Lee: FROM DEALING
DRUGS --
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I
WANT TO DO.
I WANT TO BE A CRIMINAL.
Lee: TO STEALING CARS.
THEY NEED A NISSAN, AND
HE SAID, THEY'RE GOING TO
GIVE $1500 FOR THE PERSON
THAT GETS IT.
Lee: ONE CROOK REACHES
THE BALM. BUT TOM.
HOMELESS, SLEEPING IN A
GARBAGE BAG.
THIS IS WHERE YOU BELONG.
THIS IS WHER WHAT YOU
DESERVE.
*
Gordon: WELCOME TO "THE
700 CLUB."
THIS IS A VERY TOUGH WAY TO
START THE NEW YEAR.
AND MANY ACROSS THE COUNTRY
ARE SUFFERING WITH THE FLU.
FAR MORE CASES ARE BEING
REPORTED THAN NORMAL FOR
THIS EARLY IN THE FLU
SEASON.
Kristi: WOULD THIS BE A
BAD TIME TO SAY YOU WERE ONE
OF THEM, GORDON?
Gordon: YEAH, I GOT THE
FLU FOR CHRISTMAS.
I'M ON MY WAY TO RECOVERY,
BUT IT WAS NOT FUN.
Kristi: PRAISE GOD.
I'M KNOCKING ON WOOD
SOMEWHERE.
Gordon: IT HASN'T HIT
YOU?
Kristi: STAY AWAY FROM
ME.
THE FLU IS SPREADING, AND
GEORGE THOMAS TELLS WHAT YOU
CAN DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF.
George: IT IS AN EARLY
OUTBREAK, AND ACROSS THE
COUNTRY, HOSPITALS ARE BEING
HIT HARD.
THEY ACHE ALL OVER.
THEY HAVE FEVERS, THEY'RE
CONGESTED, AND THEY HAVE
COUGHS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THESE
SAME SORT OF SYMPTOMS THAT
WE SEE ALL THROUGHOUT THE
DAY AND THROUGHOUT THE
NIGHT.
George: DOCTORS SAY THE
FLU SEASON HASN'T HIT THIS
HARD IN A DECADE.
IN ARIZONA LAST YEAR, THERE
WERE ONLY 18 CASES OF FLU.
DAY, 790.
IN NEW YORK, 80 CASES OF
FLU: TODAY, ALMOST 4,000.
AS THE NUMBER OF CASES
INCREASE, EMERGENCY ROOMS
ARE BECOMING OVERRULED.
NOT ONLY IS IT THE FLU
SEASON, THE E.R. IS ALSO
HANDLING ALL OF THE OTHER
CASES, AND EVERYTHING ELSE
THAT COMES INTO THE E.R. ON
AN ANNUAL BASIS.
Reporter: THE SOUTHEAST
HAS BEEN HIT ESPECIALLY
HARD.
IN THE WAKE OF THE BUSY
TRAVEL SEASON, IT IS QUICKLY
SPREADING ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
FOR THOSE WHO GOT THE FLU
SHOT AND ARE STILL COMING
DOWN WITH THE FLU, EXPERTS
SAY SOME PEOPLE DON'T
RESPOND TO THE FLU VACCINE
AND SOME PEOPLE STILL AREN'T
PROTECTED.
BUT DOCTORS SAY IT IS STILL
IMPORTANT TO GET THE SHOT
BECAUSE YOUR SYMPTOMS MAY
NOT BE SEVERE IF YOU GET THE
SHOT.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE
EVERYONE, NOT JUST FOR THEM,
BUT FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS AND
RELATIVES TO GET THE FLU
SHOT.
Reporter: EXPERTS SAY
ALONG WITH THE FLU SHOT, IT
IS IMPORTANT TO WASH YOUR
HANDS AND AVOID LARGE GROUPS
OF PEOPLE TO AVOID
INFECTION.
GEORGE THOMAS, CBN NEWS.
Gordon: IF YOU HAVE THE
FLU, THE BEST THING YOU CAN
DO IS STAY HOME AND AVOID
INFECTING OTHER PEOPLE.
PLEASE DON'T GO TO THE
EMERGENCY ROOM.
FRANKLY, THERE IS NOTHING
THERE THEY CAN DO FOR YOU.
ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE
FLU IS THERE IS NO CURE,
OTHER THAN PLENTY OF FLUIDS,
BED-REST, AND TAKE TWO
ASPIRIN AND CALL ME IN THE
MORNING.
OUR NEXT STORY, PRESIDENT
OBAMA.
HE IS SPEAKING OUT ABOUT
MILITARY CHAPLAINS AND
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE.
LEE WEBB HAS THAT STORY FROM
THE CBN NEWS ROOM.
Lee: THE PRESIDENT
CRITICIZED A SO-CALLED
CONSCIENCE CLAUSE WHEN HE
SIGNED THE NEW DEFENSE
SPENDING BILL.
THAT CLAUSE IS DESIGNED TO
PROTECT MILITARY CHAPLAINS
WHO OBJECT TO PERFORM
SAME-SEX MARRIAGES.
IT SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE TO
PERFORM SAME-SEX MARRIAGES
IF THEY OBJECT TO IT AT
BIBLICAL GROUNDS.
AT THE SIGNING, HOWEVER,
PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS THE
CONSCIENCE PROVISION IS
UNNECESSARY AND
ILL-ADVISED.
ADDING THAT HE REMAINS
COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE
RIGHTS OF GAY AND LESBIAN
MILITARY SERVICES.
A NEW FATHER IS SHOWING THE
WORLD A PHOTO THAT CAPTURES
THE MIRACLE OF LIFE.
A BABY HOLDING ON TO THE
DOCTOR'S HAND DURING A
C-SECTION.
ALICIA ATKINS WAS IN THE
OPERATING ROOM, HER HUSBAND
STANDING BY WITH THE CAMERA,
READY TO CATCH THE FIRST
IMAGE OF HIS NEW DAUGHTER.
THEY WEREN'T EXPECTING
THIS.
STILL 15 SECONDS AWAY FROM
BEING BORN, THE BABY REACHED
UP AND GRABBED THE DOCTOR'S
FINGER.
AMAZING.
HER DAD CAPTURED THE PICTURE
AT THAT MOMENT, AND THAT
PICTURE WAS GIVEN TO THE
DOCTOR AS A GIFT.
HE SAYS HE HAS NEVER HAD
SUCH AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE.
IMAGES LIKE THAT ARE TURNING
THE TIDE IN THE ABORTION
DEBATE.
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE
BECOMING PRO-LIFE, AND EVEN
TO"TIME MAGAZINE" IS
RECOGNIZING IT.
THE COVER SAYS, "40 YEARS
AGO ABORTION RIGHTS
ACTIVISTS WON A VICTORY WITH
ROE VS. WADE, AND THEY'VE
BEEN LOSING EVER SINCE."
MANY ABORTION CLINICS ARE
CLOSING BECAUSE OF PRO-LIFE
SERVICES THAT GIVE CHOICES
TO PEOPLE.
AND PEOPLE LIKE SUSAN
B.ANTHONY WERE DECIDEDLY
PRO-LIFE.
YOUNG CHRISTIANS NEED TO GET
INVOLVED AGAINST SLAVERY AND
HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
THAT'S THE CHALLENGE GIVEN
TO COLLEGE-AGE CHRISTIAN
STUDENTS THE AT THE PASSION
20-18 CONFERENCE IN
ATLANTA.
THERE ARE 27 MILLION PEOPLE
HELD I IN VARIOUS FORMS OF
SLAVERY AROUND THE WORLD.
BUT HE TOLD THE STUDENTS
THAT THEY CAN, BY GOD'S
GRACE, BE THE GENERATION
THAT ENDS SLAVERY.
CONGRESS HAS BEGUN ITS NEW
TERM, FACING ISSUES LIKE GUN
CONTROL AND SOME OLD ONES,
LIKE GOVERNMENT SPENDING.
JOHN JESSUP HAS THAT STORY.
Reporter: ON A BRIGHT
AND SUNNY DAY INSIDE THE
WASHINGTON BELTWAY,
LAWMAKERS OLD AND NEW ALIKE
TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AND
OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF THE
START OF THE 113th
CONGRESS BY ELECTING THEIR
LEADERS.
