Well, this is our Culture and Christianity Podcast. I'm Alan Jackson. Thank you for joining us today.

Today's a little different. Rather than interview a guest or bring in some other opinions, I want to share a little bit about what I've been up to lately.

I've spent a good bit of time in Israel in the last couple of months. We've made a couple of trips, one, an extended period of time, a little more than two weeks. And there's a lot happening in Israel that I think is relevant for what's happening here at home. And then I think there's some things in current events that we need at least to try to get some perspective on. There's another season of disruption that feels like to me the curtain has been pulled back on. So that's the target today. And the goal of all of that is so that you and I can pray more effectively. I don't, you know, watching the news and ringing our hands and being filled with anxiety is not helpful. If we want to know what's happening in the world, we want to know what's happening

so we know how to respond. I have no intention of allowing people I don't know to fill my heart

with anxiety or fear or frustration. If I'm gathering information, I'm gathering information so I can

make choices that are more informed and more impactful for the kingdom of God.

You and I are, I'll make the assumption we're Christ followers.

We're ambassadors for the kingdom of God.

We're not here just for our own personal empire.

So understanding what's happening in Israel, I think, is very helpful for understanding the unfolding purposes of God.

And then trying to see with clarity

what's happening around us in this season of confusion and propaganda requires the help of the

Holy Spirit. So maybe together we can both gain a little clarity on that today and hopefully

come out with some action points that removes us from feeling like we're just being victims or

we're frustrated or frightened

and we can actually imagine that we're going to partner with God and letting his solutions break

forth. So let's start with Israel. I've been there twice in the last couple of months. One was a

pretty quick trip. It was a business trip and to see some friends. And then I went back on an

extended trip with a tour, which is very unusual right now. There just aren't large tours going

to Israel. And it wasn't a large tour maybe by historical standards. We didn't take hundreds of people,

but we had 80 people that traveled with us. And by the third day we were in the country, we were a

phenomenon. There just aren't any

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