"An Ordinary Man," looks at abnormality in America, host Jim Wining discusses what he perceives as a shift toward "abnormal" behavior in modern society compared to the activism he witnessed in the 1960s.Key Topics Discussed:Supreme Court and Identity: Wining expresses confusion over recent Supreme Court discussions regarding the definitions of man and woman, which he believes should be simple concepts 00:46Opens in a new window. Comparison to the 1960s: He reflects on his youth during the 1960s, noting that protests then were focused on "real issues" like civil rights and discrimination 01:31Opens in a new window.Law Enforcement and ICE: The host criticizes protesters who block ICE agents from performing their duties, specifically mentioning a tragic incident involving a young lady killed during a confrontation with law enforcement 07:49Opens in a new window.Financial Fraud: He mentions reports of daycare centers in Minnesota allegedly misusing millions of dollars in taxpayer funds 11:46Opens in a new window.Foreign Policy: Wining shares concerns about the U.S. acting as a "world monitor," drawing parallels between current events in Venezuela and his personal experiences with the Vietnam War 05:30Opens in a new window.The Proposed Solution:Wining concludes by suggesting that the "only answer" to ending this disharmony is through Jesus Christ 14:02Opens in a new window. He encourages viewers to:Love and care for one another despite differing opinions 14:13Opens in a new window.Perform simple acts of service, such as handing out coffee to both protesters and police, to de-escalate tension 15:09Opens in a new window.Step in with understanding to help end "abnormal" behaviors and restore the country 16:19Opens in a new window

In this video from the series "An Ordinary Man," host Jim Wining discusses "The Christian Way" and evaluates how different economic systems align with Christian values.

Overview of Economic Systems

Wining compares three primary economic systems based on how they impact individual freedom and the ability to practice faith:Communism: Described as a system of "total control" where the government owns everything 01:29Opens in a new window.

He argues it puts people in a position of "diminished capacity" with no individual authority 01:05Opens in a new window.

Socialism: Characterized as collective ownership of major production (like energy and food) 02:01Opens in a new window.

While it allows for some private property, he claims it leaves individual rights "in the sand" and can easily abolish private ownership 02:26Opens in a new window.

Capitalism: Defined as "free enterprise" where individuals determine their own value and make their own decisions 03:00Opens in a new window.

He views this as the opposite of the other two systems because it rejects government as the best source for decision-making 03:25Opens in a new window.

The Connection to ChristianityThe speaker concludes that Capitalism is the most compatible system with Christianity for several reasons:Freedom of Choice: He emphasizes that God gave humans the "right of choice," particularly the individual choice to follow Jesus Christ 03:48Opens in a new window.

He argues that systems which limit individual choices (like Communism and Socialism) interfere with this spiritual autonomy 04:22Opens in a new window.

Individual Liberty: He links the economic philosophy of capitalism to the constitutional freedoms of religion, speech, and assembly 04:38Opens in a new window.

These freedoms are seen as essential for practicing faith and assembling with other believers 05:35Opens in a new window.

Priority of Family: Wining states that while Christianity and Capitalism foster the family unit, Communism and Socialism prioritize groups that the government can control, often discouraging traditional family structures 05:56Opens in a new window.

Ultimately, he argues that capitalism is "favorable to Christianity" because it allows individuals the freedom to fulfill "God's opportunities" through faith, peace, and love 08:17Opens in a new window.

What economic system fits with Christianity. Is it Communism, socialism or capitalism? Why do we care?The speaker explores the concept of living according to Christian values in everyday life.The video emphasizes that being a follower of Christ involves:Emulating the life of Jesus by practicing kindness, patience, and integrity.Integrating faith into one's daily routine, rather than just treating it as a Sunday activity.Finding purpose in simple, "ordinary" actions that reflect a commitment to spiritual principles.

