Pastor Ben Graham on Standing with Israel and Fighting Evil

The real challenge is when you leave there, just living your faith and seeking God first. >> Not like my rabbi. >> You're literally saying the same things. I'm a rabbi. But tell me, >> we talked before. >> When you're in synagogue, when you're there, like you're you're playing the part, but what are you doing when you're leaving the >> We talked and he told me when I was here today. >> You're ganging up on me. I have the rabbi yelling at me and the pastor. Michael, everybody's upset with me. >> None of your business, Sushi. None of your business, Michael. It's the None of Your Business podcast hosted by Michael and Oshi. >> Welcome back everybody to another I'm going to go with this one inspirational episode of the None of Your Business podcast. I'm your host Michael Greenfield. Joined with me is Oshi Schwarz. We are produced by the Prime Source Family production team and sponsored of course by Twillery. They're doing a great job. They're making noise out there. They have those stores and uh people keep telling me like what code can I use? And I tell them just go in and mention none of your business. just make sure that you know people hear about it and uh it is our objective that people know the uh the name Twillery because they're doing a great job out there. So, love Twillery. Big fan of Twillery. I keep saying it. I've been shopping at Twillery even before I knew what kind of company they were and who founded that company. >> We know that cuz we could go back. Their stuff's great. It's really good. >> We could see your shirts that you wore before Twillery. >> We were proud that we could be sponsored by Twitter. Absolutely. It was really an honor. >> I agree with that. And uh we appreciate all your subscriptions and your comments and your likes and even your hates. It's okay. We'll take it all. We just want to grow. And uh that has been the uh real driving force behind the podcast recently. And I'm finding a lot of that is what I'm hearing from all of our listeners. It's growth oriented both personally and professionally. And that is it. That's the bottom line. I mean it's uh we want to get people in the chair that are filling that role and our objective. And uh today we are certainly doing that to the very next level with someone that I just started hearing about. I mean, welcome to the program, Dr. Pastor Ben Graham. What an honor it is to have you with us here. >> Well, it's my pleasure. I'm glad to be here and you know, you guys did it right. You started off with feeding me and so you know how to get to the heart of a pastor. That's what I'm going to say right there. >> I appreciate you saying that. And you tried cholant for the first time. did and it was amazing. I a matter of fact, I I hope that I can find uh how to get that in DC so that I can eat it. It was I I actually really enjoyed it. >> Amazing. I love that. So, we have this little segment that we like to do to get the audience to get to know who you are real quick called Chat GPT said what about you? So, before I do that, did you ever chat GPT yourself? >> I never have. >> Okay. Well, strap in. >> Uh oh. >> Here it goes. So, um, and I do this to myself actually just like 10 minutes before the guest gets here and I'll be like, "Okay, the Chachi Pit knows how I want it and I'm like, "Here's my guest. Just tell me a little bit about him and, you know, make it interesting and unique and just say it in a oneline punchy way." And, uh, so away we go. While most teens are figuring out Snapchat, he has given his life to faith at the age of 14. Wow. Okay. Um I I definitely want to get into that. You know, I'm hearing the word pastor. I myself am a chaplain, so I understand the world of, you know, giving back to the communities of fa in in representing of faith. It took about 3 minutes into the podcast for him to throw in that he's a chaplain. He's also already putting himself at your level as a pastor. He's making the person. We're going to ignore that. But >> what I was going to say is that it took me 40 years to enter the world of saying, "Oh, let me help on an official capacity." And really I got a badge out of it so it helps me when I get pulled over. >> By the way, best I was chap. And best thing ever because uh I had my ID as well and I put it over the driver's license. Probably shouldn't be professing this right now, but uh you know, you get pulled over, you're like, "Oh, let me get my license." And they see the police ID first. Anyhow, >> it works. Does it really work? >> Uh well, I plead the fifth. >> I was going to say, what's the tactic? Do you actually mention something or you just take it out? >> It's on top. They the police department taught me that to put it on top so when you pull it >> out and then get your license they see it. And the the two times it happened to me. They said, "Oh, you're a cop." And I said, "Well, I'm I I was a reserve officer. I went through the police academy in South South Carolina." And I was like, "You know, I am, but I'm more a chapl." And they're like, "Oh, well, thought I had somebody. God bless you." And it worked. So >> preached in all 50 states and 30 plus countries. Airlines call him Pastor Platinum. >> Wow. >> Is that right? All 50 states. >> All 50 states. >> You've been to every single state and preached in each state. >> Yeah. I've I've preached in all 50 states. I've golfed in 39. Uh I'm trying to get to all 50 and I've hunted in about 15. So, you know, those are the things I keep up with. But, uh, >> best state that you golfed in. Best course? >> Hawaii. >> Hawaii. Alanabam. Mayor Arm. You heard it here first. Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. We have two very await golf. They're big golfers. So, Hawaii, that's the best place. >> That was that's probably by far my favorite, but I have many many uh places I've enjoyed. >> What about best location of hunting? >> Um well, this is probably going to get in somewhere to talk about, but it has to be Northwest Missouri because when I was in my first year of college, I went to seminary. I was struggling because I wanted to play basketball and I had an opportunity but I was struggling with that and I'd went to seminary and my dad said go on this hunting trip with me and I was like I can't go and he said just go. A farmer had invited him to go hunting on their property in northwest Missouri. So I went I ended up meeting the farmer's daughter. She's been my wife for 27 years. So yeah. So that's by far the best hunting hunting place ever. >> Good answer. She's going to appreciate that. That's a great story. >> I can let her watch this one. >> By the way, you'll learn about me on the podcast. I'm a pretty shallow person. I'm working on myself. >> No, stop it. >> But notice notice how you said that you preached at 50 different states and you golfed in 39. I asked right away about your golfing experience. Not where was the best state that you preached in or what was the best outcome from this. I ain't ask about that. But I'm working on myself, pastor. I'm working on myself. You've grown a lot over 60 plus. >> The only reason I'm doing this podcast, I get to meet people like him. >> Yeah. I think you guys the worst place I spoke at and I could tell you a story there. >> Let's go. Go right into that. You're talking my language right now. >> When I was 18, I was speaking in a church in Texas, and while I was speaking, there was this young couple in the back that was sticking their tongue out at me the whole time, uh, gesturing cuss words at me, like whispering, but I could tell what they were saying. You can, you know, when somebody's saying that. And my brothers and I, we sang in a group. We sang there, then I spoke, and it was pretty distracting, you know. Uh, but when I, a year before that, I spoke at a nursing home. I got asked to come do this uh maybe a Christmas service and in the middle of that this this elderly lady comes streaking through. So that had prepared me for that that you can get through anything. You know what I mean? So u she's living life that lady. She hasn't stopped living. Good for her. >> People always wonder what goes on in nursing homes, right? You know, she had no clue where she was at, but she was she was living life. You hold a doctorate in temperament counseling and you can spot a mood swing before the coffee kicks in. >> Okay. What is temperament counseling? >> I love this Chad. GPT. Temperament counseling. We we um we do a evaluation to find out what your temperaments are and then it really helps us evaluate why you struggle with certain things and helps us evaluate things like um you know when my wife went through it and she also has a degree in this you know she learned certain things about herself that you know we had been married for years but but now we tell people before they get married to do this uh cuz going in you understand if and I'll give you an example my wife was often I'd get invited to go to somebody's house do a dinner do something. Well, we'd get there and there'd be 40, 50 people. And she was so uncomfortable with that if I asked her, you know, like, hey, in a couple hours we're going to go over here and we would go and she'd be so uncomfortable cuz she didn't have time to prepare herself to going into that kind of a situation. For me, I can go in anywhere. You know, I don't know anybody. I'm fine. For her, it was panic to have to eat in front of people and and socialize in front of people that she hadn't had time to really think about it. That was part of her temperament. And so when you learn these things helps you better understand how to prepare like you know there's certain things I know that my wife needs time >> to process and there's certain things that um you know different temperaments different you know involve different things and so when you learn that about yourself helps you understand a little more of why you uh react to things certain ways and and uh in counseling it was I've been counseling since I was 19 because that's when I went into full-time ministry. Um, but I really and I learned a lot of things growing up as a preachers's kid and all that. You kind of learn to read people, but I think that really helped me even uh further be able to test people and verify things and then understand more how to help them and help them understand why they struggle with certain things. >> Love that. Similar to chapency, right? Isn't that a function of what a chap what a chaplain does? I only know about because he only mentioned it like 8,000 times. So, I know all about chaplain. star of a movie, Fearless Faith. Basically, the Marvel crossover of sermons and cinema. What is going on there? >> I do love that. I love that. That's not even the best movie I was a part of, but I'll take that. Um, it was a great uh movie that was written by a a former cop, directed by a former uh uh LAPD officer. Um, my work in in the police department, and I think there was two other people involved in that film. And it was based on actual events uh from an officer and I actually play a chaplain in that movie. Uh I'm a pastor. In the beginning, my wife gets taken hostage and u that leads to