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In this solo episode, Keith presents a few moments from the world of old time radio.

First, due to a few closing comments at the end of our last episode on free will, a sermon from an old time radio show called the Catholic Hour is presented. It’s not the whole show, just the sermon from it. The title may seem to imply that war represents a cost to God, or that he is somehow at a loss over it. Instead, it’s one of those attention grabbers that loosely fits the topic, which is about free will.

God would rather that we live at peace, harmony, and in obedience to him. Because he doesn’t want mindless robots, he grants free will to choose, and he respects our free will to choose to do good, or do evil. When men choose evil, he is disappointed, but he allows us to have our way. We just need to be aware that evil in the world may be allowed by God, but it is men who unleash it.

Next up is something a lot more fun.

Command Performance – Bob Hope 1 Hour Christmas Special. 421224.

In order to take a little bit of home to the troops overseas in World War 2, Command Performance was produced in Hollywood, and featured top stars of the day. It was never aired to the general public, except for the Christmas episode. It was a time for those on the home front to see what their loved ones heard for entertainment, and it let the servicemembers know they were well supported back home. This episode would have aired just a few short weeks after the bombing at Pearl Harbor, and the entrance of America into the war.

Many of the performers might be known by today’s audience, but many may not. Here’s a brief summary.

* Elmer Davis. Top news anchor introduces the show to the audience at home.

* Bob Hope. Comedian, movie star, and supporter of the troops right into the Gulf War time frame. Known for his many TV specials, and rapid fire jokes. Opens with a few jokes, and peppers the show with more as he introduces each performer.

* Red Skelton. Comedian of radio and TV, performs his signature character from radio, Junior the mean luittle kid. The mischeivious kid causes all sorts of trouble on Christmas Day, with mom, Harriot hilliard.

* Harriot Hilliard. Actually the wife of big band leader Ozzie Nelson, who starred together in their own TV show in the 1950’s with their real life sons. Ricky Nelson would go on to be a rock star of the 1960’s.

* Spike Jones. The band performs Jingle Bells. You will easily recognize the musical style from countless Warner Brothers cartoons.

* Ginnie Simms. Top singer of the day. She even enlisted, and entertained the troops all through the war in USO shows.

* Bing Crosby. Star of movies, and ssinger who still holds a record in record sales with his hit, White Christmas. He doesn’t sing it, but cracks jokes with his partner from movies, Bob Hope.

* The Charioteers. Bing’s back up quartet from his radio show. They were top notch performers in their own right and with their own hit songs.

* Ethel Waters. Blues legend with a career spanning back into the 1920’s.

* Charles Laughton. Leading man in movie roles. He plays along with a comedy bit with…

* Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. A ventroliquist, and his doll who made it big on radio and movies. Charlie was an unruly boyish character who gives Edgar and Charles a hard time on Christmas day.

* Kaye Kaiser. Big band leader who launched plenty of top songs, including patriotic wartime tunes like the one he performs today. Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.

* Dinah Shore. Singer, star of movies and TV. She was a golfer, and very active in entertaining well into the 1970’s. A favorite of the troops, and namesake for a Pro Golf Tour.

* Jack Benny. Comedian, and star of radio, movies, and TV. He enfluenced countless comedians through the years including Jerry ...

Due to the need to get an early start, there was no chat room. Sorry.

Meet the hosts. Chris is absent today, but Nathan has exciting news about leading his first communion for his new church family. Get ready for the mysterious shower story from Keith, complete with a twist ending. It ends better than it might sound at first.

To continue a feature from an earlier installment, we take another look at universal Truths that apply in all situations. This time it’s about the reliability in asking God for wisdom. Prosperity fails, and other truth and promises are wrapped in specific context, but wisdom is something God will always grant to the heart that seeks it. What kind of heart? One that is open, sincere,, andobedient.

Main Topic. It’s still a couple weeks before Christmas, and there’s more to look at with Joseph. We return to the events in Matthew 1:19-25. We already fixated on verse 18 pretty closely.

Joseph. had to Make sense of a problem on his own.

19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.

Joseph was:

* A husband, even though still in a status of being engaged, the couple wwas still a husband and wife.

* Just. What does that include?

* he was equitable, or fair.

* He was innocent, of being the father of this special baby.

* He was righteous.

* not willing,

*

He was not of a desire…

* It was not his choice…

* It was not his preference…

* or his intend,

* To publically expose, or shame her

It is clear that Joseph loved Mary , and he didn’t want to lose her, or to shame her, or to have her be a public spectacle.

Joseph did some deep mental searching, and the only thing that seemed right to do was a quiet divorce. It wasn’t God’s plan though, and intervention was to come.

