Lighthouse Faith

In the wake of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs. Wade, polls on abortion and how Americans support or don't support the decision are rampant. Generally speaking, most polls say the majority of Americans did not support the justices ruling. But does that mean most citizens are pro-choice, or favor no restrictions on abortion? Daniel Darling, Director of the Land Center For Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, says poll results that make it to mainstream media can be misleading. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dan talks about the fact that most Americans, whether Democrat or Republican, favor some kind of restrictions on abortion, and that also the younger generations are becoming more pro-life than their parents' and grandparent's generations. With photos of ultrasound pictures included in baby books and on refrigerator doors, it's hard for anyone who favors abortion rights to say that this "clump of cells" growing in a woman's womb is anything other than a human life. That has been the game changer. Advances in science concerning the unborn, have resulted in a growing pro-life sentiment.

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Michelle Hord thought she had the perfect life and career. A producer for America's Most Wanted and ABC's Good Morning America, she was on a trajectory of certain success. Even a wedding in her late 30's seemed like a fairytale, which later welcomed a beautiful little girl named Gabrielle. But her dream marriage turned into a nightmare when the man she thought was her soul mate, became the source of strife and discontent. An acrimonious separation finally ended in divorce when her husband grudgingly signed the papers. But that same day, he went back to his home and killed seven-year-old Gabrielle and attempted to kill himself. Michelle's grief and trauma so great, her only recourse was to cry out to God. The verse that gave her strength was from the book of Job, "Though he slay me, YET will I trust him." It is what happens after the "Yet" that Michelle is living in now. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Michelle Hord talks about her book, "The Other Side of Yet: Finding Light in the Midst of Darkness," that tells her story of heartache and sorrow, but also of strength and healing.

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America is 245 years old! Happy Birthday! We've come a long way and become a great nation and a great power. But with great power comes great responsibility. And America could be at a defining moment in history. According to historian Os Guinness, all our struggles and founding documents have as their fuel the covenant the Israelites made with God at Mt. Sinai. Freedom comes from God. Not from man. The only true freedom in this world has as its author, The Almighty. The signers of the Declaration of Independence at the Second Continental Congress of July 4th, 1776 knew that. But today, many of our citizens of this Republic do not know that, or if they do, are trying to re-write history in their own image. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, historian and best-selling author Os Guinness talks about his new book, The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai's Revolutionary Faith and The Future of Freedom. He makes the claim that today's Woke ideology, various forms of Critical Theory, and the tearing down of historic statues is not part of our 1776 roots and the American war of Independence from Great Britian, but on the French Revolution, whose foundation is the Enlightenment and secularism. But Guinness goes a step further and says God's Law is the only source of true freedom. Because the paradox of freedom is that it must be ordered, otherwise freedom begets anarchy. If there are no rules to follow, laws to obey, then freedom itself becomes an oppressive cudgel, morphing into a 'will to power.' Are we there yet? Listen and find out. (This episode previously aired on July 4, 2021)

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The Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial may be over, but the strife and struggle of their relationship remains... not only for them but for countless other couples whose relationships will never make the front page of newspapers, nor their conflicts become court fodder. So on this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast we go back and ask two experts, a husband and wife team, Fr. Nicholas Louh and Dr. Roxanne Louh, about marriage. What is marriage? Why is faith important in a marriage? Is there a perfect person out there for everyone? What are some of the red flags in a relationship? How do you know if this is the right person to marry? Are some things unforgiveable in a marriage? And... what's wrong with having sex before marriage? The Louh's have a unique relationship to jointly explore all these questions and more. He is a Greek Orthodox priest. She is a psychologist. They've been married for 19 years. Together they look at relationships through the combined lens of faith and psychology; bringing them in tandem. Marrying them, you could say, and letting no man or woman separate them. This is the key to forming a marriage that truly will be forever. The Depp vs. Heard trial is used as a cautionary tale on this podcast. While neither Louh has met or knows either party, they do have some expert insight into how this relationship got on the rails in the first place.

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Wherever you stand on the Roe v. Wade debate, it is clear that no matter how the Supreme Court rules, the conflict over abortion rights will not end. It will go into a new phase. Shawn Carney, who co-founded the pro-life group "40 Days for Life" and whose life was featured in the movie "Unplanned", believes the High Court is set to topple the 1973 decision that made abortion legal. Carney's organization was founded on prayer, and he believes prayer is what will get the country through the next phase, as the abortion fight becomes localized in each state. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Carney explains why he believes it's the end of an era for Roe, but also how to spread the truth in love when it comes to the most contentious subject that has torn apart neighbors, family members and the country itself. In comparison, laws can be changed quickly. But it takes a great deal of time, effort, and patience to change hearts.

