The 700 Club: December 4, 2009

The 700 Club Daily Broadcast Friday, December 4, 2009 GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, welcome to The 700 Club. We have some good news about unemployment today. The government reported that the jobless rate fell to 10 percent. TERRY MEEUWSEN: But economists worry that unemployment will remain high for months to come. So the Obama Administration is looking for new ways for out of work Americans to get jobs. Here is Jennifer Wishon from Washington. JOHN WAAGE: Analysts have reasons to hope companies will start hiring again in the next few months. But despite today’s drop, the unemployment rate may actually continue to rise into the New Year. That is because the 15.7 million Americans currently out of work will have to compete with another 11.7 million of so-called “underemployed” workers. Those are people working fewer hours than they would like. The number of part-time workers who would like full-time work has risen to more than 9 million. And another 2.4 million would like a job but have given up looking. So analysts say it could take years for the economy to generate enough jobs for everyone who wants one. The lingering problem is putting pressure on the Obama Administration which is now publicly demonstrating what the Vice President calls “a laser focus” on one thing. Vice President Joe Biden: It’s jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs. JENNIFER WISHON: The President is leaving the White House today to visit the damage on Main Street for himself, meeting with struggling business owners and workers in Allentown, Pennsylvania, fresh off an idea session held at the White House yesterday, where the main question was: President Barack Obama: How do we get businesses to start hiring again? JENNIFER WISHON: And while business executives, economists and union leaders had plenty of input, the answer to the President’s question for many business owners is complicated. Noel Cuellar (Primera Plastics, Michigan): So we’re kind of struggling. Buying raw materials or hiring people? It’s a tough decision. JENNIFER WISHON: As the midterm elections draw near and the national debt grows, the President and members of Congress have tough choices to make. There is already talk among Democratic lawmakers of extending unemployment benefits that could cost 100 billion dollars. But more spending is the last thing many Americans want. And lawmakers still remember those hot August town hall meetings where one of the main messages was what many protestors called wasteful government spending. Woman: We need to stop it. We need to stop spending money. JENNIFER WISHON: Mr. Obama told business leaders at Thursday’s job summit that out-of -control budget deficits limit the government’s ability to flood the economy with more money. President Barak Obama: I want to be clear. While I believe that government has a critical role in creating the conditions for economic growth, ultimately true economic recovery is only going to come from the private sector. JENNIFER WISHON: But the private sector is always skittish coming out of a recession and likely will not start rehiring again until it is confident that growth is sustainable. President Obama will announce what he wants to do to create that confidence in a major speech early next week. Jennifer Wishon, CBN News, Washington. GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, I think the biggest thing the administration can do and the Congress can do is stop changing the rules. That’s what’s happening here. The major engine of job growth in America is small businesses. I think that’s well established. And if we’re going to get out of this recession and start hiring people again, you’ve got to encourage small business owners. Now, in the current climate, what are the unknowns if you’re a small business owner? Well, am I going to have to pay more for health insurance for any employee that I hire? What’s going to be cap and trade? Is that going to now give me some kind of weird energy tax over and above what I’m already paying for energy? Am I going to start having carbon credits? And then is the tax code going to change? Those three things are bringing uncertainty to the small business owner, and as a result, fear. And they’re pulling back. And the President, the administration, Congress, they all need to say, “Okay, rules aren’t gong to change for a while.” If you’re really going to focus on jobs and job creation, stop changing rules in the middle of the game, and you’ll see the job growth. Lee Webb has the rest of our top stories from the CBN Newsroom. Lee. NO CELL PHONE CANCER LINK? LEE WEBB: Gordon, a new study appears to dispel the notion that there's a link between cell phone use and brain cancer. The Scandanavian study is published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. It found no increase in brain tumors from 1998 to 2003. But some specialists say the study is limited. They say precautionary measures should be taken, especially with children using cell phones. Experts recommend using headphones, speaker phones or Bluetooth headsets. GOING GREEN, SAVING GREEN LEE WEBB: Cities across the country are looking for ways to cut costs. Some of them are even turning to the environment for savings. Here is Charlene Israel. CHARLENE ISRAEL: It is no secret that big cities are major contributors to pollution. But now many are hoping to alleviate the problem they helped create by going green. For example, the mayor of Chicago hopes to make his city the greenest in the country. Suzanne Malec-McKenna (Chicago Commissioner, Dept of Environment): On a 74-degree overcast day, this side of the roof was 74 degrees, and the black tar side of the roof, which is the county side of the building, is 152 degrees on the same day, same temperature. CHARLENE ISRAEL: In New York, there is the Cool Roofs Program where roof tops of big buildings are painted to reflect heat, which helps cut down on cooling costs. And in Los Angeles, residents can rent vehicles for a few hours at a time, cutting down on pollution and traffic jams. Atlanta is going green, too, undertaking an ambitious effort to create 22 miles of parks and green spaces. City leaders say measures like these make a difference on many levels. Suzanne Malec-McKenna: It's great for the environment, but it's also great for the other green, which is our bottom line. CHARLENE ISRAEL: Cities that are going green hope to reap the benefits, like better infrastructures and a healthier atmosphere for their residents. They might even save a little green along the way. Charlene Israel, CBN News. LOUD COMMERCIALS LEE WEBB: Are you tired of turning the TV down during commercials? You’re not alone. And as Mark Martin reports, a Washington lawmaker is trying to do something about it. Fay Demitrio: It’s really very loud. MARK MARTIN: Faye and Jim Demetriou are not amused when they’re watching their favorite TV shows and the commercials give a jolt to their eardrums. Commercial Announcer: A flame grilled feast from El Pollo Loco. Faye Demetriou: Now that’s much louder. MARK MARTIN: Anyone who watches TV knows that commercials can sound much louder than the programs. Faye Demetriou (Upset about Loud Commercials): And to me, it's an invasion of my living room and my sound comfort. And if they are trying to sell me a product, they've just lost me, because I am not going to listen to it. MARK MARTIN: And Faye means that literally. She and Jim hit the mute button, like millions of Americans. Congresswoman Anna Eschoo of California has taken her irritation with loud commercials to Capitol Hill. She has proposed a bill which requires commercials to not be louder than the TV shows in which they air. Rep. Anna Eschoo ([D] California): Something that was cumulative for me, cumulative in terms of my aggravation. MARK MARTIN: Loud commercials are one of the top complaints received by the FCC. As it stands now, ads can air at the loudest volume of a TV program. Commercial