Joseph. Finds help outside himself.

20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying,

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph son of David. The angel called him by name.

Commands were given: Fear not. Take., or receive, or hold close, Mary.

Joseph was assured of a few things: The child is conceived of the Holy Spirit, Mary was a virgin, and the child would be a son. In the days before modern medicine, and ultra sounds, predicting a son was not possible, and even a guess was only 50% accurate. A name was given, and the promise this was the messiah who would save people from their sin.

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,

25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Bottom line, Joseph had a problem he couldn’t solve on his own, or using conventional wisdom. An angel, or messenger, was sent with the answer, assurances, and commands. Joseph listened, and did it.

Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV).

We don’t have a lot of structure in our discussion today. A forgotten concept from an earlier episode gets us started. Are there universal truths in the bible? Meaning a truth that applies in all situations, all the time? Most truths we learn about depend on the context of when they are given, the people who they were given to, or the situation at hand. One universal truth, and probably the most important one, is that of salvation. We all need it, without it, our future can only lead to destruction, and we can’t achieve it by ourselves.

We take something of a bunny trail, as we wonder at the latest developments in the world of those with confused or uncertain feelings about there sexuality. It’s a good thing, because it transitions us into talking about what sin is. Whether you hold to a Christian outlook, holding the bible to be the final authority on ethics, everybody knows that we fall short in obeying the rules, and that evil exists. We all may not agree exactly where those lines should be drawn, but everyone can honestly agree that we are far from perfect.

What do we do about those uh-oh moments in life? How do we come to grips with them? As much as we might like to give the benefit of the doubt to people, or that humanity is basically good, we fail so badly on so many levels.

Main Topic. From before the beginning of time, and from the earliest pages of scripture, a plan was in place. The focal point to rescue all humanity took place with a special birth.

Taking a close look at this moment in time, we look at Matthew 1:18, and various supporting passages. The bible is unique in that instead of being a single book, it is made of separate, supportive writings, written by diverse authors from a timespan of centuries. Many writing independently of each other, and often coming to the same conclusions and principles. Writers

Matthew 1:18 contains a couple key points. The birth of Jesus, and the special situation surrounding Mary and Joseph.

The birth of Jesus might be a simple, common thing, except he had to be born as a clean thing, out of unclean people. Comparing this passage to the account in Luke 1:27-38, we find that both Mary and Joseph had independent encounters with angels who made it plain that the Holy

Spirit was behind this birth. It was important to know that Joseph was not the father. Scandalous, but there was to be no doubt of the divine intervention that made Jesus special.

The promised of this savior, and the salvation he offers from sin, goes all the way to the moments after the fall of man, as we read in Genesis 3:15. The special kind of a man who would rise above being impure, and could claim being righteous in his own right.

God could have chosen anytime or place, but the focal point is this moment where Jesus came into the world.

Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Jesus fell under all the same laws we all do. He lived up to them, and conquered them. It’s why he alone can claim total righteousness, and he alone is qualified to pay the price of sin for all of us. In the book of Hebrews it claims he is the high priest who offers the perfect sacrifice for our sin.

The name Jesus actually means God Saves. Think of this, Jesus was born into the world to save us from sin. “God Saves” was born at a special time, in a special place, to a special purpose, and is the focal point for all humanity to be reclaimed to be with him in eternity.

Sin is the problem, but with what we call Christmas, the birth of God’s salvation, is what it takes to justify us, and reconcile us to him

On a parting note, we spend a few moments considering why people say they hate Christmas. Our bottom line?

It’s easy to thank God in times of abundance. , when plans are going well, and as expected, However, when the harvest is hard hit, and hope of an income dissolves, thoughts turn to survival. Challenges to the platitudes of keeping up with a high moral standard are put to the test. What would you do to keep food on the table for the next meal? How far would you go in compromise to keep your job?

In this presentation from the days of old time radio, Nathan is a clerk who is asked by his boss to lie. The problem is that if he does so, the life and reputation of another man may be ruined in the struggle for survival. There seems to be no choice for him than to comply, but there is also no garantee of Nathan’s future.

With a supportive spouse, and confronted with the harm he would be doing to another, Nathan learns how the Lord’s prayer holds a higher purpose than in just meeting our daily bread. It isn’t until after his trial of honesty that he is rewarded for his integrity.

This episode first aired on radio as part of the series, The Greatest Story Ever Told. Our Daily Bread January 2, 1949. It aired over ABC, and many of the shows have been preserved due to the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS). For more shows from this series, and other classic radio programming, visit Keith’s other podcast site at Retro Radio Podcast.