JOHN BOEHNER KEEPS HIS JOB
AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.
WHILE SOME APPEAR HOPEFUL,
OTHERS ARE NOT.
ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF WHAT
IS ON THEIR PLATE AND THE
PUBLIC SENTIMENT ABOUT
POLITICS IN WASHINGTON.
AT 18% APPROVAL, LAWMAKERS
ARE HURT.
IT DOESN'T HELP THAT THE
LAST SESSION OF CONGRESS WON
THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE
LEAST PRODUCTIVE CONGRESS IN
65 YEARS.
THIS MORNING SOME ON CAPITOL
HILL STARTED THE FIRST DAY
AT A BIPARTISAN PRAYER
SERVICE, WHERE THE HOUSE
CHAPLAIN REMINDED THEM THEY
ARE CALLED TO BE SERVANTS.
THAT EACH MEMBER MIGHT --
MIGHT FULLY UNDERSTAND WHO
THEY ARE, WHAT THEY ARE
CALLED TO BE.
YOU KNOW, SOMEONE MUCH
GREATER THAN THEY MIGHT BE
ABLE TO IMAGINE THEMSELVES
TO BE NOW.
NOT BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT
POWER, AND NOT BECAUSE
THEY'VE GOT AUTHORITY, BUT
BECAUSE THEY HAVE
SERVANTHOOD.
Reporter: BUT THE
PARTIES REMAIN DEEPLY
DIVIDED OVER KEY ISSUES,
LIKE GUN CONTROL,
IMMIGRATION REFORM,
JUMP-STARTING THE ECONOMY,
AND TACKLING THE MASSIVE
$16.4 TRILLION DEBT AND
DEFICIT SPENDING.
JOHN JESSUP, CBN NEWS,
WASHINGTON.
Lee: AMERICANS ARE
SPLIT ON HOW THE NATION'S
OBESITY EPIDEMIC SHOULD BE
HANDLED.
A THIRD OF THE AMERICANS SAY
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE
DEEPLY INVOLVED IN CURBING
OBESITY.
BUT A SIMILAR NUMBER SAY THE
GOVERNMENT SHOULD PLAY
LITTLE OR NO ROLE.
THE OTHERS, UNDECIDED.
AMERICANS BLAME TV AND FAST
FOOD FOR FUELING THE
OBESITY, BUT THREE-QUARTERS
REJECT LIMITING WHAT FOODS
PEOPLE CAN BUY.
A NEW TAKE ON A CHRISTIAN
CLASSIC HAS BEEN COMING TO
THEATERS AROUND THE
COUNTRY.
THE SKEW TAPE LETTERS IS ONE
OF C.F. LEWIS' INFLUENTIAL
WORKS.
IT IS A TALE OF SPIRITUAL
WARFARE FROM A DEMON'S POINT
OF VIEW.
IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO LIFE
ON STAGE.
AND THE AGE-OLD MESSAGE
CONTINUES TO LEAD VIEWERS TO
THE LIGHT BY FIRST
INTRODUCING THEM TO
DARKNESS.
Reporter: MAX
McCLEAN'S ADAPTATION OF
THE SCREW TAPE LETTERS HIT
THE STAGE IN 2006, AND
PERFORMANCES HAVE BEEN
SELLING OUT EVER SINCE.
HE PLAYS THE LEAD ROLE OF
"SCREW TAPE," SATAN'S
HELPER.
SO THE CHALLENGE FOR
McCLEAN WAS TAKING THIS
BOOK OF 31 LETTERS THAT
SCREW TAPE WROTE TO HIS
PROTEGE, WORMWOOD, AND
TRANSFORM IT INTO A STAGE
PRODUCTION THAT WOULD
CAPTIVATE HIS AUDIENCE.
HE KNEW HE SOMETHING SPECIAL
WITH THE CHARACTER, SCREW
TAPE.
THE CHARACTER SCREW TAPE
IS ONE OF THE GREAT
CHARACTERS OF THE 21st
CENTURY.
Lee: THE ONLY OTHER
PERSON ON STAGE WITH SCREW
TAPE IS HIS ASSISTANT, TOAD
PIPE.
THE STORY IS A
PREDATOR/PRAISE STORY.
IN THE SCRIPTURES, THEY TALK
ABOUT SATAN MASQUERADES AS
AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.
SO THERE IS SOMETHING
APPEALING ABOUT HIS OUTWARD
CHARACTER.
Lee: BUT SOMETHING GOES
WRONG ALONG THE WAY.
DESPITE SCREW TAPE'S BEST
EFFORTS, HIS PATIENT GOES
FROM INDIFFERENCE TO
DEVOUT.
WHAT LEWIS IS TRYING TO
SAY, THOSE CHOICES THAT WE
MAKE, THEY'RE INFLUENCED,
YOU KNOW, BY EVIL POWERS, BY
GOOD POWERS.
AND WHO ARE YOU GOING TO
LISTEN TO.
Lee: McCLEAN BELIEVES
THAT IN WRITING "SCREW TAPE"
LETTERS, LEWIS WAS FORCED TO
DIG INTO HIS OWN PATTERNS.
NOW DECADES LATER, THE SHOW
LEADS AUDIENCES TO EXAMINE
THEMSELVES IN THE SAME WAY.
I WASN'T REALLY
ANTICIPATING HOW PEOPLE
REACT TO THE END OF THE
STORY.
AND I DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT
AWAY, BUT IT REALLY HAS THIS
TRIUMPH OF GOOD OVER EVIL
THAT REALLY GRABS PEOPLE.
IN A WAY THAT IS ONE OF THE
UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES.
Lee: NOW, "THE SCREW
TAPE" LETTERS TOUR WILL
VISIT MORE THAN 50 MAJORñ
CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY,ñ
AND YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE BY
GOING TO OUR WEBSITE ATñ
CBNNEWS.COM.ññ
GORDON, MY WIFE AND Iñ
WATCHED IT -- McCLEAN ISñ
TERRIFIC, AND IT IS A
COMPELLING STORY IN THE
BOOK, AS WELL AS ON STAGE.
Gordon: I WOULD
ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET A
COPY OF THE BOOK AND READ
IT.
IT IS AN EYE-OPENING
EXPERIENCE.
WHEN YOU START TO UNDERSTAND
JUST HOW SUBTLE THE ENEMY
CAN BE SOMETIMES.
YOU KNOW, HE DOESN'T ALWAYS
COME IN HIS FULL GARB.
HE DOES LIKE TO MASQUERADE,
AND ONE OF THE GREAT
MASQUERADES HE LOVES TO DO
IS HAVE US BELIEVE HE
DOESN'T REALLY EXIST.
KRISTI?
Kristi: BUT HE DOES.
UP NEXT, THE FUTURE OF FAITH
IN AMERICA, AND IT'S GOOD
NEWS FROM A GALLOP POLL.
BUT LATER ON "THE 700 CLUB,"
A YOUNG MAN WHO ENDS UP
HOMELESS AND SLEEPING IN A
TRASH BAG.
THE PLASTIC KEPT ME WARM,
YOU KNOW.
BUT IT SMELLED LIKE TRASH.
AND I REMEMBER THINKING TO
MYSELF, YOU KNOW, THIS IS
WHERE YOU BELONG.
THIS IS WHAT YOU DESERVE.
Kristi: BUT SEE HOW A
$10 BILL GIVES THIS MAN A
NEW LEASE ON LIFE.
c3
Gordon: IN 1966, "TIME
MAGAZINE" ASKED THE
QUESTION: IS GOD DEAD?
WELL, NEARLY 50 YEARS LATER,
A NEW BOOK PRESENTS PROOF
THAT GOD IS VERY MUCH ALIVE
TO MILLIONS OF AMERICANS.
AND AS PAUL STRAND REPORTS,
THE AUTHOR BELIEVES THOSE
NUMBERS WILL GROW EVEN MORE
IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
Reporter: THE NEW
BOOK'S TITLE SAYS IT
ALL, "GOD IS ALIVE AND
WELL."
AND FRANK NEWPORT, HEAD OF
THE GALLOP, HAS THE NUMBERS
TO PROVE IT.
