#108: The Empty Chair

#108: The Empty Chair

On this episode

Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw | Jason @kempster220 | Terra Kay @terrakfree | Bill, Homeland Security


Holidays are hard enough to handle when a loved one isn’t a part of the traditions. This week, we’re continuing our discussion on the topic of refugees, but in a little different way. Refugees are guests in our country. How do we treat guests? How do we talk around guests? Does anybody actually care about how they’re perceiving what’s become abundantly clear from the headlines that “we’re not sure that we like you?”

Let’s move from behind the politics and look to the people who we allow at our family table around the holidays. And if there’s an empty chair around your table this year, take that sense of loss and sadness symbolized by the empty chair and include someone who needs joy and peace this Christmas season.

[typography font=”Asap” size=”12″ size_format=”px”](Note: We are not advocating that everyone invite a refugee or complete stranger over to your house as that doesn’t work for everyone. But do look for ways to reach out to people who may live near you and do something small that communicates hope and joy and peace.)[/typography]

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Refugee Welcome Kit

 

Show Notes

Check out last week’s notes.

While the issue has been highly politicized lately, refugees continue to be among the most vulnerable people in our society. They may not celebrate Christmas or quite understand why we have certain customs. That’s OK. Refugees are guests in our country. How do we treat guests? How do we talk around guests? Does anybody actually care about how they’re perceiving what’s become abundantly clear from the headlines that “we’re not sure that we like you?”

 

Man Thanks Officer for DUI Arrest – (WAGA) Nov 16, 2015

A Georgia man thanked a Tyrone Police Officer for arresting him in July.

According to the police report, the man was driving on Highway 74 and while in a turn lane, instead of making a right onto the street, the driver went straight running off the road. Sgt. Jacob Collins arrested the man for DUI.

Monday, Tyrone Police Chief Brandon Perkins received a letter from the man, thanking Sgt. Collins for arresting him. The letter reads “I was severely intoxicated. He saved my life and the lives of others and I truly appreciate his actions and his efforts.”

[Tweet “As a Christian, two of our greatest tensions to wrestle with is mercy and grace. #HNRTB”]

As a Christian, two of our greatest tensions to wrestle with is mercy and grace. Mercy in that we don’t get what we deserve (hell) and grace in that we’ve been given something we don’t deserve (Jesus & eternal life in heaven). Don’t forget to show the most vulnerable ones mercy and grace this Christmas.

#105: Love One Another

#105: Love One Another

On this episode

Jeff Strommen @jstrommen | Dave Wager @wagerdaw | Jason Kemper @kempster220 | April Strom-Johnson


Red cups.

If I didn’t know any better, it would be easy to believe that the only thing that mattered to Christians this week were some plain red cups.

News flash. Being a Christian is way more than plain red cups.April Strom-Johnson

Our guest tonight is April Strom-Johnson. April has spent the majority of her adult life mentoring young men and women in their musical abilities as well as life. She has an incredible story and shares insight on what it means to love one another.

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Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the podcast for free on iTunes, Stitcher and Tune In Radio! Make sure to leave a ★★★★★ review and consider a small gift.

 

Show Notes

[Tweet “Love was never intended to have victims. -April Strom-Johnson #HNRTB”]

 

Penn Jillette is a renowned entertainer and illusionist. He’s also very vocal of his atheistic worldview. However, a few years back, he recorded this video, which has stuck with me through the years. We couldn’t have explained the mission of a Christian any better.

#060: Kindness by Serving [Thanksliving]

#060: Kindness by Serving [Thanksliving]

Thank you so much for being part of this journey with Dave and me! We’ve had some fun with this Thanksliving series and hope that you have been thinking about what it would take for you to live thankfully every day.

mott_1114 tkay_1114



Joining Jeff & DW on the show is Jason, Terra Kay, and Mike Ott. Tell us what the best part of Thanksgiving was for you on the Tweetback! This week on HopeNet Radio, we’re discussing the effects of thanksliving – kindness through acts of service. We believe that living thankfully results in acting thankful toward others. It seems like every other day, I see things like the Pay It Forward movement trending on Facebook or Twitter. (There’s even a Pay It Forward Day!)

Thanksliving Series: Time | Heart | Attitude | Never Not Thankful | Kindness by Serving

 

Guest Links

Damascus Road Project

Wherever Christ Leads Blog (Mike Ott)

 

Some links from this week

 

Kindness Stories

60 Selfless Ways to Pay It Forward

 

Next Week!

Send us your questions for next week’s Ask Me Anything show where Dave and Jeff will talk about what you’d like to hear us talk about.

 

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