An Easter Redux of Vanishing Grace - An interview with Philip Yancey

About 20 years ago, I (Ed) was adrift in my Christian faith.  I had stopped attending the legalistic church I had been part of for many years, I was chasing the big payday in the high-tech startup world, and I had recently become a father.  All the while, though, something kept gnawing at me, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.  As I wandered through Barnes and Noble, as I often did in those days, I kept passing a book entitled What’s So Amazing About Grace?  At first I thought, that’s a catchy title.  Then I started to think more and more deeply about the question until I finally said to myself, “What is so amazing about grace?!” So I purchased the book and read it, and it changed my life.  Today, we’re joined by Philip Yancey, the author of that book and 20 others (four written with Dr. Paul Brand), many of them award winning.  Philip’s most recent book is entitled Vanishing Grace, Whatever Happened to the Good News?  In it, he revisits the topic of grace noting that his original question has only grown more urgent in recent years.

Christians should be characterized by their joy, love, unity, generosity, and how well they get along with people no one else can get along with. 

A near-death experience leads to a greater awareness of grace.

We need to replace anger, divisiveness, judgement, and condemnation with the Spirit of grace demonstrated by Jesus.

Full Philip Yancey interview.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to open.)

For more information:  Philip Yancey's Website  

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

Working at the intersection of faith, farming, and feeding the poor

It's a challenge to eat healthy, especially for people with limited income.  Unhealthy food is far more readily available and less expensive than nutritious food.  Today’s guest is working to address this challenge.  Sebastian Wilbern is the founder of Brickwater Abbey, a self-described “green think tank” that is working to make healthy foods available to the poor, and do so in a way that combines faith and farming.  In its first year, his Chantilly garden produced 750 pounds of food that provided hundreds of meals for people at New Hope Fellowship, a church serving the poor and homeless in Fairfax, VA.  Sebastian joins us to talk about how he arrived at the intersection of faith, farming, and serving the less fortunate, and his plans for the future. 

A call to start a neighborhood garden, visit your local farmers market, and make your neighborhood a real neighborhood.

Everybody feels good after an hour in "God's garden." 

The impact of serving as an EMT/firefighter at a young age. 

Full interview with Sebastian Wilbern from Brickwater Abbey.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to download.)

For more information:  Brickwater Abbey Website

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

A Christian lawyer defends a Somali Muslim accused of piracy

When is a pirate not a pirate?  That’s the question posed in a November 2013 article in the LA Times about the arrest and trial of Ali Mohamed Ali, an accused Somali pirate.  Mr. Ali, as he’s known, was recruited by Somali pirates to negotiate the payment of a ransom and the release of hostages when the cargo vessel CEC Future was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden in 2008.  After successfully serving as a mediator, Mr. Ali was lured into the US by US authorities with a bogus invitation to attend an education conference, and arrested and detained for 30 months leading up to his 2013 trial.   What makes the case even more fascinating is that Mr. Ali, a Muslim, was represented pro bono by Matt Peed, a Christian attorney from Clinton Brook & Peed in Washington, DC.  Matt joins us to talk about the case and share insights he gained over three years defending Mr. Ali.

A call for us to get out of our comfort zone and meet people who are different from us.

Finding a passion for defending those who need a voice and in turn advancing God's Kingdom.

Full interview with Matt Peed from Clinton Brook & Peed.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  Clinton Brook & Peed Website

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

Retired Congressman Frank Wolf’s fight for human rights and religious freedom around the world

Today we’re hosting former Congressman Frank Wolf, who left Congress in 2014 after serving 17 terms (34 years) to focus full-time on his passions of human rights and religious freedom.  Congressman Wolf currently serves as a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative where their mission is to “create a world where religious freedom is recognized by nations across the globe as a fundamental human right.”  Congressman Wolf joins us to talk about his time in Congress, the work he’s doing today (including the development of a Congressional scorecard), and what keeps him driven after so many years of public service. 

The Western Christian church is failing on the issue of religious freedom in many ways including being silent too often in the face of injustice. 

A new scorecard that tracks the votes of Members of Congress on key issues of international religious freedom, and also reveals the silence of their constituents and faith communities. 

The profound threat from Nigeria that no one seems to be talking about. 

If you pray with someone, and pray for them, and break bread with them, it becomes hard to attack each other.

