Past statements by a nominee to the Federal bench have people ringing alarm bells. This is another example of how language matters and why it matters that we represent God’s perspective in ways that honor the dignity of every person.

We live in a culture deeply confused about life, where it comes from,  why it’s given, and to whom is ultimately belongs. This is evident in this Politico story about why fewer IVF treatments result in triplets. Washington Examiner  story exposes how the language covers up what is really happening.

There are 100,000 kids in foster care who are “difficult to place,” because they are teens or part of sibling groups or kids with special needs. The world says these kids are “unadoptable.” But our guest today, Kelly Rosati of Focus on the Family ministries, categorically rejects that. She lives what she preaches: that the heart of Jesus is to invite them– these kids– into loving families.

Kelly provides a vulnerable, honest look inside what it is to love and parent kids with mental illness. We need to know that chemical, physiological illnesses are not the same as spiritual issues. We need to stop shaming people and families already walking through these heart-breaking challenges. This is a must-listen for parents, pastors, and ministry leaders wanting to care for kids struggling with mental illness and their families.

No matter what they do, or how dark things get, they cannot stop our love or God’s furious love for them – @KellyMRosati on #TheReconnect

Related resources:

Key Ministry

California becomes the first state to legally identify a third gender. This means official state documents will allow people to declare something other than the binary options of male and female.

We have talked in the past about the “nones,” or about one-fifth of the American population who do not identify with any particular religion. But a recent article in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion argues there is another category to consider: liminals. These are people who are on the fence about religion, not as atheists or agnostics, but generally moving between different categories given the time and question.

What does it mean to be white? Our guest, Daniel Hill shares his own journey of awakening to what it means to be white. This transformation changed how he saw himself, the world and the Church. He is founding and senior pastor of River City Community Church, a vibrant, multiethnic church in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago

Today, Bowe Berghdal pleaded guilty to desertion and endangering the lives of his fellow soldiers. If you recall back in 2009, Bowe was stationed in Afghanistan, but left his post for unknown reasons and spent five years captured by the Taliban. When released, he was hailed a hero before facts surrounding his case were brought to light.

There are some Christians who have forgotten who they worship and serve, and it is confusing those watching what it means to be a Christian. That should concern us because we are supposed to be showing Jesus to others.

Our guest today is Shadi Khalloul, a fellow of the Philos Project and chairman of the Israeli Aramaic Christian Association. Shadi is passionate about building relationships between Christians and Jews in Israel. He joins us to share about his Aramean project.

Related articles and resources:

Must Read Monday

We look at a few of the big stories in the news:

* President Trump issued an executive order on health care, ending subsidies to health insurance companies pay out-of-pocket costs for low-income individuals purchasing coverage through the exchanges.

* A Congressional briefing yesterday discussed the threat of an EMP that could lead to the deaths of 90% of Americans – yes, you heard me right, 90%.

* The opioid epidemic is changing the way people think about life, career, and culture. 

Have you heard heard of Bitcoin but have no idea what it is or why we should care? Today we talk with a ministry making sure the church cares about Crypto Currency because we have the opportunity, even the responsibility, to use the rapidly expanding technology for good. There are 2.5 billion people who have no access to a bank account and are therefore, locked out of the global economy and will have little opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty. Christ coins is a digital currency designed to help people lift themselves out of poverty and can give the church the ability to achieve its mission as well. Emmanuel Ogunjumo works for Life Change, an organization working to leverage the digital currency market for good.

For more information, visit:

Christcoins.io 

An update on California wildfires: Americans are describing is what people experience in villages and communities when war or terror employs what we call “scorched earth.”

Americans in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, California are experiencing what people around the world experience – the reality that we are not in control of many things. Wealth has produced a sense that we can control everything, but that’s simply not true. Fires, floods, tornadoes and terror strike quickly, move unpredictably and against them we have little defense.  We want to take some time today and remember God’s faithfulness IN the midst of rising waters, storms, and yes, fire.

We also share this intense story out of South Asia, which may not be good for children. There is evidence of government police and military forces in Myanmar conducting an intentional massacre of the Rohingya people group. As people concerned with religious liberty, this should concern us too.

