minisode and I guarantee you'll dig his persona instantly.   His movie work includes: Leprechaun, Freaked, Safe House (1998), Tremors 3 and Samaritan (2022) as well as various Roger Corman and Chuck Norris projects.   His TV credits include: Stargate SG-1, SyFy's The Invisible Man, Star Trek: Enterprise, CSI: Miami, Hell on Wheels, Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Narcos: Mexico, City on a Hill, Doom Patrol, Dark Winds & Peacemaker.   Aside from the James Bond videogames, I get to briefly touch on what makes his sound different from other composers of late!       INTERVIEW CLIP:  Gold Derby interview on May 10, 2024     MUSIC USED:  "Undaunted" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Spouting Off with Karen Kataline Defending the American Experiment: History, Populism, and Navigating the New American Populism: Historical Reverence, and the Specter of Antisemitism Guests, Jeffrey Lord: Former Reagan Associate Director & Sal Litvack: Director, "Guns & Moses" This episode of the Alan Nathan All Stars features in-depth discussions with Jeffrey Lord and Salvador Litvack regarding the erosion of historical literacy and the resurgence of antisemitism in American politics. The guests explore the parallels between current social shifts and historical precedents, emphasizing the necessity of civic vigilance and the enduring importance of the U.S.-Israel alliance. Historical Literacy and the Roots of American Dissent Jeffrey Lord emphasizes that a lack of historical knowledge among Americans has contributed to the current political predicament, specifically the rise of socialist and communist ideologies. He traces the American tradition of dissent back to the Pilgrims and the Mayflower Compact, noting that the original settlers were "separatists" seeking to escape the religious and political overreach of King James I. Lord argues that without a reverence for this history, citizens are more susceptible to "left-wing" revisions of the American story, which he believes led to the election of radical figures like the current leadership in New York City. The Reagan Legacy and the Art of Negotiation Drawing from his experience in the Reagan administration, Lord recounts the 1986 Reykjavik summit between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. He highlights Reagan's background as a labor union negotiator, which gave him the resolve to walk away from the table when Gorbachev demanded the abandonment of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). This "walk-away" tactic eventually forced the Soviet Union to return to the table a year later to sign the treaty on Reagan's terms. Lord uses this as a template for how American leaders should handle ideological adversaries: through strength and the clarity of "saying yes" to fundamental principles. Confronting Antisemitism on the Political Right A significant portion of the dialogue focuses on the internal fractures within the conservative movement, specifically regarding antisemitism. Lord defends Mark Levin's recent criticisms of Tucker Carlson, echoing Levin's sentiment that "if you're a Jew hater, you're a Christian hater." The discussion highlights a disturbing trend of "replacement theology" and the scapegoating of Israel. Lord shares his personal observations from a recent trip to Jerusalem, noting that the historical depth of the region—dating back thousands of years—should inform a more serious and respectful American foreign policy. Jewish Resilience and the "Guns & Moses" Philosophy Salvador "Sal" Litvack, director of the thriller Guns & Moses, discusses the historical cycle of Jewish persecution and the necessity of self-defense. He challenges the "victim-blaming" narrative often used against Jewish communities, pointing out that countries historically thrived when they welcomed Jews and declined after expelling them. Litvack critiques the recent interview between Tucker Carlson and Nick Fuentes, arguing that Fuentes uses "80% truth" about American populism to Trojan-horse "irrational" and "dangerous" antisemitic conclusions. He advocates for active community protection, noting that he now carries a firearm in synagogue as part of a trained volunteer security force. The Geopolitical Importance of Israel The guests conclude by addressing the secular and strategic benefits of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Litvack dismisses the narrative that the alliance is one-sided, citing Israel's contributions in intelligence sharing, military technology, and as a stable democratic ally in an unstable region. They warn that the "mob" mentality seen in recent protests outside New York synagogues is a symptom of a broader "Arab Spring in America" that threatens the social fabric of the country. The episode serves as a stark warning about the consequences of historical amnesia. By connecting the dots between the Pilgrims, the Cold War, and modern-day antisemitism, the guests argue that the "American Experiment" is under threat from both external radicalism and internal division. The consensus remains that only through a combination of historical reverence, strategic alliances, and the courage to stand against "rabid" ideologies can the "shining city on a hill" be preserved.

At Cultivate you will hear us talk about a Sunday Experience rather than a Sunday Service. It's not about semantics, but intention. Our heart is to create experiences where people not only hear about Jesus, but experience Him. In this message we discover how we live this out.