me becoming a chaplain and and uh it's a great uh great story, but um I've been involved in a plethora of films. My wife and I have got to star in a couple movies together as the leads and more Christmas Hallmark type films. But, uh, it's something I love to do. I did my first movie when I was 11 and and, uh, you know, and just kind of kind of, um, you know, got in my system and and I absolutely love doing that. >> So, which one did you mention was your more favorite one or that more popular one? >> Uh, well, I I just I think my favorite was the one that my wife and I did recently called Christmas at Keystone. The reason I love that so much is one, her and I are the leads in it. You know, it's Hallmark at the end, we kiss, you know, kind of thing. It was funny when we did the scene uh and I hate to give it away but I already said it's Hallmark so everybody knows how that goes but uh I uh at the end I kiss and then the director I'll never forget he goes you know cut and he goes hey Ben come here let me show you something takes me back shows me my monor they replay it and he goes what do you think I was like that looks good he goes what are you trying to gross this out he's like that's way too much like sorry I got excited you know and but um I also wrote a song um called the big man's coming to town and they put that in the film and there was just a lot I got to do in that film that made that kind of extra special for me uh in that. But uh yeah, no, it's it's fun and there's some uh I'm signed to do a couple really uh uh big films coming up for me. They're huge opportunities with some A-list actors and you know uh I hopefully we'll get to do those. We're trying to work it out to film one at the end of next year with uh somebody I can't say but super famous and I'm playing his brother uh co-starring in it. So, with my work I'm doing at the White House, you know, all that, we're hoping it works out, but they've already given me the blessing to to be able to to do that. So, um, I'm loving it. Yeah. >> Wow. I'm loving it for you. By the way, I'm living through you right now. I'm just imagining myself being able to be in a movie. That's like a dream come true for so many people. You're speaking about it so nonchalantly like, "Yeah." >> You know what I'm thinking about that's that's blowing me away is how he got excited to kiss his wife. >> Yeah. >> After four kids. And you know, she's pretty hot. So, >> no, it's funny, too. When I I got to be careful how I say this, but Corbin uh Bernson, who is a famous actor, he was in like major league. He was in the show Psych and he's been in hundreds of movies. He um he was in the film and and when he showed up on set, he told the uh AD, the assistant director, he said, "When I see Ben the way he looks at his wife," he goes, "I see love in his eyes." But um you know we've been married a while but you know still uh um what do you think that secret is? Because ultimately you know Yeah. And all kidding aside you know marriage four kids later living life and working and just speaking like that this is what's catching my attention. >> I think you know when you first get married um you think love is probably the idea of marriage. Um you know you a lot of folks get to there's hurdles year four year nine I think year nine was a tough year for us I became a senior pastor of a large ministry and there was just a lot of things going through but all these were building and you know what happens in life in anything you either get bitter or you get better and you know for us we were able to get I think better and then you know she's with four C-sections we lost a boy we have four boys but between our second and third son she was seven months pregnant we lost a She's had um nine surgeries, you know, four were C-sections, but nine surgeries since we've been married. I've been through cancer three times. I think going through those uh there's a bond that that comes, you know, and she had grandparents that were married um I want to say I think 68 or 69 years. um you know and so the great example and um you know in our family we were kind of taught you know um you know divorce just isn't an option. So you know if that's true you got one of two options. You either you know you either uh work at loving each other or you're miserable you know and you know there's been difficult days and we've been through our ups and downs like anybody and every great marriage takes work. Um, I do think not everybody can be in a movie together, but I do think doing stuff that's a little outside of the norm helps keep a a passion there. Yeah. And so, yeah, I I think it's >> interesting. >> Find something like that. It might just be, you know, uh, taking up a a new uh, >> sport, bowling. I don't know. I saw a bowling trophy earlier. I think that's what that was. You know, I I have no idea. >> A little bit about us. Any trophy he can pick up, it'll be this. >> I just got a trophy a couple of nights ago. I won the softball tournament in my league. In my league. Yes, Prime Source. We sponsored a bowling team. We won three years in a row. So, that was a trophy you're seeing there. Very proud of it. Uh, big shout out to myself. Yes. But, you know, on this topic, I I actually had a question. I had one or two questions prepared, and it's right on this topic, actually. So, I think it's a perfect segue. Is it okay if I ask the question now, Michael? She >> I know you're right in the middle of your introduction. >> No, this is the idea. This is perfect. I love this. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I'm actually very very excited to learn a lot about uh the Christian religion. Um, and you know, I think Jews and Christians, we have a lot in common. Obviously, you a lot of shared history together. >> Um, and I don't think the casual Jewish person knows too much, you know, intricate details about the Christian religion and vice versa. We know the basics. You know, we have a basic understanding. So, I want to get a little educated. I would really love to learn about it. I understand that there's uh three different main segments in Christianity, right? There's the uh Protestants, Catholics, and I believe Eastern Orthodox, right? Those are the three main ones. Um there's a difference between a priest and a pastor. Okay. And I think a priest is for all those different factions, right? And then you can have a pastor and I think >> Protestants I don't know if I'm saying that right. >> Yeah. You you are there's such a variety in Protestant. Not all Protestant have priests, but there are some that do. >> Okay. So it's my understanding that a priest is supposed to be celibate. A priest is not supposed to get married, which is one of the differences from Jews to Christians. Jews, let's say the rabbis, which I believe correlates to what a what a priest is, um, does get married. And I think in both religions, we believe that matrimony, the unity of a man and a woman is a holy thing. It's a pure thing. And, uh, it's something that's encouraged and it's it's almost the fundamental of of our lives to get married, to bear children, and to raise children, right, under, you know, uh, under God and to serve God. I always wondered this. I never really had an answer for this, but I always wondered now that you're here, I'd love to, you know, get educated on this. If that is the case, then you'd think a priest who's at a even a higher level than, you know, the the average person getting married, setting that example would be something that even they would do. Why is it that in the religion priests do not get married? >> So, this is where um I'll give you a little history. This is where Catholics uh would disagree with us. Um but let's start back you know uh you know God created Adam and Eve said be fruit be fruitful and multiply and then when God created the priesthood um you know we we read even they had sons you know they were married and you you go through all the old testament all the religious u uh rulers leaders you know they they were married they had children going in then you start seeing uh in uh in the early church. Um, you see the the leaders there. Most of them were married. Um, the only one that we're unsure of was Paul. Uh, but Paul at one time uh was a Sanhedrin. So therefore, he must have been married because that was a requirement. We don't know if when he started following Christ if maybe his wife left him, which you know very much could have happened. We don't we don't know. Scripture doesn't say. But we see they were all married. Uh this is where us and the Catholic Church disagrees. Uh several hundred years in in the 300s is when the Catholic Church was created. Years later, the Catholic Church, they get together and they make decisions on what they believe should be practiced. Somewhere along the way, they said, you know, the Catholic Church is is you know, priests are not going to get married. Uh but in scripture it says that the bishop and that's actually what they call pastor a bishop. The requirement is he's to be the husband of one wife. So scripture tells us we are to be married. Now does that mean that a somebody could be a pastor and and and um not be married? I I don't think it's so dogmatic that it's saying you have to be. But I think it's there is a precedent that you know God is okay with you being married because the pastor is really an example of of what the faith should be. And how do you live that out? How are you an example if you don't have a wife? How do you live that if you don't have a family? And we believe Jesus uh you know came for the bride of Christ. And the Bible teaches the church is the bride of Christ. And the Bible teaches we're to love our wives as he loved the church and gave himself for And so there's this just this clear teaching of example of how a husband should love his wife. And that I think goes with that. And so that's where we would disagree with the Catholic Church. Um you know um uh Lewis Schwarz who you know he he's my my new hero. Um I love him and I better get that check after I say all this. No, I'm just kidding. I No, I'm joking. I love him. He's such a blessing. But we had these conversations today cuz you know they call a a priest father. And there's a scripture in the New Testament says call no man father but your heavenly father. And it's not saying I can't call my dad father. But there's a spiritual in if you look at it in the Hebrew there's a spiritual meaning of you know that reverence of father is only to the heavenly father. You know no man gets that reverence. And in essence a lot of people feel that the priest is trying to take some of that reverence. And you know we honor a rabbi we honor a a pastor. You know, we they call them reverend because there's a reverence, but at the end of the day, they're still people. >> Yeah. >> Uh who are flawed and we know we know rabbis who have messed up. We know pastors who have messed up, who've fallen into sin. And that's why ultimately our eyes must stay fixed on God. Um he is our ultimate, you know, because, you know, people can let us down. And so I think that's where we disagree a little bit. Um, but Christianity certainly, um, you know, I know