1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:02,200 S1: Hey, this is Young Thunder and thanks for listening to 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:04,560 S1: the Carl and Cruz Show cast. If you didn't know, 3 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:08,200 S1: we're actually a live radio program. We air Monday through Friday, 4 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:11,360 S1: 5 to 9 a.m. central time. If you want to 5 00:00:11,400 --> 00:00:13,560 S1: know more, go to Carl and Crew org to get 6 00:00:13,560 --> 00:00:17,000 S1: details for your listening area. Now enjoy the show. 7 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:21,119 S2: Coming to you live from the call of Hope studio. 8 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:24,120 S2: This is Carl and crew Winter Wonderland. 9 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:26,320 S3: I'm thinking about my buddy who lives in Arizona and 10 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:31,440 S3: has saguaro cactus all around him walking in a winter wonderland. 11 00:00:32,120 --> 00:00:33,479 S1: It ain't for every part of the country. 12 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:37,200 S3: Hey man, it's just different. Different regions of the world. 13 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:37,880 S4: Very true. 14 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:41,120 S3: Oh. So funny. So good to have you with us. 15 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:45,159 S3: Merry Christmas everybody. And, uh, we've got new people popping 16 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:47,440 S3: in all the time. Alarm goes off at, you know, 17 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:50,320 S3: top of the hour and it's like bada bing, bada boom. 18 00:00:50,320 --> 00:00:53,159 S3: There's Carl and crew and guess what? If you're just 19 00:00:53,159 --> 00:00:57,160 S3: getting up or haven't heard yet, we've got a Christmas 20 00:00:57,160 --> 00:00:58,360 S3: card for you. 21 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:00,420 S5: We do. We want to send it to you right? 22 00:01:00,420 --> 00:01:05,580 S5: To your phone. Just text Cod to 800 555 7898. 23 00:01:05,620 --> 00:01:08,020 S5: If you want our official Carl and Crew Christmas card. 24 00:01:08,060 --> 00:01:11,180 S5: It's very simple, but just our way of wishing you 25 00:01:11,180 --> 00:01:17,259 S5: a merry Christmas. Just text Cod to 800 555 7898. 26 00:01:17,780 --> 00:01:21,060 S3: Yeah, we're so grateful for you boom crew from the 27 00:01:21,060 --> 00:01:23,140 S3: bottom of our heart. In fact, I want to spend 28 00:01:23,140 --> 00:01:27,619 S3: a moment just talking with my team about what we 29 00:01:27,620 --> 00:01:30,780 S3: talk about you behind your back. Let's just spend a 30 00:01:30,780 --> 00:01:32,020 S3: moment talking about this. 31 00:01:32,060 --> 00:01:32,500 S4: Sure. 32 00:01:32,580 --> 00:01:36,860 S3: All right. We talk behind the boom crew's back. What 33 00:01:36,860 --> 00:01:39,220 S3: comes to your mind that we brag about the boom 34 00:01:39,220 --> 00:01:40,980 S3: crew on anyone? 35 00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:43,259 S5: So many things. But the first thing I think about 36 00:01:43,260 --> 00:01:44,420 S5: is generosity. 37 00:01:45,220 --> 00:01:46,100 S4: Yeah. That's huge. 38 00:01:46,140 --> 00:01:48,940 S5: Two things. Generosity and hunger for God. Those are the 39 00:01:48,940 --> 00:01:51,060 S5: two things that come to mind. And I'll give a 40 00:01:51,060 --> 00:01:55,500 S5: short explanation. But generosity. Any time there is something featured 41 00:01:55,500 --> 00:01:58,920 S5: on Moody Radio where there is a gospel centered appeal 42 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,840 S5: or a need that needs to be met. As we 43 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:05,360 S5: saw with the Goat project, the response is overwhelming and 44 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:08,720 S5: not a begrudging okay, here you go. Here's a little money. 45 00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:12,079 S5: But boy oh boy, this is an opportunity to leverage 46 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:16,040 S5: resources for the gospel. Sign me up. Where can I donate? 47 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,480 S5: So generosity and then also hunger for the gospel. We 48 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:22,640 S5: see it through your texts, through your questions, through your stories, 49 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:26,680 S5: just through your engagement with us throughout these morning hours. 50 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:29,120 S5: There's a hunger for God, a passion for the gospel, 51 00:02:29,160 --> 00:02:32,600 S5: a desire to really walk this walk with the Lord 52 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:33,800 S5: in victory. 53 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:34,280 S4: Yeah. 54 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:37,079 S3: You hit two big ones. What do you say, Young Thunder? 55 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:40,320 S1: Yeah. I think about when it comes to sharing the 56 00:02:40,360 --> 00:02:44,880 S1: gospel here on the radio. Uh, hearing your hearts when 57 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:47,000 S1: we're doing that for. For those of you who have 58 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,560 S1: already believed, you know, you could think, well, I've believed 59 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:52,960 S1: I've heard the gospel before. I don't, you know, I, 60 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:56,660 S1: I don't know enough already, but your hearts are so 61 00:02:56,660 --> 00:02:59,940 S1: big that when when people are accepting the Lord and 62 00:02:59,940 --> 00:03:02,580 S1: we're reading out the numbers of the people who have, 63 00:03:02,620 --> 00:03:04,980 S1: we get texts of people saying, I'm crying right now 64 00:03:04,980 --> 00:03:07,540 S1: listening to this. We get texts from people saying, please 65 00:03:07,540 --> 00:03:10,620 S1: don't stop sharing the gospel. This is so important. It's 66 00:03:10,620 --> 00:03:14,859 S1: just that your hearts are for those who need the Lord. 67 00:03:14,860 --> 00:03:17,060 S1: And when the gospel is shared, you rejoice. 68 00:03:18,139 --> 00:03:19,060 S3: It's so true. 69 00:03:19,100 --> 00:03:22,380 S4: Super humble and authentic. 70 00:03:22,580 --> 00:03:24,940 S6: I mean, when they call in and you call in 71 00:03:25,419 --> 00:03:28,300 S6: with your stories. I mean, you just like, hey, I'm 72 00:03:28,300 --> 00:03:30,220 S6: a piece of work. I was a piece of work. 73 00:03:30,220 --> 00:03:31,900 S6: I'm still a piece of work. But this is what 74 00:03:31,940 --> 00:03:35,620 S6: God's doing. And you tell it like it is because 75 00:03:35,620 --> 00:03:38,020 S6: you want others to know what Jesus is doing in 76 00:03:38,020 --> 00:03:40,340 S6: your life. Yeah. Humble and authentic. 77 00:03:40,500 --> 00:03:40,940 S4: Yeah. 78 00:03:41,660 --> 00:03:43,980 S3: You know, I feel prompted here. I'm going to do it. 79 00:03:43,980 --> 00:03:48,500 S3: There's somebody that came here today, broken and humble and 80 00:03:48,500 --> 00:03:51,300 S3: primed for God to do something radical in you. And 81 00:03:51,300 --> 00:03:54,920 S3: you're not born again. You've not been saved by the 82 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:58,680 S3: King of Kings. Jesus is still in the manger. He's 83 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:01,000 S3: not in your heart, and I want him to be 84 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:06,920 S3: in your heart. Because cultural Christianity is so toxic and deadly. 