Children of Light Ben McEachernEphesians  5:8-16  Once again, it all comes down to our identity in Christ. How do we think about ourselves? What do we understand God's purpose for us to be? Jesus said that when we follow Him we are the light of the world, a city on a hill that can't be hidden. The Jesus way is a lifestyle that reveals Jesus to the world. This week we learn how to be children of light. #NorthRidge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#Jesus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#churchonline⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ WELCOME PAD / MY RESPONSE -- Use this link to respond to the sermon, request prayer, or to give tithe/offerings online: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://northridgefellowship.churchce...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I'M SAYING YES TO JESUS!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://northridgefellowship.churchce...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MORE SERVICE INFO AND INTERACTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://northridgefellowship.org/watch/⁠

Shocking Security Failures in the Attempted Trump Assassination Attempt, Deep State? Eric Metaxas and John Zmirak. The Theory of Everything Documentary, American Revolution Book Shocking Security Failures in the Attempted Trump Assassination Attempt Eric's New Book on the American Revolution New Documentary ‘The Theory of Everything' Today On The Eric Metaxas Show, Eric talks with John Zmirak about the latest attempt on President Trump's life, the shocking security failures, Tommy Robinson, the rise of political violence, and why parts of the left now seem to justify violence against their enemies. They also discuss Eric's new book on the American Revolution, the difference between America's founding and the French Revolution, and why Darwinian materialism leaves young people vulnerable to destructive ideologies. The Eric Metaxas Show John Zmirak   Apr 29 2026   Subscribe for clips from The Eric Metaxas Show to hear politics and culture from a Christian perspective.⭐ PRE-ORDER TODAY:Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World

Also --  JT & Looney talk NBA playoffs, NHL Playoffs, Boxing and "waking up and enjoying life rather than raging about politics."  PLUS -- JT describes the city of Los Angeles as "chaos" as LA-DEE-DAH Looney looks out the window and describes LA as "a shining city on a hill." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matthew 5 | George Wright

A storm-tossed servant nearly vanishes into the Atlantic but ends up shaping the future of the United States.  This is the dramatic saga of the Mayflower — the persecution that drove the Pilgrims from England, their nightmare crossing of the Atlantic, and the fragile pact that held their fractured community together.  You'll meet Squanto, whose astonishing journey across continents becomes the colony's lifeline, and follow the rise of the Puritans, the clash of empires, and the eruption of King Philip's War, one of the bloodiest conflicts in American history.  This unlikely story of faith and resilience traces how one tiny ship's journey forever alters a continent. GLENN'S SPONSORS: Relief Factor: If you're living with aches and pains, see how Relief Factor, a daily drug-free supplement, could help you feel better and live better. Try the three-week QuickStart for just $19.95 by visiting ⁠⁠https://ReliefFactor.com⁠⁠. American Financing: American Financing can show you how to put your hard-earned equity to work and get you out of debt. Dial 800-906-2440, or visit https://www.americanfinancing.net. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Called To Be The Salt and Light: Your Kingdom Assignment | Apostle Cathy Coppola Are you fulfilling your divine purpose in the earth? In this powerful teaching from House of Glory, Apostle Cathy Coppola reveals the true depth of Jesus' command in Matthew 5:13-16. You aren't just a believer; you are called to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. If the world feels dark and flavorless, it is because the "Salt" is staying in the shaker and the "Light" is under a bushel. Apostle Cathy teaches you how to step out of the shadows, exercise your Kingdom Authority (Luke 10:19), and manifest the glory of God in the marketplace, your home, and your community. It's time to stop blending in and start standing out! In this Activation, you will discover: The Power of Salt: How to preserve godliness and bring the "flavor" of Heaven to a decaying culture. Igniting the Light: Overcoming the fear of man to let your light shine before others. Losing Your Savor: Why compromise is the greatest enemy to your spiritual influence. Apostolic Manifestation: Practical ways to be a "City on a Hill" that cannot be hidden. "When the power of God invades the power of darkness, Miracles Happen!" Watch now and be equipped to change the atmosphere wherever you go. Connect & Be Equipped: Subscribe to @apostlecathycoppola for daily fire and supernatural activation! Official Websites: www.cathycoppola.org www.houseofglorychurch.org Watch 24/7: www.mightywind.tv Join the Movement: Where The Fire Meets The Clouds: Weekdays @ 6:30 AM PST House of Glory Church: Every Thursday morning at 10 AM PST and every Saturday evening at 6 PM PST Service Date: April 11, 2026 #ApostleCathyCoppola #HouseOfGlory #SaltAndLight #Matthew5 #KingdomAssignment #MightyWindTV #ChristianIdentity #KingdomAuthority #HolySpiritPower #ManifestTheGlory

