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We are in the final stretch of a very contentious presidential cycle. The two candidates vying for American votes couldn't be more different than day and night, and we're not talking about race or gender. They represent two almost diametrically opposite political views and two different visions for the future of the United States of America. What's more challenging for people of the Christian faith is the question, "How can you be a witness to the gospel in casting your vote when neither party or candidate is fully committed to Christian values?" Dr. James Spencer advises that they do what Jesus said to His disciples, "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves." In other words, be informed but still bow to the authority of God to whom also the government is under, even if it doesn't operate that way. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dr. Spencer, best-selling author and president of the D.L. Moody Center in Northfield, MA, talks about his new book written for just a moment as this, "Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness." This "Serpents & Doves" directive is like threading a needle. It brings up the very problematic New Testament Bible verse about God giving government authority, Romans 13. Spencer explains how believers should interpret it, and why it's so important to understand its ramifications and how to stay true to your faith values when casting your vote.
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Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee calls the newest installment of the God's Not Dead film series a story made for this moment in history. He says it's a little like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington updated to this modern age where faith in God is not as publicly proclaimed and religious freedom totters in the wake of Woke political agendas. Huckabee plays himself in the film, and on this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, he jokes about getting his Oscar speech ready. But in all seriousness, this film, subtitled "In God We Trust", is meant to inspire millions of Christians, especially the 40 million who sat out last election, to make their voices heard at the ballot box this November. He says every vote counts. He also talks about why he, as an Evangelical Christian, still supports former President Donald Trump, and why even now, sees him as the best candidate to lead America... and why Kamala Harris is not.
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Pastor Max Lucado has never been an end times kind of preacher. It's just not a major factor in his preaching wheelhouse, which is why his most recent book, "What Happens Next: A Traveler's Guide Through The End Of This Age" seems at first a departure from his normal uplifting spiritual guidance. Predicting the end of the world has become a bit of a cottage industry of late. But prognosticators wouldn't pursue the subject if there wasn't widespread interest and attention given to it. Even though Jesus said no one but the Father would know the actual date and time, it hasn't stopped the forecasting. However, Jesus did tell His followers the conditions to look for when the end times will be upon us: "Wars and rumors of wars... famines and earthquakes." But Pastor Max says the 'when' of the end times is not nearly as important as the condition of our hearts, which is something we can address every moment of every day. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Pastor Max explains that the main point of his book is that, if you have clarity about the future, if you know what your ultimate destiny is, that allows you to be courageous about the here and now, and be able trust in the God who controls it all.
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First of all, there is no party called "Christian Nationalists". That's why many conservative Christians are stymied by how to respond to the left's accusations of Christian Nationalism. So, with that in mind, it makes more sense to have two Christians representing each side of the debate, talk with each other about what Christian Nationalism is, and what it is not. The problem though is that it is a term created and defined by liberals and tends to strike fear for those on the political left. It describes what liberals believe Christian conservatives want to achieve politically for their faith, a theocracy where Christianity is the favored religion. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dr. Alex McFarland and Pastor Doug Pagitt, respectively challenge and debate each other. McFarland is a Christian evangelist, author and speaker on culture and religion. Pagitt is the founder of Vote Common Good and a self-described progressive on issues concerning faith and politics. If you're a liberal Christian who can listen to a conservative, or a conservative Christian who can listen to a liberal, then congratulations; you are part of the work crew who will help repair and rebuild the Body of Christ.
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An investigation is underway involving an anti-Christian group that targeted a family of ten and almost succeeded in having the couple's children taken away from them. But the details of what led to the scare should shock everyone. JD and Britney Lott are both veterans. The couple in their 30's are the proud parents of eight children ranging in age from a newborn to young teens. They have a following of some 600,000 on social media as they travel the globe posting their events, praising God and homeschooling their children. But an anti-Christian group on Reddit began targeting them, claiming their children were abused and also making false claims to the Florida Department of Families. On the basis of those false claims, a social worker contacted them demanding that they submit their newborn to inspection or risk having all their children taken away. The Lott's contacted an attorney and The Family Freedom project. They were eventually cleared of any wrongdoing, but the fact remains that people who pedal in hate can weaponize a government agency to do their bidding. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, the Lotts tell their story. It's a cautionary tale of social media's dark side, and also how what happened to the Lotts can easily happen to anyone.
