We invite you to stop for a moment, breathe deep, close your eyes, and listen as several children read through the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20.

It is easy to get caught up in our Christmas checklists and quite possibly miss the reason that we celebrate this holiday season. We wanted to hear straight from the hearts of children as they read the Christmas story, then share their insights into that first Christmas night. They also share with us why Jesus is special and important to them.

Our hope and prayer this week is that you will put your world on pause to reflect the Hope we have in Jesus Christ who came into our corrupt world to live as one of us, to remain sinless, and become the ultimate sacrificial Lamb--the only One who could reunite us with God, the Creator of all that is.

THAT is the Hope that we have as Christ-followers. Hope placed anywhere else is temporal and will not satisfy.

If you don't know Jesus as your Savior, find a local Bible-believing church.  Attend a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service, and tell someone that you want to find true Hope in life.

Merry CHRISTmas!

----------------------------------------
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Kamryn Babb, a four-star recruit from Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, was recruited in 2018 by The Ohio State Buckeyes.  He also had offers from  Alabama, UCLA, and Florida.

Kamryn's dream of playing football at the next level was about to be realized, but it did not go at all the way he envisioned. He missed the 2018 and 2019 seasons with ACL injuries--the same injury he had in high school. His 2020 season of seven games was cut short due to COVID. 2021 was to be his year, but another ACL injury sidelined him once again.

While many would have given up, something was going on in Kam's life off the field. He was finding purpose in the pain, both physical and emotional, and finding Hope beyond the gridiron. Kamryn's relationship with Jesus Christ became real. That relationship began changing Kam's life from the inside out.

His teammates made him team captain; not because of his leadership on the field, but his character and leadership off the field. As the 2022 season approached, Kam's senior year, his knee gave him more problems. However, he worked through them and was still hopeful to see playing time in his last season as a Buckeye.

Then November 12, 2022, came. It was game day and the Buckeyes hosted Indiana in the Horseshoe in Columbus.  Kam knew that he was available to play, but only God knew what would happen with 8:29 left on the clock in the 4th quarter.

Kamryn Babb joins us on the show to talk about that moment, but also to talk about the 4 years that led up to that moment. We talk about family, faith, his teammates, how God is moving at Ohio State, and what is next for Kamryn Babb.

If you are a college football fan, you are going to want to hear my conversation of Hope with Buckeye wide receiver, Kamryn Babb.

----------------------------------------
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This week, I want to share a brief bit of encouragement from one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, Psalm 139.

It’s easy to get so caught up in all of our day-to-day responsibilities that we get overwhelmed with life. Psalm 139 is my go-to reminder that God is so much greater than I can imagine. He knows me better than I know myself.  Reading this chapter in the Psalms is a great anxiety-reducer!

Beginning in verse 19, David seems to make an abrupt change.  It is a bit uncomfortable that he begins talking about slaying the wicked and hating his enemies.  However, David is not speaking about those he hates, but those who hate God and rebel against God.  God, in His mercy and longsuffering, withholds His wrath. The Apostle Paul was one of those that David would have probably considered an enemy of God, but because God offers mercy, Saul became Paul after becoming a follower of Jesus and did a complete 180 by serving God to the end.

The rest of Psalm 139 reminds us:

1. God is omniscience – He is all-knowing
2. God is omnipresent – He is ever-present
3. That we are intimately known by God
4. We are made with a purpose
5. God is in control
6. We are never alone
7. God will eventually be the ultimate Judge

Friends, regardless of what you are going through or what you have gone through, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.  If you are a follower of Jesus, you know that He left heaven to become one of us. To experience life as we know it…with pain, hurt, challenges, temptations…all of it.  He walked this earth for over 30 years, yet he was without sin.

If you are not following Jesus, know that because He was without sin, he was the only one qualified to become a sacrifice that would cover all our sins.  He died for me, and He died for you.  He loves you!

I hope you will bookmark Psalm 139 and read it often as a reminder of the BIG PICTURE.  You are loved!
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"It's the most, wonderful time of the year..." until it isn't.

In this episode, Amanda Valantine joins us again to discuss this "most wonderful time of the year" from the perspective of people who struggle this time of year.

Many times, the holidays are incredibly difficult. They are reminders of those who are no longer with us.  They are a reminder of traditions broken through divorce or broken families. For others, it is just plain stressful.

