THE ROAD FORWARD - MAY 17th, 2026

Summary

---

Real America’s Voice – THE ROAD FORWARD – May 17, 2026

Podcast: Real America’s Voice
Host: Dr. Tim Clinton
Date: May 17, 2026
Episode Theme:
A deep dive into America's current crossroads—blending faith, politics, and culture—through the lens of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations, urgent world affairs, and the hope found in both unity and faith-based values. The episode features in-depth conversations with national faith leaders and cultural commentators, reflecting on America’s past, the present international landscape, and the personal crises affecting families nationwide.

---

Main Theme Overview

This special episode coincides with the nation’s "America 250" celebrations, featuring live coverage and reflections on Rededicate 250, a National Jubilee of praise and rededication to America’s founding Judeo-Christian values. Host Dr. Tim Clinton is joined by Sam Rodriguez, Ralph Reed, Dr. Jerry Newcombe, and Dr. Kathy Cook—each bringing insight into the state of faith, national security, American history, and the fracture lines running through today’s families.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. America 250 & Rededicate250: A Nation at a Crossroads

Timestamps: 07:08–14:18 (Sam Rodriguez), 26:32–29:41 (Ralph Reed), 33:08–42:26 (Dr. Jerry Newcombe)

• Celebrating 250 Years:
  America’s 250th birthday is being marked with a call for rededication to God and foundational values at a national gathering in Washington, D.C.

  • “This is a moment…250 years. We are affirming…the crazy idea of God over man, and man over government. That’s American exceptionalism.” — Sam Rodriguez (07:51)
  • “The genius of America is…that the sole function of creating a government is to guard and protect those God given rights.” — Ralph Reed (27:09)
  • Emphasis on the uniqueness of America’s founding creed (Declaration of Independence) and a call to remember that freedom is rooted in a Judeo-Christian worldview (Dr. Newcombe, 34:09).

• Revival & Faith
  The rise in faith in the public sphere, as seen in popular culture and events, is interpreted as a sign of a “new awakening” (Sam Rodriguez, 09:39).

  • Founding Fathers’ visions and the consistency of faith throughout America’s history are highlighted, urging a modern recommitment (Dr. Newcombe, 35:51).

---

2. Global Affairs: Iran, China, and Presidential Leadership

Timestamps: 09:04–13:14, 19:16–26:32

• Iran Escalation
  Discussion of heightened tensions: Trump’s pause of Project Freedom, Pentagon’s escalation plan (“Project Sledgehammer”), secret Saudi/UAE strikes, and the implications for energy and the global economy.

  • “We can’t prolong this because…if he takes steps now…victory is inevitable…prices will come down…and we’ll see that safe act if we can protect our elections.” — Sam Rodriguez (11:18)
  • “It is a lie of the left…it was a war of choice…[Trump] had no choice but to take that military action. He has said…they were within a matter of weeks of being able to weaponize a nuclear device. We cannot allow that to happen.” — Ralph Reed (21:13)

• China Relations
  Recap of Trump’s visit to China, described as a chess move in the ongoing superpower rivalry.

  • “China…wants to surpass us and they want to dominate us… make no mistake about it, we are not friends, we are not allies.” — Ralph Reed (23:59)
  • Focus on AI, rare earth minerals, trade imbalance, and the ongoing threat to Taiwan.
  • Appreciation expressed for presidential assertiveness and for defending American interests (26:32).

---

3. Foundations of the American Experiment

Timestamps: 33:08–38:36 (Dr. Jerry Newcombe)

• America’s Creed & Spiritual Heritage

  • Recap of the Declaration of Independence and its affirmation of rights endowed by the Creator.
  • “Self-rule under God—that is the essence of the American experiment.” — Dr. Jerry Newcombe (34:09)

• The Founders’ Faith

  • Quotes from Samuel Adams, George Washington, John Adams, and Dwight Eisenhower underscore the theme that American government and liberties are inseparable from religious faith (35:51–38:05).

• Courage & Brilliance of the Founders

  • Highlighting the origin of the phrase “our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor,” connecting the Declaration to a broader Christian moral legacy (38:36).

---

4. Family Estrangement and the Modern Family Crisis

Timestamps: 47:31–59:41 (Dr. Kathy Cook)

• The Epidemic of Family Estrangement

  • “It’s pain beyond imaginable…adult children going no contact, ghosting us—it’s unbelievable what’s happening inside our families.” — Dr. Tim Clinton (47:52)
  • Dr. Cook identifies pride, mistakes by parents, “helicopter parenting,” and social media’s impact as key drivers (48:33).
  • The narrative that children are pressured to “raise themselves” or define parenting as “toxic” is explored.
  • The deep heartache for parents and the struggle for meaning when estranged from children.

• How Parents Should Respond

  • “Our identity can’t just be, ‘I’m a mom.’…when we expect our children to meet our needs…that’s idol worship.” — Dr. Kathy Cook (55:21)
  • Focus on humility, apology, prayer, and shifting hope away from oneself or the child, and into God (52:47–53:45).
  • Encouragement to pour love into others, serve, and mentor, even outside one’s immediate family (53:45).

• Message to Estranged Adult Children

  • “Grow up. Like, hello…what are you believing, why are you believing that, who’s influencing you? Step away, get off X, just stop it and give your parents another chance.” — Dr. Kathy Cook (58:11)

• Forgiveness & Restoration

  • “We forgive, we restore, we reconcile. It changes you. We are better for it. Please don’t give up hope in God. Try again.” — Dr. Kathy Cook (59:18)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

America’s Exceptionalism and Faith

• “What makes us exceptional…is this crazy idea of God over man and man over government.”
  — Sam Rodriguez (07:51)

• “The genius of America is a simple but powerful idea…the sole function of creating a government is to guard and protect those God given rights.”
  — Ralph Reed (27:09)

• “Self-rule under God—that is the essence of the American experiment.”
  — Dr. Jerry Newcombe (34:09)

Family Estrangement

• “Our identity can’t just be, ‘I’m a mom.’…when we expect our children to meet our needs…that’s idol worship.”
  — Dr. Kathy Cook (55:21)

• “I would say to the adult children, grow up. Like, hello…the family does matter…give your parents another chance.”
  — Dr. Kathy Cook (58:11)

Message of Hope

• “Don’t give up hope in God. Try again.”
  — Dr. Kathy Cook (59:18)

• “Our hope and our strength, our power comes from the Lord. The Lord will keep you from harm. He will watch over your life…both now and forevermore.”
  — Dr. Tim Clinton (06:23, reiterated at 60:05)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 07:08 | Sam Rodriguez on America 250 & faith in America’s DNA | | 09:04 | Religious liberty as the firewall against totalitarianism | | 09:39 | Reflection on world affairs: Iran, China, domestic division | | 11:18 | The critical midterms, fair elections, and implications of Iran decision | | 13:14 | Sam Rodriguez on unity, spiritual armor, and generational faith foundations | | 19:16 | Ralph Reed on Iran, Project Sledgehammer, and American strategy | | 23:59 | Reed on China’s ambitions, U.S. economic rivalry, and tech/hardware threats | | 26:32 | America’s 250th: rededication and the case for national optimism (Reed) | | 33:08 | Dr. Jerry Newcombe on America’s founding spiritual creed | | 35:51 | The Founding Fathers’ faith and moral declarations | | 38:36 | The courage in America’s founding documents | | 47:31 | Family Estrangement: problem, causes, and confronting pride/mistakes | | 52:47 | Hope, humility, and the challenge of restoration | | 58:11 | Message to estranged children: “Grow up…family does matter…” | | 59:18 | “Don’t give up hope in God. Try again.” | | 60:05 | Closing encouragement & support resources |

---

Tone & Language

The episode is passionate, direct, and faith-centered, blending patriotic fervor with a call to spiritual renewal and unity. There are heartfelt expressions of sorrow and hope regarding family estrangement, and an undercurrent of urgency around America’s role in a volatile world. The language is invitational—urging listeners to pray, to hope, to act in faith, and to participate in national restoration.