Before presenting the rest of our interview with James Kennison, we warm up with a few tidbits from the Internet. Hard work, the bible as a graphic novel, and are there inappropriate times to say, “I’m sorry”? Also, what’s the deal with all the election protests? Are people being immature? It’s not about who won, but about healing between extreme groups of people, and recognizing that despite gaps in political viewpoints, the real winning side will be the one who values both sides. Disagreement is niot to hate, it’s to acknowledge differences. Common ground doesn’t mean lowering standards, but in recognizing complimentary strengths, every person can be valued with dignity and respect.

We transition into our interview with James. Learn about problem teachers, and how parents might stick up for their child in appropriate ways. Somehow we manage to get on the topic of hardships, and the extent someone might realistically put the blame on supernatural forces like devils and angels.

To wrap things up, Nathan and Keith return and have a look at James 1:1-5, which talks about the crazy topic of counting trials as joy. The crazy part is in thinking the suffering is somehow joyful, since it isn’t. The correct emphasis should be on the goal of endurance, and strong faith that comes after the test is over.

Tests can be small or large, hard or easy, short or with no end in sight, but any negative test can become positive if it’s one that strengthens faith in God.

PS: Sorry about having no chat room today. With holidays on the way, and busy schedules, the best thing to do is keep watch on the Facebook Group.

It’s the show that almost wasn’t. Schedules almost didn’t allow us to get together, and co-host, Nathan had a last moment schedule that caused him to leave… just as we brought our special guest online. The audio quality takes some ups and downs when phone connections are made from cars, and unexpected connection troubles means the recording had to fall back on a third tier, hastily implemented set up.

See what I mean? The show that almost didn’t happen.

We trimmed down our format to focus on topics related to the upcoming holidays, being thankful, blessings, and even address conflicts.

Internet Tidbits get us started. Upset cows, a thought of the day on a new use for duct tape, and we explore the concept of inner peace. If happiness is what happens to you, how can it be found on the inside?

As an added warm up to the main topic, we comment on the idea of addressing frequently asked questions related to disability. Not that any of us mind talking about what ails us, but sometimes misconceptions creep in, and answers are complicated.

Main Topic. In an ideal world, people would celebrate thankfulness and blessings in this time of year we set aside for Thanksgiving, and preparing for Christmas. For the most part, we are thankful, and have pleasant experiences. Still, we discuss what makes it a disfunctional holiday for some families. Conflict in relationships, suffering from real pain, grief, and depression can make it a difficult time. We talk about some family traditions, and an idea or two to find ways our life is blessed. Can blessings be recognized when a crisis comes along?

As Nathan departed, our special guest arrived, and we ask some of the same things of him. James Kennison is a long time podcaster, who has been dealing with clinical depression for several years. Among touching base with our topic today, he shares a little of the reason for leaving the world of podcasting in recent months. He’s doing well with depression, but sometimes it’s just time to transition from one chapter in life, into the next. All his archived work can be found through his web site. NLCast.com. Check out his work from clean comedy, advice and help for families, people in children’s ministry, and some fun podcasts featuring his kids.

We spoke with James on topics that led us away from today’s feature, but don’t worry. We’ll present the rest as part of an upcoming episode. Just keep in mind the audio will be from the same crazy, low quality recording from today.

Do you have things to say about family traditions for the holidays? There’s still time to drop us a line. We’d love to feature your input in a future show. Triumphs, tragedies, fond memories, or whatever you want to share. We may have a few shows where can’t record live, but I’m sure there’ll be some solo episodes, or pre-recorded content to share.

We have a solo episode today, and to help begin a transition away from the spooky season of Halloween, and into Christmas, Keith presents a recorded sermon he gave last July, 2016. The topic should do the trick, to move into the treats that Thanksgiving and Christmas are all about.

Usually the only thing that gets recorded is the message. On this day in July, the recorder was running, and the song service was also captured. Spaces between the songs were trimmed out to condense things, and to give this presentation a better flow.

Get ready to enjoy a song from our very own, 10 year old CGMA artist, Michaela. Following is our pastor, and a congregational hymn.

The message is from the Sermon on the Mount, so open your bibles to Matthew 5, and see what Jesus said about blessings. The familiar passage turns the concept of being truly blessed on its head, and is different than the world thinks of what blessings are. Think hard before asking for blessings in your life, and try to see them as Jesus does. Here’s my actual notes… more or less… Enjoy., but listen anyway. It comes out a little differently.

Learn from Jesus the Teacher (Matt. 5:1-2 HCSB)

1When He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him.