when I first started going to Israel, my family's been going since probably maybe late 60s, early 70s. Um, I'm not for sure when my grandfather started going, but you know, um, there was this real hesitancy because certain Christianity persecuted uh, the Jewish people, but it wasn't the Christianity that we come from. And there was some, you know, and, you know, we really wanted to let the people know. And I remember when I first started going to Israel and sometimes having those conversations and people were still a little hesitant, but I mean there's a there's now it's growing. People are understanding that the the Christian faith that we come from very much stands with Israel. Um our our our buddy Charlie Kirk was a big fan of Israel, you know. Um and there are some Christians who, you know, really debate this, but um we very much stand with the nation of Israel. We believe it's God's chosen people. God says, "I'll bless those that bless Israel." and uh you know and that's one thing we stand for and then we as Americans believe that God says I'll I'll bless the nation that that blesses God and put God first and so you know that's what we strive for and uh and that's where we can come together whether it's Catholic you know uh Vice President Vance talked about him and Charlie having some uh debates because you know Charlie was Protestant and and and Vance is Catholic um but we can get together and we can we can disagree on some things and yet still one be civil but then two we can we can talk about this and and try to understand why >> and I think that's so important and you know this was uh this is what if you look in all uh society this is always why people have been martyed because there there was leaders that were threatened by the thought of having conversation you know if we talk to them and people start believing you know we're going to lose what we have and So, you know, most of the time it was, well, we just got to get rid of them. And uh but but you'll find that that's, you know, uh a detriment to our society. >> For sure. You know, you mentioned Lewis Schwarz. Um I'm not surprised that you had a very deep intellectual conversation already with him. He's probably one of the more cultural people that I know and has a vast knowledge in a wide range of things. You'll be surprised what else, you know, he he knows. I always like engaging with him in these types of conversations. So, you mentioned him. had to had to say that. And you also mentioned Charlie Kirk um who recently was tragic this event felt by millions of people around the world not just in this country. The kind of impact Michael that he had was just and young people especially but on anybody. I just want to say my own sentiments if I may just for a moment about Charlie is a lot of people looked at him as someone who was able to uh take an argument or take a disagreement and unpack it and break it down in a way that was so articulate that so logical and and he made a lot of sense and as if his function was to speak to the other side people that disagree with him and to try to get them to see the ways that perhaps they can find common ground like that was how a lot of people viewed him. I viewed it and I think other people maybe share my sentiment is not even for the other side. It was for even people on the right, for the conservatives even, where sometimes we struggle, we struggle as well with a lot of the things going on in the world and we struggle with a lot of the different ideas and it was reinforcement for us. And I think that that is the biggest thing that we're all losing out on is on, you know, we're looking at who's going to be that voice of reason in the future. You know, who's going to take that because he filled that role immaculately. uh he filled it in in such a regal way. He filled it and such a young age too. The amounts that he accomplished in such a short period of time. What I'm wondering is oh my god what more could he have accomplished in the next 30 years. He did this all in about 10 11 years he did this from the age of 19 till when he came onto the scene and died at such a young age of 31. Give this man another 30. could have taken over the world and and it's not even so much about you know there's so many people out there that are you know that need to you know hear logic and reason it's for us for the people that are under that are also for everybody could have benefited from this and to me that is the biggest you know lost the kind of indelible mark that he left on this world and the accomplishments I mean anybody that knew him that even was in his stratosphere that was in his orbit was lucky to even have a little piece of that in the short period of time that that he was on this world So he'll be greatly greatly missed but not forgotten. Yeah. >> And his word will will will carry on and and he sent a message powerful enough that it will live on forever. >> Amen. >> He he was brilliant and could articulate well and um you know I think >> uh we were actually going to be together here in a few days and uh I was looking forward to that. I've um been with them. I've I've spoke at some of the turning point events and um you know greatly missed and um I know our the administration u I don't even know if we talked about this but I I I work on the faith team at the administration and and uh you know President Trump thought highly of him. Matter of fact, I think he was very instrumental in helping President Trump get elected. >> Sure. >> Especially with the the the younger votes and uh you know and and he'll be greatly missed. And I think it's, you know, it's one of those where, you know, what I pray comes out of this is that many will arise, you know, and um maybe not just one voice, but many voices will arise and be emboldened. And uh so I'm thankful for that. And >> and uh you know, uh because of that, it's it's brought a lot of >> uh prayer and contemplation uh in in my life uh and in others and I'm very thankful for that. You know, it's funny, you know, in life, uh, you talked about awards earlier. I was, uh, uh, and this isn't even public knowledge, but about a week ago, I was in the hospital, ended up I had to go to the ER and I was there for a couple days and, um, I was supposed to be given an award and then I got asked to be in Canton, Ohio on Monday to get an award from the NFL alumni for my work on uh, fighting human trafficking. And uh it didn't look like I was going to be there and I was kind of bummed and I'm I'm just sitting there and you know I'm seeing all these people that are thriving and I'm sitting here in the hospital and kind of mad and this well-known sports figure comes on and he goes >> everybody wants awards. He goes man gives awards, God gives the rewards. He said, "Let's go after the rewards." >> Now I am going Monday. I actually do get to get this uh I'm excited Mike Singleary who played for the Bears. My favorite team is the one giving me the award on that. >> Nice. But the reality is is, you know, I think often times we live this life for the temporary. And with Charlie, I think he captured and caught something that a lot of people struggle with, but he lived for the eternal. >> Yes. >> You know, and and and when you live that way, it gives you a boldness. He wasn't ugly about it. He wasn't unkind about it, but he never backed down. And that's why he could go have an interview with Gavin Newsome, who most people, if they said, "Hey, you want to interview I'm not talking to Gavin Newsome. That's most people's attitude. >> I watched the whole thing. >> But he did. He went on there. While he was friendly, while they had a great debate, he never changed who he was. You know, Charlie didn't. >> But and that's what I loved about him. And I think >> if we could all get to a place where we we know who we are and and and we're truly grounded in our faith. We know who we are in God, you know, we can conquer a lot. And it gives us a boldness. And you know, I think um you know, this this assassin's bullet, I I I think he thought he was going to stop this movement, but I think it's it's going to do the exact opposite. >> He added fuel to the fire. >> Absolutely. >> He inflamed this movement. It's going to be bigger than ever. >> He thought he's going to silence him with a bullet. He actually just magnified this in one of the one of the biggest ways. It's a shame that it had to come at this cost and at a sacrifice of this young man who made such an impression. But the movement will will will live on. There's no question about it. Pastor, is that what I can I call you that guy? Yeah. Um >> you call me Ben. I'm okay with that. >> Okay. >> Actually, Benjamin David. >> Benjamin David. >> Jewish name, right? >> I like pastor. I think, you know, that's a that's a befitting title. You know, I think you've earned it. You know, he's spoken all 50 states. Um do you find the youth today is being drawn more towards the religious aspects as far as traditions, family values, things like that? Or do you find that you know the it's a struggle and and we we have an uphill battle that you know we're we're not necessarily winning right now and it's going in the other direction. Uh from from your perspective, from what you're seeing out there in the world, where where is that trending? So about 10 years ago, people started realizing I got to get my kids out of especially four or five years ago during COVID. I got to get my kids out of public education. That was a good move because our kids are being indoctrinated in most public education. There's just no doubt about it. Not all public schools are bad. Not all public teachers are bad, but there is an indoctrination going on. Started bringing them out. Universities, same thing that we've been dealing with this forever. there is a a liberal woke mindset that's there. Well, what's happening now is we're seeing uh a movement especially amongst young men that they are turning back to religion. They're turning back to um a more uh traditional religion. But but not like 50 years ago, 40 years ago, people went to church and maybe they heard the pastor speak and they just took that as truth. Now they're like, "Show me. I need to see it. Let me see from scripture. Let me see. People want to know, is this really true? You know, with Chad GPT, with Google, they can type it up and look and see, you know, tons of things on it. But there is a growing and the reason is is because for so long, young men have I mean, Hollywood's been doing it, Disney's been doing it. They've been um they've been taking away this understanding of of what a a man should be. And these young men are looking for something that's real. They're looking for something that's legit. And thankfully they're finding it in religion. They're finding it in faith. And so there is it is growing. But there's still a lot of people who are still into the woke ideology. They're they're still the universities. And you know, even with this Charlie thing, there's been quite a few professors and different ones that were fired because they were praising the fact that he was martyed. And and I'm glad that some universities are stepping up and saying there, you know, no place