Brought to you in part by:

Steve Webb Voiceovers

Bryan Duncan’s Hogwash Audiobook

On today’s show, i’ll share an email conversation I recently had with someone about faith…or the percieved lack thereof, why it’s been so long since the last ls show, news from the Webb front, and some great new music!

Music

Edwin Derricutt “Not Enough Music”

The Waiting Kind “For The World”

My Thanks

I’m thankful to God for his faithfulness. And thankful that he uses people to manifest that faithfulness. Thankful for people who listen to that still small voice that He sometimes uses to nudge them to encourage someone, even when all may seem well with the person.

I’m thankful for the prayers of my fellow sojourners in this life. Though this has been the most difficult of my life, I know that I am not alone. Just as I have prayed for people around me…in my family, my church, and those of you who have written to me and phoned me this year, many have held me up in prayer. And those prayers have lifted me, strengthened me, sustained me.

I’m thankful for you who participate in the shows. Even if all you do is download and listen, you are participating. You are part of the quiet multitudes, but I know you are there. It would be wonderful to hear from you, but that’s ok. I know you’re there, and I pray that I have been, in some small way, an encouragement to you in your relationship to Jesus.

Those who have written and called, well, there truly is a special place in my heart for you, because you have taken part of your precious time to do so. That is a gift I do not take for granted. I am thankful for you more than you can know.

To close this little abbreviated show, I would like to share part of a list that was written by an anonymous author, and the list is called “I Have Learned”. I’ve cut the list down to just a few points that really relate to my life this year, and maybe it will speak to you to…

I Have Learned….

I’ve learned that it’s not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.
I’ve learned that it’s not what happens to people that’s important. It’s what they do about it.
I’ve learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you think you can’t.
I’ve learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I’ve learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance.
I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.
I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I’ve learned that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I’ve learned that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.
I’ve learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.
I’ve learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I e learned that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get further in life.
I’ve learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.
I’ve learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I’ve learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.
I’ve learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon.

Join James and I

Don’t forget, the Lifespring! Why Christmas Show is back this year. Beginning December 1st, and each day until Christmas, my friend James Cooper, from his home in England, and I will be sharing fun facts and stories about Christmas. Most of the shows will be just a minute or two long, so they’ll fit well into your busy Christmas season.

Well that about does it for this Thanksgiving edition of LS. Until next time, may God bless you and keep you, may He cause His face to shine upon you, and may he give you peace.

As I record this, the date is November 13, 2009. and it’s about 10:30 p.m. Almost exactly five years ago at this very hour I spoke very nervously into a microphone at the back of the sanctuary of what was then known as calvary temple, and recorded the very first Christian podcast not based on repurposed church sermons.

I felt as if the Lord had called me to proclaim his name through this new technology, this new medium, and that is what I did. With much trepidation, in a barely lit sanctuary, I sat in the sound booth of that church and told whomever might be listening, why I am a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ. I spoke of his love, and his mercy. I talked about the problem of sin and the wonderful solution God came up with, at His expense, to bring reconciliation between Himself and me…and you.

I think I played music from Anne Davis on that first show. If it wasn’t that one, it was probably the second show.

I invited emails and comments, and I surprisingly heard from folks around the world…almost immediately. I was humbled that anyone would listen, and thankful for the emails. To me, it was a confirmation that I was doing the right thing.

Who knew what would result from that first show? I must say that I had no idea how much my life would change in the next five years. Then, my windshield repair business was doing well, the lovely lady LeeAnn was home schooling our two youngest sons, and I was asking God how I might serve Him.

Today, our windshield repair business is on life support with a weak, thready pulse with blood pressure dropping…as a result of the horrible economy. The lovely lady LeeAnn has had to find employment outside of our business, our middle son has graduated from our local public high school, our youngest is a sophomore at that same school, the oldest is now married to a beautiful young woman, and I’m wearing several hats in order to earn a living…all of them centered around my computer. I’m a voiceover artist, an audiobook editor, a video editor, a wordpress website developer, and a podcaster. I’ve probably forgotten something in there, but the point is that five years ago, I would have never imagined that my life was going to be so completely turned upside down. Nearly everything has changed in my daily circumstances.