2Then He began to teach them, saying:

These verses set the stage for the rest of the Sermon on the Mount.His audience was his disciples ,r students.

Live the Upside-Down Life (Matt. 5:3-10 HCSB)

3″Blessed are the poor in spirit,

because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

4Blessed are those who mourn,

because they will be comforted.

5Blessed are the gentle,

because they will inherit the earth.

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

because they will be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful,

because they will be shown mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart,

because they will see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers,

because they will be called sons of God.

10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness,

because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

What comes to mind when we use the word blessed in every day life?

* Being happy,

* Enjoying a comfortable life,

* A promotion at work

* Having well-behaved children

From a biblical viewpoint, we may be misusing blessed when we describe someone this way. Jesus defined eight godly qualities and said that the person who displays these qualities will be blessed. But how might these come across in a modern worldview?

* Poor in spirit. Broken, defeated, deflated, down trodden.

* Mourn. A downer, a drag, sorrow and sadness.

* Gentle. Soft, limp, weak, loser.

* Hunger and thirst for righteousness. Extremist, bigot, hater, terrorist.

* Merciful. A push over, gullible, easy mark.

* Pure in heart. Unreal, a target to pollute, , do goober, self righteous, hypocrite.

* Peacemakers. The enemy, bullies, infringing on personal rights.

* Persecuted for righteousness. Fools, pathetic, extremist, unreal, stubbor

The world enjoys these qualities when shown to them, but don’t ask them to display these qualities

How is the person who shows evidence of these 8 godly qualities living a blessed life?

* Because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

* Because they will be comforted.

* Because they will inherit the earth.

* Because they will be filled.

* Because they will be shown mercy.

* Because they will see God.

* Because they will be called sons of God.

* Because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Did you notice?

* They – Will – receive a reward, but to the broken hearted, and persecuted, the kingdom – is – theirs.

To squeeze in more time for the main topic, we change the format a little. Skipping the Meet the Hosts segment, we warm up with a few tidbits found this week on the Internet.

What’s wrong, or right with these quotes?

You are the master of your own destiny.

We determine that it’s impossible to truly master your destiny, but we are responsible, and accountable for our actions.

Failure

It is impossible to live without failing at something,

unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all –

in which case, you fail by default.î

–J.K. Rowling

Definitely much more profound, and with the help of Nathan, and Christopher, we discover a parable of Jesus to back it up. The point, is that some slogans that sound wise can’t be backed up, and fall apart when applying the truth they pretend to teach.

Word of the Week

Actually its more of a concept than any actual words.

God the Holy Spirit

The Spirit’s presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ.

As Nathan points out, the guarantee of the Holy Spirit only applies to believers, and though we may never fully attain the standing of being like Christ in this world, our assurance is in the promise that heaven holds. A pretty simple one sentence summary of a topic that could be dedicated to filling books.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE BIBLE IS NOVEMBER 14

On Monday, Nov. 14 at noon local time, in public or online (

#BibleCelebration)

people of all ages are invited to participate in International Day of the Bible by taking pause for a few minutes to read or even sing Scripture or otherwise creatively express their love of the Bible:

Read more online on Bible Gateway.

Main Topic. Since we’re still in the month of October, and all the spooky trappings of Halloween are fast approaching, we add to our previous installments on Spiritual Warfare, and the Armor of God, by taking a look at biblical teachings on demons. Don’t believe all the pretend, and over dramatic stuff you see in the movies.

Based on a search on Bible Gateway for demon possession, I found 28 points, with supporting scripture. To keep things brief on the show, I read through the points, but we only focus on a few summarizing observations, and look at only one of the points closely.

Here’s a few facts to know:

* Demons are real.

* If it isn’t God, it’s a god (little g), and can be thought of as a demon.

* Though they are real, they are for bidden to be worshipped.

* They appear a lot in the new testament writings.

* Though all sickness should not be attributed to demon activity, they often have that affect.

* Jesus had power over them, gave that power to his disciples, and that even extends to any believer

* Jesus isn’t a magical charm for just any old body who feels like it, to command evil spirits.

* The Holy Spirit, and his angel armies individually, or in a group, are more powerful than the evil forces out there.

* Even if you feel thrilled over having power over such evil forces, it’s nothing compared to the thrill, and assurance that your name is written in the book of life.

Still have questions? Drop us a line, and we’ll do our best to offer an answer, This is a big topic, and I’m sure we missed a lot that you still have a question about.

Here’s our promised completion of last week’s installment on the Armor of God, and what we’re supposed to do with it.