85 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:11,200 S3: There's so many who believe in Jesus, but they've not 86 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:14,560 S3: truly surrendered their life to Jesus. And you might say, Carl, 87 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:18,160 S3: I feel like maybe I'm that person. It's okay, let 88 00:04:18,160 --> 00:04:22,640 S3: me get give you what the straight gospel is. Jesus 89 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:25,080 S3: said it in the first chapter of Mark. We find 90 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,479 S3: it that he says, the kingdom of God is at hand. 91 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:33,919 S3: Repent and follow me. The gospel is only good news 92 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,640 S3: if you turn around from the broad path that leads 93 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:39,320 S3: to destruction, and you might be living a life right 94 00:04:39,320 --> 00:04:43,960 S3: now that isn't demonstrably crazy. Maybe it is. Maybe people 95 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:46,839 S3: look at your life and say, well, you know, they 96 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:48,720 S3: seem like they've got it all together, but I want 97 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:50,720 S3: to speak to you. You know, you don't, do you? 98 00:04:52,080 --> 00:04:56,060 S3: You know you don't have it together. And I want 99 00:04:56,100 --> 00:04:59,460 S3: to tell you that's a good place to be, because 100 00:04:59,500 --> 00:05:02,099 S3: Jesus said, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs 101 00:05:02,100 --> 00:05:06,500 S3: is the kingdom of heaven. And when you realize your 102 00:05:06,500 --> 00:05:10,979 S3: spiritual bankruptcy and that you've not ever fully surrendered your 103 00:05:10,980 --> 00:05:13,740 S3: life to Jesus, you've not repented of your sin. And 104 00:05:13,740 --> 00:05:20,460 S3: I mean, that's a soul. That's a soul wrenching recognition that, shoot, man, 105 00:05:20,460 --> 00:05:23,380 S3: I'm a sinner and I need a savior. Not for 106 00:05:23,380 --> 00:05:26,060 S3: a part of me, but for all of me. And 107 00:05:26,060 --> 00:05:29,460 S3: if that's you today, today you say with me and 108 00:05:29,460 --> 00:05:32,500 S3: just declare it right now. I believe that Jesus died 109 00:05:32,500 --> 00:05:36,140 S3: for my sins. I'm a sinner. Just say it. It's freeing. 110 00:05:36,460 --> 00:05:40,059 S3: I had to get there. All of us did. But 111 00:05:40,060 --> 00:05:43,700 S3: you say I'm a sinner. I need a Savior. And 112 00:05:43,700 --> 00:05:46,420 S3: today I repent. Today I turn around and I turn 113 00:05:46,420 --> 00:05:52,680 S3: everything over to Jesus Christ. And wherever you are. I 114 00:05:52,680 --> 00:05:56,560 S3: can assure you right now that rivers of living water 115 00:05:56,600 --> 00:06:01,200 S3: are irrigating out years of shame and regret, and hope 116 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:04,120 S3: is welling up inside your heart, because that's the promise 117 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:08,120 S3: of the gospel he did for you what you cannot 118 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:11,200 S3: do yourself. And today you're surrendering to him. And we 119 00:06:11,200 --> 00:06:13,599 S3: want to help you in your first steps with Jesus. 120 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:17,520 S3: Just text the word new right now. New one word 121 00:06:17,720 --> 00:06:20,520 S3: if that's you. For the first time ever, today's the day. 122 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:24,560 S3: Today is the day that Jesus Christ is taking up 123 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:28,120 S3: residence in your heart because you are repenting and following him. 124 00:06:28,520 --> 00:06:31,520 S3: Just text the word new to our number. Get your phone. 125 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:37,440 S3: Here we go 800 555 7898. For some of you, 126 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:41,640 S3: you're doing this through tears and that's good. Just text 127 00:06:41,680 --> 00:06:48,120 S3: 800 555 7898 one word new to that number. New 128 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:55,500 S3: to 800 555 7898 God knew that you would be 129 00:06:55,500 --> 00:06:58,420 S3: here this morning, and that you needed to hear the 130 00:06:58,420 --> 00:07:04,099 S3: good news that Jesus died for your sins. And through repentance, 131 00:07:04,100 --> 00:07:08,060 S3: we have a brand new life. Just text new to 132 00:07:08,100 --> 00:07:13,820 S3: 800 555 7898. We're grateful for you. God's got a 133 00:07:13,820 --> 00:07:17,860 S3: plan for you. 1419 first time ever texting here if 134 00:07:17,860 --> 00:07:22,260 S3: that was just for you. 1419 praise be to God. 135 00:07:23,100 --> 00:07:27,260 S3: We're thankful for you. Others of you surrendering to Jesus 136 00:07:27,260 --> 00:07:29,940 S3: just when you can get this resource. Text new to 137 00:07:29,980 --> 00:07:37,460 S3: 800 555 7898. Whom the son sets free is free indeed. 138 00:07:37,500 --> 00:07:39,700 S3: Merry Christmas to you. 139 00:07:39,900 --> 00:07:42,620 S2: You can take him out of Alaska, but you can't 140 00:07:42,660 --> 00:07:46,500 S2: take Alaska out of him. Carl is in the crew. 141 00:07:46,700 --> 00:07:49,240 S2: It's Carl and crew on Moody Radio. 142 00:07:49,280 --> 00:07:53,640 S3: It's always good to get away from assumptions, urban myths, 143 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:55,640 S3: and get some facts and figures here. 144 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:58,200 S4: Come on, sister. With you. So we have to clear 145 00:07:58,200 --> 00:07:59,040 S4: a couple things up. 146 00:07:59,040 --> 00:08:02,360 S5: Pacific Garden Mission is proud to be the nation's oldest 147 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:06,120 S5: rescue mission. It's right here in downtown Chicago. But can 148 00:08:06,120 --> 00:08:09,320 S5: you help us understand Phil Kwiatkowska, who is the current president? 149 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:12,880 S5: The origin story of this, of this ministry? 150 00:08:13,160 --> 00:08:18,920 S7: Well, it was in 1877. So we are 148 years old. Wow. 151 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:22,920 S7: Absolutely amazing. And it was a lady by the name 152 00:08:22,960 --> 00:08:26,200 S7: of Mrs. Clark. Her and her husband, Colonel Clark, had 153 00:08:26,200 --> 00:08:29,160 S7: the burden just to minister to the homeless. So they 154 00:08:29,160 --> 00:08:31,880 S7: had a little storefront, and it was the evangelist D.L. 155 00:08:31,920 --> 00:08:34,880 S7: Moody that made the suggestion, because they didn't want the 156 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,400 S7: vanity of it having named after themselves. So they bought 157 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,800 S7: a building called the Pacific Beer Garden. And so the 158 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:43,160 S7: way the legend goes is, Moody said, hey, you guys 159 00:08:43,160 --> 00:08:45,120 S7: are taking beer out of the men, so just take 160 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:46,120 S7: beer out of the name. 161 00:08:46,820 --> 00:08:50,420 S3: Yeah. Can you imagine having a Bud Light rescue mission? 162 00:08:50,460 --> 00:08:51,980 S3: I mean, it doesn't work, does it? 163 00:08:52,860 --> 00:08:56,179 S7: It doesn't work. So Pacific Beer Garden has been Pacific 164 00:08:56,179 --> 00:08:58,700 S7: Garden Mission for 148 years. 165 00:08:58,740 --> 00:09:00,380 S5: Love it. Oh, I love that story. 166 00:09:00,420 --> 00:09:06,380 S3: Yeah. That's beautiful. So, DL his influence. There must have 167 00:09:06,380 --> 00:09:07,780 S3: been pretty strong right. 168 00:09:08,140 --> 00:09:11,460 S7: Oh it was very strong. The clerks and Mr. Moody 169 00:09:11,500 --> 00:09:15,020 S7: were great friends. Uh, he preached here oftentimes. So there 170 00:09:15,020 --> 00:09:19,140 S7: was a great relationship going down also to this day. 171 00:09:19,460 --> 00:09:23,059 S7: I graduated from Moody in 1989. And the impact that 172 00:09:23,059 --> 00:09:25,940 S7: it had upon my life, and so many students that 173 00:09:25,940 --> 00:09:30,380 S7: come from Moody to, uh, PM is absolutely life changing. 174 00:09:30,380 --> 00:09:33,660 S7: So it started 148 years ago. Continues today. 