There are, as I sit here and think about it, two enormously important constants over these five years. The first that I’ll mention is the love and support of the lovely lady LeeAnn. Through everything, she has been there to love and support me. She is my best friend, she is my sounding board, she is my companion. The strength of our marriage has only grown, and I am blessed beyond words to have her to be my life’s companion.

The second thing that has been constant has been the presence of God in my life. In Malachi 3:6, God says “I am the Lord, I change not.” And that has become for me a wonderful scripture of comfort.

To know that God is not changed by the circumstances and foibles of man, to know that there is a safe place, a source of strength when everything else seems to be about as stable as Jello…well, that knowledge helps me to move forward and keep fighting the good fight.

A scripture that has become very popular over the past few years is Jeremiah 4:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I love that scripture. It is a wonderful promise, to be sure, but I’ve learned that putting a scripture in context is always a good thing. It brings more clarity and understanding, in most cases.

Now listen to the context.

Because the children of Israel had rebelled against God, He—after numerous warning through His prophets—allowed them to be taken into captivity and exiled from Jerusalem into Babylon. But because of His great love for them, He gave them this promise. Listen to verses 10 through 14:

10 This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

What a marvelous, loving God. Even though there was a history of God providing miraculously for them, and them abandoning Him, and this chain of events happening over and over, His loving nature was to, yet again, offer this promise of hope and restoration.

And of course, ultimately, it became apparent that this cycle would never end, because it is the nature of man to rebel…to sin. God allowed the multiple cycles not because He was under any notion that man would someday “get it”, but so that we might see our complete inability to maintain any kind of righteousness. We would never be able to live according to God’s standard of behavior…to be without sin.

And then, according to Gal. 4: 4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law.

At just the right time in history, Jesus came into the world to break that cycle we spoke about. Jesus came to make full and final payment for my sin and yours, so that we might at last have lasting peace and relationship with God. He did that by taking my sin and yours upon himself and paying for them with his own blood…his own life. And then proving his right to do so by being resurrected on the third day. If he had remained dead, then it would have all been for nought. But He showed himself to be God, to be the only one with the power to bring forgiveness to us, by his resurrection. How do we know it really happened? For one thing, there were many eyewitnesses. He appeared to over 500 people on one occasion. The fact that most of his disciples chose horrible deaths over denying Jesus’ resurrection is another fact that lends credibility, and there are others.

The point is that because of what Jesus did all those years ago, and because of the fact that we know God doesn’t change, you and I can have peace and even joy, despite this changing and unsteady world in which we find ourselves.
God is still God. He is still;

El-Shaddai — The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People
Jehovah-Elohim — The Eternal Creator
Jehovah-Jireh — The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Nissi — The Lord our Banner
Jehovah-Ropheka — The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shalom — The Lord our Peace

and all the other names we learn about in Scripture.

If you are looking for peace, my friend, the only place you will find it is in the loving arms of this God. He created you. He loves you with an intensity and a depth that is impossible to express in words. He wants you to know him and to have an ongoing, intimate relationship with him. And that is only possible through knowing Jesus Christ. Listen to some of Jesus words…

“I and the Father are one. No one comes to the Father but by me. If you love me, you’ll keep my word, and my father will love him and we will make our home with you. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life…”

Eternal life. Eternity is a long time. It’s forever. The changes I’ve seen in my own life over the past five years show me that this world is far from forever. There are constant variations and movements in my circumstances. But my Rock doesn’t move, doesn’t change. My present is uncertain, but my future is secure.

How about yours? If you are not sure, if you have questions, if you have doubts or fears, I would love to hear from you. I’m not a preacher. I’m just a guy who has found peace, and I would love to provide whatever answers I can if you have questions.

Email me at steve (a t) lifespringmedia.com, or phone me at 951-732-8511. I will get back to you.

What’s In It For Me?