Amanda offers tips and plans to guide you through this holiday season.

If you know of someone who needs to hear this message, please share it!
------------------------------
We also have some exciting news for the show as Amanda will be joining us each week! Listen for more!
------------------------------
FROM THE SHOW:

From Amanda:
I hope these resources can help you to reach your goals for the holidays, keeping you close to Christ and the safe people around you. New traditions and memories are waiting! 

My Holiday Plan Worksheets:
my holiday plan 2022.pdf

Advent Resources:
As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. #paidlinks

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Our guest today, Stephen Kendrick, is an adoptive parent, and he also co-wrote and is the Executive Producer of a new movie called, LIFEMARK.

LIFEMARK is based on the true story of David Scotton, who began sharing his story at a “Louisiana Pro-Life Oratory Contest” in 2011. David’s birth mother was a pregnant teen and was about to receive an abortion, but at the last minute, she chose to deliver her baby and place him for adoption.

David and his mother, Melissa, eventually connected on social media before meeting face-to-face, after 18 years.

From executive producers Kirk Cameron and the Kendrick Brothers—creators of War Room and Fireproof—comes LIFEMARK, inspired by an incredible true story that celebrates the gift of life.

LIFEMARK was released in theaters on September 9th and will be released on home video on December 13th.

I know you will be blessed to hear some of the behind-the-scenes details of the movie from co-writer and Producer, Stephen Kendrick.

If you know of someone who needs to hear this message, please share it!
------------------------------
FROM THE SHOW:

LIFEMARK Movie site:
https://lifemarkmovie.com

Kendrick Brothers website:
https://kendrickbrothers.com/

Focus on the Family:
https://www.focusonthefamily.com/

Care Net:
https://www.care-net.org/lifemark-movie

Lifeline Children's Services:
https://lifelinechild.org/
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On November 1st, just a week before the mid-term elections, I sat down with Anne Graham Lotz.  Anne is the daughter of Rev. Billy Graham. She is the founder of AnGeL Ministries and is the author of 11 books, including “Just Give Me Jesus”.

I asked Anne to join us so we could hear from her about the state of our nation from a Biblical worldview.  In our Pledge of Allegiance, we recite, “…one nation under God…”, but are we really still one nation under God, or have we forgotten about God or turned our back on Him?  We also pledge that these United States are “indivisible”, yet this nation is perhaps more divided than it has been in decades.

Where have we gone and where are we headed?  And what DOES God have to say about the United States of America? Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, far-left, far-right, or somewhere in between, this conversation with Anne Graham Lotz is one that all Americans need to hear.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you’ve likely wondered as I have, “how do I navigate the politics of our country while still adhering to God’s Word and to His instruction?”

Well, I hope you will prayerfully listen to this Conversation of Hope with Anne Graham Lotz to gain some insight into that very question.
 
------------------------
FROM THE SHOW:

Anne Graham Lotz website:
https://www.annegrahamlotz.org/

Daily Light Devotions from Anne:
https://www.annegrahamlotz.org/category/daily-light/

AnGeL Ministries store:
https://www.annegrahamlotz.org/store/

Anne's Tribute to Her Father, Billy Graham:
https://www.annegrahamlotz.org/2018/02/21/daddy-is-at-home/

------------------------
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Last week, we had a conversation with Brittni De La Mora, who had spent 7 years in the porn industry. She shared that during those 7 years, she hated herself and wanted to commit suicide. That was before God rescued her.

Today, we get a perspective from the consumer side of that industry and the damage it causes to individuals, marriages, and families.

Our guests are Emmanuel and Bekah Guarino. Emmanuel began consuming porn at a young age, which quickly turned into an addiction. After meeting his soon-to-be wife, Bekah, he had hoped things would change. He decided to quit porn 90 days prior to their wedding. That turned into 60 days, then 30 days. The night before their wedding Emmanuel says he can still remember what he searched for to get his fix. The couple recalls their wedding night when porn-induced ED left them both hurt and frustrated.

Bekah shares how that was the start of a long difficult journey to finding a solution to save their marriage, which had just begun. As we shared last week, 56% of marriages that end in divorce are the result of one spouse being consumed by a porn addiction. Bekah made the decision that she was not going to let them be a statistic. They began the healing process together, as a couple.