175 00:09:33,980 --> 00:09:37,060 S5: Phil Kwiatkowska, president of the Pacific Garden Mission, he's the 176 00:09:37,059 --> 00:09:41,059 S5: ninth president. You know, when we think about the Christmas season, 177 00:09:41,260 --> 00:09:44,660 S5: people have images in their mind of families gathered around tables, 178 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:48,319 S5: around a meal. There's a Christmas tree. There's lots of joy. 179 00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:51,000 S5: These are the images that we think of. You know, 180 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:53,000 S5: when I think about a gospel rescue mission, I think 181 00:09:53,000 --> 00:09:56,240 S5: about many people who have arrived there because of great pain, 182 00:09:56,240 --> 00:10:00,280 S5: because of broken relationships, who most likely are not, maybe 183 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:03,560 S5: are not welcome to gather around a Christmas table. What 184 00:10:03,559 --> 00:10:07,320 S5: is the atmosphere like at a gospel rescue mission around 185 00:10:07,320 --> 00:10:10,239 S5: Christmas time, knowing that there's been a lot of pain? 186 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:13,120 S7: Aly, you said it perfectly because it really is both. 187 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:15,559 S7: It is a place of pain. I've had people many 188 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:18,120 S7: times telling me that I don't like Christmas because it 189 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,080 S7: brings back memories of my childhood. One lady said that 190 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:23,959 S7: her her mom's been dead and she celebrated mom with 191 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:27,320 S7: her Christmas. So there's a very difficult time being here, 192 00:10:27,640 --> 00:10:31,400 S7: but it's also festive. Many groups come in and offer services. 193 00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:33,920 S7: We have a group coming in today giving coats and whatnot. 194 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:36,440 S7: We have a big dinner. We try to make it 195 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:39,480 S7: as normal as we can. Good. Right now we probably 196 00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:43,160 S7: have about 40 women and children. Uh, that's a lot 197 00:10:43,340 --> 00:10:46,140 S7: of kids that are here on Christmas Day. So it's 198 00:10:46,179 --> 00:10:47,939 S7: it's both it's happy and it's sad. 199 00:10:48,100 --> 00:10:49,940 S3: What's it feel like down there? You've been a lot 200 00:10:49,980 --> 00:10:53,140 S3: of Christmases down there. What's it feel like? Obviously you 201 00:10:53,140 --> 00:10:57,140 S3: share the message of Christ, but there must be Christ 202 00:10:57,179 --> 00:11:00,420 S3: must even cut through at a rescue mission to give 203 00:11:00,420 --> 00:11:03,740 S3: a certain level of peace on earth, goodwill to men. 204 00:11:04,260 --> 00:11:06,100 S7: And you know what? I see, Karl, and it is 205 00:11:06,100 --> 00:11:09,580 S7: amazing that you ask. I see joy, I hear time 206 00:11:09,580 --> 00:11:13,020 S7: and time again these men and women with absolutely nothing. 207 00:11:13,020 --> 00:11:15,500 S7: And when you think about it, when you're homeless, every 208 00:11:15,540 --> 00:11:19,220 S7: door has been closed and you're here. I hear people saying, 209 00:11:19,220 --> 00:11:21,540 S7: I'm so thankful I have a place to go. I'm 210 00:11:21,540 --> 00:11:23,699 S7: so thankful I have a warm bed. I'm so thankful 211 00:11:23,700 --> 00:11:26,260 S7: I have a shower. I think of my own self, 212 00:11:26,260 --> 00:11:28,340 S7: my own selfishness. Boy, I don't know if I'd thank 213 00:11:28,380 --> 00:11:31,100 S7: the Lord for simple things like that. So you see 214 00:11:31,100 --> 00:11:35,339 S7: the simplicity and the appreciation even through difficult times. 215 00:11:35,580 --> 00:11:39,660 S3: Yeah, I love that. Phil. I want to really cast 216 00:11:39,700 --> 00:11:43,640 S3: a vision here about the impact of Pacific Garden Mission. 217 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:46,800 S3: And obviously it's in Chicago, but it's this is a 218 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:51,960 S3: melting pot city. And 100 and nearly 50 years of ministry, 219 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:55,560 S3: I am convinced when we get to heaven, the New Jerusalem, 220 00:11:55,559 --> 00:11:59,120 S3: we're going to hear stories from every continent of people 221 00:11:59,120 --> 00:12:03,640 S3: that were impacted here, and it's left a legacy of transformation. 222 00:12:03,679 --> 00:12:06,720 S3: Do you have any anecdotal evidence of the fact that 223 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:09,319 S3: we've got people from all around the globe right here? 224 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:12,200 S7: Oh my goodness. I just heard a story yesterday about 225 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:14,840 S7: a man who came from China. I didn't speak English. 226 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:17,320 S7: He was promised a job. It was a scam. So 227 00:12:17,320 --> 00:12:19,080 S7: he had to send money ahead of time. And he 228 00:12:19,080 --> 00:12:22,120 S7: arrived in Chicago and there was no job. He was 229 00:12:22,120 --> 00:12:25,000 S7: absolutely on the street. He was wandering the city, not 230 00:12:25,000 --> 00:12:28,480 S7: knowing what to do. Another homeless guy pointed him, go 231 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:31,880 S7: to PM for help. He came here. We talked with him, 232 00:12:31,880 --> 00:12:35,160 S7: loved him, shared the gospel, and, uh, we gave him 233 00:12:35,160 --> 00:12:37,240 S7: a ticket back to New York and he messaged one 234 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:40,500 S7: of our workers back with deep gratitude, saying he would 235 00:12:40,500 --> 00:12:43,260 S7: never forget what God did for him here at PM 236 00:12:43,260 --> 00:12:46,780 S7: in his time of despair. He's a guy from China 237 00:12:47,100 --> 00:12:50,100 S7: who was wandering the streets and somebody said, you got nothing, 238 00:12:50,100 --> 00:12:53,900 S7: go to that place. So there's a guy, Victor. He 239 00:12:53,900 --> 00:12:57,860 S7: was a migrant. He had frostbite. He was outside. He 240 00:12:57,860 --> 00:13:00,740 S7: calls an ambulance. The ambulance doesn't come. He's about to 241 00:13:00,780 --> 00:13:05,020 S7: lose his fingers. And another transient says another homeless guy says, 242 00:13:05,020 --> 00:13:08,420 S7: go to that place on Canal Street, walks through our doors, 243 00:13:08,460 --> 00:13:11,580 S7: meets our medical clinic. They able to save his fingers. 244 00:13:11,900 --> 00:13:16,140 S7: And now he volunteers here. And he is so appreciative 245 00:13:16,340 --> 00:13:18,500 S7: of the fact that, you know, we think of Christmas 246 00:13:18,540 --> 00:13:22,020 S7: we get or didn't get. He has his fingers. Last 247 00:13:22,020 --> 00:13:25,340 S7: week it was, you know, ten below zero here. Imagine 248 00:13:25,340 --> 00:13:28,940 S7: being homeless and on the verge of frostbite. And so 249 00:13:29,220 --> 00:13:33,260 S7: he's a guy from another country. So I agree, every nation, 250 00:13:33,260 --> 00:13:36,780 S7: every tongue, every kindred have been influenced by this amazing 251 00:13:36,780 --> 00:13:38,599 S7: ministry in downtown Chicago. 252 00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:42,080 S5: Phil Kwiatkowska, the president of Pacific Garden Mission, coming up. 253 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:45,320 S5: How is it possible to have hope in a place 254 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:48,600 S5: where there's so much pain? Of course, it's when the 255 00:13:48,640 --> 00:13:52,600 S5: gospel is front and center. More stories of hope coming 256 00:13:52,600 --> 00:13:53,720 S5: up here on Carl and crew. 257 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:59,280 S2: Breaking chains and running free. You're listening to Carl and crew. 258 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:04,680 S3: Phil Kwiatkowska our guest right now. Pacific garden mission and Ali. 259 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:07,880 S3: It's an awesome thing, isn't it? When the message of 260 00:14:07,880 --> 00:14:11,640 S3: the hope of Jesus Christ comes to any audience. We 261 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:15,160 S3: believe that here, Phil Kwiatkowska, you've got a unique vantage point, 262 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:17,720 S3: and that is you got people that are, I mean, 263 00:14:17,760 --> 00:14:21,040 S3: down and out. This is they're they're they're down and out. 264 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,480 S3: What what do you see as a response? I did 265 00:14:24,480 --> 00:14:28,200 S3: rescue mission stuff with my dad in Alaska. I saw 266 00:14:28,200 --> 00:14:31,960 S3: the guys that came in, hung over, just wanting a 267 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:34,560 S3: warm meal, wanting you to sit down and be quiet. 