We’re living in some trying times, aren’t we? Well, instead of looking at circumstances, let’s look at who God is and what it means to be His, shall we? I mean, after all, if it doesn’t make any difference in the here and now, when things are so difficult, how much incentive is there to be a follower of Jesus? I mean, pie in the sky is nice, but shouldn’t there be some benefits NOW?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that I think there should be more money in my bank account just because I’m a Christian. I don’t even have a specific expectation in mind when I say this. But really, what’s so great about being a Christian?

The Bible says that we should be ready to give an answer, doesn’t it? Sure it does. Well, my good friends, have I got an answer for you! This answer is one that has been working its way up to my consciousness over the past several weeks. And even months.

There Is A Plan

I think that one of the reasons God has taken me through this very rough year has been to show me something first hand. We read about this throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New, but you know, there’s just something about personal experience that drives a message home. When a story goes from the third person to the first, you own it.

And when you are as hard headed as I tend to be, sometimes the message needs to be driven home with a sledge hammer.

What is it that has finally made it to my conscious thoughts? That God wants me to not only believe…but to know that I know that I know because I’ve lived it. That is a real benefit today, not just in eternity!

What is it that will encourage your heart if you’re in the pit today, or that you’ll want to remember tomorrow for the dark time that you may not even see coming?

Listen Up!

Let me share with you a short little chapter from the book of Psalms. It’s really a pity that some verses are much a part of our culture that we don’t hear them any more. I mean, we HEAR them all the time, but we don’t HEAR them. Jesus said many times, “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear”

Listen to this, if you can, with new ears. See if you can hear what David is saying here in Psalm, chapter 23. Don’t listen for what you think I am going to say, just listen to what David wrote, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. They are good and rich words for us today….

1 The Lord is my shepherd, ?I shall not want.?2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; ?He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul; ?He guides me in the paths of righteousness ?For His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, ?I fear no evil, for You are with me; ?Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; ?You have anointed my head with oil; ?My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, ?And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Did You Hear?

Did that speak to you like it does me? That is good stuff, especially for those of us who are in the dark valley right now. There is SO MUCH there.

There is encouragement, and there is hope. And it is not only for tomorrow! As a matter of fact, this is written in the present. This is a promise for NOW! This is not mainly about eternal life and a future of being in God’s presence, as great as that will be! This is NOT about future rewards! This is a promise for today!

I’m going to focus on just a portion of this chapter in just a minute, but let me just say that I can say that this 23rd Psalm is true. I have lived this psalm over the last year…actually more than a year. In the midst of my enemies, in the valley of the shadow of death, He has given me green grass and still waters. He has given me peace. I have experienced His goodness and lovingkindness in many different ways, and I know that He is my shepherd. There is no doubt. He loves me, he provides for me, and he alone is my protection. I would not have made it through the year without Him and His provision of love and strength and peace, as shown to me in times of worship and prayer, and through my family, my church friends, and those of you who have taken the time to write to me and call me.

But for right now, I want to focus on just four words, and they’re the opening words of verse three. Here they are: “He restores my soul”. HE restores my soul. He RESTORES my soul. He restores MY soul. He restores my SOUL! Any way you read that, there’s is Good News in the words!

Let’s Focus On This

So, what I want to focus on right now is the word “restores”.

I love old cars. I’ve always said that if I ever had more money than I knew what to do with, I would have a collection of them. I love the artistry, the style, the sound…even the smell of old cars with their horsehair upholstery. I especially like old cars that have been lovingly restored. Not customized. Restored. Restored to like new condition, with everything as original as is humanly possible. Restoring a car takes skill, patience, and commitment.

Starting a project car…one with body damage, rust, bad paint, with a motor that won’t run and upholstery that has rotted, wires that have shorted out and hoses that leak…that kind of car, starting on a car like that is easy…finishing it is difficult…and expensive.

God RESTORES my soul. He doesn’t patch my soul. He doesn’t just put a fresh coat of paint to hide the rust. He doesn’t put new covers over the old upholstery. He, as my creator, has the original plans for me…His unique and original blueprint that He used to knit me together in my mother’s womb. He knows where I’m broken and how to fix me. He RESTORES my soul.

