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What would make a committed, aggressive atheist become a follower of Jesus and then personally fund a documentary laying out the evidence for God? In today’s conversation, Michael Ray Lewis shares his remarkable journey from rejecting Christianity, mocking believers and making horror films to encountering evidence he could no longer ignore. Since then he's now made a documentary about the evidence for Christianity.

Documentary: https://universedesigned.com/

*Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA (https://bit.ly/3LdNqKf)

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Amid the commercial noise, the crowded schedules, and the pressure that often surrounds the Christmas season, it is easy to lose sight of what we are truly celebrating. At the heart of Christmas is hope—the birth of the One who came to redeem, restore, and reconcile us to God.

Jesus is not just a source of hope; He is our only hope. He is the divine light breaking into the world’s deep darkness, fulfilling every promise spoken by the prophets. Long before Bethlehem, God announced His plan:

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel."
— Isaiah 7:14

Immanuel means “God with us.” Not distant. Not abstract. Not theoretical. God with us.

Imagine the shepherds—social outcasts, considered unimportant by society—keeping watch on an ordinary night. Suddenly, their silence is interrupted by the glory of heaven:

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people… Today… a Savior has been born to you."
— Luke 2:10–11

God chose the lowly to first hear this announcement. Their hope, and ours, arrived quietly in a manger but powerfully in purpose. The birth of Jesus demonstrates a truth we often forget: God always fulfills His promises, even when the wait is long and the path is unexpected.

The hope Jesus brings is not temporary or fragile. It does not depend on circumstances, emotions, or achievements. This is hope that heals broken hearts, steadies anxious minds, and anchors our souls in something everlasting.

The Holy Spirit fills us with this hope—so much so that it can overflow into the lives of others. As we celebrate Christ’s birth, we are invited to let His light shine in us and through us, offering the hope we have received to a world in need.

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
— Romans 15:13

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Glorious Father in heaven,
Thank You for the incredible hope You have given us in Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for the gift of His birth and for the mercy and grace this season represents. Forgive me when I become consumed by busyness and forget the eternal hope You have provided. Fill me again so that Your hope overflows from my heart into every part of my life.
In the holy, precious name of Jesus I pray,
Amen.

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Where do you go when the season overwhelms you?
   Turn back to the Lord, who alone provides true rest for your weary soul (Psalm 62:5).

Christian Jacome moved to the US from Ecuador when he was 18. His father overstayed his vista for 6 years, making him illegal during that time. With firsthand experience about the plight of some illegal immigrants, Christian does his best to spread a message of compassion for this controversial topic

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If the holidays leave you overwhelmed, overstretched, or anxious, you’re not alone. In this episode of Faith Over Fear, Jennifer Slattery and guest Kelly Hall unpack the story of Mary and Martha to reveal practical, grace-filled ways to reduce holiday stress, avoid codependent patterns, set healthy boundaries, and re-center on what matters most. Whether you’re navigating grief, family tension, perfectionism, or people-pleasing, this conversation offers gentle guidance to help you enter Christmas with more calm, clarity, and joy.

You’ll learn how to:

• Recognize your emotional capacity
• Resist the pressure to meet everyone’s expectations
• Simplify your celebrations
• Experience deeper peace by staying aligned with Jesus rather than holiday chaos

Scripture discussed:

Luke 10,  Mark 1:35-39

Resources Recommended: Courageous Faith by Kelly Hall, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver

Free Bible Reading Plan: "Embracing Your True Self: Living in Your Christ-Centered Identity"

Free Resource: Practical Steps to Reduced Anxiety and Overwhelm This Christmas

Find Kelly Hall:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Unshakable Hope Podcast

Find Jennifer Slattery:

On her website

Instagram

Facebook

Amazon

Subscribe to her free newsletter

Discussion/Reflective Question:

1. What resonated with you most in this episode

2. Where do I feel the most pressure during the holiday season—and whose expectations are driving that pressure?

3. What signs tell me I’m reaching or exceeding my emotional capacity? How can I respond with grace rather than reacting from overwhelm?

4. In what situations do I te

You may have seen parts of Pastor Greg Laurie’s moving testimony in the movie Jesus Revolution, but never like this. On today’s episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg takes us on an unfiltered, inspiring journey through his tumultuous upbringing—a story marked by instability, loneliness, and the relentless pursuit of hope.

Born into a world of broken relationships, absent fathers, and a longing for family, Pastor Greg shares how his early years were shaped by a mother struggling with addiction and a parade of stepfathers. From military school mischief and lonely nights speaking to “Mr. Nobody” under a blanket to the comfort of his grandparents’ Southern kitchen, Pastor Greg discovered the hand of God—revealing to him how moments of pain ultimately became pathways to purpose. Throughout the episode, Pastor Greg invites each of us to reflect not just on his journey, but also on our own—reminding us that no matter how difficult our beginnings, God can use every chapter for something greater.

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Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit:  

https://harvest.org/.

