Mailbag Friday: Demons, Gambling, Abortion Regret

Summary

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Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

Mailbag Friday: Demons, Gambling, Abortion Regret
Date: May 1, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this engaging Mailbag Friday edition, Todd Friel addresses a variety of listener questions, focusing on challenging and sometimes controversial issues within Christianity. Topics include spiritual authority over demons, the ethics of gambling, ongoing guilt after abortion, relationships with difficult family members, the practice of altar calls, and more. Todd brings his characteristic wit and candor, inviting co-host Jimmy into the discussion and providing both biblical wisdom and practical advice for believers wrestling with these matters.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Clarification: Ghee and Religious Practices

• [02:07–05:39]
  Light-hearted banter begins with a clarification about what "ghee" is (clarified butter), then veers into cultural observations and personal stories.
  • Notable Quote:
    "He said it's clarified butter... So it's at the Hindu temple. They don't want anybody who's not a Hindu to come into the temple. And so they've got this beverage all from cow products, the butter thing, and including the cow urine. And that'll just keep the phonies out, because only a good Hindu would want to consume that." — Todd Friel [02:29]

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2. Cutting Off Toxic Parents: When Is It Biblical?

• [03:11–05:05]
  Listener Question: “Are there any reasons to cut off parents?”
  • Todd: The Christian approach is not to be "quick to cut people off," but in cases of severe harm—spiritually or physically—it may be necessary. Christians are called to be patient and persevering but not to accept ongoing, serious harm.
  • Notable Quote:
    "The Christian attitude is to persevere, to grow in long-suffering, to minister to the party if they are behaving poorly... There can come a point... but that isn't our immediate go-to." — Todd Friel [03:17–04:45]

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3. Kneeling for Knighthood: Is It Wrong?

• [05:45–06:46]
  Listener Question: “Is it acceptable as a Christian to kneel before the king for a knighthood?”
  • Todd & Jimmy: Kneeling as honor or respect to earthly authority is biblically acceptable, unless it implies recognition of divinity or worship.
  • Notable Quote:
    "As long as it isn't some sort of obeisance that indicates divinity, I think a physical gesture of honoring… I don't think you're sinning." — Todd Friel [05:58]

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4. Do Christians Have Power to Cast Out Demons?

• [06:58–08:49]
  Listener Question: “Do we have power to cast out demons in Jesus’ name?”
  • Todd: The Bible does not give modern believers special authority to perform exorcisms; this was unique to the apostles as authentication of their message. Today, the way to confront spiritual oppression is by proclaiming the Gospel and letting the Holy Spirit work.
  • Notable Quote:
    "You don’t want to be messing with demons. Ask Jude who said even the archangel Michael, he doesn’t bring slinging accusations..." — Todd Friel [07:26]

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5. Can a Christian Not Fear God?

• [08:49–11:38] Listener Question: “Can you be a Christian and not fear God?”
  • Todd: A reverential fear of God is essential, different from terror but rooted in awe at His holiness and power. The proper fear of God motivates obedience and right living.
  • Notable Quote:
    "I don’t know how a Christian cannot have a proper fear of God. It’s different perhaps than the original fear, but there still should be a reverential fear." — Todd Friel [09:48]

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6. Becoming a Deacon or Elder with an Unbelieving Spouse

• [17:38–19:50] Listener Question: "If a man has a wife who may not be a Christian, should he become a deacon or elder?"
  • Todd & Jimmy: There are differing church practices; context matters. If conversion happened after marriage or other complexities exist, churches must decide thoughtfully. No absolute prohibition is clearly stated in Scripture.
  • Notable Quote:
    "If a church said no, I would respect that. If a church said yes because of the backstory, I would respect that too." — Todd Friel [18:33]

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7. Is Repentance "a Work"?

• [19:50–24:38] Listener Question: "Jesus tells us there is forgiveness for all who repent. Isn’t repentance a kind of work?"
  • Todd: Ongoing repentance is relational, not salvific ‘work.’ Salvation repentance is a response, not an act that earns merit. Both faith and repentance are gifts from God.
  • Notable Quote:
    "Repentance isn’t a work. Repentance is stopping doing something—that’s not a work… Repentance and faith are both gifts of God." — Todd Friel [20:12–21:40]

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8. Dealing with Argumentative People Biblically

• [24:38–26:01, 29:31–31:39] Listener Question: "How do I biblically handle someone who always argues?"
  • Todd: Proverbs counsels limiting exposure to quarrelsome people—don’t waste time engaging proud, argumentative individuals. Maintaining peace can sometimes mean distance, not a total break.
  • Notable Quote:
    "If they are a fool, you are a fool by participating in a conversation with a fool who never listens." — Todd Friel [24:45] "It’s an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling." — Todd Friel quoting Proverbs [29:31]

