The Illinois Family Spotlight podcast will highlight a specific cultural or political issue of which our listeners should be aware. Our discussions will be informed by a biblical worldview that will help expose the lies and distortions promulgated within secular culture. We will be interviewing policy experts and scholars whose knowledge and insights will help listeners form a wiser worldview.
Recently, I gave a Sunday morning exhortation at my church and since we captured the audio, I thought we could post it as a special addition for those who may be interested.
In this 26 minute exhortation, we examine Acts 19 and Matthew 7.
In Acts 19, we find a demon posses man asking some Jewish exorcists, saying “I recognize Jesus, and I know of Paul, but who are you?”
Finally, 2020, the year many have proclaimed the Worst. Year. Ever, nears the finish line. Joining us for the last podcast of this extraordinary year is Ben Smith, the producer of Spotlight. Ben is a 20-year-old college sophomore, part-time employee of IFI and IFA, and the son of Executive Director, David Smith. Follow Ben on Twitter @realbs19.
Our “eclectic conversation” includes a discussion of Michael Madigan’s future in the Illinois House of Representatives, the perpetuation of racial division in America, the relevance of biblical authority, Ben’s online interactions with Marxist professors and peers at the University of Southern California, the fate of religious freedom in a Biden-Harris administration, indoctrination in government schools and government intrusion in homeschooling, election integrity, the pandemic, President Trump’s potential post-White House role in the Republican Party, and much more.… Continue Reading
It is the most wonderful time of the year. Though this year has been unique, remembering the events of the Incarnation of God as a Man is a foundational, mind-blowing truth for all Christians. This edition of spotlight features a 2018 interview with Tom Brejcha (from the Thomas More Society) about the importance of Christmas, the nativity scene that was displayed in the rotunda of the Illinois capitol building, and the important upcoming legislative issues in Congress and the Illinois legislature.… Continue Reading
Ann Scheidler has a better grasp on the religious nature of the pro-life movement than most activists and supporters. Currently serving as vice president of Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, Ann knows that embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ, Him crucified and resurrected, is the only way we will see an end to abortion. On this edition of Spotlight, she and Monte Larrick discuss the future of the Hyde Amendment and the significant challenges facing the pro-life movement, especially as the radically pro-abortion Biden-Harris administration prepares to take office.… Continue Reading
| Benjamin D. Smith | December 15, 2020 12:12 AM | Comments Off on “The Only Person the Pro-Life Movement Needs is Jesus Christ” (Illinois Family Spotlight #229)
Making the Christian case against homosexuality has always been a great challenge in our engagement with the world, going all the way back to Genesis and the account of Sodom and Gomorrah. The biblical opposition to homosexual practice is especially relevant in light of the new ruling by Circuit Judge Britt Grant of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals regarding “reparative therapy,” whereby individuals with homosexual attractions willingly seek out pastoral or professional counseling to help them fight that specific sin.… Continue Reading
Never-Trumpers in a de facto alliance with leftist Trump-loathers of various stripes have apparently succeeded in their effort to elect a cognitively impaired man who claims to be Catholic while heartily endorsing a legal right to slaughter the unborn while making the public pay for their deaths. Never-Trumpers can now give themselves a hearty pat-on-the-back for an evil job well done.
This week’s Spotlight features Monte Larrick’s conversation with Peter LaBarbera, Executive Director of Americans for Truth. Monte and Peter discuss the Biden-Harris administration’s top priorities: advancing gay and transgender rights and passing the Equality Act, or in Peter’s words, the Criminalizing Christianity Act. They examine ways in which the “legal sledgehammer” of this act could affect churches’ and faith-based schools’ hiring practices, as well as possible changes we might experience on a state level.… Continue Reading
| Benjamin D. Smith | December 1, 2020 5:35 AM | Comments Off on “The Threat a Biden-Harris Administration Poses to Christianity” (Illinois Family Spotlight #227)
We shine our Spotlight this week on an informative, post-election conversation between Monte Larrick and Eric Scheidler, Executive Director of Pro-Life Action League. They discuss our newest Supreme Court Justice, Amy Coney Barrett; the likelihood of repealing Roe v. Wade; bubble zones; and various issues that might be revisited by SCOTUS.
After the break, Eric details the Pro-Life Action League’s efforts amidst the pandemic. He also addresses probable and possible goals of a Biden presidency: reinstatement of Planned Parenthood’s Title X funding, repeal of the Hyde Amendment, a federal abortion law, and more.… Continue Reading
| Benjamin D. Smith | November 24, 2020 12:08 AM | Comments Off on “How the Fight for Life is Impacted by The Election” (Illinois Family Spotlight #226)
By now many Americans have learned what slimy, deceitful hypocrites California governor Gavin Newsom and his wealthy, well-connected friends are. In a stunning act of arrogant “do what I say, not what I do, PEONS,” he and his privileged co-scofflaws dined at an exclusive restaurant in Napa Valley—indoors without masks. His co-scofflaws included Dustin Corcoran, the CEO of the California Medical Association, and Janus Norman, the group’s lobbyist and senior vice president. But don’t worry, Newsom is very very sorry he got caught.… Continue Reading
Two hundred and two years after achieving statehood, Illinois – the Land of Lincoln – is more commonly associated with political and electoral corruption than with Honest Abe. Voter fraud is a sad reality that few people are willing to stand against, but, thankfully for Illinois, Carol Davis, chairman of Illinois Conservative Union, is fighting for a fair and honest election process.
Carol Davis joins Monte Larrick to discuss President Trump’s refusal to concede the election and disturbing voting irregularities in specific cities and states.… Continue Reading
| David E. Smith | 
January 3, 2021 5:57 AM | 
Comments Off on BONUS: “But, Who Are You?” 
