A Conversation with Eric Pace

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Apologetics worldview and answers to the questions that you need to know from Alex McFarland evangelistic ministries welcome to truth for a new generation radio and now the man who preached in 50 states and 50 days speaker, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarland word of God says in Galatians 44 that in the fullness of time, God sent forth his son, born of woman to redeem those that were under the law in the fullness of time. Hi Alex McFarland, you're welcome to another edition of truth for a new generation it's Christmas we wish you a Merry Christmas, Angie and I and our board and our staff. We send our love and Christmas greetings to each and every one of you.

We appreciate you listening and you know Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. Oh my goodness. We at the McFarlane household we do Christmas and it starts about August and we love Christmas but I love the reality of how God at precisely the right time. Since Jesus, the Bible talks about Christ came, in fulfillment of prophecy.

Born in Bethlehem, the Angels made the Annunciation to the shepherds and they said let us go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing which the Lord has made known unto us.

And yet at this time of great joy when we celebrate the birth of the Savior, the dear Lord Jesus, a lot of people are unhappy. There's depression. Statistics tell us that substance abuse, alcohol abuse is up domestic violence sometimes and sadly tragically, even suicide. While got a very dear friend and working to talk about the providence of God and how God's plan relates to your life.

Eric paste is a longtime friend and colleague, you've seen them on our television show. He's a member of the Association of certified biblical counselors. I love him as a friend and a Christian brother, but I respect him as a mental health professional, and I wanted to pick his brain a little bit and maybe get some pointers about how to recognize the signs of depression and to stave off some of the pitfalls people fall into butts are working to have a conversation with Eric Payson and also the larger theme here. I want to talk about the providence of God, because the very same wise God who sent Jesus at precisely the right time. That's the God who oversees your journey to my dear friend. God knows your steps and the path of life that you're on and he wants to be a part of that path with you but Rev. Eric pace certified biblical counselor. It's good to see you again, thanks for making time to be with us on the ship's great debater Alex, thanks for asking me let me ask a little bit of Baxter because before we recorded you just had a an anniversary you went back to one of your alma mater's for your 25th anniversary of getting your masters degree and I think even in talking with some of your colleagues and professors you reflected on the.

The providence of God in your own journey. Didn't I did it was 1992 when I launched adeno, agricultural and technical State University and I had no idea what allows their but what Alex had alluded to only started off was how isolation can't can really form people into a mode of depression or substance abuse, and I had been a long-term usurer and in drunkard of substances and alcohol for some time. In 1919, God sought his wisdom and promised to bring me back to the home church I was raised that from the womb and going to Alcoholics Anonymous as well as it entered into this graduate program studies a and T so it would that be in moving forward. At first year was pretty tough. I really know why was there I just was doing trying to do anything I could to be delivered from this bondage about was really a performance-based mentality from a and and what I could do.

But the longer I stayed there and after the that first year 1993 God led me from that bondage of using and drinking, and it has such a way that missed this past Saturday.

As I sat there with my colleagues and peers from crying to me and as we started to look at that is historically black college and university. We were sitting was asking me what was your school disciplinary quality.

Why would you choose a and K and I was looking back and forth multiple questions, and having to remember I'm the only white man is there and they had questions and I look them I said truthfully, I'm certain it was God's use for his mission and when he delivered me from that bondage to drugs and alcohol and shared it with my department head Dr. Cameron which is going to be with Lord Dr. Bernadine Chapman, which was my supervisor and they wrapped her arms around me and I had to intercessors for the next three years and it what what allows for the Christmas season because Christ came even as a child under the shadow of the cross that was his purpose and also to pray for us. He's our intercessor.

That's how we are like him more than anything more praying for others in my colleagues and peers started crying and I want Eric. I can't believe that we already have a church here right now and they had me start to miss Manaus crying to my older son was with me. 17 1/2. It was such a special time and then we had the commencement speaker Michael Reagan which is the first black EPA directors there been appointed it in the United States government and he got here you go. Saying the exact same thing talk about God's progress and faithfulness and his launch their such a special time because that his entire commission was one about fate yet don't you often see the will of God retrospectively.

Eric I mean an end, by the way, let me just say this. Folks of the best advice I ever got is just do the next right thing.

Do you not have a lot of young people. Eric, José, how can I know God's will for my life and I have kids, you say, you know, Mr. McFarlane, you know you you write books and you preach.

How did you plan this I said I didn't plan anything. I just got saved and I wanted to marry Angie and we were in youth ministry and you look up one day and 30 years is gone by.