---

Conclusion

For Listeners:
This episode offers a comprehensive look at America’s societal crossroads—reflecting on 250 years of liberty, current crises abroad and at home, and the personal struggles within families. Guests challenge divisions, call for spiritual awakening, and urge listeners to anchor their hope in faith and the enduring promise of America’s ideals. If you’re navigating political uncertainty or family pain, you’ll find both practical advice and inspiration rooted in faith, history, and the promise of healing.

Resources Mentioned:

• Rededicate250.org – Info on the Jubilee event
• AACC.net and ChristianCareConnect.com – Mental health resources
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

---

End of summary

Transcript

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Public Investing Advertisement]

Guaranteed Human support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc, SEC Registered Advisor. Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures [e-mail] this is Martha Stewart

[Martha Stewart]

from the Martha Stewart Podcast. Ever wonder how to make hosting look effortless? Here's a secret Getting ahead of the mess with new Reynolds Kitchens Countertop Prep Paper Just lightly wet the counter beforehand so the paper grips and stays in place. Then lay down the Reynolds Kitchens countertop prep paper so drips and spills stay on the paper, not all over your kitchen counter. You can roll out dough, prep a party spread, or cook alongside family. When you're done, cleanup is as simple as lifting the paper and revealing that clean counter underneath. Effortless. You can use it for cooking and baking, prep and even crafting, especially when you need extra working space. Because when the mess is already handled, you can focus on what matters the the food, the people and the moment. It may look effortless, but now you know it's Reynolds Kitchens countertop prep paper. Take a tip from me. Wet it, set it, prep it. Done. Make it easy. Make it with Reynolds Kitchens Countertop prep paper available now in the Reynolds Wrap aisle in Walmart, Target, Amazon and Costco.

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone paying Big Wireless Way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying, no judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment

[Public Investing Advertisement]

of $45 for three month plan equivalent

[Mood.com Advertisement]

to $15 per month required intro rate first three months only, then full price

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

plan options available, taxes and fees extra.

[Mood.com Advertisement]

See full [e-mail] I need to be

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

healthy every day to survive it and go to the next chemo round and the next chemo round. So it's important that work was part of that to keep my mind busy for eight, nine hours and then I had to go back and face the reality. I had a goal and the goal is to survive.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Research shows there is a significant connection

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

between the ability to continue to work and cancer recovery.

[Ralph Reed]

We can make work a better place

[Mood.com Advertisement]

for healing, learn more and sign the

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

[e-mail] welcome into Real America's Voice. This is Sunday the Road Forward. Stay with us as we discuss the intersection of faith, culture and everyday life. We have an incredible lineup and a word of hope and encouragement for you and those you love, especially in these interesting and difficult times. I'm Dr. Tim Clinton. I'll be your host. Our special guest joining us this week, he's the dynamic pastor, movie producer, author, civil rights activist and television personality, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. Sam Rodriguez is back with us. He's the founder and chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition. Ralph Reed is back with us. He currently serves as director of the Providence Forum, a division of Coral Ridges Ministries. He's the author of several books. Collins have appeared weekly at Town Hall, Christian Post, newsmax and more. Dr. Jerry Newcombe is with us and she is founder and president of Celebrate Kids, Inc. She's also the co founder of Ignite the Family based in Alpharetta, Georgia. Dr. Kathy Cook is with us. Thanks for watching. Oh, come let us adore him.

[Sam Rodriguez]

Oh, come let us adore him

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Christ the Lord,

[Martha Stewart]

for he alone is worthy.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

For he alone is worthy. Well, President Trump has paused Project Freedom. All the while, the United States continues to enforce the blockade. There's a lot of stalling still going on on Iran's part. We're now learning that the Pentagon has a plan to escalate the Iranian war called Project Sledgehammer. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are now conducting secret strikes on Iran. All the while, hey, President Trump visited China this week. A lot going on there. Hey, faith is back in America. American Idol had a blockbuster closing with Hannah Harper winning and closing the finale with a worship song at the cross anchored in a strong message of faith in Jesus Christ. The faith world was stunned this week to learn, too, of the passing of daystar Television's Joni Lamb. She was preceded in death by her husb Marcus. A special memorial service is on Monday, May 18, at Gateway Church in South Lake, Texas. And America continues its full court press with America 250 celebrations. Today, May 17th on the Mall, the National Mall in Washington, D.C. they're hosting Rededicate 250, a National Jubilee of praise, prayer and thanksgiving featuring government officials and faith leaders. Christians from all over the country are showing up to be a part of this historic event. Check it out online. And we can't forget that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, shedding light on this exploding area of culture. We're seeing soaring rates of anxiety, depression, even suicidality showing up, especially among our kids. And another critical issue we're going to talk about today. It's family estrangement, going, no contact, ghosting one another. It's unbelievable what's happening. All this and more on this edition of Sunday, the Road Forward. One thing is certain. We always have hope. Our hope and our strength, our power comes from the Lord is a great verse to hold onto this week. Psalm 121:7 8. The Lord will keep you from harm. He will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore. I'm going to pray. We're going to get started. God be with us. Bless our program today. Use it for your glory. Thank you for this privilege and opportunity. In Jesus name, amen. Let's get started.

[Public Investing Advertisement]

For more encouragement and to stay connected, follow Dr. Tim Clinton on Facebook, Instagram and X. We love being a part of your life.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Joining us now is Sam Rodriguez. He's the president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, the world's largest Hispanic Christian organization. He's also lead pastor at New Season Church in Sacramento, California. Sam, welcome back. Thank you for joining me.

[Sam Rodriguez]

Thank you for having me.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

So we get started. America 250 celebrations are underway today, May 17th, up on the National Mall. Rededicate250 Sam, you're speaking going to be a lot of people there, people of faith. And we're rededicating America back to God. President Trump said this is a moment. This is really a special moment. Sam, just some reflections on what you're thinking about speaking on and what your heart is about. This entire, this, this moment. This is a moment.