for that here. whether you agree or don't agree, you know, you can't celebrate the death of somebody being assassinated. >> So, you know, I I I think we're seeing a little shift. We need a lot more of it, >> but we're seeing a little shift. And I'm seeing a lot more young people who are looking at conservative moral values and saying, "I want more of that." And that's very encouraging. >> Yeah. Yeah. I must continue this because there's a couple of points here that like, you know, I'm reading here and I'm like, "Oh, wow. This must be >> I actually want to know what it says cuz I'm laughing at some." >> No, but you know, also, you know, you're asking great questions, Oshi. And uh you're answering >> Oh, I got lots more. I got lots more. >> You're answering great, but you know, I think what the world needs to hear is the credibility of where the answers are coming from. And that's what I'm about to get to, which is the meat and potatoes of uh the chat. pun intended for the challen by the way. Uh, newly crowned faith director for the Trump administration, America's official hotline to heaven now has a direct extension. Hotline to heaven. >> Hotline to heaven. >> I mean, to me, this is like you you were speaking about Lewis Schwarz. By the way, Rabbi Lewis Schwarz to us is known as just simply laser. He's just our laser guy. >> Can I just say, too, if you want if you want to grow in your faith, let laser drive you. Well, anyhow, sorry. >> By the way, we need to end this podcast right now. >> That's a great >> That is how we dropped the mic. He only went one time with him for three minutes and he already know. >> I said a Christian prayer, a Jewish prayer, a Catholic prayer. I did them all >> there. Every insurance company has a bulletin board with a big face on it and they throw darts at it all the time. His face is on there. >> So, I want to mention a big thank you and a shout out to our friend Laser who literally brought you here. He didn't just recommend you here, he physically brought you here. >> He's the best. >> And uh so we really really appreciate that. And I know that on the way here you stopped by Yeshiva of Spring Valley and you know I want to hear about that experience really quickly. But before I get into that, what happened here? What's going on? I mean >> Trump administration what is Yeah. What tell us about that? >> So um in the last goound we had some faith directors uh but not in official capacity. Um this time he decided to put the faith office in the west wing and then put faith directors in every department and it's been amazing. Um we've got an amazing u uh Jewish uh director uh Martin who's just doing a phenomenal job. Uh and the goal was under the Biden administration and under even Obama administration a lot of uh religious organizations were being targeted by the IRS. they were being targeted by the administration. He wanted to make sure that every department had somebody in there working directly with the secretaries making sure that religious organizations were not being discriminated and that's for all faiths and we actually have a a a commission who is outlining every religious discrimination done by the previous administration. I mean it's massive. It's massive. Workers, federal workers to um you know um you know many u Jewish incidents that are public, some that aren't. I mean it's unbelievable. So he was very bold in that. I've known the Trumps for a while. I was a liazison in the last goound. I didn't take a position because I didn't want to I was pastoring and everything else and doing the film company and um but I was there almost every week for two and a half years. Stayed busy. this go around. I was working with Eric Trump and just talk to him about some faith stuff and we were trying to work on some things and uh I I said I look I don't want to be there. I just I want to help. I have a my son and daughter-in-law granddaughter live 15 20 minutes from us. You know I didn't want to be in DC and now we have two granddaughters but you know I was like I didn't want to be in DC but then election night they invited us there. We went my wife uh said look I know you said you don't want to go there but if you feel God's leading you I'm okay with it. And I was like, "You were my excuse not to go, you know." And uh I said, "Okay." So I said, "Yes." They sent me the plumb book. That's the 4,000 jobs a president has to fill. Actually, they sent me the old one. They said, "We have the new one in two weeks." So I get the plumb book. They're like, the president said, "What do you want to do?" >> Plum book. >> That's what they call it. And he said, "What do you want to do?" And so I'm looking through there. I see CIA. I'm like, "Bading gun. That sounds fun, you know." So I talked to him. I'm like, "Now look, if it comes to secrets and torture, you don't want me to know anything cuz if they torture me, I'll give up everything." You know, and uh but I said, you know, I really want to do something in faith. If we're going to fix our nation, we've got to return to God. That's what's going to bring greatness. So, we went through a lot of things. They talked about the religious liberty commission, which we just did Monday. I was there. Uh uh Lewis was there with us. You know, I I I'm praying about it. I'm like, you know, uh just want to do that. And they a couple times Sergio, who is over the transition team, said, "What about this?" and he had another guy who was helping me and they said, "What about this?" And I said, "Look, I'm not doing this for a career. I don't plan on being in DC after this administration. I just want to try to fix our nation. I want to do faith." And so they finally said, "You know what about this position?" And brought me on and I'm actually involved in about three different things. But um you know, one of the things they knew is I love I love speaking. I love traveling. I love doing media. And so they put me in this position to be able to do this. And uh it's been amazing. So, you know, going to the school today, um going by there and and on behalf of the president, letting them know that this president stands with the Jewish people. Um we are um proud of of of this school and the fact that they're raising up um um sharp uh young people who are a benefit to society, uh people with a great education. Um and just be able to share that with them. And it was it was beautiful to be there. and and uh you know from going and seeing kids who are uh in the main classrooms to kids who are in uh special learning classrooms that get more of a one-on-one uh to being in the gymnasium and getting to shoot a and make a three-pointer. You know, I'll take that. All of it was it was fun. And you know, I'm just um I am grateful that we have a president that understands that our America was found upon Christian Judeo values. And you know, we have to return to those roots. And most people don't know this, but there was a pastor in revolutionary wartime uh who got up and he preached out of Ecclesiastes. He says, "There's time to live, time to die." He goes, "There's time for war." He said, "Time has come." took off his black robe, grabbed his musket, walked out, and his men followed him, and they started fighting in the Revolutionary War. His brother, who was a clergyman, wrote him a letter, uh his name, this guy's name was Frederick Muildenberg, and he wrote him a letter, and he said, "How dare you being a man of the cloth engage in this war?" Well, 6 months later, his house was burnt down, his church was burnt down, his family almost got killed, and he realized being neutral didn't work. you you either have to be involved or or or you know, you're involved in one side or the other. It's it's kind of like scripture says no man can serve two masters. You're either going to serve God or you're going to serve the the devil. So, this guy gets involved and he would become the first speaker of the house. So, the first speaker of the house was a pastor. It was a clergyman. And uh I wrote a book last year called Ignorance and Apathy. Two of America's deadliest sins. Uh one of my close friends from New York. He was a professor. uh help me and we we put this book together because you know there's a time where people need to wake up. Most people are either they're ignorant to what's going on or they're apathetic. And the Bible says that God's people uh they they perish for lack of knowledge. And uh Old Testament scripture teaches that this and it's important that we understand that um you know just because we're ignorant uh isn't a proper excuse. you know, especially today, we we we can get any information we want, but most people just they're apathetic and they just don't care. And so trying to wake up people and our president understands that. So that's been his mission, his goal, and I'm proud to be a part of it. >> Well, I must mention a big thank you to President Trump and the Trump administration on behalf of all the Jewish people and all the listeners and all the faiths for appointing someone so proper in this position and having this position and some someone to represent the faith. It's amazing and it's just a great pick, you know. >> Well, I appreciate it and and we're blessed. We have uh multiple people, you know, we have uh uh multiple people in the White House leading the faith in every department. I mean, it's just it's incredible. And what what else is really neat is is that it the president has emboldened all of the secretaries, everybody. There is nobody walking around any of the departments that are a afraid or ashamed to talk about faith. doesn't matter if they're Jewish, doesn't matter if they're Christian, does whatever they are. They're they're willing to talk about it. Uh Orthodox, all I mean, they're it's just different attitude. Even the president recently come out and and did an executive order saying you're allowed to talk about your faith and you can convince people why yours is the right one. You know, but what he was saying was quit walking on eggshells. Faith is I mean, I I know this is for you guys. Your religion is very important to you. It's very important to me. Why do I have to put it on the shelf when I go to work? why I have to put it on the shelf when I'm involved in something uh like government that literally the that changes life for everybody. We ought to be able to bring that in there with those ideas. And so I'm grateful we can do that. >> Yeah. There's so much synergy not just between Christians and Jews, but so many other religions as well that it's a universal thing. Life just seems better. It's it's more of a quality of life when you have those religious fundamentals. And I'm not talking about people that are devout and very pious and and we all have work to do and and we're all trying to be better today than we were yesterday. But to be totally, like you said, ignorant and apathetic and just like it's by design. It's it's really inexcusable. And it's not like that translates into, you know, uh I'm going to have a better outcome and I'm going to be happier for it. It the data shows that in the end you're not. And we all know the line, there's no such thing as an atheist in a foxhole. We we all