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King Herod is probably one of the most, if not the most, ruthless character in the Holy Bible. Brilliant, but evil. And yet, his paranoia that led him to kill several members of his own family and issue an edict to kill all the children under two in Bethlehem and Jerusalem, still wasn't enough to thwart God's plan, the birth of a Savior. This is why Kathie Lee Gifford, TV personality, best-selling author, singer and composer, is fascinated with this character. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Gifford talks about her newest book "Herod And Mary: The True Story Of The Tyrant King And The Mother Of The Risen Savior", plus her recovering from her health emergency and the faith that is getting her through it all. Gifford researched the historical documents on King Herod and found some interesting swaths of information, like his friendship with Marc Antony and Cleopatra, Rome's power couple. But also, Herod may have occupied a blip in the biblical narrative, but his historical presence was significant, a master architect and powerful politician. But his undoing was his debauchery and derangement. Gifford says Herod's story is a testament to the fact that "When the world thought nothing more evil could be happening in the world, something far more glorious than anything that had ever happened was happening in the womb of a little teenage girl from Nazareth."
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Voting according to your faith values. We all do it. Yes, even an atheist. And that's one of big the problems with political polls and surveys measuring how much impact faith has on elections. They are based on the notion of institutional religion. But religion is not confined to a denomination or doctrine or congregation. Religion in its larger sense answers the big questions of life: "Why am I here? What's the purpose of my life? How do I treat people?" Morality and purpose. The answers to these questions, said one theologian, are at least implicitly religious because the answers have to be taken on faith, there is no scientific proof. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Jason Yates, president of My Faith Votes, explains the work ahead as his non-partisan organization endeavors to educate Christians about keeping a biblical worldview in the public square, not to be stymied by the demonization of Christianity which has grown larger and larger with the vitriol around "Christian Nationalism". Yates says, "They're trying to demoralize and shame, those of any beliefs that come against what they stand for... Too many people of faith have created a void and believe that lie that they should not be involved in the process... As a result, secular humanistic values and beliefs policies filled the void."
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The belief that science disproves the existence of a creator God is so last century! It's an out of date, intellectually feeble assertion that has no basis in, well, science! The fact is, says Dr. Stephen Meyer, "The major discoveries of modern science over the last 100 years in cosmology and physics and biology are pointing in exactly the opposite direction." In other words, the more we delve the deepest depths of cosmology, biology, physics and beyond, the more we understand, "there must be a God somewhere," as the spiritual says. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Meyer, best-selling author and director of the Discovery Institute in Seattle, talks about his most recent book, "The Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries that Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe". For instance, DNA, the foundation of human building blocks. Meyer shows that scientists have known for quite a while that it would be a mathematical impossibility that random forces could create even a fully functioning amino-acid sequence to produce a protein for DNA; it would be about 1 in 10 to the 195th. That's a direct assault on Darwin's theory of evolution. Meyer writes, "Over the past three decades, many evolutionary biologists have challenged a key tenet of the neo-Darwinian synthesis, namely the idea that small-scale microevolutionary changes can be extrapolated to explain large-scale macroevolution innovations." It's complicated, and yet so simple: "And God said..."
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Most politicians tend to write books about what they've done while
in office. But Scott Morrison, a former Prime Minister of Australia, wanted to
write about what God has done and continues to do for him. Morrison is candid
about how God brought him through some of the most harrowing days of his
leadership of Australia, a country not known for its religious fervor. And
that's what makes Morrison's faith all the more interesting. One would expect
such devout beliefs in America, a country that Morrison greatly admires. But
the land down under is a bit of a head scratcher. Founded as a penal colony for
the United Kingdom, Australia had a rough and tumble beginning. On this episode
of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Morrison talks about his book "Plans For Your
Good: A Prime Minister’s Testimony Of God’s Faithfulness." It's based on
the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah's prescient words to the children of Israel,
and to us, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They
are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'” In
this political season, such comforts are words to cling to.
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Back in the early 1990's Matthew Barnett thought he was headed to Los Angeles for a short-term mission trip at a small church. Thirty years later, he's still there, but the operation is much larger. The Los Angeles Dream Center is the result. A massive operation that includes a 400,000 square foot facility and a church, which serves the homeless, getting the drug addicted unaddicted and seeing in all people the image of God. But the sad news is, despite the center's successes, the city of Los Angeles and the state government hierarchy refuses to partner with them because they are faith-based. While the city of Los Angeles announced they would spend $1 billion on the problem of homelessness, the equivalent of an estimated $50,000 for each homeless person, Barnett says it costs the center $7,500 to rehabilitate someone out of drug addiction. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Barnett talks about the triumph of transforming lives when God is at the center of the process. He says they're not just ministering to people's needs; they're ministering to people's potential. God-given dreams give people hope that there's something greater to live for.