The world’s fastest growing religion is Islam. Many of us have very limited understanding the religion and its core tenants. The Bible Answer Man, Hank Hanegraaff joins us to discuss what we need to know about Islam and contrast the key differences with Christianity. His recent book is MUSLIM: What You Need to Know about the World’s Fastest Growing Religion

 

 

 

Related articles and resources:

Can Sam Brownback Elevate Religious Freedom within U.S. Foreign Policy?

Rohingya Recount Atrocities: ‘They Threw My Baby Into a Fire’

We lead off today by praying the news. Fires are still raging in California. Around 2,000 structures (homes and businesses) have been destroyed and at least 17 dead. We are praying for the 20,000 people who have fled their homes and are in search of shelter.

Let’s be mindful of just how precious and fragile life is. I encourage you to take advantage of every opportunity to pray for those in need and take steps to do good to those around you. We are the people who actually know peace in the midst of any circumstance.

Erick Erickson is a well-known conservative political commentator, starting RedState and then The Resurgent websites. In the last year he came under much criticism for his refusal to support Donald Trump in his campaign for president. During that political firestorm, which necessitated around-the-clock armed guards at his house, he experienced something that caused him to reflect and change: both he and his wife faced very serious medical challenges. He wrote this book to share with his kids what really matters: Before You Wake: Life Lessons from a Father to His Children 

 

At the end of this month, we will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. How do the ideas put forth half a millennium ago still influence today? to discuss this, we are joined by Eric Metaxas, national radio host and best-selling author on his recent project: Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the World.

As Eric points out, Martin Luther was just one of the reformers, but his ability to communicate broke through the systems of the day, with historic implications. He communicated in such a way to get beyond the elites (who primarily wrote in Latin) and into the public square. Coupled with the printing press, Luther’s writing was compelling and accessible so that elites could no longer squash the revolutionary ideas and control the flow of information. His story still has much to teach the Church today.

Republican Representative Tim Murphy was caught asking a mistress to seek an abortion. The issue here is integrity. If you are not in private who you present yourself to be in public, the day will come when deeds done in private will be exposed by the light.

Today we begin the first part in a month-long focus on the topic of persecution and looking ahead to the International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the Persecuted Church. Our guest is Todd Nettleton, the Director of Media and Public Relations for The Voice of the Martyrs. 

Todd also shared with us some ways to pray and get involved in the upcoming IDOP on November 5.

Read more: Persecuted for the Faith, Part 1: Todd Nettleton on Expectations of the Church

 

Reminder: This weekend marks the one year anniversary of Pastor Andrew Brunson’s wrongful arrest and detention in Turkey. Here’s how you can pray and help. Read more.

Trauma changes us, individually and corporately. Chris Marlin, pastor of Grace City Vegas, shares with us how he has seen the tragic shooting change the city. He councils all believers about how to entire into conversation, lovingly and without agenda, with those grieving such a horrible tragedy. 

Throughout it all, be encouraged that prayer matters. Prayer itself is not powerful, but the God to whom we pray is.

We tend to glorify leaders who portray strength and skill and power. But what if our weaknesses are actually part of what makes us strong? Our guest today, Pastor Scott Sauls joins us to discuss why he wrote a leadership book which challenges our definition of “leader.” We can be freed up to be more whole and devoted leaders for God’s glory and not ours.

 

Related articles and resources:

After the Shooting: Las Vegas Pastor Has Never Seen the City So Open to the Gospel 

Book: From Weakness to Strength: 8 Vulnerabilities That Can Bring Out the Best in Your Leadership

Today we are joined by Pastor Vance Pitman of Hope Church Las Vegas. He shares what he has experienced on Sunday night and in the days since. As Hope Church seeks to serve and love their city after tragedy, we want to know the greatest needs Pastor Pitman and his church are encountering and how we can all help and pray. 

When these horrific, very public tragedies happen, we face hard questions in our own hearts about evil and hope and meaning. But if we are parents (or plan to one day be), we also deal with these hard questions as we try to communicate truth to our kids. Our guest is Glenn Lutjens is a licensed marriage and family therapist, is a Focus on the Family counselor. He helps us answer the questions: What am I supposed to tell my kids about this? How do I parent them?

Free Resource: Parenting in the midst of tragedy