The 700 Club: August 27, 2009

The 700 Club Daily Broadcast Thursday, August 27, 2009 GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, welcome to The 700 Club. A new government report shows that we aren’t losing as much money as we first thought. The economy shrank by just one percent from April to June, and that’s less than expected. TERRY MEEUWSEN: But there are still serious concerns ahead, including huge federal deficits. Jennifer Wishon has the story from Washington. ECONOMY JENNIFER WISHON: It's starting to look like a national episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition. The market that helped drive the US into recession is showing signs of improvement. New home sales rose nearly ten percent last month. It's the fourth month in a row that saw gains better than analysts predicted. Michelle Meyer (Economist, Barclay’s Bank): Homebuyers are entering the market and starting to purchase. And we are seeing that across the board. We are seeing that with an increase in home sales. We are seeing that lead to an increase in housing construction and in overall improvement in the housing market. JENNIFER WISHON: Those improvements coupled with new car buys, encouraged by the Cash for Clunkers program, are spurring growth on Wall Street as well, with stocks up 50 percent since the lows in March. The news is welcomed, but there could be a different problem looming in the future. The government is pumping billions of new greenbacks into the market to dig the nation out of recession, a move that could come back to hurt the US dollar. Just this week, the Obama Administration announced the US will run budget deficits totaling nine trillion dollars over the next decade. That's two trillion more than what the White House previously projected. Laurence Meyers (Former Federal Reserve Governor): These numbers also tell us that it is extremely important that policymakers and Congress reduce the deficit, make it more sustainable and avoid a fiscal train wreck. JENNIFER WISHON: That fiscal train wreck could include a steep drop in the dollar in international markets, and that in turn could mean inflation and higher interest rates here at home. Jennifer Wishon, CBN News, Washington. GORDON ROBERTSON: If you’re looking for the key thing to look at, to judge, have we run too high of a deficit, just look at the T-bill auctions. That’s where you’ll find it. Amazingly, to me, those all sold well this week. The two-year, five-year note both sold remarkably well. But at what point in time is the appetite for these things going to turn? When that happens, those interest rates will be forced up, and that will force up interest rates on adjustable rate mortgages, credit lines on homes, credit cards, car loans, those kinds of things. And that impact on the economy is going to be substantial. The other part of it is inflation. And it’s the worst tax possible that a government can put on its own people. When you inflate the currency and devalue it, on some levels it can be seen as a good thing, because it will increase exports. But for a consumer economy like ours, watch out. George Thomas has the rest of our top stories from the CBN Newsroom. George. IOWA GEORGE THOMAS: Thank you, Gordon. Hello, everyone. Iowa started the engine for Barack Obama’s race to the White House back in 2008. But this summer they could help put the brakes on his plans for health care reform. People in Iowa are putting pressure on the state’s lawmakers, especially Republican Charles Grassley, who is a key negotiator on a bipartisan bill in the Senate. John Jessup has that story from Iowa. JOHN JESSUP: This summer, there has been a strange silence in towns all across Iowa. The streets appear peaceful and quiet, but inside spaces like these, it’s a different story. Here you will find jam packed town hall meetings, standing room only. All these people have to give their senator, Republican Charles Grassley, a piece of their mind on the debate over health care. And Grassley is paying attention. He has to. He’s up for reelection in 2010. And in a state where the majority oppose current plans in Congress, some wonder why he is still working so closely with Democrats. Doug Campbell (Against Reform Bill): I believe he should stay at the table as long as there is meaningful progress. If there is not meaningful progress and they continue to say, “Well, we’ve got the votes. We’re going to ram it down your throat,” then you’re going to have back off, Senator Grassley. JOHN JESSUP: The tone of these town halls has changed quite a bit since the first few Senator Grassley hosted in early August. They are nowhere near as heated. That’s because Senator Grassley starts off by telling his audience what he has learned from them and also spelling out what he is for and against. On this day, Senator Grassley hosted three different town halls. Most spoke out against the health care plans. Evelyn Saunders (Against Reform Bill): I am not for this government takeover on health care. Donavan Davenport (Against Reform Bill): I see them with other programs that are very unorganized and inefficient, and we sure don’t need that in health care. JOHN JESSUP: But a small handful support sweeping reforms. Maureen Cosgrove (Supports Reform Bill): In my understanding of a legislation and the belief in the public option is that it is a choice, that private citizens would have the opportunity to retain their private health care coverage if it was cost effective and it worked for them, and that citizens would also have the opportunity to buy into a less expensive, more affordable form of health care through the public option. JOHN JESSUP: Grassley says he’s going to take what he’s learned from these town halls back with him to Washington. Sen. Charles Grassley ([R] Iowa): I can tell you how they've impacted me. I think they have said, “You ought to go slow. You ought to make sure you’re doing what's right. It's costing too much.” JOHN JESSUP: Grassley also passed along that his message to President Obama is that, even if his committee agrees on legislation, he won’t vote for it unless there are enough Republicans and Democrats who support it. Sen. Charles Grassley: We need to have a consensus approach, and we generally put that in the area of 70 to 80 votes, and because it's such an important issue affecting so many people. JOHN JESSUP: It’s talk like this and past remarks about concerns over end-of-life counseling, or what some have called “death panels,” that have critics on the left questioning whether he’s genuinely committed to health care reform. (Interviewing): But some are saying that you are not negotiating in good faith. How do you respond? Sen. Charles Grassley: That’s absolutely wrong. JOHN