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In 1996 Bishop W.C. Martin and his wife Donna Martin, from the small town of Possum Trot, Texas, adopted four children out of foster care. They inspired their entire congregation of Bennett Chappell Missionary Baptist Church to adopt every available child in the county's foster care system. Twenty-two families adopted all 77 children. Many of those children were some of the hardest to place; victims of sexual and physical abuse, neglect, trauma, and unsafe living situations. Thier story inspired the movie, "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot." On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, the Martins talk about the movie and the extraordinary saga of their lives that can only be described as God working miracles. The adopting of children with deep emotional and physical needs put untold strains on church bmembers' families and their finances. But through it all their faith helped them triumph. The Holy Spirit, not the spirit of the age, is what brought about astonishing transformations in the lives of the children and the families. The Martins challenge other churches to do the same. Right now there are some 400,000 children in the foster care system in the United States and 100,000 available for adoption. The Martins say if every church committed to giving every available child a loving home, the numbers would be reduced to zero. Answering the call of Jesus to look after the orphans, the least of these, is true religion.
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Author Stephen Strang says it's hypocrisy that mainstream media on the left
skewers Donald Trump's Evangelical supporters, asking the question, 'How can
believers in Jesus Christ support a man known for his philandering?' Strang,
who's also the founder of Charisma Media, says, "Did we hold Lyndon Baines
Johnson or John Kennedy or Bill Clinton or a bunch of other people up to that
high standard? I don't think so." On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Strang,
who's the author of "God And Donald Trump", and "Trump Aftershock: The
President’s Seismic Impact On Faith And Culture", talks about Trump's legal
woes, now that he's a convicted felon thanks to New York's District Attorney, and
why Evangelicals still support him. He points out that when Trump was a New
York billionaire Playboy, part of the social scene, attending Chelsea Clinton's
wedding, for instance, he was the darling of the press. But when he got serious
about life, protecting America's borders, joining the Republican Party, and
getting serious about his faith, that's when the media turned on him. Strang is
worried that many of the new Evangelicals are engaged in hero worship of
Trump, but he says most of Trump's supporters are silent, wanting only the right
choice for their communities and the country.
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The cultural clash over the LGBTQ community has spilled over into the Christian Church. One blaring example now is the schism in the United Methodist Church. But on a personal level, Christians are asking and voicing their opinions over Pride Month, which celebrates the gay community. It forces Christians to deal with one blaring question, "Is homosexuality consistent with Christianity?" Is it a sin, and part of human brokenness, or is it not a sin, and something that should be praised and honored? On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, two Christians offer their opinions. Ryan Bomberger, author and co-founder of the Radiance Foundation, and Doug Pagitt, an author and pastor who's been leading the conversation on progressive Christianity through Vote Common Good. It's not often people of faith talk to each other in a reasoned and respectful way about this culturally divisive issue. But for people who are followers of Jesus Christ, it is essential, if there ever could be a realization of John 17, "May they all be one."
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Willie Robertson is all about having a conversation... about Jesus. Robertson is a member of the famous Duck Dynasty clan whose reality show became one of the most popular ever. It was a program that might never have been until producers promised patriarch, Phil Robertson, they could talk openly about their faith in Jesus Christ. The show became known for the family's prayers at mealtime. Now Willie, Phil's son, has a new book out called "The Gospeler: Turning Darkness Into Light One Conversation At A Time." On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Robertson explains how believers in Jesus can live out The Great Commission (of spreading the Gospel) in everyday life situations. His own father's life was turned around after a preacher sought him out while in a bar.
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You can always tell how important something is by the priority placed on
it. In Genesis, the very first chapter of the first book of the Bible, God
establishes a family, Adam and Eve. The very first thing God does in the New
Testament is the merging of family between Mary and Joseph in the birth of
Christ. And the very first miracle Jesus performs is at a wedding, the wedding
at Cana. It is now officially wedding season, in the month of June more
weddings will take place than at any other time of the year. But how do you
ensure that a beautiful wedding with all the pomp and pageantry creates a
strong marriage, where husband and wife move forward joyfully in whole-life
oneness? Enter Fr. Nicholas Louh and Dr. Roxanne Louh. Fr. Nick is a Greek
Orthodox Priest who's presided over the nuptials of scores of couples. His wife
Dr. Roxanne Louh is a clinical psychologist and family therapist who sees many
of those couples after the luster has worn off the glitz of the wedding and a
life of children, careers and financial strains complicated their "happily
ever after". On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, the Louhs talk
about how to overcome difficulties in marriage, even some of the
worst things that could happen, like an adulterous affair. But more
importantly, how God's design for marriage is the key to a strong marriage, one
that truly is, "for better or for worse."