[Sam Rodriguez]

Yeah. Completely honored. I don't deserve to be there. I'm there by the grace of God exclusively for his glory. It is 250 years. We are affirming if not confirming the fact that what makes us exceptional, Tim, is not necessarily our military prowess, which is pretty powerful, our financial wherewithal and our intellectual and technological bandwidth. What makes this exceptional is this crazy idea of God over man and man over government right there. That's American exceptionalism. God over man and man over government. The fact that this nation was founded on a Judeo Christian worldview that cannot and will not be denied. 250 years later, it's still there and we are thriving because of our Judeo Christian value system. That's what Rededication 250 is all about. It's the beginning, the foundation. Tim, do you find it to be coincidental a bunch of of evangelicals and Bible believers. George Whitefield preachings the awakening, then the Revolutionary War and here we come full circle. 250 years later we have the Bible believing church, the Christ centered Bible based church once again thriving in America, advancing the Lamb's agenda. I think it's beautiful and prophetic, Sam,

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

there's something about free from tyranny and also the freedom to pursue life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and so much more. Isn't that the American experiment, what it's all about? And Sam, I can't think of these moments without thinking about where we're at even in the world right now. President Trump went and spent some time in China this week. We know what's happening with Iran. These are serious moments, precarious moments. Seriously, we've got to be praying for our president. But again, we're coming back the great American experiment here, coming back to basics.

[Sam Rodriguez]

We're coming back to the fact that this nation was founded on an incredible principle of religious liberty, religious liberty as the firewall against all vestiges of totalitarianism. That's what we're coming back to. There are two worldviews around the world, a Judeo Christian worldview and everything else. And we're coming back to that again. What makes us a powerful nation is that worldview. Recently in China, China repudiates that worldview, hence it's totalitarian, authoritarian. Iran repudiates that worldview, hence the anarchy and the angst and the consternation and the struggle. America, what makes us beautiful, what makes us special is the fact that we are a nation founded on that Judeo Christian worldview. So I love the fact, Tim, that you and I are alive to see a new awakening in America. 250 years later. We're saying without God, this nation will fail. With God all things are possible.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Sam, in the midst of it, the midterms are coming. Everybody knows that the economy really matters, price of gas, for example. We know President Trump's decision in Iran is really upstream in terms of impacting the midterms. We know that. How do we, quote, get through this push for safe and fair elections, deal with some of these challenging issues and the division that seems or the hatred there really, even toward the president and the administration on certain issues. It's where and how do we get through the summer? Because it's going to be a wild ride, Tim.

[Sam Rodriguez]

It's all connected. So my prayer is that President Trump will make any decision regarding Iran as soon as possible. Matter of fact, he has to expedite the process. We can't prolong this because if we have a little bit of a window, meaning if he takes steps now, even if it escalates now in the beginning of the summer, late spring, and then, I mean, victory is inevitable. Of course we'll have the victory and we could take the uranium, hopefully complete regime toppling, where people come in and the Iranian people can finally live free. If that happens, by September, October, prices will come down, and I mean measurably so drastically come down and we'll see that safe act if we can protect our elections. I mean, how, like, nonsensical is it? It's ridiculous to think that you can vote in America without showing any proof of identification and by demonstrating proof is somehow racist. It's just illogical, right? We need to solve these things. If not. Tim, listen to me carefully. On the other side of this. Impeachment, impeachment, harassment. Impeachment, impeachment. The progressive extreme left take over. We're back to Christian persecution. The DOJ just exposed the fact that the Biden administration did target people of faith, Christians. We were targeted by the Department of Justice. So we're going to go back to that. We're going to go back to open borders. We're going to go back to the mayhem and the ludicrous that took place if we lose these midterm elections. A lot is at stake, my friend.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Sam, just how do we marshal our way forward? How do we keep our head on our shoulders and keep ourselves moving in a really step by step, goal directed effort so that we can have the influence that will help protect our children and our children's children?

[Sam Rodriguez]

We go forward through the finished work of Christ. We go forward by putting on the armor of God every single day. Ephesians 6, 10, 18. We go forward by being led by the Spirit and not by our fleshly desires. Galatians 5, 16 and we go forward with John 17:21. Tim, what is that Unity. Did the devil's object? Do you think the devil was happy when 81% of evangelicals in America supported an administration to advance life religious liberty? The enemy had a strategy. And what is that? Let's divide that 81%. Let's lower that. Let's break it apart. That's the enemy strategy. But if you and I come together and we continue to convey this message of unity, John 17:21 will push back against every single attempt strength by the enemy to fragment what God has established. Make us one. Let's advance. Let's not give up. We're this close for a multi generational affirmation of this Judeo Christian value system. Let's not give up. It's for the sake of our children

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

and our children's children.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Sam, always great to see you. Thank you for joining me.

[Sam Rodriguez]

Appreciate you. Thank you my friend.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Coming up next, he's the founder and chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition. Ralph Reed is back with us. Do people ever come to you asking for help? Maybe hope, encouragement? How about for prayer? Do you ever wish you understood the issues better that people were wrestling with or how to use the Bible more effectively in caring for people? If so, I'd love to get a copy of our Caring Counsel Bible in your hands. Featuring 116 topics written by some of the world's leading mental health and ministry experts, I think you're going to love it. It covers today's most challenging issues in every phase of life. Life. This Bible provides clinical expertise and insights on topics like discouragement, abuse, depression, divorce, anxiety, abortion and so much more so you can learn more about these issues and how to use again the Bible more effectively. How to share passages of scripture with others, maybe sitting down over a cup of coffee. Or maybe it's just a resource to help you get through a tough time. You know what I love most about this Bible? It's so easy to use. You right up front are going to find an index with subjects, key passages of scripture, personality profiles and so much more. The Care and Counsel Bible is retailing for $85, but we're going to make it available to you right now, our listeners and viewers for just $50 plus shipping. Again, I think you're going to love it. For more information about how to get this Bible right now, go to careandcouncil.com that's careandcouncil.com join tens of thousands of people who have received this beautiful new King James Version. Caring Counsel Bible I'm Dr. Tim Clinton, President of the American association of Christian Counselors. Get your copy of the Caring Counsel Bible right now at our special price while supplies last. Go to caringcouncil.com that's care and counsel.

[Public Investing Advertisement]

Support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. MEP FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc, SEC Registered Advisor. Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.comdisclosures Ever wonder

[Martha Stewart]

how to make hosting look effortless? Here's a secret. When prepping for cooking and baking, get ahead of the mess with new Reynolds Kitchens Countertop prep paper. Just lightly wet the counter so the paper grips. Lay it down and drips and spills stay on the paper, not on your counter. Cleanup is as simple as lifting it away to reveal clean counters. Effortless it is thanks to Reynolds Kitchens Countertop Prep paper. Wet it, set it, prep it done. Available in the Reynolds Wrap aisle at Walmart, Target, Amazon and Costco.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

I think when you're diagnosed with cancer, you crave a semblance of normalcy and control and so work allowed me to be me. So I think it's really important that companies stay flexible. Cancer in a diagnosis can be all consuming, but it doesn't have to be.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Research shows there is a significant connection

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

between the ability to continue to work and cancer recovery.