Full interview with Congressman Frank Wolf.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  21st Century Wilberforce Initiative;  International Religious Freedom Congressional Scorecard

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

A method to produce genuine and lasting racial, political, and religious reconciliation

We live in a country and world characterized by division.  We desperately need a method for reconciliation that tears down the racial, political, religious, and many other walls of division that separate us.  Today, we’re hosting John Slye, Senior Pastor of Grace Community Church in Arlington and Falls Church – a church for people who don’t go to church.  John joins us to talk about the keys to genuine/lasting reconciliation, including an honest assessment of ourselves, proximity to those who differ from us, intellectual effort, and prayer.    

We are wired for comfort, and comfort corrupts.  We need Christ to help us turn outward from ourselves.

A black man becomes the godfather to Klan members' children. 

When faced with aggression, the best option is neither fight nor flight, but standing our ground in peace.  The non-violent approach taught by Jesus has produced major changes like the abolition of slavery and the civil rights movement. 

Christianity doesn't crush cultures, it lifts them up and promotes multiculturalism. 

CALL TO ACTION:  Go, cross the divide, and be with someone who is different from you.  One way is to host a gathering over a meal where people from differing backgrounds and points-of-view get together, break bread, and share their experiences.  Here's an example focused on racial reconciliation.   

Full interview with John Slye, Senior Pastor at Grace Community Church.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  Grace Community Church Website;  Tables for 8

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

Reconnecting homeless people with their loved ones via video messages and social media

Ask yourself, where would you be without family and friends?  The answer, too often, is homeless and possibly on the streets.  Miracle Messages helps people experiencing homelessness to record short videos for their long-lost relatives.  They use social media and volunteers to locate their loved ones and try to deliver the messages as a way of reuniting families.  Restoring those relationships at the beginning of a recovery process is the goal, and they hope to unite 1% of the world’s homeless population with their relatives by 2021.  How cool would it be to use our cell phones not only for texting and selfies but also as a tool to help end homelessness and help our neighbors in need.  Today we’re joined by Kevin Adler, the Founder and CEO of Miracle Messages.  Kevin joins us to share how this idea came about, some stories of family reunions, and how they plan to reach their audacious goal. 

Don't be afraid to engage your neighbors.

Look at the homeless as someone's brother or sister or mother or father, not as people who don't have housing. 

The story is the same over and over again.  The homeless don't realize they are homeless when they lose their housing but rather when they lose the family and friends that can help them.   

Full interview with Kevin Adler, the Founder and CEO of Miracle Messages.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to download.)

For more information:  Miracle Messages; Messages from Janette, Jeffrey, and Eddie; Reunion videos

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

Dramatically improving the lives of prisoners and their families - Part 2

Our criminal justice system is broken.  We lock up way too many people in awful conditions; we generally don’t help them rehabilitate and heal; our prisons seem to drain the life out of inmates and train them in new forms of criminal behavior; and the majority of those released commit more crimes and return to prison.  James Ackerman, the President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, joins us to continue our conversation about improving the lives and futures of prisoners, former prisoners, and their families.  Prison Fellowship is active in 449 U.S. prisons and jails, and offers intensive year-long programs in 76 of those facilities across 23 states.  The non-profit estimates that it serves 25,000 prisoners each month, and impacts 200,000 unique inmates per year.  Prison Fellowship also operates the Angel Tree program where volunteers purchase and deliver Christmas gifts on behalf of parents who are incarcerated, providing gifts to 291,000 children last year alone.

Consider being a church that welcomes people coming out of prison and helps them integrate back into the community. 

When a man or woman goes to prison it often has a devastating impact on their family.

The warden at a Supermax prison takes the time to get to know his prisoners.

Incarceration should be restorative in nature.  Here's a program that improves prison culture while preparing people to return to society. 

Part two of the full interview with James Ackerman, Prison Fellowship's President and CEO.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to load.)

Committing a year to serving people in 11 countries and Syrian refugees in Greece

Imagine going on a mission trip for one month to a place like Thailand to work with young women rescued from sex trade, or to Honduras to work with children in an orphanage.  Now imagine doing that in 11 countries back-to-back for 11 months.  Today we’re hosting Jade Zaharoff, a young woman who felt called to do just that in 2014 as part of something called the World Race.  According to their Website, the World Race is a journey to serve “the least of these” while embedded in real and raw community.  It’s a unique mission trip that challenges young adults to abandon worldly possessions and a traditional lifestyle in exchange for an understanding that it's not about them; it's about the Kingdom.  Jade joins us to talk about her World Race experiences as well as work she did with Syrian refugees in 2016 after they landed on the shores of Greece. 