268 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:37,020 S3: When my dad was preaching the gospel so he could 269 00:14:37,020 --> 00:14:40,380 S3: get on with the meal. But you see God cutting 270 00:14:40,380 --> 00:14:43,700 S3: through the fog of spiritual darkness as well, don't you, 271 00:14:43,700 --> 00:14:44,340 S3: my friend? 272 00:14:44,540 --> 00:14:50,260 S7: Oh, every day we see people brought from horrific addictions. 273 00:14:50,380 --> 00:14:52,820 S7: We had a graduation from our drug program just a 274 00:14:52,820 --> 00:14:56,140 S7: few months ago. And this guy name is Tyron and 275 00:14:56,140 --> 00:14:58,700 S7: he was. He's been drinking alcohol since he's been seven 276 00:14:58,700 --> 00:15:02,540 S7: years old. And when he graduated, his whole family came. 277 00:15:02,540 --> 00:15:04,860 S7: And his mother, his aunt, his brother, they had t 278 00:15:04,860 --> 00:15:08,540 S7: shirts with his picture on it. And when I think 279 00:15:08,540 --> 00:15:10,900 S7: of somebody who's homeless, we think of a homeless guy 280 00:15:11,140 --> 00:15:14,620 S7: that's somebody's son. And the brother told me stories. And 281 00:15:14,620 --> 00:15:17,100 S7: in their hometown, I think he's from Tennessee. He was 282 00:15:17,100 --> 00:15:19,820 S7: the town drunk. And he said, I took him to 283 00:15:19,860 --> 00:15:23,300 S7: a wedding recently and he didn't drink. And it was weird. 284 00:15:23,620 --> 00:15:26,820 S7: God did something in that man's life. And today he's 285 00:15:26,820 --> 00:15:29,300 S7: on staff working our security team. I just saw him 286 00:15:29,300 --> 00:15:31,700 S7: this morning. But when I see him in the context 287 00:15:31,700 --> 00:15:35,880 S7: of his family thanking us for what happened to their 288 00:15:35,880 --> 00:15:40,320 S7: son and their brother. That makes me realize why we 289 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:41,840 S7: do what we do. 290 00:15:42,800 --> 00:15:46,440 S5: Unbelievable stories. Phil. Kwiatkowska talk a little bit more about 291 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:49,240 S5: the Ministry for women Children, because I do think when 292 00:15:49,240 --> 00:15:51,600 S5: people think of homelessness, they think of addiction. I think 293 00:15:51,600 --> 00:15:54,600 S5: people's minds go to, as you said, the homeless guy, 294 00:15:54,640 --> 00:15:57,640 S5: the guy who's addicted. But there are so many women 295 00:15:57,640 --> 00:16:00,160 S5: and children who are there for a variety of reasons. 296 00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:02,960 S5: Talk about the way that you're ministering to those those 297 00:16:02,960 --> 00:16:04,240 S5: wonderful people. 298 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:06,640 S7: And many of them are here because of domestic situations. 299 00:16:06,640 --> 00:16:09,160 S7: It's not of any situation of alcohol or drugs. Some 300 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:12,200 S7: may be, but some because of a situation at home. 301 00:16:12,480 --> 00:16:14,800 S7: I always believe, and I see them. That's the most 302 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:17,800 S7: difficult group because these kids, when they see you, they 303 00:16:17,800 --> 00:16:19,440 S7: want to hug you, they run up to you. They 304 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:24,520 S7: just want some type of affection. And they're here for Christmas, 305 00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:28,440 S7: New Year's, Resurrection Day at a shelter. I grew up 306 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:31,640 S7: with a tree and a family and massive amounts of food, 307 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:35,580 S7: and they come here. But the mothers again are so thrilled. 308 00:16:35,900 --> 00:16:38,700 S7: I have somewhere to go, and there's a staff up 309 00:16:38,700 --> 00:16:41,020 S7: there that prays with them and talks with them and 310 00:16:41,020 --> 00:16:44,700 S7: works with them, and they just feel a sense of security. 311 00:16:44,860 --> 00:16:46,740 S7: When you're out on the street, you just want to 312 00:16:46,780 --> 00:16:49,740 S7: feel safe. And we provide that for them here. And 313 00:16:49,740 --> 00:16:54,260 S7: that's probably our biggest growing ministry, is mothers and children. 314 00:16:54,460 --> 00:16:57,820 S7: And again, it's just absolutely amazing. And we thank God 315 00:16:57,820 --> 00:16:58,860 S7: for what he's doing. 316 00:16:58,900 --> 00:17:02,420 S3: Yeah, it's been a joy to watch the zeal fill 317 00:17:02,420 --> 00:17:05,540 S3: of people, even at 180 Chicago, who are jumping in 318 00:17:05,540 --> 00:17:08,500 S3: behind this effort to partner up with you in ministry. 319 00:17:08,900 --> 00:17:12,699 S3: And it just reminds me of this truth that Ali's 320 00:17:12,740 --> 00:17:17,260 S3: a big champion of it is it is such much 321 00:17:17,300 --> 00:17:21,500 S3: more a blessing to give than to receive. And you 322 00:17:21,540 --> 00:17:25,300 S3: give people every day an opportunity around the globe to 323 00:17:25,340 --> 00:17:29,580 S3: see that spiritual reality come to pass. And we're grateful 324 00:17:29,580 --> 00:17:30,179 S3: for you. 325 00:17:30,540 --> 00:17:33,320 S7: Carl. It is the people of God doing the work 326 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:36,960 S7: of God. So I want to say thank you. And 327 00:17:36,960 --> 00:17:39,440 S7: real quick, Carl, we have a new ministry called a 328 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:42,840 S7: Respite Ministry. And the Lawndale Medical Clinic comes in here, 329 00:17:42,840 --> 00:17:46,040 S7: and there's many overnight guests that they can't have medical 330 00:17:46,040 --> 00:17:49,040 S7: care anywhere. They don't have insurance, and we allow them 331 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:52,000 S7: to stay here and have respite. The doctor meets with 332 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:55,360 S7: them here. We're the only shelter in Chicago that offers that, 333 00:17:55,359 --> 00:17:57,639 S7: because if you're sick, you can't go to a shelter 334 00:17:57,640 --> 00:18:00,080 S7: because they can't take you in. You can't go to 335 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:03,520 S7: a hospital. You have no insurance. The appreciation I've seen 336 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:06,920 S7: from some of these men imagine being homeless and sick 337 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:08,840 S7: and every door is closed. 338 00:18:09,400 --> 00:18:09,800 S8: So. 339 00:18:10,400 --> 00:18:12,240 S7: You know, we have a guy that says recovering from 340 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:15,080 S7: hip surgery. He was crying to our doctor and he 341 00:18:15,080 --> 00:18:17,919 S7: looked up and said, thank you. There's a place for 342 00:18:17,920 --> 00:18:21,880 S7: him to recover. So the respite ministry, women and children, 343 00:18:21,880 --> 00:18:25,080 S7: I want to thank you, Carl Ali, for Moody, for 344 00:18:25,080 --> 00:18:28,320 S7: giving us a voice because we are your hands and 345 00:18:28,320 --> 00:18:30,200 S7: feet in downtown Chicago. 346 00:18:30,540 --> 00:18:32,780 S5: If you want to learn more about Pacific Garden Mission, 347 00:18:32,780 --> 00:18:35,580 S5: even if you are far from Chicago, as we've just 348 00:18:35,580 --> 00:18:39,260 S5: told you, this ministry reaches well beyond our city in 349 00:18:39,260 --> 00:18:42,380 S5: so many different ways. Just text garden and we'll get 350 00:18:42,380 --> 00:18:48,139 S5: you the details. Text garden to 800 555 7898. Garden 351 00:18:48,140 --> 00:18:51,260 S5: to 800 555 7898. 