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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sixty years ago this week, on October 11, 1962, the Bishops of the Catholic Church gathered in Rome for a solemn ceremony to open what is known as Vatican II. Over four formal sessions during consecutive falls, they would discuss doctrine, and dialogue about how the Global Catholic Church should move forward. It was the most important gathering of the Holy See in half a millennium. What came out of it were sixteen documents that have had a tremendous effect on Catholicism; that Catholics would hear the mass in their own languages instead of only Latin, that there would be a new relationship fostered with non-Catholic religions, and a focus on religious freedom which "recognized that the altar-and-throne alliances of the past were not possible under modern political conditions." Some critics though say Vatican II was prompted by an antiquated Church body responding to a broader culture moving forward through the sexual revolution, feminism, civil rights, and a whole host of other post-modern philosophies skeptical of tradition. Sorting it all out is Vaticanista George Weigel. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Weigel, a Distinguished Senior Fellow of Washington’s Ethics and Public Policy Center and the author of several books on the Catholic Church including his biographies on Pope John Paul II, talks about his new book, "To Sanctify the World: The Legacy of Vatican II." He expands on its historical context and what's more, the intrigue behind the scenes of why this unexpected meeting was called by the most unexpected of Popes to do so, Pope John XXIII, who would not live to see its conclusion in 1965. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo's masterpiece of the biblical narrative detailed in color and motion adorns the walls and ceiling, is part of the tour of the Vatican Museum in Rome. Why does the Roman Catholic Church have a museum filled with works of art that include not just Christian art, but also those that are of pagan, pre-Christian and Jewish origin and more? Because the history of art and how artists interpret the world, is the history of humanity and God's relationship with His creation. And since the early 16th century, popes have strived to conserve these unique expressions of human existence. The museum itself has a separate entrance from the Vatican grounds, and thanks to Pope John Paul II who had it remodeled in the 1980's, it's a great deal more user friendly, accommodating some 35,000 visitors a day. Not just anyone can give tours of the museum; Dr. Elizabeth Lev is a professor of Art History and is one of the select few licensed to give tours in the museum. On a recent trip to Rome, I was privileged enough to take a tour with Dr Lev. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, we talked afterwards about how and why art is very much a central part of Christianity and how connected the works are to the central theme of the Holy See's mission, which is saving souls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Vatican Observatory is located on a hill in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, the former summer residence of the popes. It's a physical reminder of the Catholic Church's commitment to science, and in particular the heavens - the universe, star formation, galaxies. Headquartered on the Apostolic Palaces fifth floor, it's roots go back to the 16th century when Pope Gregory VII reformed the calendar, aligning it more closely with the motion of the planets, giving us the much more precise Gregorian calendar. Fr. Richard D'Souza is one of several astronomer priests doing research at the Observatory, whose main offices are now in a new facility and updated telescopes are at the edge of the papal gardens and also in Tuscon, Arizona (Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope -VATT). With degrees in physics and a doctorate in astronomy from the University of Munich, this man of the cloth is also a man of science. His area of research is studying the formation and evolution of galaxies. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, recorded at the former Apostolic Residence in Castel Gandolfo, Fr. D'Souza talks about why the Catholic Church embraces science, and why it sees no conflict between the Holy Scriptures and Scientific discoveries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's face it, most of us are a little bit sketchy when it comes to understanding who the Holy Spirit is and what He actually does. Yes, "He." That's one of the identifiers that trips people up these days, especially in this gender-bending, Star Wars influenced worldview culture. It's much easier to think of this third member of the Holy Trinity as some ethereal spiritual force, "Let the Force be with you," than a person with power. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Pastor Max Lucado explains who this person the Holy Spirit is, and how we can tap into His power. The Bible talks about how our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. So that means this powerful being is close to us, as close as we want Him to be. Lucado preaches through his new book "Help Is Here" that this power has always been here. Like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," you don't have to travel to some far-off land to find the refuge, strength and love you crave. It's here and now, right where you are. That's the power of the Holy Spirit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was one decision that made a world of difference in a plethora of lives. This is the underlying theme of the movie "Lifemark," now out in theaters, and starring Kirk Cameron. Cameron, who came to fame in the 1980's playing "Mike Seaver" on the sitcom "Growing Pains," is now producing and developing Christian based content for television and film. He's teamed up again with the Kendrick Brothers, who he first worked with on the movie "Fireproof," which is about saving a marriage. Lifemark is about saving a life. In this case it's about a young man who's adopted, who journeys to meet his biological mother. The story of course is very pro-life, but it goes deeper, fleshing out the complex relationships created when a mother elects NOT to have an abortion, and the lives that are changed for the better because of that decision. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Cameron talks about why he was moved to make this film. His own experience as the father of four adopted children and his wife Chelsea, who is adopted herself. The Grand Narrative of the film is that God has a tremendous purpose through adoption, and that life is the most incredible gift, even if it comes in the most unexpected ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The unlikely pairing of faithful Christian and former television co-host Kathie Lee Gifford and Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel seems almost like an act straight from the entertainment world. It's either that or one by Divine design. And I prefer the latter scenario. Gifford and Sobel's second book collaboration, "The God of the Way" is a companion to a new movie musical "The Way," which Gifford calls an oratorio in film form. [An oratorio is basically Scripture telling a story, mixed with musical presentations of that story.] But it's the content and purpose of their collaboration that flies in the face of what most people think about when it comes to Jews and Christians getting along. It's not about making peace even though we disagree. These two agree. Sobel is a Messianic Rabbi believing that Jesus Christ is THE Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. And there's plenty he's trying to teach Christians about the origins of their faith. One of the main themes is that there isn't an Old and New Testament, it is one Holy Scripture, one continuous narrative. And that so much of what Christians understand as the New Testament, are far clearer and more impactful when absorbed through the lens of the Hebrew Scriptures. Gifford is Sobel's mentee and student who's absorbed a lot of his knowledge, and their relationship has made it safe for Christians to understand Judaism, and Jews to understand Christianity. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Gifford and Sobel show how exciting faith can be in a community of shared insights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A patriot he certainly is. No one can question that. Lee Greenwood's song celebrating the love of country is also now proclaiming his faith, exploring how the Scriptures are integral to America's founding. Greenwod has created the "God Bless the USA" Bible, which is a King James translation of the Holy Scriptures with America's founding documents in the addendum, showing how the two are related. Greenwood opened the Fox Summer Concert series this year on Memorial Day weekend, and I was privileged to sit down with him then to talk about The Good Book, how America's foundations are tied to it, and why it's important we never forget it. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Greenwood also talks about the Uvalde shooting, which had just occurred, and why he and many of his fellow musicians opted to cancel their appearances at the NRA conference. While he supports the Second Amendment, Greenwood says the tragedy made it a no brainer to bow out of the conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are many people of faith that believe the Boy Scouts of America has lost its way. Where once the organization was almost a rite of passage for boys on the way to becoming men, today it is not just about boys or affirming their strengths. Girls are also invited to join, even though there's such an organization called, "Girl Scouts". And the BSA is not about character based on serving God and country, but about individual achievements. Then there's the tragedy of thousands of boys who now claim they were sexually abused by troop leaders or older boys in authority positions, leading to hundreds of millions of dollars paid out to settle those claims. Whatever you think of the BSA, there has arisen an alternative to the 110-year-old organization. It's called Trail Life USA. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Trail Life's CEO Mark Hancock talks about how his organization is growing by leaps and bounds, while BSA's membership is shrinking. Hancock has said that the Boy Scouts of America abandoned its 'laser focus on boys', it's faith-based mission, and it's moral compass. Trail Life has made all three parts of its core principles. It is unapologetically Christ centered in its mission to help boys cultivate their God-given strengths. And they're making it clear that the phrase, 'boys will be boys' means something positive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a scientific argument in a video interview with a biologist who studied the research on the link between abortion and breast cancer. But fewer people than normal will see or hear about it because according to the conservative Christian organization The Ruth Institute which produced it, YouTube censored it, removing it from its page. YouTube stated that it “does not allow content about abortion that contradicts expert consensus from local health authorities or the World Health Organization (WHO) and poses a serious risk of bodily harm or death.” But The Ruth Institute claims there's a "corrupt process... to create the 'illusion of scientific consensus." And since the Roe decision, YouTube has removed three episodes of RI's weekly podcast featuring the Insitute's president, Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse. According to the Heritage Foundation, which chronicled a long list of examples, Big Tech companies have become the gatekeepers of information, as "a handful of Big Tech corporations - like Google, YouTube, Apple, Facebook (Meta), Twitter -now manipulate the flow of information in such an expansive way as to fundamentally reshape the public discourse." On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dr. Morse talks about the content of the interviews that YouTube removed, and why conservative voices of Faith have become big targets for Big Tech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The parents and children were active church members. They loved Jesus. They believed they were sinners saved by God's grace. They also believed what the Bible says about gender, that God made us Male and Female, that we are born into as one of those two sexes. So, it was a gut-wrenching surprise when their twelve-year-old daughter decided one day that she was a boy and wanted to be called the pronouns 'they/them'. What's a Christian family supposed to do? The secular world celebrates the transgender ideology. At school "Grace" (not her real name) became popular, something she wasn't before. But when she transitioned back to being a girl, there was only silence. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, journalist Sarah Zylstra talks about her article in "The Gospel Coalition" and her interview with the family about their long journey of walking with Grace through becoming a transgender boy, and then what they did, and didn't do, that made Grace transition back to being their daughter. As more and more families face this situation, Zylstra's words shed much needed light on the murky waters of "Rapid-onset Gender Dysphoria." For this family, it was faith that gave them the strength to obey God, rather than the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the wake of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs. Wade, polls on abortion and how Americans support or don't support the decision are rampant. Generally speaking, most polls say the majority of Americans did not support the justices ruling. But does that mean most citizens are pro-choice, or favor no restrictions on abortion? Daniel Darling, Director of the Land Center For Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, says poll results that make it to mainstream media can be misleading. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dan talks about the fact that most Americans, whether Democrat or Republican, favor some kind of restrictions on abortion, and that also the younger generations are becoming more pro-life than their parents' and grandparent's generations. With photos of ultrasound pictures included in baby books and on refrigerator doors, it's hard for anyone who favors abortion rights to say that this "clump of cells" growing in a woman's womb is anything other than a human life. That has been the game changer. Advances in science concerning the unborn, have resulted in a growing pro-life sentiment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Hord thought she had the perfect life and career. A producer for America's Most Wanted and ABC's Good Morning America, she was on a trajectory of certain success. Even a wedding in her late 30's seemed like a fairytale, which later welcomed a beautiful little girl named Gabrielle. But her dream marriage turned into a nightmare when the man she thought was her soul mate, became the source of strife and discontent. An acrimonious separation finally ended in divorce when her husband grudgingly signed the papers. But that same day, he went back to his home and killed seven-year-old Gabrielle and attempted to kill himself. Michelle's grief and trauma so great, her only recourse was to cry out to God. The verse that gave her strength was from the book of Job, "Though he slay me, YET will I trust him." It is what happens after the "Yet" that Michelle is living in now. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Michelle Hord talks about her book, "The Other Side of Yet: Finding Light in the Midst of Darkness," that tells her story of heartache and sorrow, but also of strength and healing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America is 245 years old! Happy Birthday! We've come a long way and become a great nation and a great power. But with great power comes great responsibility. And America could be at a defining moment in history. According to historian Os Guinness, all our struggles and founding documents have as their fuel the covenant the Israelites made with God at Mt. Sinai. Freedom comes from God. Not from man. The only true freedom in this world has as its author, The Almighty. The signers of the Declaration of Independence at the Second Continental Congress of July 4th, 1776 knew that. But today, many of our citizens of this Republic do not know that, or if they do, are trying to re-write history in their own image. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, historian and best-selling author Os Guinness talks about his new book, The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai's Revolutionary Faith and The Future of Freedom. He makes the claim that today's Woke ideology, various forms of Critical Theory, and the tearing down of historic statues is not part of our 1776 roots and the American war of Independence from Great Britian, but on the French Revolution, whose foundation is the Enlightenment and secularism. But Guinness goes a step further and says God's Law is the only source of true freedom. Because the paradox of freedom is that it must be ordered, otherwise freedom begets anarchy. If there are no rules to follow, laws to obey, then freedom itself becomes an oppressive cudgel, morphing into a 'will to power.' Are we there yet? Listen and find out. (This episode previously aired on July 4, 2021) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial may be over, but the strife and struggle of their relationship remains... not only for them but for countless other couples whose relationships will never make the front page of newspapers, nor their conflicts become court fodder. So on this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast we go back and ask two experts, a husband and wife team, Fr. Nicholas Louh and Dr. Roxanne Louh, about marriage. What is marriage? Why is faith important in a marriage? Is there a perfect person out there for everyone? What are some of the red flags in a relationship? How do you know if this is the right person to marry? Are some things unforgiveable in a marriage? And... what's wrong with having sex before marriage? The Louh's have a unique relationship to jointly explore all these questions and more. He is a Greek Orthodox priest. She is a psychologist. They've been married for 19 years. Together they look at relationships through the combined lens of faith and psychology; bringing them in tandem. Marrying them, you could say, and letting no man or woman separate them. This is the key to forming a marriage that truly will be forever. The Depp vs. Heard trial is used as a cautionary tale on this podcast. While neither Louh has met or knows either party, they do have some expert insight into how this relationship got on the rails in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wherever you stand on the Roe v. Wade debate, it is clear that no matter how the Supreme Court rules, the conflict over abortion rights will not end. It will go into a new phase. Shawn Carney, who co-founded the pro-life group "40 Days for Life" and whose life was featured in the movie "Unplanned", believes the High Court is set to topple the 1973 decision that made abortion legal. Carney's organization was founded on prayer, and he believes prayer is what will get the country through the next phase, as the abortion fight becomes localized in each state. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Carney explains why he believes it's the end of an era for Roe, but also how to spread the truth in love when it comes to the most contentious subject that has torn apart neighbors, family members and the country itself. In comparison, laws can be changed quickly. But it takes a great deal of time, effort, and patience to change hearts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wherever you stand on the controversy over denying Catholic politicians Holy Communion because of their stance on abortion, one conservative priest has a totally non-political take on this ever-growing dispute. Fr. Gerald Murray, who by all accounts is no close compadre of the Speaker of the House, says Nancy Pelosi is blessed. Why blessed? Because, he says, she has an Archbishop who cares enough about her eternal soul to decree that she should no longer receive the Holy Eucharist in her home Archdiocese of San Francisco. Not too long-ago Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone made public his ongoing, but private, spat with Pelosi over her staunch support of abortion rights. The Catholic Church considers abortion to be a grave sin for those who have one or for those who aid in its continuance. It's a sin that jeopardizes a person's promise of heaven. While many in the church have accused clergy like Cordileone of 'weaponizing the Eucharist', Murray says people should understand it from the point of view of a Shepherd caring for his flock. You can read the article here... Listen to Fr. Murray explain it, and also talk about how Pope Francis is molding the Catholic Church with 21 new Cardinals. Fr. Murray heads the United Nations parish, Church of the Holy Family in Manhattan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael W. Smith's greatest cheerleader in life was his father, Paul Smith. He supported him in his passion for music, even though his own talents were in sports. What a unique relationship that is. A father who not only lets his son find his passion in life, even if its different from his own.. but encourages him to pursue it wholeheartedly. But that was Paul Smith, who passed away in 2015, leaving the Grammy Award winning Christian artist with a huge hole in his heart. However, Paul Smith gave his son a legacy that death could not take away; a faith in his Heavenly Father, that will last into eternity. Fathers have an incredibly powerful influence on their children. Even their absence is felt as a profound loss in a child's soul. And then there are fathers who are physically present but emotionally distant, unapproachable, or even abusive. They too have a profound influence on their children. Theological experts say, a child's view and relationship with their earthly father has a correlation to how the child sees God. Authoritative or permissive, judgmental, or loving... all these have influence. Michael W. Smith, says his father, although not perfect, was the quintessential father, who sacrificed so much of himself to serve not only him but his mother and grandmother. