As we say goodbye to 2024, Jonathan Keller president of California Family Council joins Joseph Backholm as they reflect on 10 of the biggest moments from this past year. From Trump’s reelection to the fall of corporate media, 2024 was a year to remember. Take a walk down memory lane with us as we reflect on the lessons learned.

This week P Nate and Pootie discuss an application point in a recent sermon about how Christians must cultivate a love for and a delight in learning to do hard things.

Hey, Neighbor! Please send your messages of shame for Luke to: [email protected] . There are many things we can abide, but removing the cream cheese frosting from the middle of a pumkin roll is NOT one of them...

Next: Grandpa John and Grandma Lori bought the annoying gifts this year. But there was PLENTY of music at Christmas! We love singing, and most of us can hear when we're doing it badly. So that's something!

Then: What is it about musical theater that is so captivating! (Spoilers, it's EVERYTHING.)  With LIVE theater, you never see the same show twice! It's sooooo cool!  Don't forget the subtitles...and sing like you don't realize someone is listening.

Later: It's annoying when people with "ADHD" describe what goes on in their heads, as if it's not totally normal. The difference between someone with ADHD and someone who gets to church on time is discipline.  That's it!   Be on the lookout for John's new children's book.  He was able to write it because he has learned to override his ADHD. 

Thanks for supporting The Comedian Next Door on the Fight Laugh Feast network! 

A recent post at Screen Rant complained that C.S. Lewis never explained Narnia’s magic system. This is an example of completely missing the point, as myth and legend never explain magic, though in recent fantasy lit, detailed out magic systems are almost an essential. For his part, Tolkien believed that fantasy had to make rational sense for it to work. The guys get go from these observations into a wide-ranging discussion of magic in fantasy, including Chris talking about the logic of magic in his fantasy series. They also get into a difference between the “magic” of the Elves and the magic of the Enemy in Middle Earth in light of Tokien’s essay “On Faerie Stories.”

Screenrant Article: https://screenrant.com/narnia-questions-greta-gerwig-netflix-reboot-answer/

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The Theology Pugcast is a ministry of Trinity Reformed Church in Huntsville Alabama. To view more media from TRC, visit their website: https://trinityreformedkirk.com/media-podcasts

In order to have consistent production, you must get to executing - to doing the work. Doing is producing. And if you want to get from not executing anywhere to executing everywhere, crossing that chasm in one leap will be the same sort of failure.

If your execution sucks, start by executing on something you can handle. Build sustainable deliverables. The point is to start producing consistently, no matter how small. You can make small things bigger. You can't make big things out of nothing.

You might be worried that small and consistent is slow. "This is going to take forever." You'd be wrong. It's actually the opposite. Consistent isn't slow. At least it doesn't have to be. Once you build consistency into your outputs, you'll be able to add to it. Keep piling, keeping improving, and soon your strides will be more than you wished to handle.

Build habits of consistent production, instead of pursuing leaps of gains. Consistent production beats sporadic exceptionalism.

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me with any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. You can also find easy links to everything we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Summary

Today I begin by discussing Jimmy Lai (the Hong Kong Tucker Carlson) and his bold comments about Xi Jinping (2:11), followed by looking at the Chinese dictator's struggle with his military and his weaponization of China's endemic corruption (12:42). Next we look at China's flip flopping its private tutor laws (22:18), which I know quite well. Finally I talk all about Shandong (29:50) and share fascinating stories of the missionaries and martyrs who lived and died there, including the famous “Chariots of Fire” Olympian Eric Liddell (41:29).

In the News: 

Jimmy Lai’s Criticism of Xi Jinping:

https://hongkongfp.com/hong-kongs-jimmy-lai/

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/12/19/chinas-problems-with-the-west-could-only-be-resolved-by-xi-jinping-stepping-down-jimmy-lai-tells-security-law-trial/

Xi Jinping’s Military Troubles:

https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/China-up-close/Analysis-China-military-in-disarray-over-Xi-s-monopoly-on-power

https://www.cfr.org/blog/six-takeaways-pentagons-report-chinas-military

https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/05/china/china-xi-military-purge-analysis-intl-hnk

Xi Jinping’s Tutoring Ban Backfires

https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/China-up-close/Analysis-How-Xi-Jinping-s-tutoring-school-ban-backfired

Pray for China Province of the Week: Shandong (East of the Mountains)

Shandong on China’s Eastern Seaboard is matched up with the state of Virginia for prayer.

See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

Wikipedia Profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shandong

Asia Harvest Overview & Intro: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/introduction-to-shandong-province

Shandong Missionaries & Martyrs:

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/1899-sidney-brooks

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/1945-eric-liddell

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/1967-pastor-tian

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/shandong/2003-zhang-hongmei

Recommended Resources: 

Shandong: The Revival Province (China Chronicles #1) https://www.asiaharvest.org/bookstore/Shandong-The-Revival-Province-The-China-Chronicles-N%C2%BA1-p283331051

UNBEATEN: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China 

www.Unbeaten.vip

Originally aired on January 15, 2018. Slavery is shameful, abortion is atrocious. This episode discusses the connection between the Civil War and the murder of over 50,000 million babies under the protected law of abortion. We also interviewed the author of The Real Lincoln, Thomas DiLorenzo, and discussed why the North did not care about the slaves.

Since 1972, Joe Biden has held a variety of political positions. As his career winds down, let’s take a look at the legacy he is leaving behind. Joseph Backholm is joined by Family Research Council’s Brent Keilen to analyze Joe Biden’s most prominent political years - his time in the Oval Office. From immigration to abortion, what will he be remembered for and how will his policies impact the future generations of America?

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On this special Christmas episode, this week Greg welcomed back to the show Ben Merkle. Ben is the President of New Saint Andrews College. They discussed the national platform that they have been thrust into with Trump Nominee Pete Hegseth speaking about them recently. (Secretary of Defense) They also talked about how employers are moving away from finding talent at larger liberal universities and instead focusing on recruiting at smaller conservative colleges and universities. It's always a fun and informative episode when we can sit down with Ben. Enjoy! 

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