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Wherever you stand on the controversy over denying Catholic politicians Holy Communion because of their stance on abortion, one conservative priest has a totally non-political take on this ever-growing dispute. Fr. Gerald Murray, who by all accounts is no close compadre of the Speaker of the House, says Nancy Pelosi is blessed. Why blessed? Because, he says, she has an Archbishop who cares enough about her eternal soul to decree that she should no longer receive the Holy Eucharist in her home Archdiocese of San Francisco. Not too long-ago Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone made public his ongoing, but private, spat with Pelosi over her staunch support of abortion rights. The Catholic Church considers abortion to be a grave sin for those who have one or for those who aid in its continuance. It's a sin that jeopardizes a person's promise of heaven. While many in the church have accused clergy like Cordileone of 'weaponizing the Eucharist', Murray says people should understand it from the point of view of a Shepherd caring for his flock. You can read the article here... Listen to Fr. Murray explain it, and also talk about how Pope Francis is molding the Catholic Church with 21 new Cardinals. Fr. Murray heads the United Nations parish, Church of the Holy Family in Manhattan.

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Michael W. Smith's greatest cheerleader in life was his father, Paul Smith. He supported him in his passion for music, even though his own talents were in sports. What a unique relationship that is. A father who not only lets his son find his passion in life, even if its different from his own.. but encourages him to pursue it wholeheartedly. But that was Paul Smith, who passed away in 2015, leaving the Grammy Award winning Christian artist with a huge hole in his heart. However, Paul Smith gave his son a legacy that death could not take away; a faith in his Heavenly Father, that will last into eternity. Fathers have an incredibly powerful influence on their children. Even their absence is felt as a profound loss in a child's soul. And then there are fathers who are physically present but emotionally distant, unapproachable, or even abusive. They too have a profound influence on their children. Theological experts say, a child's view and relationship with their earthly father has a correlation to how the child sees God. Authoritative or permissive, judgmental, or loving... all these have influence. Michael W. Smith, says his father, although not perfect, was the quintessential father, who sacrificed so much of himself to serve not only him but his mother and grandmother. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Smith talks about his father and the book he just wrote that honors him called, 'The Way Of The Father: Lessons From My Dad, Truths About God". The truth is, we all need our fathers. They play a vital role in our lives, yet today's society would have us believe they are unnecessary. But every study shows that when fathers are present, supportive, and loving, to their children, children thrive. The tragedy of course is, not all children have earthly fathers they can rely on. And that, says Michael W. Smith is why a Heavenly Father is all the more important. To know the Father is to be known down to the depths of your being, and at the same time, loved unconditionally. That is the Way of Thee Father.

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There is no question that the mass shooting of 19 children and two teachers in a Uvalde, TX elementary school was anything other than pure evil. And so, the question becomes, "Why wouldn't God prevent such evil?" And "Is He not all powerful? Or is He not all good?" Theologian and pastor Dr. Jeremiah Johnston is expert in mental health and spiritual evil, and he says what most Christians, and people of faith, haven't understood is that God, in the Bible does make a distinction between having the blues, depression, mental illness... and spiritual evil. They can all be intertwined, even on a trajectory. But it's possible to have one without the other. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dr. Johnston addresses all, as well as the issue of God's presence during tragedy and that the Church should be doing a lot more to deal with mental health within the ranks of its own pews.

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"Mediating institutions, such as the family, churches, and Fraternal organizations, feed the life of the civic community. They stand between the individual and the state. And when they recede, the state fills the vacuum." - Archbishop Charles Chaput

That's a quote from an article in "First Things" magazine written by the retired Archbishop of Philadelphia, Charles Chaput. If you're not familiar with him, just know that he is student of political and American history, as well as a keen observer of political discourse, especially when it concerns the Catholic Church and Christianity as a whole. He knows his stuff. And for all his political involvement in calling out the hypocrisy of Catholic politicians and getting involved in the political fight over abortion and gender, he was pretty much shunned by Pope Francis, who Chaput was told didn't want any more bishops like him. But even though retired, Chaput hasn't stopped adding his voice to the public square. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Chaput talks about his article in "First Things," called "Fire Upon the Earth", and how America is at a critical precipice concerning her weakened religious foundations of which the state is taking advantage by inserting itself as the authority over theological beliefs. Issues like 'conscience rights' of medical professionals, 'parental rights' and the public schools, they're all being attacked. And the irony is they're being attacked by the very institution charged with protecting them... the government. So, what's the solution? Chaput says, it's what it has always been, faith in Jesus Christ; to know Him, His character, His love, His mercy, and to teach your children the same.

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As the abortion battle grows to a fever pitch pending the expected Supreme Court ruling, a new pro-life documentary takes a broad look at abortion; its history, morality, philosophy, and its politics... And targets the church as part of the problem and the solution. "The Matter of Life" ads have been banned from Facebook for content. Filmmaker Tracy Robinson faults the far-left ideology of tech companies. But that hasn't swayed Robinson, who less than a decade ago was a pro-choice Evangelical. And she knows there are many more like her. The film highlights that 4 in 10 women who had abortions were attending churches the month of their procedures. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Robinson explains how she came to be staunchly pro-life and that there are many Christians who were like her, getting their information from a secular point of view, not the Church. And that's why the film says that Christians' real abortion battle is in the pews, not in the public square. The film is set for a Fathom release this week (May 16th & 17th), as the country is reeling from the unprecedented leak of the High Court's opinion signaling a possible downfall of Roe v. Wade. Robinson is compassionate and understanding of the pro-choice position having been in that camp for most of her life, but she says without a doubt that abortion "degrades the body of Christ."

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