WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

What is going on in Iran?

What are the roots of the protests in Iran?

Is it a nationwide revolt or are the protests centralized?

Plus: 9TH CIRCUIT COURT PROTECTS THOSE OF FAITH.

RELIGIOUS GROUPS CAN HIRE ONLY CHRISTIANS IF THEY WANT TO

Third Segment: Biblical-Literacy Lesson with Mark Lanier -
  AI and the Theology of Science.

Third Segment: Young Adult Pastor Emory Cothen, Champion Forest -
  Take Heart

Today’s closing prayer:
Father God,
Accept this prayer from your humble servant. Turn not your ears away from my pleas. 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.

WHAT IS GOING ON IN IRAN?

Discussed by Banafsheh Zand
with Banafsheh Zand (https://iransofaraway.substack.com/)

Part 1 of 2

New guest Banafsheh Zand is an Iranian-American journalist, activist, and expert on Iranian Affairs. She has decades of experience challenging the Islamic Republic Regimes’ propaganda push.

Click here to read more from Banafsheh Zand.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Why was Banafsheh’s father imprisoned in Iran? Did he commit suicide or was he murdered?

What are the roots of the protests in Iran? Is it a nationwide revolt or are the protests centralized? Banafsheh Zand discusses the history of the oppression and what is happening now.

Do American college students have a clue what it’s like to live under an oppressive regime such as the one in Iran?

PART 2 OF 2 - WHAT IS GOING ON IN IRAN?

Discussed by Banafsheh Zand
with Banafsheh Zand (https://iransofaraway.substack.com/)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

If the current Iranian Government is overthrown, who/what will replace it? Banafsheh Zand discusses the Crown Prince, who many in Iran love and want to be in charge.

Could a change in leadership in Iran reshape Middle East dynamics?

Click here to subscribe to Banafsheh Zand’s Substack.

9TH CIRCUIT COURT: RELIGIOUS GROUPS CAN HIRE ONLY CHRISTIANS IF THEY WANT TO

Discussed by S.A. Sam McCarthy
with The Washington Stand (www.WashingtonStand.com/)

Should religious organizations be punished for exercising their constitutionally protected freedom to hire employees who are aligned with and live out their shared religious beliefs?

S.A. Sam McCarthy is as a news writer at The Washington Stand. Sam is also Contributing Editor at The American Spectator and his work has been published in the Daily Signal, the Christian Post, RealClear Politics, Catholic Voice Ireland, and other outlets.

Click here to read Sam McCarthy’s op-ed on this important topic.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Have blue states, especially Washington State, attacked Christian organizations who only hire Christians?

Does the Religion Clause of our First Amendment protect religious institutions from government interference in their internal affairs? Sam McCarthy explains the law, why it is necessary, and why it is confusing.

Did this 9th Circuit Court strike down the Washington State law which prohibited religious organizations from their autonomy?

Will the 9th Circuit Court ruling be nationwide or will it only effect the states within its jurisdiction?

Click here to help support The Washington Stand, an online publication of the Family Research Council.

THE TRAIN WHISTLE

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

“The Train Whistle”

Book Reference: “How Do You Kill 11 Million People” by Andy Andrews Click here to order your copy.

In at least one German town, the railroad tracks ran behind the church. An eye witness stated: “We heard stories of what was happening to the Jews. But we tried to distance ourselves from it, because we felt what could anyone do to stop it.

Each Sunday morning, we would hear the train whistle blowing in the distance then the wheels coming over the tracks. We became disturbed when we heard cries coming from the train as it passed by. We realized that it was carrying Jews like cattle in the cars.

Week after week that whistle would blow. We dreaded to hear the sounds of those wheels, because we knew that we would hear the cries of the Jews enroute to a death camp. Their screams tormented us.

We knew the time the train was coming and when we heard the whistle blow, we began singing hymns. By the time the train came passed our church, we were singing at the top of our voices. If we heard the cries, we sang more loudly and soon we would hear them no more.

Years have passed and no one talks about it now, but I still hear that train whistle in my sleep.”

AI AND THE THEOLOGY OF SCIENCE

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

Day 3

Are we playing “god” with Artificial Intelligence? What does it mean to be a human? Should we continue developing AI or slam on the brakes? Furthermore, what can we learn about AI from the Bible?

Mark Lanier is back from his wonderful summer vacation. This week, he will be teaching a stand-alone lesson on the good, the bad, and the ugly of AI as it ties into the theology of science.

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:

SCIENCE AS GOD’S GIFT FOR HUMAN FLOURISHING

Should we keep a close eye on Artificial Intelligence? (Genesis 2:15; Genesis 1:3-5)

Why are names so powerful? Why did God task Adam with naming the animals? (Genesis 2:19; Leviticus 24:3; Leviticus 19:23-25; Isaiah 28:23-29) Mark explains the parallels using traditional and modern-day farming.

BOTTOM LINE: Where do we gain our skills and talents? GOD!!! (Exodus 31:1-6)

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

TAKE HEART

Discussed by Pastor Emory Cothen
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 3

WHAT DO YOU DO FIRST WHEN YOU ARE FACED WITH A SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION? DO YOU TRY TO FIX IT ON YOUR OWN? OR DO YOU RUN TO GOD?

This week, Champion Forest Baptist Church Young Adults Pastor Emory Cothen encourages us to TAKE HEART and remember that God is in control of ALL things.

Scripture Reference: Mark 6:45-56

Find Pastor Emory Cothen’s sermon here.

Find Pastor Emory Cothen’s sermon notes here.

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

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

Questions/Issues Discussed:

JESUS SHOWS UP (vs 48-50)

Why didn’t Jesus just pass by the disciples when he was walking on the water? Why didn’t he just wave and say “It’s all good” and then keep walking? Pastor Emory compares this to God speaking to Moses.

How did the disciples react to Jesus walking on the water?

JESUS SPEAKS (vs 50)

Why did Jesus tell the disciples to calm their fears?

Do you believe that those same words apply to you as well? Pastor Emory gives just a few examples of others who were fearful, but Jesus’ words calmed them.


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

Father God,

Accept this prayer from your humble servant. Turn not your ears away from my pleas.

Who am I to lift my eyes and voice towards the heavens? Who am I? I am an adopted child of the King.

O Hallelujah! I am a child of the Most High.

Today, not my will but yours be done here on earth.

Throughout this day, may I be obedient to your guidance and discipline.

Together, Father, let’s go forth sharing the Good News.

Lord Jesus, shine through my life.

Holy Spirit, draw many to the saving grace found only in and through accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Father, into your hands I place my soul.

Amen