He brings new hope, new vision, new vigor to a worn and tired and broken soul. He RESTORES my soul even in the midst of the valley. He RESTORES my soul even though my enemies are all around. He RESTORES my soul even though my business has failed or I just lost my job and I can’t pay the mortgage. He RESTORES my soul.

He RESTORES my soul. His presence, His touch, His Word brings life TODAY, brings hope TODAY, brings joy TODAY.

Life is hard. And as long as we live in this world with all of its problems, that will not change. But we have this promise from the lips of Jesus himself, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

HE … restores my soul!

There’s More!

Be sure to listen to the podcast. There is lots more to hear than what you see here on the show notes page.

Music On The Show

Justin Honaman…”Let Go And Let God”

Rob Costlow…”Family”

Just click on the images above to learn more about each great company.

ON TODAY’S SHOW

We’ve got a jam packed show today. We talk about the “Ten Commandments vs Faith”, and because so many of you have asked me about my opinion of the best selling book, the Shack, I give my review.

Music Links

Sometimes…Olwen Ringrose

Larry Norman
“Why Don’t You Look Into Jesus” (mp3)
from “Only Visiting This Planet”
(Solid Rock)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

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John Schlitt…Only Men

Links To Items Mentioned On the Show

David McLaughlin’s review of The Shack is here.

Bryan Duncan’s website is here.

The interview of Bryan on Lifespring! 52 is here.

Bryan’s Twitter page is here.

From @chad_estes tweet, the background on The Shack and the “incredible” interview: here.

Lifespring! shows mentioned in Steve from Texas’ email:

Lifespring!164 “The Man With The Golden Heart” or “From Korea With Love

Lifespring!156 “Really Finding Lost Children”

Lifespring!171 “The Tongue: More Powerful Than A Locomotive”

Lifespring!161 “Speaking In Unknown Tongues? Me???”

Lifespring!167 “O Is For Oprah”

The Gospel Channel article about John Schlitt.

“100 Incredibly Inspiring Christian Blogs”

“100 Best Blogs for Christian Moms”

My friend, Wayne Henderson’s website is here.

My social media links are in the right sidebar of this page.  ——>

Just click on the images above to learn more about each great company.

ON TODAY’S SHOW

In today’s culture of pluralism, it has become acceptable to give equal time to ideas and faiths and lifestyles that once would have NOT have been acceptable. I choose to not participate, and I’ll tell you why on this show. Great music, too! Jimmie Bratcher, Ginger Hohm (RevTim’s wife!), and some surprises.

MUSIC LINKS

Jimmie Bratcher’s very cool and bluesy-sounding (of course!) “Right Side Of The Tracks”, from his “Red” CD.

My good friend, RevTim’s, wife Ginger, has a GREAT new CD out, called “This Train”. Tim sent me this track after listening to show number 189. The title is “Let It Rain”. Here’s a link to the song in the iTunes store.

LINKS TO FRIENDS MENTIONED IN THE SHOW

Ed Roberts – New Media maven, and one of the nicest guys I know!

Wayne Henderson – Another voice over guy and podcaster who lives not far from me. A new friend whom I met a few months ago at a tweetup in San Bernardino. Great guy!

Davy’s new podcast, Late December. Davy’s been listening to the Lifespring! shows for a long time!

Bryan Duncan’s website, which I am in the process of redoing, but as of this writing, the link will go to the old site. Please pray for Rich Davis, Bryan’s original webmaster and friend. He’s very ill.

Del Brixey’s ministry, called “Challenged To The Core“. Here’s the video I produced for him. By the way, I am available to edit your video, too!

My son and future daughter-in-law’s wedding website.

Brian Noe will soon be sending me an audio file in which he admits that the Dodgers Rule! That is, as long as the Los Angeles Dodgers win the August series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Go Blue!