JESSUP (Reporting): But as a key negotiator, what Grassley says these days carries a lot of weight, and his audience stretches from the fields of Iowa to the White House. John Jessup, CBN News, reporting in western Iowa. CASH FOR CONVICTS GEORGE THOMAS: The government has sent stimulus checks, get this, to more than 4,000 prisoners. The Boston Herald reports the convicts got 250 dollars, even though they live behind bars. The Herald goes on to say checks may also have been sent to fugitive felons, people kicked out of the country and even dead people. Nearly a million dollars worth of stimulus checks were sent out. Convicts are usually not able to draw benefits while in jail. And, as you can imagine, the inspector general is launching an investigation into the mistake. NC TERROR GEORGE THOMAS: A month ago, federal authorities arrest Daniel Boyd of North Carolina and accused him of being the leader of an Islamic terrorist cell. Neighbors called Body a pillar of the community. But now CBN News has learned more details about Boyd. And as Erick Stakelbeck reports, people who knew him say there was more than met the eye. Rob Roegner (Daniel Boyd’s Neighbor): I spoke with him on several occasions, and never was there any idea that he was involved in something like that or could have the capacity to be involved in something like that. ERICK STAKELBECK: But several sources in the Raleigh area painted a much different picture for CBN News of Daniel Boyd, the man federal authorities say was preparing for armed jihad. A local Muslim who knew Boyd told us it is hard to argue with anything in the indictment against him and six others. The rolling countryside of Willow Spring, North Carolina, seems an unlikely place for the alleged leader of an Islamic terror cell to set up shop. But federal authorities allege that Boyd used this unassuming house to stockpile a massive amount of weapons used in terrorist training. Boyd reportedly said if he couldn't carry out jihad overseas, he would do it right here in America. A local Muslim familiar with Raleigh’s Islamic community told CBN News that Boyd railed against American involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also blasted Israel where authorities allege he traveled and attempted to meet with Palestinian terrorists. The Muslim source says Boyd talked openly and frequently among fellow Muslims about the need to wage violent jihad. According to this source, Boyd is a charismatic figure, who attracted young Muslims with tales of his fighting days in Afghanistan. Brad Garrett (Former FBI Agent): A prime target are going to be people in those late teenage and early 20 years, because people are trying to figure out who they’re going to be in life at that point. ERICK STAKELBECK: Boyd and his brother were convicted and sentenced for bank robbery in Pakistan in the early 1990s. They were later released thanks to pressure from the US State Department. CBN News has learned that Boyd's criminal activity in Pakistan may not have been an isolated incident. Boyd used to own a Muslim grocery store in this strip mall. He sold it last fall after being open for less than a year. But the new property owner tells CBN that just a week before his arrest on terrorism charges, Boyd entered the shop illegally and stole several storage shelves. An eyewitness corroborated this account for CBN News. Some of this erratic behavior sounds familiar to contractor Larry Schug. Boyd hung drywall for Schug, who says the alleged terrorist was a difficult personality. Larry Schug (Boyd’s Former Boss): If I can't get a hold of you, that's a problem. It becomes a problem for me. ERICK STAKELBECK: Schug's messages for Boyd would often go unanswered. Boyd would claim that he left his phone in his truck. Larry Schug: In jihad, basically, you can lie to me and it's okay, because you're lying to a nonbeliever. ERICK STAKELBECK: Neighbors in this rural subdivision continue to support Boyd. One said his family formed the biggest welcoming committee in the neighborhood when others moved in. Another described him as an advice giver to young people. Daveed Gartenstein-Ross (Terrorism Expert): It's entirely possible that someone could be committed to jihad while at the same time being nice to their neighbors. ERICK STAKELBECK: Muslim leaders in Raleigh are taking a wait-and-see attitude about the Boyd case. Khalilah Sabra (Muslim American Society, Raleigh): The Muslim community will be looking for answers to be able to understand what exactly happened there. ERICK STAKELBECK: If convicted, Boyd and the other six alleged jihadis, including his two sons, could face life in prison. In Raleigh, North Carolina, Erick Stakelbeck, CBN News. GOD RULING GEORGE THOMAS: A Kentucky judge has ruled that a state law that refers to dependence on Almighty God is unconstitutional. The reference was written into the law that created the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. Ten Kentucky residents and a national atheist group sued to have the reference taken out. The judge says in his ruling that, “Even assuming that most of this nation's citizens have historically depended upon God by choice for their protection, this does not give the general assembly the right to force citizens to do so now.” Gordon, what do you think? GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, here’s what the state representative thinks, who wrote this bill, and it’s state representative Tom Riner. He’s a Democrat from Louisville. He’s also a Southern Baptist minister. He said the way he wrote the law, it did not mandate that Kentuckians depend on God for their safety. It simply acknowledged that government without God cannot protect its citizens. I think that’s a fundamental, and it’s a fundamental of the Judeo-Christian heritage, that if a nation turns against God, we can’t depend on Him anymore for protection. That seems to be obvious to anyone of faith. And merely mentioning it in a bill, how in the world does that constitute forcing citizens to acknowledge God? This whole new speak on freedom of religion that the establishment clause prohibits any religious mention by anyone in public office, in any public service, it’s gone beyond reason on this one. Can we no longer sing “God Bless America?” Can we no longer have a Pledge of Allegiance that says “one nation under God?” If you follow the logic of this Kentucky judge, you get there. Terry. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, coming up, he’s been called the pastor-in-chief. Man: All these programs related to the economic recovery where the state government is not doing it and the local government is not doing it, faith-based groups are doing it. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Meet the man who heads up Obama’s office on faith, when we come back. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GRAPHIC: STRIKE OUT GORDON ROBERTSON: Still ahead . . . . Man: I was really seeing a lot of vivid images that a five-year-old probably shouldn’t see. GORDON ROBERTSON: He started Little League and found big trouble. Man: I started to develop feelings that I couldn’t control. * * * GRAPHIC: JIMMY NEEDHAM LIVE GORDON ROBERTSON: And a live performance by singer Jimmy Needham, later on today’s 700 Club. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 1: SIMPLEX Announcer: Attention. If you’re on Medicare with diabetes, you may be eligible for an upgraded meter. Woman: Results from testing my blood glucose were often wrong. I’d have to code my meter. Pharmacist: If you’re on Medicare with diabetes, then you need to know about the newest methods in checking your blood glucose. You don’t have to code your meter anymore, and you don’t have to stab your fingers. These new no-code meters are easier to use and nearly painless. Woman: This new method hurts less, and I don’t have to code the test strips anymore. Pharmacist: No coding helps make testing faster and confirms accuracy. And the best news is that Diabetes Care Club will send you one of these new meters. Woman: I called, got my no-code meter. Now my fingers don’t hurt anymore. Pharmacist: Diabetes Care Club delivers the latest technology directly to your door for free. So call and find out why over 100,000 patients choose Diabetes Care Club. Woman: Honey, you don’t have to code anymore. Upgrade your meter and change the way you test now. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEXT DAY PROMO GRAPHIC: MEGA-VOLCANO GORDON ROBERTSON: Tomorrow. Take a tour of the world’s largest volcano. Man: That’s 6,000 times larger than Mount Saint Helens. * * * GRAPHIC: TRAPPED IN A CULT GORDON ROBERTSON: Plus . . . . Woman: He promised all these grand, wonderful things. And I believed him. GORDON ROBERTSON: How this woman left a cult and lived to tell about it. * * * GRAPHIC: HER OWN WAR GORDON ROBERTSON: Then . . . . Woman: He had been shot through the head by a sniper, and I am freaking out. GORDON ROBERTSON: A mother goes to war and saves her son. On The 700 Club. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: During a recent interview, President Obama mentioned that he gets a devotional every day in his e-mail. The man who sends that e-mail also helps the President connect with a broad spectrum of faith groups. David Brody brings us an inside look at the pastor-in-chief. FOCUS: JOSHUA DUBOIS DAVID BRODY: This looks like a boring desk job, but it’s anything but. Joshua DuBois: I pop over to the West Wing maybe, I don't know, like five or six times a day. DAVID BRODY: At just 27 years old, Joshua DuBois heads up the White House Faith Office. He may be young, but don't underestimate his ability or clout. Just look at the scorecard. He helped secure Rick Warren to pray at the President's inauguration. He set up the meetings between then candidate Obama and big names like T.D. Jakes and Franklin Graham. Whether it's searching for a presidential church home, pushing for common ground on abortion or, yes, even texting the President Bible verses every morning, DuBois is central to it all. Joshua DuBois spent a good chunk of his life right here in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s a place he considers home. But even though DuBois works for a President with some liberal tendencies, his upbringing was really anything but liberal. As a matter of fact, the home was filled with Focus on the Family radio broadcasts and the conservative Evangelical Psalty the Singing Song Book. Joshua DuBois: I'm not going to hum anything for you, David. I'm sorry. DAVID BRODY: With an infectious laugh and a work ethic second to none, DuBois comes to Nashville for relaxation. You can call it a beltway detox treatment. Growing up, his family life was filled with many Christian influences. Joshua DuBois (White House Faith Office): Whether it was listening to Focus on the Family or David Jeremiah or the Psalty the Songbook tapes, just a lot of really positive influences and reinforcements around me in really helping to shape my perspective. DAVID BRODY: His parents made sure of that. Kristy Sinkfield (Joshua’s Mom): God is the center of our lives. Christ is who we are committed to. DAVID BRODY: And Joshua was getting the full spectrum of faith perspectives. His stepfather, who he is close to and affectionately calls Dad, is a pastor with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Antoni Sinkfield (Joshua’s Step-Dad): Joshua was also exposed to various teachings from various perspectives simply because our life so centered around the church. DAVID BRODY: Joshua’s journey may have started in a Christian home, but it wasn't until college that the idea of a relationship with Jesus actually took off. Joshua DuBois: Although I had grown up in the church, I, as with many folks, sort of had a path away from Christ. And my pastor really sort of led me into an intimate relationship with Christ. DAVID BRODY: That's when it became truly personal. Joshua DuBois: I think it was sort of taking me away from sort of the formalism of religion as opposed to the intimacy of relationship. DAVID BRODY: He eventually became an associate pastor in the Boston area. He earned a master's degree at Princeton and gained a thirst for social justice. DuBois found himself trying to choose between ministry and politics, when in 2004 he heard a speech that made a difference. President Barack Obama: We worship an awesome God in the blue states. DAVID BRODY: That line did it: a candidate who saw a life where faith and politics can and do intersect. After much persistence, he began working for then Senator Obama. It eventually led to becoming faith director of his 2008 presidential campaign. Joshua DuBois: There’s got to be a fundamental healing of the wounds that are dividing people. DAVID BRODY: So this was DuBois during the campaign, before Obama became a big deal, holding faith town halls where just a few dozen people would show up, trying to convince people one at a time that faith matters in public policy. Now as Obama's faith director, the crowds are larger, the stage is bigger, but the message is still faith-centered. Joshua DuBois: Whether it’s a job training program or financial literacy or all these programs related to the economic recovery where the state government is not doing it and the local government is not doing it, faith based groups are doing it. DAVID BRODY: To say this job is not without challenges would be a major understatement. DuBois realizes the President