Called To Be The Salt and Light: Your Kingdom Assignment | Apostle Cathy Coppola Are you fulfilling your divine purpose in the earth? In this powerful teaching from House of Glory, Apostle Cathy Coppola reveals the true depth of Jesus' command in Matthew 5:13-16. You aren't just a believer; you are called to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. If the world feels dark and flavorless, it is because the "Salt" is staying in the shaker and the "Light" is under a bushel. Apostle Cathy teaches you how to step out of the shadows, exercise your Kingdom Authority (Luke 10:19), and manifest the glory of God in the marketplace, your home, and your community. It's time to stop blending in and start standing out! In this Activation, you will discover: The Power of Salt: How to preserve godliness and bring the "flavor" of Heaven to a decaying culture. Igniting the Light: Overcoming the fear of man to let your light shine before others. Losing Your Savor: Why compromise is the greatest enemy to your spiritual influence. Apostolic Manifestation: Practical ways to be a "City on a Hill" that cannot be hidden. "When the power of God invades the power of darkness, Miracles Happen!" Watch now and be equipped to change the atmosphere wherever you go. Connect & Be Equipped: Subscribe to @apostlecathycoppola for daily fire and supernatural activation! Official Websites: www.cathycoppola.org www.houseofglorychurch.org Watch 24/7: www.mightywind.tv Join the Movement: Where The Fire Meets The Clouds: Weekdays @ 6:30 AM PST House of Glory Church: Every Thursday morning at 10 AM PST and every Saturday evening at 6 PM PST Service Date: April 11, 2026 #ApostleCathyCoppola #HouseOfGlory #SaltAndLight #Matthew5 #KingdomAssignment #MightyWindTV #ChristianIdentity #KingdomAuthority #HolySpiritPower #ManifestTheGlory

Christian hope found in the American spirit.  __________ Applications for next year's class are now open, and you can learn more at colsonfellows.org.

In this week's episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared reflect on ten years and over 400 episodes of the podcast, revisiting what they thought they were doing and what they now see more clearly in hindsight. They explore themes that have emerged along the way, including the shift from certainty to wisdom in reading the Bible and the move from information to personal and communal formation. They also discuss how these conversations have been shaped by a wider range of voices and why engaging the Bible calls for ongoing discernment rather than fixed answers, inviting listeners to rethink what the Bible is for today. Show Notes → thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/episode-324-pete-enns-and-jared-byas-a-city-on-a-hill-a-ten-year-retrospective Watch this episode on YouTube → https://youtu.be/zMia-yKjnN0 ********** This episode is sponsored by Factor. Head to factormeals.com/normalpeople50off and use code normalpeople50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. Eat like a pro this month with Factor. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How often do we stop and really think about the presence of God? This week on The Bible Study Hour with Dr. James Boice, we'll continue our study of the Psalms with Psalm 48, which speaks of the splendor and beauty of Jerusalem, a shining city on a hill. But what's so great about Jerusalem? Is it location, buildings, or maybe even the people? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/81/29?v=20251111

In this message from New Vision Church, we are reminded that Jesus calls His followers a “city on a hill”—a visible, collective light meant to shine in a dark world.This is not about standing out individually, but about living together in such a way that the world sees something different.Through practical teaching and real-life examples, this sermon explores what it means to live:intentionallyincarnationallyinvitationallyAs believers, we are not the source of the light—God is.But when we live surrendered to Him, His light becomes visible through us.

Acts 17 shows the gospel as a moral earthquake, upsetting the ancient world and turning it "upside down." Today many judge Christianity by the very moral instincts Christianity itself created. In this message we will trace how the risen Christ reshaped history through His Spirit-filled people, and why America needs not a political reset but a spiritual revival that begins in the heart and shines into the world like a city on a hill.Time:EveningMinister:Rev. T. R. KernTexts:Acts 17:1–9Matthew 5:14–16Heidelberg Catechism: Lord's Day 32Series:Apologetics

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus uses two powerful metaphors to describe the role of Christians in the world: salt and light. Speaking to a crowd of broken, marginalized people that society had written off, Jesus declared they were the answer to the world's problems of moral decay and spiritual darkness. As salt of the earth, Christians serve as preserving agents in a morally decaying world. Just as salt prevents food from spoiling, believers are called to slow moral drift and oppose corruption while adding flavor and hope to life. However, Jesus warns that salt can lose its effectiveness when it becomes mixed with worldly influences, losing its distinctive preserving power. Christians lose their saltiness when they blend so thoroughly with the surrounding culture that they become indistinguishable from non-believers. As the light of the world, Christians reflect Christ's illumination through consistent good works done for God's glory. Jesus uses two images: a city on a hill representing the corporate witness of the church community, and a lamp on a stand representing individual believers. The goal isn't performative religion but a genuine lifestyle that demonstrates God's love and concern for others. People should see our good works and give glory to our Father in heaven. This requires avoiding two extremes: the monastery model of complete withdrawal from the world, and the mirror model of blending in so completely that no distinction remains. Instead, Jesus calls for presence with distinction - being in the world but not of it, penetrating decay without becoming corrupt.