Find Pastor Greg on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/greglaurie/

https://x.com/greglaurie

https://www.facebook.com/harvest.greglaurie

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CHAPTERS:
00:00 God’s Call: Preach the Gospel
01:37 “My Mother Had Me Out of Wedlock”
03:23 Military School Mayhem & Burning It Down Joke
04:45 Grandmother’s Southern Cooking and Family Memories
06:15 Lonely Nights and Mr. Nobody
07:22 Becoming the Parent for My Mother
08:52 Christmas Morning: “It’s Got to Get Better Than This”
10:52 Envy, Family Dinners, and Craving Belonging
12:28 Stepfather Oscar Laurie: “He Treated Me Like a Son”
13:59 Hawaii Move and Celebrities at Davy Jones Locker
16:12 Fights, Tragedy, and Losing My Only Friend
17:28 Alcoholism’s Impact: “These Were Choices”
18:31 Witnessing Violence and Survival Instincts
19:41 Becoming a Juvenile Delinquent & Expulsion Threat
21:21 Teacher’s Outburst: “Bury Him in the Sand”
22:28 “I Realized I Was Living My Mother’s Life”
23:58 Entering Drug Culture: Searching for Escape
26:05 LSD Trip Leads to Crisis and Existential Fear
28:28 Encounter with Campus Christians & The “What If It’s True?” Moment
29:16 Lonnie Frisbee’s Message: “You’re For Me or Against Me”
31:13 Saying the Prayer—But “I Felt Nothing”
32:41 The Moment I Quit Drugs for Good
33:33 Outed as a Christian by a Popsicle-Stick Bible
36:20 Answered Prayer: Receiving My First “Real” Bible
38:09 Watching Billy Graham—Grandmother’s Spiritual Legacy
43:06 Creating Living Water: A Comic That Changed Lives
46:03 First Preaching Moment and Surprising Courage at Baptism
50:25 Called to Preach: “A Glimpse of My Future”
52:15 Cleaning Toilets for Jesus: Humility and Preparation
55:25 My Accidental Journey to Becoming a Pastor
58:15 Full Circle: God’s Hand from Childhood to Calling

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It's the most wonderful time of the year—unless your relationship is in trouble. We're taking an honest look at how affection can ebb and flow in your relationship—especially during busy seasons like the holidays. Whether you consider yourself naturally affectionate or not, you'll learn why intentionally nurturing closeness matters for every couple. We're discussing real-life reasons affection can dip, ranging from plain old busyness and fatigue to unresolved wounds and letting family drama in. Plus, you'll hear practical tips to help your relationship not only avoid these "affection dips," but actually grow stronger and more connected in your marriage or relationship—no matter what time of year it is.

Key Highlights:

• Why Affection Dips

• Signs You’re Losing Connection

• Intentional Steps for Growth

• Forgiveness & Healing

• Family Drama & External Voices

Resources Mentioned:

• Ultimate Couples Guide
  Get practical tools to strengthen your relationship: danache.com/ultimatecouple

• Infidelity Intensive
  Are you dealing with infidelity in your relationship? Get the help you need to recover from betrayal: danache.com/infidelityintensive

• Episode on Forgiveness:
  A step-by-step guide inspired by Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu’s “The Book of Forgiving.” Find the episode at Episode 150.

Listener Review Spotlight:

A longtime listener shares her thoughts on how the Rebuilding Us podcast has helped her and her husband to have more direct and meaningful conversations.

Follow Dana Che on the socials! 

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Like the show? Be sure to SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW the podcast! Then, give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and leave a great review! 

Support the show: https://danache.com/donations/support-the-show/

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In a previous episode, we talked about the power of saying, “I’m sorry.” Today, we’re taking the next step and diving into forgiveness, specifically, what it looks like to forgive our spouse. Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to strengthen a marriage. In this episode, we explore what forgiveness really is (and isn’t), why it’s vital for lasting love, and how practicing it can lead to healing, trust, and deeper connection.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Why forgiveness plays such a big role in happy, lasting marriages
• What forgiveness truly means from both a biblical and relational perspective
• Three things forgiveness is not and why those distinctions matter
• How to navigate the process of forgiving when it still hurts
• Practical ways to rebuild trust after forgiveness
• How to think like a forgiving person and create a culture of grace in your marriage

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Forgiveness is a process, not a one-time decision.
• Forgiveness doesn’t erase responsibility or instantly restore trust.
• Choosing to forgive frees your heart from bitterness and opens space for connection.
• Repair—not just resolution—is what rebuilds intimacy after conflict.
• Thinking like a forgiver starts by asking God to help you see your spouse through His eyes.

US TIME CHALLENGE

This week’s challenge is to think about how you think. When your spouse does something that frustrates or hurts you, pause and ask yourself: Am I thinking like a forgiver or like a victim? Invite God to reshape your thoughts, helping you move toward grace and understanding.