[Ralph Reed]

We can make work a better place

[Mood.com Advertisement]

for healing, learn more and sign the [e-mail] let's be honest, buying cannabis shouldn't be complicated, sketchy or low quality. That's why I want to tell you about Mood.com that's M-O-Ood.com Mood ships federally legal cannabis straight to your door. No medical card, no hassle. And here's the kicker. The quality is better than anything you'll find at your local dispensary. Yeah, I said it. Whether you're into edibles, concentrates, flower, or just looking to explore, you'll find it all at Mood. And it's not just the variety that makes them stand out. Every product is sourced from small American owned family farms that care deeply about what they grow. It's cannabis you can trust, delivered discreetly and ready to elevate your mood. And because you're a listener, you get 20% off your first order. Just head to mood.com that's mood.com to get started.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Joining us now is conservative political activist Ralph Reed. He's the founder and chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition. He's offered several bestselling books since columns appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, National Review and many more. Ralph, welcome back. Thank you for joining me.

[Ralph Reed]

Thank you so much, Tim. Good to be with you.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Ralph. I want to open up with the whole issue of Iran and the road forward. I know they launched Project Freedom and they paused it. The United States continues with the blockade, but a lot of stalling going on over there on Iran's part. Everybody expected it. It's kind of hard to believe. They need to get to the table, Ralph. We know that, but they're talking now about potentially escalating this to a whole nother level. They're talking about Project Sledgehammer. Ralph, just your take on where you see this and how you see this thing unfolding.

[Ralph Reed]

Well, first of all, Tim, I, I want to commend the President for take making the difficult decision to take military action against Iran. This was a long time in coming, frankly, 47 years and counting. And I think you and I may have talked about this before. I can remember one time when a few of us were in the Oval Office with the President and I thanked him for withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal. And he told the story of his first national security briefing that he received as President in the Situation Room. Full dress briefing with the Joint Chiefs, National Security Council, Secretary of Defense, everybody there. And he said as they went around the room with maps displayed on video screens, they went around the world, they, they circulated around the globe. He said every single trouble spot, every single conflict on the planet could be traced in one shape, form or another to the Iranian regime.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Wow.

[Ralph Reed]

This had to be done. It is a lie of the left that it is. It was a war of choice. If the president was going to keep his word and his promise to the American people, Tim, that he would not allow the Iranians to get a nuclear weapon, then he had no choice but to take that military action. He has said to many people, publicly and privately, including me, that they were within a matter of weeks of being able to weaponize a nuclear device. We cannot allow that to happen. But this regime is not going to go down without a fight. And I think what's going on now, at the risk of stating the obvious, but just to clarify things for your viewers, is you've got two trains running at each other on one track and they're both moving at a high rate of speed. One is the Iranians effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 to 25% of all the oil in the world moves through on a daily basis.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Yeah.

[Ralph Reed]

And the second is Trump's blockade of their ports, which prevents them from being able to sell their oil to China and others, which is how they support the regime and how they keep their economy afloat. So the question is, which train runs out of gas first? Is it the global economy or is it the Iranian economy? If it looks like the global economy cannot sustain the long term closing of the Strait of Hormuz and it looks like we can't reopen it militarily in the short term, then in my opinion, the president will have no other option other than to escalate militarily against the regime and get the change that we need. I will just tell you, Tim, I am praying for peace. I am praying for a deal. But I also live in the real world and it's hard for me to see either the mullahs or the Revolutionary Guard, which is the military, being able to make any kind of deal with the United States that is acceptable.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Yeah. This week, President Trump jumped on Air Force One along with other dignitaries and a team of business leaders and more, and headed to China. Pretty grand reception over there. But, Ralph, in the midst of it, Iran was going to be on top the table and obviously some business negotiating was going to be going on and is going on. And just your thoughts. People tend to be a little skittish when it comes to China. Obviously, President Trump is making a pretty significant move here, playing chess, as they say, not checkers.

[Ralph Reed]

Right. Well, you know, look, this is a great power rivalry. The United States is the number one, some would argue the sole superpower in the world. But China, not only wants to join that club. Let's be clear. They want to surpass us and they want to dominate us. And they want to be the ones that are determining the outcome of various power equations in various regions around the world. Not only Asia, but Africa, where they're deeply involved, and the Middle East. And so this is a very, very critical hinge point in the President's second term, this summit, because they're going to be talking about AI. They're going to be talking about their economic rivalry, trade, where the President has rebalanced that relationship with tariffs on China, where they've been exploiting and dominating our economy and decimating US Jobs and manufacturing capacity. I mean, think about this, Tim, how dramatically this was demonstrated during the COVID pandemic when we had to go to China and beg for certain pharmaceuticals and certain medical supplies because the entire production of those had been moved offshore. The same is true of the very sophisticated computer chips that not only drive our economy, but are going to drive artificial intelligence. That's all made in Taiwan, which is just off China's shore. Taiwan's clearly going to come up. China is a bad actor. They're helping Putin in his invasion of Ukraine. They're propping up the Iranian regime because they buy half of all their oil and Iran supplies 40% of all the oil that drives the Chinese economy. So I think, best case scenario, we come out of this as frenemies that are doing economic deals that are mutually beneficial. But when it comes to rare earth minerals, when it comes to computer chips, when it comes to manufacturing, and when it comes to the projection of military power, make no mistake about it, we are not friends, we are not allies. And I just thank goodness every day, I literally thank God every day that we have a president sitting behind the Resolute desk who understands that. Who understands that China has been taking advantage of us for decades and it's ending on his watch.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

So, Ralph, here in the midst of it, we're celebrating 250 years of history. Today, May 17, rededicate 250 in Washington, D.C. faith leaders from everywhere, dignitaries showing up.

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

Ralph.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Celebrating the goodness and grace of God and rededicating America to. To God. And to acknowledge once again that our rights don't come from government, they come from God. And the celebration of this, how significant, how important it is, is it to you, Ralph? And I know you have a few words in your heart about all this and what you're going to share.

[Ralph Reed]

Well, I sure do, Tim. You know, look, I'm a glass half full guy. I'm. I'm optimistic because I don't see how you can be a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and be a pessimist. And I really don't see how you can be an American and be a pessimist. Look at what is truly a miracle here on this continent, that people who were fleeing persecution and authoritarianism on the European continent, who wanted to build a nation that in John Winthrop's words that echo down through the centuries, would be a city set upon a hill that would be a beacon of light to the entire world of how to properly order a society that protected rights that, as you stated so eloquently a moment ago, are given by God Almighty. They're not given by government. They're not given to us by an act of the Continental Congress or of Parliament or of Congress. They are, in the words of the Declaration, inalienable rights. That is to say, rights that are adherent to our very humanity and were given to us by our Creator. And the genius of America is a simple but powerful idea. And it is this, that the sole function of creating a government is to guard and protect those God given rights. And if at any point that government so formed fails to protect those rights, then it is not only the right, it is the duty and the moral obligation of a free people to get rid of that government by force if necessary, and replace it with a government that protects that right. That is the idea that we are celebrating. And the reason why Rededicate250 is so important taking place at at the Mall, Tim, is because we're acknowledging and rededicating ourselves to the idea that the only way this nation survived and prospered and the only way it can endure is if we acknowledge God's sovereignty over this nation and acknowledge that he is the one who's made all this possible.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Amen and amen. Ralph. I'm just sitting here thinking God be with us and God bless America. Seriously, Ralph, always great to see you my friend. Thank you so much for joining me.