A call to get out of your comfort zone, consider the World Race, and support Syrian refugees.

Learning about God's love for us through two eight-year-old boys in separate parts of the world.

Lessons learned by stepping out of your comfort zone and realizing people's openness to the gospel.

Full interview.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  The World Race;  World Race Photos;  Adventures in Missions. 

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

The story of an unforgettable child's battle with cancer

Cancer is a terrible thing to face, especially when it afflicts a child.  Ellen Blair watched her daughter battle neuroblastoma for four-and-a-half years, and eventually succumb to the disease at age eight.  Ellen joins us to talk about The Catherine Elizabeth Blair Memorial Foundation that she and her husband created in their daughter’s honor, which has given $147,000 in grant money to-date to support research that helps children fighting the same disease.  She also reads stories from a book she and her husband wrote during Catherine’s final 15 months of life.  Ellen is joined by her son, John.    

The importance of staying in touch with people during and after they experience a serious trial.

A story from A Million Suns - Our Moments with Catherine, written by Tom Blair and Ellen Sullivan Blair, a collection of memories from Catherine's last 15 months of life. 

An invitation to Skate for Catherine on March 3rd at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Ballston.

The full Ellen and John Blair interview.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to load.)

Waging peace through relationship building and a focus on social justice

Ask people how to wage war, and they will easily give you an answer.  Ask them how to wage peace, though, and they will probably pause to think.  Waging peace, it turns out, requires as much work and energy as waging war.  It also requires a local presence and familiarity, and the willingness to sit down with people on the “other side” and really listen to and get to know them.  Today we’re joined by Reverend Doctor Clement M. Aapengnuo and Tim Sample, the co-Founders of 72 Africa, an organization committed to waging peace throughout Africa.  They join us to talk about their recent success facilitating peaceful elections in Ghana, their plans to do the same in other African nations, and the peacekeeping principles they have learned which could easily be applied to tear down walls and build bridges in the United States. 

Focus on your local area, engaging people, and social justices issues.

Revealing data on the correlation between youth, unemployment, and conflict.

Active engagement at the local, grassroots level that gets people together to talk ensures a bright future.

The full interview with Reverend Doctor Clement M. Aapengnuo and Tim Sample.  (This could take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  72 Africa Website, Article on Shared Social Values in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

A local firefighter continues to care for 240 children on Haiti's Forgotten Island

Most of us have seen pictures of the devastation that Hurricane Matthew brought on Haiti back in October of 2016.  This came less than 7 years after a catastrophic earthquake hit the country.  Today’s guest is Larry Thompson, a recently-retired 29-year veteran of Arlington County’s Fire Department, who's been traveling to Haiti several times a year since 2012.  Larry joined us last May to talk about his non-profit, The Least of These Foundation, that he established to feed and educate over 240 children on the Forgotten Island off the coast of Port au Prince.  Today he joins us to update us on post-hurricane conditions, and to tell us how the kids he works with are doing.  We're also joined by his teenage daughter, Avery, who first took a trip to Haiti with Larry when she was 13 years old, and has been there several times since.

A call to support children who don't know where their next meal is coming from and dedicated teachers accustomed to no pay.

Uncommon wisdom from a high school senior.

The shock of visiting the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, and appreciation for the experience. 

Full Larry and Avery Thompson interview.  (This could take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information: Least of These Haiti,

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

A local mosque promotes unity, interfaith dialogue, and community service

On November 19, 2015 at 2:00 a.m., a man attempted to climb over the fence surrounding the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia and threw two smoke bombs and a Molotov cocktail.   What happened in the following months, though, may not be what you'd expect.  Despite the rising tide of anti-Muslim sentiment at that time and since, mosque representatives made the effort to find out more about the man discovering that he was a local homeless person with mental issues.  Driven by a sense of mercy for someone in their community, they eventually lobbied for the lightest sentence and best care possible for the perpetrator.  Today’s guest is Colin Christopher, the Deputy Head of Government Affairs at that mosque.  Colin joins us to talk about the lessons he and his fellow attendees learned from that experience, and to talk about his mosque’s goal to tear down the walls of ignorance surrounding the Islamic faith, and to establish strong relations with other faiths based on cooperation, tolerance, and mutual understanding. 

