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Tag: #specialfeature

Preview of “2023 Year in Review” – 12/28/23 feature

Preview of “2023 Year in Review” – 12/28/23 feature

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During the Noon Report and 5 O’Clock Report today, we aired brief previews of our “2023 Year in Review” which happens at noon on December 29, the last weekday of the year.

This is a sample to encourage you to join us for the Special Edition of the Family Life Noon Report on Friday, on the air and streaming online.

The full program, as well as extended bonus content, will be posted here on FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts during New Years weekend.

141 Baptisms – 1 Church – 1 Day – A Family Life Interview 12/27/23

141 Baptisms – 1 Church – 1 Day – A Family Life Interview 12/27/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:57 — 15.0MB)

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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

The History of the Nativity Scene – a Family Life Christmas Special – 12/21/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:32 — 10.3MB)

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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.

Single at Christmas? – Lisa Karr – 12/19/23

Single at Christmas? – Lisa Karr – 12/19/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:34 — 7.7MB)

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Christmastime has a great magical atmosphere for large swaths of the population.

However, this holiday season — with its emphasis on children and traditional families — can bring mixed blessings and mixed reactions for people who are single.

Amid that, unmarried folks can create unique perspectives that allow them to fully celebrate the season, as Jesus came to bring Good News to all people. Radio host Lisa Karr joins Family Life’s Bob Price for an important conversation during our Tuesday Noon Report. If you or someone you know is single — or otherwise feeling alone — listen and share this inspiration. If you are involved in a congregation, Karr also has encouragement (and a personal story) about how churches can be attentive to choices that are “singles friendly”, especially at this time of the year.

 

New York native Lisa Karr hosts the program “Not Just Single“, which can be heard on the air and online on Family Life. Archives of “Not Just Single” are available here. These stories, insights and commentaries can be heard, shared or downloaded from FamilyLife.org.

Peace & Joy for your Family Gatherings – 12/14/23

Peace & Joy for your Family Gatherings – 12/14/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:53 — 19.1MB)

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Reduce the stress of December’s family gatherings

Millions of families will gather over the next two weeks — and for significant percentage of those, family stresses may weigh down these holiday get-togethers.

We asked the director of counseling at Focus on the Family how people can set the stage to make family events more joyful and peaceful. Geremy Keeton gave us three areas for specific preparation and healthy perspectives.

He encourages individuals and families to set basic expectations and boundaries – avoiding conversations (or worse) which center on current family stresses, political or social debates, or personality conflicts. There are ways that people who disagree – or have strong dilemmas with others who will be there – can tone down the controversies and celebrate common interests and shared experiences.

 

Dr. Wayne Lewis on the Rise of Antisemitism – 12/07/23

Dr. Wayne Lewis on the Rise of Antisemitism – 12/07/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 5:45 — 7.9MB)

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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.

A Family Life Interview – Ron Hutchcraft on Church-Leader Burnout – 11/27/23

A Family Life Interview – Ron Hutchcraft on Church-Leader Burnout – 11/27/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:04 — 13.8MB)

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Ron Hutchcraft has spent decades as a Christian broadcaster, a ministry leader, a mission worker, and a sought-after speaker at religious conferences.

In October, he was featured at the Family Life Pastor’s Conference, providing inspiration to well over 200 pastors from Pennsylvania and New York. In conjunction with his visit to our listening area, he was interviewed by Family Life News, seeking his recommendations for clergy and for congregations.

In light of today’s difficult trends where 42 percent of congregational pastors are ready to quit, there is much which needs done to strengthen the church and reverse that reality.

In our conversation, Hutchcraft looks at the Big Three challenges identified by that research, offers practical steps to reduce stresses and loneliness, and warns that church fights over politics or social issues are against the Bible’s calling. He points to the impact of Covid shutdowns and mandates and disagreements, and gives a movie-plot parallel. You also will hear reminders that the church’s shepherds also hold responsibility to address their own misguided motivations and unhelpful mission drift.