[Ralph Reed]

Always a pleasure.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Coming up next, he currently serves as director of the Providence Forum. Dr. Jerry Newcombe is with us.

[Public Investing Advertisement]

For more encouragement and to stay connected, follow Dr. Tim Clinton on Facebook, Instagram and x. We love being a part of your life.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Foreign.

[Public Investing Advertisement]

For the show comes from public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index. With AI it all starts with your prompt from renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor supply growing revenue over 20% year over year. You can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S P500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete Disclosures available at public.comdisclosures Ever wonder

[Martha Stewart]

how to make hosting look effortless? Here's a secret. When prepping for cooking and baking, get ahead of the mess with new Reynolds Kitchens countertop prep paper. Just lightly wet the counter so the paper grips. Lay it down and drips and spills stay on the paper, not on your counter. Cleanup is as simple as lifting it away to reveal clean counters. Effortless it is thanks to Reynolds Kitchen's countertop prep paper. Wet it, set it, prep it Done. Available in the Reynolds Wrap aisle at Walmart, Target, Amazon and Costco.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

I need to be healthy every day to survive it and go through the next chemo round and the next chemo round. So it's important that work was part of that to keep my mind busy for eight, nine hours. And then I had to go back and face the reality. I had a goal and the goal is to survive.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Research shows there is a significant connection

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

between the ability to continue to work and cancer recovery.

[Ralph Reed]

We can make work a better place

[Mood.com Advertisement]

for healing, learn more and sign the [e-mail] let's be honest. Buying cannabis shouldn't be complicated, sketchy or low quality. That's why I want to tell you about mood.com that's mood.com Mood ships federally legal cannabis straight to your door. No medical card, no hassle. And here's the kicker. The quality is better than anything you'll find at your local dispensary. Yeah, I said it. Whether you're into edibles, concentrates, flower or just looking to explore, you'll find it all at Mood. And it's not just the variety that makes them stand out. Every product is sourced from small American owned Family farms that care deeply about what they grow. It's cannabis you can trust, delivered discreetly and ready to elevate your mood. And because you're a listener, you get 20% off your first order. Just head to mood.com that's mood.com to get started.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Joining us now is Dr. Jerry Newcombe. He currently serves as director of the Providence Forum, a division of the Coral Ridge Ministries. He's also the author of several books, and his columns appear weekly. Town Hall, Christian Post, newsmax, and more. Dr. Newcomb, welcome back. Thank you for joining me.

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

Thank you, Dr. Coombe.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Jerry, you and I have had a lot of conversations about our country, and you have a deep love in your heart for American history and how we've been founded on the principles of how our rights are. They come from God. They don't come from government, Jerry. And in the midst of all this, here we are. What a wild time of the year. America 250. I mean, we're celebrating this weekend on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. rededicate 250, Jerry. Rededicating our country back to God. And as we move toward July 4th, well, Memorial Day, and then in July 4th, Jerry, just some thoughts or reflections from you as you've been preparing your heart. And I know you're talking all over the country about this.

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

Well, I think, Tim, it's good to be reminded about the core principles of America. America, as G.K. chesterton said about 100 years ago, is the only nation with a creed. And that creed is basically found in the Declaration of Independence. And that's what we celebrate. The approval, the voice votes on July 4, 1776, of the final wording of the Declaration of Independence, which they signed about a month later by the Founding Fathers. And the Declaration of Independence says that our, you know, we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And that to secure governments and must be, you know, basically on the, you know, understanding that we have the consent of the governed. So, in other words, just put it this way. Self rule under God. That is the essence of the American experiment. And the Declaration of Independence was not the first document to start it, really, frankly. The Mayflower Compact of 1620, 150 years earlier, was the first where the Pilgrims created this agreement for self government based on the biblical concept of covenant under God. We'll make this agreement for self government where we'll be ruled by the Consent of the governed under God. That's the essence of America.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

President Trump recently said, we're rededicating America back to God. And that's what's happening literally on the Mall this day. Jerry, the significance of that. Take us back to what you understood when it to comes comes to the Founding Fathers and their faith in God.

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

Well, absolutely. Look, the prime mover behind the Declaration of Independence, the lightning rod of the American Revolution, was Samuel Adams. And Samuel Adams was among the first to actually sign the document, apart from John Hancock, on July 4th itself. I mean, he was, you know, in charge of that Continental Congress, but they didn't sign it or start signing it until August 2nd. And on the day Samuel Adams signed it, he made a speech in front of everybody. I believe he was the first one apart from John Hancock to sign it. And he said, we have this day restored. The sovereign to whom men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven from the rising to the setting sun. May his kingdom come. The Founding Fathers had a deep understanding of the Christian faith and a commitment to that. Now, as one as the late Paul. I'm sorry, Peter Marshall of the. You know, he co wrote the Light and the glory back in 1977. But he said in reference to George Washington, George Washington didn't go around talking about Jesus all the time, but he did have an abiding faith in him. And so George Washington said, for example, in his farewell address, of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. John Adams, our second president, said that our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. So there's this understanding from the very beginning of our country that God was at the center of the whole thing. Can I give you one more quote, please. Okay. Dwight Eisenhower said in 1955, so here's our 34th president. He said, without God, there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first and most basic expression of Americanism. Thus, the Founding Fathers saw it. And thus, with God's help, it will continue to be.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Jerry, you've got a new book out called under the Liberty, Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty. And I was just, you know, just reflecting and meditating on this as we go into the weekend. Talk about courage. Talk about just unbelievable fortitude in the midst of all of it and brilliance to pull together documents that would be literally at the heart of. Of who we are and protect Our republic, if we can keep it as they say. Jerry, just your thoughts on that?

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

Yeah, well, as a matter of fact, the Declaration of Independence, which again, that's what we celebrate America at 250 on July 4, 1776. They and how they said, with a firm reliance on divine providence, we mutually pledged to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor. It's interesting too, by the way, that the origin of that actual phrase, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor, comes from a group of Presbyterian elders the year before from Mecklenburg in Charlotte, North Carolina, in that area, led by the Reverend Ephraim Brevard, where they wrote the Mecklenburg Declaration. It was basically a Declaration of Independence. It's only about a paragraph long, but some of the phraseology ends up in our Declaration of Independence a year later. Jefferson did a masterful job of calling, culling together all kinds of different sources and so forth, including, you know, drawing from Blackstone, Sir William Blackstone. This is in accordance with the laws of nature and of nature's God and, and this Mecklenburg Declaration and so forth. But this brilliant synthesis that we hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal. And this is really important. One recent historian said that that's the most important sentence in history. Well, I agree with Os Guinness who says, no, the most important sentence in history is for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. And we would not have that other sentence, the one from the Declaration of Independence. We hold these truths to be self evident were it not for God so loved the world and so forth. It is a Judeo Christian base that this nation was founded on. Not that we always got it perfect, but the foundation is there and that's what must be restored. So that's why I'm grateful for all the efforts to call America back to our God given liberties.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Jerry, in the midst of all that's going on, and now as we enter this special season of celebration, Jerry, what's the one thought, hold on to this, the word, to all of us, all this study, all this history, all this firm commitment and love for God and country, what saith you to us?

