What is Good: Christian Life Commission Podcast

In this episode of What is Good, our Director of Hunger & Care, Irene Gallegos, shares with us her passion for public health. She guides us in a discussion of the factors of health and how more impoverished communities will have greater difficulty accessing help in times of need. We discuss what community development ministries to these areas can look like and the various ways the CLC strives to advocate and be a part of the transforming of these communities.TIMESTAMPS:1:10 - What type of community did you grow up in?7:50 - What community factors were involved in your decision to live in the house you do now?18:05 - Some who serve in less fortunate communities choose to live in them and commit to a missional lifestyle among the people they serve. Others live outside, but still advocate for and support these communities. Scripturally, is one method more Biblical than the other?31:45 - Explanation of the Cliff of Good Health Analogy35:05 - What are some specific ways the CLC is involved in helping people fall off the good health? Or, worded differently, how are we involved in systemic issues?48:45 - What is Good?57:35 - Outtakes For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In today's episode, the CLC discusses helpful biblical principles for making decisions in grey areas. If you are a pastor or even a small group leader, you’ve probably had someone ask you “What does the bible say about _____?” They are not usually wanting to know what is pleasing to God. They want a one verse proof text that shows how they are right and someone else is wrong. Or they want to know what they can get away with. How will the conversation look different if instead of giving a quick answer, we give godly principles based on 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:1 to equip them to make difficult decisions? David Sanchez leads this discussion.TIMESTAMPS:1:50 - Topic intro: Examples of grey area issues8:25 - "What does the Bible say about ___?"14:15 - Idol meat in 1 Corinthians 8:1-11:116:26 - Scenario #1 (1 Cor 8:4, 7-12)19:47 - The Stumbling Principle (1 Cor 8:13)26:43 - Scenario #2 (1 Cor 10:14-22)29:44 - The Mastery Principle (1 Cor 10:23; see also 6:12)36:38 - Scenario #3 (1 Cor 10:24-27)42:52 - The Offending Principle (1 Cor 10:32-33)49:23 - The Glorifying Principle (1 Cor 10:31)56:46 - What is good?1:02:58 - Outtakes For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In today's episode, the CLC discusses a topic that is near and dear to Katie's heart - Disability and Dignity. Two of her three daughters have moderate to severe disabilities, and she has witnessed how the world often views disabilities negatively. In contrast, the scriptures challenge us to view those who have various disabilities as still possessing dignity and to treat them with respect and compassion. The church should show the world the value of human life in how we care for those in our congregations and communities who have disabilities. Katie Fruge leads this discussion.1:28 - Topic intro2:13 - Do you have a personal connection to a person with a disability, and did you have one growing up?4:46 - Thoughts on the broadness of the term disability and its use.10:00 - Many who have disabilities experience isolation and lack of relationship. Some would even call certain groups who have disabilities unreached people groups. What do you think of this idea?16:04 - Can you think of examples of disabilities mentioned or on display in the Bible?20:42 - In John 9, you see that God loves to use people with disabilities to highlight his power, but also how people often view disabilities incorrectly.34:20 - Have you ever experienced God making much of someone's limitations or even your own?38:36 - Society tends to implicitly devalue those with disabilities. As Christians, what should be our response to this?46:45 - 1 Corinthians 12 shows us how the church should view those within our congregations with disabilities not as object of ministry in our church but as participating members of our community.  How can we do this practically?54:45 - What is good?1:00:22 - 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, the CLC continues our discussion of the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. The book addresses the current rise of mental illness among young people and makes the argument that this increase is due to two things. One, the impact of cell phones and social media; and two, the lessening of unsupervised free play during childhood. We had so much to say on this topic that it turned into two episodes. This is part two. The discussion is led by David Sanchez.0:38 - Chapter 6: the negative impacts of social media on the mental health of girls.10:52 - Chapter 7: how virtual gaming and online porn impacts the mental health of boys.19:15 - A great resource: the book Good Pictures Bad Pictures23:00 - Recent Texas laws on pornography, they're good but they can't block everything.24:48 - Chapter 12: What else can parents do?31:38 - Discussion about the shortcomings of the book due to the author's beliefs as an atheist/agnostic.35:42 - Is collective action possible, and what does it look like?39:05 - How else has reading this book impacted us?44:05 - Two other great books: My Tech-Wise Family and  My Tech-Wise Life46:41 - What is Good?51:05 - 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, the CLC discusses the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. The book addresses the current rise of mental illness among young people and makes the argument that this increase is due to two things. One, the impact of cell phones and social media; and two, the lessening of unsupervised free play during childhood. We had so much to say on this topic that it turned into two episodes. This is part one. The discussion is led by David Sanchez.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - CLC released a statement after the Trump assassination attempt on July 13, 2024.1:20 - Introduction to today's episode3:52 - Can you remember when you got your first cell phone?8:42 - How many kids do you have? What age are they? And has this book had any impact on how you plan to raise them?12:10 - Summary of Chapter 113:12 - Chapters 2-3 of the book talk about the value of unsupervised free play. What was your childhood like in this regard?20:10 - What advantages of free play that the author mentions stood out to you? (Bonus: John's disclaimer - Listeners be aware it is written from an agnostic perspective).30:10 - When you hear about the dangers of the online world for minors, what are some of the typical examples given?34:45 - The book mentions four foundational harms of smart phones and social media. (1) Social deprivation, (2) sleep deprivation, (3) attention fragmentation, and (4) addiction. Let's start with us. Which of these harms do you potentially see in manifested your own life?41:15 - What is Good?49:26 - 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, the team discusses advocacy from a biblical perspective. We ask what makes Christian advocacy different and what examples we find in scripture of advocacy. We also discuss examples we have seen of Christian advocacy and how they have encouraged and inspired us. Our director of Public Policy, John Litzler, leads this discussion.TIMESTAMPS:2:09 - If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?7:08 - How could you use that power to help others?11:09 - What's an example of advocacy for others that has impacted your life?19:05 - What are some things that make advocacy hard, and what are some easy ways to start getting involved?25:38 - What makes Christian advocacy different?33:40 - What verses or stories in Scripture that encourage Christian advocacy?41:40 - How can Christian advocacy help combat polarization in politics?44:40 - What is good?50:54 - Outtakes For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In today's episode, our CLC directors discuss food insecurity and the ministries that strive to help those who experience it.Dr. Irene Gallegos, our director of Hunger & Care, leads us in a discussion of what it means to have food insecurity. We also discuss how scripture calls us to give to those in need, and to do so cheerfully rather than out of guilt or from insincere motives. In the midst of our discussion, Irene explains the purpose of the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering (TBHO), and describes some of the amazing ministries that the CLC supports through it, all thanks to the generous gifts of our donors.  TIMESTAMPS:1:42 - What does your typical grocery shopping experience look like?8:18 - How close is your nearest grocery store? What classifies as a "food desert"?11:00 - The purpose of TBHO explained.12:54 - Who would you say are the "least of these" in our communities?17:55 - When we consider our abundance and the needs of others, is there a level of guilt and how should we respond to it biblically?26:37 - The TBHO supports 155 ministries in 2024. What do some of these ministries look like and what services do they offer?30:10 - Do you think the value of dignity in food distribution matters?36:52 - How does true generosity differ from charity?39:50 - Why is it important to view the least of these as being in the image of God?46:44 - Discussion of food insecurity rates in Texas, and the responses of caring ministries.50:40 - What is your favorite fact about TBHO or fund-raising opportunity?57:55 - What is Good? SHOWNOTES:Visit the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering website here: https://www.hungeroffering.org/ For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