has plenty of critics. Joshua DuBois: We have to throw our doors wide open and find common ground with folks from all across the spectrum, and so these are healthy conversations. Now there are points of disagreement, of course. We're not going to gloss over the fact that we may not agree with every organization about everything, but there are a lot of points of agreement as well. DAVID BRODY: Reducing the number of abortions is a priority, and DuBois sees increasing incentives for adoption as part of a common ground solution. Josh DuBois: We've concluded the set of meetings, and now we're just kind of compiling it and getting it ready for the President, and then he will eventually talk about where he thinks we should be going. DAVID BRODY: So while DuBois plugs away for the commander-in-chief at his dream job, his parents back in Nashville say a familiar prayer. Kristy Sinkfield: From the time Joshua was born I prayed for his protection and I pray for his wisdom, that he will hear God and he will follow His direction. DAVID BRODY: David Brody, CBN News, Washington. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: What a wonderful mother’s prayer. And I would urge all of us to join with that prayer and pray for Joshua, that he would have direction from God. He’s got the ear of the President and the responsibility that comes from that must be heavy sometimes. The Bible commands us to pray for those in leadership. And pray for Joshua. We’ve given you sort of an inside look into his life and what he’s all about. And we’re doing that so that you can pray for him. And also pray for the President. Pray for this administration. We’re in very difficult circumstances, whether it’s the war in Afghanistan, the war in Iraq, terrorists that want to kill us and take us, the economy, creation of new jobs. There is a lot to do in this administration, and they need supernatural wisdom. They need God, and so please be in prayer for them. Terry. TERRY MEEUWSEN: A big responsibility for a 27-year-old. Wow. Well, up next, singer Jimmy Needham talks about his addiction to pornography and the vision that helped set him free. GRAPHIC: JIMMY NEEDHAM Plus, he’s going to sing his hit, “Forgiven and Loved,” right after this. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 2: SYNVISC “ONE” Announcer: If you have osteoarthritis knee pain, Synvisc One treats it right at the source and helps you get back to doing the things you love. Synvisc One is the only treatment that can give you up to six months of pain relief with just one injection. It’s a natural substance similar to healthy joint fluid that lubricates and cushions your joint and relieves pain without the serious side effects that pain pills can have. For your free information kit, call 1-800-211-9223. Synvisc One may not work for everyone. Before beginning treatment, tell your doctor if you are allergic to products from birds, such as feathers, eggs or poultry, or if your leg is swollen or infected. The most common side effects are temporary pain, stiffness, swelling and fluid buildup around the knee. Synvisc One has not been tested in children, pregnant women or women who are nursing. To learn more, call this number, go online or ask your doctor about Synvisc One. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TERRY MEEUWSEN: Jimmy Needham’s ballad “Forgiven and Loved” is more than just a hit song. It’s a personal anthem that reflects the singer’s real life battle and victory over addiction. SET-UP PIECE TIM BRANSON: Jimmy Needham’s music is straightforward and transparent. It also reveals the struggles that once consumed his thoughts. In his sophomore album, Not Without Love, Jimmy exposes his struggle with lust and pornography and offers hope to those who want to be free from addictions. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GUEST: JIMMY NEEDHAM TERRY MEEUWSEN: Please welcome to The 700 Club Jimmy Needham. Jimmy, great to have you here with us. Jimmy Needham: Thanks so much. I appreciate it. TERRY MEEUWSEN: That whole exposure to pornography, the grip it can get on your life, all the stuff that comes with that that’s so self-destroying is available at the fingertips of just about every kid in America today. For you, this started in the fourth grade. How did it start? Jimmy Needham: I’ve typically always had friends that were a little bit older than me, which can be a good thing. It can be a bad thing. In my case, it wasn’t a good thing. And so they had some material that they showed me. I was nine at the time. And it began with a magazine that they had found at, believe it or not, it was a playground, under some rocks and stuff. And so we went to go look at this thing. And that was my first exposure to it. And obviously, as a nine-year-old, never having seen that, I was fascinated. And that really, for me, began kind of this long journey that eventually that would lead me to the cross of Christ. But between that moment and fourth grade, it was a really rough road for me. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Tell me a little bit about when you as a young man became aware of the fact that this went from just something you were exposed to and that was fascinating to an addiction. And how long did that take for that to happen? Jimmy Needham: Around the time that the Internet became a lot more popularized was about the time when it really started becoming a lot more difficult for me to stay away from it. TERRY MEEUWSEN: You don’t have to look for it there. It’s just in your face on a regular . . . . Jimmy Needham: Oh, it’s everywhere. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes. Jimmy Needham: And so for me, it was around the seventh grade. And I had friends that were real computer savvy, and they taught me all the loopholes, how to get around everything, how to clear my tracks, so to speak. And really, it was about that time, junior high, that it became not just a thing that I went over to my friend’s house because his dad had a magazine or two, but it something that was in my house, even in my room on my computer. And that’s a dangerous thing to have that much access to. TERRY MEEUWSEN: How bad did it get? At its worst point in your life, how bad did it get? Jimmy Needham: I was probably involved looking at something every day. Probably that was around my freshman year of high school, that there really wasn’t a moment where it wasn’t on my mind. Those things perpetuate themselves. At first, you’re just looking at some images that are, maybe it’s just images. Maybe it’s just whatever. But over the course of time, those things don’t satisfy like they did, and they don’t satisfy. And so you go on to harder and harder things, more coarse, more disturbing, more