Crossmap Podcast

To say the last few years of American politics has been volatile and chaotic is quite the understatement.

With mid-term elections just around the corner, and the presidential election cycle looming just beyond that, it seems voters are determined to move beyond the machinations and maneuverings of the last few years.

But before that can happen, we must find answers and put closure on some troubling developments in the Faith community. For example:  

• Was the relationship between evangelical Christians and Donald Trump a match made in heaven or a marriage made in hell?
• Did Christian conservatives trade their reputation for a seat at the political table?
• And how did Donald Trump go from unlikely presidential candidate to superhero to political savior in the eyes of his supporters?

Our guest today, Dr. Michael Brown, believes that in the last election millions of sincere Christians seemed to wrap the Gospel in the American flag so tightly that politics became a rallying point of their faith. In his latest book, “The Political Seduction of the Church”, he rejects the idea that the Church is called to take over society, and lays out a strategy for healthy political and cultural engagement.

Dr. Brown joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to share his thoughts on whether Christians should even be involved in politics and why, as a body of believers, we must do better. Listen as he shares why he thinks false prophecies were given during President Trump’s re-election campaign in 2020, and   how to recognize some surefire ways that you have been politically seduced.

Links to Dr. Michael Brown

• The Political Seduction of the Church - Amazon
• Ask Dr. Brown Website
• Dr. Michael Brown on Facebook
• Dr. Michael Brown on Twitter
• Dr. Michael Brown on Instagram

Links to Crossmap

• Crossmap Website
• Crossmap Facebook

Slowly but surely, the world seems to be emerging from its COVID-induced fog that has been hovering over our planet for more than two and a half years. And with that comes many a company’s decision to ask their employees, who have been diligently working from home during this period, to pull the plug on their laptops and come back to the office.

But therein lies the rub … a lot of people have become quite comfortable in this brave new world of work and have no desire to come back to the office. Why? Well, beyond having the ability to work in our pajamas, grab a snack from the kitchen at a moment’s notice, or take a walk around the block at anytime, many point to the ability to avoid the conflicts, disagreements, and misunderstandings that are inevitable when you are physically rubbing elbows with your colleagues in the traditional workplace.

Our guests today, Dr. Jennifer Thomas and Dr. Paul White, have written a new book on how to make or break co-worker relationships and how to create a healthier work environment called, “Making Things Right at Work”.  Through research and real-life anecdotes, they offer practical ways and tools to avoid unnecessary conflict and how to solve conflict.

Dr. Thomas and Dr. White join us on the Crossmap Podcast to share common principles that can be used to defuse potentially volatile situations in the workplace. Listen as they share about applying five key sets of skills that can improve relationships at work … even with that person who insists on playing their music at an 11 when the dial only goes to ten.

Links to Our Guests

• Making Things Right at Work on Amazon
• Dr. Jennifer Thomas Website
• Dr. Jennifer on Facebook
• Dr. Jennifer on Twitter
• Dr. Jennifer on Instagram
• Dr. Paul White Website
• Dr. Paul White on Facebook

Links to Crossmap

• Crossmap Website
• Crossmap Facebook

Recently, Craig was excited about taking his family on a vacation to what he perceived to be the happiest place on earth. But as he was going through the process of researching and booking the trip, he began to uncover some things about his vacation destination that he didn’t exactly care for or agree with. Specifically, he didn’t appreciate this company’s opposing stance on many of the issues that he so strongly supports.

Ultimately, Craig swallowed hard and decided to take his family somewhere else on vacation, knowing full well how disappointed his children would be. In the aftermath, he thought, “Gee, I wish there was a place that I could go online that would tell me where a company stands on various issues like right to life, the environment, or gun control."

Well, there is. An organization called 2ndVote researches and scores companies for their alignment to American and Judeo-Christian values. They help consumers by better informing them to effectively support their interests rather than boycotting or “canceling" organizations with whom they disagree.

My guest today, 2nd Vote President Rebecca Hatfield, has devoted her career to educating consumers about what top retailers are funding that does not align with your values. She wants you to shop with those who do support what you support. Ultimately, her desire is to preserve liberty and freedom for future generations.

Rebecca joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to share about the vital role 2nd Vote can play in helping consumers make the decision whether they can support a company or organization by purchasing their products. Listen as she shares about how a better informed customer can have great power in shaping a better, more positive future for America.

Links to 2nd Vote

• 2nd Vote Website
• 2nd Vote on Facebook
• 2nd Vote on Instagram
• 2nd Vote on Twitter

Links to Crossmap

• Crossmap Website
• Crossmap Facebook

Hope is at the heart of every journey … so says the tagline of a powerful new movie releasing in theaters soon as a Fathom Event.
 
When we break that sentence down to its truest essence we find that if this feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen didn’t exist, our lives would be empty and literally void of all the goodness that life affords us.
 