Ron Hutchcraft leads Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, which works to provide spiritual rescue, bringing hope to unchurched people in the language of the listener. RHM also operates “On Eagles Wings”, an evagelistic and training outreach to Indigenous young people.

His daily radio story, “A Word With You”, airs multiple times each weekday on Family Life broadcasting, plus our online streams.

 

A parallel Family Life Podcast is also available:  Check our pastors’ first-person stories on “The Calling” with Steve Smith. Episodes can be found here.

 

A Family Life Special – Previewing this holiday season – 11/24/23

A Family Life Special – Previewing this holiday season – 11/24/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:29 — 72.1MB)

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Various angles today, about how the “holiday season” affects various people.

It’s an insightful half-hour with four special guests:

  • Financial expert Rachel Cruze offers her personal stories and professional recommendations on shopping and budgeting between now and Christmas. It’s OK — it’s even good — to be generous at this time of year. She cautions, though, that overspending and reliance on “stuff” to bring joy is misguided and harmful.
  • New York Pastor Dave Bretch offers those of us in America a perspective of what Christmas will be like in the Holy Land. He has led tours of the region where Jesus was born, as well as offering glimpses of U.S. and world history of Christmastime during wartime. For 2023, because of the war and terrorism in the region, the town of Bethlehem has already announced that all Christmas celebrations and events there for 2023 have been called off, to keep locals and visitors safe.
  • Another pastor in the Family Life listening area, Eric Johns, has first-hand insights of living on the streets as wintry weather begins to set in. He wraps up a 25-year string of spending Thanksgiving Week abiding with neighbors who are homeless for the holidays. Johns is involved with a congregation which has a heart for reaching out to those without a family, without a home, and (sometimes) without hope. Like many other churches, this congregation emphasizes how to share food, clothing and other items with people in need around them.
  • Jessica Meade, a Christian counselor in Pennsylvania, talks about personal and family expectations of what we think December and Christmas “should” be like. When it has been a hard year, or the circumstances of a family changes, people can drag themselves down when their holidays don’t feel like the happy Christmas movies or the stereotypical Christmas cards — let alone our own memories of good old days. She offers advice and practical steps to let loose of some traditions, find camaraderie with others who are living out a “Blue Christmas”, and ways to rediscover true wonder and joy, in anticipation of the Gospel story.

Please feel free to share this Family Life Special with others in your family, congregation, social circles, and other spheres of your influence.

It is easy to download, listen, or subscribe to our News Podcasts and features which intrigue you.

Incurable Faith – Joy amid Longsuffering – Andrea Herzer (#2) – 11/16/23

Incurable Faith – Joy amid Longsuffering – Andrea Herzer (#2) – 11/16/23

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:52 — 15.0MB)

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Family Life’s “Faith Under Fire“

Andrea Herzer has been journaling about her life with multiple illnesses, debilitating health issues, and a strong inspiring reliance on God. She compiled those writings into a devotional book to encourage others who are looking for that pathway to a life that overflows with the Lord’s sustaining love — no matter what happens with pain, or healing, or suffering, or loss.

Her book’s title recognizes the way that some diagnoses are labeled “incurable”. Yet, she emphasizes that hope and peace can infuse people who face cancer, chronic pain, multiple surgeries, a long convalescence, or any other health issue. Incurable Faith is a partner along that long journey.

This is our second conversation with Herzer. In this interview, she talks about her early days of waiting for healing, as she first sought a return to “normal”. That process of waiting and healing and abiding has now stretched across 20 years. Weaving together her experience and multiple Biblical truths, she offers what she has learned about keeping your spirit at peace. She also encourages caregivers and family members who accompany patients through such processes.

Also: what friends and visitors from church do that is very unhelpful — plus recommendations on ways to be incredibly helpful amid the patience, impatience and loneliness of longsuffering.

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You can also listen to our first conversation with Andrea Herzer, and you’ll find resources she recommends.

 

Resources and background:

 

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