perverse things. TERRY MEEUWSEN: When did you say to yourself, “Wow, I think I’ve got a problem here.” Jimmy Needham: It didn’t hit me until really late, right before I came to Christ. It was about the time that I was aware of the fact that something was broken. Up until that time, I just didn’t want to get caught. That was the long and short of it. I remember praying to God as a kid, “God, please, I pray that my parents wouldn’t find out.” That was how messed up my theology was at the time. But it was the summer before my sophomore year, and it was the first moment where I really began to get an awareness that this wasn’t satisfying, like there was something fundamentally wrong. And now I look back, and I go, “Man, that was the Holy Spirit beginning to call me.” TERRY MEEUWSEN: Now, was this close to the time when you had an encounter with a Christian in your high school? And how did that happen? Jimmy Needham: Yes, it was. I met him my freshman year, then summer happened. And that was really my lowest point. And when we came back into my sophomore year, we were becoming more and more friends. And he was just one of those guys that was noticeably a Jesus follower. Plenty of people say that they walk with Christ, but this guy just uniquely. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes. Jimmy Needham: And so I was walking home with him one day. He had befriended me at that point. And we were walking home, and I just felt really compelled to share my story with him. At this point, I had never talked to anybody about it. I thought I was the only one. And I think a lot of people do. People who hide it really well, they really, I think, are convinced of that. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, also, where there is sexuality involved, there is a shame base to that that makes it very hard to come out in the open with it. Jimmy Needham: Sure. And I would say particularly in the Christian community where that is really frowned upon, rightly so; but there is a sense of, “Oh, I can’t open up to my pastor. I can’t open up to my parents, because what would they think?” TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes, exactly. Jimmy Needham: When the reality is we need to be exposed in order to thrive spiritually. TERRY MEEUWSEN: So you had an encounter with this person in high school that really kind of made you evaluate your life again. Jimmy Needham: Absolutely. TERRY MEEUWSEN: And then the Lord really gave you a vision of something. Tell us about that. Jimmy Needham: Yes. Well, that day that I shared my story with this guy, he shared the Gospel with me. And that evening, I embraced the Gospel, and Jesus rescued me. But the funny thing was, I thought my problems would be over at that point, right? So I was wrong. And what really happened is now I have the Spirit of God inside of me waging war against my flesh. So I’m in constant conflict. So I found, man, it was harder than it ever had been, where I would stumble now and just have this remorse, this deep remorse. And so I really kind of got into a time of depression where I was like, “I don’t understand how a good God and a holy God could have anything to do with me.” So there was one night in particular where I was saved at this point, late high school, and I had just gotten off the computer. It was late at night. And I just remember hitting my knees and just going, “God, if you want to leave, you can, because I understand. I wouldn’t want to be around me either. I can’t get it right.” And I remember just in that moment just feeling so broken. And I saw, as plain as I’m seeing you—it hadn’t happened before. It hasn’t happened since—I saw a vision of myself kneeling on the ground right by my bed. In that same moment I saw Jesus come into the picture and kneel next to me. And all He did for the next five seconds was He just put His hand on my back like this. And it was so powerful, because at that point I thought, “This is a God who is angry. This is a God who is tired of it and ready to leave.” And what He said in that moment was, “I’m near. I’m here, and I care for you.” And it gave me so much freedom. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes. So you finally broke free from the pornography after you felt that presence and that acceptance and love from the Lord. Jimmy Needham: Absolutely. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Today you’re married. Jimmy Needham: I am. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes. Jimmy Needham: Three years. We just celebrated three years a week ago. TERRY MEEUWSEN: That’s awesome. And God is using you and your music to talk about the things that we all struggle with that we need a Savior to set us free from. Jimmy Needham: Yes. TERRY MEEUWSEN: The song that you’re about to sing for us today is called “Forgiven and Loved.” What does that mean to you? Jimmy Needham: Well, it’s really a prayer. If you listen to the lyrics, it’s me begging God. Oftentimes because of my past, and I think because of a lot our pasts, we struggle with receiving the love and the forgiveness of God. The most shocking and beautiful verse in all of scripture, I would say, is Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” And so this song is really a reminder to me that that is true and that God loves me despite me, because of Christ. TERRY MEEUWSEN: That’s a realization and a truth that we all need to be able to receive, because we are all broken and in need of a Savior. Well, Jimmy, I want to let you go get in position, if you will. Thank you so much. And for all of you, I want you to know that Jimmy’s latest CD is called Not Without Love. This is available nationwide and today he’s going to sing one of the songs from this called “Forgiven and Loved.” But you can find this anywhere in the country where music is sold. So please welcome Jimmy Needham. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * JIMMY PERFORMS “FORGIVEN AND LOVED” Jimmy Needham (Singing): “Tell me I’m forgiven and loved . . . .” * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GRAPHIC: KICKING PORN GORDON ROBERTSON: Still ahead, an obsession . . . . Man: All I could do was think about repeating what I saw on those videos. GORDON ROBERTSON: . . . . fueled by pornography. Man: I can remember having hundreds of Penthouse, Playboy magazines stashed under my bed. GORDON ROBERTSON: How he kicked his habit in a basement. Man: I’ll never forget that night. It changed my life forever. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 3: SONGS FOR WORSHIP “Open the eyes . . . .” Announcer: These are the most powerful songs of our time. “Come, now is the time . . . .” Announcer: And now, for the first time, the biggest praise and worship songs are together. “How great is our God . . . .” Announcer: Presenting Songs 4 Worship 50, 50 songs in one specially priced collection. “Holy is the Lord . . . .” Announcer: You’ll hear 50 beautiful songs of hope. “I’m coming back . . . .” Announcer: Fifty powerful songs of faith. “Amazing love, how can . . . .” Announcer: Get Songs 4 Worship 50 on three CDs for only 24.99. “Here I am . . . .” Announcer: But wait, order in the next ten minutes with your credit card, and we’ll take 15 dollars off. “Shout to the Lord . . . .” Announcer: That’s right. You get 50 praise and worship songs for just 9.99. “God of wonders . . . .” Announcer: Then preview other great praise and worship collections, satisfaction guaranteed. “Blessed be the name . . . .” Announcer: So call now and get Songs 4 Worship 50, 50 beautiful songs on three CDs for just 9.99. “Savior, He can move . . . .” Announcer #2: Call 1-800-735-7412 to order Songs 4 Worship 50 on three CDs for 9.99, plus shipping and handling, when you use your credit card. Call now or order online at Timelife.com/Songs4Worship50. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GAY MARRIAGE IN IOWA GEORGE THOMAS: And welcome back to The 700 Club. A group that opposes gay marriage is now focusing its efforts in Iowa. The National Organization for Marriage wants to overturn a state Supreme Court ruling that legalized gay marriage. The group has launched a program called “The Reclaim Iowa Project.” They’re focusing on getting state house candidates elected who will put the issue of gay marriage before voters. But the state’s governor and legislative leaders, all Democrat, say they oppose amending the Constitution to allow a ban. The earliest a gay marriage ban could make the ballot would be 2014. BERNANKE ID THEFT GEORGE THOMAS: The Federal Reserve Board chairman and his wife were victims of identity theft. Newsweek reports thieves stole the purse of Ben Bernanke’s wife while she was in a Starbucks. The purse had several credit cards and a checkbook. The Bernankes got swept up into a wide ranging identity fraud ring. The crooks stole more than two million dollars from everyday people and at least ten banks across the country. As always, you can get the latest from CBN News by going to our web site at CBN.com. GRAPHIC: FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ON TO CBN.COM Gordon and Terry will be back with more of The 700 Club, right after this. Stay with us, folks. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 4A: CBN NEWS CHANNEL LEE WEBB: It’s the one thing news viewers can agree on. REPORTER: They want change. ANNOUNCER: Now, the world’s leading Christian news organization brings you national, international news and analysis throughout the day: mornings, the busy lunch hour, late afternoon and evenings. It’s news with a Christian perspective whenever you want it. Available on the web 24/7 at CBNNews.com. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 4B: EPIDUO Announcer: Day 87 and Tyler B. is still in that aisle, determined to find the answer for his acne. Man: Kid, get a life. Tyler: I’m trying. Man: The truth is acne, even when it’s mild, is a medical condition. Tyler: Huh? Man: Medical, as in doctor. Tyler: Oh. Announcer: And that’s how Tyler came to his senses, sort of, and learned about once-a-day prescription Epiduo gel. If you’re not getting the results you want, ask your doctor about Epiduo, two of the most doctor prescribed acne fighting ingredients in one gel medication, a product you can’t get in the acne aisle. Dryness, redness, peeling, stinging, burning or itching may occur. Don’t use irritating products when using Epiduo. Overexposure to sun, sunlamps, extreme wind or cold may increase the risk for irritation. Use of sunscreen and protective clothing is advised. Go to epiduo.com and learn how to pay no more than 20 dollars for your Epiduo prescription. To learn more about Epiduo gel, talk to your doctor, call or go to epiduo.com. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEXT DAY PROMO GRAPHIC: MEGA-VOLCANO GORDON ROBERTSON: Tomorrow. Take a tour of the world’s largest volcano. Man: That’s 6,000 times larger than Mount Saint Helens. * * * GRAPHIC: TRAPPED IN A CULT GORDON ROBERTSON: Plus . . . . Woman: He promised all these grand, wonderful things. And I believed him. GORDON ROBERTSON: How this woman left a cult and lived to tell about it. * * * GRAPHIC: HER OWN WAR GORDON ROBERTSON: Then: Woman: He had been shot through the head by a sniper, and I am freaking out. GORDON ROBERTSON: A mother goes to war and saves her son. On The 700 Club. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: BJ Swoager had a future in baseball. Major League scouts were checking him out, but he never made it to the big leagues, because he had a stronger obsession than baseball. BJ SWOAGER GORMAN WOODFIN: BJ Swoager was crazy about baseball. And when his dad signed him up for his first Little League, he met a young friend who loved the game just as much as he did. BJ Swoager: I met this one guy and we hit it off from the start. And we were baseball buddies. I can remember going over to his house, and we’d wait for everybody to go to bed. And the next thing you know, this one night—I’d never seen any kind of bad movie whatsoever. As a matter of fact, the only thing I watched on television was baseball. And I can remember this guy, he popped in a video. I was really seeing a lot of vivid images that a five-year-old probably shouldn’t see. The movies we were watching had a lot of murder in them, killing, a lot of death, and a lot of sex scenes. And in that moment, it’s like something started to trigger inside of me. In kindergarten, I started to develop feelings that I couldn’t control. Every day, I can remember laying there when it was nap time, and I wanted to take this little girl in a pink dress up to the bathroom. And all I could do was think about repeating what I saw in those videos. I thought this is what it was to be close to someone, is to have that intimate relationship, that sexual relationship. GORMAN WOODFIN: Although BJ grew up in a loving family, he never felt accepted by kids his age. In middle school, his classmates teased him about his weight. He yearned for love and spent years searching for ways to fill the void he felt inside. BJ Swoager: After the age of 16, I was driven by sex, alcohol and drugs. I was smoking cigarettes, smoking pot. I got addicted to pornography, any kind, any shape form or fashion. I can remember having hundreds of Penthouse, Playboy magazines stashed under my bed. I was never satisfied. It was like I was trying to fill this void I had inside of me. I was trying to find love in all the wrong places. I lost who