When buying a horse Jim Wining learned to pay attention more closely to the details. Maybe we should also pay greater attention to the words of Jesus Christ and what specifically he prayed for in John 17."An Ordinary Man," "The Listening Lesson," Jim Wining shares a personal story about purchasing a horse to illustrate the importance of paying close attention to details and listening carefully.The Story of StockingsThe Purchase: About 30 years ago, Jim bought a gentle paint horse named Stockings. During the purchase, the previous owner mentioned he kept the horse in a corral and fed him only oats 01:42Opens in a new window.The Mistake: Jim assumed the owner was just being lazy and decided to let Stockings out into a lush green pasture to graze 02:33Opens in a new window.The Consequence: Within 24 hours, the horse began to "founder," a condition where the moisture in the grass caused him to become crippled 03:02Opens in a new window. Jim realized too late that the owner’s specific feeding routine was a necessity, not a preference 03:41Opens in a new window.The Lesson: For the next 25 years, Stockings had to live almost entirely in a corral. Jim reflects that he failed to pay attention to the underlying details of what the owner was telling him 03:52Opens in a new window.Spiritual ApplicationJim connects this experience to how Christians should approach the Bible:Pay Attention to Jesus' Words: He encourages listeners to look closely at the specific language used by Jesus in the scriptures 04:22Opens in a new window.Unity in Christ: Specifically referencing John 17, Jim highlights that Jesus' heart and final prayer were for believers to come together in unity 04:34Opens in a new window.Mission of Acts Ministry: He explains that his organization, Acts Media Group, is dedicated to advocating for this unity among all Christians through the Holy Spirit 04:43Opens in a new window.

The program traces developments from the 1960's to the 2020's . Jim Wining, Bishop/President of Acts Ministry, Inc. sets forth the topics of work, marriage, education, food, media and most importantly the church for its 2026 podcasts. Summarizing with, what has the Body of Christ (church)not done these past 60 years and what should it start doing now in 2026 to save our country and most importantly Christianity for the Return of Jesus."An Ordinary Man," "Then and Now,", host Jim Wining explores the social and cultural shifts in America from the 1960s to the 2020s. He argues that a decline in socialization and connection has led to the crumbling of society and calls for a restoration led by the "Body of Christ" in 2026.Key Societal Changes (1960s vs. 2020s)Wining highlights several areas where he believes American life has fundamentally changed:Workplace Socialization: In the 1960s, work was primarily in-office from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, fostering constant interaction. Today, over 30% of the workforce works remotely with minimal direct social connection.Education: While traditional K-12 schooling provided high social interaction, now nearly 25% of high school diplomas are completed online. He notes a similar loss of interaction in trade schools and colleges.Marriage and Family: The marriage rate for adults over 21 has plummeted from 72% in the 1960s to just 31% today.Home and Food: In the 60s, families ate roughly 80% of their meals at home, which served as a primary time for communication. Now, less than 20% of families eat together at home, which Wining says has nearly eliminated critical family communication.Media and Communication: Physical newspapers once served as tools for shared discussion. They have been replaced by the internet, which provides knowledge but lacks true connection and the sharing of ideas.The Role of the ChurchWining describes the church as the ultimate tool for American socialization and education:Attendance Decline: Church attendance has dropped from approximately 70% in the 1960s to roughly 32% today.Lost Functions: He believes this decline means 68% of the population is missing out on the church's core functions: education, correction, and socialization.Restoration Plan: Wining announces that his program in 2026 will focus on how Christians can fulfill their obligation as the "Body of Christ" to educate the youth and restore the American dream. He connects this effort to preparing for the return of Jesus Christ.

A 5th grade teacher helps Jim Wining with his fear of height. Her "Helping Hands," guided him step by step until he was successful in sliding down a 9' Slippery Slide. By breaking down his fear into smaller pieces Jim, today Bishop/President Acts Ministry, Inc. is able to explain the Christian walk challenge but with eventual victory.In this video titled "An Ordinary Man," "Fear," host Jim Wining shares a personal story from his childhood to illustrate how to overcome fear through patience and incremental steps.Overcoming the Fear of the "Slippery Slide"Jim recalls being a large fifth-grader who was paralyzed by a fear of heights 01:14Opens in a new window. Specifically, he was terrified of a nine-foot tall slippery slide on the school playground 01:25Opens in a new window. He would often stand in line but back out before reaching the top, convinced he could never do it 02:02Opens in a new window.The Teacher's Nine-Week PlanHis fifth-grade teacher noticed his struggle and implemented a patient, step-by-step strategy to help him 02:18Opens in a new window:Week 1: He only had to stand on the first step with both feet and then step back down 03:10Opens in a new window.Weeks 2-8: Each week, he added one more step, climbing a little higher before coming back down 04:03Opens in a new window.Week 9: He finally reached the ninth step (the platform), sat down, and successfully slid down for the first time 04:25Opens in a new window.The Spiritual LessonJim connects this experience to adult life and faith, noting that:Fear is diverse: People face various fears, from elevators and crowds to marriage and even the challenges of being a Christian 00:46Opens in a new window.Support matters: Just as his teacher was patient and supportive, he encourages adults to help children break down barriers and obstacles 06:28Opens in a new window.Faith as a journey: He suggests that becoming a Christian can feel scary due to potential challenges or judgment, but taking small "steps" in one's spiritual walk leads to the comfort and peace of Jesus Christ

