Former atheist Dave Glander was at the end of his rope, contemplating suicide, when he challenged God to “do something” about the desperate state of his life as a hopelessly addicted meth user. After weeping while he fell asleep, he felt supernaturally transformed the next morning, and went on a couple week journey to find out who had changed his life. Dave is a pastor, author, and apologist who shares his testimony around the world about his radical transformation through Jesus. Dave discusses how he came to the realization that he was living as if he were God for over three decades and once he gave his life to the one true God, he felt an overwhelming sense of peace. Much of his atheistic beliefs stemmed from public school where Darwinism and evolution were the only beliefs taught.

TAKEAWAYS

We must present the Bible as factual to our children - not just as a collection of fantastical stories

Many youth do not have an interest in Jesus because their questions are being unanswered by their parents and pastors

If you don’t know why you believe what you believe, your WHAT is useless

What we believe directly affects how we live our lives in these end times

A worldview is the conceptual lens through which we see and interpret the world around us and understand our place in it. According to Tawa Anderson, a Biblical worldview is absolutely essential in a Christian’s life, but so many people don’t realize how powerfully their worldviews are intertwined with their day-to-day living behaviors. More importantly, these behaviors might not line up with scripture. Tawa is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics and the author of the book, An Introduction to Christian Worldview. He shares his perspective on the impact of individual worldviews and presents his thoughts about the hit Christian series The Chosen, centered on the life of Jesus.

TAKEAWAYS

It’s hard, but not impossible, to lead someone to salvation who doesn’t realize that they are lost

We need to understand and analyze the worldviews around us so we know how to share Jesus with those that have different beliefs

We must constantly compare our current views with what scripture says to make sure they align

A Biblical worldview should include reflection, adjustment, an analysis of behavior, culture shaping, and an understanding of personal values

Tracey Scott’s son Benjamin Paul was a sophomore in college when he had his first psychotic episode. After bringing him home, Tracey and her family struggled to understand what was happening to him, setting out on a long journey that would lead to her son’s diagnosis of mental illness. Tracey is a wife, mom, and grandmother who still cares for her now-33-year-old son alongside her husband. She explains how NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) helped educate her on how to help her son survive and thrive despite his cognitive challenges. Tracey also discusses five important things that friends and family can do to support the mental wellness of the people they love.

TAKEAWAYS

Reach out to those suffering with mental illness and let them know you’re available

Don’t define your loved ones by their mental diagnosis

Tracey recommends reading I Am Not Sick: I Don’t Need Help! by Xavier Amador, Ph.D.

If someone you love is diagnosed with a mental illness, it’s not their fault or your fault, and YOU are their best statistic for a better life

Julie Thomas came home from the hospital holding her baby boy and an unexpected package: postpartum depression. Julie fell into a dark void, closing every drape in the house, and even attempting suicide several times. Thankfully, the Lord spared her life. Julie is an author and speaker who is vivaciously sharing her story of how God carried her through the pain of her extreme anxiety and sadness. She highlights several red flags of those that may also be suffering postpartum depression. Julie looked to scripture in her most desperate hour, and although she experiences a continued battle with depression, she seeks to create awareness for the reality of mental health struggles and offers hope to other women who can sadly relate.

TAKEAWAYS

Julie has authored a book, Hope Inside Out: Approaching Depression with Purposeful Hope

Julie describes her postpartum depression as living in two different parallel realities

Red flags you can watch for in your friends: An aversion to quietness, noisiness, or a tendency to hide from social situations

Julie saw herself in the stories of the Bible and related to the Psalms, which helped draw her out of the darkness and into God’s light

Stacey McDonald was just a child when her father began exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia. Her father’s frightening behaviors that followed changed her life forever, and have inspired her life’s work. Stacey is an author, speaker, and psychologist who wrote the ground-shaking book, The Gospel of Mental Health: From Mental Hell to Mental Wellness. Stacey touches on the underlying causes of depression and shares insight into the misconceptions that Christians and churches perpetuate about mental health problems. Stacey also reminds us that an attitude of gratitude is the most impactful game-changer when it comes to combating depression for Christ followers.