The Black Sheep. I ride with the Riverside chapter on occasion, and won this door prize a short time ago:

Robert J. Morgan, the author who’s books “Then Sings My Soul”, volumes one and two, are the basis for Lifespring! HymnStories, is celebrating over two million books in circulation with a 5% off sale at his website, here.

EVENTS MENTIONED

The Gathering, at Lamb’s Fellowship Amphitheater, Lake Elsinore on September 12, 2009. Bryan Duncan in concert, with Doug Smith and One Nation. Looks like they don’t yet have a website, but here’s the phone number to call for more info: 951-679-4667.

I’ll be posting video footage, soon, of a recent motorcycle trip I took.

TOPIC

This is going to be a different sort of Lifespring. I owe you an explanation for the long absence, and it’ll take a while to do that, so let’s call this episode of Lifespring the State of Steve Address. I promise to try not to bore you like some presidents do with their state of the union addresses, and I hope to even inspire you with a message of hope. So hang on!

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 57:1-12

MUSIC

Artist: Helen Yousaf

CD Title Child of Mine

Song: Meets You Where You Are

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Artist: wahba

CD Title The Beautiful Effect

Song: Giver

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LINKS

Matt and Mareena’s Wedding Website

100 Best Spirituality Blogs

Kenny Metcalf Interview

Del Brixey Interview

Kathi Brixey Interview

Hosted by Steve Webb

Perseverance is something that many of us need to focus on in these troubled times, and the Bible has many things to say on this subject. Steve Webb shares many of the scriptures dealing with this. We open today’s show with a powerful statement by Dr. S.M. Lockridge on who Jesus is…you gotta hear this! And we hear the debut episode of “Life Out Of Step“, a new show hosted by Bryan Duncan and Steve Webb.

My King

INSPIRATION BY DR SM LOCKRIDGE

Dr. Lockridge, a retired Baptist pastor was spotted in the audience at the beginning of a Baptist convention. The organiser of the convention asked him to come up to the stage, and open in prayer.

What followed was a stunning description of what God means to Dr. Lockridge.

We begin the show today with Dr Lockridge’s powerful and inspiring statement of who Jesus is. Below is the text. If you listen or read this, and are not moved, you had better check to be sure you have a pulse!

My King

The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s a racial King. He’s the King of Israel- that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King.

Well I wonder if you know Him.

David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament show His handiwork. My King is the only one whom there are no means of measure can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shore of supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

Well, well, He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent.

Well, He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in high criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of proved theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King. He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.

Well, He’s the only one able to supply all of our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s strong God and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek.

Do you know Him?

Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King. Yeah. Yeah. That’s my King. My King, yeah.

His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Well. I wish I could describe Him to you, but He’s indescribable. He’s indescribable.

Yes. He’s incomprehensible. He’s invincible. He’s irresistible. I’m coming to tell you, the heavens of heavens cannot contain Him, let alone a man explaining Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.

Well, Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilot couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King. Yeah. Praise the Lord. That’s my King.

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but it’s God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honour and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? And ever and ever and ever and ever. And when you get through with all of the evers, then, Amen.

With all the turmoil and loss of financial and many other types of stability, we take some lessons from Solomon and the book of Ecclesiastes.

Music On Today’s Show

Jimmie Bratcher’s “One Rock”

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Big Stuf
“Keep Singing” (mp3)
from “Storms : Songs for the Heart When It Hurts”
(IMI)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at Napster
Buy at Amazon MP3
More On This Album

Have you read J.I. Packer’s book, “Knowing God”? I highly recommend it. Among other topics, today’s show is based somewhat on this great book.

Do you “know” God, or do you “know” God? Are you like the Hebrews in your knowledge of God, or like the Greeks?

Listen to the show to have your concept (and maybe your viewpoint) of the knowledge of God challenged!

Other Stuff On The Show

Here is the link to the interview with George Beverly Shea, who just celebrated his 100th birthday!

Had a bit of a debate at Wired. Here’s the article.

New web host, Lunarpages. They’re GREAT!

Bold Christian Clothing from C28