#009: Christians are afraid of Halloween? #HNR

by Jeff | Oct 27, 2013

#009: Christians are afraid of Halloween? #HNR

by HopeNet Radio | Podcast

Who’s on this episode?

Jeff Strommen @jstrommen
Dave Wager @wagerdaw

As I drive through neighborhoods this time of year, I see witches, ghosts, skeletons, black cats, zombies and pumpkins carved into monsters. Tombstones decorate front yards with white, fuzzy spider webs. Some are just downright spooky!

All the costumes and candy aside, this is a really dark time of year. And if we’re not wise, it can be downright demonic. Halloween is really not a Christian sort of holiday. You could make a case as to why Christians should not participate in it since it has such dark spiritual overtones to it. In fact, that argument has already been hashed out pretty well already. Dave and I want to take a different approach and ask questions that steer the conversation to talk evangelism. Spiritual things matter. Everybody is searching for answers to things they can’t explain.

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Show Notes

In day-to-day conversation, how often do you talk about angels or demons? Probably very little if you’re like me. Here are some good discussion starters for tonight…

+ What’s the big deal about Halloween anyway?
+ Why is our society enamored with dark spiritual things (ie. ghosts, witches, goblins, zombies, etc)?
+ How do we recognize demonic spiritual influence in our lives?
+ Should we even talk about such demonic things, for they could bring doom and gloom on us?
+ What does it mean to be spiritually superstitious?
+ How can Christians use Halloween to be evangelistic?

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Links from the show

CT – Halloween
Halloween and Leaving the Light On
CARM.org
BillyGraham.org on Halloween

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#008: Where have all the good men gone?

by Jeff | Oct 20, 2013

#008: Where have all the good men gone?

by HopeNet Radio | Podcast

Who’s on this episode?

Jeff Strommen @jstrommen
Dave Wager @wagerdaw

Now, before we take a pessimistic (read: hopeless) point of view here, let’s be clear that there are many good men out there yet who need to be awoken in their stone-cold hearts. In case you missed the beginning of this conversation on HopeNet Radio, you can listen to the podcast here and start about midway through it. While this is not a new issue, it’s one worth talking about because we’re seeing a society of men who:

+ detach or disown their families
+ are addicted
+ don’t know how to be good husbands/fathers/friends

We’re here to help! Then, on the 2nd half of the show, we’re talking about our society’s fascination with dark spiritual things. Plus, we’re reading your emails, Facebook posts, & tweets!

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Make sure to leave a ★★★★★ review and consider supporting the show.

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[Video] Auburn University Homecoming Queen’s Incredible Story

by Jeff | Oct 17, 2013

Molly Anne Dutton shares about becoming the Homecoming Queen at Auburn University as well as her remarkable story that will inspire you and bring many others hope. Check out her Light Up LIFE video here.

Bullying and Consequences: A true story

by Jeff | Oct 16, 2013

October is Bullying Awareness Month. Middle school years are often harder for young people than high school. If you have a pre-teen at home or have worked with junior high kids, you know they can be downright cruel. Here’s a tragic story out of Florida that is developing over the past few weeks that will be interesting to follow.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — After 12-year-old Rebecca Sedwick committed suicide last month, one of her tormenters continued to make comments about her online, even bragging about the bullying, a sheriff said Tuesday.

The especially callous remark hastened the arrest of a 14-year-old girl and a 12-year-old girl who were primarily responsible for bullying Rebecca, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. They were charged with stalking and released to their parents.

Read more here and here. [Update: Charges have been dropped against the 2 girls accused of bullying.]

Sadly, this isn’t the first time and probably won’t be the last time something like this happens. Bullying happens every single day and takes a few different forms today. It’s not limited to a certain age group, sex, nationality, religion, or sexual preference. Technology has given new platforms for bullying to spread and the scars often go deeper than physical abuse. Why? Because words are powerful. And these words are often ones you’d never say face to face. While the story includes verbal face-to-face abuse between these 2 girls and Rebecca, she also had received messages on her mobile device that probably compounded things.

Bullying is actually a symptom of deeper issues within a person. Usually bullies suffer from low self-esteem or self-worth, and have been victims of bullying at home or by someone they know. Hurting people hurt people. And as we’ve seen in this story, taking part in evil acts is contagious. We will all stand accountable before God for the words and behaviors we say and do. Each one of us needs to take a step back and look at the words we use and how we treat the people around us.

Check out these 11 staggering facts about bullying in America.

The Truth About Christopher Columbus

by Jeff | Oct 14, 2013

Like many of you who endured the years of public education, you probably learned a few facts about Christopher Columbus. Most of which, you likely forgot after the unit test. Interestingly enough, it wasn’t until recently that I discovered the “new world” of Christopher Columbus that wasn’t really sailed in the classroom… (via The Oatmeal)

I really want to know, in light of this – should Christopher Columbus Day be celebrated today? Perhaps we should wish everyone a Happy Bartolome Day instead.