know that. Why why is that? Because when things are going wrong, you only have really one place to to look up that, you know, you need the help, right? So, it's a it's a shame that sometimes has to get to that point to open your eyes and to realize, you know what, there's got to be more to life than just, you know, all the materialistic things and everything else that we're we're chasing after. And we realize that that's not going to make us fulfilled. We're still going to feel empty. you know and to I think that is where there's a lot of more awareness coming where I am seeing in different religions people are combining the the their country with the religion and bringing those two things together I think there's so much to both of those that makes you better for it and I think Trump is doing a phenomenal job in that the fact that he has you in this position and that he just elaborated on this department um and he's putting a lot of stock in it and he's investing in this shows that he knows what he's I mean, he doesn't need my confirmation. I mean, we we all see it. And he's been a staunch supporter of Israel. He really has been the best by far from any president in the history. I mean, ask Trump, he'll tell you the best by far, more than any president in the history. But he's right. At the end of the day, actions is what matters. And you can't deny that. And if you look at what he's done, not just what he said, but what he's done. He's proven that over and over and over again. >> Well, I think because you look at past politicians, they said a lot, but they didn't do much. >> They didn't do much. Exactly. And he really delivered. I you know I'm in Israel a lot and um there is a great appreciation uh and I mean let's just be honest majority of of of Jews uh especially a lot of folks in Israel tend to lean more towards Democrat side. Trump came in and delivered and it's changed their perspective. And I would say honestly uh probably you know unfortunately I don't know why we Lewis and I talked about this a little bit today but historically u people u especially in Israel a lot of people I know would lean more towards the Democrat side >> even here even in the states >> however and here however I would say they've had more support from the Republican side. >> Sure. I mean >> and certainly now >> the left side has gotten a little bit more extreme over the years. Yes. >> Right. They used the the moderate Democratic party was a a a force to be reckoned with, you know, and even on the right side, you know, I don't like extremists on either side, but it's become way too extreme on the left side. And you just can't be a part of that anymore. The the ideology that's coming out of that side, the extremists, is just it's it's out of control, man. It's so out of control, it's crazy that you just you can't support it anymore. And there's no remnants left of it anymore. And especially what's going on in New York City now with with Mam Donnie. We're leveling up now again. It's just getting a little bit more. It's like you think yesterday was crazy. Let me show you what's going to happen tomorrow. It's a scary >> we get one victory and then we we have something else to face and it's like right now you know Chicago these other they like DC could really get turned around and most of the people want that. So I hope the people will you know um through their voting will change things. I I mean I you know I have no proof of this as my own opinion but but who knows if they're getting an honest election there anyway you know uh but I think we're going to continue to see in places like that more and more people rise up and say we we got to do something. >> Yeah >> because they're not for the violence that's going on. By the way, he's put that paper up twice. I hope we haven't made them mad. >> Not at all. I was just going to say >> if you know Michael doesn't get mad. By the way, it's one of my problems. I try to get a rise out of him sometimes and it just he's the most patient person that I know. It's super annoying. Um, you know, I'm full of emotions. Like I get really mad and I get, you know, a lot of highs, a lot of lows. He's just even killed and even temperament the whole time. Little secret, I worked on myself. But, you know, I >> That was a zinger, by the way. >> I'll take it. I deserve it. >> There is a couple, you know, first of all, I just want to say we're so proud and happy to have you on our side on this mission of our life that we're going to be uh heading towards. And I didn't even finish with what I what I have to say about you which is like I'm dying to get to it because there's like a couple more things like what you're an author, an actor like you know faith director. It's just amazing and I want to get to it but we're talking about things and I'm just thinking to myself you mentioned that you know you ser you're going to serve this administration and you know you hope to do a lot. What what do you hope to be remembered by? Well, I mean the most important thing is, you know, uh, you know, good husband, good father, good grandfather. I think, you know, um, years ago, I was, uh, I did this sermon out of Psalms, uh, 78. Um, you know, the the nation of Israel, um, was good at forgetting, you know, at times. And and the the Bible says in um it says, I believe it's in Judges 2, but it says, you know, there arose another generation that knew not God or the works that he had done. They had failed to teach the next generation the truths of God, the deliverance and all that. And you know, Israel had their it's like a roller coaster up and down. You know, one king followed God and observed God. And the next king, you know, he sort of followed God, but you know, allowed other pagan worship to come in. And then this one was fully pagan. And you know, it was just this up and down. And I preached this message on the generation to come and talk about this. And my my great-grandfather, he was known, he lived during the days of depression. He was known as a guy who taught his family the importance of hard work, not just physically, but working hard for God, doing great things for God. My grandfather was known as a man who really taught the importance of prayer. Taught people how to pray and why to pray and and that's what he's known for. My dad really uh still does preaches all over the country, but really did a lot on the family. And I'm the oldest of eight children and you know, he just he he um really did a lot teaching about that and the importance of of putting God first in your family. And I always said if I was known for anything, I just want to be known as the guy that did all he could to help reach the next generation. And I think in my position, I'm really trying to secure for the next generation a freedom that I knew when I was younger that we started seeing taken away over the last, you know, really 25 years, especially the last 5 10 years. I I want them to be able to experience that. I want them to know just how great this nation is. I've I've traveled now to probably closer to 45 50 countries and um you know I I went to Russia in '92 right after uh the Iron Curtain fell. My dad had already been there once a year. I went back with them and I remember going into the schools and and kids just walking up and touching me and I was 12 almost 13 at the time and they would touch me just like because I was from America. >> Yeah. >> And I remember we gave out Bibles and we would give them out at midnight from ouros uh from our hotel. One day we were giving out Bibles. We gave a Bible to a lady that was 93 years of age. And she said, "I saw a Bible for the first time when I was seven." And she said, "I had been praying every day since I was seven that I could have my own Bible because in Russia you couldn't you couldn't have your own Bible. It wasn't allowed. The communists wouldn't allow it. They determine what you believe religion." And she this she was telling us through interpreter and she grabbed that Bible and she kissed it and in broken English she said these words. She said, "God bless America." >> Wow. And I remember as a kid the impact that made like like we're so blessed to live in this country. >> We don't appreciate it. >> And the Bible says to whom much is given, much is required. We have a responsibility. Now I like President Trump, I believe we ought to be um I believe we ought to be careful with what we spend our money on. I I think we ought to be fiscally conservative, all those things. But but we are blessed as a nation to be able to help guide other nations. And we have done that for years. Unfortunately, we started getting to the point where it was more like a I scratch your back, you scratch mine. Next thing you know, America's paying for everything. I don't think we should do that. But I do think that we are that voice of reason when a country is um slaughtering people that, you know, they don't like, maybe a minority group or whatever. We're that we're that country that goes, "Hey, no, no, no, you don't do that." That's why we have a new ambassador going in. He's an ambassador at large. Uh his name is Mark Walker. He's working through getting his confirmation. Good friend. He was a former senator uh or Cong congressman. He is working on religious liberty around the world. That's what he does because there are minority religious groups all over. They're being literally persecuted out. And I don't mean like they're making them leave the country. I mean they're they're killing them. It's happening right now in in in uh the Middle East. It's happening right now. And so, you know, I just want to be a person that got involved in that fight. Um, at the end of the day, honestly, I I don't care if anybody knows my name. Uh, I I want them to know the person that's changed my life, and that's that's my Lord and Savior, and that's the most important thing. U, my faith is is real. And, you know, in 2019, I had a heart attack. Um, and I sat on the corner of my bed at 11:00 at night, and I thought I was I thought I was dying. I mean, I literally did. I had to wake up my wife and and uh she called 911 and she's on the phone and I remember staring at the corner. I mean, I'm sitting on the edge of the bed looking at the corner of my room and I'm like, "God, I thought I was going to be here longer and I had a lot of plans." I said, "But just take care of my wife and kids." And I remember thinking the I'm just glad I have no regrets. I have no regrets. There's nobody that I'm mad at. There's nobody that I owe an apology to. I I've I've done the best I can with my life. Not I'm perfect. I'm sure I've hurt people along the way. I didn't mean to, but I I just in that moment I was like, I'm glad I have no regrets. Then my wife was on hold for just a second and I told her, I said, tell the kids I love them. I love you. If I don't make it, I love you. And I thought that was it. Well, >> you know, they get me on the ambulance. They they keep me alive. 