352 00:18:51,460 --> 00:18:54,180 S2: She was trying to earn her way to God. But 353 00:18:54,180 --> 00:18:57,659 S2: God showed her she didn't have to. Ali is in 354 00:18:57,700 --> 00:19:01,140 S2: the crew. It's Carl and crew on Moody Radio. 355 00:19:01,180 --> 00:19:04,260 S3: Could sound like Farmers Almanac or something here, but I've 356 00:19:04,300 --> 00:19:08,540 S3: got a goat report for you. That is absolutely outstanding. 357 00:19:08,540 --> 00:19:11,220 S3: It was just, what, last week or so that we 358 00:19:11,220 --> 00:19:16,660 S3: put out a pitch for goats for northern Nigeria and wow, 359 00:19:17,220 --> 00:19:24,500 S3: 500 goats have been. No. I give the context for this. Ali. 360 00:19:24,540 --> 00:19:26,820 S5: Yeah. No. This is a project that call of Hope, 361 00:19:26,820 --> 00:19:30,200 S5: their incredible ministry ministering to Muslims around the globe. But 362 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:34,639 S5: these goats really help, particularly young girls. So the female 363 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:38,119 S5: goat is given to a child. When the goat produces offspring, 364 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:40,640 S5: they can be sold at the market. The proceeds can 365 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:43,880 S5: be used to help with educational expenses. So this is 366 00:19:43,920 --> 00:19:47,560 S5: these goats are so transformational for a family. So they 367 00:19:47,600 --> 00:19:50,240 S5: help a young girl, help her family, help her get 368 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:53,560 S5: educated and really improve her quality of life. 369 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:56,600 S3: And they're directly linked to the gospel of Jesus Christ, 370 00:19:56,640 --> 00:19:59,400 S3: which is so cool. Samuel, Naaman with us right now, 371 00:19:59,440 --> 00:20:02,080 S3: are you blowing away my brother at the generosity of 372 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:02,880 S3: the boom crew? 373 00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:07,400 S9: Oh, Karl, I'm always blown away. I'm. I'm overwhelmed. Like, 374 00:20:07,400 --> 00:20:09,800 S9: I don't have words to say anything, but I wanted 375 00:20:09,800 --> 00:20:13,800 S9: to start our conversation by just thanking the boom crew. 376 00:20:13,840 --> 00:20:18,080 S9: They always rise up to the equation. So thank you. 377 00:20:18,080 --> 00:20:21,840 S9: Boom crew. Donations are still coming. This is till last night. 378 00:20:22,160 --> 00:20:25,560 S9: The 500 goats have been purchased. They will be given 379 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:30,060 S9: to children, mostly girls, and the beauty with Argo project 380 00:20:30,060 --> 00:20:33,340 S9: is that it is not only giving out free gold. Carl, 381 00:20:33,700 --> 00:20:37,420 S9: we always have a follow up team. We always have 382 00:20:37,420 --> 00:20:40,379 S9: a follow up team of what we call farmer evangelists. 383 00:20:40,619 --> 00:20:44,580 S9: These are Christian pastors, actually, who are living basically Sharia 384 00:20:44,619 --> 00:20:49,459 S9: states in northern Nigeria. And this starts a church planting aspect. 385 00:20:49,500 --> 00:20:52,700 S9: You know people. Yeah. Welcome them. And the gospel is 386 00:20:52,700 --> 00:20:55,820 S9: preached and many people are responding to Christ. 387 00:20:55,859 --> 00:20:59,460 S3: And there's high risk here, Samuel, for these pastors to 388 00:20:59,500 --> 00:21:03,580 S3: get these goats into these kids, predominantly little girls hands 389 00:21:03,580 --> 00:21:07,540 S3: and then follow up. This is where there's Boko Haram 390 00:21:07,540 --> 00:21:09,260 S3: and other offshoots that. 391 00:21:09,300 --> 00:21:12,220 S9: Carl, these are all eight Sharia states in northern Nigeria. 392 00:21:12,260 --> 00:21:15,900 S9: You know, our work is mostly among those areas. They 393 00:21:15,940 --> 00:21:18,859 S9: are not easy to reach. And a lot of times 394 00:21:18,900 --> 00:21:20,540 S9: there's a very high price to pay. 395 00:21:20,859 --> 00:21:23,139 S3: Ali, we got to do it, sister, because we've had 396 00:21:23,140 --> 00:21:26,360 S3: some people saying, hey, you were talking about goats. Give 397 00:21:26,400 --> 00:21:28,800 S3: us the information on goats. So we just gave it 398 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:31,359 S3: to you. And there's some of you that still want 399 00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:36,600 S3: to say Merry Christmas to a little girl in northern Nigeria, 400 00:21:36,600 --> 00:21:41,400 S3: in an area that freedom in Christ is costly. 401 00:21:41,440 --> 00:21:46,720 S5: Yes. You could just text hope to 805 55 7898 402 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:49,480 S5: the ministry call of Hope this goat project just text 403 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:53,440 S5: hope to 800 555 7898. 404 00:21:54,359 --> 00:21:57,359 S3: Samuel, we've been asking our guests this week, where would 405 00:21:57,359 --> 00:22:01,040 S3: you be without the gospel of Jesus Christ? Come on, 406 00:22:01,040 --> 00:22:05,480 S3: get really honest with me here. Uh, born and raised Pakistan. 407 00:22:05,480 --> 00:22:09,000 S3: Where would you be, my brother without the incarnation of Jesus? 408 00:22:09,359 --> 00:22:10,280 S10: You know, Carl. 409 00:22:10,320 --> 00:22:12,840 S9: To be honest with you, I will be probably fighting 410 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:16,160 S9: for Hamas and Hezbollah. That would have been my destination, 411 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:20,520 S9: given my father was an extremist fighter. So my destiny 412 00:22:20,560 --> 00:22:23,899 S9: would have been very, very different than where I am now. 413 00:22:23,900 --> 00:22:26,899 S9: So I give God the glory that he came to 414 00:22:26,940 --> 00:22:29,860 S9: Christ and I was born in a Christian home. I 415 00:22:29,859 --> 00:22:33,780 S9: was raised in a Christian home. I accepted Christ, and 416 00:22:33,780 --> 00:22:37,420 S9: Christ has made the difference. You know, I'm I'm a 417 00:22:37,420 --> 00:22:41,859 S9: senior citizen now. And when I look back. So I'm 418 00:22:41,859 --> 00:22:43,980 S9: giving away my age, but I don't mind. I mean, 419 00:22:44,020 --> 00:22:46,180 S9: I think I'm in that season of my life that 420 00:22:46,180 --> 00:22:48,619 S9: I look back and I, my head is just bowed 421 00:22:48,619 --> 00:22:52,139 S9: down before the Lord Jesus. And Christmas is a beautiful 422 00:22:52,140 --> 00:22:54,740 S9: season for me. Carl, you know, the memories that I 423 00:22:54,740 --> 00:22:59,620 S9: have for Christmas is actually in Pakistan. Christmas was when 424 00:22:59,619 --> 00:23:03,139 S9: I was growing up, was one of the most open 425 00:23:03,140 --> 00:23:06,220 S9: times that we could share the gospel openly, and it 426 00:23:06,220 --> 00:23:09,380 S9: was through Christmas caroling, believe me or not. Wow. As 427 00:23:09,380 --> 00:23:11,859 S9: a youth group? Yeah. As a youth group, we used to. 428 00:23:12,260 --> 00:23:14,060 S9: We used to go for caroling for 3 or 4 429 00:23:14,060 --> 00:23:17,540 S9: days and many places, you know, I mean, Christian houses 430 00:23:17,540 --> 00:23:20,900 S9: are among the Muslims. And in many homes there were 431 00:23:20,900 --> 00:23:24,800 S9: some special homes that used to invite the Muslim neighbors, 432 00:23:24,840 --> 00:23:27,239 S9: you know, in their house. It's a whole night. We 433 00:23:27,240 --> 00:23:29,960 S9: used to leave the house at 5 p.m. in the morning, 434 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,719 S9: in the evening, and come back on the sunrise the 435 00:23:32,720 --> 00:23:35,119 S9: next day and then sleep for a few hours, work 436 00:23:35,119 --> 00:23:38,639 S9: in the church, decorate the church, and then go out again. 