I was for so many years. GORMAN WOODFIN: After high school, BJ played baseball for a Division One junior college in Allie City, Alabama. His goal was to break every baseball record at the school. BJ Swoager: I had a batting average of 361. I hit 30 homeruns and had 125 RBIs. I led the state in Division One Juco in homeruns and RBIs two years in a row. GORMAN WOODFIN: Major League baseball scouts were watching BJ, and he had two stellar seasons of baseball. But his abuse of alcohol and drugs threatened his baseball career. And after a sudden knee injury, BJ turned to what he knew best. BJ Swoager: It was girl after girl and drink after drink. That’s what consumed me, the life of just loneliness. I was so lonely. And I tried to fill my life with the alcohol. It didn’t work. I tried to fill the voids with the lust and the pornography. It didn’t work. I tried everything the world had to offer. None of it worked. I was so lonely. I was so depressed. I was so mad at everything around me. Now my baseball career has been taken from me, because I tear up my knee. GORMAN WOODFIN: He met a friend who invited him to a Tuesday night Bible study. BJ Swoager: I walked into a guy’s basement where there are about four to seven guys worshipping. I’ll never forget that night. This guy walks up to me, wraps his arm around me. He said, “We believe in you, and we love you.” And he said, “Jesus loves you so much.” And he led me to the Lord at that moment, and it changed my life forever. God delivered me from alcohol. God delivered me from pornography. God delivered me from the drugs and the amphetamines that I was taking. GORMAN WOODFIN: As his passion for the Lord grew, BJ began to share Christ to anyone who would listen. BJ Swoager: He gave me such a hunger, such a hunger, to tell other people about it. Now after two and a half years, God said, “BJ, I want you to start ministering to middle-schoolers.” GORMAN WOODFIN: BJ started a middle school ministry called Redeemed. Every morning before school, interested students gather to pray and worship. BJ Swoager: And the kids were calling me. They would say, “We’ve got to get up. We’ve got to pray. Somebody might get saved today.” I had a kid come up to me. He said, “BJ, I was going to commit suicide three weeks ago, but you came up, you wrapped your arms around me, and you said that I really did have an opportunity to make a difference. I really was important. I was special.” And it’s times like that that change me, that let me know that God really is doing something, because BJ can’t do anything. And if I just surrender my life to Him, I found out that nothing is impossible with God. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON MINISTERS SALVATION GORDON ROBERTSON: Nothing is impossible with God. All it takes on your part is to surrender your life to Him. Now, we tend to make a big deal about, “Do we believe in God? And is God real? Does He exist? And will He do the things He says? Will He stand by His promises? Will He do all that for me?” But I’m here to tell you the bigger deal is that God believes in you. And He believes so much in you that He was willing to die for you, so that you could have a future and a hope. Now, He knows everything about you. He knows what you’ve done and what you’re doing. And in light of all of that, He still believes in you. And He says to you, “I know the plans that I have for you, to give you a future and a hope.” He says, “I put before you a choice: life or death.” Why would you choose death? Why? And He’s wondering why won’t you just let Him help you? If you will, then your future can change. And it won’t be controlled by anything that may control you now. Your future can be free, for who the Son sets free is free indeed. And you don’t have to be a slave to compulsion. You don’t have to be a slave to alcohol or drugs or pornography. You don’t have to have that horrible feeling, “Oh, no, I’ve done it again.” You can live free. You can live free. And you can have hope, and peace, and joy, and confidence that comes from a clean conscience. I know it may sound impossible. Maybe you’re just like BJ, and you’ve gone into things you never thought you should have done. And it’s gotten worse. You’ve tried to control it. And maybe you console yourself with, “Well, I’m not as bad as that guy. I may have done some bad things, but I’m not as bad as him. I haven’t done that. I haven’t gone that far.” Well, if you’re in that thought process, you already know that you’ve gone too far. You’ve already gotten to a point where you can’t break free. You can’t put it down. You can’t stop. Right now, if you want to be free, if you want to know that Jesus is real, all you have to do is ask Him and say, “Jesus, can you make something of my life? Can you turn me around? Can you make me righteous?” The answer to all that is yes, He can. And the reason He can is that He believes in you. And He accepts you, and He is willing to change you. So if you want this, bow your head with me. Pray a simple prayer and take that first step to saying, “Jesus, come into my heart. Change my life. Give me a hope and a future. Reveal to me the good works that you’ve made for me, that you created for me to walk into.” If you do it, He’ll answer. He can change you. With God, nothing is impossible. So if this is for you, bow your head. Pray this prayer and let Jesus do all the rest for you. What He has done for others, He will and can do for you. Pray with me. “Lord Jesus.” That’s right. Say it out loud. “Lord Jesus, you know the mess I’m in. And I need to be set free. I need to be released. I need to be forgiven. I need to have all the chains broken off of me. So Jesus, I ask you right now to come into my life, to come into my heart, to come into my innermost being and change me and make me new again and release me from the things that I’m doing wrong and forgive me. And Jesus, if you’ll do this, I want to follow you all the days of my life. Hear my prayer, for I pray it in your name.” Father, for those who just prayed, I pray a release. And right now, set the captives free. Take away those compulsions, those desires. Break off anything now. We bind it now, in Jesus’ name. And we declare over them that who the Son sets free is free indeed. Do it now, Lord. Cleanse them now. Forgive them now, for I ask it in Jesus’ name. Amen. If you’re suffering with temptations, compulsions, things that have got a hold of you, and you want to be free, all you have to do is log on to CBN.com. GRAPHIC: 1-800-759-0700 CBN.COM You don’t have to leave an e-mail, name, anything. You can do it anonymously. One of the things addictions like to do is hide in shame, and they hide in the shadows. You don’t want anybody to know. You feel