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9. Guilt and Regret After Abortion

• [31:39–38:52] Listener Question: "I had an abortion and am forgiven, but guilt sometimes returns. Is this right?"
  • Todd: Ongoing guilt is not necessary—Christ’s forgiveness is complete. Feeling regret is human, but persistent guilt is not honoring the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. For those struggling, ministries such as Kim Ketola's “Cradle My Heart” and abortion recovery resources are recommended.
  • Notable Quote:
    "You are not cutting yourself off from your baby if you no longer feel bad... your baby is waiting for you in heaven." — Todd Friel [32:44]

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10. Should Churches Use Altar Calls?

• [38:52–40:22] Listener Question: "Are altar calls biblical?"
  • Todd: Altar calls are not found in Scripture and may create confusion, false conversions, and blur the line between works and grace.
  • Notable Quote:
    "I think that an altar call, it can confuse grace and works. So for those reasons regarding the altar call, I'm out." — Todd Friel [39:51]

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11. Christians and Gambling (Playing Poker)

• [46:33–53:53] Listener Question: "Is it wrong to play low-stakes poker in church for fellowship?"
  • Todd: Never violate your conscience—if it troubles you, abstain. Technically, low-stakes games are not always sinful, but issues of covetousness, stewardship, stumbling blocks, witness, and potential harm must be carefully considered. Leadership should err on the side of caution to avoid causing others to stumble.
  • Notable Quotes:
    "Stop immediately until you get it sorted, because you do not want to violate your conscience." — Todd Friel [47:07] "It might be fine for one man, but it may awaken something in another that masters them." — Jimmy [49:38] "Liberty sometimes means a willingness to not take advantage of that liberty." — Todd Friel [53:49]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• “The science is clear, the Bible is clear. And if we're honest, our intuitions are clear, we know what we're killing. We're killing a human being.” — Todd Friel on abortion [00:19]
• “Fear God, and that then dictates your ability to submit to authorities. It dictates how you interact with people. It dictates your morality.” — Todd Friel [10:39]
• “Repentance isn’t a work. It's the right response. It’s not about earning God’s favor.” — Todd Friel [20:12]
• “You are white as snow. Your sins, they are gone. They are taken care of. Jesus didn't die for most sins. He died for all sins.” — Todd Friel to women struggling with abortion regret [38:14]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Cutting off parents: [03:11–05:05]
• Demonic authority: [06:58–08:49]
• Fear of God: [08:49–11:38]
• Deacon/elder qualifications: [17:38–19:50]
• Repentance as a work: [19:50–24:38]
• Dealing with quarrelsome people: [24:38–26:01, 29:31–31:39]
• Abortion regret and healing: [31:39–38:52]
• Altar calls: [38:52–40:22]
• Gambling/poker in church: [46:33–53:53]

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Resources & Further Learning

• “Cradle My Heart” (Kim Ketola) – Book and ministry for post-abortion healing [36:09]
• “Life is Best” – Free resource on Fortis app addressing abortion and pro-life theology [37:19]
• Fortis Plus App – Free Christian teaching and documentary resources

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Tone and Style Highlights

Todd Friel and Jimmy balance earnest biblical teaching with light humor and candid personal stories, creating an approachable and insightful atmosphere. The episode provides meaningful theological direction while acknowledging the complexity and sensitivity of modern Christian challenges.

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Transcript

[A]

Wretched radio begins in 3, 2, 1.

[B]

So it's not a sin in your

[C]

church to have an abortion. That's the kind of conversation we would

[B]

have, finding out your story, where you're from.

[C]

God's the judge. People have to live to their own conviction.

[B]

The science is clear, the Bible is clear. And if we're honest, our intuitions are clear, we know what we're killing. We're killing a human being.

[A]

It's time for Wretched Radio with Todd Friel. Hello, it's the Wretched Radio Mail call delivery Bag Q and A infotainment nationwide extravaganza featuring your voicemails, correspondences, communiques, dispatches, memorandums and missives.

[B]

Any special message for all the kids watching at home? What we need right now is a clear message to the people of this country. You have 1200 messages.

[C]

That is a bit above average.

[A]

Now, here's your host, Todd Freakishly Tall Friel.

[B]

Camille is here. Ooh. This is Wretched Radio. What have you discovered that is wretched? Would you kindly turn it over? Send it to ideaetched.org. you can also text your opinion of the Three Stooges. Who doesn't like the Three Stooges?