In today's episode, the CLC directors discuss the topic of poverty as addressed in the book of Proverbs. We look at the different causes of poverty and the effects poverty has on people. We also discuss how Proverbs teaches us that people in poverty still have dignity/worth in God’s eyes. Finally, we ask how we can respond to the call in Proverbs to advocate on behalf of the poor and the vulnerable. TIMESTAMPS:2:01 - How many times are the words "poverty" and "poor" mentioned in the book of Proverbs?4:55 - What causes of poverty are mentioned in Proverbs?16:18 - Growing up, which of these causes were commonly mentioned or emphasized to you?19:14 - Do discussions on policies regarding poverty typically take all these different causes into account?27:34 - What negative effects of poverty are mentioned in Proverbs? 39:10 - What positive effects of poverty are mentioned?48:00 - How does Proverbs give dignity to the poor?53:16 - Proverbs calls us to be advocates for the poor. How can we do this today?58:33 - What is good? SHOWNOTES:"There's Hope" by India Arie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bClxgPvGqRg For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

Today we discuss the living conditions of Texas state prisons, over 2/3rds of which do not have central heating or AC.  We hear how the extreme heat and cold impacts inmates, guards, and other prison staff. It is a difficult conversation, but one we think needs to be had.Some Texas lawmakers say they have not approved bills that seek to fix this problem because it's not an issue Texans really care about. We wonder, however, if it's an issue that most Texans just don't know about. We hope today's talk will inform and evoke the compassion of Christ for those living and working in our state prisons. TIMESTAMPS:1:44 - What's the hottest/coldest you've ever been, and would you rather be too hot or too cold?8:20 - History of the state of AC/Heat in Texas prisons10:31 - What do you think of the quote, "The degree of civilization in a society can be judged by entering its prisons"?15:15 - What do you think of arguments that it would cost too much for Texas to fix this problem, or that it's a good deterrent for our prisons to be uncomfortable as part of being tough on crime?21:25 - What have been the hidden costs of not having AC/heat in most of our state prisons?25:33 - If we believe people are made in the image of God, how is that consistent or inconsistent with the conditions we are placing Texas prisoners in?32:12 - How might we as Christians view this as a pro-life issue?38:04 - How does the Bible encourage us to have compassion on this situation?49:08 - What is Good?53:23 - Outtakes For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).

Today, we discuss being a light for Jesus during an election year and ask what our Christian witness should look like if and when we engage in the discussion of politics, especially online. We find Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount to be both challenging and full of wisdom for us, pointing out the ways in which our reactions should be different from the world's because of our relationship with Christ and our identity in Christ.We look at 5 ways we should set ourselves apart in our behavior and attitudes, and they make an acronym with the word LIGHT. Stick around for the end, because we also have a fun song to help you remember these points. TIMESTAMPS:1:30 - Topic introduction - What do we think of Disney live-action remakes? Can we model what a respectful discussion might look like where we potentially have differing opinions?7:06 - Christians divided on Facebook over the casting of Halle Bailey in the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. What type of message are we sending to the world, when this is how we as professed believers behave on social media?13:35 - Jesus told us we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:16). What does that look like in an election year?14:46 - L - Love your enemies (Matthew 5:43-45)21:40 - I - Inspect your own eye (Matthew 7:1-5)27:54 - G - Give like a ninja (Matthew 6:2-4)34:38 - H - Hear and obey (Matthew 7:24-27)39:10 - T - Trust God to meet your needs (Matthew 6:31-33)47:26 - What is Good?51:27 - The L-I-G-H-T Song For more information on the Christian Life Commission visit our webpage (texasclc.org), and follow us on Facebook (@TexasCLC) and Instagram (@txclc).