Hope is what gets us through each day. It is what drives us. It’s the fuel that provides energy, vitality, and strength.
 
But hope is not guaranteed. It is not free. It is something we must seek. While it may be difficult to locate at times, hope is what keeps us hanging on.
 
In a new movie that releases in just a few days, we find a young man’s comfortable world is turned upside down when his birth mother unexpectedly reaches out to him, longing to meet the 18-year-old son she has only held once. But she has hope that somehow, someway, he will agree to meet her. This choice he is presented with pushes him to embark on a journey that leads to a staggering truth from his past.
 
Executive produced by Alex and Stephen Kendrick, this movie called “Lifemark", is based on an incredible true story that celebrates adoption, reconciliation, and most importantly, finding love through hope.
 
Alex & Stephen join us on the Crossmap Podcast to discuss why right now is the absolute right time to be releasing a movie about adoption. Listen as they share about why they made the decision to step back and let someone else direct one of their movies for the first time and why they are insistent on birthing each and every movie they make through a season of prayer.

Click here to learn more about Lifemark

Links to Crossmap

• Crossmap Website
• Crossmap Facebook

What makes a great movie?

Some would say it’s all about the acting! Others point to the script saying great writing is the cornerstone of all communication. Or perhaps you are like most of us who would just simply say, “Them special effects are fantastic!"

Our guest today, entertainment executive Michael Scott, would say it’s not so much about the movie but more importantly it’s all about the message.

In his role as CEO at Pure Flix Entertainment, Michael is more concerned about creating family-friendly media that changes lives, inspires hearts and lifts the spirits of people and the ones we love.

Buoyed by the unexpected success of the “God’s Not Dead” movie series several years ago, Pure Flix found themselves becoming a transformational voice in our culture. This virtue is a highly guarded core value of my Michael’s as he and Pure Flix aspire to create up to 15 original projects a year that strengthens one’s faith and values, is suitable for the entire family, and is accessible anywhere through the streaming platform.

Recent projects of note include the movie “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters”, the documentary “The Case for Heaven”, and the highly entertaining sitcom, “Live & Local".

Michael joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to discuss the current state of online streaming content and how Pure Flix fits into that. Listen as he provides what is essentially your own personal “The State of Faith-Based Online Streaming Report” and his thoughts on why the “God’s Not Dead” movie franchise was so successful.

Links to Michael

• Michael on LinkedIn
• PureFlix Website

Links to Crossmap

• Crossmap Website
• Crossmap Facebook

Has there ever been a time in your life where you felt that everything was going so well that you just sort of cruised along thinking nothing would ever go wrong? Perhaps it is a succession of job promotions and salary increases that are based on some innovative idea you came up with. Or maybe you are in a relationship that just seems perfect. You are the ideal compliment for each other. You find you are finishing each other’s sentences and you agree on absolutely everything. Everything you touch seems to turn to gold.

If you are that person we applaud you. But as most people will attest, such good fortune can be fleeting. And it is in these moments that God is often doing a work in you that will make you stronger, wiser, and eventually more prosperous. But learning to trust what can be a painful process often leads to many sleepless nights due to the fear and anxiety you are facing.

Our guest this week, is someone who has spent time on the highest peaks but has also walked through some of the deepest valleys.
Just out of high school, Colton Dixon auditioned and eventually became a Top 7 finalist on American Idol, one of the most successful and long-running programs in television history. From there, he released three number one contemporary Christian albums that were so successful that his music has been streamed over 100 million times online. For Colton’s efforts, he was rewarded with two Dove Awards.

But then, Colton’s record label dropped him. This unexpected roadblock in his career created many questions and doubts. So many in fact, that he considered giving up on his music career. Colton soon realized that he had been taking God’s gifts for granted and he didn’t have an appreciation for what his future held. Fortunately, his wife kept him in constant prayer and continually reminded him to trust God in the uncertainty of his career.

We are happy to report that Colton eventually signed a new record deal and in 2020 released a new EP that hit number one on the Billboard Christian charts. And, did we mention that he has recently started acting and had a guest spot on a new Pure Flix comedy series called “Live & Local"?

Colton Dixon joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to share what pulled him through his dark days after being dropped by his record label. Listen as he describes his “process" that prepared him for his acting debut on the Pure Flix series “Live & Local", and he shares the story behind his latest song “Build a Boat". We even talk about what it takes to win the coveted “Dundee Award".

Links to Colton Dixon

• Colton's Website
• Colton on YouTube
• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Facebook

Links to Crossmap

• Crossmap Website
• Crossmap Facebook

We are not being careless when we say that our guest today, Jerry B. Jenkins, is one of the most prolific authors of this generation, or any generation for that matter. Penning more than 200 books, including 21 New York Times bestsellers, Jerry has sold more than 72 million cumulative copies worldwide.  

