In the ongoing story of Charlie Gard, the parents were in court today in London to see if they might yet bring their baby to the United States for an experimental treatment. Charlie’s story should challenge us with moral and ethical questions relating to: Where is our hope? What does it mean to be pro-life? Are we willing to help other children from other places whose health issues would be resolved by simply coming to the US?

When it comes to Israel, people possess a wide range of opinions- and usually hold those opinions passionately. For Christians, we want to understand what the Bible says about Israel and how it relates to the current, distinct  nation-state. Our guest, Dr. Gerald McDermott is an expert in the topic and has written on what Christians should know about Israel.

Israel Matters: Why Christians Must Think Differently about the People and the Land

First, we highlight some stories, big and small, from this past week:

* President Trump attends the G-20 Summit and meets with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

* A New York hospital agrees to send an experimental treatment to the UK for terminally ill infant Charlie Guard.

* Attending church is good for your health…proven again

* Calls for boycott of Starbucks in Muslim countries due to their support of same-sex marriage.

Then, when we look at what is shaping the cultural landscape, social media tops the list. Each and every person now has a platform. For Christians, the question is, who are your glorifying on your platform? We worked with Jeremy Burton to create a Manifesto for Social Media Influence. Jeremy is our guest today and we challenge you to read it and make a commitment to be a person who will use your social media influence for Christ.

Get the manifesto here.

Jack Phillips is a Colorado baker at the center of a religious liberty case to be heard by the Supreme Court this fall. He declined to bake a specialty cake for a same-sex wedding because of his religious convictions about marriage. He was asked on a popular TV talk show: would Jesus have baked the cake? We look at that question.

In other news of the day: Hobby Lobby got in trouble for smuggling Iraqi artifacts. The U.S. Army tells female soldiers to accept naked men in showers.

Regular guest and notable pollster George Barna joins us in the second half to discuss recent findings from the American Culture and Faith Institute. Most Americans- Christian or not- are concerned about the effect of the culture on the next generation. So, why aren’t we changing it? As adults shaping the culture every day, why are we not doing anything to change the toxic environment?

 

Related articles and resources:

Find all of our interviews with George Barna here.

American Culture and Faith Institute research: Americans worried about children

Guest post from Adam Barr on three tough questions about showing Jesus’ love to our gay friends. 

 

On July 4,  North Korea fired off a ballistic missile many agree is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead with intercontinental reach. The UN Council is meeting now to discuss the latest developments in North Korea and efforts to prevent further development of its nuclear program. The country is one of the most oppressive regimes on the planet, but God can still work, and is through Christians there. Let’s pray for them and for our leaders during this time.

Charlie Guard is an 11-month old baby on life support in the UK. His parents are fighting to exhaust every possible medical option, and desire him to released in their care to pursue experimental treatment in the US. However, the doctors at the state hospital have decided to turn of his life support. The legal battle continues as the Pope and President Trump have offered help.

In our second half, we talk with author Jennifer Rothschild. We all talk to ourselves all day, every day (it’s true), and some of that can be pretty damaging because it’s not grounded in truth. What are the lies we tell ourselves and how do we replace them with God’s Truth? In her latest book, Jennifer shows the distinction between “positive self-talk” and Christ-centered soul talk. That book is: Me, Myself, and Lies: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself

We all break the 10 Commandments. All have fallen short of the glory of God.  Few of us do so in such a public fashion. There is one individual who intentionally (and literally) breaks the 10 Commandments by ramming his truck into a public statutes of the 10 Commandments.

California’s “right to die” law was enacted one year ago. A recent report from the state reveals 111 people used the law to take their own lives. With the advent of “death with dignity,” is the right to life dead?  If the state sees itself as better off with you dead, whose rights are being upheld? Is that dignity?

Our guest today has said, “Prisons are a gift from God.” David Howell had been imprisoned on several occasions because of his excessive drinking. His turn to faith was in part due to reading Born Again by Charles Colson. Now, he is the founder of Prison Evangelism, an evangelistic and discipleship ministry spreading the Gospel to incarcerated men and women. 

Related articles and resources:

How to be a Child of God

Listen to our interview with Joni Tada on “right to die” legislation

Social media offers many distractions and today is no different. President Trump is making waves with his use of Twitter again. The President needs not only the wisdom of Solomon but the humility to ask God for it. He also needs some kind of filter between his first thoughts and the social media platform of Twitter. We discuss this and more with nationally-syndicated radio host, TV show host and author, Hugh Hewitt. 

