At surface level, the economy appears to be stronger than ever. But those who understand economic trends know how to interpret the bellwether, namely, the current state of debt. Commercial and consumer debt is in trouble and sending some disconcerting signals about the future. In the first quarter of 2019, credit card delinquency reached a new high since 2012 (largely driven by consumers age 18-29). The U.S. National Debt reached a new record high in the second quarter of[read more]

There’s something troubling the Southern Baptist Church, and the discussion is rippling out into the rest of the evangelical world and beyond. The issue: whether women (specifically Beth Moore, in this case) should be able to teach men. Stephen addresses the issue from several angles in this podcast episode.

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On June 17, 2015, a young man walked into Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, SC, sat through a prayer meeting and Bible study, then pulled out a gun and killed nine black people who had just shown him love and hospitality. Amazingly, within 48 hours the surviving families of the victims openly forgave the shooter and urged him to receive Jesus Christ into his life. A very special movie has been made about this tragic event and those affected[read more]

Did you know that a nation must have a birth rate of 2.1 in order to maintain a population? Understand birth rates and you’ll understand more about the future of your country and world than most people. In this episode, Stephen touches on some critical data that reveals what the United States will look like 20+ years from now. Learn how demographics, lifespans, and populations will radically transform before our very eyes.

A lack of religious knowledge has plagued our society for years, causing great devastation at home and abroad. Many people, for example, don’t know the difference between a Muslim and a Sheikh or an Evangelical and a Catholic. Very few have ever had a comparative religion class. In this episode Stephen presents a challenge and discusses an opinion on the matter that he shares in common with the ACLU.

“I think this ought to be discussed in closed session,” is a phrase that makes many Americans, especially members of the press, wild with fury. It’s anti-democratic! It’s deceptive! Stephen argues the opposite from his experience living in DC. Lives are frequently ruined when things that should be dealt with in closed session are dealt with publicly instead. In this episode, Stephen looks at a recent example involving Jerry Falwell Jr. and Michael Cohen.

As our nation finds itself constantly preoccupied with Trump, Barr, Mueller, and the rest, very important happenings are taking place with little notice. This past week, for example, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claimed that Putin encouraged Nicolás Maduro, the President of Venezuela, to stay in office instead of leave for Cuba. Stay alert, don’t get distracted, and be ever vigilant, for eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.

There is a white supremacy movement rising among young, white, privileged males in the US, and it’s doing a great deal of damage. Stephen encourages us all to take responsibility for this as far as we have reach and influence. Let’s stamp out this evil and destructive idea by having conversations, building friendships across racial lines, and traveling as we’re able.

Stephen observes a trend of “all or nothing” politics. As a Christian and a conservative, he can say he’s grateful for many of Trump’s policies. At the same time, he can say that Trump is foul-mouthed, immoral, deceptive, and brings others into his deceptions. Statements like Michele Bachmann’s (“We will in all likelihood never see a more godly, biblical president again in our lifetime.”) are imbalanced and polarizing. If you can’t see both the good and bad in various[read more]

Donald Trump has been threatening out of anger to relocate illegal immigrants to sanctuary cities. Though he may be right on the issue of illegal immigration, he is wrong in his approach. In this episode, Stephen discusses why leaders need to be aware of the emotions affecting their decisions. Great leaders must “clear the weeds” of emotions blocking the view to a good decision, for when we make decisions out of anger, we make foolish decisions.