But Eric would you groove those two statements just do the next right thing in and God will lead you a man not have learned that to be very accurate and also hope won't allow supervisor Stillman was best. Next, Eric, were or were already doing some is good, but once best neck so therefore looking for ways to misuse them much better and banished old enough to take a break. Folks if you just tuning in, this is truth for a new generation with Alex McFarlane, a very special guest certified biblical counselor Eric pace we talk about overcoming depression here at Christmas and throughout the holidays. A lot of very exciting information. We gotta take a brief break of Mary Jesus fill Christmas to one and all went back after this brief break. Alex is written many books to help you defend your faith.

One of them answers questions from skeptics it's cleverly titled 10 answers for skeptics today.

Skeptics are looking for authenticity, integrity, and straightforward truth and in the book Alex McFarlane identifies the 10 most common types of skepticism that plagued doubters minds. It offers believers proven strategies for connecting intellectually and spiritually with those who are skeptical about the claims of Christianity. Learn how to answer intimidating questions.

Identify the root issue behind those questions and dismantle the spiritual bombshells dropped by atheist plus find encouragement to face hostility by persevering in love.

The ultimate apologetic Christians could offer as a witness to our loving God, check out 10 answers for skeptics. When you visit Alex McFarlane.com wanted to raise your hand during the sermon will here's your chance. Hi Alex McFarlane here from the nationally syndicated radio program exploring for more than 10 years Micah spurred Harper and I have taught scripture and answered hundreds of vital questions. We held a printed book of the top 100 Bible questions from listeners of all ages from questions about supposing Bible contradictions to apologetics facts that prove the truth of Scripture.

This new book features practical content that will make the Bible come alive for you. Can we really be sure that cannot exist are there contradictions in the Bible, help me understand the Bible better.

There's so much good content in this book. One Bible questions and answers published by Broad Street publishers and available at your local bookstores and also through resources.AFA.net truth for a new generation were talking with Eric pace about Christmas and you know when those angels appeared in chapter 2. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and goodwill to men. Christmas is just happiest time of the year. Eric the Eleni Williams song is the most wonderful time of the year, but people do get depressed all day and maybe maybe this is the first Christmas in a beloved family member is not there this year and for those that are bereaved or grieving something we send our love and prayers and condolences but saw Eric God led you like you said to go to school. God has led you and is it fair to say that God has a plan for every life and God is willing to lead and guide if we only let them in. He is certainly providential sovereign over everyone's life and everything he creates because he honestly possesses everything he created all things and all things by him were created.

So I say yes to that as well so how do we get off the path.

I mean if if God loves us and God has a plan God has a plan for history and so since we're in history. Obviously, God must have a plan for us but often times we find ourselves out in the weeds.

How do we get off the path had we find our way back, based on the record of Scripture in Ecclesiastes, God said that to Solomon that he placed eternity in our hearts and and and with that he's also we have the follow me inside and first John says that many times we compromise that eternity by the desires of the flash, the pride of life, the lust of and we can we can get off track. With that in isolation I believe is a primary component of getting off the tractor because we we sit there and in either daydream about what we don't have or have self-pity and set and self-centeredness that all these different things that we think we may and fear based in our fear can really be put into basic presuppositions not obtaining something we desire. Losing something we already have, not obtaining something we desire.

Losing something we arty have and it isn't funny. We we fret over these things. But then we engage in toxic behavior that causes these things absolutely and so when that happens. Alex what we we start to move in a different area away from a biblical worldview and we compromise the biblical worldview it just as ancient as the following, inhabiting the cosmos of Revelation 12 is as ancient as the fall in Genesis 3 in the garden and that you will surely die or what else can you do the accuser of the brethren as well. What do you say to the person who may be the holidays and Christmas uniform Wynot. My heart goes out to moms and they get stressed in the foods gotta be perfect enough and you know life is not a Hallmark card as much as we have these idyllic pictures in our mind, but can we still enjoy Christmas and family even amidst the stress and the fact that the hay the table might not be perfect. All of the the tree in the trimmings. It might not look like something out of a television movie but we still need to savor the moment's hat had we do that in a world that says reach for perfection. What last see the record Scripture essay that the shepherds were approached by the Angels and the host.

The most disenfranchised of that culture isolated from everyone else so. Yet, they were approached with the good news in the great joy but also the Magi. Some of the elite. So we look at that all away from the very elite all way to the most disenfranchised. We see him were somewhere in between, and God.

It will deftly want us to have that joy because Christ is coming and everything was prefigured the from that from the Old Testament the coming the first advanced but now also under the shadow of the second Advent.