There are so many important news stories, which get pushed aside by the “shiny” distraction of social media drama. We take some time to look at these stories.

Then, in our second half, we have the chance to talk with author Jen Pollock Michel. She has written a new book exploring our deep desire for home. As Christians, we have a special calling to welcome people into our homes and love on them as the physical representation of Christ. The book is Keeping Place: Reflections on the Meaning of Home.

Related articles:

If you are on social media, we encourage you to think about using the platform for Christ. Download our free resource here.

Hugh Hewitt’s newest book: The Fourth Way: The Conservative Playbook for a Lasting GOP Majority

REAIR

n the first half, we talk with LA area pastor and artist D.A. Horton on what it looks like to leverage privilege to assist others, being a cultural translator, and more. Then we talk about a question that might be THE question for Christians in the culture: How do we love our gay friends without compromising the truth? Our guest Adam Barr is co-author of Compassion Without Compromise: How the Gospel Frees Us to Love Our Gay Friends Without Losing the Truth.

 

Additional updates and resources: 

Find out more: Compassion without compromise

The Supreme Court’s summer session has concluded, and today the Court made announcements on several important cases. First, in a significant religious liberty case, the court sided with a Lutheran Church in a church-and-state question.  A quick explainer from our friends at ERLC here. The Court also announced it would hear discussion on religious liberty case of Colorado bakers who refused on religious grounds to bake a cake for a gay wedding. And, the Court allowed the Trump Administration travel ban to go forward in part in a temporary compromise. The Court announcement blocks some immigrants who have no close relationship to the US while stating they will review the constitutional questions at stake in the case in October.

Read more about these cases (and other notable news and commentary) in our Must Read Monday: Supremes.

Healthcare reform: Republican leaders are trying to rally support for their measure to repeal the Affordable Care Act in time for a vote this week, before a congressional recess. President Trump expressed confidence on Sunday that the bill would pass, but five Republican senators have said they won’t support the bill without changes. They need 51 yes votes, which means they can afford 2 no votes with the VP breaking a tie.

It has been two years since the Obergefell decision, and people celebrated Pride Month around the country. PEW Research Center finds support for same-sex marriage is at its highest point.

Reading other headlines: Ensuring we take a time to read about other important news happening in the world.

Capsized boat off coast of Colombia – unknown number of dead families

Explosion following traffic accident kills at least 157 in Pakistan

More than 100 feared dead in a mudslide in China

 

Travis Wussow is Vice President for Public Policy and General Counsel for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Our criminal justice system is not always just, and as Christians that should concern us because of the incredible mercy we have been shown. The ERLC is working with other Christian organizations to raise awareness and move toward a more just criminal system. Find out more and sign the Justice Declaration. Travis then discusses a few important news developments of which you need to be aware, including the President of India’s upcoming visit to the White House.

In our second half, we are asking the question: What’s the key to communicating Truth to the emerging generations? How do we help them understand Christianity is the true story about reality? Brett Kunkle is Student Impact Director at Stand to Reason and co-author of  A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World with John Stonestreet (who was on The Reconnect earlier this week).

Related articles and resources:

New Social Media Resource: You have a platform, how are you using it?

Christian Orgs Labeled Hate Groups on Top Charity Site

Indian Prime Minister Modi to visit White House June 26

ERLC helps lead call for justice reform

Detroit judge halts deportation of Iraqi Christians

 

What is legal and what is illegal? How do those designations change through time? As human interpretations of morals and justice change, we need to be grounded in the Word of God and an understanding of what is honoring or dishonoring to God. We are not the arbiters of that- He is lawgiver and life giver. This question becomes relevant in cases such as that of the undercover reporters who revealed Planned Parenthood’s discussion of aborted baby body parts. Article: California Court Dismisses 14 Criminal Charges against Center for Medical Progress

There is no such thing as a perfect parent, and parenting isn’t perfect. President of Focus on the Family, Jim Daly, helps us understand why that is not really a bad thing. Let go of the perfection game and approach your kids with authenticity and grace. Since perfection isn’t the answer, Jim joins us today to talk about what we should focus on and highlight lessons in his new book, When Parenting isn’t Perfect.

Related articles and resources:

When Parenting Isn’t perfect

ERLC National Conference on “Parenting: Christ-Centered Parenting in a Complex World”