Time to roll the dice for a...silliness check? It's an all new episode of Geek at Arms! From the City on a Hill gaming podcast we welcome good friend of the show Ryan! He kicks off Geek Out by sharing a profound philosophical truth: Any Lego set can be the Millennium Falcon if you just believe hard enough. He also shares his experience with the new Nintendo Switch 2. Bryan follows up with his thoughts on the factory building game Satisfaction and the final season of Stranger Things. James shares how much unexpected pleasure he's found in the game Hunting Simulator 2 and his plans for upcoming game nights at his church. Mike wraps it up with describing how much he's enjoyed the book, and audio book, of Space Opera by Catherynne Morgan Valente. In the main topic, the guys take "a serious look at silliness" in roleplaying games. How it can be a fun experience, the dangers of it taking over a game, and how it can positively impact mental health.

Send me a Text Message!We've been settling for the false finish lines of comfort and control. We've been settling for false finish lines of politics and the economy. I have no faith in politics to bring us glory. That's not our finish line. In fact, filling up church buildings on a Sunday morning is a false finish line.  But I have found over and over again, that it's difficult, if not impossible to lean into new things without being done with the old things. So my question is  Are we done with the old things?  Are we ready to run to the true goal, the finish line of Christ?I long to see the church shine bright like a city on a hill. I long for us to be known as the hands & heart of Christ. I still believe that the church that Jesus is building is the hope of the world. I want to be part of that church. But to be that church some old things need to die and get planted. What in you needs to die and get planted?   praying for that church to be done with old things. What if God wants to do a new thing in our day, but he's just waiting for us to give up some old things?

In this sermon by TJ, the central message revolves around Jesus' declaration that "You are the light of the world." TJ reflects on how this proclamation, originally spoken to a diverse crowd of ordinary people—fishermen, farmers, tax collectors, and others—was radical in its inclusivity. Rather than singling out just the elite or spiritually gifted, Jesus affirms that every individual has a significant purpose to fulfill as a bearer of God's light. TJ uses the illustration of a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand to emphasize that the light we have is not for our own benefit, but to illuminate and guide others. The sermon traces biblical history—Jesus calling the first disciples, teaching on the hillsides of Galilee, referencing the broader ministry of the early church—and connects these moments to our calling today. TJ draws parallels to various examples of "letting your light shine," such as individuals using their gifts in music and service, mission work in Guatemala, and local acts of compassion. The story of Louis Braille is shared to show how persistent acts of goodness, even those not immediately recognized, can bring light to many. The message also acknowledges the church's imperfections but assures listeners that God has not given up on them. The deeper point is that the "light of Christ" is a gift meant to be shared; our task is to point others to Jesus, not to draw attention to ourselves. TJ concludes with an anecdote about Mother Teresa, illustrating that the ultimate gift we offer is simply Jesus Himself. The sermon encourages believers to find ways small and large—through a smile, a listening ear, a helping hand—to reflect Christ's light in their everyday sphere of influence. It closes with a prayer for God's help to fulfill this calling, so that all glory returns to Him.

America right now is a county that no one wants to come to, vacation in, go to school in, work in, invest in, do business with, or become a citizen of. America right now is a country people fear and are disappointed in and disgusted with. MAGA, MAGA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

King Jesus had an incredible plan, it wasn't to save us from the world but for the world. He has this incredible idea that He will dwell in us as His temple and that collectively we would be built together as a multitude of temples...a city on a hill...the light of the world.

As we continue to walk with the Children of Israel, today we turn to Joshua 6 and the Fall of Jericho. While the events of this chapter are straightforward, the spiritual and practical gems of this chapter are rich and numerous. Join us as we mine out key principles of God's Word! DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS: 1.    Jericho was a well-fortified city on a hill. In normal conditions, it was safe and secure. However, what does verse 1 tell us about the state of the city? What does this show us about their perspective of the threat of the Jews? 2.    What did the Lord promise in verse 2? What did the Lord tell Joshua to have the people do in verses 3-5? How did the Lord's promise in verse 2 make sense of the Lord's instructions in verses 3-5? 3.    How does verse 8 describe the people's obedience? What does this show us about the mindset and perspective of the people? How was their obedience different from the mindset and perspective of the previous generation that failed to enter the Promised Land? 4.    What happened when the people marched around the city for 6 days and then seven times on the 7th day? What did they do to the entire city in verse 24? How was this in obedience to the Lord's instructions in verses 17-19? Why did everything belong to the Lord (in verse 17)? 5.    Who was saved out of Jericho in verses 17 & 22-23? How was her salvation from the fires of Jericho a picture of our salvation from God's eternal fire of judgment?  6.    What does Joshua do in verse 26? How was this fulfilled later in 1st Kings 16:34? What principle does this teach us about toying with something that God has cursed? 7.    What does this passage show us about the relationship between faith and obedience? What does it show us about the relationship between our faith in God and our lack of clamoring after this world's goods?  8.    Who was in charge throughout this chapter? How was this reality demonstrated throughout this chapter?  9.    What does this chapter teach us about obeying God, even when obedience seems impossible?  10.    What does this chapter show us about working together in unity? How did their unity show us how the people were on board with what the Lord was doing? In your own life, in your own church, are there places that you can get more on board with what the Lord is calling your church to be? Check out our Bible Study Guide on the Key Chapters of Genesis! Available on Amazon just in time for the Genesis relaunch in January! To see our dedicated podcast website with access to all our episodes and other resources, visit us at: www.keychapters.org. Find us on all major platforms, or use these direct links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6OqbnDRrfuyHRmkpUSyoHv Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/366-key-chapters-in-the-bible/id1493571819 YouTube: Key Chapters of the Bible on YouTube. As always, we are grateful to be included in the "Top 100 Bible Podcasts to Follow" from Feedspot.com. Also for regularly being awarded "Podcast of the Day" from PlayerFM. Special thanks to Joseph McDade for providing our theme music.   

