Family Life 5 O’Clock Report – 01/05/24
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Max Lucado – A Family Life News interview – 01/05/24
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Prominent Christian speaker, author (and advisor to presidents) Max Lucado is sharing a message of reassurance to anyone who feels they have strayed far from God:
“God never gives up on you”
Hear new comments from Max Lucado — for people who find themselves discouraged or hopeless, be that from personal situations, or exasperation about the tone of today’s culture. Using the Biblical story of God’s continual presence and grace in Jacob’s life, Lucado finds assurance that God relentlessly offers constant presence and new beginnings for all of us.
During this conversation, Greg also asked Lucado if he would offer a prayer for Family Life's listeners and web visitors, especially those who feel like they are facing the doubts and despairs which his Bible study addresses. Here is that prayer for you.
Family Life’s Greg Gillispie also interviewed Max Lucado when his book on Jacob was first released. We had that interview on the air in September 2023, and it is available among the podcasts of our News Features. You can listen to, download, or share that discussion here.
For further information:
- Max answers readers’ questions about this theme
- Lucado Bible Study: God Never Gives Up On You
- Max’s biography, vision, beliefs, and book list
Real Answers – Setting your boundaries – 01/03/24
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“Real Answers” on Family Life
Our “Real Answers” feature brings you practical ways to handle the tough topics which face Christians and their families.
Christian Counselor Christopher Anderson talks with Family Life’s Sarah Harnisch about setting personal boundaries for the new year. Even if the activities on your calendar are good and worthwhile, Anderson says it becomes easy to become overscheduled. That, in turn, add stress to your own life, and can add turbulance within your household.
“Real Answers” is one of our Wednesday news features during the Family Life Noon Report, on air and online. You can also hear Anderson’s analysis and recommendations in some of our other newscasts on the air and online.
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Year in Review 2023 – Top 5’s from the Family Life News Team – expanded conversation
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It’s the annual “Year in Review” from Family Life News.
Beyond what we included in our Special Edition of the Noon Report on the last Friday of the year, the Family Life news anchors continued their conversation about the major issues and events of 2023.
This podcast includes additional parts of this Year End Roundtable as a website bonus. Listen for analysis of the year’s significant local, national and world news, from Sarah Harnisch, Bob Price, and Mark Webster. News producer Greg Gillispie is the host.
Listen, subscribe, download or share all of our podcasts, news features and bonus content from FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts.
Bonus content included in this segment
Kids Corner – New Beginnings
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At the end of the year it is always fun to look back at everything that’s happened. And that’s exactly what Mr. Jacobs and the gang are doing today!
Bible Verses: Ephesians 4, Hebrews 12:1, 2nd Corinthians 5:17
141 Baptisms – 1 Church – 1 Day – A Family Life Interview 12/27/23
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“I truly believe the culture is hungry for truth.” — Pastor Wayne Bray
First Baptist Church of Simpsonville SC marked the Christian Baptisms of 141 people on a single weekend. Many of those were not scheduled to make that faith commitment and receive that Sacrament, but the lead pastor there says the Holy Spirit was moving.
This is not the only major, massive faith event of 2023. Family Life’s Sarah Harnisch asked the Rev. Wayne Bray about the event at the congregation he leads — and about faith trends of the year just past. He also talks about the church’s calling to be ready to respond to Spirit-led opportunities on the way in 2024.
First Baptist Simpsonville is the founding location of the multi-site Upstate Church. News coverage of the “overwhelming” response to the invitations for December Baptisms can be found here and here.
The History of the Nativity Scene – a Family Life Christmas Special – 12/21/23
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What we know as the traditional Christmas Nativity Scene turns 800 this year.
In December of the year 1223, Saint Francis of Assisi displayed the first creche in a cave in Italy.
Today on Family Life’s Noon Report, we hear some of the history of this display of the people — and animals — which were part of the original Christmas celebration a dozen centuries earlier. Reporter Lauren Guillen has studied the history of how the Nativity Scenes built upon some similar artwork of earlier years, but caught on to be a global aspect of how the birth of Jesus is commemorated — even with some localized varieties.
Guillen also authored the young-adult novel A Bellwether Christmas, set in medieval Italy, where her main character overlaps with Francis’ era. Her book speaks to the way the Christ Child’s arrival encourages love, honor and sacrifice.
Kids Corner: Peace on Earth
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It’s Christmas time, and that means that families are getting together. Which is often a loud and chaotic experience. How are we supposed to feel “Peace On Earth” with all that going on?
Bible Verses: Luke 2:14, Romans 5, Galatians 5:22, Romans 14:19, Matthew 5:9 and Hebrews 12:14
Kids Corner – The Spirit of Christmas
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Christmas is always so much fun! Sometimes though, it’s hard to feel the “right feelings” of Christmas.
Bible Verses: Luke 1, Galatians 5:22 and 23, Galatians 6:8
Dr. Wayne Lewis on the Rise of Antisemitism – 12/07/23
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Houghton University President Dr. Wayne Lewis 
discusses the recent rise of hate-speech directed at Jewish-Americans on U-S college campuses.
This special Family Life Interview aired in the Noon Report on Thursday, December 7, the same week that several major university presidents testified on Capitol Hill about the climate and safety of students amid the growing number of demonstrations related to the war between Hamas and Isreal.
Trustees at Houghton University recently renewed the calling of Dr. Wayne Lewis, Jr. as president for an extended term through 2028.
