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If the only reason to buy from you is that you're local, why should anyone buy from you at all? Unless proximity is part of the value, local doesn't really matter. "Buy local" is a marketing tactic that avoids the real question.

We begin by attempting to cover Easter, which traditionally involves reflection, until we immediately focus on the far more actionable detail of people flipping tables in reenactments. This leads us to examine whether dramatic gestures—like overturning furniture—are more effective than actual protests, which we agree tend to involve a lot of standing around while tyranny remains seated. From there, we drift into pet behavior, where the real tyranny is a dog calmly chewing an object you definitely did not intend as food, and we consider the growing practice of giving dogs CBD, presumably so they can feel more relaxed about destroying your belongings. Into the broader issue of animals having no respect for ownership, which pairs nicely with our discussion of slap fighting, a sport built entirely around taking turns being hit in the face without the inconvenience of defending yourself. We break down its structure, noting that it removes strategy and replaces it with endurance, while still offering the possibility of getting paid. This creates a system where participants willingly absorb open-handed strikes in exchange for money and recognition, raising important questions about whether this is sport, performance, or just organized bad decision-making. Into other cultural phenomena that operate on a similar logic, including mascots and furries, where costumes replace identity and seriousness often produces unintentional comedy. We point out how moments meant to be dramatic in television can become funny simply by existing slightly out of alignment, much like a person in a large animal suit trying to maintain dignity. We revisit pet stories, reinforcing that animals consistently generate better material than humans. We also compare food experiences, including trying things like Grape Nuts and sardines. These moments tie back into the same pattern: people willingly engaging in mildly unpleasant experiences, whether it’s eating dense cereal, watching slap fighting, or trusting a dog alone with furniture.

This week I had a conversation with an old buddy of mine from South Africa who nearly died (froze to death) with me 20 years ago this week. We talked through what happened, recounting the difficulties, but glorifying God for his providence. Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network! I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Feel free to write anytime: chinacompass@privacyport.com. All my books, substack, patreon, and everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us! The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Unbeaten: Arrested, Interrogated, and Deported from China (Unbeaten.vip) The Memoirs of William Milne: First Protestant Missionary to Malaysia (PrayGiveGo.us) A Mission in the Mountains of Tibet (Mar 28, 2006) https://chinacall.substack.com/p/into-hidden-valleys Runaway Van in Tibet @ 14,700 Feet (Dec 29, 2010) https://www.patreon.com/posts/146773358 This coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities… https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-apr-5-11-2026 Thank you for listening! Subscribe + leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! If you’d like to support our China ministry, that, and everything else can be found @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, so let's ask the Lord for more!

In his 4th video in the series, Pastor Matt Plett continues his deep dive into Matthew 24 giving a preterist view of the Olivet Discourse, this time going into the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70

When it comes to legislation, many Christians look to the "law of Moses" to flesh out what is right and wrong and, increasingly, determine what sanctions should be applied to certain wrongful acts. It is part of the "whole counsel of God," but is there a way to flesh out this law that is "of the flesh" vis-a-vis "spiritually minded"? Today, David offers a context for thinking about those laws that he believes is spiritually minded and begins to apply it to legislative efforts to "end abortion now."

Western man is told he faces a binary choice: ➡️ Religious pluralism ➡️ Establishmentarianism But what if that’s a false dilemma? In this episode of The Magistrate, Josh Howard and James Baird respond to Andrew T. Walker’s recent comments and the broader debate surrounding religion and the state. Drawing from historic Reformed and Presbyterian political theology, they argue that the modern conversation has lost an entire category — one that shaped early America and Protestant thought for centuries. This isn’t about choosing between two extremes. It’s about recovering a forgotten framework.

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Bill C-9 is no longer just a troubling proposal. It is moving toward becoming law in Canada, and with it comes serious questions about hate crime legislation, religious liberty, public witness, and the role of the state. In this episode, Michael Thiessen and Nate Wright revisit Bill C-9 to explain what it does, why it matters, and why Christians cannot afford to treat it as just another political issue. They discuss the difference between sin and crime, the danger of the state trying to judge motives and regulate conscience, and how this bill could affect preaching, church discipline, Christian education, and public evangelism. Most importantly, they show why this is not a distraction from the gospel, but a direct implication of Christ’s lordship over every sphere of life.

Josh Howard sits down with Pastor David Schrock (Christ Over All) to discuss the current state of the Southern Baptist Convention. From declining cooperative giving to growing distrust between local churches and denominational leadership, this conversation tackles the real concerns many are feeling but few are addressing directly. They also examine whether key SBC institutions—like seminaries—are experiencing mission drift, and what that could mean for the future of the convention. If you care about the health, accountability, and direction of the SBC, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

I'm your China travel guide in exile, Missionary Ben, at home in Malaysia. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city to pray for every single day. Feel free to email anytime: chinacompass @ privacyport.com. Check out PrayGiveGo.us for everything else, incl. Patreon, Substack & books… The Memoirs of William Milne (PrayGiveGo.us) The Autobiography of John G. Paton (JohnGPaton.com) Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Unbeaten: My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China (Unbeaten.vip) Why the Prison Pulpit? The goal is to remind people to pray for persecuted believers as Hebrews 13:3 teaches: “Remember those who are in prison, as bound with them.” We’ve looked at Wang Yi and Early Rain Church’s writings in the aftermath of their arrest and attack in 2018, but I’ve also regularly turned to other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand, to give us a voice literally from prison. (Here are some free PDF books from Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.org/) Nigeria Back in the News (Church Attacks) https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/stories/Palm-Sunday-Attack-Shakes-Nigerian-Community/ Kidnapped Pilot in Niger Still Missing (Kevin Rideout) https://www.christianpost.com/news/kidnapped-missionary-kevin-rideout-remains-missing.html The Savior’s Thirst + A Reminder to Remember Kidnapped Kevin Rideout https://chinacall.substack.com/p/the-saviors-thirst How to Give? MCI3.org We have a major project this year to help the missionary arm of China's underground church. $50k need! Follow China Compass Thank you for listening! Subscribe & leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! And don’t forget to visit PrayGiveGo.us for books + Heb. 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”!