Prof. Joe Loconte on J.R.R. Tolkien & C.S. Lewis: The Crucible of War That Forged a Friendship

$All Religions Condemn Suicide, and Yet Suicide Continues To Grow: With the recent celebrity suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, Lauren takes a look at suicide from a religious point of view with College of Holy Cross religion professor, Mathew Schmalz. He wrote an article called, "Why the Religions of the World Condemn Suicide", which basically explains why the vast majority of faiths, even with their differences in doctrine, agree on this subject that your life is not your own. But then the question remains, why the increase in suicides? Is it because of a corresponding rise in the number of people with no faith? We take a look at the issue of how our fractured, fast-paced and goal-oriented lives have contributed to the rise in suicides, which has become epidemic, and why faith communities can help turn the tide.$

Pastor Louis Giglio Addresses the Crisis of Fatherhood: A father is not only needed in a child's life, he's a crucial part of a child's mental and emotional well-being. Statistics show some disturbing facts when children don't have a father. Eighty-five percent of prison inmates grew up fatherless. That's also the case of 71 percent of high school dropouts and 90 percent of runaways. Pastor Louie Giglio founder of Passion City Church is talking and writing about why a child craves and yearns for a father's love and affirmation. But there's good news. Giglio says when earthly fathers are absent or have a dysfunctional relationship with their children, there is a heavenly Father who will always be there. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Pastor Giglio talks about his book "Not Forsaken', and our fundamental longing for a father's closeness, and to "understand the character of God in a life-changing way: as a perfect Father who wants you to live under the waterfall of His ble by Lighthouse Faith

28 min listen

Faith & Depression – Texas Pastor Tommy Nelson: Depression is the leading cause of disability for people ages 15 to 44. Sadly, it's a condition that people of faith have long ignored believing that it's strictly a spiritual problem, not a medical condition. But Pastor Tommy Nelson, senior pastor of Denton Bible Church, a mega church near Dallas, is on a campaign to enlighten people that mental health is a real problem. He's brutally honest about his own dark times of severe depression and anxiety. In this podcast Pastor Nelson talks about a conference he's leading this week in Washington, D.C. on faith and mental health, called "Journey Through Depression." He wants to dispel the stigma of seeking help through science. But also to show that God's hand is still in the mix. by Lighthouse Faith

27 min listen

Joseph Rojas – Music & Faith: From the destruction of drug addiction and hopelessness, to the triumph of redemption, Christian artist Joseph Rojas credits music with helping him see the light of salvation. He's on the road most of the year, performing hundreds of concerts in front of thousands of people. More than 100,000 people have made decisions for Christ at his concerts. His group, Seventh Day Slumber is, as he says, about "being real, and connecting with people where they're at." He talks openly and frankly about his struggle with weight, and as a keynote speaker inspires audiences at concerts, conferences, youth groups, festivals, and various events. Sharing with others his message of hope and restoration, which he has experienced firsthand. by Lighthouse Faith

30 min listen

Eric Metaxas – Without Martin Luther, No U.S. Constitution As We Know It: The 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation probably went by for most people without notice last October 2017. Not too many breaking news headlines covered this event. And while most people would have learned of the Protestant Reformation in a day or two of study in public school classrooms, this event that happened five centuries ago really laid the groundwork for America as we know it today. Democracy, Freedom of Religion, Freedom to assemble, Freedom of Speech, all of these freedoms we take for granted can be traced back to a lowly German priest's fight with the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church and his subsequent excommunication. Best-selling author and Speaker Eric Metaxas talks about his lengthy book that delves into why Martin Luther should matter to us today. And also, how perhaps the Protestant Reformation's purpose has taken a few left turns. by Lighthouse Faith

40 min listen

Grammy Award Winning Musician JJ Wright Combines Jazz & Classical In His New Work About the Immaculate Conception: JJ Wright brings to audiences a new vision of religious music. No longer is glorifying God confined to specific lanes of either hymns or popular praise music, or even Gregorian Chant. Wright, a native of Buffalo, NY and a music professor at Notre Dame, has combined them all including jazz, to create his new work called Vespers for the Immaculate Conception. It's the kind of work the Advent Season has yet to see. And on this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, you can get a sample of some of the sounds of the work. Vespers will get a New York Premiere tonight, December 5th, 2019, at the famous and iconic St. Patrick's Cathedral on 5th Avenue under the baton of Dr. Jennifer Pascual, the music director of St. Patrick's, who has directed the Cathedral music in front of two Popes. Before you listen to the podcast, check out the trailer for the creation of this new piece. by Lighthouse Faith

28 min listen

John O’Neill – The Fisherman’s Tomb: The True Story of the Vatican’s Secret Search: A wealthy Texas oil man, a controversial Pope, and a female archaeologist should have had nothing in common, but when it came to discovering the site of the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle, it took all three. Best-selling author, John O'Neill, tells one of the greatest theological stories of the century of one of the most significant finds since the Dead Sea Scrolls: Peter's crucified bones. It is the same Peter whom Jesus told, "Upon this rock, I will build my Church." In 2013 Pope Francis confirmed that Peter's crucified bones were buried underneath the altar of the Vatican's St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. But the intrigue and drama of how they were discovered has never been told... until now. Listen to the interview and be sure to check out John's book here. by Lighthouse Faith

24 min listen