WE HAVE WELL OVER 90% OF
AMERICANS IN OUR SURVEY
QUESTIONS SAY THEY BELIEVE
IN GOD.
SO RIGHT THERE IS EVIDENCE
THAT, AT LEAST IN THE MINDS
OF THE MAJORITY OF
AMERICANS, GOD IS QUITE
ALIVE.
Reporter: THE BOOK'S
FINDINGS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF
RELIGION IN AMERICA REST ON
MORE THAN 300,000 INTERVIEWS
CONDUCTED LAST YEAR AND IN
EARLIER YEARS.
SOME HAVE DECLARED THIS A
POST-CHRISTIAN AGE, BUT
NEWPORT SAYS NOT ACCORDING
TO THE DATA.
75% TO 80% OF AMERICANS
AND CHRISTIANS.
AMERICANS ARE RELIGIOUS AND
MAY BECOMING MORE RELIGIOUS
IN THE COMING YEARS.
Reporter: THE NEW
PRESIDENT OF THE COALITION
FOR AMERICA SHOWS A BIG
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
CHURCH-GOERS AND BELIEVERS.
AMONG THE PROTESTANTS YOU
HAVE ABOUT 30% WHO GO AND
DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD.
Reporter: SHE CITES HER
OWN EXPERIENCE AS A
NON-BELIEVER, GOING TO
CHURCH.
I WENT AS AN EARLY TEEN
WITH GIRLFRIENDS.
I LIKED THE SOCIAL SIDE OF
IT AND GOT COKE AND LAY'S
POTATO CHIPS.
Reporter: SHE SAYS THE
NUMBER OF NON-AFFILIATED HAS
SOARED TO 20%, AND IT HAS
DOUBLED AMONG THE YOUNG.
THERE ARE QUITE A NUMBER
OF 10, 12, 14, 15-YEAR-OLDS
THAT WILL COME OUT AND SAY
THEY'RE ATHEIST.
WE CALL THAT THE RISE OF
THE NUNS.
NOT LIKE THE U.S. LYING THE
FLYING NUN, BUT PEOPLE WHO
SAY WHAT IS YOUR RELIGIOUS
IDENTITY, THEY SAY THEY
DON'T HAVE ANY.
AGE 23 IS THE LEAST
RELIGIOUS AGE, FROM 18 TO
DEATH.
Reporter: BUT HE SAYS
FAITH AND CHURCH ATTENDANCE
PICKS UP AS AMERICANS MARRY
AND HAVE KIDS AND AGE.
NEWPORT BELIEVE AS WORD OF
HIS GETS AROUND, IT MAY MAKE
RELIGION EVEN MORE POPULAR.
OTHER REASONS HE SEES A
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR FAITH,
THOSE OVER 60 ARE SIMPLY
MORE RELIGIOUS.
AND BABY-BOOMERS ARE
BEGINNING AN EXPLOSION.
AND MANY ARE IN THE BIBLE
BELT, AND NEWCOMERS TEND TO
PICK UP
THE REGIONAL
CULTURE.
BUT ROGERS LOOKS AT OTHER
WESTERN NATIONS AND THINKS
AMERICA MAY FOLLOW THEM AND
LOSE THEIR FAITH.
WE HAVE COUNTRIES IN
EUROPE, WHERE YOU HAVE ONLY
16% OF THE COUNTRY THAT
BELIEVE IN GOD.
Reporter: NEWPORT JUST
DIDN'T BUY IT.
I WOULDN'T SAY WE'RE
MOVING INTO A POST-CHRISTIAN
OR POST-RELIGION ERA.
ROGERS SAYS OF THE NUNS,
THEY ARE --
THEY ARE CONSIDERED THE
LARGEST RELIGION IN THE
DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
THE DELEGATES DOWN AT THE
DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION WANTED
NO MENTION IN THEIR
PLATFORM.
HE STARTED TALKING ABOUT
HOW IN HIS VIEW RELIGION
TRANSLATES INTO BASICALLY
DEMOCRATIC POSITIONS ON
ISSUES, LIKE QUALITY AND
COMPASSION FOR THE POOR, AND
THINGS LIKE THAT.
AND THAT SUGGESTED TO ME THE
POSSIBILITY THAT THE
DEMOCRATS MAY GET THE
CONTEST FOR THE RELIGIOUS
VOTER IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
Reporter: ROGERS
COUNTED IT IS STILL ABOUT
WING WINNING, AND SHE SAYS
THE G.O.P. COURTING THE
YOUNGER PEOPLE.
THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE
DEMOGRAPHICS, AND SEEING THE
GROWING NUMBER, ESPECIALLY
UNDER 30, AND THEY WOULD
LIKE TO STAY IN BUSINESS AND
WIN ELECTIONS.
Reporter: FOR MORE THAN
90% OF THE
PEOPLE WHO
BELIEVE IN
GOD,
BUT ONE
OF
THE
FASTEST GROWING GROUPS
IS THOSE WHO HAVE NO
RELIGION AT ALL.
PAUL STRAND, CBN NEWS,
WASHINGTON.
Gordon: ALL IT WILL
TAKE IS TO HAVE CHILDREN.
THAT'S THE EASIEST WAY TO
GET SOMEBODY ON THEIR KNEES
CRYING OUT.
YEAH, AGE 23 IS THE AGE THAT
YOU'RE MOST LIKELY TO BE
ATHEIST, WELL, START HAVING
CHILDREN, AND YOU'LL START
WONDERING, OKAY, HOW DO I
RAISE THEM.
I NEED HELP IN THIS
EQUATION, AND I NEED GOD.
KRISTI?
Kristi: DO YOU SEE ME
NODDING MY HEAD?
THAT IS SO TRUE.
GORDON, I GOT SAVED WHEN I
WAS FIVE YEARS OLD, BUT WHEN
I HIT THAT 23 MARK --
Consuelo:
Gordon: YOU GO TO
COLLEGE AND YOU THINK YOU
KNOW EVERYTHING?
Kristi: YOU THINK YOU
KNOW EVERYTHING AND THE
WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER AND YOU
KNOW EVERYTHING.
LIVE ONE MORE YEAR AND
YOU'LL BE CRYING OUT.
Gordon: IN MY TEEN
YEARS, MY PARENTS DIDN'T
KNOW A THING, AND BY THE
TIME I HIT MY 30s, THEY
WERE WISE.
Kristi: EXACTLY.
AND DID YOU CALL UP SAYING,
DADDY, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
MOMMY, WHAT DO YOU THINK.
WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH GEARS
A LITTLE.
A DRUG
ADDICT THAT PRAYED
FOR $10 FOR HIS NEXT FIX.
I LOOKED OFF IN THE
DISTANCE, AND THERE IS A $10
BILL, AND THERE IS A GOD.
MY WHOLE LIFE I'VE WAITED
FOR YOU TO SHOW YOURSELF,
AND HERE YOU ARE NOW GIVING
ME A $10 BILL FOR DOPE.
Kristi: BUT SEE HOW HE
RECEIVED MUCH MORE THAN
MONEY AFTER THIS.
Gordon: AFTER HIS
MOTHER ABANDONED HIM,
MATTHEW FELT AS IF HE HAD
LOSER WRITTEN ALL OVER HIM.
HIS LIFE HAD GONE FROM BAD
TO WORSE.
HE ENDED UP HOMELESS,
SLEEPING IN A TRASH BAG,
UNTIL HE SPOTTED A $10 JUST
LYING ON THE GROUND.
I REMEMBER MY FIRST NIGHT
ON THE STREET.
AND IT WAS COLD OUT THAT
NIGHT.
AND I REMEMBER GOING TO A
PLAYGROUND AND TRYING TO
HUDDLE UP IN THE JUNGLE
GYM.
I SEEN A TRASH CAN OFF IN
THE DISTANCE.
AND I SAID, YOU KNOW, IT'S
PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA TO GO
TAKE THELINER FRO THE LINER
FROM THAT TRASH CAN AND
SLEEP INSIDE THE PLASTIC.
Reporter: AS A BY,
MATTHEW PROBABLY NEVER
THOUGHT HE WOULD END UP LIKE
THIS, BUT HE DID.