When he returns. So something 2000 years ago still matters in the 21st century just as relevant as the time was written and even before because this maternity passionate.

It was an eternity. Present is an eternity future that we can we can understand the truth of us sanctify them through the truth what is truth and and when I see that Jesus is saying that the most important thing that that really the disciples want to know about was to teach us to pray, teach us the price we we we need to learn the scriptures we have 66 books there that we have been given to look at that and when we see the that the joy there that the kingdom of God is not meat and rain but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost we can sit there. Gratitude is the gateway to joy. We can find something to be grateful about and we can be away from that isolation and that self-centeredness that is a great statement you made not talk about a soundbite when I do radio interviews is to give us some soundbites okay you just said gratitude is the gateway to joy. Repeat that and elaborate on it if you would. Okay, gratitude being the gateway to joy.

It has a presupposition to that usually pain-and-suffering because pain is the touchstone of spiritual growth and when we had experience obtaining and suffering Christ experience it, and so the way our lives. Alex alluded to some of the love once it may not be with us this Christmas or or something happen financially in our homes or just fill in the blank on but we do have those items that are or perplexing.

We may not have complete certainty over but one thing is certain is God will never leave you or forsake you he care so much about you and me and in his creation.

His creative work that he even knows every hair of our head. I can understand that but I can certainly embrace it and see the demonstration of his great love is great grace, his great mercy just to the different items in my life and when I sit there start to really look at those and ponder the thoughts and posture. My heart toward Sheehan instead of what I don't have is still what I do have and thank God I'm not where I used to be, but where I am today. You know clearly the Bible condemns idolatry and III think when we hear the word idolatry.

We might think of bowing down to a golden idol and you know you if anybody would do that. But when we when we love the blessings more than the bless her is not a type of idolatry is certainly is and and and long. We walk with low risk, such as a progressive walk. If we think it you perhaps will be there about Pauly was that week. Though I've not attain. I strive for the mark of the high college we just come off the skirt of Thanksgiving. A lot has water not wake something, the Bermuda triangle Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.

You hate.

We gotta take right now folks listen when we come back we can ask Eric paste two questions. One, how we break the cycle of toxic behavior, believing it to be talked about finding joy when we think our heart is stating that right after she radio America today is like a patient struggling to live yet is being forcibly euthanized by her quote doctors. The life force within the patient fighting for survival is the honest citizens like yourself team of quote caregivers are the local and national leaders actually contributing to the demise of patient economy is crashing crime is exploding.

The Constitution is being abolished the assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late by Alex Farland has one single purpose to get you prepared the real source of America's current problems that no one else is talking about and what you can do now to face tomorrow. Regardless of what tomorrow brings. The assault on America how to defend our nation before it's too late. Available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and local Christian bookstores are you tired of liberal agendas ruining our country but you don't know what to do about it. That's why truth and liberty coalition was founded. We want to equip you to take back our country and impact the world.

Here's how we do it educate broadcasts conferences in our website resources that form equip and motivate unified by collaborating with like-minded organizations like the family research Council, the family policy and my feet mobilize by providing practical tools you can use to impact your local community as Christians we are called to make disciples together we can change the course of joint truth and liberty to connect with believers in organizations not only want to see change in our nation but a community that is actually doing something about it. Join us online for our broadcast describe relevant updates on our website. Truth and liberty.net will go back to three new generation and with you to resume our conversation with Eric paste a certified biblical counselor I get I want to say Merry Christmas to one and all.

How we love you and we thank you. I give God the glory for a banner year of ministry we did our first post coven truth for new generation conference back in October 2021 had people from at least 14 states had many many many decisions for Christ.

I've been in Illinois a Nevada, Indianapolis, Indiana goodness, Grand Rapids, Michigan three or four trips to Texas all over America, preaching, and I want to say as this year draws to a close. Think you want to know for all of the churches that invite me in for all the people that buy our books and resources for the people that listen to the radio broadcast live and prerecorded our television viewers. So many things and folks, we have an incredible staff and board.

They send their love. But I do want to remind you of two very very special things.