Of course, SCOTUS struck down Trump's stupid tariffs. Nearly every legal expert in America said they were unconstitutional, but we have had to live with them for more than a year. Now, he's threatening war on Iran apparently because it's not fair that Obama got a Nobel and he didn't. Meanwhile, as we approach the fourth anniversary of Russia's war on Ukraine, Putin still holds out hope he can seize all of the country. Plus, Marco is working on getting Cuba to be the next domino to fall, Trump's Board of Peace is pushing a complete fantasy in Gaza, the battle against ICE in Minnesota is not over, and gold medal-winner Alysa Liu—a California lib, and a child of an immigrant—represents the shining city on a hill. She is America. Michael Weiss joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod.show notes Michael's Substack Alysa Liu's gold-winning performance The Gettysburg Address Tim's playlist Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/THEBULWARK and use gift code THEBULWARK25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/BULWARK #oneskinpod

The book of 1 Samuel tells us that 3 things make us want to quit: Sorrow - Other People - Failure.In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells us we are: a light in the dark - a city on a hill - a beacon of hope. The promises of God are more powerful than the struggles of life. -----Official WebsiteInstagramTwitterFacebook

When are people watching your life the most? Not when everything is going well—but when you walk through difficulty with a peace that doesn't make sense. In Matthew 5:13–20, Jesus reminds us that we are not just saved by grace—we are sent with purpose. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Our lives should push back darkness and point people to Christ. So the question is: are you shining… or just sitting in the shaker?

Life Point Sunday Gathering | Danny Rivers | City on a Hill | The Inn at 8098 by Life Point SA

We're not building a crowd—we're building a city. A people whose righteousness is lived out daily, stitching glory into the Bride's gown and shining as a city on a hill. This finale is a call to stand out, build what lasts, and carry God's presence forward.Join us this Sunday at 8AM • 10AM • 12PM — you're invited!

Today we celebrated Vision Sunday and unveiled our 2026 theme, A City on a Hill, rooted in Jesus' call for His Church to shine as light in a dark world. Just as the early church was an undeniable force in its community, City First is called to be a visible, Christ-centered movement marked by love, humility, and transformed lives. As we step into 2026, our prayer is to shine Jesus' light in a way that awakens curiosity about God!

Today we celebrated Vision Sunday and unveiled our 2026 theme, A City on a Hill, rooted in Jesus' call for His Church to shine as light in a dark world. Just as the early church was an undeniable force in its community, City First is called to be a visible, Christ-centered movement marked by love, humility, and transformed lives. As we step into 2026, our prayer is to shine Jesus' light in a way that awakens curiosity about God!