7:30 the next morning, they said I didn't have a heart attack. They sent me home. I went home to church, preached a couple services. Two days later, we went on vacation to New England. And uh I ended up going to see a doctor. found out not only did I have a heart attack, I had a 98% blockage in my widow maker. And uh thankfully while I was in New England, I didn't die cuz I ate nothing but fried clams while I was there. And uh anyhow, fried food. Uh y'all wouldn't know about it. And uh but anyway, >> that's a crazy story. So you just like end it off over there. You threw that in. >> So that's wild. >> But I had a little PTSD a little bit, but you know, in that moment, >> it gave me a different perspective of life. And I don't live I don't live life now thinking, you know, when I'm 70, 80 and I I think about I literally don't know how long I'm going to be here because after that I went through the cancer three times. I be here. But I know this. Every day I'm going to try to make it count. Uh you know, every day I'm going to try to make a difference. And again, it's not about I have no agenda. I had somebody the other day that was mad at me and they were telling me, you know, I don't know what your agenda is, what you're trying to get. I'm like, I have no agenda. Like I literally if God let me just go live in the country, hunt and fish and be with my family, I would do that. >> But that's not what he put me here for. You know, he put >> What was he mad at you for? >> Yeah. Who knows? >> He put me here for a purpose. Well, I had I've had people come up and go, I think the enemy is really trying to get you. And I was like maybe but I think God maybe has allowed me to go through this because it you know it's like in the New Testament there was somebody who was you know sick and and they all asked when Jesus healed him they all asked you know was he was this because of his parents sin or his sin and they and he said no it's so God could get glory out of him being healed. Sometimes God allows us to go through things so that one, he can get glory because I'm rejoicing even in what I'm going through because God's good no matter what, but two, it's caused me to be able to help a lot of people who have went through things in their life who freak out. You know, I I get to tell people all the time, you know, I've never wept over the fact I have cancer. And I'm not, you know, people do. That's okay. I mean, I had stage four cancer. You know, my right kidney all around it. They had to remove it. wasn't looking good. I never wept over it. I said, "But you know, I I could get in my truck while I have cancer and I could be in a wreck. I definitely if I'm with Lewis, I could be in a wreck and die, but I don't Every time I get in the vehicle, I don't start crying because I could die." Wow. >> And I think it's a perspective. >> Yeah. >> You know, yeah, I have cancer. I could die. But but who knows that's in the hands of God. All I got to do is just trust him with every day he gives me and and do the best I can with that. And so, I think that's important. And you know, I'm I'm honored to be in this position, but going into it, I told them, all my adviserss said, "Don't say this." But I'm like, "If if I can be a help, I'm glad to be a help, but if not, I won't be offended if if you say, "No, we can't use you." Cuz it's really there is no I I have no agenda at this point in my life. >> Speaking of help, I got to read this next sentence cuz you you dropped it here earlier and I'm I'm looking at it. I'm like, you're fighting human trafficking and addiction and you're the only guy who treats evil like a to-do list. That's what Chachu sums it up as fighting human trafficking. I mean, you you mentioned it earlier and you're talking about helping people and your mission. Tell me a story of how did you get into that? What is that like? What have you seen? What what's that world like? You know, we we travel through the airports a lot and you always see signs. I I've seen them all over by the bathrooms even. In fact, I was in a hotel in New York City. A really nice hotel in like Midtown. We're talking about a $1,000 a night hotel and near the bathroom it there's a sign that says if you are experienced human trafficking, please call. And I'm like, what is that? Is that really happening around us? I got to hear about this. This is this that was really one of the things I really >> don't know, but uh in America it's it's a huge issue. Uh unfortunately a lot of our um uh a lot of wealthy business men a lot of political leaders have been involved in it. >> Oh that's why it's been a problem expensive hotels. >> It's been a problem and this is why um it hasn't been ended and most people are oblivious to what's going on. I started with an organization. There was an organization called MASA mothers against sexual abuse which was the very first one. They changed the name for a little while. while I was the president of that, really helping them transition out and and they were merging with another organization. And then I started serving on the board of an organization called SWAT, Sports World Against Trafficking. Uh guys like Albert Post was on there, Ray Lewis, a lot of professional athletes, Kevin um uh or Ernie Johnson, uh the TNT u analysis. >> Love Ernie. >> I uh was probably the one of the few that was not a pro alete. I have no idea how I got on there, but my buddy Dr. Matthew Dunaway that ran that. Uh, and we were looking at one of the biggest places that trafficking happens is at the Super Bowl. Uh, there is more uh, sex selling going on there than probably anything else in America >> at the Super Bowl. >> At the Super Bowl. It's huge. And so they were having a sporting events and then I started serving on an organization called uh, Street Grace which created technology. And then right now um, the Department of Interior is working with um, Tim Tibo's foundation. they have a a new technology that's helping find missing children because it's a huge problem in the tribal nations with the Indians and so we actually have just recently started using this at um at different places in the tribes and we're finding these kids and it but it's a very huge problem and I'll give you an example in Tennessee where I live conservative uh very much Bible belt faith you know is a huge thing one of the largest uh human traffick ers of all the southeast lives there. Not all the time. He's extremely wealthy. They couldn't touch him because there was so little evidence to pinpoint him to put him in jail for the rest of his life because they build these barriers, but they knew. And I know this because I know the people that were investigating him. I I you know, it's amazing in technology. You know, I know people that can find about anything on the dark web. And I've I've requested before. I want to know about somebody and they'll tell me everything. And I found out, no, they're gay, but they're not they're not doing anything with children. I mean, this is the kind of stuff they can find out about people. So, you know, for all the listeners, you know, this is better to leave live a clean life cuz, you know, if you don't want anybody to know, they'll find out. But I got asked to go on a uh what they call a dive. That's a rescue. And go get some children out. And I really prayed about it. These guys are all former special forces. They said, "Go with us." And sometimes they go to a country, they have to get arrested in order to get out. That's the way they're able to get out through the process. And I told my buddy, I said, "Look, I um I there's a part of me that says, "Yes, I want to go because I want to I want to help rescue um I'm a hunter. I'm you know, I'm I've got guns, all that. You know, I I didn't get to serve in the military, but I'm very patriotic." And there's part of me my oldest son served. I'm like my grandfather's shirt. I'm like, I want to say yes. You know, uh, let me do this. This is a way I could serve. But I said, I'm just old enough and clumsy enough now. I'd end up shooting one of you or myself. I was like, let me do this. Let me pray for you. But I have been involved in a few things here state side. And uh, with my own eyes, I've seen uh, what's happened. I had somebody on my podcast who is in his late 50s. His dad was an all-American football player. His mom was a cheerleader. They had 12 children. They sold all 12 of them into sex slavery as kids. All 12 of them. They still have a brother that's been missing since the '9s. That's the only one they don't know. Now, all 12 of them didn't even know about each other cuz their parents would have a couple. They would selom have more kids. And it wasn't until somehow they all ended up finding out all 12 of them had the same parents that >> How is this possible? >> This is what I was saying as I was listening to I'm blown away. It's on uh Real Talk with Pastor Ben Graham. Uh you can listen to the episode. >> This is a real real story. >> Real story. >> And you have to imagine there are other stories like this. >> We actually have the script to make this a a movie. It's it's a tough movie to make but it people need to know. I'm reading over here in 2024 the hotline got 32,000 signals, calls, texts, online reports about trafficking. I mean, that's mindblowing. >> Well, and and and the reality is is for everyone they got um you know, you see those, but if somebody's being trafficked, it's very rare that they have access to a phone to be able to >> That's what I was thinking. You were mentioning that there's a sign. If you're being trafficked, call us. If I'm being trafficked right now, I'm probably under duress and probably under a tight leash. They don't give them the opportunity. Anyone's traffic. >> I'm just saying I'm not being trafficked. >> You're too old. The belief there's actually like universal sign like I think for I know that likes >> they they have they do have the help they do have the help signs. That's true. And they've actually rescued some people. There's a recent video of a gal at a gas station who gives the sign um out and somebody calls it in. Then there was another lady gas station. There was some police there. She opened up the door, ran out real quick, and the guy chased after, but the police grabbed him and arrested him before it happened. >> Thank God. >> But but again, I mean, you can't ask, "Can I borrow the phone there?" No. >> Yeah. It's crazy. >> And when you hear when you hear I mean, look, you know, remember in Ohio a couple years ago, the the the people that were locked in a basement for years. >> Yeah. >> There's been other stories of that and who knows how many more of that's going on. Like I have some friends who are very involved in this. They scare me with the numbers. I hope that they're exaggerating because some of the stuff they throw out so high, but they're living it every day. And and I'm and once you get in this world, it's very difficult. And this where I come in, I get to counsel with a lot of these people because it's such a police officer struggle with what they see. These guys, it's a whole another level. >> You know, these officers that have to go in and look at the evidence of people that are involved with child pornography and involved in these ch I mean, it's >> terrible. Pastor, can you tell me from the perspective of of a pastor and from from your religion, from the Christianity religion, there's a lot