STAY CONNECTED BEYOND THE PODCAST

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss what’s next. And we’d love to hear from you! What non-listener do you struggle with being? Share it with us on social media or send us a message at AshleighSlater.com.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• “How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage” by the Gottman Institute (https://www.gottman.com/blog/forgiveness-can-transform-marriage/)
• “Real Answers to Real Relationship Questions” from Chad Moore at Sun Valley Community Church (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exzwsCITlVM)
• “What the Bible Really Says About Love” from Chad Moore at Sun Valley Community Church (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQSMJWhRNFo)
• “What forgiveness is not: 5 common misconceptions” by Laura Petherbridge (https://www.focusonthefamily.ca/content/what-forgiveness-is-not-5-common-misconceptions)
• “The Art of Repair: Transforming Conflict Into Closeness” by Greg Smalley (https://www.klove.com/resources/life/the-art-of-repair-transforming-conflict-into-closeness-11585)

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What happens when a former atheist follows the evidence instead of the assumptions? Universe Designed—the new documentary from filmmaker Michael Ray Lewis—dives into some of today’s most-searched faith questions: Does God exist? Is Christianity true? Can science and faith coexist?

Releasing December 13, the film traces Michael’s personal journey from skepticism to belief, sparked by astrophysics, philosophy, and the surprising realization that “not wanting it to be true” was the last barrier between him and Christ. The conversation explores his three-year investigation into origins, fine-tuning, evolution, manuscript history, the resurrection, and why beauty and design point us toward a Creator.

If you’re curious about apologetics, Christian worldview formation, or how real evidence shapes real faith—this episode gives you the roadmap.

Highlights

• Michael’s shift from atheism to Christianity through scientific and historical evidence

• How a single Hugh Ross YouTube video started a three-year deep dive

• The role of objective truth, origins, fine-tuning, and evolution in the film

• Why the documentary begins with universal questions and ends with the cross

• The filmmaking choice to use slow-motion and nature imagery to spark wonder

• Why pacing, curiosity, and accessibility mattered in presenting heavy topics

• How the film equips Christians and gently challenges skeptics

• Why this cultural moment is ideal for a documentary about truth and meaning

Resources & Links

• Universe Designed
  Streaming December 13
  universedesigned.com

• Featured voices include Frank Turek, Hugh Ross, Alisa Childers, and more

• Explore more faith-building podcasts at LifeAudio.com

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On this episode of Compared to Who?, Heather Creekmore sits down for a candid conversation with Nicole Warren Renard, also known as Nicole the Nomad. Nicole’s journey has taken her through pageants, the Miss America stage, social media influence, and even to competing on Next Level Chef with Gordon Ramsay. But beneath the highlight reel, Nicole opens up about the ever-present challenge of comparison—whether it's sizing herself up against others, herself from different seasons of life, or the high-pressure environments of televised competitions and motherhood.

What’s Inside:

• Facing Comparison in High-Pressure Environments: Nicole reflects on feeling like the "least experienced, least qualified" contestant on Next Level Chef, and how self-doubt and comparison can trip us up—even in the most exciting opportunities.

• Identity and Confidence: Discover how grounding her worth in Christ empowered Nicole to compete in both pageants and cooking shows without letting failure or criticism define her.

• Comparison in Motherhood: Nicole shares honestly about the struggles of comparing herself to other moms on social media, and even to her pre-mom self. She offers practical ways to keep your heart and mind anchored in truth during big life transitions.

• Practical Tips for Freedom from Comparison:

  • Breath prayers and staying in constant conversation with God

  • Practicing gratitude to shift focus away from “not enough”

  • Setting healthy boundaries with social media

  • Keeping an eternal perspective during mundane or behind-the-scenes seasons

• Life Skills and Pageant Myths: Nicole debunks stereotypes about the pageant world, explains how it developed her confidence and skills, and how she focused on the positive outcomes rather than just winning.

• Holistic Health & Rhythms: Nicole shares the value of consistency and structure in daily routines for mind, body, and soul health.

• Faith in the Everyday: Learn how Nicole incorporates prayer and scripture into her daily life, even as a busy new mom, modeling an abiding relationship with God for her daughter.

Favorite Quotes:

• “At the end of the day, if all of that was stripped away, nothing I do or don't do changes the fact that I'm a human created with purpose and that I have value that is given to me through Christ.”

• “I'm quick to give up on myself and say, well, I don’t know what else it could be… And I compare myself to that.”

We Talk About:

• The mental game of competition and why comparison can knock out even the most talented contestants

• How gratitude can’t coexist with complaining, and practical ways to cultivate a grateful heart

• Why embracing every season—including the “unseen” work of motherhood—is building an eternal legacy

Sponsored by:
WeShare Christian Medical Health Sharing — health care designed with your peace of mind. Get a free, no-obligation quote and waive the $149 application fee by going to: www.weshare.org/heather

Connect:
Find Nicole on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more as Nicole the Nomad. Get recipes, travel guides, and more at Nicole the Nomad’s website.

Next Steps:

• Sign up for Compared to Who?'s 40 Day Journey or grab the 4