Matthew 5:13-20[Jesus said,] “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt has lost its taste, how can it's saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, and is thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill can not be hid. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket, but places it on the lampstand where it gives light to all in the house. Let your light shine before others, therefore, so that they might see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven.“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets, for I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter – not one stroke of a letter – will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever does them and teaches them, will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For truly I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” I got to spend a couple of days this week at the annual reunion of the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program, in Crawfordsville, which is always a real boon for my spirit and sense of call, and reminder of why church work and ministry matters so much in the world, these days – and the impact we can have when we get it right.For those of you who don't know/remember, the Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program is a Lilly Endowment-funded endeavor that gathers small groups of Christian clergy from around Indiana for a two-year program of study, learning, and travel, that connects pastors with each other and with civic leaders from around the state to broaden the scope of what congregations can accomplish in the world, in whatever context they find themselves. For those of you who've been around awhile, you might remember that I was part of the first cohort of the program back in 2009-2010. (I would spend a few days, every other month at Wabash College and take a couple of international trips thanks to the program.)Anyway, the program hosts annual reunions for the pastors who've engaged it over the years, and that's where I was for about 48 hours last week. As part of it all, some of our colleagues shared, with the rest of us, some of the work they've been up to in their various settings and communities.A couple of pastors in New Albany teamed up the past couple of summers to establish a ministry of “cooling stations,” hosted by a handful of churches in their town … places where house-less people and families – rather than hiding in the public library or wading in the creek on the edge of town to keep cool – could find air-conditioned shelter, safety, and water when the temperatures reach 100 degrees or more. This is what kingdom welcome and hospitality looks like – on earth as it is in heaven.Another pastor's congregation does the opposite. Over at West Morris Free Methodist Church on the westside of Indy, they have a very traditional 60,000 square foot building with a sanctuary that seats close to 1,000 people, though they only worship about 40, these days. So, they removed all of their empty wooden pews, filled their space with tents, and house nearly 80-100 house-less people when temperatures are too dangerously cold to sleep outside. What used to look like this: now looks like this: Of course, they feed them and care for them in other ways, too. It's still very obviously a sanctuary, maybe more now than ever before, and this is what the fullness of the kingdom tastes like when we get it right. A friend from my own cohort – Kent Ellet, the Pastor at the Speedway Church of Christ and his congregation – have bought and rehabbed three houses in recent years on Alton Avenue, near their church. They're working on their fourth, as we speak. Once they are ready, they rent these houses at half the cost – or less – to individuals and families who need stable housing and other support, in order to get back on their feet after all manner of struggle, difficulty, bad luck, and whatnot. My friend Kent calls this ministry the “Alton Alternative” and it is a light of grace, sitting high on a lampstand, shining brightly for all in those houses – and their surrounding neighborhood, and now all of us – to see.When Jesus tells the crowds on the hillside in this morning's Gospel that they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world, he was trying to get them to think differently about the kind of light and flavor their faith brings to the world around them. And, I happen to think, he was inviting them to get creative about that for a change … to wonder differently about what kind of difference they might make … to imagine ways their faith was inviting them to be a blessing for the world.“You are the salt of the earth,” he tells them. “But if salt has lost its taste – if you have lost your flavor – what good is that? What are you doing here? What's the point of it all?”“You are the light of the world,” Jesus says. “Like a city on a hill… like a lamp on a stand… like a beacon in the night. Don't cover yourselves up… don't hide under a basket. Let your light shine so others can see what you're up to; so people know what God is doing through you… and for you… and for the sake of others.”Now, I happen to think we have so much to be glad about and plenty to celebrate and even a little to be proud of when it comes to how we do Church here, in this place, especially when I think of the very unique voice Cross of Grace is in our community.No one else is welcoming, advocating for, and hosting events that support our LGBTQ+ friends, family, and neighbors. No one else is preaching and teaching and hosting ministry that supports anti-racism and racial justice the way we do.We have $45,000 to give away from our Building and Outreach Fund grants thanks to our generosity over the course of the last year. (Please spread the word to your favorite non-profit organizations to apply for those grants before the end of March.)And I hope, as we continue to wonder about this building project that's on the horizon we'll get creative about all of this salt and light stuff in ways my Wabash friends have done.And just to get your wheels spinning, you should know I have started a conversation with our schools about a reading program for kids in our area for whom English isn't their primary language. For those of you who know about the HOSTS program that already exists in our elementary schools, imagine that but for immigrant kids who speak Spanish or Haitian Creole. (I just learned we are blessed to have literally hundreds of them in our school district.)Pastor Cogan has ideas about Cross of Grace hosting a summer day camp for kids who can't afford the kinds of camps many of us send our kids to when they're not in school.Maybe we could be a cooling center … or a warming station … or let our parking lot be a safe place for people living in their cars to park for the night.We could certainly host more and bigger special events for places like The Landing.We could host more 12 Step meetings; expand our food pantry operations; you get the idea …All of this is about not getting bored – or becoming boring – or losing our flavor – or letting our light dim – or hiding it under a bushel basket of complacency or apathy or selfishness or comfort or safety or whatever tempts too many Christians to stop doing God's bidding.All of this is about being as inspired as we are unsettled by those words from the prophet Isaiah this morning – words that surely inspired and unsettled Jesus, too… all of that stuff about loosing the bonds of injustice; about letting the oppressed go free; about sharing bread with the hungry; bringing the homeless poor into our house; covering the naked, and all the rest.So let's pray about and plan a future together, full of hope about the ways we can salt the earth and light up the world – with all that Isaiah promised and all that Jesus embodies:hope that our light – that the light of God – will break forth like the dawn;hope that our healing – that the healing of humanity – will spring up quickly;hope that our vindicator will go before us, and the glory of the Lord will have our back;hope that we will call and God will answer;hope that our needs will be satisfied even in parched places;Let's be hopeful – and full of faith – that, as God's people, we will be known and seen and received, like a spring of water for the thirsty, like rebuilt ruins for those in need of refuge, like a firm foundation for those who can't stand on their own; like a repairer of the breach for the broken among us, and like a restorer of streets to live in for a world searching for home.Amen

