In this episode of the Podcast for Cultural Reformation, Dr. Joe Boot, Pastor Nate Wright, and Dr. Michael Thiessen consider the Christmas message of the heavenly host.

The WAIT is OVER!!! Pre-order your copy of the NEW updated and expanded version of Dr. Boot’s Mission of God with a brand-new study guide! Get it here: https://ezrapress.ca/products/mission-of-god-10th-anniversary-edition;

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Christmas Giving AD
00:34 Opening
00:47 Intro
01:06 Welcome
02:40 Ezra Programs 2025
03:27  Christmas Traditions: Joe
05:41 Christmas Traditions: Mike
08:06 Christmas Traditions: Nate
11:47 Episode Topic
12:24 Scripture Reading | Hebrews 1
14:17 The Supremacy of Christ: Jesus is BETTER Than the Angels
22:26 The Herald Angel's Greatest Message: Christ
26:13 The Supremacy of Christ Over Silly Spiritual Speculation
27:46 The Angelic Song: Glory to God in the Highest!
30:47 The Humble Shepherd King; to Humble Shepherds the Angelic Host Sing
37:09 Heralds & Messengers: Christians as the Angels in Christ
49:26 Conclusion
50:24 Outro

UPCOMING CONFERENCES:
Christ is King World Missions Conference - "Gospel Culture" | January 19-22, 2025 |  San Antonio, TX: https://christisking.church/lyw;
The Mission of God Conferences:
U.S. – Denver | Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 @ 8:00 - 16:00 MST@ Faith Church | Arvada, Colorado: https://www.ezrainstitute.com/mission-of-god-denver/;
Faith & Medicine Conference | January 19-22, 2025 |  Atlanta, GA: https://faithandmedicine.org/;

REFORMCON '25 | "Out of the Ashes" | April 24-26, 2025 @ Tucson, AZ: https://reformcon.org/

Think Christianly about politics with the help of Dr. Boot’s latest book  “Ruler of Kings:” https://ezrapress.ca/products/ruler-of-kings-toward-a-christian-vision-of-government;

Got Questions? Would you like to hear Dr. Boot answer your questions? Let us know in the comments or reach out to us at https://www.ezrainstitute.com/connect/contact/;

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While the Christmas story has been told for centuries, it is more intricate than often assumed and includes many details that the modern Christian may be unfamiliar with. Dr. Craig Evans, professor at Houston Christian University, joins Joseph Backholm to highlight the cultural and historical backdrop of Herod’s rule, the fulfillment of prophecies, and the Magi’s search for a new King. He examines who Joseph and Mary were and Joseph’s dilemma over Mary’s pregnancy, emphasizing the significance of a virgin birth. With insights into the shepherds’ role and ancient symbols like long-tailed stars, Dr. Evans provides ample proof of why the greatest story ever told is true.

For the Rebels annual Christmas episode P Nate and Pootie take some time to talk about the biblical theology of feasting and merry-making.

From the Rebels to our listeners we want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Nee Year spent advancing Christs Kingdom on Earth while we enjoy all our Ling has provided for us!

The Youngest Branyan Sibling is home--but we don't remember what we were going to talk about.  (We DO remember how to speak a little Spanish, though...)

Later: Andrew is not going to miss 2024 very much, because it has been treating him roughly. Here are several out-of-context bullet points to tell you how bad Andrew's move to Missouri has gone:

--Godfather Landlord

--Stump vs. car

--Cat cheese

If you're still confused, you can try listening to the whole episode. But it may not clear things up very much.  Merry Christmas from our family to yours, Neighbor!  Contact us at [email protected]

Delivering on expectations is a good summary of what every business owner does. We make promises and then deliver on them. This happens with all parties and transactions. Customers, employees, financiers, vendors. Business owners deliver on expectations. If you want to deliver on customer expectations reliably and consistently, you must take the responsibility to set and manage them. You must manage customer expectations.

Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. You can follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I post daily reminders to pray for China (PrayforChina.us). You can also email me with any questions or comments @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. 

You can also find easy links to everything we are involved in @ PrayGiveGo.us!

Summary

Today I begin by discussing the recent US-China Trade War (2:13), followed by the latest rule changes for tourist visits to China (12:39). Then I talk all about Guangxi (21:21), my first and only visit to the karst mountains of Guilin (28:48), and share fascinating stories from the missionaries and martyrs who served in Guangxi, including my friend’s grandfather (30:43).

Recommended Resources (in the order they were mentioned): 

Operation China: Introducing All the Peoples of China

https://www.asiaharvest.org/operation-profiles

His Life For Mine: A Missionary’s Story (The Life and Legacy of Joy Bausum)

https://a.co/d/gY0Huyp

The Memoirs of William Milne (Foreword by Dan Bausum):

https://a.co/d/bALLtAf

In the News: 

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/chinas-slowdown-has-changed-trade-war (Paywall)

https://www.china-briefing.com/news/china-upgrades-144-hour-visa-free-transit-to-10-day-stay-adds-21-ports/

Pray for China Province of the Week: Guangxi (Zhuang Autonomous Region)

Guangxi in south central China is matched up with Alabama and Mississippi for prayer.

See which Chinese province your state is praying for @ PrayforChina.us!

Asia Harvest overview: https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi

Wikipedia profile: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guangxi

“I Don’t Want Your Jesus”: Evangelism in the Mysterious Mountains of Guilin

https://chinacall.substack.com/p/i-dont-want-your-jesus

Guangxi Missionaries & Martyrs:

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi/1924-j-r-cunningham

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi/1926-tang-pan

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi/1928-preacher-zhong

https://www.asiaharvest.org/china-resources/guangxi/1951-bill-wallace

Today David examines Tennessee’s attorney general's defense before the U.S. Supreme Court of the state’s law prohibiting medical treatments for a minor’s gender dysphoria. It’s important to understand because it’s the same argument Christian legal and policy advocates are using around the country. Are the arguments based on a nihilistic or biblical cosmology? Listen to find out.

Jon Wright and Calvin Robinson, Anglican Priest and broadcaster, discuss dispensationalism, modern day Israel, the Post War Consensus, and other topics

In an age of reason and rationality are we blinded from seeing the mystical? Rod Dreher author of Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age joins Joseph Backholm for a conversation about how awe and wonder caused him to search for God. He shares personal experiences of mystical encounters, cautions against the occult, and calls on the church to address spiritual warfare and God’s presence. Dreher emphasizes wisdom over emotion, advocating for a grounded faith where spiritual experiences point back to God, not away from him.

Resources

• Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age by Rod Dreher

Maybe one of the worst shows I've ever done! How will I ever recover?!
I'll tell you...

Chapters

00:00 The Christmas Episode and Promises Made
05:58 Audience Dynamics and Energy Levels
12:04 The Importance of Good Introductions
18:01 Reflections on Comedy and Audience Engagement
24:54 The Art of Crowd Work
35:54 Overcoming Difficult Audiences
41:37 The Reality of Comedy Shows
46:45 The Importance of Audience Awareness
56:40 Looking Ahead: Future Topics