Narrator: Did you know 40 percent of tooth surfaces . . . . Man: The commercials are all slamming right up in here. So they will push it to the max. MARK MARTIN: So a commercial for toothpaste can sound as loud as an intense drama. If Congresswoman Eschoo's bill becomes law, broadcasters would have two years to equalize the volume, a push she says is striking a chord with her colleagues. Rep. Anna Eschoo: I've never had so many members of Congress say thank you to me. MARK MARTIN: A new against high volume commercials will also please the Demetrious. Eschoo expects lawmakers could pass it in time for Christmas. Mark Martin, CBN News. A GIFT OF GRACE LEE WEBB: Churches in Boise, Idaho, are once again offering to pay people’s parking tickets to demonstrate God’s grace. They call the program The Grace Gift Parable. Organizers plan to gather in front of Boise City Hall a week from tomorrow and offer to pay off up to 10,000 dollars in delinquent parking tickets. The pastor of Boise Valley Christian Communion says the giveaway is meant to help people understand that even though they have made mistakes, forgiveness is available. The event was first held back in 2004. And the money for this year’s giveaway was donated by area businesses and churches. SEASON OF GIVING LEE WEBB: And another church has come up with a unique way to bless its community. Man: We want to take the money, and we want to give it to somebody. LEE WEBB: Grace Church in Humboldt, Texas is handing out 22,000 dollars to its congregation this holiday season, but there is a catch. The members must use the money to help others in the community. Each envelope holds a different amount, from a few bucks to as much as 500 dollars. Pastor Chuck Colegrove (Grace Church): We just want to stimulate some generosity in our community. Pastor Scott Jones (Grace Church): Go out and make a difference in your world. Lori Willett (Grace Church Member): I really believe God is going to show us the right person who really needs it. Payara Cropper (Grace Church Member): I’d probably give it to someone that was on the street. Graciela Amaya (Grace Church Member): Try to get them some food and warm clothes and blankets, for sure. Craig Joubert (Grace Church Member): Throw a big party for the veterans. Lisa Joubert (Grace Church Member): It would definitely bring back the Christmas cheer and the holiday season. Pastor Chuck Colegrove: It just turned it into the season of giving. LEE WEBB: Fascinating. The church has created a web site for members to share the creative ways they have blessed people in need. It’s called The Need to Seed. GRAPHIC: FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ON TO CBN.COM FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONGS LEE WEBB: What’s your favorite Christmas song? The Zogby polling firm asked Americans to name their three favorite carols. O Holy Night easily topped the list. Fifty-eight percent of people ranked it as their favorite Christmas song. It easily beat out non-religious songs like White Christmas, which came in second with 41 percent, followed by Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire at 38 percent. Gordon, I tell you, nothing gets me in the Christmas spirit at church when I hear that great hymn Angels from the Realm of Glory. What’s your favorite hymn? GORDON ROBERTSON: My favorite one is Silent Night. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Oh, I like that, too. GORDON ROBERTSON: I like that one. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes. GORDON ROBERTSON: What’s your favorite? TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, I like Silent Night, O Holy Night, Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful. Just sign me up. I’m good to go. GORDON ROBERTSON: Terry is ready to go caroling. TERRY MEEUWSEN: I am. I am. Look for me in your neighborhood. Well, coming up, a Special Forces raid to bust a Taliban leader. Man: We’re hoping to essentially seize any narcotics or weapons that he may have and collect any evidence that we can use to prosecute him. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Reporter Chuck Holton takes us behind enemy lines in Afghanistan, when we return. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GRAPHIC: “BIG DADDY” GORDON ROBERTSON: Still ahead, Big Daddy is in the house. Man: It don’t get no better than this. This is going to stick to the ribs. GORDON ROBERTSON: The Food Network start mixes it up in our kitchen, on today’s 700 Club. * * * GRAPHIC: ROBERT A. SCHULLER GORDON ROBERTSON: Plus . . . . Robert A. Schuller: I was destined to be the senior pastor at Crystal Cathedral. GORDON ROBERTSON: Robert Schuller talks about the pink slip that took him from the pulpit. Robert A. Schuller: When that happened, it was very emotional. It was very difficult. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 1: GOLDLINE Scott Winters (Goldline Client): You did everything right. You saved for the future. But like so many, you’ve seen your investments decline. And although the markets have recovered some of their losses, analysts predict they will remain volatile for many years. Hi, I’m Scott Winters. As investors, we are seeing increased government spending and the potential for inflation. That’s why it’s important to be diversified. Consider gold as a way to diversify your investments. I’m a Goldline client, and I’ve been investing in gold for over ten years. Gold is a trusted asset that I can see and touch. 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Man: I have no doubt in my mind that God was there with me. GORDON ROBERTSON: Next week, on The 700 Club. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: Congressional leaders appear ready to support President Obama’s plan to send more troops to Afghanistan. Already, American Special Forces are training Afghans to carry out important missions in the future after US troops have left their country. Reporter Chuck Holton recently got a firsthand look at a secret operation. FOCUS: US SPECIAL FORCES CHUCK HOLTON: Flying over Afghanistan's rugged and desolate landscape, it's easy to get a sense of the challenge facing military commanders on the ground. It's also clear why many Afghans have never even seen a US troop. Vast areas of the country are still almost completely controlled by the Taliban. This power enables them to move weapons and continue fighting, while also smuggling the opium that keeps money coming their way. One bright spot is the growing accuracy of US intelligence gathering. These techniques allow Special Forces to penetrate remote areas and execute lightning fast raids in Taliban-held territory. I traveled to western Afghanistan's Herat province, where a special operations task force is fighting the enemy in places where American soldiers have never been before. Classified intelligence uncovered a tiny village near the Iranian border that appeared to be a crossroads for drugs leaving the country and explosives coming in. These special operators began planning a midnight raid that would catch the bad guys in this Taliban-controlled town by surprise. Man: Right here. Touchdown will be somewhere around here. Alpha element and assault two, sit in building 50. Special Agent Keith Weis (DEA Liaison to the Special Forces): Tonight we're going to be going on a mission in Western Afghanistan, and we're going to be targeting an individual that has been determined as engaged in the distribution of narcotics, as well as the importation of weapons into Afghanistan for the insurgency. We’re hoping to essentially seize any narcotics or weapons that he may have and collect any evidence that we can use to prosecute him. CHUCK HOLTON: Accompanied by Afghan commandos, we boarded three helicopters in the dead of night at the special-ops base south of Herat. Then, a high-speed, low-level flight deep into enemy territory. The blacked-out helicopters dropped the team just outside the village, and within minutes, the commandos had it surrounded. A