Send us a textEach week Pastor Mark takes time to go deeper and talk about the week's message!  If you have questions you'd like him to answer or hear more about please send those in by texting us at the link in the show notes!You can also view video of this podcast and our Sunday sermons by visiting our YouTube channel!https://www.youtube.com/@lifehousemotEver feel like your light is flickering and the mountain ahead keeps growing? We open Zechariah 4 and sit with the golden lampstand, the bowl, and the two olive trees—an unforgettable portrait of a people fueled not by stamina or strategy, but by a never-ending supply. As we read the passage aloud, the words not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit move from a familiar verse to a living invitation: stop white-knuckling your faith and plug into the source.From there we trace what real dependence looks like. The “great mountain” before Zerubbabel wasn't denial or hype; it was honest opposition in a hard season. God doesn't flatten obstacles to advance our personal empires—He levels them so we can obey His call. We talk about prosperity gospel pitfalls, why Philippians 4 is about endurance not ego, and how to recognize when we've made Jesus a co-pilot to our plans. The goal is a church that burns steady because the supply is direct.Leadership matters too. The two olive trees point to Zerubbabel and Joshua—leaders who stand by the Lord of all the earth. We unpack what that means for pastors, teams, and volunteers: humility over performance, accountability over image, and courage rooted in abiding, not adrenaline. Then we move from the personal to the corporate. Western individualism dims the beam, but Scripture calls the whole church a lampstand. When each member works properly, the body builds itself up in love and the darkness loses ground.If you're facing addiction, marital strain, financial strain, or a daunting call to serve, don't despise small beginnings. Mark your starting point, ask for fresh oil, and take the next faithful step. Together we can be a city on a hill—conspicuous, warm, and unafraid—because the Spirit supplies what we cannot produce. Listen, share with a friend who needs courage today, and if the conversation helps you, subscribe and leave a review to help more people find it.New episodes every Mondaywww.lifehousemot.cominfo@lifehousede.com Join us Sundays at 9 & 11 AM Intro music by Joey Blair

Tuesday, February 3rd: Matthew 5:13-16 (People Often Need to See the Gospel in Our Lives Before They Can Hear the Gospel from our Lips)You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Holly Wagner reminds us that the Church was never meant to stay in the salt shaker—we are created to step into every situation and actively bring peace, hope and change. As God's workmanship, we are called to shine as a city on a hill, shaping culture (not just surviving it) and letting our light burn brightest, even in our darkest seasons.

In this episode of Uncommon Sense, I'm calling out a problem no one wants to confront: the normalization of partying, drinking, and casual sex especially among so-called “conservative influencers.”You cannot claim to defend Western Civilization while publicly celebrating the very behaviors that destroyed past civilizations. Conservatism without morality is just aesthetic rebellion.We don't need more clout, cocktails, or compromised values. We need a return to godliness, self-discipline, and moral responsibility because the future generations watching us will inherit whatever standard we tolerate today.If we want to save the West, we have to get serious about being truly Christian again.--https://www.bible.com/

Life Point Sunday Gathering | Danny Rivers | City on a Hill | How to be a good Neighbor by Life Point SA

Life Point Sunday Gathering | Danny Rivers | City on a Hill | Spiritual Vibrancy by Life Point SA

Treasure Island, A Child's Garden of Verses - those are just some of the literary classics written by Robert Louis Stevenson. He must have had a way with words from the time he was a boy. Anne Graham Lotz tells of a night in his boyhood when his nanny just couldn't get him to bed. Young Robert just kept staring out the window, oblivious to her talking to him. Finally, she said, "Robert, what in the world are you looking at out there?" As she pulled back the curtain, she realized he was watching the lamplighter making his way down the street, lighting one street lamp after another. Young Robert Louis Stevenson saw something more. He said, "Look at that man! He's punching holes in the darkness!" I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "You Are the Light of Your World." What an awesome description of the reason God has placed you where you are! You're not there to shake your head and bemoan how dark it is where you work or go to school or whatever your environment. You're there to punch holes in the darkness! So, how are you doing on that so far? Well, let's listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, our word for today from the Word of God. If you belong to Jesus, He's including you in this. "You are the light of the world." Wow! Think of your personal world and people in your world. Jesus says you are their light. He goes on to say, "A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp or put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Look, we live in a pretty dark world, right. But it is not a world without light unless the Christian in a situation fails to punch holes in the darkness by living like Jesus would live there, treating people like Jesus would treat people there, and handling situations and temptations as Jesus would handle them. So many of Jesus' followers don't realize who they are - His personal representative in their personal world. You punch another hole in the darkness every time you show up with joy instead of gloom on your face, with good things to say instead of griping, every time you stop for someone who's struggling, when you consciously put someone else ahead of you, when you insist on taking the high road when it's tempting to cut corners, every time you weep with someone who's weeping, or you rejoice with someone who's rejoicing, and when you reach out to someone who's really been acting pretty unloveable. The lost folks around you probably won't be all that impressed with your don'ts or all the religious meetings you go to. No, they need to see meaningful differences in you because of Christ in you. But it isn't enough that they just see that you're different. They need to know why, or they'll never be able to get out of the darkness themselves. They need Jesus. See, He put you in their life so they could find out what Jesus did for them on the cross; so they could find out from someone who's living proof that Jesus is alive and how they, too, could have a life-changing relationship with Him. Have you told them about your Jesus yet? Humanly speaking, you may very well be their best chance at heaven - or maybe their only chance. They could watch you for the rest of your life and they're never going to say, "You know, Charlie's such a nice guy. I'll bet Jesus died on the cross for my sins." They're not going to figure that out. You have to tell them that. Every morning, before your Lord, tell Him and tell yourself, "I am the light of my world." And go out there, showing a harsh and lonely and self-serving world that there's another way to be. Defy the darkness wherever you go. Punch holes in the darkness with the brilliant light of Jesus Christ that lives in you!