MATTHEW GREW UP NEAR
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.
HE HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP
WITH HIS FATHER, WHO WAS A
FIREFIGHTER AND LATER A
PASTOR.
BUT HE DIDN'T FEEL THE SAME
ABOUT HIS MOTHER.
SHE WOULD PUT ME BEHIND A
DOOR WITH LEGOS AND LEAVE ME
THERE AND NOT EVEN TALK TO
ME.
IT REALLY PUT ME IN A PLACE
WHERE I THOUGHT IT WAS MEANT
TO BE ABANDONED AND
REJECTED.
Reporter: EVENTUALLY
HIS MOTHER LEFT.
HIS FATHER LATER REMARRIED,
AND MATTHEW FINALLY BEGAN TO
OPEN UP TO HIS STEPMOTHER,
BUT THEN SHE WAS DIAGNOSED
WITH A TERMINAL ILLNESS.
I REALLY TOOK A
SELF-PERSPECTIVE LIKE I'M
BEING ABANDONED AGAIN.
IT MADE THOSE WALLS GO RIGHT
BACK UP.
Reporter: AFTER LOSING
A MOTHER FOR THE SECOND
TIME, MATTHEW, WHO WAS NOW
IN HIGH SCHOOL, TURNED TO
DRUGS TO EASE THE PAIN.
I FELT HURT.
I FELT LOST.
AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO
DO.
BUT I KNEW, YOU KNOW, FOR
ME, AT THAT AGE, GOING TO
CHURCH DIDN'T WORK FOR ME.
WHAT WORKED WAS, YOU KNOW,
PUTTING A HAZE IN FRONT OF
ME SO THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO
DEAL WITH REALITY.
Reporter: MATTHEW SOLD
DRUGS AS A TEENAGER AND THEN
MOVED ON TO STEALING CARS.
ONE NIGHT I WAS AT A
PARTY, AND I WAS GETTING
DRUNK, AND THERE WAS A
GENTLEMAN THAT SAID, OH, YOU
KNOW, I HAVE A BUDDY WHO
RUNS A CHOP SHOP.
AND THEY NEED A NISSAN.
AND THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE
$1500 FOR THE PERSON THAT
GETS IT.
THAT'S LIKE THREE WEEKS
WORTH OF SELLING DOPE.
Reporter: AFTER SEVERAL
YEARS OF STEALING CARS, HE
WAS ARRESTED AND SENT TO
PRISON.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS
LIFE, HIS CONSCIENCE STARTED
TO BOTHER HIM.
WHEN I WAS IN PRISON, I
HAD A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO
REFLECT AND THINK ABOUT THE
THINGS THAT I HAD DONE, THE
PEOPLE THAT I HAD HURT, AND
IT CONSUMED ME.
Reporter: WHEN HE WAS
RELEASED, MATTHEW DECIDED HE
NO LONGER WANTED TO STEAL
CARS.
WITH NO INFLUX OF CASH, HE
LOOKED FOR A CHEAP WAY TO
GET HIGH, AND FOUND ONE,
HEROIN.
THREE MONTHS INTO
SHOOTING HEROIN, I FOUND
MYSELF WITH NOTHING, BROKE
AND HOMELESS.
I HAD LIONELL FINALLY
REACHED THE PLACE I LONGED:
HOMELESS, STRUNG OUT ON
DOPE, SLEEPING IN A TRASH
CAN LINER, AND THE PLASTIC
KEPT ME WARM.
BUT IT SMELLED LIKE TRASH.
AND I REMEMBER THINKING TO
MYSELF, YOU KNOW, THIS IS
WHERE YOU BELONG.
THIS IS WHAT YOU DESERVE.
Reporter: ONE EVENING
MATTHEW WAS OUTLOOKING FOR
HIS NEXT FIX.
I WAS WALKING NORTHBOUND
ON SIXTH AVENUE, AND I
STARTED PRAYING, SAYING, YOU
KNOW, LORD, PLEASE, JUST
GIVE ME $10 SO I CAN BUY A
SHOT OF DOPE.
AND I LOOK
OFF
IN THE
DISTANCE, AND I SEE
SOMETHING THAT LOOKS TO BE
CURRENCY.
IN ABOUT 10 YARDS I COULD
SEE A 10 ON IT.
AND IT'S A $10 BILL.
AND I SAID, THERE IS A GOD.
MY WHOLE LIFE I'M WAITING
FOR YOU TO SHOW YOURSELF,
AND HERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW
GIVING ME
A $10 BILL FOR
DOPE.
Reporter: THE $10 BILL
WAS PHONY, BUT WHAT WAS
INSIDE WAS WORTH FAR MORE.
I REALIZED IT IS NOT A
REAL $10 BILL.
IT IS A FAKE $10 BILL.
I SAID, LORD, I KNOW YOU
DIDN'T LOVE ME.
I KNEW YOU WEREN'T GOING TO
GIVE ME $10.
AND INSIDE OF IT IS THE FULL
BOOK OF PROVERBS, PULLED OUT
OF THE MINIATURE LITTLE
TESTAMENTS.
AND I TOOK THAT BOOK OF
PROVERBS WITH ME THAT
NIGHT.
AND I READ THAT NIGHT ABOUT
WISDOM.
Reporter: MATTHEW SAID
THAT EVENING WAS A TURNING
POINT IN HIS LIFE.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY
LIFE, I REMEMBER THINKING
THAT THERE IS A GOD AND HE
IS PRESENT IN MY LIFE.
I THOUGHT HE HAD A WARPED
SENSE OF HUMOR, YOU KNOW.
I WOULD HAVE PREFERRED A
REAL $10 BILL, BUT THIS IS
ONE POINT WHERE IT WAS
EVIDENT, YOU KNOW, THAT THE
HAND OF GOD WAS WORKING IN
THIS SITUATION.
AND I FELT THE LORD SAYING
THAT I'M ALWAYS WITH YOU.
I'M NEVER GOING TO ABANDON
YOU.
I'M NEVER GOING TO REJECT
YOU.
Reporter: HE STARTED
GOING TO CHURCH AND STUDYING
THE BIBLE, AND LATER WENT
THROUGH A SUCCESSFUL
RECOVERY PROGRAM.
SOON AFTERWARD HE MET AND
MARRIED JENNIFER.
TODAY MATTHEW HELPS JENNIFER
RUN THE FACILITY IN TUCSON
FOR RECOVERING WOMEN.
IT IS ONE OF THE MOST
POWERFUL THINGS ABOUT BEING
A BELIEVER IN CHRIST, ABOUT
BEING A CHRISTIAN.
WE'RE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY
TO REACH OUT INTO THE
DARKNESS AND OFFER PEOPLE
LIFE.
WE'RE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY
TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE WHO
ARE INCAPABLE OF LOVING
THEMSELVES.
AND OFFERING THEM AN
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE THAT IS
SO GREAT
THAT IT
CAN'T
BE
DENIED.
Reporter: MATTHEW SAYS
HIS PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO
USE HIS EXPERIENCES TO SHARE
CHRIST WITH OTHER ADDICTS.
I KNOW THE CREATOR OF
HEAVEN AND EARTH, I KNOW THE
GOD WHO HUNG THE STARS IN
THE SKY, WHO KNOWS THE
NUMBER OF HAIRS ON MY HEAD.
WHAT GREATER STATEMENT CAN
BE MADE?
IF WE TRULY BELIEVE THAT
THIS IS THE GOD THAT WE
WORSHIP, HOW CAN WE EVER
DOUBT THAT HE IS NOT GOING
TO WORK IN OUR LIFE?
Gordon: HE WANTS TO
WORK IN YOUR LIFE.
HE WANTS TO WORK ALL THINGS
TOGETHER FOR YOUR GOOD.
NOW, WHO DOES HE DO THAT
FOR?
WELL, HE DOES IT FOR PEOPLE
WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE CALLED
ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.
NOW, UNDERSTAND THAT
REGARDLESS OF WHO'S REJECTED
YOU IN YOUR LIFE -- MAYBE IT
WAS YOUR PARENTS, MAYBE IT
WAS SOMEBODY YOU LOVED.