new moon meant almost zero light, making it hard to see, even with sophisticated night vision equipment. The unit quickly entered the village and began the difficult and dangerous job of clearing each compound. Military age males were rounded up for questioning while translators assured the women and children that they faced no harm. Some persons of interest were found, though it wasn't immediately known if the team had caught the man they came for. When the mission commander was satisfied that everything had been searched, the unit began preparing to leave. Man: Hey, assault one, we got everybody? Let’s get all the commandos and make sure we’ve got a proper count. I want it to be clear. Once we get out of here, we’ll take a right and start heading back. CHUCK HOLTON: This is the most dangerous part of the mission: getting out before daybreak. The element of surprise is long gone, and helicopters full of soldiers make tempting targets. After a tense few moments as the Afghans loaded their prisoners, the helicopters lifted off and headed back to base. The Special Forces are executing these kinds of missions on a daily basis around the country, training the Afghan army to take the lead and making the most of limited resources to ensure that although the Taliban may run, they won't be able to hide forever. Chuck Holton, CBN News, Herat Province, Afghanistan. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: Well, let’s pray this kind of thing will work, that Afghan forces, their own forces, their own police forces, their own army can take this on and do it. At the same time, history seems to be against us on this one. Great Britain at the height of its empire couldn’t control Afghanistan. Russia at the height of the USSR, they had 600,000 troops in Afghanistan. They couldn’t control it. And so here we are saying, “Okay, well, we want to bring them democracy. We want to bring them freedom. We want to break all the stranglehold of this theocracy over them.” And are we really doing it? And are we really fighting with the right weapons? I’ve been saying for a long time bullets aren’t going to change ideas. And we aren’t fighting the right war. I don’t even think we’re engaged in it. Our politically correct system says, “Well, all religions are equal, and we’ve got to respect their religion.” But it’s their religious ideas that are driving this. And you look at the Taliban and they’re remarkably devout in what they believe. And until we start engaging at that level, and we just don’t consider it polite to say, “Well, your ideas about God are wrong. You blow yourself in a marketplace and take out innocents, well, you’re not going to go to paradise. You’re not going to go to Heaven.” And until we get to that level and that level of engagement, I don’t see any kind of quick end to any of these wars, whether you’re talking about in Afghanistan or you’re talking about in Iraq or you’re talking about the West Bank or you’re talking about homemade terrorists, whether they’re in Great Britain or the United States or in Europe, Spain. We’re in a protracted struggle, and we’ve got to start recognizing it’s a war of ideas and it’s a struggle of ideas and whose ideas are best. Terry. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, coming up, the season four winner of The Next Food Network Star. GRAPHIC: “BIG DADDY’S” HOLIDAY DINNER Aaron McCargo, Jr., cooks up a holiday dinner Big Daddy style. That’s later on today’s 700 Club. But first, two sons of two famous preachers. GORDON ROBERTSON: I’m going to pretend I’m not the son of Pat Robertson. I did that for two decades. Robert A. Schuller: Well, if your name was Pat, it would have been ten times worse, I promise you. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Gordon talks with Robert A. Schuller when we come back. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 2: HUMANA BIG BOOK Spokesman: If you have Medicare, I have three things you’ll want to hear. There’s an all-in-one Medicare health plan from Humana. It includes Medicare prescription drug coverage, and it can save you money in so many ways. It’s all in this book, and it’s yours free just for calling. You’ll see all the ways the plan saves you money, including prescription drugs. In fact, Humana Medicare Advantage members saved on average over 1,400 dollars on their prescription costs last year. And you get all this coverage with a monthly health plan premium that may surprise you. Even if you’ve looked at Humana before, you need to take another look at this plan. Call 1-800-669-0739. We’ll send you the decision guide absolutely free, in a slightly smaller size, of course. Discover the all-in-one Medicare health plan that can cut your costs and cover your prescriptions. Call 1-800-669-0739. Or go to HumanaBigBook.com. The savings are too big to miss. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: In 2006, Robert A. Schuller was named senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, California. He was also minister of their weekly TV program, Hour of Power, and everything seemed to be going fine in terms of succession and taking over for his father. Well, two years later, he had left all those positions. And recently in our studio I talked with Robert about why he left and what he is doing now. ROBERT A. SCHULLER ANDREW KNOX: Life was good for Robert A. Schuller, son of bestselling author Robert Schuller, Sr. He was on track to succeed his dad as senior pastor of the world famous Crystal Cathedral. But Robert was asked to resign from his position. He struggled with intense feelings of betrayal. In his book, Leaning Into God, Robert shares how he dealt with broken relationships to find forgiveness. GORDON ROBERTSON: Joining us now is the former pastor of the world famous Crystal Cathedral and also the bestselling author of the new book, Leaning Into God When Life is Pushing You Away. Please welcome to The 700 Club Robert Schuller. Robert, it’s wonderful to have you here. Robert A. Schuller: Gordon, thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here, a pleasure to meet you. GORDON ROBERTSON: It’s good to meet you. I’ve been looking forward to this, just because I think we have a lot of shared experience. Robert A. Schuller: Oh, there’s no question we have a lot in common. Yes. GORDON ROBERTSON: You’ve gone through a real traumatic thing. And I know for me as the son of a famous preacher, I know what it’s like to grow up with that. Robert A. Schuller: Not too many of us do. GORDON ROBERTSON: You get the “son of” all the time. And it tends to form your identity. And so there are like two ways for us to go. One is to rebel against that and say, “Well, I’m going to pretend I’m not the son of Pat Robertson.” I did that for two decades. Robert A. Schuller: Well, if your name was Pat, it would have been ten times worse, I promise you. GORDON ROBERTSON: I’ll get no sympathy from you. Robert A. Schuller: Just FYI. GORDON ROBERTSON: But what happened to you? Robert A. Schuller: I was installed as the senior pastor of the Crystal Cathedral in January of ’06. I was the senior pastor there for two and a half years. I want to thank my father and everybody else who made that possible. It was a wonderful experience. But the long and short of it is I have four sisters, and they’re all involved in the ministry, and they have husbands, and they’re all involved. I just didn’t feel it was appropriate to divide the ministry the way they wanted to divide it, and so the bottom line was I believed that it was time for me to leave. GORDON ROBERTSON: Aren’t there some problems associated with that? For Crystal Cathedral itself, for that ministry, if there is not defined succession. Robert A. Schuller: Correct. GORDON ROBERTSON: At some point in time, you look out into the future and say, “What’s the future?” Robert A. Schuller: Yes. Well, at this point, I was removed from that position to make any decisions about what’s going to happen in the future of that ministry. So what I