of evil in this world. There's a lot of darkness all over the place. People doing insane things. I mean, um, you know, we're somewhat normal. So, we're very naive even to a lot of the crazy stuff going on. From your perspective, how would you explain this if I'm a non-believer? If I'm someone who say, "Ah, this whole thing with God can't be real because look what's going on. How is he allowing this? How how is he okay with this? If he's the almighty and the all powerful prevent these type of things from happening, why are you just watching and and not doing? Right? That's >> Well, isn't isn't it amazing that we love to be able to say, "I'm my own person. I can do whatever I want." Free will, but then we're mad because God lets us do whatever we want. And it started when Adam and Eve sinned. Sin entered into this world. And every person who's been born since sin has been born into sin. There's immorality. This is why, you know, people say this about the school shootings. And why would God allow this to happen? Well, we asked God to leave our schools years ago. We kicked them out. No prayer, no scripture, no ten commandments. We kicked him out. So why would God be somewhere where he's not invited? He's a gentleman, you know. And God gave us the right to choose. We have free will. And unfortunately, when man is raised without guidelines, without morality, I mean, there's been tests that's been proven. They did a simple test. They did 30 at a time, did this three times. They did a test, random test, had the answers on the back so people could cheat. Okay? Had cameras in the room. They did this. Out of the room, 78% cheated because the answers were there. Okay? The third group, uh, the second and third group, they did the exact same thing. Oh, sorry. They did it four times because they did it twice with just like that. The third and fourth group, they hung the ten commandments up. Didn't say anything about it, but they're just in front of the room. They did the same thing, less than 30% cheated. And they said somehow subconsciously, even the commandments being there changed the perspective of the people in the room. And so what it tells us is morality changes the way we do things. And we live in a society now where people say there is no God. So if there is no God and there's nobody that sets a standard, we can do whatever we want. Why wouldn't all these things be happening? You and I don't understand it because we're we're a a moralbased people. We believe in God. We fear God in the sense not like, "Oh, I'm afraid God's going to strike me dead," but like, "God, I reverence you. I I I want to please you. I would never do something like this. This is so unholy. But, you know, uh the enemy is very real and he works in people's lives. And so, I I think that's the answer. And we blame God for a lot of things, you know. Um you know, but this it's amazing. I wish we had more time. There's so many things I could say especially about with God and Israel. You know, I don't know if y'all ever seen the book where somebody showed every time America turns their back on God from a political leader, we have a natural disaster. >> Really? Is that >> it's happened? You can read the book. Every time they've documented it, uh it's amazing. When when President uh uh uh President Bush, the older President Bush um spoke against Israel, that's when the hurricane swept and hit their vacation home in Kenny Bunkport. And it's just amazing. I always think of the words, you know, God is not mocked and whatsoever man sws that will he reap. the Bible says, you know, so you can find that I really believe God said we're to stand with the nation of Israel. Doesn't mean we follow them blindly. If leaders say stupid things that don't line up with God, we have to call them out and say, you know, this isn't right. Um, you know, not every leader that's come out of Israel has has led with uh, you know, let me please God. We've had secular leaders and all that, >> but I still think we there's a way we stand with, you know, with the nation of Israel without >> saying, "Hey, do whatever you want, you know, within reason." >> And, you know, because at the end of the day, it's all about morality and morality. It's not, by the way, pastor, I love everything that you're saying. And, uh, I I appreciate that answer. That's very thoughtful. Me, too, by the way. >> As soon as you said it, I'm like, "Wait a second. He's right." Cuz you can't have it both ways. You want to have free will or you want God to just do make the whole setup for you. So, makes a lot of sense what you're what you're saying. Um, I have another question about uh the the difference between Judaism and Christianity. And this part I do know because I've seen it a ton in movies. I've seen it all over. So, I know Hollywood never lies. >> And I've always wondered how this works. I've sure a lot of listeners right now are probably going to like jump on this bandwagon and would love to hear this this answer. But, have you ever heard of Jewish guilt? You ever heard of that? Yes. >> It's a real thing. Jewish guilt is if we do like a sin, good lord, it sits with us for a long time and it's not worth it for the guilt afterwards. So that also prevents us from doing a lot of different things because we also believe that there's going to be a day of reckoning. There's going to come a time when you're going to have to answer for all your sins. And there's a con a concept of repentance of course and and and today's a new day and you you could do better, you should do better, right? the new year uh the rash in which you know you could start over and all that but at the end of the day you know it's in your mind always that oh god I the day is going to come and it's just and you feel guilt like I did something wrong and I that's how it works you know for the most part what I understand in Christianity you go to the father you go to a priest you sit with him in the confession room and you tell him all your sins of the day or the week or the month whatever it is and he tells you whatever he says you know blessed be you it's all good you're forgiven, go drink some holy water, and they walk out of there like that's they're they're clean, they're cleansed, and a part of me envies that because it's a much happier way to live, and you could probably be better off for it. But like, what where does that come from? >> So, first off, we differ from Catholic because um we believe Jesus is the Messiah. So, you know, after he died and was buried, rose again, he sits at the throne of God. The Bible says in the New Testament, we now have an advocate with the father. So we can go directly to him. I don't have to go to a priest. I don't have to go confess my sins. Anybody confess it to him when we make him Lord and Savior of our life, he forgives us. The Bible says we confess our sin. He's faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, cleanse us from all unrighteousness. So he forgives us. >> So then people go, "Well, you believe you're saved, so you can just do whatever you want." You're like, "First off, no." Like a free pass. >> The Bible says this, "You're not your own. You've been bought with a price. When I give my life to Christ, I'm not my own anymore. I now belong to him. I belong to God. So therefore, I don't just live my life however I please. Does God still give me a free will? Yes. Could I still go do certain things? Yes, I could. But I don't because my desire is now to please him. So there is that. And we know what sin is. I mean, uh, preachers preach on sin. The, you know, you don't do these things. You, you don't commit adultery, you don't whatever it might be. These are the things you don't do. We we know what it is. We, you know, I think God puts inside of all of us a sense of right and wrong. Um there's just certain things that we've been able to justify. Well, you know, I'm not as bad as this person, so you know, it's, you know, yeah, I mean, I haven't murdered anybody, but you know, if you understand all the New Testament, Jesus goes on to say, if you hate your brother, you're guilty of murder. If you think about if you think look on a woman with lust, you're guilty of adultery. So, he took it even further than what the law says, >> right? >> Thou shalt not commit adultery and you know, all these things. So, so you know there is this same sense that we could live in that but we're able to go and this is what we teach when you recognize I've sinned against God. I go to him in prayer and say, you know, father, forgive me. I'm sorry. And this is what First John 19 says. If we confess our sins, he's faithful. He's just to forgive us our sins, cleanse us from all unrighteousness. And we get that forgiveness. And it's just like when I wrong my wife, I go to her and I say, you know what? I, you know, maybe I said something I shouldn't have. Whatever it might be, I'm sorry and I love you. And she says, it's okay. I forgive you. I love you. It's over. >> Yeah. You're a smart man, brother. The Bible says that when God forgives, he forgives our sins. And it and he remembers them no more. It's forgotten as far as the east is from the west. >> There's one thing that God cannot do. Okay? And God can do anything. But God cannot, this is what scripture says, he he cannot bring up something that he has forgiven. Now, we are able to do that because we forgive. You know, sometimes we're like, we forgive, but we don't forget. >> But God does because and that's what's amazing about God. He's so holy. He's so just, he's able to do that, forgive us. So that's how we believe. But it's not an open past of sin. There are certainly times we feel guilty. And that's why typically in our services, it's changed a little bit in the contemporary services, but typically in our service, we have an altar time where people can come and they can spend time in prayer, praying, you know, in the Catholic church, they go to the priest and they ask for forgiveness, like you said. But um but yeah, we don't have to live all that time in guilt. Yeah, it's a hard way to live, by the way. You know, it's it's not conducive. One more question, Michael, and then I'm going to pass it back to you. I promise. >> My my my last question for you, pastor. What is one thing that stands out about the Jewish people that not just Christians but anybody else any other religion whether you're not even religious can learn from that you would look at and you respect and you say wow that's something very unique to the Jewish people and that's something that we can admire we can emulate and we should incorporate in our side as well and vice versa what would be something that you think from the Christian religion that you excel at and that the community does very very Well, that is something that others should emulate. If you're taking one thing away, this is the part that you should take away from the Jewish people and then from the Christian people. >> Yeah. So, I mean, um I think you know, two things with with the Jewish people. I mean, there's many things, but I'll say too, um you know, uh I think business, uh most Jewish people I know are brilliant in business. Uh education, they do a great job in