‘Tis the season of giving. This podcast is available because of the generous support from people like you who want to share hope with the world. Would you give to support the work of HopeNet Radio?
This almost goes without saying – we have way too much fun on this show sometimes. Our entire goal in this week’s episode is to make you smile. Finals, long lines, mean drivers, impatient coworkers, political and depressing Facebook statuses and tweets… we’ve got tons of signs that this is anything but a merry time of year out there. And reading the headlines doesn’t help. So, we’re quitting the negativity this week and having fun with you.
Jeff Hollenbeck shares about the Perspectives Class coming to Green Bay in January. Dave and Jason square off in our “Know Your Christmas Carols” game. It’s crazy fun this week.
Steve Harvey’s recent interview with Rich & Dawnchere Wilkerson about love languages as based on Gary Chapman’s book
I don’t know how we got on this topic, initially, but the whole idea of showing love to someone at Christmas time might mean different things to different people. So, naturally, my mind went to a great book that talks about how people show love in a way that’s practical. Gary Chapman’s book “The 5 Love Languages” is really a great, simple read on this topic.
Holidays are hard enough to handle when a loved one isn’t a part of the traditions. This week, we’re continuing our discussion on the topic of refugees, but in a little different way. Refugees are guests in our country. How do we treat guests? How do we talk around guests? Does anybody actually care about how they’re perceiving what’s become abundantly clear from the headlines that “we’re not sure that we like you?”
Let’s move from behind the politics and look to the people who we allow at our family table around the holidays. And if there’s an empty chair around your table this year, take that sense of loss and sadness symbolized by the empty chair and include someone who needs joy and peace this Christmas season.
[typography font=”Asap” size=”12″ size_format=”px”](Note: We are not advocating that everyone invite a refugee or complete stranger over to your house as that doesn’t work for everyone. But do look for ways to reach out to people who may live near you and do something small that communicates hope and joy and peace.)[/typography]
While the issue has been highly politicized lately, refugees continue to be among the most vulnerable people in our society. They may not celebrate Christmas or quite understand why we have certain customs. That’s OK. Refugees are guests in our country. How do we treat guests? How do we talk around guests? Does anybody actually care about how they’re perceiving what’s become abundantly clear from the headlines that “we’re not sure that we like you?”
A Georgia man thanked a Tyrone Police Officer for arresting him in July.
According to the police report, the man was driving on Highway 74 and while in a turn lane, instead of making a right onto the street, the driver went straight running off the road. Sgt. Jacob Collins arrested the man for DUI.
Monday, Tyrone Police Chief Brandon Perkins received a letter from the man, thanking Sgt. Collins for arresting him. The letter reads “I was severely intoxicated. He saved my life and the lives of others and I truly appreciate his actions and his efforts.”
[Tweet “As a Christian, two of our greatest tensions to wrestle with is mercy and grace. #HNRTB”]
As a Christian, two of our greatest tensions to wrestle with is mercy and grace. Mercy in that we don’t get what we deserve (hell) and grace in that we’ve been given something we don’t deserve (Jesus & eternal life in heaven). Don’t forget to show the most vulnerable ones mercy and grace this Christmas.
Could it be that the way to change a generation plagued by narcissism, consumerism and apathy is dependent on our response to refugees coming to America?
In the recent months, there has been growing discussion in news media and on social media around refugees coming to America from nations like Syria, Iraq and other parts of the Middle East. After the attack that happened in Paris, there has been growing concern that refugees with violent ulterior motives will be coming to America. Not only that, but there are many refugees who have been resettled in neighborhoods in the US. So, what are Christians to do? Who are these refugees and how are we to respond to them?
As Christians are torn on this issue, Jeff and Dave welcome a a couple of guests with distinguished views on the issue of refugee resettlement to shed some light on the tension we face. One thing is certain – this next generation needs to care about
Come hear about ways you can volunteer and serve refugees in Northeast Wisconsin at an upcoming Volunteer Information Night!
Terra is the Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator at World Relief Fox Valley. Their office has resettled over 130 refugees this year and is looking for ways to get Christians and the Church to reach out to some of the most vulnerable people of our society.
Bill, Homeland Security
People are exploiting gaps in the vetting process of refugees that makes it difficult to ensure that everyone coming in as a refugee is safe to resettle in our local communities. There is a lot going on behind the scenes surrounding the types of people coming as refugees that concern our national security.
The Big Idea
The vast majority of refugees coming to America get some support up front, but many times go forgotten because it’s assumed that they’ve adjusted to American way of life. But this is often not the case. And it’s the Church’s job to care for the needs of the most vulnerable members of our society, including refugees. Or simply put:
This is a different kind of topic for us to cover because there is so much media attention around the issue of resettling refugees. It’s complex, yet simple. In its purest form, a refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
While some would exploit the process to cause harm to Americans, the vast majority of refugees who have come through the process over the last 70 years have come to seek refuge from the storms of life and perils of evil. Some move thousands of miles away from “home” to find safety and security. Imagine for a moment that you were one of them.
Something to consider
Sodom’s Destruction as explained in Ezekiel
Ezekiel 16:48 // As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, Sodom and her daughters were never as wicked as you and your daughters. Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. She was proud and committed detestable sins, so I wiped her out, as you have seen.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 6: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel
Sodom’s chief sin had been pride and self-exaltation. This stemmed from her abundant materialism (food), given to her from God (Gen 13:10), which had resulted in false security, apathy, a luxurious life of ease, and the corollary disdain and neglect of the poor and needy (v.49). This material ease fostered sexual perversion (Gen 13:13; 18:20; 19:4–5). This passage stands as both an exhortation and a warning against such wickedness and life styles today. As evil as Sodom was, she did not begin to do evil like Jerusalem. (Jeremiah described how the prophets of Jerusalem committed adultery, lied, and encouraged evildoers so that none turned from their wickedness, just like Sodom [Jer 23:14; cf. 2 Kings 15:37; 16:6; 24:2; 2 Chronicles 28:18–19; Isa 3:9; Ezek 22:15].)
In light of this passage, what is the Christian’s responsibility to refugees? Could the same words said about Jerusalem be synonymous to life in America? Is America not hospitable enough to care for the most vulnerable in our society? Can Christians do more for refugees?
I heard something today and immediately knew that it had to be posted on Twitter. The likes and retweets affirmed my view and self-worth. And then I saw it: the annoying reply from those pesky Twitter trolls trying to steal my limelight. No way. I’ll show them.
New tweet. “Keep looking at me! I’ve got something important to say!”
Don’t worry. I know I’m not the only one. In a time where relationships and conversations have been pushed to social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest, Vine… (whew!), words have become cheap – essentially losing their effectiveness. It’s like someone handed out bullhorns and whistles at the DMV. There’s lots of noise, but what’s the point?
Jeff and Dave are back with some perspective on how to engage a world that creates noise, but goes nowhere. Check it out…
If I didn’t know any better, it would be easy to believe that the only thing that mattered to Christians this week were some plain red cups.
News flash. Being a Christian is way more than plain red cups.
Our guest tonight is April Strom-Johnson. April has spent the majority of her adult life mentoring young men and women in their musical abilities as well as life. She has an incredible story and shares insight on what it means to love one another.
[Tweet “Love was never intended to have victims. -April Strom-Johnson #HNRTB”]
Penn Jillette is a renowned entertainer and illusionist. He’s also very vocal of his atheistic worldview. However, a few years back, he recorded this video, which has stuck with me through the years. We couldn’t have explained the mission of a Christian any better.