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Smith talks about his father and the book he just wrote that honors him called, 'The Way Of The Father: Lessons From My Dad, Truths About God". The truth is, we all need our fathers. They play a vital role in our lives, yet today's society would have us believe they are unnecessary. But every study shows that when fathers are present, supportive, and loving, to their children, children thrive. The tragedy of course is, not all children have earthly fathers they can rely on. And that, says Michael W. Smith is why a Heavenly Father is all the more important. To know the Father is to be known down to the depths of your being, and at the same time, loved unconditionally. That is the Way of Thee Father. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is no question that the mass shooting of 19 children and two teachers in a Uvalde, TX elementary school was anything other than pure evil. And so, the question becomes, "Why wouldn't God prevent such evil?" And "Is He not all powerful? Or is He not all good?" Theologian and pastor Dr. Jeremiah Johnston is expert in mental health and spiritual evil, and he says what most Christians, and people of faith, haven't understood is that God, in the Bible does make a distinction between having the blues, depression, mental illness... and spiritual evil. They can all be intertwined, even on a trajectory. But it's possible to have one without the other. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dr. Johnston addresses all, as well as the issue of God's presence during tragedy and that the Church should be doing a lot more to deal with mental health within the ranks of its own pews. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Mediating institutions, such as the family, churches, and Fraternal organizations, feed the life of the civic community. They stand between the individual and the state. And when they recede, the state fills the vacuum." - Archbishop Charles Chaput That's a quote from an article in "First Things" magazine written by the retired Archbishop of Philadelphia, Charles Chaput. If you're not familiar with him, just know that he is student of political and American history, as well as a keen observer of political discourse, especially when it concerns the Catholic Church and Christianity as a whole. He knows his stuff. And for all his political involvement in calling out the hypocrisy of Catholic politicians and getting involved in the political fight over abortion and gender, he was pretty much shunned by Pope Francis, who Chaput was told didn't want any more bishops like him. But even though retired, Chaput hasn't stopped adding his voice to the public square. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Chaput talks about his article in "First Things," called "Fire Upon the Earth", and how America is at a critical precipice concerning her weakened religious foundations of which the state is taking advantage by inserting itself as the authority over theological beliefs. Issues like 'conscience rights' of medical professionals, 'parental rights' and the public schools, they're all being attacked. And the irony is they're being attacked by the very institution charged with protecting them... the government. So, what's the solution? Chaput says, it's what it has always been, faith in Jesus Christ; to know Him, His character, His love, His mercy, and to teach your children the same. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the abortion battle grows to a fever pitch pending the expected Supreme Court ruling, a new pro-life documentary takes a broad look at abortion; its history, morality, philosophy, and its politics... And targets the church as part of the problem and the solution. "The Matter of Life" ads have been banned from Facebook for content. Filmmaker Tracy Robinson faults the far-left ideology of tech companies. But that hasn't swayed Robinson, who less than a decade ago was a pro-choice Evangelical. And she knows there are many more like her. The film highlights that 4 in 10 women who had abortions were attending churches the month of their procedures. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Robinson explains how she came to be staunchly pro-life and that there are many Christians who were like her, getting their information from a secular point of view, not the Church. And that's why the film says that Christians' real abortion battle is in the pews, not in the public square. The film is set for a Fathom release this week (May 16th & 17th), as the country is reeling from the unprecedented leak of the High Court's opinion signaling a possible downfall of Roe v. Wade. Robinson is compassionate and understanding of the pro-choice position having been in that camp for most of her life, but she says without a doubt that abortion "degrades the body of Christ." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer blockbuster movie season is upon us, and for the next few months audiences will be mesmerized and dazzled by superheroes with superhuman powers, technological gadgetry, or otherworldly strength and moral fortitude. There's also one other thing these characters have in common: they are willing to sacrifice themselves to save their friends, family, or the world. These multi-gazillion dollar movies have been telling this story repeatedly, mimicking the narrative of the greatest story ever told, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sometimes without knowing, sometimes by default. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dr. Frank Turek talks about his new books, "Hollywood Heroes: How Your Favorite Movies Reveal God." In the book he highlights movies like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Iron Man, Captain America, and more, showing how the theme of sacrifice for the good of others is the Christian narrative of Jesus sacrificing Himself on the cross to save us all from the forces of evil that exist in the world... and within ourselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mitch Albom's best-selling book Tuesdays With Morrie was an up close and personal look at the death of a dear friend and the learning wisdom from an older person's wisdom of life. Albom's other books also take a deep dive into the spiritual reality of life's journey, like The Five People You Meet in Heaven and Stranger in the Lifeboat. But his recent book is much more personal, because it deals with the death of a child; his child... And the journey of trying to save her life. Finding Chika: A Little Girl, An Earthquake, and the Making of a Family, is Albom's book about the little girl he and his wife adopted from their orphanage they founded in Haiti after an earthquake devastated the island country. Chika was vibrant, full of life, fun and laughter. Even at her young age she possessed incredible wisdom. For Albom, it was Chika's death that brought a more poignant awareness of how precious life is. And in a way, Tuesdays With Morrie and Chika's story are bookends; both dealing with what we all must face, death. But then there's joy of focusing instead on being thankful for the time we had with a loved one, rather than mourning over their absence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Millions of Orthodox Christians are celebrating Easter this weekend. They'll hear the traditional chants and hymns, centuries old, always solemn, and reverent. But some would they are also distant and unconnected to the daily reality of the culture we live in. No one knows that better than Rev. Dr. Nicholas Louh, a Greek Orthodox priest who's lighting a fire, you could say, to the Orthodox world with his motivational speaking around the country. In style, substance and easy to understand theological message, he sounds more like Billy Graham than Basil the Great, a fourth century Orthodox theologian. For the first millennia of Christianity there was only Orthodoxy. One Church. Then came the great Schism of 1054 separating East and West. Five hundred years later, the Protestant Reformation and more splintering. But Louh is true to the Orthodox roots of the faith. However, of the Orthodox world he admits, "We've had this beautiful what I call the deep end of the pool of faith... where what we're challenged with is how do we share it in a way that's practical, applicable and relevant to people's lives?" On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, I am on the road again, this time to Southampton, New York, at the Lenten Retreat at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church, where Fr. Louh was the keynote speaker for three seminars. His bio shows that he's breaking the boundaries of the church building to build bridges with other religions, but also breaking down the separations between the more than thirty-thousand Christian denominations, the divisions of which have been the source of many a Holy war throughout the centuries, and even today in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Both countries are majority Orthodox Christians. Louh is the senior priest at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville, Florida. He's also the Adjunct Professor of World Religions at the Florida State College at Jacksonville and is the chaplain for the Jacksonville Sharks Arena Football Team. He's all about interfaith dialogue and social justice... and helping people understand what God's purpose is for their lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The new movie Father Stu tells the real-life story of Catholic priest Father Stuart Long. Mark Wahlberg stars as the main character, and Mel Gibson plays the role of Fr. Stu's dad. It's hard to encapsulate an entire life into a two-hour movie, but according to Fr. Bart Tolleson, a personal friend of Fr. Stu, the movie does an admirable job, although not perfect. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Fr. Bart, who consulted on the film, talks about the real Fr. Stu. His early life struggles, his searching for meaning, his rejection of faith, and then his passionate embrace of it despite the debilitating illness that would claim his life. In fact, it was through his pain and suffering that Fr. Stu's faith became even more real. And his life is a modern-day example of why Easter is the cornerstone of Christianity, that there is purpose and power in suffering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cole Lyle, a Marine veteran who served in Afghanistan, once put a revolver to his head intending to kill himself. The depression and anxiety of post-traumatic stress had taken its emotional toll. He saw no other way out. But for some reason instead he put down the gun and took up a Bible, locked himself in a room telling himself he wouldn't come out until God's Word helped him figure out what his life was for. Mission Roll Call is the result of that crisis of faith. On this "On the Road" edition of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Lyle talks about how he created Mission Roll Call to help other veterans like himself. One of the top priorities is suicide prevention. Veterans are at much higher risk than the rest of the population. Another priority is helping vets get access to healthcare. Helping Lyle in that quest is a beautiful German Shepherd named Kaia, a specially trained service animal that senses his moods, bringing him back from the brink of an emotional episode like a post-traumatic nightmare. Lyle says, there's a long waiting list for animals like Kaia, so the two lobby the halls of congress to get lawmakers attention to the needs of the men and women who put their lives on the line for the sake of Freedom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keith Stubbs tried the normal route in comedy to make his jokes a little bit saucy and sexy. In other words, not meant for the entire family. But now he's a defender of the faith... faith in clean comedy. Dry Bar Comedy is an organization started by Neal and Jeffrey Harmon in 2017, devoted to keeping comedy clean. Stubbs and hundreds of other comedians are on a mission to show that you can still be funny without cussing, cursing, or relying on gratuitous sexualized jokes. Some of the comedians even performed at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention. Stubbs admits that in the entertainment world it's an uphill battle as many comedians don't want to be labeled "clean" for fear it's synonymous with 'not funny'. But he's counseled many a comedian on how to slightly alter their shows to make them fit or the entire family, and the results surprise them. They get as many laughs, if not more, when the jokes are clean. Join the fun and enjoy the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To say appearances are deceiving just doesn't describe the total persona of John Cooper, lead singer of the Rock group Skillet, a band that has performed with the likes of Aerosmith and Metallica. Cooper, a Grammy nominated, multi-platinum musician, looks more like a hardcore biker-- tattoos, black leather et al-- than a Bible thumping theologian. But there you have it. His book, "Awake and Alive to Truth" is a conviction of modern society that preaches truth is something you make up for yourself, instead of an objective standard that exists outside of any individual. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Cooper, a strong Christian with his own podcast called "Cooper Stuff," talks about his pleas to the generations of today, growing up in a culture that is "Post-truth." He laments, "We don't believe there's absolute truth. We believe that everything is fungible. Everything is built on your interpretation, her truth, my truth. It's all based on the way I feel, the way that I interpret my reality. And then I demand that everyone else fall in line with my version of reality. And that is a recipe for chaos." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Being a good citizen is everyone's civic responsibility. But if you are a Christian, you are first a child of the Living God, made in His image. How can those two things work together? Because the Holy Bible and our Constitution are closely related, says Rick Green, founder of the Patriot Academy, who's also known as the American Constitution Coach. He says, the founding fathers did more than just "breathe the atmosphere" of spirituality, "They were studying the Bible every year. There was a deep, deep heritage of understanding that if you want to have a society that works well, you've got to follow God's rules and God's laws to to do that. And so they created this whole system based on that." On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast recorded at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville, Green is joined by Lt. Colonel Allen West, a retired U.S. Army officer and former member of the U.S. Congress. Together they talk about the how the Patriot Academy is teaching regular citizens how to really understand the Constitution's power and how that is crucial to fighting back against tyrannical forces emerging in our own legal system. For example, the often misunderstood and misapplied notion of separation of the Church and State. They also teach how important it is that to understand the Constitution you must understand the Bible. Many of the clauses in the Constitution are taken directly from the Old Testament. To be a good biblical citizen means to hold God's truth as the standard on which much of the Constitution is based. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is a Holy War over religion and politics the real impetus for Russia invading Ukraine? Former Ambassador for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback believes it was probably a huge factor, largely downplayed or ignored by Western officials. Three years ago the Patriarch of Orthodox Churches in Istanbul granted the Ukraine Orthodox Church independence from the Russian Orthodox Church. Putin, who sees himself as the defender of the faith, was livid, and so was the Russian Church hierarchy which is closely aligned with him. Putin has a long memory, but a short fuse. And there’s more spiritual warfare going on in Ukraine than meets the eye or ears. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, we go to the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville and talk with three faith experts about what’s happening in Ukraine: Ambassador Brownback, along with Dirk Smith of EEM (Eastern European Missions) which has a supplied millions of Bibles to Ukraine, and Dr. Jeff Meyers, President of Summit Ministries. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As members of the National Religious Broadcasters meet this week in Nashville for their annual convention, they are doing so under a cloud of challenges the Church has not seen in centuries. The modern era has brought a full throttle assault on the Church from persecution of Christians in countries where it is most dangerous to be a believer in Jesus Christ, like North Korea, Afghanistan and China, to name a few. But then there are the attacks in the West with legal cases brought against believers for standing their ground when it comes to things like traditional views on marriage and gender. And also, there's the effort to try to push back against indoctrination to a secular humanist world view in the public schools. Adding to all that a global pandemic and a war in Eastern Europe. The Church has its hands full. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, NRB top official, Troy Miller, takes a look at the big picture of all that's on the line. But then knowing that the bottom line will always be a faith in a Sovereign God. The NRB convention is the largest gathering of Christian communicators, a "premier conference for Christians who work in radio, tv, film, church media or digital marketing." What Miller says is that Christians have the modern weapons to take on the powers of evil in the world. The convention helps them tap into it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just like the famous Route 66 connects Chicago to Los Angeles in the United States, Route 60 in Israel connects the Bible's most famous events and people. From Abraham to Moses, Jacob to King David, and David to Jesus Christ... this Biblical Heritage Highway is the original Bible Belt and is in the works to become a new pilgrimage for the biblically minded tourist. Yishai Fleisher is the impetus behind the move to make Route 60 more than a two-lane highway, but an historic site commemorating shared lineages. The four-thousand-year-old path stretches the length from the Samarian city of Shechem thru Shiloh and Beth El where Jacob saw a vision of a ladder connecting Heaven and Earth, and thru Jerusalem and Bethlehem the birthplace of Jesus... all the way to Be'er Sheva, the capitol of the Negev desert "where Abraham and Isaac found water and taught wayfarers about the One God." On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Yishai Fleisher, the International Spokesperson for the Jewish Community of Hebron, talks about the importance to this highway as a shared culture between the three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islaam... and how Route 60 can be a true pathway to peace in the Middle East. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Christians, the entirety of the Bible hinges on a short verse in the Gospel of John in the New Testament; John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." It pretty much sums up the narrative of God's plan for redeeming the entire human race and the whole of creation, rescuing them from the Fall from Grace, and the evil now rampant in our world because of it. Pastor Max Lucado's 2007 best-selling book on those 26 words has been re-released and updated with "new content for a new generation." Called "3:16 The Numbers of Hope," it is a deep, heart-probing explanation of why these words were so mind-boggling when Jesus imparted them to Nicodemus more than two thousand years ago, and how they are just as life-altering for us today. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Pastor Max Lucado, a master storyteller, and spirit-filled teacher of biblical truth, talks about the power of John 3:16 and the hope it offers. He says, "The heart of the human problem is the heart of the human. And God’s treatment is prescribed in John 3:16... Let John 3:16 become the banner of your life, so much so that the message of God’s unending and unbending love overflows from you to others.