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

Well, my mentor, Dr. D. James Kennedy, once did a stand up at the Lincoln Memorial and he said Americans need to remember that this nation was born because of revival, the first Great Awakening, which helped to, you know, unify the nation. Then there was the second Great Awakening, which helped to, you know, get rid of slavery, a great scourge to us. But now we're in need of a a true third great awakening. You know, not from the government down, but from the people up where the people are revived and the people want to have righteous government. Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. And so we need to remember the message of 2nd Chronicles 7:14. You know, if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and turn from their wicked ways and seek my face, then while I listen and turn my face toward them and heal their land, this nation needs that healing and we need that repentance to initiate the whole thing.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Dr. Jerry Newcombe, always great to see you, my friend. Thank you for joining me.

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

You too. May God bless America with repentance and

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

a third great awakening coming up next. She is founder and president of Celebrate Kids, Inc. Dr. Kathy Cook is with us. Do people ever come to you asking for help? Maybe hope, encouragement? How about for prayer? Do you ever wish you understood the issues better that people were wrestling with or how to use the Bible more effectively in caring for people? If so, I'd love to get a copy of our Caring Counsel Bible in your hands. Featuring 116 topics written by some of the world's leading mental health and ministry experts. I think you're going to love it. It covers today's most challenging issues in every phase of life. This Bible provides clinical expertise and insights on topics like discouragement, abuse, depression, divorce, anxiety, abortion and so much more. So you can learn more about these issues and how to use again the Bible more effectively, how to share passages of scripture with others, maybe sitting down over a cup of coffee. Or maybe it's just a resource to help you get through a tough time. You know what I love most about this Bible? It's so easy to use. You right up front are going to find an index with subjects, key passages of scripture, personal personality profiles, and so much more. The Care and Counsel Bible is retailing for $85, but we're going to make it available to you right now, our listeners and viewers for just $50 plus shipping. Again, I think you're going to love it. For more information about how to get this Bible right now, go to careandcouncil.com that's careandcouncil.com join tens of thousands of people have received this beautiful new King James Version Caring Counsel Bible. I'm Dr. Tim Clinton, President of the American association of Christian Counselors. Get your copy of the Care and Counsel Bible right now at our special price. While supplies last go to careand counsel.com that's careand counsel.com support for the show

[Public Investing Advertisement]

comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like either ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc. SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures available at public.com disclosures this

[Martha Stewart]

is Martha Stewart from the Martha Stewart Podcast. Ever wonder how to make hosting look effortless? Here's a secret when prepping for cooking and baking, get ahead of the mess with new Reynolds Kitchens countertop prep paper. Just lightly wet the counter so the paper grips. Lay it down and drips and spills stay on the paper, not on your counter. Cleanup is as simple as lifting it away to reveal clean counters. Effortless it is thanks to Reynolds Kitchen's countertop prep paper. Wet it, set it, prep it, done. Available in the Reynolds wrap aisle at Walmart, Target, Amazon and Costco.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

People at work supported me while I was going through treatment.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

By not treating you like somebody who

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

was going through treatment, Treatment sucks. Cancer sucks.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Being engaged with work really helped to oh, I just knew I was going to beat this thing.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Research shows there is a significant connection

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

between the ability to continue to work and cancer recovery.

[Ralph Reed]

We can make work a better place

[Mood.com Advertisement]

for healing, learn more and sign the [e-mail] let's be honest, buying cannabis shouldn't be complicated, sketchy or low quality. That's why I want to tell you about Mood.com that's M-O-Ood.com Mood ships federally legal cannabis straight to your door. No medical card, no hassle, and here's the kicker, the quality is better than anything you'll find at your local dispensary. Yeah, I said it. Whether you're into edibles, concentrates, flower, or just looking to explore, you'll find it all at Mood. And it's not just the variety that makes them stand out. Every product is sourced from small American owned family farms that care deeply about what they grow. It's cannabis you can trust, delivered discreetly and ready to elevate your mood. And because you're a listener, you get 20% off your first order. Just head to mood.com that's mood.com to get started.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Joining us now is Dr. Kathy Cook. She's the founder and president of Celebrate Kids and has influenced thousands of parents and teachers and children around the world. Her practical, relevant and result oriented concepts and engaging and humorous speaking style draws rave reviews from children, teens, parents and educators. Dr. Kathy, welcome. Thank you for joining me.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

I'm honored to be here. Tim. Thank you.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Kathy, congrats on your new book, Resolving Conflict and finding Peace and hope with adult children. It's a lifeline for parents out there. But Kathy, I want to go to something that's really big in culture right now and that's this whole issue of family estrangement. You know, raising kids to leave us. It's called parenting. That's a tough thing to do. But this thing of losing our kids or kids going, no contact, ghosting us and more. Kathy, it's pain beyond anything imaginable. And I tell you, I don't think I've ever seen anything like is unbelievable. What's happening inside our families. What do you think's at the heart of all of it?

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

A couple of things. Yeah. That's one of the reasons I wrote the book. You know, pride is a huge factor. You know, kids behaving as if they don't need their parents anymore when in reality God ordained the family for a lifetime and we should be paying attention to that. I wrote the book partly because I had a great multi generational family experience and I wish other people did as well. I think, you know, parents have made some mistakes. Could I just go there? Chapter two in my new book is really hard for people to read. It's about looking inward and asking yourself if you could be partially responsible for the ghosting that your adult children are doing. So there are some mistakes we've made. There's pride, there's the social media rewiring of the story. You know, our adult children are following people we don't know. They're following, they're talking to people at work who's like, your family couldn't have been that good. I'm sure that you're, you're deceived and you're not seeing things rightly. And they create a whole new story about the abuse that they experience. Like forcing us to go to church was abusive. No, it wasn't abusive. It was love. But they've reoriented that. You know, another thing, Tim, I don't know if you've, you've probably seen this in the literature as well, but if we helicopter our kids, it's more likely that they're going to step away later. And I don't say this lightly because you can't go back and reparent your kids. But if you were an over parent and you did all of everything for them and prevented all of their trauma, if you will, you know, don't spill your milk. So I'm going to move it for you. Which shouldn't be traumatizing, but it can be in some families. But if we over parent and we helicopter, then our adult kids don't think we can parent any other way. And now they want us to separate because now they do want to really launch into some independence. So those are some other reasons.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Kathy, there's nothing like family, close family. I grew up in a large family. I have five sisters and two brothers and a lot of love. And you know, I think about our family. Julie and I have two children, Megan and Zach. They're both married now. Megan has two children, our granddaughters, Olivia and Sophia. And I think about being with them and spending time together and loving each other and having special moments. Julie and I talk a lot about the M and M's. Minutes and moments.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Yes.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

And they create memories. And you know, and when you have that, it's beautiful when you begin to struggle with that or lose it. But I tell you what, what I've seen, Kathy, is it goes deep into the soul.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

We're talking.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

You talk about heart hurt, right? When, when you can't, when you get ghosted and you can't even talk to your kids or you don't get a, even a card on Mother's Day or a phone call at Christmas or hey, we're not coming home, we're going to do whatever. Granted there are a lot of quote roads here for a moment. But Kathy, I'm just talking about, I've seen you and you mentioned deep sorrow, quiet desperation, loneliness, shame, this aching that goes on inside for some sense of closeness. Again, tell us what You've seen Kathy, and you know what's in the heart and mind of these kind of situations?