A call to get out of your comfort zone and meet people in a place you've never been.

In an environment of division, ignorance, and fear, the beauty of interfaith gestures of love.

It's not about democrats or republicans, or elites with fancy degrees.  It's about average people with a passion to get involved. 

The diversity of the Muslim American community.

Full interview.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center, VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) 

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

Increasing awareness of human trafficking in Northern Virginia - A 12-year-old Fairfax girl's story

It's hard to believe, but human trafficking (especially teen sex trafficking) is a significant problem in Northern Virginia.  January happens to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month so we decided to focus on this issue today, on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  We're joined by Kay Duffield, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative (NOVA HTI), a non-profit that is working to eradicate human trafficking in the local area.  We're also joined by Barbara Amaya, a survivor of human trafficking from age 12 through 21, who now works as a human rights advocate and is the author of the award winning book Nobody’s Girl, A Memoir of Lost Innocence, Modern Day Slavery and Transformation.  Barbara and Kay will share their stories with us and tell us how we can join them in working to eradicate this problem from our communities.

IF YOU'RE A VICTIM OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, PLEASE CALL THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE AT 1-888-373-7888 FOR HELP.

We all need to recognize that human trafficking exists in our backyard.

Take the time and effort to consider the people around you.  If you feel like something is wrong with someone, it probably is. 

Red flags and signs to look for to identify possible human trafficking victims.

A higher purpose emerges from a prolonged and painful period of life.

Human trafficking is a horrific evil.

Full interview.  (This could take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Initiative, Barbara Amaya's Website, Barbara's book: Nobody's Girl, The National Human Trafficking Hotline

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Intro and closing music:  Reston Bible Church Worship Band, This Cornerstone album, Father, Let Me Dedicate

Working to make Baltimore the Silicon Valley of social change

Baltimore City has fallen on hard times.  The city was built to house nearly a million people, yet today it is home to only 622,000, and it has seen an out-migration of people in their 20s and 30s in particular.  According to the city government, the number of abandoned houses and lots number 30,000, and higher estimates place this number at nearly 47,000 – 16% of the city’s residences.  In April 2015, after the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the city erupted in violence, revealing the ongoing tension between the police and African American Community as well as a sense of hopelessness that many people feel in the low-income areas of the city.   In this environment, an organization called Baltimore Corps has emerged whose goal is to revitalize the city.  Today we’re joined by Jay Nwachu, the Director of Development and Communications for Baltimore Corps.  Jay joins us to talk about their mission to match highly talented, purpose-driven people with the right organizations for maximum social impact while promoting equity throughout Baltimore’s communities.

Advice for finding opportunities to serve. 

Repurposed food trucks to help the homeless do laundry and medication delivery to the elderly.

It's less about someone's resume and more about their passion and how they are living it.

How I got to Baltimore Corps.

Full Jay Nwachu interview.  (This could take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  Baltimore Corps.

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

A holiday Redux of a church for people who don't go to church

Many people don't see the relevance of the Christian church to today's world, so they don't attend church services.  Others have been hurt by the church and wound up abandoning their Christian faith as a result.  What's needed for them is a new kind of church - one that extends grace and gives people the space and time they need to build a relationship with Jesus.  We are joined tonight by John Slye, Senior Pastor at Grace Community Church - a church for people who don't go to church. 

A call to model the grace, forgiveness, and servant heart of Jesus Christ.

The only religion in the world where the central act of its faith is the humiliation of its God.

What our world needs are people who are radically forgiving, kind, and patient.  Here's why.

Forgiveness always hurts and comes at a cost - but it's powerful enough to change the world.

Full interview.  (This could take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  Grace Community Church

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Opening and closing music from the Canadian Brass, Christmas with the Canadian Brass

Building businesses that integrate faith, work, and higher purpose

There is a lot of talk these days about building businesses that are successful while also creating social value, with organizations like Conscious Capitalism and the Shared Value Initiative leading the way.  A number of business leaders believe this is best accomplished by building what some call “kingdom businesses,” i.e., businesses that honor the Biblical doctrine of work and its higher purpose.  Today we’re joined by Kelly Leonard, the President and CEO of Taylor Leonard Corporation, a local, woman-owned training, business development, and IT consulting business.  She’s also the author of an e-book on networking; the host of the Small Business University TV program airing in Montgomery County; and a representative of Nehemiah Project Ministries, an organization dedicated to building and equipping kingdom businesses.  Kelly joins us to talk about her heart for promoting higher purpose in business and also for helping women and couples in their personal and professional lives. 