Years ago Jim Wining, Bishop/President of Acts Ministry, Inc. experienced a "Good Deed," by his 3rd/4th Grade teacher. Her observations, support and solutions had a lasting effect on Jim. Moreover, he realized the real foundation of such skills was demonstrated by Jesus.In this episode of An Ordinary Man, titled "A Good Deed," host Jim Wining shares a personal story about how his third-grade teacher’s compassion and creative problem-solving had a lifelong impact on him.Key Highlights from the VideoThe Challenge of a Split Class: Jim recalls being in a "split class" with 36 students, where eight third-graders were taught alongside fourth-graders. He describes struggling with "energy issues" and finding it difficult to stay focused when lessons were repeated multiple times.A Creative Solution: Recognizing his frustration, his teacher made a private agreement with him: if he felt overwhelmed, he could quietly leave the room, run down the hall to touch the water fountain, and return. This allowed him to release energy and refocus on his work without disrupting the class.A Lifetime of Impact: Reflecting on this experience, Jim notes that while he was later diagnosed with ADHD and autism, his teacher’s ability to observe, support, and provide a tailored solution was a profound act of kindness.Connecting Faith and Service: Jim draws a parallel between his teacher's actions and the way Jesus observed the needs of others and offered solutions. He encourages viewers to offer love, understanding, and help to those around them.

"An Ordinary Man," "Balloons," host Jim WiningJim Wining, Bishop and President of Acts Ministry, Inc. explains how a simple Birthday party defined for him accountability and its affect on respect, trust and love.Jim Wining shares a story about a time when he organized a birthday party for his son shortly after moving to a new neighborhood:The Idea: To entertain 12-14 neighborhood kids, he decided to catapult water balloons high into the sky using a huge rubber band and a wheelbarrow filled with 50+ balloons [00:46].The Launch: He rigged a huge slingshot on his driveway and the kids took turns launching the balloons, enjoying the sight of them fading away [02:10].The Consequence: After about 30 minutes, a neighbor spun into the driveway and angrily asked what they were doing [02:48]. The neighbor informed him that every one of the balloons had landed on his glass patio garden room and broken the back windows of his house [03:28].The Fallout: The host offered to pay for the damage, but the neighbor instructed him to stay away, saying his wife would "kill" him [03:48]. The children, who had witnessed the event, "evaporated" out of fear, and the host felt he had lost their respect and trust [04:00].Key TakeawayThe host uses this story to emphasize the importance of accountability and responsibility in life [05:33]. He concludes by encouraging viewers to be certain that they can "stand with pride" in their actions, knowing they have maintained the respect and trust of those around them, as this is necessary to reach the level of love [06:30].