437 00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:43,000 S9: So those are the fond memories of my Christmas growing up. 438 00:23:43,119 --> 00:23:47,800 S9: And then after Christmas Eve service, Christmas morning service. And 439 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:50,440 S9: then I used to go with my dad in the villages, 440 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:53,160 S9: and we used to be out for a whole week, 441 00:23:53,200 --> 00:23:56,840 S9: you know, worshiping with villagers all around. So those are 442 00:23:56,840 --> 00:24:00,920 S9: the fond memories from Pakistan. But in the US, my 443 00:24:00,920 --> 00:24:04,680 S9: fond memories are moody candlelight carols. Since I have been 444 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:08,520 S9: at Moody's since 1997, that has been our family tradition 445 00:24:08,560 --> 00:24:12,440 S9: of going and inviting our friends and family for the candlelight. 446 00:24:12,760 --> 00:24:13,640 S3: Yeah. That's awesome. 447 00:24:13,680 --> 00:24:16,040 S5: Doctor Samuel Naaman, our guest right now, he's a professor 448 00:24:16,040 --> 00:24:18,960 S5: here at Moody Bible Institute, also vice president of call 449 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:21,060 S5: of Hope. You know, you bring up an interesting point. 450 00:24:21,060 --> 00:24:24,420 S5: You mentioned Christmas when you were growing up in Pakistan. 451 00:24:24,460 --> 00:24:27,100 S5: You know, we we talked this morning about how it's 452 00:24:27,100 --> 00:24:29,060 S5: so easy for us to view things through a very 453 00:24:29,060 --> 00:24:32,140 S5: Western lens. We only know our own experience. But what 454 00:24:32,140 --> 00:24:36,139 S5: is the Christmas season like in countries that are predominantly 455 00:24:36,260 --> 00:24:40,379 S5: Muslim and are not going to embrace Jesus? 456 00:24:40,420 --> 00:24:41,380 S10: You know, Ali, our. 457 00:24:41,380 --> 00:24:44,780 S9: Christmas starts like 1st of December, you know? Right? I mean, 458 00:24:44,820 --> 00:24:47,940 S9: we don't have Thanksgiving like here in the US, but 459 00:24:48,220 --> 00:24:52,100 S9: Christmas is a big deal in churches and villages. Christmas 460 00:24:52,140 --> 00:24:55,940 S9: is huge. People start, you know, a lot of the poets, 461 00:24:55,940 --> 00:24:59,620 S9: the writers, they write special songs for Christmas. Then you 462 00:24:59,619 --> 00:25:03,620 S9: have the Christmas dramas where the gospel is preached and 463 00:25:03,980 --> 00:25:08,459 S9: those preparations. Then you have special musical events, a competition, 464 00:25:08,500 --> 00:25:13,100 S9: you know, where choirs sing a carol singing, uh, inviting 465 00:25:13,100 --> 00:25:17,540 S9: people over, especially catered program for our Muslim majority friends. 466 00:25:17,580 --> 00:25:19,480 S9: I mean, I remember in our church when I was 467 00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:23,560 S9: growing up, our Christmas program, especially the Christmas drama, my 468 00:25:23,560 --> 00:25:27,440 S9: dad used to invite high government officials like the mayors 469 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:31,520 S9: and police officers and BCS or I mean, I mean the, 470 00:25:31,640 --> 00:25:34,679 S9: you know, the police superintendents in the US, we call them. 471 00:25:34,880 --> 00:25:39,560 S9: So it's a major event of outreach that we value 472 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:42,840 S9: our community. And, and many, many non-Western countries have the 473 00:25:42,840 --> 00:25:46,040 S9: same thing, at least in the Middle East and Asia 474 00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:49,960 S9: and Africa. It's a big deal for us until New Year. 475 00:25:50,000 --> 00:25:51,440 S9: You know, it's a whole month. 476 00:25:52,000 --> 00:25:55,920 S3: When you went caroling, did you speak Urdu or Punjabi? 477 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:56,880 S10: Oh, yeah. No English? 478 00:25:57,040 --> 00:25:59,959 S9: No. No English. I mean, there were some English carols 479 00:25:59,960 --> 00:26:03,840 S9: that we knew, but mostly Urdu songs, you know, uh, 480 00:26:03,880 --> 00:26:06,879 S9: mostly hymns called. These are the hymns that have been 481 00:26:06,880 --> 00:26:10,920 S9: translated in other languages, you know, so very familiar hymn 482 00:26:10,920 --> 00:26:14,520 S9: Silent Night and others, you know, O little town of Bethlehem, 483 00:26:14,760 --> 00:26:19,139 S9: we used to sing and with the Indigenous, you know, instruments, though, 484 00:26:19,500 --> 00:26:20,940 S9: in Urdu languages. 485 00:26:20,980 --> 00:26:23,660 S3: Yeah. Okay. I'm going to really push the envelope here, 486 00:26:23,660 --> 00:26:25,740 S3: and I'm asking you to grace us with this. Could 487 00:26:25,740 --> 00:26:28,780 S3: you give us a couple measures of Silent Night in Urdu? 488 00:26:29,180 --> 00:26:39,659 S9: Silent night will be, uh, Rouhani asmani rad. Is the. 489 00:26:43,500 --> 00:26:47,860 S9: So what I'm saying is this silent night is a 490 00:26:47,859 --> 00:26:50,700 S9: very precious night for us. Lord God, we give you 491 00:26:50,700 --> 00:26:53,780 S9: glory that you sent your son Jesus to be born 492 00:26:53,780 --> 00:26:55,100 S9: for us in this world. 493 00:26:55,580 --> 00:26:59,260 S3: Samuel, that's so beautiful. Yeah. When when you think of 494 00:26:59,260 --> 00:27:01,980 S3: the gospel right now in the Middle East, we know 495 00:27:01,980 --> 00:27:06,899 S3: that there is an underground church in Afghanistan and Pakistan. 496 00:27:07,260 --> 00:27:10,660 S3: Even India is going through a lot of persecution right now. Samuel. 497 00:27:10,660 --> 00:27:15,379 S3: It's really changing there. Uh, obviously some of the other 498 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:19,440 S3: countries that Christianity as we know it is not welcome. 499 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:22,240 S3: You must be so encouraged to know that the underground 500 00:27:22,240 --> 00:27:24,200 S3: church is thriving there, my friend. 501 00:27:25,000 --> 00:27:29,000 S9: You know, Karl, the gospel will never stop. I mean, 502 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:32,400 S9: and and and I think that that that's what we need. 503 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:35,080 S9: We need to be encouraged here in the West when 504 00:27:35,080 --> 00:27:37,520 S9: we see the news and all those things, the gospel 505 00:27:37,520 --> 00:27:41,280 S9: will flourish. I mean, the Lord is a sovereign God, 506 00:27:41,280 --> 00:27:44,080 S9: and he is he is in charge of the whole world. 507 00:27:44,640 --> 00:27:47,119 S9: You and I know that. I mean, there is no 508 00:27:47,119 --> 00:27:50,520 S9: concept of throwing in the towel of defeat in my DNA, 509 00:27:50,960 --> 00:27:55,160 S9: and I firmly believe that regardless of what happens, the 510 00:27:55,160 --> 00:27:58,880 S9: gospel will go forth and the gospel is multiplying. I mean, 511 00:27:58,880 --> 00:28:02,720 S9: people are coming to Christ. They are paying a heavy price. 512 00:28:02,760 --> 00:28:05,040 S9: But brother, that has been the that has been our 513 00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:09,359 S9: history from from the very beginning, you know, from 1870 onwards, 514 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:13,160 S9: the underground believers and all those things. So I think 515 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:16,540 S9: with the modern age and the information age, we hear 516 00:28:16,540 --> 00:28:21,220 S9: more about the persecution and the testimonies to both if 517 00:28:21,220 --> 00:28:24,020 S9: they go both hand in hand. But people are on 518 00:28:24,020 --> 00:28:26,780 S9: fire for the Lord all over the world. And you know, 519 00:28:26,820 --> 00:28:30,820 S9: it's testimony after testimony that we see God's glory. And 520 00:28:30,859 --> 00:28:33,379 S9: I think that's something that we need to cherish and 521 00:28:33,380 --> 00:28:35,100 S9: we need to we need to celebrate. 522 00:28:35,300 --> 00:28:35,740 S3: Yeah. 523 00:28:36,020 --> 00:28:37,780 S9: We need to pray for the people who are serving 524 00:28:37,780 --> 00:28:40,540 S9: on the frontlines. I think that's that's an important thing. 525 00:28:40,620 --> 00:28:44,740 S3: What do you say to American Christ followers this Christmas, 526 00:28:44,740 --> 00:28:48,660 S3: given the freedom that we have? My contention is, man, 527 00:28:48,660 --> 00:28:51,700 S3: let it rip to the glory of God. Lift your voices. Right, 528 00:28:51,700 --> 00:28:52,380 S3: my friend. 