exposed if you let anybody know. Well, we’re not here to judge here. We’re here to bring the love of Jesus Christ to bear on you, so that you can be free. So right now on CBN.com, on the home page, there is a booklet that you can download for free. It’s called “Trapped in Temptation.” GRAPHIC: TRAPPED IN TEMPTATION 1-800-759-0700 CBN.COM And in there are ten steps to freedom in Christ, what you need to do, ten practical things you can do now to get free from anything that has a hold on you, anything that you’re doing that you know is wrong, and you want to be free. We’ll send it to you free of charge if you want. If you don’t have access to the Internet, call us: 1-800-759-0700. If you prayed that prayer with me, we’ve got a free packet for you when you call. It’s called “A Higher Calling.” GRAPHIC: OUR GIFT TO YOU 1-800-759-0700 CBN.COM In there is a CD teaching on how to live the Christian life. We encourage you to read the Bible every day. Let the Bible renew your mind and bring you into closer fellowship with God. Make that call. Do it right now: 1-800-759-0700. We’ll be back with more of The 700 Club after this. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 5A: PRAYER COUNSELING CENTER Son: Daddy? Father: Yeah, buddy? Son: How many nickels are in a dollar? Father: There are 20 nickels in a dollar. Son: How do birds fly? Does milk really make my bones stronger? Father: Yeah. Yep. Son: Daddy, when we die, will we go to Heaven? Announcer: Do you have the answer to life’s biggest question? Call The 700 Club. We’ll help you find answers to the important questions life brings your way. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 5B: ALERT USA Dr. Joyce Brothers: Hi, I’m Dr. Joyce Brothers. Those of us who are independent and live alone shouldn’t do so without having emergency protection. And for reliability and peace of mind, I recommend Alert USA. Announcer: With Alert USA, if you ever need assistance, just press your pendant to be connected to an operator who can summon help to your home 24 hours a day. Dr. Joyce Brothers: I’ve been giving advice for many years, and I believe Alert USA provides the best emergency support and value for your dollar. Call now for a free brochure. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, six years ago, a man named Dima fell and broke his back. With no money for a doctor, Dima thought he would be paralyzed for life, until he got a visit from Operation Blessing. DIMA’S BACK SURGERY ANDREW KNOX: Six years ago, Dima fell off a roof and broke his back. Dima: I was paralyzed from my back down. I could not even feel my legs. ANDREW KNOX: He had no family and no one to take care of him. So he was sent to a home for disabled people where he was neglected by the workers. Dima: I did not want to live like that, but I didn’t see any way out. I started drinking and tried to find comfort in alcohol. ANDREW KNOX: Dima lived without hope for nearly five years. But when Operation Blessing brought a medical outreach to his hometown, he decided to apply for help. Dima: I thought maybe they would give me some medicine and that would be it. The doctors would leave, and I would go back to lying in bed and living my old life in the home. ANDREW KNOX: Operation Blessing doctors examined Dima and determined that surgery could repair his injury enough to get Dima back on his feet. They also talked to him about God. Woman: We prayed with him, and I could see a spark of hope light up in his eyes. Dima: I realized there were only two ways I could go: nowhere or to God. I chose to go to God. ANDREW KNOX: Soon, Operation Blessing arranged two surgeries for Dima. Dima: Six days after the surgery, I was able to walk again, praise the Lord. I had waited for that moment for five long years. ANDREW KNOX: Dima is recovering and slowly learning to walk again without crutches. He talks to everyone about God and his dream is to one day go to Bible school. Those dreams are about to come true, because Operation Blessing also decided to get him enrolled and pay his tuition. Dima: I don’t have enough words to tell you about the joy in my heart. You changed my life. May God bless you. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TERRY MEEUWSEN: Changing lives like Dima’s is what The 700 Club is all about. It’s what Operation Blessing and WorldReach and all of the programs that come out of The 700 Club, out of CBN, are doing around the world, touching and changing lives. GRAPHIC: 1-800-759-0700 CBN.COM Six days after surgery, this man who had been relegated to a life of paralysis, was walking. How did that happen? Because you made it possible with your gifts. We want to say thank you for seeing the possibility to touch others with the love of Jesus Christ. You didn’t just fix his body. You shared with him the love of God, and that is what has changed his life forever. And now the ripple effect of that is that Dima is turning around and sharing that love with others, declaring what God has done for him. We’re invited to be a part of that by God, so we want to invite you to join with us in that adventure by joining The 700 Club. Sixty-five cents a day, 20 dollars a month, makes you a member, so please, join now. And when you do, do it through Pledge Express. GRAPHIC: FREE WITH PLEDGE EXPRESS 1-800-759-0700 CBN.COM It saves us a lot of administrative costs and allows us to send you “Power for Life” tapes every month that we believe will touch your life. And that means you have none of the hassle of stamps, envelopes, paper work, so join through Pledge Express. But call now: 1-800-759-0700. Gordon. GORDON ROBERTSON: All right. We leave you with these words from John. It’s the eighth chapter, the 36th verse. Memorize this one. GRAPHIC: John 8:36 “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (NKJV) “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Walk free today. For all of us here, God bless you. We’ll see you again tomorrow. GRAPHIC: COPYRIGHT 2009 CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * END SPOT: PLEDGE EXPRESS Announcer: While Mary feeds her two young daughters, she also helps feed needy families around the world. While Bob hands a drink out to a co-worker, he helps give water to villages with new wells. And while Carl builds a house for his son’s new puppy, he helps rebuild homes in disaster areas. TERRY MEEUWSEN: These people all have something in common. They’re CBN partners who have joined Pledge Express. It’s easy to sign up. Just give us a call, log on to CBN.com or return the Pledge Express form you receive in the mail. Then each month, we’ll send you “Power for Life,” and you’ll receive this powerful CD called Overcoming Stress. So join us and change the world for someone today.