REGARDLESS OF THAT
REJECTION, GOD SAYS TO YOU,
I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU, NOR
FORSAKE YOU.
YOU'RE MINE.
YOU'RE MINE.
YOU'RE IN MY RIGHT HAND.
NOTHING CAN SNATCH YOU
AWAY.
NOTHING CAN SEPARATE YOU
FROM THE LOVE OF GOD.
NOW, MAYBE YOU'RE LIKE
MATTHEW.
MAYBE YOU WALKED AWAY.
MAYBE YOU INTERNALIZED ALL
OF THOSE HURTS.
AND YOU CHOSE TO TRY TO
MEDICATE THEM AWAY, INSTEAD
OF LOOKING AT THEM AND
SAYING, WELL, THEY MAY HAVE
REJECTED ME, BUT GOD HASN'T
REJECTED ME.
GOD LOVES ME.
GOD WANTS ME.
GOD WANTS ME TO BE WITH HIM
FOR ALL ETERNITY.
I CHOOSE THAT.
MAYBE LIKE MATTHEW YOU
DIDN'T CHOOSE THAT.
YOU WENT AFTER THINGS THAT
WOULD MAKE THOSE FEELINGS GO
AWAY.
EXCEPT THEY DIDN'T GO AWAY.
IT WAS ONLY TEMPORARY.
AND WHEN YOU WAKE UP IN THE
MORNING, IT IS STILL YOU.
AND THOSE FEELINGS ARE STILL
THERE.
AND YOU HAVEN'T FOUND THE
ANSWER.
WELL, I'VE GOT GOOD NEWS FOR
YOU.
JESUS IS THE ANSWER.
HE CAN HEAL THAT.
HE CAME TO HEAL THE
BROKENHEARTED, TO BIND UP
THEIR WOUNDS, TO LET THEM
KNOW HOW MUCH HE LOVES
THEM.
THAT WHILE YOU WERE YET A
SINNER, WHILE YOU WERE STILL
AWAY FROM HIM, WHILE YOU
WERE PURSUING YOUR OWN
THING, HE DIED FOR YOU.
AND THIS IS THE LOVE THAT HE
HAS FOR YOU.
AND IT IS ABLE TO CONQUER
ANYTHING.
HIS LOVE NEVER FAILS, AND IT
WON'T FAIL YOU.
NOW, WHAT DOES IT TAKE?
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO?
WELL, IT'S VERY SIMPLE.
YOU ASK.
YOU SAY, JESUS, COME IN.
COME INTO MY HEART.
MAKE ME NEW AGAIN.
IF YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH
ADDICTIONS, HE'LL TAKE
THEM.
HE'LL TAKE THEM ALL AWAY.
IF YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH
FEELINGS OF ANXIETY,
REJECTION, HE'LL TAKE THEM
ALL AWAY.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK.
SO IF THIS IS FOR YOU, IF
THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT, JUST
BOW YOUR HEAD, PRAY A VERY
SIMPLE PRAYER, AND JUST RELY
ON HIM, RELY ON THE LOVE
THAT HE SO FREELY GIVES, AND
LET IT CHANGE YOU.
AND IT WILL CHANGE YOU FROM
THE INSIDE.
IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT,
LET'S PRAY.
DON'T TURN AWAY.
DON'T CHANGE THE CHANNEL.
LET'S PRAY.
AND LET'S BELIEVE GOD.
PRAY WITH ME.
JESUS -- THAT'S RIGHT, JUST
SAY HIS NAME.
SAY IT OUT LOUD.
JESUS, I COME TO YOU, AND I
NEED HEALING FOR MY HEART.
SO, JESUS, COME IN AND TAKE
THAT PAIN AWAY.
AND TAKE ALL THAT REJECTION
AWAY.
AND LET ME KNOW THAT I'M
ACCEPTED BY YOU.
JESUS, I WANT YOU IN MY
LIFE.
I WANT YOU IN MY HEART.
I WANT YOU TO MAKE ME NEW
AGAIN.
SO COME IN.
FORGIVE ME OF THE THINGS
THAT I'VE DONE WRONG.
CHANGE ME FROM THE INSIDE
OUT.
AND, JESUS, I WANT TO FOLLOW
YOU ALL THE DAYS OF MY
LIFE.
HEAR MY PRAYER.
COME INTO MY LIFE.
FOR I ASK IT IN JESUS'
NAME.
FATHER, FOR THOSE WHO JUST
PRAYED, I ASK FOR A BAPTISM
IN YOUR LOVE.
I ASK THAT YOU FILL THEM TO
OVERFLOWING WITH YOUR LOVE
AND YOUR ACCEPTANCE AND YOUR
FORGIVENESS.
DO IT NOW, FOR WE ASK IT ALL
IN JESUS' NAME.
AMEN.
IF YOU PRAYED WITH ME, I
WANT YOU TO DO SOMETHING.
I WANT TO YOU MAKE A
TOLL-FREE PHONE CALL.
THE NUMBER IS ON YOUR
SCREEN.
1-800-759-0700.
JUST CALL AND SAY, I
PRAYED.
I PRAYED WITH THAT GUY ON
TV, AND I WANT TO HAVE JESUS
IN MY HEART.
WHEN YOU CALL, I'VE GOT
SOMETHING FOR YOU.
IT'S A FREE PACKET.
THERE IS A C.D. TEACHING.
HOW TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN
LIFE.
WHAT DO YOU DO NOW?
WHAT DO CHRISTIANS BELIEVE?
WHAT ARE THE FOUNDATION OF
THE FAITH?
I WANT YOU TO HAVE IT.
IT IS ABOUT AN HOUR LONG.
BUT IT WILL TELL YOU HOW TO
GET STARTED AND WHAT TO DO
NEXT.
SO MAKE THE PHONE CALL.
1-800-759-0700.
KRISTI, OVER TO YOU.
Kristi: THANK YOU,
GORDON.
WELL, STILL AHEAD, MEET A
BOY WHO DRESSES UP AS HIS
FAVORITE SUPER HERO EVERY
SINGLE DAY, AND SEE HOW A
CARTOON MADE A HUGE
DIFFERENCE IN HIS LIFE.
LATER ON IN THE "THE 700
CLUB," A MAN LOST THE USE OF
HIS LEFT HAND FOR TWO YEARS,
BUT SEE HOW HE WAS HEALED IN
AN INSTANT.
Lee: WELCOME BACK TO
"THE 700 CLUB."
PRISON AUTHORITIES IN IRAN
REPORTEDLY ARE DENYING
MEDICAL
CARE
TO AN
IMPRISONED PASTOR.
THE PASTOR
IS DETERIORATING
RAPIDEDLY.
HE SUFFERS FROM ACUTE STOCK
ULCERS, INTERNAL BLEEDING
AND A BLOOD
INFECTION.
PRISON OFFICIALS WILL
NOT
ALLOW HIM TO HAVE MEDICAL
TREATMENT
AND EVEN CANCELLED
AN
OPERATION TO HELP HIM.
HE IS
SERVING A FIVE-YEAR
SENTENCE FOR ACTIONS AGAINST
THE ISLAMIC STATE.
"OPERATION BLESSING" IS
HELPING
ORPHANS STRUGGLING
TO SURVIVE IN THE JUNGLES OF
THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
CONGO.
O.B. PARTNERED WITH A
CENTER.
AND IT PROVIDES FOOD,
MEDICINE, AND A CHANCE TO
LEARN.
"OPERATION BLESSING" HELPED
DISPANEXPAND THE CENTER,
ADDING SHOWERS, BATHROOMS, A
DINING HALL AND A KITCHEN.
AND THEY PROVIDED SUPPLIES
LIKE MATTRESSES.
150 GIRLS HAVE BEEN RESCUED
FROM THOSE JUNGLES.
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
"OPERATION BLESSING" BY
GOING TO THEIR WEBSITE AT
OB.ORG.
STAY TUNED, GORDON AND
KRISTI WILL BE BACK WITH
MORE OF "THE 700 CLUB" AFTER
THIS.
Gordon: LIKE MANY
CHILDREN, 4-YEAR-OLD LEVI
LIKES TO COPY WHAT HE SEASON
TV.