529 00:28:52,740 --> 00:28:56,060 S9: Well, what I say is my my first thing is 530 00:28:56,060 --> 00:28:58,500 S9: I say Merry Christmas to everyone. That's what my wife 531 00:28:58,540 --> 00:29:01,820 S9: Debbie says. Merry Christmas to everyone. Not happy. Happy holidays, 532 00:29:01,860 --> 00:29:04,500 S9: you know. I mean, if someone says Happy holidays, we 533 00:29:04,500 --> 00:29:07,780 S9: say Merry Christmas. Well that's amazing. That's immediately you tell 534 00:29:07,780 --> 00:29:12,640 S9: them about Christmas. Uh, our backyard. We have a manger 535 00:29:12,640 --> 00:29:14,880 S9: and all those things, you know. I mean, I don't 536 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:17,840 S9: think that we need to shy away. I think that 537 00:29:18,080 --> 00:29:21,680 S9: people are so concerned about offending someone. But Christmas is 538 00:29:21,680 --> 00:29:25,160 S9: not offensive. You will be surprised. I'm sure you see that. 539 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:27,520 S9: I mean, look at the Middle East. Look at the UAE. 540 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:31,080 S9: I mean, there are Christmas celebrations all over. Look at 541 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:34,600 S9: the mall in Dubai. You have Christmas celebrations all over. 542 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:38,200 S9: You are, you hear, when you when you walk in 543 00:29:38,200 --> 00:29:42,400 S9: these malls and hotels, you see Christmas music being played. 544 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:44,520 S9: So why are we scared in the West, where we 545 00:29:44,520 --> 00:29:46,960 S9: have freedom? You know, I mean, you know, to me, 546 00:29:47,000 --> 00:29:49,640 S9: it's just I don't know. I should not say I'm amazed, 547 00:29:49,640 --> 00:29:54,360 S9: but I'm perplexed. Sometimes I'm surprised. Why are we so shy? 548 00:29:54,840 --> 00:29:58,680 S9: Our Muslim and Hindu friends, they greet us. We tell 549 00:29:58,680 --> 00:30:02,680 S9: them it's a wonderful opportunity. Even in Chicago, for us, 550 00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:06,280 S9: you know, I mean, the church on the Sahara, they 551 00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:10,320 S9: rent a flatbed truck and they go caroling on the 552 00:30:10,320 --> 00:30:12,940 S9: one going to the Muslim Hindu shops. 553 00:30:12,980 --> 00:30:16,060 S5: Beautiful. If you want to learn more about call of Hope. 554 00:30:16,100 --> 00:30:18,580 S5: I love this encouragement today. Why are we so shy 555 00:30:18,620 --> 00:30:24,020 S5: about it? Text. Hope. Text. Hope to (800) 555-7898. If you 556 00:30:24,020 --> 00:30:25,940 S5: want to learn more about call of Hope and the 557 00:30:25,980 --> 00:30:28,380 S5: Goat project that we've been talking about, just text hope 558 00:30:28,380 --> 00:30:31,340 S5: to (800) 555-7898. 559 00:30:31,620 --> 00:30:36,300 S2: She's a choreographer extraordinaire and everything is Greek to her. 560 00:30:36,620 --> 00:30:40,420 S2: Super dye is in the crew. It's Carl and crew 561 00:30:40,420 --> 00:30:41,660 S2: on Moody Radio. 562 00:30:41,700 --> 00:30:46,020 S3: Luke 213 through 14. And suddenly there was with the 563 00:30:46,060 --> 00:30:50,980 S3: angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 564 00:30:51,220 --> 00:30:54,140 S3: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace 565 00:30:54,140 --> 00:30:57,780 S3: among those whom he is pleased. And what an amazing 566 00:30:57,820 --> 00:31:01,060 S3: thing it was ushered in 2000 years ago. It is 567 00:31:01,060 --> 00:31:03,980 S3: right to give praise to God. And we're asking you simply, 568 00:31:03,980 --> 00:31:07,500 S3: what are you praising God for in this Christmas season 569 00:31:07,540 --> 00:31:12,240 S3: 805 555. 78. 98. Ali, let's go to the phone lines. 570 00:31:12,240 --> 00:31:15,520 S5: We've got Darlene. First time caller from Birmingham, Alabama, calling 571 00:31:15,520 --> 00:31:18,000 S5: in this morning. Darlene, what are you praising God for 572 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:19,160 S5: this Christmas season? 573 00:31:20,920 --> 00:31:24,080 S11: Praising God for giving me sobriety two and a half 574 00:31:24,120 --> 00:31:27,640 S11: years ago. That I can have Christmas with my family 575 00:31:27,640 --> 00:31:28,680 S11: this year. Finally. 576 00:31:28,800 --> 00:31:31,800 S3: Wow, Darlene, we praise God with you, sister. There's a 577 00:31:31,800 --> 00:31:35,280 S3: story behind that and we praise God with you. Big, 578 00:31:35,560 --> 00:31:39,200 S3: big time. Way to go. We're taking your calls here 579 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:43,120 S3: and we're grateful. Got some great responses here. Somebody said 580 00:31:43,120 --> 00:31:45,400 S3: they're wish we had a Spotify list of all of 581 00:31:45,400 --> 00:31:47,520 S3: our songs. They're just downloading them as quick as they 582 00:31:47,560 --> 00:31:50,440 S3: hear them around here. They said they love these Christmas songs. 583 00:31:50,440 --> 00:31:54,720 S3: We love them as well. We absolutely love them as well. Quick, 584 00:31:54,920 --> 00:31:57,400 S3: quick banner ad here for something though. I was out 585 00:31:57,400 --> 00:32:00,320 S3: to lunch with a friend and he said, man, I'm 586 00:32:00,360 --> 00:32:03,240 S3: getting in the car. And then I hear a little 587 00:32:03,240 --> 00:32:06,600 S3: something and then you say, hang on, we're going to 588 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:09,300 S3: be right back. And I wanted to hear the more, 589 00:32:09,300 --> 00:32:11,740 S3: but I've got to get into an appointment. I am 590 00:32:11,740 --> 00:32:14,940 S3: so frustrated sometimes, Karl, and I'm like, I can help 591 00:32:14,940 --> 00:32:17,100 S3: you with that. So I called up Young Thunder. Do 592 00:32:17,100 --> 00:32:17,820 S3: you remember this? 593 00:32:17,860 --> 00:32:20,140 S1: You did do that. I was making lunch. 594 00:32:20,820 --> 00:32:23,060 S3: Yeah, you were making lunch at home. I said, I'm 595 00:32:23,060 --> 00:32:24,820 S3: out to lunch with a friend here. I need you 596 00:32:24,820 --> 00:32:26,820 S3: to tell him how to subscribe because I don't know 597 00:32:26,820 --> 00:32:27,820 S3: how to do this. 598 00:32:28,740 --> 00:32:30,620 S1: And so you said, I'm gonna give. I'm gonna give 599 00:32:30,620 --> 00:32:32,900 S1: my friend the phone here, and you talk with him 600 00:32:32,900 --> 00:32:34,820 S1: and tell him how to get set up. So we 601 00:32:34,820 --> 00:32:36,140 S1: had a good conversation. 602 00:32:36,140 --> 00:32:39,660 S3: So the reason I mention this is whether it's songs, interviews, 603 00:32:39,660 --> 00:32:43,620 S3: whatever you got to get the app in, Young Thunder's 604 00:32:43,620 --> 00:32:45,380 S3: Got the goods, how to get it and how to 605 00:32:45,420 --> 00:32:48,540 S3: download it so that you don't miss anything around here. 606 00:32:48,580 --> 00:32:52,180 S1: Yeah. First the app is is real easy. Just text 607 00:32:52,220 --> 00:32:56,780 S1: the word app to our number here 800 555 7898 608 00:32:56,820 --> 00:33:00,820 S1: the word app to 800 555 7898. That will allow 609 00:33:00,820 --> 00:33:04,340 S1: you to access everything. If you have a podcast platform 610 00:33:04,340 --> 00:33:05,739 S1: that you like to listen to and you're like, well, 611 00:33:05,740 --> 00:33:08,080 S1: I well, I want to listen after show hours too. Well, 612 00:33:08,080 --> 00:33:10,160 S1: then we can help you with that as well. Just 613 00:33:10,160 --> 00:33:14,480 S1: text the word show to 800 555 78, 98 for 614 00:33:14,480 --> 00:33:19,440 S1: the show. Cast its show to (800) 555-7898. When you text us, 615 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:21,560 S1: we'll send back a couple platform links. You click the 616 00:33:21,560 --> 00:33:23,280 S1: one that works best for you and you'll be set 617 00:33:23,280 --> 00:33:23,720 S1: to go. 618 00:33:23,960 --> 00:33:27,480 S3: We want to make sure everyone is equipped, especially in 619 00:33:27,480 --> 00:33:30,960 S3: this Christmas season. Going back to the phone lines. Right, Ali? 620 00:33:31,000 --> 00:33:33,080 S5: Yeah, let's go to Oral. Who's calling in? First time 621 00:33:33,080 --> 00:33:36,280 S5: caller from Zion, Illinois. Oral. What are you praising God 622 00:33:36,280 --> 00:33:37,600 S5: for this Christmas season? 