First, a little bit of a Quest for Food. Nathan gives a recommendation for those who live near him, or any who may be passing through Sherwood, Arkansas. Sounds yummy. A lot better than the breakfast of reheated oatmeal that Keith had, and recommends a knife and fork to slice up to eat.

Meet the Hosts is a little short, but we cover a few tidbits from the Internet. What might we learn from suffering, and standards to live by? We feature listeners who responded to a Facebook poll. How would you answer these two questions?

* What is your favorite book in the bible?

* What is your least favorite book in the bible?

A special guest appearance interrupts with a phone call to bring us some late breaking news headlines. We have to choose between politicians, quarterbacks, television, and terrorists. The usual stuff it seems. Listen and learn which one we pick before our guest has to rush away to his chopper.

Transitioning to the topic at hand, Keith first shares a quick Word of the Week

Last Things (eschatology)

God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end.

That’s all there is to say about that. At least for now.

Main Topic. Since our connection last week was so horrible, we review by reading from Ephesians 6:14-20

Nathan shares a little on each piece of the armor as it is listed, and how it’s defenses were used in the arsenal of a Roman soldier. The protection and strategies made for confident, successful battle. Chris adds that the strategies were common in ancient armies, and Keith mentions that even in today’s police and military, similar strategies still work.

What does all this battle stuff mean for any modern day Christian? Have no doubt… We are never called to make war with anybody. We need to keep this passage in context. It’s all about Christians under attack by spiritual forces, dark forces, evil powers in the world. We aren’t necessarily talking about afflictions related to being sick, or facing financial woes, as much as difficulties related to real persecution due to the Christian faith.

This is a call for believers to support each other first, especially when one of us is in need, being oppressed, or in a full on attack by the power that

Satan employs. We are called to stand, to stand firm, and once we receive the “armor”, we use it by praying.

If the characteristics of each piece of armor helps your understanding, great. At any rate, Look at the labels attached to each. Salvation, righteousness, truth, faith, gospel of peace. These are all characteristics that are not ours. They are given to us from God. Doing spiritual battle in anything less, namely our own understanding of such things as truth, righteousness, faith, etc. will only get us into trouble.

Once we have this armor… now what? How do we fight? In verse 18, Paul uses the word pray four times. (Supplication is another word for prayer). Prayer is the thing that wields the power of the armor. Prayer for fellow believers, as Paul was, in chains and in danger for his life over his faith.

We should stay alert, and be persistent for as long as the spiritual battle rages. Here’s hope, battles are temporary. They won’t last forever. There will come a time to stand down, and get back to tending to those ongoing needs and ailments of life.

We have a lot to say today, so much that we’ll have to put the rest into next week’s show. Partly due to some weird hiccups in the audio, as the main topic was underway, but it’s a topic that deserves a second part.

Meet the Hosts. We touch briefly on comedians who use foul language. After a week on their own, Keith and Chris get a visitation from a couple of kids. somebody is having coffee withdrawals, and others just need a dose of raw caffeine. We give a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, with some favorite moments of the long running series. Before moving to the next segment, we talk about services at a nursing home, and doing baptisms in a jacuzzi.

A new segment is tried out. Unofficially called, It Pays to Be Ignorant, where we pick a random top headline to discuss. Today we talk about the very serious topic of unfair treatment based on race. Particularly the decision of pro atheletes who choose to sit down while the National Anthem is played. Is it an appropriate form of peaceful protest? Isn’t the target of such unfairness the government, police, and those who enforce government policy? Who else should they be protesting, or what other form should such protests take in proving their point to the authorities? Certainly not violence, or riots. In some cases, is the media at fault for manufacturing or grooming the news for highest impact?

Main Topic. Spiritual Warfare. Due to some horrible connections, and audio that started dropping out, we cover the first part of what it takes in being fully prepared to defend ourselves from attacks by Satan, and his forces of evil. Learn about the power we have available to us. What is it that we are commanded to do? It’s easier than you might think. Though we manage to read through the entire passage, Ephesians 6:10-20, We decide to finish talking about the rest of it next week. Don’t miss out on how to be fully prepared to face temptation, trials, or even full on attacks of the evil forces of the world.

Church Word of the Week. Evangelism. We talk briefly about what it is, what people get wrong about it, and a textbook definition of it.

Want to hear us liv? With all our flubs… even more than makes the show? Join us in the chat room nearly every Monday at 10AM Central time. Get all the details at podcast.heltsley.net/live.

We’re also looking for input from listeners on what to do for our 100th episode.

* Email us right from the web site.

* Leave a voice mail: (401)753-4844, or (401)7-KeithH.

* Through the group on Facebbook,

>HPNCast Community.

* Or, any way you feel comfortable.