Please listen carefully for one hour youth camp. The theme for 2022 is unashamed building your biblical worldview July 17-22 will be at a camp just about an hour east of Raleigh, North Carolina. I'll be there Will and Mickey Addison from the American family radio network will be there. We look wickedly talking about. What does it mean to be a disciple with you to be talked about how to defend your faith with you to be talking about transgender and just the moral issues of our day we get to be talking about a biblical response to wildness. This is for middle schoolers and high schoolers will be ample chaperones and were at a wonderful camp called the refuge and you can sign up@andseerefuge.org NCS in North Carolina look to be horseback riding and archery and a ropes course in an Olympic size swimming pool and stand up paddle boarding all the great activities of camp July 17-22. It is going to be wonderful but the best part of all, I will be there. We will equip your middle school and high schoolers to walk with the Lord to stand up for their faith. I'll just say it were trying to equip a generation to love God and country, and so youth groups are welcome. There is scholarship help the registration page and see red.org and just look for unashamed building your biblical worldview and listen. Regardless, we want your teens to be there.

The other thing I want to make you aware is the Cove, the Billy Graham training center at the Cove in Asheville, North Carolina. I'll be there July 8-10 teaching first Peter a very good book for biblical worldview and apologetics first Peter and then in 2023. I'll be teaching. Second Peter, but the summer of 22.

You need to be there. This is a wonderful event, July 8, nine and 10.

If you've ever been to the Cove, you know, world-class accommodations, the food, the fellowship people from all over America and you will be there with you and have a great time and will get into the word of God and of course being at the Cove. You know Billy Graham and Ruth Graham Porter walked over those hillsides. No exaggeration votes when you are at the Cove, you will experience the presence of God. It would be a wonderful gift to give somebody a gift to give yourself calm and let's convene at the Cove. July 8-10 as we get into the word of God as we pray for our nation will right now we been having a wonderful conversation with my longtime friend and colleague Eric pace and brother eyes want to say thank you Lord I know you. You spent your adult life counseling people leading souls to Christ and talking people off the ledge when it comes to their motions and counseling people getting them rooted in a biblical worldview and in the time that remains Eric asked a couple questions families. I've seen it.

Families can get into patterns of behavior that are oftentimes not good and maybe somebody listing says oh I I dread it. We get it's always the same thing. There's hurt feelings and what you say to the person that really wants to help their family break cycles of, for lack of a better word toxic behavior.

First of all, there has to be some type of leadership involved for you can be a servant leading is important, but is usually led by example and within that framing it and what I would like to encourage in and reading the Scriptures, yet examine watcher rating what what what your perhaps taken in and save it does have a biblical godly worldview. But one thing that were certain is the Psalms's and in the Psalms and the psalmist consciously started out in anguish.

More often than not, and he was spotlighted in it he was under oppression and was so are we more often than not.

But as he started to turn his emphasis towards a personal God wanted. He knew, oh God, my Lord, and he would ask God to consider my ways he he he started to submit and then he started to praise God/work the foundation what we are. Talk about gratitude being the gateway to joy because the pain will get us into the platform touchtone the spiritual growth will yes to the platform of what were grateful for. I remember my steadfast love and a you are and have dealt bountifully with me because he paid the bounty he paid the bounty on the cross for our lives and you can look at that and lead by example.

It may not change overnight, but it does change in Avid and first of all it has to change within yourself, you know, folks were almost out of time here, but I want to say is Christmas draws near. Remember that line from one of the great Christmas songs. Eric just about my favorite song in the whole world is O holy night, and there's a line that listen to this folks as we closed long led the world in sin and error pining till he appeared Jesus appeared in the soul felt its worth. See, you have worth before God. Do you know you are valuable to God, the Lord loves you. Now were sinners in the way that were forgiven. We we admit our sin we say, Lord. I'm sorry for my sin. I do believe in Jesus and Lord I'm asking you to wash me clean do that right now. Christmas is a season of gifts and giving they say well how about receiving the gift of God's and Jesus, how about giving the Lord a gift of your life see your valuable to God. Don't say I'm worthless you're not don't say I've waited too long, you haven't. We say this all year. We stayed in hundreds of microphones around the nation, and I'll say it now. Jesus is this close by is a prayer and so the Lord loves you believe that God has things for you. Great blessings.

Thank you Lord for Jesus Christ who makes our life worthwhile.

So anyway we can help you.

My website is Alex McFarland.com there's a little tab on their what does God say about my relationship with him but reach out to us if we can serve you in any way and encourage you in your walk in your witness for Christ. We would love to hear from you. Merry Christmas and God bless. TMG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarland evangelistic ministry, PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404. That's PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404 call us at 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God, and the number one. Forgive online@alexmcfarland.com while you're there, listen to program archives.

Read Alex's blog invite Alex to speak at your event or contact Alex with a question or comment, Alex McFarland.com.

Thanks for listening today and join us again next time. For more truth for a new generation on TMG radio