Today, they are reaching out to couples who are struggling as they did, through “Team Vulnerable”. In this conversation, they walk through the steps they took together to overcome Emmanuel’s porn addiction.  Through the team approach, they can heal together.  They both know the vulnerabilities that Emmanuel has and can work together to continue that healing process.

Today is the last of our 2-part series on the destruction caused by pornography.  As we mentioned last week, statistics reveal that up to 70% of men in the church are watching porn on a regular basis, and up to 33% of women in the church are also watching regularly.

DISCLAIMER:
Please be advised that this is a topic that is for mature audiences only and may not be suitable for those under the age of 18.  Listener discretion is advised.

----------------
FROM THE SHOW:

Team Vulnerable

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Please note that this episode contains adult themes and may not be suitable for those under 18.
-------------------
Today’s guest is Brittni De La Mora. Brittni spent 7 years of her life as a star in the porn industry.  She will share how she rationalized the steps she took to become a porn star who received lots of praise, recognition, and money.  Yet she was empty and suicidal.

Did you know that,

• 47% of Christian families say that porn is a problem in their home
• 6 out of 10 say watching porn decreased their desire to read the Bible
• 2 out of 3 said watching porn decreased their desire to serve in spiritual leadership
• 68% of church-going men view porn on a regular basis
• 33% of church-going women view porn on a regular basis

Many believe that their porn problem doesn’t really hurt anyone.  They believe it is just a substitute or an alternative to sex. However, studies show that it ruins relationships, it ruins marriages, and it destroys families.  Porn is not a guy problem, it is a human problem.

Most who struggle with pornography believe that they are in the minority and that if anyone found out, they would be negatively labeled. They feel disqualified to take part in church activities, disqualified to be the spiritual leader of their families, and they even feel like God condemns them.

In this and next week’s episodes, my prayer is that if you struggle with pornography, you will recognize that this is a tactic of Satan to destroy your life and the lives of those you love.

If you know of someone who needs to hear this message, please share it!
----------------
FROM THE SHOW:

Love Always Ministries

Love Always Ministries YouTube

Let's Talk Purity Podcast

COURSES:
SEARCH - How to Stop Watching Porn for Men

SEARCH - How to Stop Watching Porn for Women

Single & Content

Give Your Kids a Great Sex Talk
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Amanda Valantine is a Recovery Life Coach who, in addition to assisting those struggling with various addictions, has been working with the families of addicts who are often overlooked.

When pain comes, we immediately try to relieve the pain with something--drugs, alcohol, "retail therapy", pornography, and the list goes on.  This is where addiction often begins.

Listen in as Amanda shares a deep dive into addiction, how it works, and the devastation it leaves in its wake--not just for the addict, but also for their loved ones.

------------------------
FROM THE SHOW:

Amanda on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/hoperisescoaching

Amanda on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/familyhopecoach/

Contact Amanda Valantine:  [email protected]

Book:  Balm: The Loving Path to Family Recovery
Book:  When Your Husband is Addicted to Pornography: Healing Your Wounded Heart

------------------------
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About 15% of couples worldwide are unable to get pregnant and are considered "infertile".  That's about 48 million couples. Aside from the heartache each month, many couples find themselves dealing with divorce, social stigma, emotional stress, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem as a result of the infertility diagnosis.

For Mike & Tammy Stone, it was nearly 15 years of heartache.  They knew that this challenge would either drive them apart or bring them closer together.  Infertility is a rollercoaster ride of emotions.  It is constantly on your mind and heart.  Couples their age were having children and experiencing the joys of parenthood--first steps, the first day of school, T-ball games, and Christmases. Even though they were happy for their friends, it was a constant reminder of what they were missing.

After over a decade, the adoption option became a potential answer to prayer.  Just as quickly as the domestic adoption opportunity came, it disappeared leaving a wake of pain, disappointment, and lots of questions for God.  Looking back, that opportunity opened their hearts to international adoption--China adoption, to be specific.  God had a plan.

Over the next several months, there was paperwork, dossiers, passports, visas, and immigration visits--all required to complete the adoption process.  Then, after what seemed like an eternity they arrived in Guangzhou, China on October 13, 2003.  It was on that date they would hold their 10-month-old daughter for the first time in a civil affairs office. 

Their 15-year challenge has taught them plenty about how God walks with us through the storms of life.  Even when He seems silent, He is there as a firm foundation to anchor our restless hearts and minds.

------------------------
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