have done is I’ve decided that it’s time for me to first of all lean into God, because there are no other options. When that happened, it was very emotional. It was very difficult. There were times when I would sit there. I would curse at the sky. I would curse at everything. I was just angry, and I was hurt. But I really lived with the Prayer of Jabez. And the Prayer of Jabez begins, “Bless me indeed and enlarge my territory.” But that’s not the prayer I was praying. I was praying the second half of that prayer, which really focuses on the individual’s reaction to sin. “Keep me from sin, and help me, and prevent me from doing any harm.” And so by praying that prayer, it just drew me to God. GORDON ROBERTSON: You can really, truly say, “I forgive and I bless.” Have you gotten to that? Robert A. Schuller: Yes, I have, actually. And forgiveness is a real interesting thing. Forgiveness doesn’t mean that you forget everything. It doesn’t mean that you hop back into this old cycle of dysfunction or whatever it is that you need to forgive from. I relate it to a woman who was in a real abusive situation in a marriage, where her husband would beat her all the time. And finally she breaks away from that relationship and she forgives the husband who beat her. But she doesn’t move back into the house with him again. You just don’t do that. GORDON ROBERTSON: You’ve got to get separate. Robert A. Schuller: And so that’s where I am. GORDON ROBERTSON: Yes. Yes. That’s a good place. Do you have any advice for, I guess, prominent sons, how difficult it is to grow up “son of,” and then how do you form your own identity within that? Robert A. Schuller: I am the son of Robert Schuller. I’ll always be the son of Robert Schuller. And I’ll always be in his shadow. And the same with you, Gordon. You’re Pat Robertson’s son. No matter what you do, you’re going to be Pat Robertson’s son. GORDON ROBERTSON: I spent two decades trying to prove I wasn’t his son. Robert A. Schuller: Not a good thing. GORDON ROBERTSON: And then I finally woke up. Robert A. Schuller: Not a good thing. GORDON ROBERTSON: You can’t prove that. Robert A. Schuller: Yes, because it’s not true. GORDON ROBERTSON: It’s not true. So it’s impossible to prove that, and you have to get to the point where you embrace it. Robert A. Schuller: Precisely. GORDON ROBERTSON: And say, “This is me.” And you’ve got to look in the mirror and go, “Who are you trying to fool?” But at the same time, how do you make, I guess, your own stamp? Robert A. Schuller: For me, it was pretty clear. I was destined to be the senior pastor of Crystal Cathedral and be in that position and take over that role. And I did. That period ended. And so I’m moving on. And I’m using the experience that I’ve had to be able to do something really fabulous. GORDON ROBERTSON: You’re taking it on. You’re going to start a new television channel. Robert A. Schuller: We’ve acquired a television network called American Life Television. And we’re developing this new opportunity to be able to portray Christianity in a beautiful world. And what I was doing before in the Crystal Cathedral was one hour of television, one hour a week. Now what I have is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to be able to influence media. And the television station we bought, American Life TV, it’s designed to be able to provide pure, happy, good entertainment in a positive way that portrays Christianity in a positive way. GORDON ROBERTSON: I actually think that there is a whole new rebirth for you. Robert A. Schuller: Thank you. GORDON ROBERTSON: That what happened, while it seems on the outside to be a tragedy, is actually a whole new rebirth, and there will be something much greater that comes of this. And so bless you. Robert A. Schuller: Well, thank you. I’m experiencing it currently. And it feels good. GORDON ROBERTSON: All right. Well, if you want the book, When Life is Pushing You Away, it’s Leaning Into God, it’s available nationwide. We’ll be back with more of The 700 Club, right after this. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 3: DVD BIBLE Spokeswoman: And with us today, Emmy Award-winning narrator Stephen Johnston with his brand-new DVD Bible. Stephen Johnston: That’s right. 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It makes a great Christmas gift for friends, family, Bible study, Sunday school or church groups. Order now. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS LEE WEBB: Welcome back to The 700 Club. Holiday decorating is underway at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. The library is holding a number of Christmas activities open to the public. Christmas at the library features a nativity, twinkling lights, carolers and seasonal treats. Photos, cards and other personal decorations that belong to Reverend Billy Graham and his family are also on display. The holiday festivities will continue through December 23rd, and admission is free for most events. THIS WEEK ON OB LEE WEBB: Parts of Atlanta are still cleaning up after devastating floods two months ago. And many families in the region are still homeless. CBN's Operation Blessing teamed up with Atlanta-based Home Depot to help some of those families. In just five days, teams were able to gut and renovate four flood-damaged homes. The families were asked to stay away from their homes while volunteers performed what they said would be minor repairs. But when the families returned, they were surprised to find their homes fully renovated: brand new carpet, vinyl floors, painted walls, furniture and decorative touches. That’s great. You can find out more about the work that Operation Blessing is doing at OB.org. GRAPHIC: FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO OB.ORG Gordon and Terry will be back with more of The 700 Club, after this. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 4A: CBN TV Woman: Finding video on CBN.com just got easier. We’ve taken all our video, The 700 Club, news, testimonies, teachings, plus our 24/7 channels, and put them in one convenient location. CBN TV. Watch what you want, when you want. It’s all simple to find and now easier than ever to e-mail a story to a friend. CBN TV on CBN.com. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 4B: CHRIS TOMLIN CHRISTMAS CD Announcer: From the writer of “How Great is Our God” comes a brand new Christmas worship project. Chris Tomlin: I’ve always wanted to do an album of Christmas songs. Announcer: Introducing Chris Tomlin: Glory in the Highest, Christmas songs of worship. A remarkable live album of 12 new and familiar carols transformed into powerful songs of worship. Chris Tomlin: I want people to hear people worshipping God with these songs. Announcer: To order for 9.99 plus shipping and handling, visit ChrisTomlinChristmas.com. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * NEXT DAY PROMO GRAPHIC: FALSELY ACCUSED GORDON ROBERTSON: Monday. Man: I used to get into a lot of fights. I used to go out and steal stereos. I did it just for the rush. GORDON ROBERTSON: A gangster lands in the pen . . . . Man: And these two officers show up. They didn’t ask me any questions. GORDON ROBERTSON: . . . . for a crime he didn’t commit. Man: “You’re under arrest for rape. You’re under arrest for first degree murder and kidnapping.” GORDON ROBERTSON: What he learned in prison and how it set him free. Man: I have no doubt in my mind that God was there with me. GORDON ROBERTSON: Next week, on The 700 Club. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, we just celebrated Thanksgiving last week, so if you’re tired of turkey and ham, why not cook something different this year for Christmas dinner, something Big Daddy style? SET-UP PIECE SHAWN BROWN: Aaron McCargo, Jr. is the Big Daddy of the Food Network’s popular cooking show, Big Daddy’s House. He got this tasty gig after winning season four of The Next Food Network Star in 2008. Aaron loves making hearty meals with larger-than-life flavor, and many of his creations are twists on comfort foods like Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls, Inside Out Burgers and Chicken Pot Pie Soup. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: It don’t get no better than this. This is going to stick to the ribs. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GUEST: AARON MCCARGO JR. TERRY MEEUWSEN: As long as it’s just the ribs. Well, please welcome to The 700 Club Aaron McCargo, Jr. Welcome. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Thank you. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Great to have you with us. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Thank you. Glad to be here. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, you just won an amazing opportunity to be known all over the world, really, for your cooking. But tell me about winning The Next Food Network Star. How did that change your life, Aaron? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: You know what, it’s just one of those things that each and every day I just wake up and I say, “Thank you, God,” because people ask me all the time, “Do you feel any different?” It’s hard to say what I feel, because I’m so full of joy. It’s like something I never would ever have imagined me doing or being a part of. It has become a reality for me. And I didn’t even plan this. So it’s a gift. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, talk about that. How did you get into that? How did that happen for you? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Well, actually, it was my wife. My wife was watching Food Network, and she saw the commercial. She said, “Hey, you know what, you should be the next Food Network star. You’ve got the personality. You can cook.” I said, “Baby, you’re crazy. You’ve been drinking that juice again.” And so she said, “No, I just think you’ve got it.” I said, “Well, I don’t have time for it. If you fill out the application and everything, I’ll go through with everything.” Sure enough, she filled out the application, sent it in. Months later, out of thousands of people, I was chosen, one of the ten to go for the show. And from day one, I just said, “God, if you’re going to send me, I’m going to win.” TERRY MEEUWSEN: And how long from day one until you actually won? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Months. It was months. Yes. So imagine ten people, and someone has got to get eliminated every week. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Was that nerve wracking? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: What? Was it nerve wracking? TERRY MEEUWSEN: Dumb question. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: No, no, no. It’s a good question. Yes, I’m still nervous just thinking about it. Yes, but it was something to really experience and to know that you’ve got to go in there with two things: faith in God and faith in yourself. And I went in there, and I always tell people, they say, “What’s your recipe for success?” I said, “A, it’s believing in God. B, believing in myself and having a good support system.” And I have my wife, I have my family, my pastors, my church, everyone rooting for me, because it was something that I had to do. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Now, what did you do before? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Before, I was sitting comfortably as an executive chef of catering a hospital in Philadelphia, Jefferson Hospital. So I was responsible for all the catering services there. And I thought that was a dream job. I’m like Monday through Friday. I get time with the family, weekends off. I said, “God, you truly have blessed me.” And then I realized that His blessings are bigger than that, too. So I don’t know what’s in store for me, but it just shows me that He has bigger plans than we ever can imagine. TERRY MEEUWSEN: And, yet, cooking is not your number one passion. What is? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: God. When people ask me, like, “Yo, how do you feel about life? What is your number one?” I say, “It’s God,” because you know what, ever since I’ve been in a relationship with God, and it is a relationship, He has taught me that He’s right here, like He’s so close to me every day. There’s nothing that I have to fear anymore. I’ve just got to trust Him. And that’s my passion. I want people to feel that from me, to understand, like cooking is great, but just knowing that someone loves me no matter what happens, no matter what I do, no matter what kind of day I had, beginning to end, He still loves me unconditionally. TERRY MEEUWSEN: And I think it’s so amazing when we realize that in your instance, God has given you this great gift. And every time you use it, you bring glory to Him. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Amazing. You know what, my parents were so important. My dad and my mom are the greatest parents that I can ever imagine having. And my dad spoke a word over me. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Really? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: And I said, “Dad, what is my gift? I don’t play football, and I don’t rap. I don’t like to sing. I can’t run.” TERRY MEEUWSEN: But taste this omelet. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Yes, exactly. And he told me, at seven years old, he said, “You’re going to be a chef.” And I had no idea what it was. And my dad spoke it. I got picked on. I had my food thrown at me. And I had people just do things to me that wasn’t cool. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Wow. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: And my dad said, “Just stick in there.” And every year after year, “Just stick in there.” He said, “That’s your gift. That’s your gift.” TERRY MEEUWSEN: That is awesome. Well, let’s look at your gift over here, because you’ve prepared what could be a potential Christmas dinner for someone, and it’s beautiful. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: This is sticking to your ribs part, okay. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Okay. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: So we’re going to start with the Hoisin Glazed Cornish Hens, which my son calls baby turkeys, so he can have his own. Then we’ve got some sautéed collard greens. Of course, some easy simple cranberry sauce. GRAPHIC: FOR RECIPES LOG ON TO CBN.COM And just in case cranberries aren’t in season, you can still make that cranberry sauce. TERRY MEEUWSEN: I see something else in there. What did you put in it? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Oh, I’ve got some apples in this, some Galas and some Granny Smith, just to spice it up a little bit. Then I’ve got my garlic cheese mashed potatoes. And then, of course, there’s a lot of cheese and garlic in here. I’ve got some sweet potato pies. They are the best. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Oh, look at that. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: You know how you want a slice, but you want your own? Now, you can have your own. TERRY MEEUWSEN: You get your own little turkey and your own little pie. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: It’s a cocktail party. TERRY MEEUWSEN: That’s right. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Without the cocktails. And then we’ve got this two in one gravy here, which we’re going to make, because I believe that this is going to knock your socks off. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Awesome. Well, let’s go get started. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Let’s do it. Okay. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Okay. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Now, what I did was I started off by making—I took some store bought sausage meat, made little teeny balls, just like this. And then I got some store bought stuff. And so there is nothing stressful about this right now. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Easy to get the ingredients. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Easy to get it. I got me some oil heating up on 375, about 350 to 375, about medium high heat. And this is how we assemble this. You just take a handful of stuffing mix. You just mold it like this in your hand. Take one of these little balls. TERRY MEEUWSEN: And, ah! Okay. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Look at that. TERRY MEEUWSEN: So a surprise at the center. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Oh, you did this one. This is our commercial, the surprise in the center. And then you just dust it in flour. This is going to give it that nice crispy . . . . TERRY MEEUWSEN: Outside cover, right? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: . . . . outside coating. And then it goes right in the grease. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Awesome. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: So now we crank up our oil a little bit, get that going. TERRY MEEUWSEN: And then when it’s all done, we’ve got—well, are these done? Yes. No, these need to be cooked. Should we put these in there? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Yes, we can. Definitely. So we’ll just get these going and make sure this is up real high, the gravy is up high. TERRY MEEUWSEN: There you go. That’s the gravy. How is that? There you go. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: All right, we pumped it up. Okay. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Okay. Can I help you do this? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Oh, definitely do. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Now, you turn these, I assume. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Yes, you turn them. And then what happens is they cook so fast, because you’ve got to think about it. The stuffing is cooked. The sausage is cooked. So you have no chance . . . . TERRY MEEUWSEN: You’re just kind of browning the outside of this. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: That’s all it is, a simple browning. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Right, because everything is precooked in this. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: And I like having my son cook with me, and the kids love making these. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Kids love just to be with their parents in the kitchen. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: They really do. And I love being with them, because then they get to snack and clean up with you at the end. TERRY MEEUWSEN: That’s awesome. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Now, pretty much, these are really a quick cook. You just flip them over, because they’re going to get nice and golden brown. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Ooh, I guess. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: And, of course, I made the big daddy one for me. But I’m going to give it to you today. Anything big. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Your generosity knows no bounds, right? Okay. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: You get your own chicken, your own pie. TERRY MEEUWSEN: My own meatball. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: You’re getting the works today. You see how quick these cook? TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes. Now, what did you do with the gravy, though, Aaron? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Now, this is a real simple recipe for gravy. You can sort of with a rue. You don’t have any drippings really from the Cornish hen, but there are some. Or you can just get you some store bought gravy. This is one of those go to the store, get the things, come home, make it happen. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Make it simple. Yes. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Think no stress. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, and you know what, honestly, Christmas, where Thanksgiving is more about cooking, Christmas is about other things. So you don’t want something that’s real stressful, but you need it to be fast and good. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Exactly. And as you can see, this is fast. Like we’re flipping, and as we’re flipping, we’re going to start removing them. And I love the fact that this cooks so fast. TERRY MEEUWSEN: That is really working well. And then you, I’m assuming you’re going to drain those for a little bit. How long at home does this normally take you? About five minutes to do these? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: This is about like three or four minutes. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Really? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Really. Like these are ready to come out. They’ve got a nice little crunch to them on the outside. What I’ll do is I’ll just take them out and drain them on this paper towel. And a lot of times—oh, you are such a good helper. That means you’re at Big Daddy’s house. TERRY MEEUWSEN: It’s my gift. Excellent. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: And you know what, if you’re not into frying, you can actually take these same balls and put them in the oven. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Would you broil them or bake them? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: You can bake them. They get nice and crunchy on the outside. TERRY MEEUWSEN: They would still if you baked. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: And this is like one of those delightful things. Like I was joking earlier, I would like to put this on some white bread and just walk around the house with this in my flip flops and pajamas, baby. With a piece of pie in the other hand and a Cornish hen in my housecoat pocket. TERRY MEEUWSEN: There you go. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Now I think we have enough to put inside the gravy. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Okay. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Because I really want you to get the essence of . . . . TERRY MEEUWSEN: Now, should we put some of that on here, and then put the gravy—because we don’t want to put gravy on that paper toweling, right? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Oh, no, this is the trick. These are going to go in this bowl. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Oh, okay. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: This is the fun part. So if you don’t mind, you can just take that whole paper towel, slide it in there. I feel like the holiday times, me and you having fun. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Now I have that gravy. Look at this. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Ooh, look at that. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: This might be a little warm, but I’ll make I’ll be careful. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Oh, that looks awesome. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Look at that. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Wow. Wow. Okay. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Okay, now we’ve got some parsley and some . . . . TERRY MEEUWSEN: We’re going to just sprinkle that over the top of it. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Just sprinkle that right over the top. I’ll remove the rest of these. And hopefully people get the two in one part of this, because now you’ve got the gravy and the stuffing at the same time. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Do you have onions in here, too? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Oh, yes, the scallions to give it that nice oniony taste. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Okay. Can you all see that? Ooh, that’s pretty, isn’t it? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: And how long did it take us? TERRY MEEUWSEN: About two minutes, I’d say. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: About two minutes. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Can I taste one of these? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Oh, you can definitely taste. And if you don’t like the spicy, you can always substitute like a milder sausage. TERRY MEEUWSEN: So what did you use for sausage in this? Aaron McCargo, Jr.: I used some spicy Bob Evans sausage. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Oh, yes. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Yes. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Oh, wow. That is going to be on my Christmas table. Wow. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: That is a big daddy statement you just did. TERRY MEEUWSEN: That is fabulous. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Really? Do you feel it? TERRY MEEUWSEN: Really. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Is it worth sticking to the ribs? TERRY MEEUWSEN: Oh, yes. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Yes? TERRY MEEUWSEN: It’s awesome. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: That’s what I’m talking about. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Your wife was right. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Yes, she’s right. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, if you’d like these recipes for Big Daddy’s Holiday Dinner, you can get them by logging on to CBN.com. And if you’d like to see more of Chef Aaron at work, you can watch him on Big Daddy’s House. That’s on the Food Network. It’s Sundays at 1:30 p.m eastern time, and you’ll get more of these wonderful recipes. GRAPHIC: WATCH BIG DADDY’S HOUSE ON THE FOOD NETWORK SUNDAYS AT 1:30 PM ET Do you try to do that with all your recipes, like make the ingredients easy to come by. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Yes, indeed, because I want people to really not have a fear about going in the kitchen. I want them to go in there knowing that they’re going to come out with a great dish. TERRY MEEUWSEN: There you go. It’s been fun having you here. Thank you. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Thank you. It’s my pleasure. TERRY MEEUWSEN: It’s great to meet you. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: Thank you. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, still ahead, see why two separate surgeries were canceled. Plus, we’re going to be praying for you and your needs, so stay with us. This is awesome. Aaron McCargo, Jr.: This was good, wasn’t it? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 5A: WORD OF PROMISE Announcer: Hear and feel the Bible come alive with the Word of Promise audio Bible, with 600 actors, including Jim Caviezel as Jesus, . . . . Jim Caviezel (Narrating): He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned. Announcer: . . . . Richard Dreyfuss as Moses, John Voight as Abraham, Lou Gossett, Jr. as John, Gary Sinise as David and narrated by Michael York. Own the Word of Promise audio Bible on 79 CDs housed in a collector box that includes a zippered travel case. Order now, and we will include the Christmas story, the Easter story and the epic music score on five bonus CDs. A 150-dollar value, yours for only two payments of 39.95. And here is our money back guarantee: if this is not the greatest audio Bible you have ever heard, return it in 60 days for a full refund, but keep the five bonus CDs as our gift to you. This is a limited time offer. Call now: 1-800-206-1275. That’s 1-800-2061275. Or visit wordofpromisebible.com. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * SPOT 5B: CBN CHRISTMAS RADIO TERRY MEEUWSEN: Hi, I’m Terry Meeuwsen. And I’m here to tell you about an exciting new way to add joy to your Christmas season. It’s CBN Radio on CBN.com. Anytime you’re on a computer, you’re only a click away from your favorite carols, classics and contemporary music. “O come, all ye faithful . . . .” “The first noel . . . .” “Hallelujah . . . .” TERRY MEEUWSEN: Enjoy artists like Bing Crosby, Manheim Steamroller, Point of Grace and many, many more. So log onto CBN.com and click on CBN Radio. This year, you can celebrate our Savior’s birth with your favorite music any time you’re on a computer. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: The couple in this next story had a sick child and no money to pay for the operation he needed. So they sent a text message to a stranger and got a different kind of help that saved their baby’s life. NOVA’S BABY KEN HULME: Nova and Andre’s first child was just one month old when they noticed that his navel was getting larger. Andre: We were very concerned. It grow to the size of an adult thumb. KEN HULME: So Nova and Andre took their baby to the hospital. There he was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia. Their doctor urged them to have it surgically repaired right away. Nova: I was afraid. I could not imagine that my baby had to go through a surgery. KEN HULME: Nova called her sister to ask for prayer. Her sister then sent a text message to CBN’s Prayer Counseling Center in Indonesia asking them for prayer as well. As the couple made plans for the surgery, they continued to ask CBN to pray with them for their baby’s healing. That’s when it happened. Over a two-week period, the herniated navel started to shrink, until it was completely gone. The baby’s doctor was very surprised. Doctor: From my experience, this is something that rarely happens, but in Ken’s case, it was gone in only a couple of weeks. Andre: Ken’s hernia healed by itself. No medication, no operations. Nova: I sent a text message to thank CBN. I wanted them to know the impact they made on us and so many people to rejoice with us that their prayers were answered. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GORDON ROBERTSON: Thank you. If you’re a member of The 700 Club, you’re part of that. A portion of every gift goes into the work of CBN WorldReach to establish regional centers, little mini CBNs around the world. GRAPHIC: 1-800-759-0700 CBN.COM And each one of them has their own Operation Blessing that can reach out with hands of love and compassion and do tangible things for people, where we can really just completely change their lives. If you want to be a part of it, all you have to do is join The 700 Club. Call that number: 1-800-759-0700. And just say, “Yes, I want to be a part of everything you’re doing around the world.” How much is it to join? Well, it’s just 20 dollars a month, 65 cents a day. We encourage you to join via Pledge Express. GRAPHIC: FREE WITH PLEDGE EXPRESS 1-800-759-0700 CBN.COM It’s automatic electronic monthly giving. With Pledge Express, there aren’t any stamps or checks. You don’t have to remember. It’s just automatic. We save so much on the processing, we’re able to send as our gift back to you “Power for Life” monthly teaching CDs. So if you want it, log on to CBN.com or call us and say, “I want to join Pledge Express,” 1-800-759-0700. Terry. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Well, doctors convinced June Wennegal that the only solution to her constant pain lay under the knife, so June scheduled surgery. But before the operation, she was totally healed another way. Just watch. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * JUNE WENNEGAL June Wennegal: I couldn’t walk, and walking is important to me. It was pretty painful and limited me in what exercising and other tasks around the house that I used to do. The pain, sometimes your pain would get so intense it actually makes you sick to your stomach. And I was at that kind of pain threshold. When I knew surgery had to be done, that’s the only thing they can do to relieve that kind of pain when there’s a bone spur. And then one day I had been watching The 700 Club. Kristi and Pat Robertson were on. PAT ROBERTSON: Kristi, what do you have? KRISTI WATTS: The Lord is healing someone with foot spurs. You’ve had foot problems for a while, and the Lord is healing you from that. June Wennegal: And I said, “My goodness, I have a bone spur.” I immediately claimed it, for the glory of God. I didn’t feel any different until the following day. Admitting called me to get the time and to appear as an outpatient and have surgery done, because I had gotten so severe I could hardly walk. So I proceeded to take the information down and hung up. And then I said, “Let me check my foot out.” And that’s when I put my foot on my hassock, and I said, “I claimed a healing yesterday. Let me check this out.” So I felt it, and the ball of the bone spur was gone. So I immediately called back admitting and had them cancel the surgery. I’m still good. I’m still fine. Everything is perfect. Now, I’m able to walk again, exercise, move around, clean, twist, clean under the bed, do everything I have to do, all my tasks. No matter what you’re going through, even if the surgery is to the last minute, you still believe what He has to say. And He will do it. We’re just grateful and thankful with a humble heart. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * HOSTS PRAY FOR NEEDS TERRY MEEUWSEN: God cares about the things that are needs in your life. And we believe, as does June, obviously, that prayer changes things. That’s why this Christmas season one of the things you’re going to be receiving if you’re a 700 Club member, in the mail you’ll get this Holiday of Hope envelope. GRAPHIC: WE WANT TO PRAY FOR YOU 1-800-759-0700 CBN.COM And inside of it are two punch-out ornaments. They are manger scenes. One is for you to keep. It says, “We at CBN are praying for you.” We want to remind you of that. That’s the green one. But the red one has a little place on the back for you to fill out your requests, your prayer requests, and then send them to us, so that we can be praying for you this holiday season. We have a tree here in our studio, and we have trees around the building that are filled with these. And here are some people who have filled this out, sent it back to us and their prayer requests. One lady asks “my daughter to be delivered from opiate prescription drugs.” Someone else saying, “I need healing of severe back pain.” Or it’s actually the mother, “so that mom can walk.” Another says, “A job for me.” This person has been jobless for 17 months. And someone else saying, “Pray for healing for all who are fighting the H1N1 virus, which is still affecting lots of people. So these are some of the prayer requests we’re praying for. GORDON ROBERTSON: The ones I’ve got are, “Our finances. We’re on the verge of losing everything.” A lot of people are really in trouble. When you look at the numbers of unemployed, it’s over 25 million that are underemployed or unemployed in America today. We really need to be praying for our economy, for jobs and then doing our part to make sure that people have food, can have housing. Here is “healing from Alzheimer’s disease.” And then, “My brother-in-law is dealing with issues after serving in Afghanistan.” A lot of our troops are coming back with stress disorders from just the constant threat of, “Is this my time? Is this when something is going to blow up?” Here is one, “Healing from Lyme disease.” We’re going to take all of these and just go to the throne of grace. The Bible says that we get to boldly go to the throne of grace. We don’t have to come in through the side door, the back door. We get to come in through the front door. Why? Because Jesus paid the price. He opened the gateway for us. The veil has been rent in two. And we don’t have to deal with outer court. We don’t have to deal with all the washings and the sacrifices. We don’t have to stay in the inner court. We get to go all the way to the throne of grace, to the place of atonement, to the mercy seat, and there be in the presence of Almighty God. Now, just visualize that. Visualize it that you get to go there. You have this great privilege, bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. And there is no sin that can keep you from that. Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. And He wants to present you with great joy, spotless, blameless before that throne. And He wants to do it right now. And then on top of all of those blessings, He’s right there with you, and He’s praying, too. The Bible says, “He ever lives to give intercession for the saints.” Who is that? Well, that’s you. That’s you. He ever lives to pray for you, to intercede for you, to bring blessing to you. So with all of that, let’s have confidence today. Let’s have confidence that our prayers are being heard. And if they’re being heard, they’re being answered, and that we have all of this confidence in God, because of His love, His unfailing love and His mercy for us. It’s new every morning. So let’s pray. Let’s agree in prayer. Let’s claim this great scripture, “If two or more agree touching anything, it shall be done.” So we’re going to pray for these needs. We’re going to pray for you. If you have sickness in your body, lay your hand on your body. If there are people around you, ask them to come lay hands on you. And let’s just agree together for you, your needs financially. It’s the holiday season. You’re looking at unemployment. Well, let’s pray for that, too. Let’s pray that God would make a way where there seems to be no way and bring you hope. That’s what Jesus came for. Let’s pray. “Lord God, we just lift the needs of the audience to you right now. And we just claim that we can go boldly to your throne of grace. And Lord, if there is any sin, we just ask for forgiveness right now. And your Word says that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just to forgive us. And so Lord, right now we just confess that we’ve missed the mark. We’ve fallen short. And we also confess that the blood of Jesus Christ is able to cleanse us from all sin. So we come today, and Lord, you know we have needs. You know our needs before we even ask them. And as people are laying hands on that area of the body that needs healing, we come into agreement with them right now, and in Jesus’ name, we declare out loud be healed and be made whole.” There is a woman, you’re crying out for a spinal problem. And it’s both degenerative and there are two curves. It’s an S curve. And each one of your vertebrae is losing bone mass and bone density. God is healing you right now, and He’s taking that pain away. And you just felt it move. In Jesus’ name, be healed. Now, get up and do what you couldn’t do before and bend over and realize you don’t have any pain now. You have been completely made whole, in Jesus’ name. TERRY MEEUWSEN: There’s somebody else, your immune system has been very compromised by an unusual set of circumstances. God wants you to know that He’s restoring that shield of protection to you, and your body is going to be just renewed as it was before you had the issue. GORDON ROBERTSON: There are some people crying out for Lyme disease. And doctors are telling you, you came too late. And God is telling you you’re right on time. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Thank you, God. GORDON ROBERTSON: And be healed. Be restored. And that alien infection is leaving you right now. Just all the energy return, all your joy return now, in Jesus’ name. TERRY MEEUWSEN: And, Father, we lift up all of those who are struggling financially, those who are about to lose homes and property and those who have been without work. Father, would you make provision in a divine and an unbelievable way for them, that they might know that it’s your hand that’s touched their lives. GORDON ROBERTSON: Lord, we just ask for food in their house. TERRY MEEUWSEN: Yes, Jesus. GORDON ROBERTSON: We ask for clothes for their children. We ask for employment. We ask for opportunity. Lord, I ask for creative ideas for them, that they would just be willing and open to change as change is needed, and just receive the new inspiration you’re giving them now.