WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

Living on the Streets Harms Us All.

Are many of the homeless on American streets severely mentally ill?

Was President Reagan correct when he stated: “two-thirds of the homeless are mentally ill or drug-addicted”?

The situation is not better today in spite of billions spent on irradicating homelessness.

Segment Two: Mark Lanier's Biblical-Literacy Lesson: The Big Debate

Part Two: Pastor Jarrett Stephens, Champion Forest -
  A Finishing Faith

Today’s closing prayer:
Gracious, Merciful, and Most Powerful Father,
Pour out your love upon your servants this day. Withhold your judgment as we cry out for forgiveness.
Father God, let no one deceive your saints with empty words. More below…

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Host Terry Lowry interviews influential and knowledgeable guests on relevant topics for today.

LIVING ON THE STREET HARMS US ALL

Discussed by Dr. Professor Mary Grabar
with Dr. Professor Mary Grabar (www.marygrabar.com)

Part 1 of 3

Severe untreated mental illness is a scourge upon American life and a danger both to those who are ill and those who live in their presence. In fact, the mentally ill are responsible for over 25% of on-duty deaths of police officers during Emotionally Disturbed Person calls, which, in turn, makes them more likely to be killed during an encounter with police.

Today, Dr. Professor Mary Grabar discusses why mental institutions were closed decades ago and why President Donald Trump should open them back up. Dr. Grabar is a resident fellow at the Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization.

Click here to read Dr. Professor Mary Grabar’s op-ed on this very serious topic.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Why did states begin closing the doors to mental institutions in the 1960’s?

Are many of the homeless on American streets severely mentally ill? In addition to living on the streets, are many mentally ill inmates in jails and prisons? Dr. Grabar discusses some of the statistics…

After the American Civil Liberties Union and other similar groups sued to unlock the doors of mental institutions, did many simply walk out the front door, choosing the street instead of treatment?

Do numerous studies reveal that the untreated seriously mentally ill are violent. In addition, are a high percentage mass shooters?

PART 2 OF 3 - LIVING ON THE STREET HARMS US ALL

Discussed by Dr. Professor Mary Grabar
with Dr. Professor Mary Grabar (www.marygrabar.com)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

President Reagan stated “two-thirds of the homeless are mentally ill or drug-addicted”. Was he correct?

As the nation was rocked with violence and rioting in the 1960’s, did psychiatrists become activists for social change, believing poverty and racism were the causes of mental illness?

Did these activist psychiatrists also believe severe mental illness could be prevented through the redistribution of wealth? Dr. Grabar tries to explain this irrational ideology, but it’s a little difficult because it is just so very bizarre.

Has the approach of “politics instead of psychiatry” been effective in treating those with a mental illness?

Are taxpayers shelling out large sums of money with little-to-no return?

PART 3 OF 3 - LIVING ON THE STREET HARMS US ALL

Discussed by Dr. Professor Mary Grabar
with Dr. Professor Mary Grabar (www.marygrabar.com)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

President Trump is advocating for taking the mentally ill of the streets and placing them into treatment programs. How will this work? Dr. Grabar explains why simply providing a free cot and a roof will never work, but President Trump’s approach is a little different and she is hopeful that his program (if approved) will succeed.

Is President Trump prioritizing the rights and safety of hardworking, law-abiding citizens who often have to step over piles of needles and waste?

Should Americans stand up and take back power from the bureaucracy and use it to help those in crisis?

Click here to learn more about Dr. Professor Mary Grabar and to order a copy of one of her books.

ROMANS 7: THE BIG DEBATE - AN OVERVIEW

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 2

Mark Lanier has been teaching on the Book of Romans for a while now (since April of this year). This week, he dives in Romans 7, an often-debated passage of Scripture.

PROBLEM #1: Was Paul “Converted”?

PROBLEM #2: Were Christianity and Judaism separate for Paul?

PROBLEM #3: Did Paul have a clean break at Damascus?

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

What is “haresis”? Who were the Sadducees? (Acts 5:17) Who were the Pharisees? (Acts 15:15) What was a sect? (Acts 24:14) What did all three groups believe?

Who was Paul? Where/when was he born? How old was Paul when he participated in the persecution of the Church? When did Paul receive his revelation on the Road to Damascus? When was Paul’s “Christian experience”?


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

A FINISHING FAITH

Discussed by Pastor Jarrett Stephens
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 2

Over the past few months, Pastor Jarrett Stephens has been telling stories about ordinary people who trusted God in extraordinary ways from the Book of Hebrews. And maybe – just maybe – you have been challenged to step beyond complacency and embrace a faith that is active, resilient, and fully surrendered.

This week, Pastor Jarrett finally completes this fantastic series, MORE, with an emphasis on finishing this life strong, reminding us that our focus determines our finish.

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 12:1-3

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon here.

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon notes here.

If you have questions about a sermon, please contact Champion Forest at questions@cfbc.org

Questions/Issues Discussed:

KEEP YOUR FOCUS: Look Around

Remember all the men and women written about in Hebrews 11 that we’ve studied and learned about over the past 10 weeks? What did they all have in common? A strong faith that helped them finish life STRONG!

Why is it important to have people around us cheering us on and encouraging us daily in our walk with God? How can those in the Hall of Faith encourage us?


If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, text the word JESUS to 77069 and a pastor or counselor from CFBC will call you back.

For more details about Champion Forest Baptist Church click here.

PRAYER

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Gracious, Merciful, and Most Powerful Father,

Pour out your love upon your servants this day. Withhold your judgment as we cry out for forgiveness.

Father God, let no one deceive your saints with empty words.

Speak through us, O Lord, that whoever believes in your son, Jesus Christ, shall have eternal life.

Father God, we know whoever does not obey your son shall not see life, but your wrath. Their own iniquities separate them from your loving forgiveness.

They have stiffened their necks and rejected the Holy Spirit’s call.

May we be bold in admonishing, for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. You, Lord, are a consuming fire.

For the wages of sin is death, but your free gift is eternal life in and through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Strengthen your saints to stand against all ungodliness. May we not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Dear Jesus, shine your light through our words and actions. Holy Spirit, use us to further the Kingdom today.

And Father, if you grant us tomorrow, let’s stand firm and eagerly repeat.

All of God’s servants cried: “So, let it be.”