This show is a continuation of last weeks podcast about the brutal and unprovoked attack by Hamas on Israel. We talk about what a possible solution to this conflict might be, and whether or not the results of that solution would be a benefit to both sides.  

This is a special episode covering the despicable attack on Israel by Hamas. We get into some of the history of the region and the conflicts that occur there. We also discuss Biblical history and the meaning behind it. Join us as we cover the war in Israel. 

In this episode we discuss how to avoid the traps and ideals associated with postmodernism.

Postmodernism is an intellectual stance or mode of discourse characterized by skepticism toward the "grand narratives" of modernism; rejection of epistemic (scientific) certainty or the stability of meaning; and sensitivity to the role of ideology in maintaining political power. Claims to objectivity are dismissed as naive realism with attention drawn to the conditional nature of knowledge claims within particular historical, political, and cultural discourses. The postmodern outlook is characterized by self-referentiality, epistemological relativism, moral relativism, pluralism, irony, irreverence, and eclecticism it rejects the "universal validity" of binary oppositions, stable identity, hierarchy, and categorization. The multiple tenants of postmodernism have slowly integrated themselves into our faith as Christians! Into our churches, our doctrine, and our very lives! This must change if we are to be truly sanctified. 

Another addition to our series discussing the book "Out of Egypt" by Rusty Fennell. In this episode Shane and Rusty talk about the cultures that develop in bondage and how these cultures effect people who are in early recovery. So many people are uneducated when it comes to these cultures, and it's this lack of knowledge that more times than not cause people in early recovery to slide back into bondage. The message in this podcast is one of the most important in our shows to date, and it's because so many people who are not actually in recovery, but dealing with, or providing care for someone who is in recovery don't possess this extremely important knowledge. Please listen as we unpack this crucial episode!   

As we dig deeper into Rusty’s book “Out of Egypt” we move from the discussion on “Loss of Thinking” in our last episode, to “Loss of Trust” in this episode. These are two central components that are lost in addiction. The loss of trust is something that begins to take shape early in the life of the addict. It usually begins in the home where early fundamental development processes that are considered standard conditions in the evolution of the advancement of every human being, are undermined. The results of this betrayal to a developing mind is unfortunately, and very frequently, addiction. This developmental corruption becomes so deeply ingrained that it takes considerable effort to reverse. The general response to this type of conditioning is that “the world is a dangerous place” and that “no one can take care of me, but me” pushing the individual into a life-long perspective of not being able to trust those that reach out to help them. This, of course makes assisting someone who is suffering in addiction difficult to emancipate. It is also why the power of Jesus Christ is crucial to the process of a person becoming free from their addiction. Rusty’s book, “Out of Egypt” enlightens these elements, and helps communicate a better understanding of this plight.      

In this episode, we talk about how our choices shape our values, beliefs, and our decision making process. We also talk about what happens when our choices are taken away.  In addiction, it's not the addict who is making the decisions, they are being made by his drug of choice instead of him/herself. The loss of being able to make decisions and healthy choices must be re-learned by the addict once he becomes free of his addiction. This process takes time and a strong will to overcome.  

This episode is a follow up to our previous episode “Out of Egypt” and the discussion that we had about Rusty’s book of the same name. The title of this episode which is “Through the Wilderness”, describes the crucial time that exists after an addict has cleansed themselves of their drug of choice. It is during this delicate time that someone who is suffering from an addiction not try and return to life as usual. When the Children of Israel were released from their bonds in Egypt, Moses took them through the wilderness where it became painfully obvious that they were not ready to enter into the promised land. In this podcast we discuss and explain why they weren’t ready, and also why an addict would not be ready. There are extremely important tools that a recovering addict become familiar with and learn to use while on their journey “Through the Wilderness!"  

Just as the Israelites moved from bondage to freedom in the promised land, addicts are on a similar journey. The characteristics of bondage, whether physical or drug related, are similar, as are the characteristics of recovery. In this episode we talk about Rusty's book that draws on the Exodus story of bondage, the process of deliverance, and most importantly, the necessity of the wilderness to prepare the Israelites for life in the promised land. Comparisons throughout this journey can be seen in the men and women who struggle with addiction in helping them and their family members understand the dynamics of addiction, its bondage, deliverance, and the all important "wilderness journey" to help them live in the promised land as well. Join us as we discuss the details of the book and how the "wilderness journey" may possibly help deliver you or someone that you love from the difficult and misunderstood clutches of addiction.  

In this episode we discuss the context with which Jesus spoke to people during the time of his ministry on earth. Jesus never found himself at a loss for words, and what he said always had deep meaning that either hammered home a deliberate point. Or he spoke in parables that always had contextual meaning to the times in which he lived. His words conveyed exceptional theological principles with precise theory designed to outmaneuver the religious leaders of the day.