What is Good: Christian Life Commission Podcast

In this episode of What is Good, the Texas legislative session has just ended and it's time for a recap. All four CLC directors are back to discuss how things went for the CLC this year at the state capitol.John Litzler leads the discussion, sharing some of the bills that were passed that we supported, that align with our four public priorities: Sanctity of Human Life, Religious Liberty, Human Flourishing, and Fair & Just Financial Practices. TIMESTAMPS:1:56 - Intro: John's been busyFair & Just Financial Practices6:30 - Success against the expansion of gambling, 8:06 - Success against predatory consumer loans and earned wage access.18:04 - Bill passed for High School financial literacy course.20:35 - The Texas Lottery Commission is being abolished.Religious Liberty21:54 - Push back on bills that seek religious liberty for all, not just for the majority group.24:24 - Passage of education savings accounts (school vouchers).Other Bills of Note25:57 - The Cuddle Cots bill (HB 37).33:38 - Widow's Insurance (SB 1238)38:00 - Wins within the State Budget, including:45:05 - Funds towards AC in Texas Prisons.49:55 - And Funds for summer food stamps for kids in low income families.55:20 - We're thankful for this role we get to play with Texas Baptists 58:20 - What is Good?1:03:30 - Outtakes - Summer movies banter For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In this episode of What is Good, our directors discuss all things Texas Baptist Hunger Offering, as this year marks its 30th anniversary. We begin with memoirs of Phil Strickland, and his travels that lead to the creation of the Hunger Offering.Katie shares from her experiences overseeing the offering during the COVID pandemic. Irene shares about current ministries the Hunger Offering supports. Through this discussion we see how this offering fits the CLC purpose to live out Micah 6:8 and help our churches do so as well.TIMESTAMPS:1:40 - Happy 30th Anniversary, TBHO!!2:10 - What were you doing in 1995?4:20 - Have you had experiences overseas with poverty?14:20 - Readings from Phil Strickland's book, "Do Justice, Love Mercy"27:00 - Katie shares from her experiences with TBHO during COVID lockdown44:10 - Irene shares from her experiences with TBHO as curring director of Hunger & Care59:35 - What is Good?1:06:30 - Outtakes For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In this episode of What is Good, our directors summarize some of the workshops we have presented at the recent conferences Congreso and WMU Pursue. Katie shares about the ethical challenges of AI and the Christian response. Irene speaks on the power of women in ministry connecting with each other for encouragement and collaboration. David looks at Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan Woman as an example for how to love those who identify as LGBTQ+ with grace and truth.TIMESTAMPS:2:12 - Takeaways from Advocacy Day6:53 - Updates on John advocating during the Texas Legislative Session10:20 - The CLC at conferences - workshops and Irene's booth mojo16:03 - Irene's workshop on Relationships at Congreso18:42 - David's workshop on Responding to LGBTQ+ with Grace and Gruth at Congreso25:25 - Katie's workshop on AI and Kingdom Growth and Discipleship at WMU Pursue34:34 - Irene's workshop (in Spanish) on Involving Women in Ministry at WMU Pursue40:16 - The CLC would love for you to invite us to give our workshops! (See link below)41:20 - Other workshops of the CLC46:58 - What is Good?54:42 - Outtakes *For more information on our workshops, contact us using the form at the bottom of our website: www.texasclc.org For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In this episode of What is Good, we are excited to share with you a message from author Tim Alberta. This message was recorded on March 3rd, 2025, during our Advocacy Day conference where he was one of our keynote speakers. After being introduced by our CLC director, Katie Frugé, Tim Alberta speaks on the importance of Christian witness in politics and the public square in a time of increasing polarization.TIMESTAMPS:0:35 - Speaker intro by Katie1:55 - Introduction4:35 - Toughness in politics & the Sermon on the Mount13:27 - A story about my friend...16:00 - Peter's political agenda & the Kingdom of God27:55 - Peter's story arc & mine34:44 - The challenge for Early Church & for today44:15 - This Upsidedown Kingdom46:26 - Conclusion53:55 - Final words from Katie For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In this episode of What is Good, we are excited to share with you a message from the executive director for Texas Baptists, Dr. Julio Guarneri. This message was recorded on March 3rd, 2025, during our Advocacy Day conference where he was one of our keynote speakers. After being introduced by our CLC director, Katie Frugé, Dr. Guarneri challenges us from Hebrews 11 and 12 to consider these foundational truths as we engage in advocacy: the supremacy of Jesus, the nomadic nature of the Christian life, and the endurance of the Kingdom of God.Timestamps:0:36 - Introduction by Dr. Katie Frugé2:30 - Intro: "Where Jesus is the Main Attraction."5:25 - Jesus is better 11:35 - The Christian faith is a nomadic faith15:32 - Our lasting citizenship is the Kingdom of Heaven19:55 - His Kingdom includes suffering23:50 - His Kingdom intents sanctification29:06 - His Kingdom implies success32:44 - Conclusion For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In this episode of What is Good, we are excited to share with you a message from pastor Steve Bezner. It was recorded on March 3rd, 2025, during our Advocacy Day conference where he was one of our keynote speakers. After being introduced by our CLC director, Katie Frugé, Steve challenges us to understand the roles of Gospel and government in seeing the Kingdom of God realized "on earth as it is in Heaven."TIMESTAMPS:0:35 - Katie introduces Steve Bezner1:30 - How to Change the World: Opening Prayer & Intro4:45 - We need a