AND THANKS TO CBN'S
"SUPERBOOK," HE HAS A GREAT
EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW.
MOST LITTLE BOYS HAVE A
FAVORITE SUPER HERO.
FOR 4-YEAR-OLD LEVI, IT
HAPPENS TO BE HIS FAVORITE
BIBLE CHARACTER.
I'M DAVID.
Reporter: LEVI LOVES TO
WATCH "SUPERBOOK'S" EPISODE
OF DAVID AND GOLIATH.
AS HE WATCHED THE D.V.D.
OVER AND OVER, AND I
LISTENED TO THE QUESTIONS HE
WAS ASKING ME, I RECOGNIZED
THAT HE WAS REALLY ABSORBING
THE STORY.
HE SAW THE STRENGTH IN
DAVID, AND DAVID BEING A
LITTLE GUY, HE SAW THAT GOD
USED HIM AND THAT HE WAS A
BRAVE WARRIOR.
AND THAT REALLY STRUCK LEVI
BECAUSE LEVI WANTS TO BE A
STRONG, BRAVE WARRIOR.
DAVID WAS BIG BECAUSE HE
KNEW GOD WAS WITH HIM.
THE DAVID AND GOLIATH
STORY WAS A STORY IN WHICH
THERE REALLY NO CHANCE FOR
DAVID TO WIN, AND THERE
REALLY WAS NO CHANCE WITHOUT
GOD.
FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO SEE
THAT, AND SEE THE STONES,
AND SEE THE ANIMATION, IT
REALLY BROUGHT IT TO LIFE
FOR HIM.
Reporter: MIKE AND
SARAH DON'T ALLOW MUCH
TELEVISION IN THEIR HOME,
HOWEVER, "SUPERBOOK" IS AN
EXCEPTION.
I LOVE "SUPERBOOK"
BECAUSE IT'S MY FAVORITE.
Reporter: BECAUSE OF
"SUPERBOOK," LEVI HAS
LEARNED ABOUT SCRIPTURE, AND
EVEN MEMORIZED THE SALVATION
POEM AT THE END OF THE
VIDEO.
AT THE END, IT SAYS,
JESUS YOU DIED UPON A CROSS
AND ROSE AGAIN TO SAVE THE
LOST.
FORGIVE ME NOW OF ALL MY
SINS, COME MAKE MY DAY, DO
OVER.
CHANGE MY LIFE AND MAKE IT
NEW.
AND HELP ME, LORD, TO LIVE
FOR YOU.
YOU HAVE TO ASK PEOPLE IF
THEY KNOW JESUS.
I KNOW HE IS IN MY HEART,
AND I REALLY LOVE HIM.
Reporter: LEVI WEARS
THE DAVID COSTUME HIS MOM
MADE FOR HIM EVERY DAY.
BUT HE DIDN'T JUST WANT TO
LOOK LIKE DAVID ON THE
OUTSIDE.
HE WANTED DAVID'S
ANOINTING.
I WANTED TO JUST BE
ANOINTED BECAUSE DAVID GOT
ANOINTED.
HE ASKED ME IF HE COULD
BE ANOINTED WITH OIL, AND
WOULD HE GLOW LIKE DAVID
DID.
BECAUSE IN THE D.V.D., DAVID
GLOWS.
I TOLD HIM THAT'S THE HOLY
SPIRIT.
AND I TOLD HIM, YES, HE
WOULD GLOW.
WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SEE
IT, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT ON
HIM MAKES HIS LIFE GLOW.
LEVI WAS VERY SINCERE IN
WHAT HE WAS SAYING.
HE WAS REALLY INTERESTED AND
FIRM THAT HE WANTED TO DO
SOMETHING FOR GOD.
AS OPPOSED TO, HEY, I THINK
IT IS A NICE IDEA TO GET OIL
POURED ON MY HEAD.
Reporter: HIS PARENTS
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO USE
"SUPERBOOK" TO TEACH LEVI
LIFE LISTENS.
IT MEANS A LOT THAT THE
PEOPLE WHO WORK ON
"SUPERBOOK" REALLY SPEND
THEIR TIME AND EFFORT
RESEARCHING IT.
THEY RESEARCH THE FIELD.
THEY RESEARCH ISRAEL.
THEY RESEARCH THE DETAILS
THAT ARE REALLY IMPORTANT,
THAT REALLY CAN MEAN A LOT.
IT MEANS A LOT TO ME THAT
THEY DO THAT, SO WE DON'T
HAVE TO EXPLAIN, WELL, IT
REALLY WASN'T LIKE THAT.
AND THEY'RE JUST KIND OF
TAKING SOME CREATIVE
LIBERTY.
MY SON, LEVI, REALLY TAKES
IN THESE STORIES, AND HE
TAKES EVERYTHING TO HEART,
AND HE TAKES IT AS TRUTH
WHEN HE IS WATCHING IT.
SOME PEOPLE DON'T KNOW
JESUS, SO YOU HAVE TO TELL
THEM ALL ABOUT JESUS.
AND THEY'RE GOING TO DECIDE
THAT THEY'RE GOING TO LOVE
JESUS AND OBEY HIM.
Gordon: PEOPLE HAVE TO
LOVE JESUS.
WE WANT TO TAKE THE STORIES
OF THE BIBLE TO THE CHILDREN
OF THE WORLD.
AND YOU LOOK AT LEVI'S
STORY, AND HE GOT IT.
HE GOT THAT STORY.
HE UNDERSTOOD IT, AND HE
INTERNALIZED IT AND SAID I
WANT TO BE JUST LIKE DAVID.
IF YOU WANT TO HAVE YOUR
CHILDREN HAVE THE STORIES OF
THE BIBLE, WHAT WE INVITE
YOU TO DO IS JOIN THE
"SUPERBOOK" D.V.D. CLUB.
AS WE'RE PRODUCING THESE
EPISODES, WE NEED HELP IN
THE PRODUCTION COSTS.
AND SO WE'RE ASKING FOR YOUR
PARTICIPATION, WHEN YOU DO,
YOU'RE FIRST IN LINE WHEN
THE STORIES COME OUT.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE STORY
OF JACOB AND ESOB.
AND WHEN YOU SIGN UP, WE
GIVE YOU NOT JUST ONE COPY;
WE GIVE YOU THREE.
SO YOU CAN GIVE THEM AWAY TO
FRIENDS, FAMILY, YOUR
CHURCH, SUNDAY SCHOOL.
WE WANT TO GET THE STORIES
OF THE BIBLE OUT TO THE
CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.
AND YOUR GIFT GOES INTO THE
PRODUCTION COSTS, THE
TRANSLATION COSTS, THE
DISTRIBUTION COSTS OF THE
SERIES.
WE'RE GOING TO, THIS YEAR,
HAVE IT IN 38 DIFFERENT
LANGUAGES.
WE'RE GOING TO START
BROADCASTING AROUND THE
WORLD, THROUGHOUT AFRICA,
LATIN-AMERICA, THE MIDDLE
EAST.
THERE ARE THE AREAS WHERE
WE'LL INITIATE THE BROADCAST
OF THE PROGRAM AND YOU CAN
SEE, WE'RE GOING TO COVER
THE WORLD.
OUR GOAL IS FOR 300 MILLION
CHILDREN TO SEE THIS SERIES
OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
AND YOU CAN BE A PART OF
IT.
SO CALL US AND SAY, YES, I
WANT TO JOIN THE "SUPERBOOK"
D.V.D. CLUB.
THE NUMBER IS ON THE
SCREEN.
IT IS TOLL-FREE,
1-800-759-0700.
JUST SAY, I WANT TO BE A
PART OF IT.
IF YOU DON'T WANT TO JOIN
THE CLUB, AND YOU JUST WANT
THE STORY OF JACOB AND ESOB,
SEND $25 AND WE'LL GET THE
EPISODE OUT TO YOU.
IF YOU GO ON THE WEBSITE,
YOU CAN SEE THE PAST
EPISODES.
LORD WILLING, WE'RE GOING TO
GO TO 104, SO WE CAN HAVE
TWO YEARS OF WEEKLY
BROADCAST SO THE CHILDREN OF
THE WORLD GET THE STORIES OF
THE BIBLE.
BE PART OF IT.
CALL US.
1-800-759-0700.
Kristi: I LOVE THAT.
THE BIBLE SAYS TRAIN UP THE
CHILD IN THE WAY THEY SHOULD
GO, AND WHEN THEY GROW UP,
THEY SHALL NOT DEPART.
I HAVE ONE QUESTION NOW --
Gordon: DOES CHASE LIKE
IT?
Kristi: HE GENUINELY
DOES.
AND I JUST GOT MINE IN THE
MAIL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
AND IT'S GOING TO STAY WITH
ME.
NORMALLY I TAKE IT TO THE
SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND THE
CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS, AND THEY
ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.
AND HERE IS MY QUESTION:
WHERE DID THAT LITTLE BOY
GET THAT COSTUME?
Gordon: HIS MOTHER MADE
IT.
SO MAYBE IF YOU ASK NICELY,
CHASE --
Kristi: I WAS TALKING
ABOUT ME.
WE AI ALL WANT TO BE SUPER
HEROS.
Gordon: WHO IS GOLIATH
IN YOUR LIFE?
Kristi: BROTHER, YOU
DON'T WANT TO KNOW.
[LAUGHTER]
Kristi: ON THAT NOTE --
WE'LL TALK LATER.
Gordon: ARE YOU SAYING
I'M BIG?
Kristi: I'M NOT SAYING
YOUR BIG.
HAVE YOU HEARD OF SOMETHING
CALLED A TRIGGER FINGER?
STEVEN MARTIN FOUND OUT THE
HARD WAY.
I JUST SORT OF GRABBED
HER BY THE SCRUFF OF THE
NECK, BUT IN DOING THAT,
SOMETHING HAPPENED IN MY
HANDS AND IT KIND OF SNAPPED
AND I COULDN'T RELEASE MY
FINGERS.
Kristi: SEE HOW THIS
MAN SUFFERED FOR TWO YEARS,
BUT WAS HEALED IN AN
INSTANT.
PLUS, WE'LL BE PRAYING FOR
YOU AND YOUR NEEDS.
SO WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T GO
AWAY.
Kristi: MARTIN WAS
EXPECTING TO SPEND SOME TIME
WITH HIS FAMILY, RELAXING IN
A JACUZZI, BUT, INSTEAD, AN
INJURY STOLE HIS GOOD TIME
AND ROBBED HIM OF THE USE OF
HIS HAND.
AS A FAMILY, WE WERE
ENJOYING THE JACUZZI.
WE HAD A GERMAN SHEPHERD
DOG, AND SHE WAS NIPPPING AT
THE BUBBLES, AND WE WERE
AFRAID SHE WOULD BITE ONE OF
THE BOYS.
I GRABBED HER BY THE SCRUFF
OF THE NECK, BUT IN DOING
THAT, SOMETHING HAPPENED IN
MY HAND, AND IT KIND OF
SNAPPED AND I COULDN'T
RELEASE MY FINGERS.
Reporter: IN AN
INSTANT, STEVEN MARTIN LOST
THE USE OF HIS LEFT HAND.
I HAD TROUBLE EVEN
HOLDING A GLASS.
BECAUSE YOU DO EVERYTHING
WITH YOUR THUMB AND YOUR
FINGER, I COULDN'T GRASP
ANYTHING.
Reporter: WHEN HIS HAND
DIDN'T GET ANY BETTER,
STEVEN WENT TO THE DOCTOR.
THE DOCTOR TOLD ME AT
THAT POINT, THE ONLY WAY TO
REPAIR WHAT I HAD, WHICH HE
REFERRED TO AS TRIGGER
FINGER, WAS THROUGH
SURGERY.
THAT WASN'T AN OPTION.
HAND SURGERY WAS IN THE TENS
OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND
IT WAS SOMETHING WE COULDN'T
AFFORD.
Reporter: STEVEN DIDN'T
HAVE ANY MEDICAL INSURANCE,
SO HE BEGAN TAKING
OVER-THE-COUNTER PAIN
MEDICATION TO TAKE THE PAIN
AWAY.
THE MEDICATION WOULD JUST
TAKE THE EDGE OFF.
YOU LEARN TO WORK AROUND IT
AND LIVE WITH THE PAIN.
YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER
CHOICE.
Reporter: STEVEN PRAYED
EVERY NIGHT FOR GOD TO HEAL
HIS HAND.
HE ALSO FOUND ENCOURAGEMENT
BY WATCHING "THE 700 CLUB."
ONE DAY, OUT OF THE BLUE,
TERRY GOES, I SEE A MAN WITH
HIS HAND.
AND SHE SEEMED CONFUSED, AND
SHE SAYS, IN THE SHAPE OF A
CLAW.
THERE IS SOMEONE, YOU
HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR
HAND, AND IT GETS LOCKED
INTO A CLAW CLAW-LIKE
POSITION.
AND GOD IS HEALING YOU RIGHT
NOW.
I'M LIKE, IT HAS GOT TO
BE ME.
IT WAS INSTANTANEOUS.
AND I COULD MOVE MY HAND
WITH NO PROBLEM.
I BELIEVE IN PRAYER, BUT
WHEN IT HELPS TO YOU, IT IS
AMAZING.
Reporter: STEVEN AND
KAREN WERE AMAZED THAT
STEVEN COULD OPEN HIS HAND
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO
YEARS.
I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE
PHONE AND TOLD PEOPLE,
STEVEN WAS USING HIS HAND.
AND I WAS CRYING.
IT WAS VERY EXCITING.
Reporter: ONE OF THE
FIRST THINGS STEVEN WAS ABLE
TO DO THAT HAD BEEN
IMPOSSIBLE BEFORE, WAS SHOOT
HIS COMPOUND BOW.
IT ALLOWED ME TO PICK UP
ACTIVITIES I WASN'T ABLE TO
DO, AND TO WORK ON THE CAR
WITH MY KIDS.
IT ALLOWED ME TO HAVE THAT
BONDING THAT A FOOTE FATHER
NEEDS TO HAVE WITH YOUNG
TEENAGERS.
I'M PROOF THAT GOD IS ACTIVE
TODAY AND TOMORROW.
YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE THE
SCRIPTURES.
HE SAYS HE WANTS TO HEAL
YOU.
GOD HEALS.
Kristi: GOD DOES HEAL.
AND HE IS WAITING TO HEAL
YOU.
IN FACT, WHAT ARE YOU
STANDING IN AGREEMENT FOR
RIGHT NOW?
WHAT ARE YOU PRAYING FOR?
BECAUSE WHATEVER YOU'RE
PRAYING FOR NOW, GORDON AND
I WILL STAND IN AGREEMENT
WITH YOU.
WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU
WITH SOME ENCOURAGING
WORDS.
ONE FROM MELISSA FROM
OREGON.
SHE HAD A MAMMOGRAM THAT
REVEALED A SPOT ON HER RIGHT
CHEST.
AT THE NEXT MAMMOGRAM, THE
SPOT HAD ENLARGED, SO THE
DOCTOR SCHEDULED A BIOPSY.
A WEEK BEFORE THE EXAM, LISA
WAS WATCHING "THE 700
CLUB."
SHE SAW A WOMAN WHO WAS
HEALED OF BREAST CANCER.
AND GORDON SAID, YOU HEARD
THIS STORY AND YOU'RE
CLAIMING IT FOR YOURSELF.
THE LUMP IS DISAPPEARING IN
JESUS' NAME.
LISA CLAIMED IT FOR
HERSELF.
WHEN THE RESULTS OF THE
BIOPSY RETURNED, GUESS
WHAT?
THERE WAS NO TRACE OF CANCER
WHATSOEVER.
Gordon: AMEN.
HE SENT HIS WORD AND HEALED
THEIR ASSE DISEASE.
THAT'S WHAT THE BIBLE IS ALL
ABOUT.
HE SENDS HIS WORD TO HEAL,
TO GIVE PEOPLE THAT
WONDERFUL FAITH TO BELIEVE
IT COULD BE ME.
IT COULD BE ME.
IT COULD BE ME.
IT HAPPENED TO ME.
I LOVE THAT.
WHEN IT HAPPENS TO YOU, IT
IS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE.
AND WHEN YOU SEE IT
HAPPENING WITH OTHER PEOPLE,
SAY, THAT'S ALL NICE FOR
THEM.
JUST START BELIEVING NOW,
IT'S FOR YOU.
HEALING IS FOR YOU.
JESUS CALLED IT THE
CHILDREN'S BREAD.
WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND YOU'RE A
CHILD OF GOD, AND GOD,
YOU'RE HEAVENLY FATHER,
WANTS TO PROVIDE FOR EVERY
NEED.
HE WANTS TO DO IT FOR YOU.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO ARGUE HIM
INTO IT.
HE WANTS TO DO IT.
AND WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND
THAT, THEN YOU GET ALL OF
THE FAITH YOU NEED FOR
HEALING.
THIS IS FROM DEBBIE FROM
OHIO.
SHE HAD EXTREME PAIN IN HER
LEFT INNER EAR FROM AN
INFECTION.
SHE HAD DIFFICULTY HEARING.
SHE HAD PAIN, RINGING IN HER
EAR FOR THREE MONTHS.
ONE DAY KRISTI HAD THIS WORD
OF KNOWLEDGE.
THERE IS A PERSON WITH A
SEVERE EAR INFECTION.
SO MUCH THAT YOU CAN'T HEAR
OUT OF IT.
AS SOON AS YOU PLACE YOUR
HAND ON THAT EAR, YOU'RE
GOING TO HEAR A POP.
THERE WILL BE DRAINAGE, AND
YOU WILL BE HEALED IN THE
NAME OF JESUS.
DEBBIE PUT HER HAND ON HER
EAR, AND THERE WAS A POP,
AND SHE FELT WARMTH AND
DRAINAGE, AND THE PAIN AND
RINGING LEFT, AND SHE COULD
HEAR WITHOUT ANYMORE
SYMPTOMS.
NOW, START BELIEVING THAT'S
FOR YOU.
AND IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE
BELIEVING, THE BIBLE SAYS
LOOK UNTO JESUS, THE AUTHOR
AND FINISHER OF YOUR FAITH.
SO LOOK TO HIM AND SEE HIM,
AND UNDERSTAND THAT BY HIS
STRIPES YOU WERE HEALED.
AND START ASKING YOURSELF
THIS QUESTION: DO THE ROMAN
SOLDIERS HAVE TO BEAT HIM
ANYMORE?
DO ANYMORE NAILS HAVE TO GO
INTO HIM?
DOES HE HAVE TO HANG ON THE
CROSS ANY LONGER?
LOOK TO HIM, THE AUTHOR AND
THE FINISHER OF YOUR FAITH.
AND WHEN HE SAID ON THE
CROSS, IT IS FINISHED, IT
WAS FINISHED FOR YOU.
IT WAS DECIDED THAT DAY THAT
YOUR ILLNESS IS FINISHED AND
COMPLETED AND DONE.
HE BORE YOUR ILLNESS.
HE CARRIED AWAY YOUR PAIN,
YOUR INFIRMITY.
THESE ARE THE WORDS OF THE
BIBLE.
AND YOU CAN BELIEVE THEM.
AND THEN LOOK TO HIM GOING
FURTHER TO SAY THAT HIS BODY
RESTED IN HOPE, AND THEN HE
WAS RAISED ON THE THIRD
DAY.
AND THEN THE BIBLE SAYS THAT
SAME RESURRECTION POWER IS
IN YOU.
NOW, JUST RELY ON THAT.
DON'T THINK FAITH IS
SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO DRUM
UP.
I LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE, I
DON'T HAVE ANY FAITH.
I JUST KNOW SOME GREAT
FACTS.
AND HERE ARE SOME GREAT
FACTS: JESUS DIED FOR YOU
AND HE DIED FOR ME.
AND HE DID IT SO THAT WE
WOULDN'T HAVE TO CARRY PAIN
AND ILLNESS AND DISEASE.
HE DID IT ALL FOR US.
AND HE DID IT OUT OF LOVE.
AND THAT SAME RESURRECTION
POWER IS AVAILABLE TO YOU
AND ME TODAY.
SO, KRISTI AND ARE GOING TO
PRAY.
YOU'RE GOING TO PRAY.
WE'RE ALL GOING TO BELIEVE.
AND THE BIBLE SAYS WHEN TWO
OR MORE AGREE, TOUCHING
ANYTHING, IT SHALL BE DONE.
SO YOU, AS AN ACT OF FAITH,
LAY YOUR HAND ON THAT AREA
OF YOUR BODY THAT NEEDS
HEALING.
KRISTI AND I WILL AGREE, AND
YOU'LL BE TOUCHING, AND THE
BIBLE WILL DO ALL OF THE
REST.
LORD, WE JUST LIFT THE NEEDS
OF THE AUDIENCE TO YOU.
AND WE COME TOGETHER IN
AGREEMENT, BELIEVE --
BELIEVING THAT BY YOUR
STRIPES WE'RE HEALED.
BELIEVING THAT YOU RELIEVE
ALL OUR DISEASES.
AND YOU SENT YOUR WORD SO WE
WOULD BELIEVE AND BE
HEALED.
SO, LORD, AS PEOPLE ARE
LAYING HANDS ON THAT AREA OF
THE BODY THAT NEEDS HEALING,
WE COME INTO AGREEMENT WITH
THEM, AND WE SAY OUT LOUD,
BE HEALED AND BE MADE WHOLE
IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
THERE IS SOMEONE, YOU'RE
LAYING YOUR HAND ON YOUR
THROAT.
YOU'VE LOST YOUR VOICE.
AND YOU'VE GOT DAMAGE TO
YOUR VOICE BOX, YOUR VOCAL
CHORDS, AND GOD IS HEALING
THEM.
HE IS ABLE TO GROW BACK WHAT
IS LACKING.
AND IN JESUS' NAME BE HEALED
NOW AND RECEIVE IT NOW IN
THE NAME OF JESUS.
KRISTI, WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
Kristi: THERE IS A
PERSON, YOUR LOWER BACK,
IT'S AS THOUGH YOU TURNED IT
AND WRENCHED IT, AND THE
LORD IS HEALING THAT NOW.
AND THERE IS ANOTHER PERSON
WITH A URINARY INFECTION,
AND THE LORD IS HEALING THAT
RIGHT NOW IN THE NAME OF
JESUS.
Gordon: THERE IS
SOMEONE WHO HAS THE INITIAL
DIAGNOSIS OF M.S., AND
YOU'RE IN FEAR RIGHT NOW.
GOD IS HEALING AND RESTORING
YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM.
IT IS NO LONGER GOING TO
ATTACK YOUR BODY.
IN JESUS' NAME, BE HEALED
FROM THAT.
NO MORE NUMBNESS, NO MORE
TINGLING NOW, IN THE NAME OF
JESUS.
THERE IS SOMEONE ELSE,
YOU'VE GOT A BLOOD
DISORDER.
WHERE YOU HAVE A LOW WHITE
CELL COUNT, AND YOU'RE VERY
CONCERNED.
YOU'RE VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO
INFECTION, AND GOD IS
HEALING AND RESTORING YOUR
IMMUNE SYSTEM.
JUST RECEIVE IT NOW IN
JESUS' NAME.
Kristi: THERE IS A
YOUNG LADY, YOU'VE BEEN
DIAGNOSED WITH SCOLIOSIS.
AND IT IS SOMETHING YOU'VE
HAD ALL YOU'RE LIFE.
TODAY IS THE DAY, YOU SAID
IF YOU CALL IT OUT, I WILL
BELIEVE.
AND THE LORD IS
STRAIGHTENING UP YOUR
SPINE.
WHAT YOU COULD NOT DO
BEFORE, DO IT NOW IN JESUS'
NAME.
Gordon: AMEN.
IF YOU'VE BEEN TOUCHED BY
GOD, WE WANT TO SHARE IN
YOUR GOOD REPORTS.
SO CALL US NOW,
1-800-759-0700.
HERE ARE THE WORDS FROM
JAMES.
"THE PRAYER OF FAITH WILL
HEAL THE SICK, AND THE LORD
WILL RAISE THEM UP."
GOD BLESS YOU.