Best known for his end times “Left Behind” series, a collection of titles that spawned several major motion pictures, Jerry has also written many biographies on such athletic luminaries as Hank Aaron, Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, and Orel Hershiser. He even assisted Billy Graham on his autobiography.

His latest work is a novelization of season two of the critically acclaimed video series, ‘The Chosen’. Titled “The Chosen: Come and See”, the book is rich in capturing the program’s authentically Biblical base, as readers will identify with the real-life struggles, victories, doubts and issues that we all face … even those personally chosen by Jesus.

In a writing career that spans six decades, Jerry’s career started simply, pounding out sports stories on a typewriter for his high school newspaper.

Jerry  joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to share what the collaborative writing process looks like between him and his son Dallas Jenkins, the creator and director of ‘The Chosen’ video series. Listen as he describes what he uncovered in his research about the life of Jesus that astounded him and changed the way he views the Gospel message. 

Links to Jerry B. Jenkins

• Jerry B. Jenkins Website
• Books on Amazon
• Follow Jerry on Twitter
• Follow Jerry on Facebook

Links to Crossmap

• Crossmap Website
• Crossmap Facebook

An active father is the single most important factor in a young woman’s development.

From cradling his newborn to walking her down the aisle, a father must enjoy his paramount responsibility … guiding the course of his daughter’s life.

Many books have been written on this topic but none more practical or vital than Dr. Meg Meeker’s 2017 release, “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters".

So imperative are the principles found in this book, that Pure Flix has released an original movie inspired by Dr. Meeker’s work called appropriately enough, “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters". The film tells the story of Steve, a father of three who is desperately trying to hold onto his little girls. But can he let go of his child raising techniques and allow God to shape their future as a family?

The movie stars husband and wife actors Robyn Lively and Bart Johnson, a couple who in real life are raising three children of their own, including a daughter.

Robyn and Bart join us on the Crossmap Podcast to discuss the movie and why fathers are the single most important figure in a girl’s life. Listen as they share why it is of such critical importance for a dad to be his daughter’s hero and much more.

Links from the show

• Watch Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters on PureFlix
• Robyn Lively on Twitter
• Robyn Lively on Instagram
• Bart Johnson on Twitter
• Bart Johnson on Instagram

Links to Crossmap

• Crossmap Website
• Crossmap Facebook

Prayer is a subject that is sometimes hard to quantify. How many times have we heard someone say, “I will pray for you?"

While these sentiments are well-received and heartfelt, one can wonder whether this is what God truly intended for us when it comes to prayer. Furthermore, it begs the question, is there a right way or a wrong way to pray?

While author and pastor Chad Veach agrees that God listens to anyone who prays, he believes that prayer is a learned skill and people only get better and comfortable at it through practice and experience. In fact, he says prayer is an indispensable activity that we take for granted.

Simply put, prayer connects you to God and being connected to God changes everything.

In his latest book, “Worried About Everything Because I Pray About Nothing", Chad provides people with a glimpse into what it means to pray effectively through practical, humorous insights, all designed to draw you into a closer, more intimate relationship with God.

Chad  joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to discuss five misconceptions that many people have about prayer. Listen as he demystifies the concept of prayer, sharing an enthusiastic message of spiritual comfort for those who are overwhelmed.

Links to Chad Veach

• Worried About Everything Because I Pray About Nothing
• Chad Veach Website
• Chad Veach on Facebook
• Chad Veach on Instagram
• ZOE Church LA

Links to Crossmap

• Crossmap Website
• Crossmap Facebook

Imagine for a moment that it’s the late 1990s and you are a rising comedian in Los Angeles. You are good enough that you have been on The Tonight Show five times.  Life is good and getting better … or so it seems.

While your professional life is good, your personal life is … how shall we say … complicated. That’s because you are trying to lose your religion so that you might become famous for the sake of being famous without any restrictions due to your faith. There will be no checks and balances … just a full-throttle approach to having what you WANT.

There is only one problem with all this. You come from a family of the most famous evangelicals in the country. Thus, your every move will be watched and scrutinized by the unforgiving media. But you don’t care. For the first time in your life, you feel that your unbelief is within reach.

Then … one night God tells you in a dream that you only have 24 hours to live.

That’s the premise for my guest Thor Ramsey’s latest book, “The End Times Comedy Show".  While Thor is not a member of a famous evangelical family, he IS a nationally known standup comedian and one of the most recognized names in Christian comedy today.
Thor joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to discuss the controversial issue of deconstructing faith. Listen as he explains why he wants to make people laugh with the new book but also why he wants to take on some controversial issues such as “deconstruction" at the same time.

Links to Thor Ramsey

• The End Times Comedy Show - Amazon
• Thor Ramsey on Facebook
• Thor Ramsey on Twitter

Links to Crossmap

• Crossmap Website
• Crossmap Facebook