theory of change7:35 - Two Prongs: Gospel and Government8:00 - Prong One: The Gospel of the Kingdom   11:18 - Community living in radical obedience to Jesus   14:30 - The Church creates a colony of life in a culture of death26:13 - Prong Two - The Usefulness of Government   29:57 - The Church's prophetic voice   33:27 - Christian participation36:00 - Conclusion: Love Defiantly For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In this episode, John and David are joined by Brent Leatherwood, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. If you wonder what it is they do, then listen in as Brent shares about their work at our nations capitol and ways that the ERLC partners with state commissions like the CLC, as we advocate for kingdom values in the public square. Also, for the second week in a row, David's "What is Good" item is spoiled by a co-worker. TIMESTAMPS:2:26 - What is the work of the ERLC?7:40 - Why and how does the ERLC intentionally partner with Baptist state conventions?14:30 - How does the ERLC advocate in judicial cases at the Supreme Court and State court levels?23:45 - An example of partnership - Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v Paxton.33:20 - How do we advocate and engage in a way that doesn't add to the divisiveness of the times but instead points people to Christ?39:20 - Do you have any tips or suggestions for others on how to advocate well? (speaking to pastors)42:50 - John gets David to promote his new book.45:27 - Do you have any tips or suggestions for others on how to advocate well? (speaking to individual Baptists in the pews)47:40 - What's the correct pronunciation of "amicus"?50:20 - What is Good?56:33 - Outtakes RESOURCES:ERLC main webpageYour/Our Identity in Christ by CLC Associate Director, David Sanchez2025 Advocacy Day - March 3rd and 4th in Austin, Texas.  For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In this episode, Katie, John, and David talk about the upcoming CLC Advocacy Day. They discuss its purpose, keynote speaker lineup, and schedule, but also give insights into what it's like to advocate at the state capitol in Austin with your state senators and state house representatives.Advocacy Day is March 3-4, and you can learn more about the event here: texasclc.org/advocacy-dayYou can register via this link: https://texasbaptists.tfaforms.net/4964511  TIMESTAMPS:2:24 - What is Advocacy Day? It's a chance for the CLC to equip and facilitate advocacy for our Texas Baptists pastors and church members.5:06 - What are the CLC's public policy priorities this session? Sanctity of Human Life, Religious Liberty, Fair and Just Financial Practices, Human Flourishing.14:00 - What is your favorite thing about Advocacy Day? 21:10 - The schedule for this Advocacy Day, March 3rd at 800 Congress Ave. in Austin, TX; March 4th, at the capitol25:50 - Who are our keynote speakers and what is the theme?28:40 - You never know who you'll see or meet at the Capitol...31:40 - The CLC has our priorities, but we are happy to help you follow and advocate for the bills and issues you care about.36:00 - What is Good  For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In this episode of What is Good, David speaks to Dr. Malinda Fasol-Leewright, a licensed professional counselor with over 20 years of experience and professor at a faith-based university. Together, they discuss practical ways to encourage those who say they are feeling anxious about what is going to happen in the next four years.TIMESTAMPS:0:36 - Introducing our special guest, Dr. Malinda Fasol-Leewright3:52 - Can you think of any irrational fears that you have now or have had in the past?7:53 - How the idea of this episode came about.9:35 - What are your thoughts on the unhelpful and sometimes trite advice of well-meaning people?15:15 - In this day and age, where we've adopted the clinical language of counselors and psychologists, are we using the word "anxiety" correctly?21:15 - What do you say to someone who is worried about the next for years, when so much of that is out of their control?30:15 - How do you help someone see the damage of "doomscrolling"?32:32 - How do you respond to someone who keeps their struggles to themself because they don't want to appear "weak" spiritually or mentally?37:25 - What are other simple, practical tips to give to those struggling with anxiety?44:55 - The  importance of gratitude to combat negative thinking and it's impact on our emotions and actions.50:15 - Shoutout to the Counseling Services of Texas Baptists - https://www.texasbaptists.org/ministries/counseling-services50:53 - When would you advise someone to go to counseling for feelings of anxiety?53:29 - What is good?56:40 - Outtakes For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In this episode of What is Good, Katie Fruge and David Sanchez discuss the curriculum of The After Party with one of the co-founders, Curtis Chang. The After Party is a free online course that helps Christians consider the "how" vs the "what" of politics. exploring what the Bible has to say and equipping us to better navigate challenging topics in today's difficult political environment. TIMESTAMPS:1:10 - Curtis Chang shares his vision of The After Party3:50 - How did they decide on the name "After Party" for this content?8:34 - What scriptures or scriptural principles inspired The After Party's focus?12:28 - What scriptural principles do you use to help you speak on divisive topics in a productive way?15:16 - What should our response be to politicians using words like "enemy" to describe their political opponents?20:30 - What is missing in our theological framework that allows us to mislabel others as our enemy?23:30 - How should believers navigate the anxiety that people are feeling right now due to our political landscape?28:02 - What is Good?33:22 - Outtakes Want to learn more about The After Party? Visit their website: https://redeemingbabel.org/the-after-party/ For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).