Are you operating in your higher purpose?

Looking beyond people, planet, and profitability. 

Work should be joyful, not a curse.

You can work with your spouse.

Full Kelly Leonard interview.  (This could take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  Taylor-Leonard Corp.;  Nehemiah Project International Ministries

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Opening and closing music by Chris Tomlin, Your Grace Is Enough

Striving to end homelessness in Arlington County

The holiday season is upon us, a time not only to give thanks but also to act and share with those in need.  Tonight, we're joined by representatives from the Arlington Street People's Assistance Network, also known as A-SPAN.  Simply put, A-SPAN's mission is to end homelessness in Arlington County.  They provide life-sustaining services and secure permanent housing for their clients through outreach, building trusting/respectful relationships, and a new, first-of-its-kind Homeless Service Center.  Among other things last year, A-SPAN served 50,000 meals, sheltered over 400 people, and enabled 300 medical visits to those in need.  We're pleased to welcome Scott Miller, A-SPAN's Senior Director of Development, and Amanda Holler, A-SPAN's Manager of Volunteer Programs and Special Events. 

No one aspires to be homeless.

The importance of a "housing first" approach and reconnecting with family.

Volunteer opportunities abound and can be tailored to match your skills and desires. 

Full Scott Miller and Amanda Holler interview.  (This could take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  A-SPAN Website

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Music at start and end of full interview:  Your Grace Is Enough, Chris Tomlin

A holiday Redux of our first interview - Redemption from homelessness and addiction

Milton Brown is a longtime DC resident who battled a heroin addiction for 37 years.  In the same year he overcame his addiction, he became homeless and remained so for four years.  Milton never knew his father, and his mother abandoned him and his brother when he was 9 years old.  He’s the father of two sons – one of whom was murdered over 20 years ago on the streets of Washington DC.  Since emerging from homelessness in 2012, Milton has committed himself to raising awareness of the plight of the homeless and addicted, and to sharing the source of power that helped him emerge from a life of anguish.

Love doesn't cost anything and the government can't tax it.  It's yours to use.

Despite decades of addiction and homelessness, the loss of his son, and many other hardships, Milton lives a life characterized by thankfulness.

When you look at the homeless, you're looking at yourself.

The pain of homelessness.

Full Milton Brown interview.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to load.)

Organizations that work with the homeless and less fortunate that Milton admires:  Little Lights;  SOME

Milton's Georgetown TEDx Talk

Honor and unity at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Millions of people visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery each year to pay their respects to those who have given their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy in this country.  It’s a place where the full diversity and fabric of America is on display, and where division and hostility seem to naturally fade away as people come together to honor the fallen.  We’re privileged to be joined by Richard Azzaro, a guard at the Tomb from 1963 to 1965, and a member of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Richard talks about the critical need for healing and unity in America, and how the Society hopes to use the Centennial of the Tomb as a focal point that fosters unity across our country that transcends political, regional, and religious differences.

Breaking down the walls of hostility at a focal point where all of America comes together.

It's about our identity as Americans and our sacred duty to never forget those who served and sacrificed.

Building up to a National Salute on the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 

Full Richard Azzaro Interview.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to load.)

A worship album for people who don't listen to worship music

"Worship music should not be written for only the Christian mind.  It should draw those who are far from God.  All who are called to proclaim [the gospel] through music have a responsibility to exhort people – to remind people that we have a reason to sing."  These are the words of Christian Nuckels, Worship Pastor at Grace Community Church in Arlington, VA, and the creative influence behind the formation of the Grace Rising band, a music ministry within the church.  Christian joins us to talk about his journey of faith and higher purpose, and how it led him to the extremely satisfying roles he is serving in now. 

You need Jesus, even if you don't know you do.

Exhorting and inspiring people to let grace rise.

A song from the album.

Full interview with Christian Nuckels from Grace Rising.  (This may take 30 seconds or so to load.)

For more information:  http://www.gracerisingband.com/