Treasure Island, A Child's Garden of Verses - those are just some of the literary classics written by Robert Louis Stevenson. He must have had a way with words from the time he was a boy. Anne Graham Lotz tells of a night in his boyhood when his nanny just couldn't get him to bed. Young Robert just kept staring out the window, oblivious to her talking to him. Finally, she said, "Robert, what in the world are you looking at out there?" As she pulled back the curtain, she realized he was watching the lamplighter making his way down the street, lighting one street lamp after another. Young Robert Louis Stevenson saw something more. He said, "Look at that man! He's punching holes in the darkness!" I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about "You Are the Light of Your World." What an awesome description of the reason God has placed you where you are! You're not there to shake your head and bemoan how dark it is where you work or go to school or whatever your environment. You're there to punch holes in the darkness! So, how are you doing on that so far? Well, let's listen to what Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, our word for today from the Word of God. If you belong to Jesus, He's including you in this. "You are the light of the world." Wow! Think of your personal world and people in your world. Jesus says you are their light. He goes on to say, "A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp or put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Look, we live in a pretty dark world, right. But it is not a world without light unless the Christian in a situation fails to punch holes in the darkness by living like Jesus would live there, treating people like Jesus would treat people there, and handling situations and temptations as Jesus would handle them. So many of Jesus' followers don't realize who they are - His personal representative in their personal world. You punch another hole in the darkness every time you show up with joy instead of gloom on your face, with good things to say instead of griping, every time you stop for someone who's struggling, when you consciously put someone else ahead of you, when you insist on taking the high road when it's tempting to cut corners, every time you weep with someone who's weeping, or you rejoice with someone who's rejoicing, and when you reach out to someone who's really been acting pretty unloveable. The lost folks around you probably won't be all that impressed with your don'ts or all the religious meetings you go to. No, they need to see meaningful differences in you because of Christ in you. But it isn't enough that they just see that you're different. They need to know why, or they'll never be able to get out of the darkness themselves. They need Jesus. See, He put you in their life so they could find out what Jesus did for them on the cross; so they could find out from someone who's living proof that Jesus is alive and how they, too, could have a life-changing relationship with Him. Have you told them about your Jesus yet? Humanly speaking, you may very well be their best chance at heaven - or maybe their only chance. They could watch you for the rest of your life and they're never going to say, "You know, Charlie's such a nice guy. I'll bet Jesus died on the cross for my sins." They're not going to figure that out. You have to tell them that. Every morning, before your Lord, tell Him and tell yourself, "I am the light of my world." And go out there, showing a harsh and lonely and self-serving world that there's another way to be. Defy the darkness wherever you go. Punch holes in the darkness with the brilliant light of Jesus Christ that lives in you!

Brad Onishi sits down with Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Starr to dig into his new book, American Contradiction, and the idea that the United States is less a shining city on a hill and more a city built on a fault line. Starr traces how the nation's promise of liberty has always coexisted with exclusion, hierarchy, and inequality, and how those tensions erupted in new ways during the 1990s. Together they unpack how the end of the Cold War, the rise of culture wars, and the shockwaves of policies like NAFTA reshaped party coalitions, fueled resentment, and set the stage for today's political divide. Starr explains why the 90s were a turning point and how institutional structures like the Senate and Electoral College amplify polarization rather than contain it. The conversation also explores the growing gap between social progress and economic inequality and the challenges facing a Democratic Party trying to represent both progressive activists and working class voters. Bradley and Paul talk about the power of political storytelling, from nostalgia for an imagined past to despair over historical injustices, and how both shape the current moment. Despite everything, Starr ends with a measure of hope that the United States still has the capacity for reinvention and surprise if it can finally reckon with its contradictions and build a more inclusive national story. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Subscribe to Teología Sin Vergüenza Subscribe to American Exceptionalism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices