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Speaker 1: Welcome into Real America's voice. This is Sunday They Rode Forward. Stay with us as we discuss the intersection of faith, culture and everyday life. We have an incredible line up with a word of hope and encouragement for you and those you love, especially in these interesting and difficult times. I'm doctor Tim Clinton. I'll be your host our special guest joining us this week. He's the dynamic pastor, movie producer, author, civil rights activist, and television personality. President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. Sam Rodriguez is back with us. He's the founder and chairman of the Faith in Freedom Coalition. Ralph Read is back with us. He currently serves as director of the Providence Forum, a division of Coral Ridge's Ministries. He's the author of several books. His columns have appeared weekly at town Hall, Christian Post, Newsmax and more. Doctor Jerry nucom is with us, and she is founder and president of Celebrate Kids, Inc. She's also the co founder of Ignite the Family based in Alfaretta, Georgia. Doctor Kathy Cook is with us. Thanks for watching Christ well. President Trump has paused Project Freedom all the while the United States continues to enforce the blockade. There's a lot of stalling still going on on Iran's part. We're now learning that the Pentagon has a plan to escalate the Iranian war called Project sledge Hammer. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are now conducting secret strikes on Iran all the while. Hey, President Trump visited China this week. A lot going on there. Hey, Faith is back in America. American Idol had a blockbuster closing with Hannah Harper winning and closing the finale with a worship song at the Cross anchored in a strong message of faith in Jesus Christ. The faith world was stunned this week to learn too of the passing of day Star Televisions Jonie Lamb. She was preceded in death by her husband Marcus. A special memorial service is on Monday, May eighteenth at Gateway Church in South Lake, Texas. And America continues its full court press with America Two fifty celebrations Today May seventeenth on the Mall the National Mall in Washington, d C. They're hosting Rededicate to fifty and National Jubilee of Praise, Prayer and Thanksgiving featuring government officials and faith leaders. Christians from all over the country are showing up to be a part of this historic event. Check it out online, and we can't forget that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, shedding light on this exploding area of culture. We seeing soaring rates of anxiety, depression, even suicidality showing up, especially among our kids. And another critical issue we're going to talk about today, it's family estrangement, going no contact, ghosting one another. It's unbelievable. What's happening all this and more on this edition of Sunday the Road Fall. One thing is certain. We always have hope. Our hope and our strength our power comes from the Lord. Is a great first to hold on to this week. Psalm one one Versus seven and eight. The Lord will keep you from harm. He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore. I'm gonna pray, We're gonna get started. God be with us, bless our program today, Use it for your glory. Thank you for this privilege and opportunity in Jesus' name. Amen, let's get started.
00:03:32
Speaker 2: For more encouragement and to stay connected, follow doctor Tim Clinton on Facebook, Instagram, and x we love being a part of your life.
00:03:47
Speaker 1: Join us now, Sam Rodriguez. He's the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the world's largest Hispanic Christian organization. He's also lead pastor New Season Church in Sacramento, California. Sam, welcome back. Thank you for joining me, Thank you for having me. So we gotta started America. Two fifty celebrations are underway today May seventeenth, up on the National Mall, rededicate to fifty. Sam, you're speaking. It's gonna be a lot of people there, people of faith, and we're rededicating America back to God. President Trump said, this is a moment. This is really a special moment, Sam, just from reflections on what you're thinking about, speaking on and what your heart is about this entire this moment, this is a moment.
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Speaker 3: Yeah, completely honored. I don't deserve to be there. I'm there by the grace of God exclusively for his glory. It is two hundred and fifty years. We are affirming, if not confirming the fact that what makes his exceptional tim is not necessarily our military prowess, which is pretty powerful financial wherewith awe and our intellectual and technological bandwidth. What makes this exceptional is this crazy idea of God over man and man over government. Right there. That's American exceptionalism, God over men and man over government. The fact that this nation was founded on a Judeo Christian worldview that cannot and will not be denied. Two hundred and fifty years later, it's still there and we are thriving because of our Toenaeo Christian bagos system. That's what Rededication to fifty is all about. It's the beginning, the foundation, Tim, do you find it to be coincidental? A bunch of evangelicals and Bible believers, George Whitfield preachings, the Awakening, then the Revolutionary War, and here we come full circle. Two hundred and fifty years later, we have the Bible believing church, the Christ centered, Bible based church once again thriving in America, advancing the Lamb's agenda. I think it's beautiful and prophetic.
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Speaker 1: Sam, There's something about free from tyranny and also the freedom to pursue life. Liberty, the pursuit of happiness is so much more. Isn't that the American experiment what it's all about? And Sam, I can't think of these moments without thinking about where we're at even in the world. Right now, President Trump went and spent some time in China this week. We know what's happening with Iran. These are serious moments, precarious moments, seriously, and we've got to be praying for our president. But again, we're coming back the Great American experiment.
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Speaker 3: Here, we're coming back to basics. We're coming back to the fact that this nation was founded an incredible principle of religious liberty. Religious liberty as the firewall against all metigists of totalitarianism. That's what we're coming back to. There are two world views around the world, a Geneo Christian world view and everything else, and we're coming back to that again. What makes us a powerful nation is that worldview. Recently in China, China repudiates that worldview, hence is totalitarian. Authoritarian Iran repudiates that worldview. Hence the anarchy and the ankst and the consternation and the struggle. America. What makes us beautiful, what makes us special, is the fact that we are a founded on that Judeo Christian worldview. So I love the fact, Tim that you and I are alive to see a new awakening in America. Two hundred and fifty years later, we're saying, without God, this nation will fail. With God, all things are possible.
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Speaker 1: Sam. In the midst of it, the midterms are coming. Everybody knows that the economy really matters the price of gas. For example, we know President Trump's decision Iran is really upstream in terms of impacting the midterms. We know that how do we quote get through this push for safe and fair elections, deal with some of these challenging issues and the division that seems are the hatred there really even towards the President and the administration on certain issues. It's where and how do we get through the summer, Because it's going to be a wild.
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Speaker 3: Ride, Kim, It's all connected. So my prayer is that President Trouble will make any decision regarding Iran as soon as possible. In fact, yes, to expedite the process. We can't prolong this because if we have a little bit of a window, meaning if you takes steps now, even if it escalates now in the beginning of the summer, late spring, and then I mean victory is inevitable. Of course, we will have the victory and we can take the uranium hopefully complete regime toppling, where if people come in and the Iranian people can finally live free. If that happens by September October, prices will come down, and I mean measurably, so drastically come down, and we'll see that safe Act if we can protect our elections. I mean, how like nonsensical is it? It's ridiculous to think that you can vote in America without showing any proffing identification and by demonstrating proof is somehow racist. It's just illogical, right, we need to solve these things. If not, Tim, listen to me carefully. On the other side of.
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Speaker 4: The impeachment, impeachment, harassment, impeachment, impeachment, the progressive extreme left take over, we're back to Christian persecution. That DJ just exposed the fact that the Biden administration did target people of faith Christians.
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Speaker 3: We were targeted by the Department of Justice. So we're going to go back to that. We're going to go back to open borders, We're going to go back to the mayhem and the ludicrocy that took place. If we lose these midterm elections, a lot is at stake.
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Speaker 1: My friend, Sam just how do how do we marshal away forward? How do we keep our head on our shoulders and keep ourselves moving in a really step by step goal directed effort so that we can have the influence that will help protect our children and our children's children.
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Speaker 3: We go forward through the finished work of Christ. We go forward by putting on the armor of God every single day feats in six ten to eighteen. We go forward by being led by the spirit and not by our fleshy desires Galatians five to sixteen. And we go forward with John seventeen twenty one, Tim, what is that unity the devil's Do you think the devil was happy when eighty one percent of evangelicals in America support it an administration to advanced life religious liberty. The enemy had a strategy, and what is that. Let's divide that eighty one percent, Let's lower that, Let's break it apart. That's the enemy strategy. But if you and I come together and we and we continue to convey this message of unity, John seventeen twenty one, we'll push back against every single attent by the enemy to fragment where God has established make us one. Let's advance Let's not give up. We're this close for a multi generational affirmation of this Judeo Christian value system. Let's not give up. It's for the sake of our children and our children's children.
00:10:54
Speaker 1: Sam always great to see you. Thank you for joining me.
00:10:57
Speaker 3: Appreciate you, Thank you.
00:10:58
Speaker 1: My friend coming up now. He's the founder and chairman of the Faith in Freedom Coalition. Ralph Read is back with us. Did people ever come to you asking for help? Maybe hope, encouragement, how about for prayer? Do you ever wish you understood the issues better that people were wrestling with, or how to use the Bible more effectively in caring for people? If so, I'd love to get a copy of our Caring Council Bible in your hands, featuring one hundred and sixteen topics written by some of the world's leading mental health and ministry experts. I think you're going to love it. It covers today's most challenging issues in every phase of life. This Bible provides clinical expertise and insights on topics like discouragement, abuse, depression, divorce, anxiety, abortion, and so much more. So you can learn more about these issues and how to use again the Bible more effectively, how to share passages of scripture with others, maybe sitting down over a cup of coffee, or maybe it's just a resource to help you get through a tough time. Most about this Bible, it's so easy to use. You right up front, are going to find an index with subjects, key passages of scripture, personality profiles, and so much more. The Careen Council Bible is retailing for eighty five dollars, but we're going to make it available to you right now our listeners and viewers for just fifty dollars plus shipping. Again. I think you're gonna love it. But more information about how to get this Bible right now go to Karincounsel dot com. That's care anddcounsel dot com. Join tens of thousands of people who have received this beautiful new King James version Caringcounsel Bible. I'm doctor Timplinton, President of the American Association of Christian Councilors. Get your copy of the Karen Council Bible right now at our special price while supplies last. Go to Caringcouncil dot com. That's care Andcounsel dot com. Join us now is conservative political activist Ralph Reid. He's the founder chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition. He's offered several best selling books, and Collins appeared in New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Review, and many more. Ralph, welcome back, Thank you for joining me.
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Speaker 5: Thank you so much.
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Speaker 3: Tim.
00:13:07
Speaker 5: Good to be with you.
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Speaker 1: Ralph. Want to open up with the whole issue of Iran and the road forward. I know they launched Project Freedom and they paused it. The United States continues with the blockade, but a lot of stalling going on over there on Iran's part. Everybody expected it. It's kind of hard to believe. They need to get to the table, Ralph. We know that, but they're talking now about potentially escalating this to a whole other level. They're talking about Project sledge Hammer. Ralph, just your take on where you see this and how you see this thing unfolding.
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Speaker 5: Well, first of all, Tim, I want to commend the President for take making the difficult decision to take military action against Iran. This was a long time in coming, frankly forty seven years in counting, and I think you and I may have talked about this before. I can remember one time when a few of us were in the Oval Office with the President and I thanked him for withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. And he told the story of his first national security briefing that he received as president in the situation room, full dress briefing with the Joint Chiefs, National Security Council, Secretary of Defense, everybody there. And he said, as they went around the room with maps displayed on video screens, they went around the world, They circulated around the globe. He said, every single trouble spot, every single conflict on the planet could be traced in one shape, form or another to the Iranian regime. Wow, this had to be done. It is a lie of the left. That is, it was a war of choice. If the President was going to keep his word and his promise to the American people tim that he would not allow the Iranians to get a nuclear weapon, then he had no choice but to take that military action. He has said to many people publicly and privately, including me, that they were within a matter of weeks of being able to weaponize a nuclear device. We cannot allow that to happen. But this regime is not going to go down without a fight. And I think what's going on now, at the risk of stating the obvious, but just to clarify things for your viewers, is you've got two trains running at each other on one trap, and they're both moving at a high rate of speed. One is the Iranians effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which twenty to twenty five percent of all the oil in the world moves through on a daily basis. And the second is Trump's blockade of their ports, which prevents them from being able to sell their oil to China and others, which is how they support the regime and how they keep their economy afloat. So the question is which train runs out of gas first? Is it the global economy or is it the Iranian economy. If it looks like the global economy cannot sustain the long term closing of the Strait of Hormuz, and it looks like we can't reopen it militarily in the short term, then in my opinion, the President will have no other option other than to escalate militarily against the regime and get the change that we need. I will just tell you, Tim, I am praying for peace. I am praying for a deal. But I also live in the real world, and it's hard for me to see either the Malas or the Revolutionary Guard, which is the military, being able to make any kind of deal with the United States that is acceptable.
00:17:03
Speaker 1: Yeah, this week President Trump jumped on Air Force one along with other dignitaries and a team of business leaders and more and headed to China. Pretty grand reception over there, but Ralph in the midst of it, Iran was going to be on top of the table, and obviously some business negotiating was going to be going on and is going on, and just your thoughts. People tend to be a little skittish when it comes to China. Obviously, President Trump is making a pretty significant move here. Playing chess, as they say, not checkers, right.
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Speaker 5: Well, you know, look, this is a great power rivalry. The United States is the number one, some would argue, the sole superpower in the world. But China not only wants to join that club. Let's be clear. They want to surpass us, and they want to dominate us, and they want to be the ones are determining the outcome of various power equations in various regions around the world, not only Asia, but Africa, where they're deeply involved, and the Middle East. And so this is a very very critical hinge point in the President's second term this summit, because they're going to be talking about ai They're going to be talking about their economic rivalry trade, where the President has rebalanced that relationship with tariffs on China, where they've been exploiting and dominating our economy and decimating US jobs and manufacturing capacity. I mean, think about this, tim how dramatically this was demonstrated during the COVID pandemic when we had to go to China and beg for certain pharmaceuticals and certain medical supplies because the entire production of those had been moved offshore. The same is true of the the very sophisticated computer chips that not only drive our economy, but are going to drive artificial intelligence that's all made in Taiwan, which is just off China shore. Taiwan's clearly going to come up. China is a bad actor. They're helping Putin in his invasion of Ukraine. They're propping up the Iranian regime because they buy half of all their oil, and Iran supplies forty percent of all the oil that drives the Chinese economy. So I think best case scenario, we come out of this as frenemies that are doing economic deals that are mutually beneficial. But when it comes to rare earth minerals, when it comes to computer chips, when it comes to manufacturing, and when it comes to the projection of military power, make no mistake about it, we are not friends, we are not allies. And I just thank Goodness every day. I literally thank God every day that we have a president sitting behind the resolute desk who understands that, who understands that China has been taking advantage of us for decades and it's ending on his watch.
00:20:10
Speaker 1: So, Ralph, you know, here in the midst of it, we're celebrating two hundred and fifty years of history today May seventeen, rededicate two fifty in Washington, d C. Faith leaders from everywhere, dignitaries showing up Ralph's celebrating the goodness and grace of God and rededicating America to God and to acknowledge once again that our rights don't come from government, they come from God. And the celebration of this, how significant, how important it is it to you, Ralph, And I know you have a few words in your heart about all this and what you're going to share.
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Speaker 5: Well, I sure do, Tim. You know, look, I'm a glass half full guy. I'm optimistic because I don't see how you can be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and be a pessimist. And I really don't see how you can be an American and be a pessimist. Look at what is truly a miracle here on this continent, that people who were fleeing persecution and authoritarianism on the European continent, who wanted to build a nation that, in John Winthrop's words that echoed down through the centuries, would be a city set upon a hill, that would be a beacon of light to the entire world of how to properly order a society that protected rights that, as you stated so eloquently a moment ago, are given by God Almighty. They're not given by government. They're not given to us by an act of the Continental Congress or Parliament or of Congress. They are, in the words of the Declaration inalienable rights, that is to say, rights that are adherent to our very humanity and were given to us by our creator and the genius of America is a simple but powerful idea, and it is this that the sole function of creating a government is to guard and protect those God given rights. And if at any point that government so formed fails to protect those rights, then it is not only the right, it is the duty and the moral obligation of a free people to get rid of that government, by force if necessary, and replace it with a government that protects that right. That is the idea that we are celebrating, and the reason why Rededicate two point fifty is so important taking place at the Mall, tim is because we're acknowledging and rededicating ourselves to the idea that the only way this nation survived and prospered and the only way it can endure, is if we acknowledge God's sovereignty over this nation and acknowledge that He is the one who's made all this possible.
00:23:07
Speaker 1: Amen and Amen, Ralph. I'm just sitting there thinking God be with us and got less America, seriously, Ralph. Always great to see you, my friend. Thank you so much for joining me.
00:23:18
Speaker 5: Always a pleasure.
00:23:20
Speaker 1: Coming up next. He currently serves as director of the Providence Forum. Doctor Jerry Newcomb is with US.
00:23:29
Speaker 2: For more encouragement and to stay connected, follow doctor Tim Clinton on Facebook, Instagram, and X. We love being a part of your life.
00:23:44
Speaker 1: Johnny's now is doctor Jerry Newcomb. He currently serves as director of the Providence Forum, a division of the Cora Oridge Ministries. He's also the author of several books. In his columns up here, Weekly town Hall, Christian Post, News Max and more, Doctor Newcombe, welcome back, Thank you for joining me.
00:23:58
Speaker 6: Thank you, doctor Jerry.
00:24:00
Speaker 1: You and I've had a lot of conversations about our country, and you have a deep love in your heart for American history and how we've been founded on the principles of how our rights are. They come from God, they don't come from government, Jerry. And in the midst of all this, here we are. What a wild time of the year America. Two fifty. I mean, we're celebrating this weekend on the National Mall in Washington, d c rededicate to fifty Jerry, rededicating our country back to God. And as we move toward July fourth, Well Memorial Day, and then in July fourth, Jerry, just some thoughts or reflections from you as you've been preparing your heart and I know you're talking all over the country about this.
00:24:44
Speaker 6: Well, I think Tim, it's good to be reminded about the core principles of America. America, as GK. Chesterton said about one hundred years ago, is the only nation with a creed, and that creed is basically found in the Declaration of Independence. And that's what we celebrate. The approval the Voice votes on July fourth, seventeen seventy six of the final wording of the Declaration of Independence, which they signed about a month later by the founding fathers. And the Declaration of Independence says that are you know, we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty in the pursuit of happiness, and that to secure governments must be you know, basically on the understanding that we have the consent of the government. So, in other words, just put it this way, self rule under God. That is the essence of the American experiment. And the Declaration of Independence was not the first document to start it. Really, frankly, the Mayflower Compact of sixteen twenty, one hundred and fifty years earlier was the first where the Pilgrims created this agreement for self government based on the Biblical content up the Covenant. Under God will make this agreement for self government where we'll be ruled by the consent of the government under God.
00:26:08
Speaker 7: That's the essence of America.
00:26:10
Speaker 1: President Trump recently said, we're rededicating America back to God. And that's what's happening literally on the mall this day, Jerry. The significance of that take us back to what you understood when it comes to the founding fathers and their faith in God.
00:26:26
Speaker 6: Well, absolutely, Look, the prime mover behind the Declaration of Independence, the lightning round of the American Revolution, was Samuel Adams, and Samuel Adams was among the first to actually sign the document apart from John Hancock, on July fourth itself. I mean, he was in charge of that Continental Congress, but they didn't sign it or start signing it until August two. And on the day Samuel Adams signed it, he made a speech in front of everybody. I believe he was the first one apart from John Hancock, to sign it, and he said, we have this day restored the sovereign to whom men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven from the rising to the setting sun. May his kingdom come. I mean, the founding fathers had a deep understanding the Christian faith and a commitment to that now as one as the late Paul I'm sorry, Peter Marshall of the you know, he co wrote The Light in the Glory back in nineteen seventy seven. But he said, in reference to George Washington, George Washington didn't go around talking about Jesus all the time, but he did have an abiding faith in him. And so George Washington said, for example, in his farewell address, of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. John Adams, our second president, said that our constitution was made for moral and religious people. It is holy an to the government of any other. So there's this understanding from the very beginning of our country that God was at the center of the whole thing.
00:28:10
Speaker 7: Can I give you one more quote, please, Okay?
00:28:13
Speaker 6: Dwight Eisenhower said in nineteen fifty five, So here's our thirty fourth president. He said, without God, there could be no American form of government nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first and most basic expression of Americanism. Thus the founding fathers sought, and thus, with God's help, it will continue to be.
00:28:40
Speaker 1: Jay, You've got a new book out called Under the Liberty Tree Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty, And I was just just reflecting and meditating on this as we go into the weekend. Talk about courage, talk about just unbelievable fortitude in the midst of all of it, and brilliance to pull together documents that would be literally at the heart of who we are and protect our our republic if we can keep it as they say, Jerry, just your thoughts on that.
00:29:11
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:29:12
Speaker 6: Well, as a matter of fact, the Declaration of Independence, which again that's what we celebrate America at two fifty on July fourth, seventeen seventy six. They and how they said, with a firm alliance on divine providence, we mutually pledged each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. It's interesting too, by the way, that the origin of that actual phrase our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor comes from a group of Presbyterian elders the year before from Mecklenburg in Charlotte, North Carolina, in that area, led by the Reverend Iffriam Bervard, where they wrote the Mecklenburg Declaration. It was basically a declaration of independence. It's only about a paragraph long, but some of the phrase theology and up in our Declaration of Independence a year later. Jefferson did a masterful job of calling together all kinds of different sources and so forth, including you know, drawing from Blackstones or William Blackstone. This is in accordance with the laws of nature and Nature's God, and this Mechlenburg Declaration and so forth. But this brilliant synthesis that we hold these truths to be self evidence that all men are created equal, and this is really important. One recent historian said that that's the most important sentence in history. Well, I agree with Osgenus who says, no, the most important sentence in history is for God still love the world, that he gave his only begotten son. You know that whoever believes in Him shall my perrish been hea eternal life. And we would not have that other sentence, the one from the Declaration of independence. We hold these truths to be self evident. Were it not for for God so loved the world, and so forth. It is a jud Christian base that this nation was founded, not not that we always got it perfect, but the foundation is there and that's what must be restored. So that's why I'm grateful for all the efforts to call America back to our God given liberties.
00:31:16
Speaker 1: Hey, Jerry, in the midst of all that's going on, and now as we enter this special season of celebration, Jerry, what's the what's the the one thought? Hold on to this the word to all of us, all this study, all this history, all this firm commitment and love for God and country, what saith you to us?
00:31:42
Speaker 6: Well, my mentor, doctor D. James Kennedy once did a stand up at the Lincoln Memorial and he said, Americans need to remember that this nation was born because of revival, the first great Awakening, which helped to unify the nation. Then there was the second grade Awakening, which helped to you, you know, get rid of slavery, a great scourge to us.
00:32:07
Speaker 7: But now we're in.
00:32:08
Speaker 6: Need of a true third grade awakening. You know, not from the government down, but from the people up where the people are revived and the people want to have righteous government, righteousness, exaltination. But sin is a approach to any people, and so we need to remember the message of Second Chronicle seven fourteen. You know, if my people who are called by mining will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways and seek my face, then well I listen and turn my face toward them and heal their land. This nation needs that healing, and we need that repentance to you know, initiate the whole thing.
00:32:56
Speaker 1: Doctor Jerry Newcomb, I always great to see you, my friend.
00:33:00
Speaker 7: Thank you for joining me. You too.
00:33:01
Speaker 6: May God bless America with repentance and a third grade awakeny.
00:33:07
Speaker 1: Coming up next, and she has founder and president of Celebrate Kids, Inc. Doctor Kathy Cook is with us. Did people ever come to you asking for help? Maybe hope, encouragement, how about for prayer? Do you ever wish you understood the issues better that people were wrestling with, or how to use the Bible more effectively in caring for people? If so, I'd love to get a copy of our Caring Council Bible in your hands, featuring one hundred and sixteen topics written by some of the world's leading mental health and ministry experts. I think you're going to love it. It covers today's most challenging issues in every phase of life. This Bible provides clinical expertise and insights on topics like discouragement, abuse, depression, divorce, anxiety, abortion, and so much more. So you can learn more about these issues and how to use again the Bible more effectively, how to share passages of scripture with others, maybe sitting down over a cup of coffee, or maybe it's just a resource to help you get through a tough time.
00:34:07
Speaker 6: You know.
00:34:07
Speaker 1: I to love most about this Bible. It's so easy to use. You right up front, are going to find an index with subjects, key passages of scripture, personality profiles, and so much more. The Careen Council Bible is retailing for eighty five dollars, but we're going to make it available to you right now our listeners and viewers for just fifty dollars plus shipping. Again, I think you're gonna love it. For more information about how to get this Bible right now, go to karincounsel dot com. That's care Andcounsel dot com. Join tens of thousands of people who have received this beautiful new King James version Caring Counsel Bible. I'm doctor Tim Clinton, President of the American Association of Christian Councilors. Get your copy of the Karen Council Bible right now at our special price while supplies last. Go to Caringcouncil dot com. That's Care Andcounsel dot com. Join us now is doctor Kathy Cook. She's the founder and president of Celebrate Kids and has influenced thousands of parents and teachers and children around the world. Her practical, relevant and result oriented concepts and engaging in humorous speaking style. It draws rave reviews from children, teens, parents and educators. Doctor Kathy, Welcome, Thank you for joining me.
00:35:20
Speaker 7: Minded to be here, Tim, thank you, Kathy.
00:35:22
Speaker 1: Congrats on your new book, Resolving Conflict and Finding Peace and Hope with adult children. It's a lifeline for parents out there. But Kathy, I want to go to something that's really big in culture right now, and that's this whole issue of family estrangement. You know, raising kids to leave us and it's called parenting. That's a tough thing to do. But this thing of losing our kids or kids going no contact, ghosting us in more Kathy, It's pain beyond anything imaginable, and I tell you, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. It is unbelievable. What's happening is at our families. What do you think is at the heart of all of it?
00:36:02
Speaker 8: A couple of things. Yeah, that's one of the reasons I wrote the book. You know, pride is a huge factor. You know, kids behaving as if they don't need their parents anymore, when in reality, God or doin the family for a lifetime, and we should be paying attention to that. I wrote the book partly because I had a great multi generational family experience, and I wish other people did as well. I think, you know, parents have made some mistakes. Could I just go there? Chapter two in my new book is really hard for people to read. It's about looking inward and asking yourself if you could be partially responsible for the ghosting that your adult children are doing. So there are some mistakes we've made. There's pride, there's the social media rewiring of the story. You know, our adult children are following people we don't know they're following. They're talking to people at work who you've got me couldn't have been that good. I'm sure that you're deceived and you're not seeing things rightly.
00:36:48
Speaker 7: And they create a whole new.
00:36:49
Speaker 8: Story about the abuse that they experienced forcing us to go to church was abusive.
00:36:53
Speaker 7: No, it wasn't abusive. It was love. But they've reoriented that.
00:36:57
Speaker 8: You know another thing, Tim, I don't know if you've you've probably seen this in the life literature as well, But if we helicopter our kids, it's.
00:37:03
Speaker 7: More likely that they're going to step away later.
00:37:05
Speaker 8: And I don't say this lightly because you can't go back and reparent your kids. But if you were an overparent and you did all of everything for them and prevented all of their trauma, if you will spill, you know, don't spill your milk. So I'm going to move it for you, which shouldn't be traumatizing, but it can be in some families. But if we over parents and we helicopter, then our adult kids don't think we can parent any other way. And now they want us to separate because now they do want to really launch into some independence.
00:37:30
Speaker 7: So those are some other reasons, Kathy.
00:37:32
Speaker 1: There's nothing like family close family. I grew up in a large family. I have five sisters and two brothers and a lot of love, and you know, I think about our family. Julie and I have two children, Megan and Zach. They're both married now. Megan has two children, our granddaughters, Olivia and Sophia, And I think about being with them and spending time together, loving each other and having special moments. Julie and I talk a lot about the M and ms minutes and moments, yes, and they create memories, you know, And when you have that, it's beautiful. When you begin to struggle with that or lose it. But I'll tell you what what I've seen, Kathy is it goes deep into the soul. You talk about heart hurt, right when when you can't when you get ghosted and you can't even talk to your kids, or you don't get a even a card on Mother's Day or a phone call at Christmas, or hey, we're not coming home, We're going to do whatever. And granted, there are a lot of there are a lot of quote roads here for a moment, But Kathy, I'm just talking about I've seen you and you you mentioned deep sorrow, quiet, desperation, loneliness, shame, this aching that goes on inside for some sense of closeness. Again, tell us what you've seen, Kathy, and you know what's in the heart and mind of these kind of situations.
00:39:01
Speaker 7: Well, heartache for sure, anger, a sadness.
00:39:04
Speaker 8: I've had parents say to me, I thought it was doing everything right so that I could be friends when they were older, and now they won't talk to me, and I don't know what I've done. I think part of the anxiety, tim is how many of our parents are trying to figure out what happened and guess what you might never know. You might never know is it something that you didn't say, or something that you did, or something you didn't do, or is it some influence that's upon your adult children. So part of the anxiety is if I could figure out I could fix it. That's not necessarily true, and you can as you can. You can say, hey, you know what did I do? Like help me understand if you're still in contact, ask the question. If you're still in contact and you need to apologize, apologize, as to be forgiven, humble yourselves.
00:39:41
Speaker 7: And I don't say that lightly, but it needs to happen.
00:39:44
Speaker 8: The blame, the blame shifting I write in the book about blame shifting, there's there's so much Oh, I couldn't have been me, Like, I'm amazing, it didn't happen to my other kids, So why did it happen to this kid? So awkward analysis of the past. But we don't live in the past and passion to find us. We've got to look forward to hope. That's another thing, tim hoping in God. Like so many parents I've talked to have put hoping themselves to figure it out, and they put hoping their kids to change around. And you can be optimistic and you can be hopeful that's something that happened, but your hope has to be a God.
00:40:14
Speaker 7: He is the one worthy of our hope. And you know that.
00:40:17
Speaker 1: Yeah, Kathy, for families who are in these kind of situations, for a moment, your new book Resolving Conflict and Finding Peace and Hope with adult children, it's a lifeline. It's a real gift to us. I just wonder for a moment, how Kathy and you began to dissect this kind of stuff where there's a lot of water under the bridge, there's a lot of pain and hurt. Quote, you know, you're dealing with these boundary things because you're toxic to me, I don't want to have contact, or I'm angry with you. Whatever, Kathy, how do you begin to step forward in a direction even though you've done don't think for a moment, we haven't prayed about this. Don't think we haven't cried ourselves to sleep, we haven't reached across the aisle. And all of a sudden, now it's like, hey, let's sit back, and I guess you're right. Hey, you've got to step back because what's been done so far isn't working. So Kathy, where do we start?
00:41:14
Speaker 8: Well, we have to pray. And I know you just said that, but come on, prayer works. We have to pray. We pray that our heart would soften. We pray that their heart would soften toward the Lord and toward us. We pray that other people would enter their world who can be positive about family dynamics and about God, because it may not be that we're the ones that are going.
00:41:30
Speaker 7: To solve the problem.
00:41:31
Speaker 8: And I also want to say, and I don't say this lightly, I think we pour our love out into other people. If your adult children won't have anything to do with you, as much as I know that breaks your heart and you're angry and sad and concerned.
00:41:43
Speaker 7: You have love to share.
00:41:44
Speaker 8: What about adult children in your church who don't have anybody, who don't have anybody living near them, and don't have everybody. I'll love to support them. Could you support them? Could you mentor a young man? It's not the same as mentoring your own son, but it'll be something. And those of you that have no contact with your grandkids, what about all young children in your church who have no one to go to a pianey settle except their mom and dad. What about the grandparents who are deceased or they live across the country.
00:42:07
Speaker 7: Could you find a way to.
00:42:08
Speaker 8: Take all this love that's God's giving you and pour it out on someone else, Because we're supposed to love our neighbors so and I don't.
00:42:14
Speaker 7: Again, I know it's not the.
00:42:15
Speaker 8: Same, but I also know that it's a blessing. I've talked to so many people who have chosen to humble themselves and do that, and it changes them. They have something to wake up and look forward to. You can serve, you know, and Tim, You've got to remember you're more than a mom, and you're more than a dad, and I don't say that lightly either, But our identity can't just be I a mom.
00:42:32
Speaker 7: The pressure our kids are feeling.
00:42:34
Speaker 8: Tim You have no idea how many adult children have said to me, I am tired of being responsible for my mom's joy. And that's idle worship when we expect our children to meet our needs when in fact God is the one who will do that for us. So our children are feeling some pressure. Can you release that by finding joy somewhere else?
00:42:51
Speaker 3: Yeah?
00:42:52
Speaker 7: I hope that coping across.
00:42:53
Speaker 1: Okay, No, no, no, it is And I like what you say. At the end of the day. Let's let's step back, not step out. Let's step back for a moment, and let's begin to kind of peel this on in. Maybe what was it that's inside of you that has this insatiable desire and need to be in to quote maybe overcompensate or control, and that's quote fed something that has created brokenness between us and maybe somebody that's inside here in me. And part of what I need to do is release that to help me get out of that box I feel that I'm in. At the same time, you know, how am I communicating, How am I coming across and am I angry and frustrated and you should and and and in moments when I need to control or bite my tongue. Way, Kathy, you know this new responsibilities. It's different. When you go over to their house. You're no longer the parent in that house. You're like, like you said, a guide, the mentor coach. You have a different role here, and respecting those boundaries become really important these kind of dyne it's often important to be reminded about where we're at and what we're up against, what kind of river that we're trying to swim up streaming if you will, Kathy, because when you begin to see it again, it helps you erase some of the emotionalism tied to chaos and the pain that you're in.
00:44:18
Speaker 8: That's so good, absolutely, And you said respect. You know, respect is one of the issues I hear a lot about, Like they don't respect me. Like you can't parent them when they're adults, even if you think they need your help. You parent when they give you permission to do so. Otherwise, you guide, mentor influence, support, help, coach, cheer and all those kinds of things.
00:44:34
Speaker 7: And yeah, when you enter their home, it's not your home.
00:44:37
Speaker 8: I've met so many children have told me that their mom walks in and starts cleaning, like she doesn't have permission to do so.
00:44:43
Speaker 7: And why do we look for the dirt? Why don't we look for what's right?
00:44:46
Speaker 8: Like I tell people, buy a green pen, you know, stop all of the red pen and criticism which we're so good at. And I read in the book about a friend of mine who fans something. Every time she stops by her children's homes. She looks to be a fan of something, and she looks for her eyes and her ears to see and hear something that is good that she can point it out. Because you know what, I don't want to hang out with customistic people. I don't want to hang out with people with the critical spirit. And your kids don't want to either.
00:45:10
Speaker 1: I can't let you go without you saying something to the son or daughter. Oh is restrained? I'm serious. I mean they're out there and they think for some reason that you know, doing all this is quote helping me. You know that I've got you because you're toxic for me and I can't stand being around you anymore. You make me crazy. We get some of it, but my goodness, when you throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater, you have no idea what really you're doing to your soul and by the way, to the future of your own relationships.
00:45:40
Speaker 7: Oh, tim like so well stated.
00:45:42
Speaker 8: Yeah, I would say to the adult children, I want to say, grow up, like hello, like the family does matter, and just what's the truth?
00:45:50
Speaker 7: What are you believe in? Why are you believing that? Who's influencing you?
00:45:54
Speaker 8: Step away, get off the backs, just stop it and give your parents another chance. And we all look bad with today's wisdom, and we're so harsh on ourselves and our family. You know you're looking back thinking, why didn't they know any better? They did the best they knew how to do. I have I don't think i've ever My minister's thirty five years old, and I don't think I've ever met a parent who was intentionally bad. Now, there are some out there, but come on, most of our parents are doing the very best they know how to do, and we've got to give them grace.
00:46:21
Speaker 1: We got to give forgiveness to try. Yeah, we got we got we got to. We got to do the hard work, do the hard things for the sake of freedom and love seriously if we could, if we can just embrace that. And by the way, having a good guide or hey, a good book just might help set you on that course. Kathy, congratulations again on your new book, Resolve Conflict, Find Peace and Hope with adult Children. Closing thought from you.
00:46:48
Speaker 8: I just want to say again that God or Daine, the family, we're imperfectly perfect for each other. No one's perfect this side of Heaven. Jesus is, and we've we've got to step up and do the best we can. We've got to honor each other. We forgive, we restore, we reconcile. It changes you. Like you said, Tim, We're supposed to be in communication. We are better for it. Please don't give up hope in God. Try again.
00:47:11
Speaker 1: There's hope and healing in Christ. Doctor Kathy Cook. Always great to have you.
00:47:14
Speaker 3: Thank you for joining me.
00:47:15
Speaker 7: Thank you so much.
00:47:20
Speaker 2: For more encouragement and to stay connected. Follow doctor Tim Clinton on Facebook, Instagram, and X. We love being a part of your life.
00:47:35
Speaker 1: Hey, and closing, these are unprecedented times, difficult times, but I know this, and I continue to say God's in control, He's at work. Hope you're pressing close to Him in his heart, and know that God loves you and wants to be in your life. Our hope, our strength, our power comes from the Lord. Here again is an encouraging verse from the Bible to hold on to this week, Psalm one twenty one, verses seven and eight. The Lord will keep you from harm. He'll watch over your life, will watch over your coming and going, both now and forever.
00:48:04
Speaker 3: More.
00:48:05
Speaker 1: I know this, you can look to Him, to God for wisdom and direction in your everyday life. But let me also say this, I've learned as a professional counselor. It's easy to have concern, maybe fear, worry, especially when it feels like life's not the way it's supposed to be. I also know that can begin to consume you. If you're not careful control you. It's easy to lose perspective, maybe even hope. It can get so dark for some they would feel like life would be better off without them. I say this every week. You don't have to live like that. Simply taking a step reaching out for help it's often the gateway to a new day or a new you. And if you or someone you love is struggling, reach out for help. There are wonderful counsels and pastors who actually care can help you find the hope, the answers that you're looking for. And by the way, there are a lot of resources, wonderful resources available now. I'd love to connect you with some of those. You can learn more at our website AACC dot net. That's AACC dot net. You want to get connected with the mental health a Christian mental health provider in your area, grow up on our brand new website, christiancare connect dot com christiancareconnect dot com. If you don't have a relationship with God in Christ, you can do that right now by asking him to come into your life, ask him to forgive you of your sin and to be your Lord and savior. Simply praying a prayer from your heart to God's heart. You can do that right now with me. You could pray this prayer after me. Lord Jesus, I need you a normal sinner. I believe you died for my sins. I want to turn from them and invite you to come into my life. I want to trust you and follow you as my Lord and savior. Thank you for loving me, for giving your life on the cross for me. Thank you for the gift of grace, forgiveness, the gift of eternal life of heaven. I pray all this in Jesus's name.
00:49:52
Speaker 3: Amen.
00:49:54
Speaker 1: You know what the Bible says Romans ten nine. It says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, the Bible says you will be saved. The best thing you can do now is what Go tell someone of your decision and live for God the rest of your life. He'll give you the strength to do it. If you're struggling with hopelessness, you say, tim, it's too dark, I'm lost. I'm really, really in a bad place. Hope you'll pick up the phone and call a toll free number. It's simply nine eight eight nine eight eight, that's the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and get a conversation going with someone. Hey, before we go. Maybe God's gifted you with a heart to help other people. I hope you consider being a part of our all new, all new Human Flourishing Coach training program. You can enroll right now and beyond your way to becoming a board certified Human Flourishing Coach. Over five thousand people have already enrolled. Everything you need to know about it is at Light University dot com Forward slash Human Flourishing Coach. Light University dot com Forward slash Human Tourishing Coach. It's a twenty four hour training program featuring some of the world's leading researchers, mental health and ministry experts, all on video. You can study twenty four to seven three sixty five the Best News eight hundred dollars program. There might be a scholarship up there for someone just like you. Lightuniversity dot com Forward slash Human Flourishing Coach. Hey, be sure to pray for rededicate too fifty and National Jubilee of Praise, Prayer and Thanksgiving happening today on the National Ball in Washington, DC. More information go to Rededicate two fifty dot org. Rededicate two fifty dot org. I'm doctor Tim Clinton. Thanks for watching. See you next week right here on Sunday, The Road Forward on Real America's Voice.
00:51:44
Speaker 7: Hey by God co
Speaker 1: Welcome into Real America's voice. This is Sunday They Rode Forward. Stay with us as we discuss the intersection of faith, culture and everyday life. We have an incredible line up with a word of hope and encouragement for you and those you love, especially in these interesting and difficult times. I'm doctor Tim Clinton. I'll be your host our special guest joining us this week. He's the dynamic pastor, movie producer, author, civil rights activist, and television personality. President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. Sam Rodriguez is back with us. He's the founder and chairman of the Faith in Freedom Coalition. Ralph Read is back with us. He currently serves as director of the Providence Forum, a division of Coral Ridge's Ministries. He's the author of several books. His columns have appeared weekly at town Hall, Christian Post, Newsmax and more. Doctor Jerry nucom is with us, and she is founder and president of Celebrate Kids, Inc. She's also the co founder of Ignite the Family based in Alfaretta, Georgia. Doctor Kathy Cook is with us. Thanks for watching Christ well. President Trump has paused Project Freedom all the while the United States continues to enforce the blockade. There's a lot of stalling still going on on Iran's part. We're now learning that the Pentagon has a plan to escalate the Iranian war called Project sledge Hammer. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are now conducting secret strikes on Iran all the while. Hey, President Trump visited China this week. A lot going on there. Hey, Faith is back in America. American Idol had a blockbuster closing with Hannah Harper winning and closing the finale with a worship song at the Cross anchored in a strong message of faith in Jesus Christ. The faith world was stunned this week to learn too of the passing of day Star Televisions Jonie Lamb. She was preceded in death by her husband Marcus. A special memorial service is on Monday, May eighteenth at Gateway Church in South Lake, Texas. And America continues its full court press with America Two fifty celebrations Today May seventeenth on the Mall the National Mall in Washington, d C. They're hosting Rededicate to fifty and National Jubilee of Praise, Prayer and Thanksgiving featuring government officials and faith leaders. Christians from all over the country are showing up to be a part of this historic event. Check it out online, and we can't forget that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, shedding light on this exploding area of culture. We seeing soaring rates of anxiety, depression, even suicidality showing up, especially among our kids. And another critical issue we're going to talk about today, it's family estrangement, going no contact, ghosting one another. It's unbelievable. What's happening all this and more on this edition of Sunday the Road Fall. One thing is certain. We always have hope. Our hope and our strength our power comes from the Lord. Is a great first to hold on to this week. Psalm one one Versus seven and eight. The Lord will keep you from harm. He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore. I'm gonna pray, We're gonna get started. God be with us, bless our program today, Use it for your glory. Thank you for this privilege and opportunity in Jesus' name. Amen, let's get started.
00:03:32
Speaker 2: For more encouragement and to stay connected, follow doctor Tim Clinton on Facebook, Instagram, and x we love being a part of your life.
00:03:47
Speaker 1: Join us now, Sam Rodriguez. He's the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the world's largest Hispanic Christian organization. He's also lead pastor New Season Church in Sacramento, California. Sam, welcome back. Thank you for joining me, Thank you for having me. So we gotta started America. Two fifty celebrations are underway today May seventeenth, up on the National Mall, rededicate to fifty. Sam, you're speaking. It's gonna be a lot of people there, people of faith, and we're rededicating America back to God. President Trump said, this is a moment. This is really a special moment, Sam, just from reflections on what you're thinking about, speaking on and what your heart is about this entire this moment, this is a moment.
00:04:30
Speaker 3: Yeah, completely honored. I don't deserve to be there. I'm there by the grace of God exclusively for his glory. It is two hundred and fifty years. We are affirming, if not confirming the fact that what makes his exceptional tim is not necessarily our military prowess, which is pretty powerful financial wherewith awe and our intellectual and technological bandwidth. What makes this exceptional is this crazy idea of God over man and man over government. Right there. That's American exceptionalism, God over men and man over government. The fact that this nation was founded on a Judeo Christian worldview that cannot and will not be denied. Two hundred and fifty years later, it's still there and we are thriving because of our Toenaeo Christian bagos system. That's what Rededication to fifty is all about. It's the beginning, the foundation, Tim, do you find it to be coincidental? A bunch of evangelicals and Bible believers, George Whitfield preachings, the Awakening, then the Revolutionary War, and here we come full circle. Two hundred and fifty years later, we have the Bible believing church, the Christ centered, Bible based church once again thriving in America, advancing the Lamb's agenda. I think it's beautiful and prophetic.
00:05:43
Speaker 1: Sam, There's something about free from tyranny and also the freedom to pursue life. Liberty, the pursuit of happiness is so much more. Isn't that the American experiment what it's all about? And Sam, I can't think of these moments without thinking about where we're at even in the world. Right now, President Trump went and spent some time in China this week. We know what's happening with Iran. These are serious moments, precarious moments, seriously, and we've got to be praying for our president. But again, we're coming back the Great American experiment.
00:06:15
Speaker 3: Here, we're coming back to basics. We're coming back to the fact that this nation was founded an incredible principle of religious liberty. Religious liberty as the firewall against all metigists of totalitarianism. That's what we're coming back to. There are two world views around the world, a Geneo Christian world view and everything else, and we're coming back to that again. What makes us a powerful nation is that worldview. Recently in China, China repudiates that worldview, hence is totalitarian. Authoritarian Iran repudiates that worldview. Hence the anarchy and the ankst and the consternation and the struggle. America. What makes us beautiful, what makes us special, is the fact that we are a founded on that Judeo Christian worldview. So I love the fact, Tim that you and I are alive to see a new awakening in America. Two hundred and fifty years later, we're saying, without God, this nation will fail. With God, all things are possible.
00:07:17
Speaker 1: Sam. In the midst of it, the midterms are coming. Everybody knows that the economy really matters the price of gas. For example, we know President Trump's decision Iran is really upstream in terms of impacting the midterms. We know that how do we quote get through this push for safe and fair elections, deal with some of these challenging issues and the division that seems are the hatred there really even towards the President and the administration on certain issues. It's where and how do we get through the summer, Because it's going to be a wild.
00:07:55
Speaker 3: Ride, Kim, It's all connected. So my prayer is that President Trouble will make any decision regarding Iran as soon as possible. In fact, yes, to expedite the process. We can't prolong this because if we have a little bit of a window, meaning if you takes steps now, even if it escalates now in the beginning of the summer, late spring, and then I mean victory is inevitable. Of course, we will have the victory and we can take the uranium hopefully complete regime toppling, where if people come in and the Iranian people can finally live free. If that happens by September October, prices will come down, and I mean measurably, so drastically come down, and we'll see that safe Act if we can protect our elections. I mean, how like nonsensical is it? It's ridiculous to think that you can vote in America without showing any proffing identification and by demonstrating proof is somehow racist. It's just illogical, right, we need to solve these things. If not, Tim, listen to me carefully. On the other side of.
00:08:59
Speaker 4: The impeachment, impeachment, harassment, impeachment, impeachment, the progressive extreme left take over, we're back to Christian persecution. That DJ just exposed the fact that the Biden administration did target people of faith Christians.
00:09:19
Speaker 3: We were targeted by the Department of Justice. So we're going to go back to that. We're going to go back to open borders, We're going to go back to the mayhem and the ludicrocy that took place. If we lose these midterm elections, a lot is at stake.
00:09:34
Speaker 1: My friend, Sam just how do how do we marshal away forward? How do we keep our head on our shoulders and keep ourselves moving in a really step by step goal directed effort so that we can have the influence that will help protect our children and our children's children.
00:09:53
Speaker 3: We go forward through the finished work of Christ. We go forward by putting on the armor of God every single day feats in six ten to eighteen. We go forward by being led by the spirit and not by our fleshy desires Galatians five to sixteen. And we go forward with John seventeen twenty one, Tim, what is that unity the devil's Do you think the devil was happy when eighty one percent of evangelicals in America support it an administration to advanced life religious liberty. The enemy had a strategy, and what is that. Let's divide that eighty one percent, Let's lower that, Let's break it apart. That's the enemy strategy. But if you and I come together and we and we continue to convey this message of unity, John seventeen twenty one, we'll push back against every single attent by the enemy to fragment where God has established make us one. Let's advance Let's not give up. We're this close for a multi generational affirmation of this Judeo Christian value system. Let's not give up. It's for the sake of our children and our children's children.
00:10:54
Speaker 1: Sam always great to see you. Thank you for joining me.
00:10:57
Speaker 3: Appreciate you, Thank you.
00:10:58
Speaker 1: My friend coming up now. He's the founder and chairman of the Faith in Freedom Coalition. Ralph Read is back with us. Did people ever come to you asking for help? Maybe hope, encouragement, how about for prayer? Do you ever wish you understood the issues better that people were wrestling with, or how to use the Bible more effectively in caring for people? If so, I'd love to get a copy of our Caring Council Bible in your hands, featuring one hundred and sixteen topics written by some of the world's leading mental health and ministry experts. I think you're going to love it. It covers today's most challenging issues in every phase of life. This Bible provides clinical expertise and insights on topics like discouragement, abuse, depression, divorce, anxiety, abortion, and so much more. So you can learn more about these issues and how to use again the Bible more effectively, how to share passages of scripture with others, maybe sitting down over a cup of coffee, or maybe it's just a resource to help you get through a tough time. Most about this Bible, it's so easy to use. You right up front, are going to find an index with subjects, key passages of scripture, personality profiles, and so much more. The Careen Council Bible is retailing for eighty five dollars, but we're going to make it available to you right now our listeners and viewers for just fifty dollars plus shipping. Again. I think you're gonna love it. But more information about how to get this Bible right now go to Karincounsel dot com. That's care anddcounsel dot com. Join tens of thousands of people who have received this beautiful new King James version Caringcounsel Bible. I'm doctor Timplinton, President of the American Association of Christian Councilors. Get your copy of the Karen Council Bible right now at our special price while supplies last. Go to Caringcouncil dot com. That's care Andcounsel dot com. Join us now is conservative political activist Ralph Reid. He's the founder chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition. He's offered several best selling books, and Collins appeared in New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Review, and many more. Ralph, welcome back, Thank you for joining me.
00:13:06
Speaker 5: Thank you so much.
00:13:07
Speaker 3: Tim.
00:13:07
Speaker 5: Good to be with you.
00:13:08
Speaker 1: Ralph. Want to open up with the whole issue of Iran and the road forward. I know they launched Project Freedom and they paused it. The United States continues with the blockade, but a lot of stalling going on over there on Iran's part. Everybody expected it. It's kind of hard to believe. They need to get to the table, Ralph. We know that, but they're talking now about potentially escalating this to a whole other level. They're talking about Project sledge Hammer. Ralph, just your take on where you see this and how you see this thing unfolding.
00:13:45
Speaker 5: Well, first of all, Tim, I want to commend the President for take making the difficult decision to take military action against Iran. This was a long time in coming, frankly forty seven years in counting, and I think you and I may have talked about this before. I can remember one time when a few of us were in the Oval Office with the President and I thanked him for withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. And he told the story of his first national security briefing that he received as president in the situation room, full dress briefing with the Joint Chiefs, National Security Council, Secretary of Defense, everybody there. And he said, as they went around the room with maps displayed on video screens, they went around the world, They circulated around the globe. He said, every single trouble spot, every single conflict on the planet could be traced in one shape, form or another to the Iranian regime. Wow, this had to be done. It is a lie of the left. That is, it was a war of choice. If the President was going to keep his word and his promise to the American people tim that he would not allow the Iranians to get a nuclear weapon, then he had no choice but to take that military action. He has said to many people publicly and privately, including me, that they were within a matter of weeks of being able to weaponize a nuclear device. We cannot allow that to happen. But this regime is not going to go down without a fight. And I think what's going on now, at the risk of stating the obvious, but just to clarify things for your viewers, is you've got two trains running at each other on one trap, and they're both moving at a high rate of speed. One is the Iranians effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which twenty to twenty five percent of all the oil in the world moves through on a daily basis. And the second is Trump's blockade of their ports, which prevents them from being able to sell their oil to China and others, which is how they support the regime and how they keep their economy afloat. So the question is which train runs out of gas first? Is it the global economy or is it the Iranian economy. If it looks like the global economy cannot sustain the long term closing of the Strait of Hormuz, and it looks like we can't reopen it militarily in the short term, then in my opinion, the President will have no other option other than to escalate militarily against the regime and get the change that we need. I will just tell you, Tim, I am praying for peace. I am praying for a deal. But I also live in the real world, and it's hard for me to see either the Malas or the Revolutionary Guard, which is the military, being able to make any kind of deal with the United States that is acceptable.
00:17:03
Speaker 1: Yeah, this week President Trump jumped on Air Force one along with other dignitaries and a team of business leaders and more and headed to China. Pretty grand reception over there, but Ralph in the midst of it, Iran was going to be on top of the table, and obviously some business negotiating was going to be going on and is going on, and just your thoughts. People tend to be a little skittish when it comes to China. Obviously, President Trump is making a pretty significant move here. Playing chess, as they say, not checkers, right.
00:17:38
Speaker 5: Well, you know, look, this is a great power rivalry. The United States is the number one, some would argue, the sole superpower in the world. But China not only wants to join that club. Let's be clear. They want to surpass us, and they want to dominate us, and they want to be the ones are determining the outcome of various power equations in various regions around the world, not only Asia, but Africa, where they're deeply involved, and the Middle East. And so this is a very very critical hinge point in the President's second term this summit, because they're going to be talking about ai They're going to be talking about their economic rivalry trade, where the President has rebalanced that relationship with tariffs on China, where they've been exploiting and dominating our economy and decimating US jobs and manufacturing capacity. I mean, think about this, tim how dramatically this was demonstrated during the COVID pandemic when we had to go to China and beg for certain pharmaceuticals and certain medical supplies because the entire production of those had been moved offshore. The same is true of the the very sophisticated computer chips that not only drive our economy, but are going to drive artificial intelligence that's all made in Taiwan, which is just off China shore. Taiwan's clearly going to come up. China is a bad actor. They're helping Putin in his invasion of Ukraine. They're propping up the Iranian regime because they buy half of all their oil, and Iran supplies forty percent of all the oil that drives the Chinese economy. So I think best case scenario, we come out of this as frenemies that are doing economic deals that are mutually beneficial. But when it comes to rare earth minerals, when it comes to computer chips, when it comes to manufacturing, and when it comes to the projection of military power, make no mistake about it, we are not friends, we are not allies. And I just thank Goodness every day. I literally thank God every day that we have a president sitting behind the resolute desk who understands that, who understands that China has been taking advantage of us for decades and it's ending on his watch.
00:20:10
Speaker 1: So, Ralph, you know, here in the midst of it, we're celebrating two hundred and fifty years of history today May seventeen, rededicate two fifty in Washington, d C. Faith leaders from everywhere, dignitaries showing up Ralph's celebrating the goodness and grace of God and rededicating America to God and to acknowledge once again that our rights don't come from government, they come from God. And the celebration of this, how significant, how important it is it to you, Ralph, And I know you have a few words in your heart about all this and what you're going to share.
00:20:47
Speaker 5: Well, I sure do, Tim. You know, look, I'm a glass half full guy. I'm optimistic because I don't see how you can be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and be a pessimist. And I really don't see how you can be an American and be a pessimist. Look at what is truly a miracle here on this continent, that people who were fleeing persecution and authoritarianism on the European continent, who wanted to build a nation that, in John Winthrop's words that echoed down through the centuries, would be a city set upon a hill, that would be a beacon of light to the entire world of how to properly order a society that protected rights that, as you stated so eloquently a moment ago, are given by God Almighty. They're not given by government. They're not given to us by an act of the Continental Congress or Parliament or of Congress. They are, in the words of the Declaration inalienable rights, that is to say, rights that are adherent to our very humanity and were given to us by our creator and the genius of America is a simple but powerful idea, and it is this that the sole function of creating a government is to guard and protect those God given rights. And if at any point that government so formed fails to protect those rights, then it is not only the right, it is the duty and the moral obligation of a free people to get rid of that government, by force if necessary, and replace it with a government that protects that right. That is the idea that we are celebrating, and the reason why Rededicate two point fifty is so important taking place at the Mall, tim is because we're acknowledging and rededicating ourselves to the idea that the only way this nation survived and prospered and the only way it can endure, is if we acknowledge God's sovereignty over this nation and acknowledge that He is the one who's made all this possible.
00:23:07
Speaker 1: Amen and Amen, Ralph. I'm just sitting there thinking God be with us and got less America, seriously, Ralph. Always great to see you, my friend. Thank you so much for joining me.
00:23:18
Speaker 5: Always a pleasure.
00:23:20
Speaker 1: Coming up next. He currently serves as director of the Providence Forum. Doctor Jerry Newcomb is with US.
00:23:29
Speaker 2: For more encouragement and to stay connected, follow doctor Tim Clinton on Facebook, Instagram, and X. We love being a part of your life.
00:23:44
Speaker 1: Johnny's now is doctor Jerry Newcomb. He currently serves as director of the Providence Forum, a division of the Cora Oridge Ministries. He's also the author of several books. In his columns up here, Weekly town Hall, Christian Post, News Max and more, Doctor Newcombe, welcome back, Thank you for joining me.
00:23:58
Speaker 6: Thank you, doctor Jerry.
00:24:00
Speaker 1: You and I've had a lot of conversations about our country, and you have a deep love in your heart for American history and how we've been founded on the principles of how our rights are. They come from God, they don't come from government, Jerry. And in the midst of all this, here we are. What a wild time of the year America. Two fifty. I mean, we're celebrating this weekend on the National Mall in Washington, d c rededicate to fifty Jerry, rededicating our country back to God. And as we move toward July fourth, Well Memorial Day, and then in July fourth, Jerry, just some thoughts or reflections from you as you've been preparing your heart and I know you're talking all over the country about this.
00:24:44
Speaker 6: Well, I think Tim, it's good to be reminded about the core principles of America. America, as GK. Chesterton said about one hundred years ago, is the only nation with a creed, and that creed is basically found in the Declaration of Independence. And that's what we celebrate. The approval the Voice votes on July fourth, seventeen seventy six of the final wording of the Declaration of Independence, which they signed about a month later by the founding fathers. And the Declaration of Independence says that are you know, we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty in the pursuit of happiness, and that to secure governments must be you know, basically on the understanding that we have the consent of the government. So, in other words, just put it this way, self rule under God. That is the essence of the American experiment. And the Declaration of Independence was not the first document to start it. Really, frankly, the Mayflower Compact of sixteen twenty, one hundred and fifty years earlier was the first where the Pilgrims created this agreement for self government based on the Biblical content up the Covenant. Under God will make this agreement for self government where we'll be ruled by the consent of the government under God.
00:26:08
Speaker 7: That's the essence of America.
00:26:10
Speaker 1: President Trump recently said, we're rededicating America back to God. And that's what's happening literally on the mall this day, Jerry. The significance of that take us back to what you understood when it comes to the founding fathers and their faith in God.
00:26:26
Speaker 6: Well, absolutely, Look, the prime mover behind the Declaration of Independence, the lightning round of the American Revolution, was Samuel Adams, and Samuel Adams was among the first to actually sign the document apart from John Hancock, on July fourth itself. I mean, he was in charge of that Continental Congress, but they didn't sign it or start signing it until August two. And on the day Samuel Adams signed it, he made a speech in front of everybody. I believe he was the first one apart from John Hancock, to sign it, and he said, we have this day restored the sovereign to whom men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven from the rising to the setting sun. May his kingdom come. I mean, the founding fathers had a deep understanding the Christian faith and a commitment to that now as one as the late Paul I'm sorry, Peter Marshall of the you know, he co wrote The Light in the Glory back in nineteen seventy seven. But he said, in reference to George Washington, George Washington didn't go around talking about Jesus all the time, but he did have an abiding faith in him. And so George Washington said, for example, in his farewell address, of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. John Adams, our second president, said that our constitution was made for moral and religious people. It is holy an to the government of any other. So there's this understanding from the very beginning of our country that God was at the center of the whole thing.
00:28:10
Speaker 7: Can I give you one more quote, please, Okay?
00:28:13
Speaker 6: Dwight Eisenhower said in nineteen fifty five, So here's our thirty fourth president. He said, without God, there could be no American form of government nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first and most basic expression of Americanism. Thus the founding fathers sought, and thus, with God's help, it will continue to be.
00:28:40
Speaker 1: Jay, You've got a new book out called Under the Liberty Tree Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty, And I was just just reflecting and meditating on this as we go into the weekend. Talk about courage, talk about just unbelievable fortitude in the midst of all of it, and brilliance to pull together documents that would be literally at the heart of who we are and protect our our republic if we can keep it as they say, Jerry, just your thoughts on that.
00:29:11
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:29:12
Speaker 6: Well, as a matter of fact, the Declaration of Independence, which again that's what we celebrate America at two fifty on July fourth, seventeen seventy six. They and how they said, with a firm alliance on divine providence, we mutually pledged each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. It's interesting too, by the way, that the origin of that actual phrase our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor comes from a group of Presbyterian elders the year before from Mecklenburg in Charlotte, North Carolina, in that area, led by the Reverend Iffriam Bervard, where they wrote the Mecklenburg Declaration. It was basically a declaration of independence. It's only about a paragraph long, but some of the phrase theology and up in our Declaration of Independence a year later. Jefferson did a masterful job of calling together all kinds of different sources and so forth, including you know, drawing from Blackstones or William Blackstone. This is in accordance with the laws of nature and Nature's God, and this Mechlenburg Declaration and so forth. But this brilliant synthesis that we hold these truths to be self evidence that all men are created equal, and this is really important. One recent historian said that that's the most important sentence in history. Well, I agree with Osgenus who says, no, the most important sentence in history is for God still love the world, that he gave his only begotten son. You know that whoever believes in Him shall my perrish been hea eternal life. And we would not have that other sentence, the one from the Declaration of independence. We hold these truths to be self evident. Were it not for for God so loved the world, and so forth. It is a jud Christian base that this nation was founded, not not that we always got it perfect, but the foundation is there and that's what must be restored. So that's why I'm grateful for all the efforts to call America back to our God given liberties.
00:31:16
Speaker 1: Hey, Jerry, in the midst of all that's going on, and now as we enter this special season of celebration, Jerry, what's the what's the the one thought? Hold on to this the word to all of us, all this study, all this history, all this firm commitment and love for God and country, what saith you to us?
00:31:42
Speaker 6: Well, my mentor, doctor D. James Kennedy once did a stand up at the Lincoln Memorial and he said, Americans need to remember that this nation was born because of revival, the first great Awakening, which helped to unify the nation. Then there was the second grade Awakening, which helped to you, you know, get rid of slavery, a great scourge to us.
00:32:07
Speaker 7: But now we're in.
00:32:08
Speaker 6: Need of a true third grade awakening. You know, not from the government down, but from the people up where the people are revived and the people want to have righteous government, righteousness, exaltination. But sin is a approach to any people, and so we need to remember the message of Second Chronicle seven fourteen. You know, if my people who are called by mining will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways and seek my face, then well I listen and turn my face toward them and heal their land. This nation needs that healing, and we need that repentance to you know, initiate the whole thing.
00:32:56
Speaker 1: Doctor Jerry Newcomb, I always great to see you, my friend.
00:33:00
Speaker 7: Thank you for joining me. You too.
00:33:01
Speaker 6: May God bless America with repentance and a third grade awakeny.
00:33:07
Speaker 1: Coming up next, and she has founder and president of Celebrate Kids, Inc. Doctor Kathy Cook is with us. Did people ever come to you asking for help? Maybe hope, encouragement, how about for prayer? Do you ever wish you understood the issues better that people were wrestling with, or how to use the Bible more effectively in caring for people? If so, I'd love to get a copy of our Caring Council Bible in your hands, featuring one hundred and sixteen topics written by some of the world's leading mental health and ministry experts. I think you're going to love it. It covers today's most challenging issues in every phase of life. This Bible provides clinical expertise and insights on topics like discouragement, abuse, depression, divorce, anxiety, abortion, and so much more. So you can learn more about these issues and how to use again the Bible more effectively, how to share passages of scripture with others, maybe sitting down over a cup of coffee, or maybe it's just a resource to help you get through a tough time.
00:34:07
Speaker 6: You know.
00:34:07
Speaker 1: I to love most about this Bible. It's so easy to use. You right up front, are going to find an index with subjects, key passages of scripture, personality profiles, and so much more. The Careen Council Bible is retailing for eighty five dollars, but we're going to make it available to you right now our listeners and viewers for just fifty dollars plus shipping. Again, I think you're gonna love it. For more information about how to get this Bible right now, go to karincounsel dot com. That's care Andcounsel dot com. Join tens of thousands of people who have received this beautiful new King James version Caring Counsel Bible. I'm doctor Tim Clinton, President of the American Association of Christian Councilors. Get your copy of the Karen Council Bible right now at our special price while supplies last. Go to Caringcouncil dot com. That's Care Andcounsel dot com. Join us now is doctor Kathy Cook. She's the founder and president of Celebrate Kids and has influenced thousands of parents and teachers and children around the world. Her practical, relevant and result oriented concepts and engaging in humorous speaking style. It draws rave reviews from children, teens, parents and educators. Doctor Kathy, Welcome, Thank you for joining me.
00:35:20
Speaker 7: Minded to be here, Tim, thank you, Kathy.
00:35:22
Speaker 1: Congrats on your new book, Resolving Conflict and Finding Peace and Hope with adult children. It's a lifeline for parents out there. But Kathy, I want to go to something that's really big in culture right now, and that's this whole issue of family estrangement. You know, raising kids to leave us and it's called parenting. That's a tough thing to do. But this thing of losing our kids or kids going no contact, ghosting us in more Kathy, It's pain beyond anything imaginable, and I tell you, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. It is unbelievable. What's happening is at our families. What do you think is at the heart of all of it?
00:36:02
Speaker 8: A couple of things. Yeah, that's one of the reasons I wrote the book. You know, pride is a huge factor. You know, kids behaving as if they don't need their parents anymore, when in reality, God or doin the family for a lifetime, and we should be paying attention to that. I wrote the book partly because I had a great multi generational family experience, and I wish other people did as well. I think, you know, parents have made some mistakes. Could I just go there? Chapter two in my new book is really hard for people to read. It's about looking inward and asking yourself if you could be partially responsible for the ghosting that your adult children are doing. So there are some mistakes we've made. There's pride, there's the social media rewiring of the story. You know, our adult children are following people we don't know they're following. They're talking to people at work who you've got me couldn't have been that good. I'm sure that you're deceived and you're not seeing things rightly.
00:36:48
Speaker 7: And they create a whole new.
00:36:49
Speaker 8: Story about the abuse that they experienced forcing us to go to church was abusive.
00:36:53
Speaker 7: No, it wasn't abusive. It was love. But they've reoriented that.
00:36:57
Speaker 8: You know another thing, Tim, I don't know if you've you've probably seen this in the life literature as well, But if we helicopter our kids, it's.
00:37:03
Speaker 7: More likely that they're going to step away later.
00:37:05
Speaker 8: And I don't say this lightly because you can't go back and reparent your kids. But if you were an overparent and you did all of everything for them and prevented all of their trauma, if you will spill, you know, don't spill your milk. So I'm going to move it for you, which shouldn't be traumatizing, but it can be in some families. But if we over parents and we helicopter, then our adult kids don't think we can parent any other way. And now they want us to separate because now they do want to really launch into some independence.
00:37:30
Speaker 7: So those are some other reasons, Kathy.
00:37:32
Speaker 1: There's nothing like family close family. I grew up in a large family. I have five sisters and two brothers and a lot of love, and you know, I think about our family. Julie and I have two children, Megan and Zach. They're both married now. Megan has two children, our granddaughters, Olivia and Sophia, And I think about being with them and spending time together, loving each other and having special moments. Julie and I talk a lot about the M and ms minutes and moments, yes, and they create memories, you know, And when you have that, it's beautiful. When you begin to struggle with that or lose it. But I'll tell you what what I've seen, Kathy is it goes deep into the soul. You talk about heart hurt, right when when you can't when you get ghosted and you can't even talk to your kids, or you don't get a even a card on Mother's Day or a phone call at Christmas, or hey, we're not coming home, We're going to do whatever. And granted, there are a lot of there are a lot of quote roads here for a moment, But Kathy, I'm just talking about I've seen you and you you mentioned deep sorrow, quiet, desperation, loneliness, shame, this aching that goes on inside for some sense of closeness. Again, tell us what you've seen, Kathy, and you know what's in the heart and mind of these kind of situations.
00:39:01
Speaker 7: Well, heartache for sure, anger, a sadness.
00:39:04
Speaker 8: I've had parents say to me, I thought it was doing everything right so that I could be friends when they were older, and now they won't talk to me, and I don't know what I've done. I think part of the anxiety, tim is how many of our parents are trying to figure out what happened and guess what you might never know. You might never know is it something that you didn't say, or something that you did, or something you didn't do, or is it some influence that's upon your adult children. So part of the anxiety is if I could figure out I could fix it. That's not necessarily true, and you can as you can. You can say, hey, you know what did I do? Like help me understand if you're still in contact, ask the question. If you're still in contact and you need to apologize, apologize, as to be forgiven, humble yourselves.
00:39:41
Speaker 7: And I don't say that lightly, but it needs to happen.
00:39:44
Speaker 8: The blame, the blame shifting I write in the book about blame shifting, there's there's so much Oh, I couldn't have been me, Like, I'm amazing, it didn't happen to my other kids, So why did it happen to this kid? So awkward analysis of the past. But we don't live in the past and passion to find us. We've got to look forward to hope. That's another thing, tim hoping in God. Like so many parents I've talked to have put hoping themselves to figure it out, and they put hoping their kids to change around. And you can be optimistic and you can be hopeful that's something that happened, but your hope has to be a God.
00:40:14
Speaker 7: He is the one worthy of our hope. And you know that.
00:40:17
Speaker 1: Yeah, Kathy, for families who are in these kind of situations, for a moment, your new book Resolving Conflict and Finding Peace and Hope with adult children, it's a lifeline. It's a real gift to us. I just wonder for a moment, how Kathy and you began to dissect this kind of stuff where there's a lot of water under the bridge, there's a lot of pain and hurt. Quote, you know, you're dealing with these boundary things because you're toxic to me, I don't want to have contact, or I'm angry with you. Whatever, Kathy, how do you begin to step forward in a direction even though you've done don't think for a moment, we haven't prayed about this. Don't think we haven't cried ourselves to sleep, we haven't reached across the aisle. And all of a sudden, now it's like, hey, let's sit back, and I guess you're right. Hey, you've got to step back because what's been done so far isn't working. So Kathy, where do we start?
00:41:14
Speaker 8: Well, we have to pray. And I know you just said that, but come on, prayer works. We have to pray. We pray that our heart would soften. We pray that their heart would soften toward the Lord and toward us. We pray that other people would enter their world who can be positive about family dynamics and about God, because it may not be that we're the ones that are going.
00:41:30
Speaker 7: To solve the problem.
00:41:31
Speaker 8: And I also want to say, and I don't say this lightly, I think we pour our love out into other people. If your adult children won't have anything to do with you, as much as I know that breaks your heart and you're angry and sad and concerned.
00:41:43
Speaker 7: You have love to share.
00:41:44
Speaker 8: What about adult children in your church who don't have anybody, who don't have anybody living near them, and don't have everybody. I'll love to support them. Could you support them? Could you mentor a young man? It's not the same as mentoring your own son, but it'll be something. And those of you that have no contact with your grandkids, what about all young children in your church who have no one to go to a pianey settle except their mom and dad. What about the grandparents who are deceased or they live across the country.
00:42:07
Speaker 7: Could you find a way to.
00:42:08
Speaker 8: Take all this love that's God's giving you and pour it out on someone else, Because we're supposed to love our neighbors so and I don't.
00:42:14
Speaker 7: Again, I know it's not the.
00:42:15
Speaker 8: Same, but I also know that it's a blessing. I've talked to so many people who have chosen to humble themselves and do that, and it changes them. They have something to wake up and look forward to. You can serve, you know, and Tim, You've got to remember you're more than a mom, and you're more than a dad, and I don't say that lightly either, But our identity can't just be I a mom.
00:42:32
Speaker 7: The pressure our kids are feeling.
00:42:34
Speaker 8: Tim You have no idea how many adult children have said to me, I am tired of being responsible for my mom's joy. And that's idle worship when we expect our children to meet our needs when in fact God is the one who will do that for us. So our children are feeling some pressure. Can you release that by finding joy somewhere else?
00:42:51
Speaker 3: Yeah?
00:42:52
Speaker 7: I hope that coping across.
00:42:53
Speaker 1: Okay, No, no, no, it is And I like what you say. At the end of the day. Let's let's step back, not step out. Let's step back for a moment, and let's begin to kind of peel this on in. Maybe what was it that's inside of you that has this insatiable desire and need to be in to quote maybe overcompensate or control, and that's quote fed something that has created brokenness between us and maybe somebody that's inside here in me. And part of what I need to do is release that to help me get out of that box I feel that I'm in. At the same time, you know, how am I communicating, How am I coming across and am I angry and frustrated and you should and and and in moments when I need to control or bite my tongue. Way, Kathy, you know this new responsibilities. It's different. When you go over to their house. You're no longer the parent in that house. You're like, like you said, a guide, the mentor coach. You have a different role here, and respecting those boundaries become really important these kind of dyne it's often important to be reminded about where we're at and what we're up against, what kind of river that we're trying to swim up streaming if you will, Kathy, because when you begin to see it again, it helps you erase some of the emotionalism tied to chaos and the pain that you're in.
00:44:18
Speaker 8: That's so good, absolutely, And you said respect. You know, respect is one of the issues I hear a lot about, Like they don't respect me. Like you can't parent them when they're adults, even if you think they need your help. You parent when they give you permission to do so. Otherwise, you guide, mentor influence, support, help, coach, cheer and all those kinds of things.
00:44:34
Speaker 7: And yeah, when you enter their home, it's not your home.
00:44:37
Speaker 8: I've met so many children have told me that their mom walks in and starts cleaning, like she doesn't have permission to do so.
00:44:43
Speaker 7: And why do we look for the dirt? Why don't we look for what's right?
00:44:46
Speaker 8: Like I tell people, buy a green pen, you know, stop all of the red pen and criticism which we're so good at. And I read in the book about a friend of mine who fans something. Every time she stops by her children's homes. She looks to be a fan of something, and she looks for her eyes and her ears to see and hear something that is good that she can point it out. Because you know what, I don't want to hang out with customistic people. I don't want to hang out with people with the critical spirit. And your kids don't want to either.
00:45:10
Speaker 1: I can't let you go without you saying something to the son or daughter. Oh is restrained? I'm serious. I mean they're out there and they think for some reason that you know, doing all this is quote helping me. You know that I've got you because you're toxic for me and I can't stand being around you anymore. You make me crazy. We get some of it, but my goodness, when you throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater, you have no idea what really you're doing to your soul and by the way, to the future of your own relationships.
00:45:40
Speaker 7: Oh, tim like so well stated.
00:45:42
Speaker 8: Yeah, I would say to the adult children, I want to say, grow up, like hello, like the family does matter, and just what's the truth?
00:45:50
Speaker 7: What are you believe in? Why are you believing that? Who's influencing you?
00:45:54
Speaker 8: Step away, get off the backs, just stop it and give your parents another chance. And we all look bad with today's wisdom, and we're so harsh on ourselves and our family. You know you're looking back thinking, why didn't they know any better? They did the best they knew how to do. I have I don't think i've ever My minister's thirty five years old, and I don't think I've ever met a parent who was intentionally bad. Now, there are some out there, but come on, most of our parents are doing the very best they know how to do, and we've got to give them grace.
00:46:21
Speaker 1: We got to give forgiveness to try. Yeah, we got we got we got to. We got to do the hard work, do the hard things for the sake of freedom and love seriously if we could, if we can just embrace that. And by the way, having a good guide or hey, a good book just might help set you on that course. Kathy, congratulations again on your new book, Resolve Conflict, Find Peace and Hope with adult Children. Closing thought from you.
00:46:48
Speaker 8: I just want to say again that God or Daine, the family, we're imperfectly perfect for each other. No one's perfect this side of Heaven. Jesus is, and we've we've got to step up and do the best we can. We've got to honor each other. We forgive, we restore, we reconcile. It changes you. Like you said, Tim, We're supposed to be in communication. We are better for it. Please don't give up hope in God. Try again.
00:47:11
Speaker 1: There's hope and healing in Christ. Doctor Kathy Cook. Always great to have you.
00:47:14
Speaker 3: Thank you for joining me.
00:47:15
Speaker 7: Thank you so much.
00:47:20
Speaker 2: For more encouragement and to stay connected. Follow doctor Tim Clinton on Facebook, Instagram, and X. We love being a part of your life.
00:47:35
Speaker 1: Hey, and closing, these are unprecedented times, difficult times, but I know this, and I continue to say God's in control, He's at work. Hope you're pressing close to Him in his heart, and know that God loves you and wants to be in your life. Our hope, our strength, our power comes from the Lord. Here again is an encouraging verse from the Bible to hold on to this week, Psalm one twenty one, verses seven and eight. The Lord will keep you from harm. He'll watch over your life, will watch over your coming and going, both now and forever.
00:48:04
Speaker 3: More.
00:48:05
Speaker 1: I know this, you can look to Him, to God for wisdom and direction in your everyday life. But let me also say this, I've learned as a professional counselor. It's easy to have concern, maybe fear, worry, especially when it feels like life's not the way it's supposed to be. I also know that can begin to consume you. If you're not careful control you. It's easy to lose perspective, maybe even hope. It can get so dark for some they would feel like life would be better off without them. I say this every week. You don't have to live like that. Simply taking a step reaching out for help it's often the gateway to a new day or a new you. And if you or someone you love is struggling, reach out for help. There are wonderful counsels and pastors who actually care can help you find the hope, the answers that you're looking for. And by the way, there are a lot of resources, wonderful resources available now. I'd love to connect you with some of those. You can learn more at our website AACC dot net. That's AACC dot net. You want to get connected with the mental health a Christian mental health provider in your area, grow up on our brand new website, christiancare connect dot com christiancareconnect dot com. If you don't have a relationship with God in Christ, you can do that right now by asking him to come into your life, ask him to forgive you of your sin and to be your Lord and savior. Simply praying a prayer from your heart to God's heart. You can do that right now with me. You could pray this prayer after me. Lord Jesus, I need you a normal sinner. I believe you died for my sins. I want to turn from them and invite you to come into my life. I want to trust you and follow you as my Lord and savior. Thank you for loving me, for giving your life on the cross for me. Thank you for the gift of grace, forgiveness, the gift of eternal life of heaven. I pray all this in Jesus's name.
00:49:52
Speaker 3: Amen.
00:49:54
Speaker 1: You know what the Bible says Romans ten nine. It says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, the Bible says you will be saved. The best thing you can do now is what Go tell someone of your decision and live for God the rest of your life. He'll give you the strength to do it. If you're struggling with hopelessness, you say, tim, it's too dark, I'm lost. I'm really, really in a bad place. Hope you'll pick up the phone and call a toll free number. It's simply nine eight eight nine eight eight, that's the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and get a conversation going with someone. Hey, before we go. Maybe God's gifted you with a heart to help other people. I hope you consider being a part of our all new, all new Human Flourishing Coach training program. You can enroll right now and beyond your way to becoming a board certified Human Flourishing Coach. Over five thousand people have already enrolled. Everything you need to know about it is at Light University dot com Forward slash Human Flourishing Coach. Light University dot com Forward slash Human Tourishing Coach. It's a twenty four hour training program featuring some of the world's leading researchers, mental health and ministry experts, all on video. You can study twenty four to seven three sixty five the Best News eight hundred dollars program. There might be a scholarship up there for someone just like you. Lightuniversity dot com Forward slash Human Flourishing Coach. Hey, be sure to pray for rededicate too fifty and National Jubilee of Praise, Prayer and Thanksgiving happening today on the National Ball in Washington, DC. More information go to Rededicate two fifty dot org. Rededicate two fifty dot org. I'm doctor Tim Clinton. Thanks for watching. See you next week right here on Sunday, The Road Forward on Real America's Voice.
00:51:44
Speaker 7: Hey by God co