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Who does not like the Three Stooges? We kind of had that banter. Hello? Hello? Hello. Hello. And then there's Laurel and Hardy.

[C]

Never watched it.

[B]

What? Yeah.

[C]

Didn't.

[B]

What?

[C]

Never did, but I know.

[B]

Crossing the bridge with the piano. Getting it down the stair. Are you kidding me?

[C]

Didn't.

[B]

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Never. You've never. Any of this.

[C]

No.

[B]

Oh, dude.

[C]

But I know I'm going to go home and find. I got for Christmas one year a big, massive Three Stooges DVD box set from my parents.

[B]

And you haven't opened it?

[C]

No, I have, but I haven't watched it in years. I'm going to this week. I've got to find a DVD player, though, first.

[B]

Oh, wow. We can loan you one of ours. We have a number of those. 877-282-2337.

[C]

All right, we start with a clarification. Todd, if you don't. If you remember earlier this week, you asked me what ghee was?

[B]

Oh, that. Was that. Because that's the mixture of the Hindu thing.

[C]

Yeah. John wrote in to tell us that it wasn't what Kung Fu Fighters wear, but actually, well, it is.

[B]

Yeah, but not in that concoction.

[C]

He said it's clarified butter.

[B]

Of course it is. So it's at the Hindu temple. They don't want anybody who's not a Hindu to come into the temple. And so they've got this beverage all from cow products, the butter thing, and including the cow urine. And that'll just keep the phonies out because only a good Hindu would want to consume that. Yeah, that sentence actually made sense. Really. 8 7. Thank you, thank you for the clarification.

[C]

Thanks, John.

[B]

Ghis is butter.

[C]

Yep.

[B]

What kind of butter?

[C]

Clarified butter.

[B]

Well, what does that mean?

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

We need clarity on clarified butter.

[C]

I'll look it up.

[B]

Alrighty. 877-282-2337.

[C]

This is a text from Anonymous. Todd, are there any reasons at all to cut off parents?

[B]

Yeah, I hate to say the answer, the quick answer, which is yes, because that would seem to put a imprimatur if I possess such a thing on the world, which is cut him off. Get rid of those parents, ghost, those toxic people. That's just a pernicious trend that I think we Christians as a rule need to eschew. But there can of course be times, whether it's a parent or anybody else, where it reaches such an egregious level that is harmful to you spiritually, certainly physically, that it can reach that level, but that the Christian attitude isn't to cut people off immediately. The Christian attitude is to persevere, to grow in long suffering, to minister to the party if they are behaving poorly. So we're slow to do that because challenging parents are for our good, just like challenging teenagers, which is actually redundant. And so we don't cut off quickly. But there can come a point when after a series of communications with said parents, pointing out what the issues are, asking them to stop helping them, to stop them affording a little grace if they have been doing really well for a little bit and they slip up and that we persevere with one another so that we all grow in godliness. So short answer yes, longer answer no. Don't be lickety split quick to do it. You will be cutting off your nose to spite your face and you will be really wounding your parents. Be patient, mom and dad. Be patient with your kids and together we all grow in fruit of the spirit. 877-282-2337.

[C]

Clarified butter is butter that has been purified down to its essential fat with the water and milk solids removed.

[B]

That sounds, is that would almost be. Is that, is that similar to Irish butter? Because there's more fat in Irish butter. Same thing I think with French butter. But for some reason I like Irish Butter better. And I know the reason why. Because they sell it at Costco. That means it's a lot cheaper. So that's got a higher fat content in it.

[C]

It says that ghee is cooked a bit longer so the milk solids are brown, giving in a deeper, nutty flavor.

[B]

I think I'd try that, but not in that concoction. Thank you very much.

[C]

All right, this next question is from Anonymous Todd. A friend of mine who is a Canadian citizen and part of the British Commonwealth is being knighted by King Charles. He will have to kneel to be knighted with the sword. Is that acceptable?

[B]

As a Christian, what does it mean to kneel? Is it to show honor to the king? Sure, you can do that because we're actually commanded to do that. And as long as it isn't some sort of obeisance that indicates divinity, I think a physical gesture of honoring. I think you can bow to somebody if they are in authority over you. Different countries will have different customs that dictate how we go about expressing that reverential attitude. But I don't think that you're sinning and doing that unless there's something connected to it. If there's something that says, hey, you've got to come in and kiss the ring because he's divine and you're mortal, well, nope, sorry, can't do that. But if it's just a deference issue, I don't think that's an issue. Do you, Jimmy?

[C]

I don't think so.

[B]

Yeah, so kneel on and congratulations on the knighthood.

[C]

This speech by the Todd, you're sleeping again.