TAKEAWAYS

You cannot punish yourself for the sins that you have committed - instead Christ calls us to repent and change our ways

Social media and the constant negative news robs us of our peace and joy

We struggle to find peace when we are willingly choosing to subscribe to chaos

The Gospel of Mental Health also includes a workbook for those who want to work through specific challenges and create personal prayers

At the end of his ropes, J.D. Peabody was taking a walk with his friend when he commented that he wasn’t an anxious person. His friend’s response was telling - he laughed - and J.D. realized that he was not who he thought he was! J.D. is the pastor of New Day Church and the author of the profound book, Perfectly Suited - The Armor of God for the Anxious Mind. J.D. explains how Christians tend to misunderstand their anxious thoughts, and why it’s important to find community and support when fear begins to take a foothold. Anxiety, he explains, is the secondary way of feeling things that are really about something else. J.D. also shares insight into how he turned his mental meltdown into the inspiration for a fantastic Biblically-based book to help people overcome their anxiety.

TAKEAWAYS

Peace is one of God’s greatest gifts to us

If you are anxious, recognize that you are NOT alone

Don’t isolate yourself when you’re dealing with anxiety - reach out to the people around you and find help

Even if someone’s life looks perfect from the outside, realize that they are most likely struggling with something too

Join Wendy Speake on January 9 to experience a remarkable 40-day journey aimed at ditching damaging addictions that separate us from the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Wendy is the author and creator of many life-changing books such as The 40-Day Sugar Fast. She began facilitating an online community for moms who were struggling with anger and outbursts, destructive diets, and other addictions, and challenged them to ditch their bad habits for 40 days. “It’s a spiritual fast,” Wendy explains. Instead of running to sugar or social media to cope on the hardest days, she wants women to run to the most high: Jesus. The fast is flexible, focused, and centered on eliminating things that get between women and their relationship with the Lord.

TAKEAWAYS

Wendy says women are fasting from their “fix” so that they can then experience feasting on the Word of God

The dopamine of our additions will leave us empty, but the high of intimacy with Christ will never run dry

Anything that gets between you and your Bible is your enemy

Wendy has also authored The 40-Day Feast, The 40-Day Social Media Fast and has co-authored the parenting book Triggers

A great show to kick off the new year! In today's episode, We’re giving insight into exciting things Christians are doing for the Kingdom through entertainment. We're sharing interesting news about Kirk Cameron, the Kendrick brothers and taking a look at a new entertainment company from a Hollywood actor who has played the meanest villains, Neal McDonough. Holly will also give you a heads up about a few movies that are in theaters now.

De Bolton wants women to feel healthy and strong in the bodies that God gave them, and she has taken her passion to the next level as a personal trainer and wellness advisor. De dropped 100 pounds and was inspired to intertwine her relationship with the Lord into her fitness journey. Known as the Faith Fueled Mom, she equips women to honor their temple and glorify God by embracing healthy lifestyles focused on God over superficiality. This fitness guru explains how weight loss is a science, and why strength training is the best option for exercise. It is our duty to protect and pamper the temples that God entrusted to us. De reminds us that honoring our bodies is a living act of worship.

TAKEAWAYS

Moving our body for 20 minutes every day is a healthy, simple approach to staying fit and active

Keep our focus on God to avoid making an idol out of fitness

It’s not merely about diet and exercise, but creating a lifestyle that honors God and brings Him glory

We have to submit our every food decision to the Lord and He will help us make the right choices on what we allow in our body

There is enough fluoride in a tube of toothpaste to kill a child, but you won’t hear that from your local dentist! Dr. Lorraine Day is a former orthopedic trauma surgeon and prolific author who was healed holistically from a terminal cancer diagnosis over 30 years ago by following God’s health plan. She exposes the horrifying effects of fluoride and discusses the dirty details of the Rockefeller family’s influence on modern medicine. Lorraine also discusses the importance of getting outside and exercising, how we can best avoid toxins in our environment, and why we should skip processed foods. Lorraine advises everyone to eat as organically as possible and to absorb as much sunlight as they can to improve and maintain a healthy immune system.

TAKEAWAYS

It is critical we get outdoors daily and breathe fresh air along with absorbing natural sunlight to properly maintain our melatonin levels

The healing hormones of the body are produced between 10 PM and 2 AM every night

A disruption of the circadian rhythm can be detrimental and even fatal to our health

In California, it is against the law to treat cancer with anything other than chemo, radiation, or surgery