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, closing arguments are scheduled in Finland at the trial of a Paivi Rasanen, a member of parliament, that may be a test case for whether quoting the Bible could be considered hate speech deserving of a crime. It all started in 2019 when Rasanen tweeted to her Lutheran minister questioning the church's support of the Gay Pride parade, quoting verses from the Bible as her reasoning. The exchange ignited a national debate where all of Rasanen's writings, including a 2004 pamphlet, became the focus behind five criminal complaints. She was eventually taken into custody where police questioned her for thirteen hours. Later she was charged with hate crimes against a minority. The real issue though has become, "How far can religious freedoms be protected?" And, "Whether or not people can be charged with a crime for what they believe?" On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Rasanen talks about her ordeal, her faith. This podcast is not a debate about what the Bible says or does not say about homosexuality. There's another podcast that debates that, between two evangelical ministers. Rasanen's interview is about how she feels about possibly facing jail time and/or a fine, for believing something in the Bible.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She has the voice of an angel - an Irish angel that is. Actress Roma Downey grew to fame on the TV series "Touched by an Angel," telling millions of viewers each week that "There is a God, that He loves you, and wants to be a part of your life." It's a message that's now embedded in her work with husband/producer Mark Burnett. Their mini-series on The Bible a few years ago became a surprise hit; a surprise to the secular world of Hollywood elites that is, not to Roma and Mark. Their latest offering is on the cornerstone of Christianity, The Resurrection. It's a film that would have been released in theaters, but because of the pandemic it could not be. So they had a choice to either hold it for a year or find another outlet. And they chose the latter. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Downey talks about how the COVID-19 shutdown became the impetus to bring the film to viewers as another message of hope in a world hungry for it. She also talks about what it was like shooting in Morocco, and the actors and actresses who bring to life the story of how the Apostles went from despair and fear at the crucifixion of Jesus to joy and triumph as they live out His Resurrection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a lawsuit that was bound to happen as Critical Race Theory and other social agenda curriculum make their way through schools across the country. The state of Virginia, in particular has seen its share of controversy as parents there have been riled up for months about what schools are teaching their children; an unforeseen byproduct of the pandemic as thousands of students stayed home taking their classes via zoom. Just a few weeks ago, a group of parents of different religious backgrounds filed a lawsuit against Albemarle School District in Virginia, accusing it of indoctrinating their children with Critical Race Theory, claiming that the doctrines conflict with their beliefs that all people are made in God's image and should be treated equally. It's a far cry from CRT's teachings that people are either oppressed or are oppressors based on their ethnicity or race. And it's also not what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. hoped for in his "I Have a Dream" speech, where he envisioned a world where people would be judged by "the content of their character and not the color of their skin." Alliance Defending Freedom is the legal team representing the parents. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Emilie Kao, Senior Counsel with ADF, discusses the case, and what drove the parents to file the lawsuit. The school district has until Monday, January 31st to respond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After U.S withdrawal, Afghanistan became the number one place on earth where it is most dangerous to be a Christian, for the first time ever. That's according to Open Doors USA's World Watch List 2022. The Taliban in Afghanistan is now engaged in a door-to-door campaign to rid the country of Christians, who are mostly converts from Islam. The penalty for conversion is death. The World Watch List is a definitive, comprehensive research-based report that ranks the top 50 countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian. Afghanistan has supplanted North Korea, which now ranks #2 on the list, after spending 20 years at #1. And it's not that North Korea has gotten better; Afghanistan has gotten worse. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Open Doors president David Curry explains how bad things are; how every Christian in Afghanistan is now either in hiding or on the run. The Taliban’s interpretation of Islam considers Christians to be traitors, enemies of the state, enemies of the tribe and even the community; they are deemed to be “infidels." Curry will also highlight another bad actor on the World Watch List: China. Its religious freedom abuses are more sinister and more cunning; using technology and Artificial Intelligence to control people of faith, keep watch on them, and judge whether they are good citizens or not based on what and who they worship. On the eve of the Winter Olympics in China, Curry wants the world to be aware what's happening there, and that money and power should not determine how people are treated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you think of yourself more spiritual than religious, you may not want to even listen to this podcast with "Bible Answer Man" Hank Hanegraaff. Clearly the "spiritual but not religious" segment is growing; by last count, 29 percent of Americans. But on the other hand, if you consider yourself a champion of organized religion, you may find much to disagree with in this podcast. However, if your heart is searching for the answers to life's most pressing questions, both spiritual and intellectual, then by all means click on the link and begin to understand what faith is and why it's necessary. Hanegraaff answers some common objections to religion in general and Christianity specifically like, "Don't we all have to find truth for ourselves?" or "Isn't it incredibly narrow to say that Christianity is the only religion that offers salvation?" A few years ago, Hanegraaff converted from Protestantism's evangelical Christianity to Orthodox Christianity. He took a lot of heat for it from leaders in the Evangelical community. As he explains it, his conversion was brought about by a heartfelt, as well as intellectual pursuit of God's Truth - yes Truth capital with a capital T - as it is told by God's Word through Jesus Christ, the Risen Savior. Hanegraaff says most of us in this pluralistic society like to live in the gray areas, believing that no one religion has cornered the market on Truth. And the only acceptable, and polite position in mixed company is to say that all religions lead to the same God. But Hanegraaff is one of great many sounding the alarm on that position explaining that believing in spiritual plurality may make you a lot of friends in liberal circles but will ultimately draw you away from God. Listen and see if you agree or disagree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Archaeology over the past few decades has continued to find evidence that the Bible speaks truth; that the people and places mentioned in the Old and New Testaments were not parts of some mythological creation, but evidence of historical facts unearthed through science. Author and journalist Michael Hesemann "connects the dots between the Gospels and the time Christ" through his book, Jesus of Nazareth: Archaeologists Retracing the Footsteps of Christ. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Hesemann presents the latest information from archeological findings over the past decade, since the first edition of his book was published... including more details of the Wedding at Cana, the account in the Gospel of John which describes Jesus's first miracle of turning water into wine. Hesemann is the author of some forty-four books, including Mary of Nazareth, and co-author with Mgr. Georg Ratzginger, of the international best-seller on Pope Benedict XVI, My Brother the Pope. It was in fact that book that helped create my first meeting Michael in Rome, where we became friends. He invited me to Regensburg, Germany to meet Mgr. Ratzinger and to celebrate his 89th birthday. I brought my mom along who was also 89 at the time. It paved the way for me to perform for Pope Benedict XVI the very next year at the Vatican, and the famous picture of my mom hugging Pope Benedict. Listen to us reminisce of those times and more... as well as fascinating information on what archeologist have found in the Holy Land. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauren Green looks back at her January 2021 conversation with Open Doors USA President David Curry. Every year for the past few decades, Open Doors USA releases its World Watch List, a top 50 lineup of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian. According to Open Doors president David Curry, there's a growing trend of more and more people dying because they are Christian. It is one of the most under reported phenomenon, that despite what mainstream media say, Christianity is the most persecuted religion globally. The top 10 worst countries for Christians contains the usual cast of characters, mainly Muslim majority nations like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran. But the communist secular regime of North Korea leads the pack, as it has for 20 years. It's secretive dictatorship makes it illegal to even own a Bible. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Curry talks about the new trends affecting Christians, that 1 in 8 are persecuted worldwide, that more people than ever before are suffering for their religious beliefs, and that countries like China, Iran, India, and Nigeria are using the COVID-19 pandemic to justify the use of common technology to create a dangerous world for religious minorities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether or not you believe in Jolly Old St. Nick or not, you should learn about the real saint that inspired the larger-than-life version seen in movies and TV. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus! And William Federer, ace historian, and encyclopedia on everything Christmas explains why Christianity is behind pretty much every tradition celebrated around December the 25th.  On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Federer explains how the real St. Nicholas, the 3rd century bishop, influenced centuries of Christmas gift giving and gratitude surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. He also explains how St. Nicholas got a makeover in every country where his story was told. Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas.... are all different personifications of St. Nicholas of Bari. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For centuries, both the faithful and science-based folks have wondered about the Star of Bethlehem. What was it? From where did it come? Is it a myth, a miracle, or was it natural occurring astronomical event? The Star, as told in the Gospel of Matthew, led the Magi to a little town called Bethlehem, about five miles south of Jerusalem. It was a sign in the heavens that told them a King was born, a King that would be in the line and lineage of King David. Many astronomers believed it was a conjunction of planets. German scientist Johannes Kepler believed it was the conjunction of three planets, Jupiter, Saturn and Venus. But while astronomers today use Kepler's exact mathematical calculations to map the motion of the planets, lawyer and Star enthusiast Rick Larson has taken it many steps further, and has found the link between the Bible's prophecies, the motion of the planets, and the signs in the sky. The heavens do indeed "declare the glory of God," as Psalm 19 announces. In this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Larson gives a synopses of his findings, which are in his film Star of Bethlehem, and his website bethlehemstar.com, which gives even more details of tying God's message to us, to the motion of the planets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ever witty and always keenly aware of what's wrong and right in the world... syndicated columnist and former Fox News contributor Cal Thomas, has a lot to say about the state of America, the condition of the human heart... and the true meaning of Christmas. Cal's latest book, America's Expiration Date, gives him plenty of material to draw upon as he takes a sober look at the clues that signal America's downfall. But then he also gives the Good News about the solution to which this season of joy points. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Cal gives a candid analysis of the three major precursors that have historically caused the downfall of great civilizations: massive debt, uncontrolled immigration without assimilation, and loss of shared values... and shows how America is on the path of all three.  But then there's the hope of Christmas and what it brings to all who believe.... and his quote at the end that says understanding the true meaning of Christmas, of a babe born in a manger, of a world hungry for hope... begins first in our hearts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The mainstream media vilified him. The court of public opinion pronounced him guilty even before his trial. And then an Australian Court followed suit and convicted him of sexually abusing two choir boys in 1996, while he was the Archbishop of Melbourne, Australia. George Cardinal Pell was the highest-ranking clergyman in the Roman Catholic Church to be convicted of child sexual abuse. But after serving thirteen months of a six-year sentence, Australia's highest court acquitted him of all charges by unanimous vote. Why the sudden turn around? Much of the evidence that would have found him innocent was ignored or never presented. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, the Vatican's one-time high-ranking official talks about the journals he wrote while in prison, that are now books in three volumes. Volume three just released is subtitled "The High Court Frees an Innocent Man". There is, however, more intrigue to the story. Pell's predicament may not have been just the conjuring of a media firestorm wanting to find another priest guilty of abuse. There's also speculation that the abuse allegations might have been trumped up as a smear campaign, secretively instigated by his enemies in Rome, upset over his financial reforms he was making to clean up the Vatican's financial messes. He was brought in by Pope Francis and answered to him alone. Find out what His Eminence, Cardinal Pell has to say about his accusers and his alleged enemies in the Eternal City. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices