God, Country & the American Story With Billy Hallowell

There’s typically a message embedded deep in each and every mess we find ourselves in. Sometimes, we’ve created these messes — other times these messes have tragically found us. Regardless of how our problems take form, we’re all in need of help and redemption. Here's how we get it.

It’s impossible to walk away after reading the Book of Proverbs without the word “wisdom” standing out in our hearts and minds. Without a doubt, wisdom — defined as “ability to discern inner qualities and relationships” — is at the very core of all of Solomon’s writings. And as we navigate a tattered social structure that has everyone divided and jumping at one another, there are plenty of truths in Proverbs that should sustain and convict us. Here they are.

“TODAY” host Kathie Lee Gifford is an outspoken Christian who never wastes an opportunity to talk about her relationship with God. GET UPLIFTED: Sign Up for Billy Hallowell’s Newsletter During a recent interview on “The Billy Hallowell Podcast” she delivered some powerful biblical lessons worth revisiting. Listen to my devotional about these stunning proclamations.

It’s understandable why some people feel letdown, worried and fearful amid a chaotic culture. With the news cycle and the politics of the day highlighting and perpetuating dysfunction, there’s a statistic that emerged this week that should actually give us all hope: 90 percent of Americans believe politicians “should display peace, kindness, gentleness and self-control.” Here's why this matters.

Humility matters. But don’t just take my word for it. The Bible gives us quite a bit to chew on when it comes to pride. Rather than seeing ourselves above others, we’re called to serve and love those around us.

The world tells us to chase riches, money, fame and “success.” Celebrity homes, cars and hobbies are often center stage in the entertainment press, sparking a strange sense of jealousy among the masses. Meanwhile, social media is focused on selfies and the quest to bring attention to ourselves. Here's why this is breeding a total mess for us all.

Christian singer TobyMac offers up three powerful lessons that are worth pondering as we embark on the day and prepare to head into the weekend.

The social and political horrors that emerge almost ceaselessly can be overwhelming to say the least, as bitterness, division and hate metastasize on a near-daily basis. Here's the solution.

Veteran TV host Kathie Lee Gifford is an entertainer who has found widespread success over the decades, but it’s her deep Christian faith that most defines her. Gifford has made headlines in recent years for openly sharing the gospel in overtly secular spaces. Listen to her break down the gospel, her faith — and the reason why she never hesitates to discuss salvation.

Proverbs is filled with so many important lessons. Each chapter is bursting with a plethora of essential subject matter — simple and timeless truths by which we can live. Here are just five truths from Proverbs 22 that can help us build our faith, while navigating the complexities of life. Read the devotion as well: https://www.pathufind.com/blog/2018/10/24/5-biblical-lessons-you-need-to-survive-today

There’s a lot of talk these days about “winning,” but very little discussion or explanation about what true victory really looks like. There’s certainly nothing wrong with setting goals and trying to persevere to reach them, but there is something off-kilter when our goals and aspirations are sought without God’s guidance. In the end, our motivation — and inspiration — matter.

God gives us the free will to decide for ourselves how we want to live, what we want to say and how we choose to interact with the people and things around us. But free will often comes at a cost. Along with the ability to live and behave as we choose, God has also fortunately given us a blueprint to discern His plan for our lives. This roadmap is the Bible — a timeless book that explains the ins and outs of how human beings are meant to live.

With more than three decades in music under his belt, TobyMac — whose real name is Toby McKeehan — is still going strong. The popular singer-songwriter is out with a new album called “The Elements” and he recently opened up about his life, career and passion for community during an interview with “The Billy Hallowell Podcast.”

Each of us is filled with “desire.” This is a natural human reaction to the world around us; it fuels our goals, aspirations and wants. But the Bible makes it pretty clear that unrestrained desire — desire not based on Christ — is fruitless. Here's how we fix it.

A lot of us find ourselves: stuck, depressed, comparing ourselves to others, unhappy, not where we want to be lost, confused, angry, distracted Perhaps we're all missing the obvious.