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Eden Gefner was born and raised in Kibbutz Reim in Israel, just three miles from the border with Gaza. On October 7th, her life changed from being a normal 28-year-old thinking about her future, to believing she was now in the Holocaust, that she and her family would die, just for being Jews. But instead, she and her mother, father, and boyfriend narrowly survived the Hamas attack. Hiding in the safe room and holding tight to the door, they heard automatic gunfire break the front door, a terrorist searching their home and finally, a tug on the door. Eden says it was a miracle they survived when so much death surrounded them. On their community "WhatsApp" chain a neighbor is yelling to help two children who just saw their father gunned down in front of them, others are giving updates on how many Hamas terrorists are surrounding the Kibbutz. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, we travel to East Hampton, New York to interview Eden just before she told her story of survival to a small group at Chabad of the Hamptons. It's part of the Faces of October 7th Project, which aims to "humanize the consequences of terrorism and challenge the support that terrorist organizations like Hamas have garnered, particularly among young people."
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Imagine all the love you've experienced in your entire life, from parents, spouses, friends, family, and then multiply it a thousand times. That's the kind of love experienced by people who've had Near Death Experiences; they report being in the presence of God. NDE's, as they are known, are scientifically recognized phenomenon that occur when people are clinically dead and see visions of themselves, their bodies as paramedics try to revive them, doctors as they operate, or even family members in waiting rooms. Some even describe scenes they couldn't possibly have seen except supernaturally. But the one commonality: a love that is so deep and so complete they never want to return to their lives. It's the love they, and probably all of us, are searching for. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, John Burke, best-selling author of "Imagine Heaven" and now his follow-up "Imagine the God of Heaven," explains that millions of people from all different faith traditions, cultures, and educational backgrounds have had NDE's. But the vast majority report similar events, a welcoming benevolent Light and a Love that penetrates the deepest recesses of their souls. Burke says the only explanation is, it's evidence of not only the reality of God, but also God's relentless love. As the Scriptures say, "A love that surpasses all understanding."
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It is hard to fight against an enemy whose reason for being is to eliminate you. So says author Rick Richman, as he answers the criticism leveled against Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. It is Israel, he says, that is trying to prevent a genocidal operation perpetrated by Hamas. Richman, the author of "And None Shall Make Them Afraid: Eight Stories of the Modern State of Israel," says the anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protests are filled with misinformation and misguided passions by young people, students and even faculty, lured into a political position by authorities who choose to ignore the facts surrounding the centuries of clashes between Jews and Arabs and its modern day manifestations. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Richman talks about a long list of topics concerning Israel, including: the ongoing protests on college campuses and why so many are ignorant of what Zionism actually is, Zionism and Americanism, the two great "isms" of the 20th century, that Palestine was never an independent state, why Arabs rejected having their own independent state six times including in 1947, reaction to claims that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, and war crimes by Hamas as they use their own people, innocents, as human shields. Jews, says Richman, are the "canary in the proverbial coal mine", what happens to them is only the start. Islamic militants will not stop with them until the world is converted to its rule.
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When stars align it's hard not to see God's hand in it. For world class percussionist, Zoro, it's hard not to see his mother as the gift that kept on giving. How does a young boy of a single mother of seven children go from abject poverty to the highest ranks of musicians, performing with the likes of Lenny Kravitz, Earth, Wind and Fire, and hob-knobbing with the Jackson Five? It's a faith that moved mountains. It was also a mother's love that believed in her children's dreams. Like the unknown author said, "Mothers hold their children's hands for a while... their hearts forever." On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Zoro talks about his rise in the music world, his faith, and his new book, "Maria's Scarf: a Memoir of a Mother's Love, a Son's Perseverance, and Dreaming Big." Christian minister, pastor, evangelist, and now author Zoro seems to have no limits to what is possible to achieve. With faith and his mother's orange scarf, Zoro lived out her prophecy of doing something fantazmical!
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