that. I I think Shabbat uh you know for whatever reason and you know the Bible says if a man doesn't work he doesn't eat but we've taken it to extreme like we are proud that we work seven days a week and we you know are busy busy busy busy and I think this is something that um the Jewish people understand God taught us from the beginning he created heaven earth six days and seventh day he rested rest is important Shabbat is important that time I love it when did my first Shabbat in in Israel. Um, and watched as, you know, uh, the father sang or the husband saying to his wife and just watched the whole ceremony of it and the dinner and just the sense of unplugging and I think more people are catching on to that and seeing that even in the Christian faith, more people are going, you know, Shabbat is so important. I think one thing that that and Christians is such a huge such a huge statement of people, but the ones I come from, we're good at really trying to help and work with the Jewish people. And I could tell you many things we're doing in Israel. And I think there are Jewish people that's starting to do this, but I think for them to let down their guard a little bit and say, "How can I work with Christians and help and encourage?" because they have a lot of wisdom especially in business uh and other things you know um there's so much wisdom and you know and I think we're continuing to see that grow in our relationships and working together in business health um you know we all for years we've military we've we've done a lot together but I just think that's important and um you know uh at the end of the day Um, we are blessed, you know, beyond what I think we realize. We are so blessed uh to live in this great country. And God is just he's he's given us this opportunity. And I I just say whether you're Jewish or Christian, don't waste the day. You know, quit quit living in despair, depression, quit living in discouragement. You know, get up and do something with your life. And I found that people don't get depressed if they're if they're busy doing what they've been called to do. So, you know, if you're miserable in what you're doing, maybe you're supposed to be doing something different, but find that passion. And at the end of the day, what really helps, no matter what you're doing, if you're helping people, if you care about others, that I think that changes everybody's perspective. And so, that'd be my my >> wow. Wow. I don't think there's anything more to say after that. Yeah. >> To be honest with you, I mean, that's a beautiful way to wrap up. pastor, have you preached before perhaps by the way, have you done this once or twice? I'm just curious. >> Time or two. Uh >> I know somebody asked me yesterday when I was going to speak, they're like, do you It was a He's a Jewish man, uh Ellie Ishkov, who was he was the president of the World Diamond Council for years, and he's in his 80s, lives in New York City, and he we rode together, and he heard me speak. He's like, "Do you what do you do? Do you prepare? What do you do?" I was like, "I I have no idea. I want to speak tonight." You know, I'll see the room, the crowd, what we're doing. I I'll I'll do that. Um but honestly, you know, and it's even going on here. I had no idea what we're going to talk about, but I I just really think, you know, I've lived a few lessons. I've learned a few lessons in my life. I've lived a little bit. I'm still young, but I've lived a little bit to know uh the older I get, the less I know. >> And the more I have to rely on God uh for his help. And and and you know, his word is what really guides me. I I read scripture every day. Uh, I'm I'm very adamant about that, you know, and and in the New Testament, it says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." And then he goes on about how he'll feed you, he'll clothe you, and all those things. And I would say most people in life are pursuing how they get all those things. And then God is an afterthought. And I used to tell our church, we meet on Sundays, Sunday morning was the pep rally. The real game was when you left. Most people think, I went to church, okay, I did my business with God. now the rest of it's my life. But it's the opposite. You know, Sunday is that pep rally to be with other people that believe like you. You encourage one another. Then you go out in the week and that's when you actually live for God. >> And I would say, you know, Shabbat is this time everybody comes together and in the times of celebration that's coming up. That's great. But but the real challenge is when you leave there every day just living your faith um and and seeking God first putting >> sound like my rabbi >> you're literally saying the same thing that my rabbis has been telling >> we've talked before >> when you're in synagogue when you're there like you're you're playing the part but what are you doing when you're leaving the >> we talked and he told me when I was here today to let you know that >> you're ganging up on me I have the rabbi yelling at me and the pastor y Michael everybody's upset with me crazy >> this has been a lot fun. I mean, uh, besides that, it's it's so eye opening to us to learn about your position and who you are and your story and just just mumbling words like, "Oh, you know, uh, yeah, I survived cancer and I wrote a book and I'm an actor and, uh, we caught that. We caught all of it." And honestly, I mean, I can go on for hours also. And I I really want to continue this conversation just more personally than, you know, just like, you know, just on this. And I invite you to our Shabbat table anytime you're up here in Rockland County. You know, Charlie Kirk said the same thing. They asked him, "What are some of the things you could learn from the Jews?" Somebody asked him that question. And this is what he answered also. Yeah. >> He said the Shabbah. He said he turned off his phone. He said from Friday night to Saturday night, he turned his phone off. Of course, later on in his life, he started turning his phone off. And that's just one variable of what we do on the show. >> His wife was a big influence on that. She grew up in New York City. >> Oh, so she was familiar with >> She was a big influence on that. And she talked about it changed his life. Uh, and I mean all of us, I mean, if we're we live busy lives, I'm involved in ministry, business, everything else. You need that time just to unwind. >> It's a gift. It's a really a gift. >> Uh, we have a couple of things that we like to do before we wrap up. So, first of all, do you have any questions for us? It's an opportunity for you to ask us any questions. >> Well, no, just thank you for letting me be on here. I'm honored. I I hope to get back and uh you know, it's uh an interesting conversation for me as well. I'm you know, I'm uh just honored to be here today. >> We really appreciate that. And uh another thing we always ask our guests is if you can pick someone to be a future guest on our podcast that can fill that seat, who would you recommend? Someone in your phone book, someone in your black book, >> preferably a celebrity. >> Well, then I throw out Rob Schneider. >> No, Rob Schneider. >> Rob Schneider. >> Stop it. >> Rob Schneider. I I this is my Rob Schneider story. I uh my son was getting married and I mentioned Corbin Bernson earlier. He was in a show called Psych, which was my son. It was his favorite show. I know the show. >> So I was telling Corbin about it. He said he said I'll send he said I will send a video congratulating him. So he did. Well then Governor Huckabe was Jordan was born in Arkansas and so Governor Huckabe sent a video. So I was like what's Jordan's favorite movie? It's Home Alone 2. It's always been his favorite movie. I was like who do I know in that? And I was like well I got Rob Schneider's number. So I text Rob and I don't know if he's going to respond or not. You know I've never asked something like this for him. I sent it to him. Four minutes later, I get boom, I get a video back and it's Rob and he's like, "Congratulations, Jordan, man. I'm so proud of you. You can do it." He does that. Well, I look and he's in a Raising Canes. That's a fast food restaurant hat and apron. And I'm like, "Don't tell me Rob is so broke he's having to work at a fast food restaurant. What's going on?" >> So, I go on his Instagram or on his Twitter handle and I look it up on X and he was there doing some promo, a new movie he did. the guy that funded the movie owns all these raising canes. So, he was doing a promo. He literally stepped out, >> did the video for me, and stepped back in. I couldn't believe it. And so, >> but I'll show you when we go off here. I'll show you the video. It's It's the greatest thing. But, um, yeah, I don't know why he was the first person before you even said famous. He was the first person popped to my mind. >> Well, that's a guy that can't say no to you. So, uh, >> Dr. Pastor, if you get him to come on to this show, Rob Graham, I will be internally grateful to you. He happens to be one of the I think funnier actors of our time. He hasn't done movies lately, but back in the day, >> I don't think there's a Jewish friend of mine that doesn't know that you just Adam Sandler and all the movies that he's done. And by the way, he started doing standup comedy more recently and he's starting comedy. His bits are out of this world. He's very he's good at standup. >> A lot of u political but not political, but you know, funny. >> He's doing it just enough, just right. And and he's he's phenomenal. Um would love love love. >> You know the tradition that we have is that you call him and that you ask him on the podcast. >> Give it a shot. Let's >> You want to give it a shot? >> No. No. No. No. No. Okay. Okay. >> This is what we do. >> No. This is what we do. >> Well, Lewis is nodding his head. >> I don't know, man. I would put you up to the test. Well, I tell you what, I I will reach out to him. >> Okay. >> I will reach out to >> Done. We'll settle for that. >> You know, uh we really appreciate you being here and really uh you know the By the way, great questions. Thank you. >> Really great questions. And what even better than the questions were the answers. >> Yeah, it was fantastic. >> Love the dial. We got to do round two or even round three one subscribers. Thank you to all our listeners. Thank you to all of our growth, to all of our fans, to the Prime Source production team, to Twillery. >> We love the feedback. We love the growth. We love what we're doing here. And uh on behalf of all of us, happy new year because our Jewish New Year is coming up. So, uh, you know, uh, any message that you have to to people listening? You know, it's our Jewish new year. It's just a >> No, I wish you a happy new year and you know, every new year is a chance. It really is kind of a restart. Uh, and so as you're getting ready to go into it, reflect. Um, ask God to show you what needs to be better to change and, uh, and then start it off uh, the new year and, uh, take it day at a time. And if you do something 30 days, it becomes a habit. >> Love it. Thank you so much, pastor. It's a wrap. Thank you, pastor. >> Amazing. [Music]