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Well, heartache, for sure. Anger, a sadness. I've had parents say to me, I thought I was doing everything right so that I could be friends when they were older. And now they won't talk to me, and I don't know what I've done. I think part of the anxiety, Tim, is how many of our parents are trying to figure out what happened. And guess what? You might never know. You might never know. Is it something that you didn't say or something that you did or something you didn't do, or is it some influence that's upon your adult children? So part of the anxiety is if I could figure out, I could fix it. That's not necessarily true. And you can add. You can. You can say, hey, you know, what did I do? Like, help me understand. If you're still in contact, ask the question. If you're still in contact and you need to apologize, apologize. Ask to be forgiven. Humble yourselves. And I don't say that lightly, but it needs to happen. The blame, the blame shifting. I write in the book about blame shifting. There's. There's so much, oh, I couldn't have been me. Like, I'm amazing. It didn't happen to my other kids, so why did it happen to this kid? So awkward analysis of the past. But we don't live in the past, and the passion define us. We've got to look forward with hope. That's another thing, Tim. Hoping in God, like so many parents I've talked to, have put hope in themselves to figure it out, and they put hope in their kids to change around. And you can be optimistic and you can be hopeful that something will happen, but your hope has to be in God. He is the one worthy of our hope, and you know that.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Yeah. Kathy, for families who are in these kind of situations, for a moment, your new book, Resolving Conflict and Finding Peace and Hope with Adult Children. It's a lifeline. It's a real gift to us. I just wonder for a moment how Kathy and you began to dissect this kind of stuff, where there's a lot of water under the bridge, there's a lot of pain and hurt. Quote, you know, you're dealing with these boundary things because you're toxic to me. I don't want to have contact or I'm angry with you, whatever. Kathy, how do you begin to step forward in a direction even though you've done? Don't think for a moment we haven't prayed about this. Don't think we haven't cried ourselves to sleep. Don't think we haven't reached across the aisle. And all of a sudden now it's like, hey, we. Let's. Let's sit back. And I guess you're right. Hey, you've got to step back because what's been done so far isn't working. So, Kathy, where do we start?

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Well, we have to pray. And I know you just said that, but come on, prayer works. We have to pray. We pray that our heart would soften. We pray that their heart would soften toward the Lord and toward us. We pray that other people would enter their world who can be positive about family dynamics and about God, because it may not be that we're the ones that are going to solve the problem. And I also want to say, and I don't say this lightly. I think we pour our love out into other people. If your adult children won't have anything to do with you, as much as I know that breaks your heart and you're angry and sad and concerned, you have love to share. What about adult children in your church who don't have anybody, who don't have anybody living near them or don't have anybody to love, to support them? Could you support them? Could you mentor a young man? It's not the same as mentoring your own son, but it'll be something. And those of you that have no contact with your grandkids, what about all the young children in your church who have no one to go to a piano recital except their mom and dad? What about the grandparents who are deceased or they live across the country? Could you find a way to take all this love that's God's given you and pour it out on someone else? Because we're supposed to love our neighbors, and I don't. Again, I know it's not the same, but I also know that it's a blessing. I've talked to so many people who have chosen to humble themselves and do that, and it changes them. They have something to wake up and look forward to. You can serve, you know, And Tim, you gotta remember you're more than a mom and you're more than a dad. And I don't say that lightly either. But our identity can't just be. I'm a mom. The pressure our kids are feeling. Tim, you have no idea how many adult children have said to me, I am tired of being responsible for my mom's joy. And that's idol worship. When we expect our children to meet our needs, when in fact God is the one who will do that for us. So our children are feeling some pressure. Can you release that by finding joy somewhere else?

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Yeah.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

I hope that's okay.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

No, no, no, it is. And, and I like what you say. At the end of the day, let's, let's, let's step back, not step out. Let's step back for a moment and let's begin to kind of peel the song in.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Maybe.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

What was it that's inside of you that has this insatiable desire need to be in, to, quote, maybe overcompensate or control. And that's quote, fed something that has created brokenness between us. And maybe some of that's inside here in me. And part of what I need to do is release that to help me get out of that box I feel that I'm in. At the same time, you know, how am I communicating? How am I coming across? And am I angry and frustrated and you should. And in moments when I need to control or bite my tongue. Hey, Kathy, you know, this new responsibilities, it's different when you go over to their house. You're no longer the parent in that house. You're like, like you said, a guide, a mentor, a coach. You have a different role here. And respecting those boundaries become really important. These kind of dynamics. It's often important to be reminded about where we're at and what we're up against, what kind of river that we're trying to swim upstream in, if you will. Kathy. Because when you begin to see it again, it helps you erase some of the emotionalism tied to chaos and the pain that you're in.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

That's so good. Absolutely. And you said respect. You know, respect is one of the issues I hear a lot about. Like, they don't respect me. Like, you can't parent them when they're adults. Even if you think they need your help, you parent when they give you permission to do so. Otherwise, you guide, mentor, influence, support, help, coach, cheer and all those kinds of things. And yeah, when you enter their home, it's not your home. I've met so many children have told me that their mom walks in and starts cleaning, like she doesn't have permission to do so. And why do we look for the dirt? Why don't we look for what's right? Like I tell people, buy a green pen, you know, stop all of the red pen criticism, which we're so good at. And I read in the book about a friend of mine who fans something every Time she stops by her children's homes, she looks to be a fan of something, and she looks for her eyes and her ears to see and hear something that is good, that she can point it out. Because you know what? I don't want to hang out with pessimistic people. I don't want to hang out with people with a critical spirit. And your kids don't want to either.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