623 00:33:39,400 --> 00:33:43,400 S12: I'm praising God today that he's still a miracle working God. 624 00:33:43,840 --> 00:33:47,960 S12: My daughter, Rachel Williams. Henry, she went to college and 625 00:33:47,960 --> 00:33:51,600 S12: she picked up a brain disease called encephalitis of the brain. 626 00:33:51,640 --> 00:33:51,920 S8: Wow. 627 00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:55,080 S12: So she was in a coma for a year and 628 00:33:55,080 --> 00:33:58,520 S12: three months, and they did a bunch of surgeries on her. 629 00:33:58,960 --> 00:34:01,960 S12: But I got to give God thanks. She's out of 630 00:34:01,960 --> 00:34:07,860 S12: the nursing home. She's walking, she's talking and she's praising God. 631 00:34:08,100 --> 00:34:08,460 S3: Oh. 632 00:34:09,219 --> 00:34:09,660 S5: Wow. 633 00:34:10,180 --> 00:34:12,939 S3: That is moving, my man. Thank you for calling in. 634 00:34:12,980 --> 00:34:17,060 S3: That's why we call you the Boom crew. What are 635 00:34:17,060 --> 00:34:20,739 S3: you praising God for this Christmas? What do you praising 636 00:34:20,739 --> 00:34:26,020 S3: God for this Christmas? 800 555 7898. Light them up. 637 00:34:26,020 --> 00:34:29,900 S3: 800 555 7898. 638 00:34:30,380 --> 00:34:33,380 S2: He was sharing the gospel on the radio and then 639 00:34:33,420 --> 00:34:37,740 S2: he got saved. Young thunders in the crew. It's Carl 640 00:34:37,739 --> 00:34:39,460 S2: and crew on Moody Radio. 641 00:34:39,940 --> 00:34:44,380 S3: Uh, Clara. Indianapolis, Indiana. What are you praising Jesus for today? 642 00:34:45,340 --> 00:34:50,700 S13: Well, um, my husband was sick for about two months, and, um, basically, 643 00:34:50,700 --> 00:34:53,700 S13: he started turning blue. They said it was probably bronchitis. 644 00:34:53,739 --> 00:34:55,980 S13: They didn't know. Treated him for that. He ended up. 645 00:34:56,260 --> 00:35:00,899 S13: I took him to the E.R. and things escalated rather quickly. 646 00:35:01,340 --> 00:35:05,359 S13: Got him up to ICU And then, to my surprise, 647 00:35:05,360 --> 00:35:08,200 S13: his heart stopped right in front of me. Um, and 648 00:35:08,200 --> 00:35:10,399 S13: I just started calling out to the Lord in that 649 00:35:10,440 --> 00:35:13,640 S13: room as everybody worked on him. And later on, I 650 00:35:13,640 --> 00:35:15,640 S13: found out that they weren't able to resuscitate him for 651 00:35:15,680 --> 00:35:19,560 S13: like 20 minutes. But basically, um, he is fine now, today. 652 00:35:19,560 --> 00:35:21,600 S13: Thank God. And there's nothing wrong with him. 653 00:35:22,200 --> 00:35:27,200 S3: Oh, Clara. Praise God with you, sister. That is heartwarming. 654 00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:30,200 S3: And give your man a hug this Merry Christmas and 655 00:35:30,200 --> 00:35:33,799 S3: tell him thank you. Um. What a cool story of 656 00:35:33,800 --> 00:35:36,400 S3: God's grace and mercy. Let's get one more in here. Ali. 657 00:35:36,440 --> 00:35:39,040 S5: Mike. First time caller from Fresno, California. You get the 658 00:35:39,040 --> 00:35:41,719 S5: last word this hour. What are you praising God for 659 00:35:41,760 --> 00:35:43,000 S5: this Christmas season? 660 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:46,480 S14: Good morning. I want to God bless everyone. And I'm 661 00:35:46,480 --> 00:35:52,040 S14: thankful for our father in heaven. Restoring humanity's relationship through 662 00:35:52,080 --> 00:35:54,960 S14: Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Uh, that's what I'm 663 00:35:54,960 --> 00:35:56,040 S14: really thankful for. 664 00:35:56,280 --> 00:35:59,880 S3: Yeah, that's pure praise, my man. Mike, thanks for calling 665 00:35:59,880 --> 00:36:04,260 S3: in from Fresno, California. It's cool. We got listeners all 666 00:36:04,260 --> 00:36:06,260 S3: over the globe. Isn't this sweet, guys? 667 00:36:06,300 --> 00:36:08,020 S5: It's beautiful. And I want to make sure that you 668 00:36:08,020 --> 00:36:09,660 S5: know that you can listen on the app. Many of 669 00:36:09,660 --> 00:36:12,419 S5: our listeners already do. You hear people calling in from 670 00:36:12,420 --> 00:36:15,299 S5: across the country and even outside of the U.S. they're 671 00:36:15,300 --> 00:36:17,500 S5: listening online or on the app. They don't have a 672 00:36:17,500 --> 00:36:20,660 S5: physical station close to them. If you want the app, 673 00:36:20,660 --> 00:36:23,739 S5: you can take us with you as you're traveling this holiday. 674 00:36:23,860 --> 00:36:29,219 S5: Just text app to 800 555 7898. Easiest way to 675 00:36:29,260 --> 00:36:32,580 S5: listen to live programming. You can also search through past 676 00:36:32,580 --> 00:36:37,940 S5: programs as well. So just text app to 800 555 7898. 677 00:36:38,420 --> 00:36:39,860 S1: What are we all thankful for? 678 00:36:40,180 --> 00:36:41,660 S3: Uh, you know what? I was just going to ask 679 00:36:41,660 --> 00:36:43,620 S3: the same thing. And I actually have one on my heart, 680 00:36:43,620 --> 00:36:46,980 S3: so I'm going to prime the pump here. Um, I 681 00:36:47,020 --> 00:36:50,940 S3: am so grateful for my bride of 38 years, and 682 00:36:51,420 --> 00:36:55,899 S3: I'm grateful that she is a partner in ministry and 683 00:36:55,900 --> 00:36:58,940 S3: in life. And I'm so glad that we're equally yoked 684 00:36:58,940 --> 00:37:04,160 S3: and we've got a like passion not only for Jesus Christ, 685 00:37:04,160 --> 00:37:09,320 S3: but discipling people into that relationship with Jesus Christ. And 686 00:37:09,360 --> 00:37:13,080 S3: I'm overwhelmed with gratitude in this Christmas season for my bride. 687 00:37:13,600 --> 00:37:14,440 S5: It's beautiful. 688 00:37:15,120 --> 00:37:17,960 S3: Yeah. What do you guys say? Let's go around the horn. 689 00:37:18,239 --> 00:37:23,160 S5: I would say I am extremely grateful for the hope, um, 690 00:37:23,520 --> 00:37:25,879 S5: that we have in Jesus Christ, that we live in 691 00:37:25,880 --> 00:37:31,680 S5: a very broken world, and there are reminders of it everywhere. And. 692 00:37:32,239 --> 00:37:36,080 S5: But we trust in Jesus that he's the God of justice. 693 00:37:36,080 --> 00:37:37,960 S5: He's the God of hope. He's the God of peace. 694 00:37:37,960 --> 00:37:41,800 S5: And we can have that even when circumstances are difficult 695 00:37:41,920 --> 00:37:42,800 S5: because of him. 696 00:37:42,920 --> 00:37:43,480 S3: Amen. 697 00:37:44,440 --> 00:37:48,480 S1: I think for me, uh, I've just seen the the 698 00:37:48,520 --> 00:37:53,439 S1: provision of the Lord's hand over me. He's provided in 699 00:37:53,440 --> 00:37:56,080 S1: ways that I couldn't imagine in ways I didn't expect. 700 00:37:56,080 --> 00:37:58,580 S1: This year. There have been some difficult things that my 701 00:37:58,580 --> 00:38:01,540 S1: wife and I have come up against and seen and 702 00:38:01,540 --> 00:38:05,380 S1: needed help in, and God's provided. He's given us everything 703 00:38:05,380 --> 00:38:07,020 S1: we've needed to make it to the next day. And 704 00:38:07,020 --> 00:38:08,540 S1: it's so amazing to see. 705 00:38:08,580 --> 00:38:09,740 S3: Isn't he good, young thunder? 706 00:38:09,780 --> 00:38:10,540 S1: He is so good. 707 00:38:10,860 --> 00:38:13,580 S3: Man. I'm proud of you, bro. Proud of you. Thank you. 708 00:38:13,620 --> 00:38:15,500 S3: You're a good husband. Hot dog. 709 00:38:15,500 --> 00:38:16,260 S1: Thank you man. 710 00:38:17,219 --> 00:38:18,980 S3: Super di, you get the final word here. 711 00:38:19,340 --> 00:38:21,580 S6: Provisions. That is a that is a huge one for 712 00:38:21,580 --> 00:38:24,060 S6: me as well. But the other is. And I've shared 713 00:38:24,060 --> 00:38:25,540 S6: it on the air a little bit too. I got 714 00:38:25,580 --> 00:38:28,660 S6: rather isolated just with things happening in life. But God 715 00:38:28,660 --> 00:38:32,620 S6: has really brought me to a new church and also 716 00:38:32,620 --> 00:38:36,700 S6: just a group of women. We it's been a beautiful 717 00:38:36,860 --> 00:38:39,899 S6: part of community this past year. Oh, there's a small 718 00:38:39,900 --> 00:38:42,580 S6: group of women and we God has just put me 719 00:38:42,580 --> 00:38:45,340 S6: in that group with the right people at the right time, 720 00:38:45,340 --> 00:38:47,020 S6: and it has been very precious. 721 00:38:47,860 --> 00:38:51,980 S3: Give him praise today, guys. What is worthy of praise? 722 00:38:51,980 --> 00:38:55,900 S3: What is true and right. Give him praise today. Merry 723 00:38:55,900 --> 00:38:57,100 S3: Christmas everybody.