WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

Anger. Rage.

DO YOU SUFFER FROM SIMMERING ANGER AND SMOLDERING RAGE?

Anger and rage are sweeping through our society.

Results: damaged relationships, uncontrolled reactions, and horrific crimes.

GO TO THE W.E.L.L. Wait. Evaluate. Listen. Look.

PLUS: DO you need to go to the Rag Man?

Biblical Literacy: David Fleming, subbing for Mark Lanier, wraps up: Work in Progress

Champion Forest Pulpit sermon: Dr. Conner Bales, concludes: SUFFERING IS NOT SINGULAR

Closing Prayer:
Almighty, Ever-Present Father,
We acknowledge your lordship over your children.
Do not reject the cries and the pleas of the remnant …. 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.

DO YOU SUFFER FROM SIMMERING ANGER AND SMOLDERING RAGE?

Discussed by Dr. David Hager
with Hager Speaks (www.HagerSpeaks.com)

Are the emotions of anger and rage sweeping through our society resulting in damaged relationships, uncontrolled reactions, and horrific crimes?

Dr. David Hager served on the Asbury University Board of Trustees for 28 years. He has authored six books on the topics of addiction and human behavior and he is a member of the Physicians Resource Council for Focus on the Family. Dr. Hager is an OBGYN and has delivered over 5,800 infants and performed over 7,600 surgical procedures in his career. Additionally, he has directed programs for recovery from addictive behaviors for over 35 years.

Click here for resources from Dr. David Hager.

Click here for FREE resources from Focus on the Family.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is anger a normal, human emotion? Dr. Hager explains how anger can become an addiction, stimulating other behaviors.

How did Jesus handle his own anger?

What are the root issues underlying persistent anger and rage?

What are some of the signs of deep-seated anger? Dr. Hager discusses how isolation, insecurity, paranoia, depression, and a lack of boundaries can affect a person’s ability to control their anger. He also says people who often speak loudly, seek revenge, and are passive aggressive will more than likely have anger issues.

How can we avoid a confrontation with someone who often gets angry?

Is repressing anger a healthy remedy?

How can we deal with anger in our own lives? Dr. Hager says to acknowledge it, don't repress it, and deal with it appropriately.

What does GO TO THE WELL mean? Wait. Evaluate. Listen. Look.

Is it possible to be peaceful and joyful while also being angry? Or is it impossible to be both?

Did Jesus repress his anger? Or did he deal with it?

What does Ephesians 4:26-27 mean? (Don't let the sun go down on your anger!) Once again, Dr. Hager offers some great insight.

Click here for more information about Dr. David Hager.

THE RAG MAN

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

“Rags! Rags! New rags for old! I take your tired rags!”

Click here for one interpretation of The Rag Man.

YOU ARE A WONDERFULLY MADE WORK IN PROGRESS

Discussed by David Fleming
with Lanier Theological Library (www.LanierTheologicalLibrary.org)

Day 5

IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE BOTH WONDERFULLY MADE AND A WORK IN PROGRESS? IF GOD CALLS US TO BE PERFECT LIKE JESUS, WHY SHOULD WE ALSO NOT STRIVE FOR PERFECTION? CAN THAT LEAD TO OUR DOWNFALL?

It’s summer time and that means special lessons from various guests for the Biblical Literacy Lesson at Champion Forest Baptist Church. The series is featuring various Scripture passages that are familiar, but the presenter will be teaching it in a brand-new light.

This week, David Fleming clears up some confusion on those questions, redirecting our focus to Scripture instead of doubt.

To view David Fleming’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:

Can we be wonderfully made and still a work in progress? David says YES and we should praise God that we can be both satisfied with who we are and eager to be the person we are meant to be.

But…what about perfection? (This was discussed on Monday and Tuesday.) Aren’t we called to be perfect like Jesus? If we shouldn’t strive for perfection, why should we strive to be perfect? David un-confuses the confusion.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION:

When am I treating my “wonderfully made” as if it cancels out my work in progress?

When am I treating my “work in progress” as if it cancels out my wonderfully made?

POINTS FOR HOME:

Accept Gods unconditional acceptance and be grateful.

Identify areas and opportunities for growth.

Develop a plan of action.

NOTE: If you would like the 90-day Spiritual Growth Assessment and Formation Plan, please email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

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

SUFFERING IS NOT SINGULAR

Discussed by Dr. Conner Bales
with Dr. Conner BalesDr. Conner Bales (https://www.connorbales.com/)

Day 5

Last week, General Doug Carver kicked off the special 2026 Summer Sermon Series with a great reminder that God is our strength and refuge and we can find joy in Him through every life lesson.

This week, the very special guest is Dr. Conner Bales, the pastor at Quails Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. The question he will be tackling this week is: HOW DO WE SUFFER WELL?

Scripture Passage: Romans 8:16

Click here for more information about Dr. Conner Bales.

Find Dr. Conner Bales’ sermon here.

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

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

As a recap, Dr. Bales has been sharing this week about finding joy through suffering – and suffering well. He and his wife definitely have known suffering, having two very medical fragile daughters. He wanted a way to express the way he felt about his beautiful daughters, so he and his friend Michael teamed up to write and compose a beautiful song.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Dr. Bales closes the segment reminding us that suffering is for now, but glory is forever!

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, simply 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

Almighty, Ever-Present Father,

We acknowledge your lordship over your children.

Do not reject the cries and the pleas of the remnant, for we have been chosen by grace.

Deliver your children from the outstretched hand of the evil one. Banish the ungodly from our midst.

We will shout “Hallelujah!” because you are our God and we are your children.

Now, let’s go forth seeking to save one more from the pit of hell.

All for the cause of Christ, in whose name we pray,

Amen and Amen.