I can't let you go without you saying something to the son or daughter who is estranged. I'm serious. I mean, they're out there and they think for some reason that, you know, doing all this is, quote, helping me, you know, that I've got to. Because you're toxic for me and I can't stand being around you anymore. You make me crazy. We get some of it, but my goodness, when you throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater, you have no idea what really you're doing to your soul. And by the way, to the future of your own relationships.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Oh, Tim. Like so well stated. Yeah. I would say to the adult children, I want to say, grow up. Like, hello, like, the family does matter. And just what's the truth? What are you believing? Why are you believing that? Who's influencing you? Step away. Get off of X. Just stop it and give your parents another chance. And. And we all look back with today's wisdom, and we're so harsh on ourselves and our family. You know, you're looking back thinking, why didn't they know any better? They did the best they knew how to do. I have. I don't think I've ever. My ministry is 35 years old, and I don't think I've ever met a parent who was in. Now. There are some out there, but come on. Most of our parents are doing the very best they know how to do. And we've got to give them grace.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

We got to give forgiveness a try. Yes. We got to do the hard work, do the hard things for. For the sake of freedom and love. Seriously, if we could. If we could just embrace that. And by the way, having a good guide or, hey, a good book just might help set you on that course. Kathy, congratulations again on your new book, Resolve Conflict, Find Peace, and Hope with Adult Children. Closing thought from you.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

I just want to say again that God ordained the family. We're imperfectly perfect for each other. No one's perfect this side of heaven. Jesus is. And we've got to step up and do the best we can. We've got to honor each other. We forgive we restore, we reconcile. It changes you. Like you said, Tim, we're supposed to be in communication. We are better for it. Please don't give up hope in God. Try again.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

There's hope and healing in Christ. Dr. Kathy Cook, always great to have you. Thank you for joining me.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Thank you so much

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

for more encouragement

[Public Investing Advertisement]

and to stay connected. Follow Dr. Tim Clinton on Facebook, Instagram and X We love being a part of your life.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Hey, in closing, these are unprecedented times, difficult times. But I know this and I continue to say it. God's in control. He's at work. I hope you're pressing close to him in his heart and know that God loves you and wants to be in your life. Our hope, our strength, our power comes from the Lord. Here again is an encouraging verse from the Bible to hold on to this week. Psalm 121, verses 7 and 8 the Lord will keep you from harm. He'll watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore. I know this. You can look to him, to God for wisdom and direction in your everyday life. But let me also say this. I've learned as a professional counselor. It's easy to have concern, maybe fear, worry, especially when it feels like life's not the way it's supposed to be. Also know that it can begin to consume you if you're not careful, control you. It's easy to lose perspective, maybe even hope. It can get so dark for some, they would feel like life would be better off without them. I say this every week. You don't have to live like that. Simply taking a step, Reaching out for help. It's often the gateway to a new day or a new you. And if you or someone you love is struggling, reach out for help. There are wonderful counselors and pastors who actually care can help you find the hope, the answers that you're looking for. By the way, there are a lot of resources, wonderful resources available now. I'd love to connect you with some of those. You can learn more at our website, aacc.net, that's aacc.net or if you want to get connected with a mental health a Christian mental health provider in your area, go up on our brand new website, ChristianCareConnect.com ChristianCareConnect.com if you don't have a relationship with God in Christ, you can do that right now by asking him to come into your life. Ask him to forgive you of your sin and to be your Lord and Savior. Simply praying a prayer from your heart to God's heart. You can do that right now with me. You could pray this prayer after me. Lord Jesus, I need you. I know I'm a sinner. I believe you died for my sins. I want to turn from them and invite you to come into my life. I want to trust you and follow you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for loving me, for giving your life on the cross for me. Thank you for the gift of grace, forgiveness, the gift of eternal life of heaven. I pray all this in Jesus name. Amen. You know what the Bible says? Romans 10, 9. It says that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, the Bible says you will be saved. Best thing you can do now is what? Go tell someone of your decision and live for God the rest of your life. He'll give you the strength to do it. If you're struggling with hopelessness, you say, tim, it's too dark. I'm lost. I'm really really in a bad place. Hope you'll pick up the phone and call a toll free number. It's simply 988988. That's the national suicide prevention lifeline. And get a conversation going with someone. Hey, before we go, maybe God's gifted you with a heart to help other people. I hope you'll consider being a part of our all new all new human flourishing coach training program. You can enroll right now and be on your way to becoming a board certified human flourishing coach. Over 5,000 people have already enrolled. Everything you need to know about it is at lightuniversity.com humanflourishingcoach lightuniversity.com humanflouRishingcoach It's a 24 hour training program featuring some of the world's leading researchers, mental health and ministry experts all on video. You can study 24, 7, 365. The best news $800 program. There might be a scholarship up there for someone just like you. Lightuniversity.com humanflourishingcoach hey, be sure to pray for Rededicate 250. And Nash, your Jubilee of praise, prayer and thanksgiving happening today on the national mall in Washington D.C. more information go to rededicate250.org rededicate250.org I'm Dr. Tim Clinton. Thanks for watching. See you next week right here on Sunday, the road forward. Unreal America's voice.

[Martha Stewart]

Ever wonder how to make hosting look effortless? Here's a secret. Getting ahead of the mess with new Reynolds Kitchens Countertop prep Paper Just lightly wet the counter beforehand so the paper grips and stays in place. Then lay down the Reynolds Kitchen's countertop prep paper so drips and spills stay on the paper, not all over your kitchen counter. You can roll out dough, prep a party spread, or cook alongside family. When you're done, cleanup is as simple as lifting the paper and revealing that clean counter underneath. Effortless. You can use it for cooking and baking, prep and even crafting, especially when you need extra working space. Because when the mess is already handled, you can focus on what matters the food, the people and the moment. It may look effortless, but now you know it's Reynolds Kitchens countertop prep paper. Take a tip from me. Wet it, set it, prep it. Done. Make it easy. Make it with Reynolds Kitchens countertop prep paper. Available now in the Reynolds Wrap aisle in Walmart, Target, Amazon and Costco.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

People at work supported me while I was going through treatment.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

By not treating me like somebody who was going through treatment. Treatment sucks.

[Dr. Jerry Newcombe]

Cancer sucks.

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

Being engaged with work really helped to oh, I just knew I was going to beat this thing.

[Cancer Survivor/Testimonial]

Research shows there is a significant connection

[Dr. Tim Clinton]

between the ability to continue to work and cancer recovery.

[Ralph Reed]

We can make work a better place

[Mood.com Advertisement]

for healing, learn more and sign the [e-mail] let's be honest. Buying cannabis shouldn't be complicated, sketchy or low quality. That's why I want to tell you about mood.com that's mood.com Mood ships federally legal cannabis straight to your door. No medical card, no hassle. And here's the the quality is better than anything you'll find at your local dispensary. Yeah, I said it. Whether you're into edibles, concentrates, flour, or just looking to explore, you'll find it all at Mood. And it's not just the variety that makes them stand out. Every product is sourced from small, American owned family farms that care deeply about what they grow. It's cannabis you can trust, delivered discreetly and ready to elevate your mood. And because you're a listener, you get 20% off your first order. Just head to mood.com that's mood.com to get started. When you manage procurement for multiple facilities, every order matters. But when it's for a hospital system, they matter even more. Grainger gets it and knows there's no time for managing multiple suppliers and no room for shipping delays. That's why Granger offers millions of products in fast, dependable delivery so you can keep your facility stocked, safe and running smoothly. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.