Singer Austin French is on a mission to make music that reaches fans’ hearts and souls. French, 24, recently shared his incredible journey from skeptical pastor’s kid to popular Christian musician — an exploration that forced him to question absolutely everything, including his childhood faith.

Hillary Clinton says we can't be civil with political opponents who want to "destroy" what we stand for. Here's why she's very, very wrong.

Culture shouldn't be our guide, yet so many of us elevate society's views over the gospel. In the battle over truth vs. love, where so you stand?

Want your kids to follow God? The Bible has something pretty powerful to say about that.

What does it mean to be smart and have knowledge? You might be shocked to learn that the world has it all wrong.

Should our pasts define us? Culture has a failed understanding of redemption. Here's a reality check for us all -- and perhaps the most compelling argument for Christianity.

People on both sides of the Ford-Kavanaugh debacle are sounding off. But amid the chaos, there's something too many of us have forgotten to do.

No one is perfect, yet culture sells us the lie that we essentially are golden to be doing and saying whatever it is we want to do and say. Here’s an essential reality check, though.

What is truth? Why are we called to embrace it? How can we live, survive and thrive in an era of lies and consternation? We're called to #truth.

What would you say if your days (and words) were numbered? How would you look at the world differently? I received an email this week that left me convicted, saddened — and yet amazingly inspired. It's a message I think everyone needs today.

Ben Shapiro has made a name for himself in conservative circles, appearing daily on radio, TV and at events around the nation. His off-the-cuff and rapid retorts have solidified him as a favorite commentator among politicos — but what’s Shapiro’s backstory? He recently sat down with “The Billy Hallowell Podcast” to talk about free speech, culture and the roots of his career.

Conservative commentator Ben Shapiro shows no fear when he tackles some of the most controversial issues of the day. Abortion is just one of the topics he frequently addresses with passionate fervor; it’s an issue that he firmly believes is “the great moral issue of our time” and one for which history will ultimately judge our society. Listen to him explain why he cares.

People love to talk about forgiveness, but are we getting it all wrong?

Many people walk around talking about Jesus as though he was some kind of hippie who only preached peace and love. While it’s true that he certainly preached peace and love, Jesus did much more than that. Here’s the thing too many people have been missing about Christ. Are you guilty?

The September 11 attacks transformed the world. The horrific events changed the fabric of the nation. Here's one of the biggest lessons we have forgotten 17 years later.

What does it mean to be a fool? You might be surprised how many times you’ve been guilty of not living up to what’s right. This must-hear message is convicting and uplifting all at the same time.

Actor Chris Pratt has wowed crowds with his acting skills, but he's also been going viral of late over his open proclamations about God and faith. Here's a look at his character and faith through the eyes of his brother, Cully Pratt.

Maybe we are doing it all wrong.

Here's my message to everyone freaking out about the Supreme Court (and life in general).

Ready for a new beginning? Here’s where you should start.

The world is imploding — but are you also at fault?

A talent for the arts clearly runs deep in the Pratt family’s DNA. Cully Pratt, Hollywood megastar Chris Pratt’s older brother, recently revealed some fascinating details about the family’s creative genes — and some incredible facts about his own personal journey and his brother's rise to fame.

Embracing Jesus changes hearts — and lives. That’s the lesson that author Ericka Andersen learned after she met her now-husband, Rick, began to discover his backstory and watched as God moved in his life. After growing up in an intensely abusive household and later suffering from the results of that treatment, Rick found Jesus — and his life was never the same.

Music and film producer Mark Joseph knows a thing or two about the entertainment world, having worked for decades in both the Christian and secular arenas. In his new book, “Rock Gets Religion: The Battle for the Soul of the Devil's Music,” Joseph makes the case for Christians to “make their music in the middle of popular culture.” Joseph recently told “The Billy Hallowell Podcast” that he believes it’s important for Christian artists to speak to the broader culture by having a presence in the mainstream.

Pastor Chris Sonksen is on a mission to encourage Christians to “quit church” — but his quest isn’t quite what you’d think. Sonksen, author of the new book, “Quit Church: Because Your Life Would Be Better If You Did,” recently told “The Billy Hallowell Podcast” that he’s concerned over the “common threads of weakening spiritual behaviors in people’s lives.” The preacher, who is committed to offering solutions, doesn’t want people to literally quit worshipping at church as much as he wants believers to rethink their approach to living their faith out.

Evangelist Christine Caine believes it’s essential for Christians who are fearful or struggling in an increasingly secular culture to remember an important reality that sometimes gets lost in the social chaos: it’s essential to find a balance between truth and love. Caine, author of the new book, “Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure,” recently told “The Billy Hallowell Podcast” that Americans today might find increased secularization troubling, but that her own experience growing up in Australia previously prepared her for such a dynamic. She said she learned early on what it meant to exist as a Christian in a culture that didn’t embrace faith values. In America, some people are now waking up to that same reality, especially as culture rapidly shifts.

Jen Ledger has spent the past decade playing the drums for Christian rock band Skillet, but the performer recently ventured out on her own to release her first solo EP titled, “LEDGER.” Now, she's on a mission to make a difference and to serve as a positive role model in an entertainment world in which it seems too many kids are being influenced by negativity.

Kate Bowler was an accomplished college professor, mother and wife when she was shockingly diagnosed in 2015 with incurable, stage four colon cancer. It was a reality that initially stunned the academic, who has since defied the odds — and isn't giving up on life.

“American Idol” alum Scott MacIntyre has faced his fair share of trials and tribulations. Born blind, MacIntyre later experienced kidney failure, pain, and uncertainty as he awaited two transplants — difficult and draining experiences that led him and his wife, Christina, to rely on their faith in God as they faced the unknown. Listen to him reveal all the details.

Dr. Ronnie Floyd has a message for America — and you won't want to miss it.

Author and evangelist Lee Strobel was an atheist who once served as the legal affairs editor for The Chicago Tribune before embarking on a quest to try and disprove Christianity — an effort that ironically led him to embrace the faith. Now, Strobel, whose personal story was told through the feature film and book titled “The Case for Christ,” is preparing to release “The Case for Miracles,” a new investigative book that relies on facts, interviews and studies to further explore spiritual matters.

Amid an increasingly secular culture, many Christians are finding themselves in a precarious place. American culture, which was once dominated by biblical themes and understanding, has increasingly become more hostile — or, at the least, apathetic, toward Christian values. As a result, Christians find themselves unsure of how to adapt to these changing tides. Pastor Michael Anthony of Grace Fellowship in York, Pennsylvania, argues that it’s time for believers to stand up, regroup and “rediscover the divine equation of speaking the truth in love.”

Lead Singer of Remedy Drive Is Going Undercover to Save Lives by Journalist and commentator Billy Hallowell

Nick Vujicic was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a disorder that caused him to be born without any limbs. But despite some major challenges, Vujicic and his Life Without Limbs ministry have ministered to millions of people across 68 countries — a feat he credits to God. The inspirational Christian speaker, who is out with a new book titled, "Be the Hands and Feet," shared his personal story of overcoming depression to become a well-known force for the gospel. And in an appearance on "The Billy Hallowell Podcast," he discussed faith, life, overcoming the odds — and his recent claim about an experience with spiritual forces that led to quite a bit of online discussion and debate.

The Babylon Bee continues to make a splash with its comical take on Christian culture, but unlike other satire sites, the Bee has a deeper purpose than simply making its readers laugh: the site aims to make Christians think as well. "What we want to make clear ... we're not making fun of Christianity, per se, and we're not making fun of Jesus or the Bible or the gospel," head writer Kyle Mann recently said on the "The Billy Hallowell Podcast." "What we're making fun of is the Christian culture that kind of builds up around those things and around the gospel and around the biblical message." Go behind the scenes of the Babylon Bee.