Using a 12 year old's experience to explain the importance of compromise or common ground with others is crucial. Our current world is nearly in constant conflict with little peace or appreciation for different points of view. This little story demonstrates how being uncompromising the end results or consequences may not be what you expected. Then comes the Thanksgiving suggestion."An Ordinary Man," "Compromise" host Jim Wining, host Jim Wining uses a personal childhood story and a modern-day Thanksgiving suggestion to highlight the importance of compromise and finding common ground.Key Themes and Stories:A Lesson in Resentment and Revenge: Wining shares a story from when he was about 12 years old. He felt deep anger toward an older cousin who visited for a week, resenting that the cousin "invaded" his space—sleeping in his bed, taking his favorite chicken pieces, and using his baseball mitt. Instead of communicating or sharing, Wining chose retaliation by intentionally crashing his bicycle into his cousin's. The plan backfired when his cousin fought back and his mother spanked Wining for his poor behavior, teaching him that being uncompromising leads to negative consequences.The "Thanksgiving Compromise": As a modern application, Wining suggests a "potluck" style Thanksgiving where every guest brings their favorite dish—whether it's pizza, macaroni and cheese, or Brussels sprouts—instead of sticking strictly to traditional rules. He argues that by appreciating these small differences in taste, we can learn to appreciate larger differences in opinion and perspective.The Goal of Compromise: Wining explains that compromise is essential to living together in a "peaceful caring and sharing way". By reaching common ground, people can move past conflict and rejoice in their time together.Connecting to Faith: He relates these ideas to the mission of Acts Ministry, which focuses on unity in Christ regardless of individual denominations or different paths to faith.Wining concludes by encouraging everyone to "be Christians and believers" by looking past differences and choosing compromise in all seasons of the year.

Host Jim Wining, Bishop/President of Acts Ministry, Inc. uses his own 8th grade experience to explain the pitfalls of ego."An Ordinary Man," "Ego," host Jim Wining, host Jim Wining uses a humbling story from his youth to illustrate how ego can hinder our ability to serve others and find common ground.Key Takeaways:A Lesson in Humility: Wining recalls an eighth-grade experience where he felt quite "important" as a tall student and basketball player. He attempted to ask a girl to walk home with him by passing a note through the classroom, only to have the teacher intercept it and make her read her rejection aloud: "I'd rather walk home with a crocodile". This public blow to his ego taught him how quickly self-importance can shrink when faced with reality.Biblical Examples of Zero Ego:Jesus: Modeled the ultimate act of servitude by washing feet and instructing his followers to serve rather than be served.John the Baptist: Deflected all recognition and importance toward Jesus, demonstrating a complete lack of ego.Ruth: Prioritized the needs and well-being of others over her own desires.The Modern Pitfall of Ego: Wining criticizes the lack of humbleness in modern politics and religion, noting that many people believe they are the "center of the universe". He points out that:Preachers sometimes act as if they are the only path to salvation.Politicians spend their time belittling others to boost their own egos.Government often prioritizes its own power over the people it should serve.The Importance of Common Ground: He argues that moving past the ego allows people to reach "common ground," which is essential for success in faith and governance. This aligns with the mission of Acts Ministry, Inc., which focuses on unity in Christ regardless of specific denominations or doctrines.Wining concludes by encouraging viewers to "forget the ego being the crocodile in the room" and instead strive to be the person who makes a positive difference for the glory of God.

Host Jim Wining, Bishop/President talks about what is stupid and what is not. He uses his own personal experiences to demonstrate the difference,"An Ordinary Man," "Stupid" host Jim Wining, host Jim Wining explores the distinction between genuine ignorance (stupidity) and deliberate acts of destruction.Key Concepts Explored:Defining Stupidity through Experience: Wining shares a personal story from the fifth grade where he poured gasoline on a neighbor's lawn, believing it would make the grass sparkle and turn a brighter green. Instead, it destroyed the grass and trees for over a decade. He labels this as a "truly an act of stupidity" born from a total ignorance of the consequences.Stupidity vs. Deliberate Destruction: He contrasts his childhood mistake with someone who uses gasoline with full knowledge of its flammable nature to set fire to a building. In this case, the person isn't "stupid" but is committing a deliberate act of destruction or terrorism.The "Test" for Actions: Wining encourages viewers to apply a "test" when they see vandalism or violence on the news: is the person genuinely ignorant of the harm they are causing, or are they "smart enough to know better" and acting with harmful intent?.Political "Stupidity": He provides a modern example, stating that people who call the United States a "democracy" instead of a "republic" are making a "stupid comment" due to a lack of understanding of the country's founding. He warns that such fundamental ignorance in people of responsibility can lead them to accept the dangerous acts of others.Jim Wining concludes by urging his audience to discern whether an action is a "stupid act or a deliberate act," as the distinction is vital for understanding current events. He is the Bishop and President of Acts Ministry, Inc., which focuses on unity through the Holy Spirit.