[B]

Sorry. Just think of it. Knocks me out. 8 7-728-2237.

[C]

Todd. This is from anonymous Todd. What do you say to those who say we have the power to cast out demons in Jesus name?

[B]

I say that the Bible doesn't give us permission or authority to do that. The way to get rid of a demon is by having the Holy Spirit indwell an individual. Then the demon has to flee. But we don't have a magic formula. There isn't an incantation that we can use. We don't have special powers that can cast out demons. That was given to the disciples. It was an early church. It was a testimony of the authentication of their message. And so we just don't have that ability. Furthermore, you don't want to be messing with demons. Ask Jude who said, even the archangel Michael, he doesn't bring slinging accusations. It's like, you better watch out, he's a roaring lion. You don't Mess with the devil. Instead, you preach the gospel to the person who appears to be possessed by a demon. And we let the Holy Spirit perform that exorcism. 8772-8223. I do understand the appeal to it, though, because if you've noticed, it's been a trend in evangelicalism, varying degrees, the casting out of demons, spiritual warfare. We like that because it kind of like lets us participate in spiritual things. We think in a way that gives us power, but that's just not the power that the Bible gives to us. Instead, we submit to God. The evil one flees. We proclaim the gospel as we're supposed to anyway, and the evil one will flee. Ask the seven sons of Sceva how it worked out when they tried to exorcise some demons. You don't want to be messing with demons. 8772-822337.

[C]

This is from Joe Todd. Can you be a Christian and not fear God?

[B]

I don't know how, but we have to define fear rightly. I think that anybody who understands even the smallest amount, the character and the nature of God, furthermore, I think it's kind of built into our DNA. When somebody is bigger, stronger, there should automatically be at least some degree of fear. Now you have to define what that fear is. Is it terroristic, like. Yeah. Or is it something that's reverential? I think that the pagan should be absolutely, utterly horrified at the thought of coming face to face with God. The believer probably initially had a fear of God because the fear of damnation, it is real. And to not have some sort of response to that would indicate that maybe you're not understanding your sin or actually recognizing and acknowledging that God exists. But once saved, we still maintain a reverential fear because we remember that God is otherly. He's different. He's bigger, he's stronger, and he's a consuming fire. So the beginning of wisdom being the fear of the Lord. I don't know how a Christian cannot have a proper fear of God. It's different perhaps than the original fear, but there still should be a reverential fear. And incidentally, Jimmy, I don't know if you realize this, but at Alpharetta Bible Church, we're in first Peter, one Peter. Yeah, and there's. The theme of fear is regularly repeated in 1 Peter when he's talking about submission, that you do it with fear. It's actually. It's not an imperative. It's a participle which indicates that your disposition is one of reverence. Now, the question is at whom is that reverence aimed? And the answer is not at man. We do not fear men. Do not fear them. I think Peter said that in like 1 Peter 3 we don't fear them. You fear God. Fear God, and that then dictates your ability to submit to authorities. It dictates how you interact with people. It dictates your morality. It dictates your decisions. It dictates your direction in life. Our orientation is one of reverential fear of God and that man. It's not the imperative. It's the defining motivation, if you will. Not the only one. But it's a defining motivation to doing that which is right. So can a Christian not fear the Lord? Probably want to talk to that person. But on the face of it, I would say I don't know how that could actually work. This is wretched radio.

[C]

No retreat. That's the name of Fortis Institute's Spring Match campaign. And here's why. The culture we live in right now has made it pretty clear it has very little interest in the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We're being told to keep our faith quiet in public or to soften what we believe so it goes down easier. Fortis Institute has no intention of doing either one. We exist to advance the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and this spring we're doing it as loudly and as boldly as we know how. Your gift will help launch two new podcasts. It puts Todd Frill's new book, Go Serve Your King into print through HarperCollins. And it puts the gospel back onto college campuses where it's least welcome and most needed. Our goal is $250,000, and we're asking if you would prayerfully consider helping us get there. You can find out more right [e-mail].

[B]

Perhaps you've been wondering. Is there a Christian university that isn't woke or that hasn't compromised on important biblical doctrines like, you know, the age of the earth? There is. It's the Master's University in Southern California. Beautiful campus. All of the athletics and activities that you've come to expect from from universities. But it's more than that. The academic programs are most excellent. Preparing students for the future. The Washington Post just said number six for preparing students for the real world. All that, plus the Master's University isn't woke and it is thoroughly biblical. Would you like to learn more? I encourage you to visit the Master's University at Masters. Edu. Wretched Masters Eduardo.

[C]

369 million. That's how many people are a part of the new Apostolic Reformation movement? And if you've never heard of it, that's part of the problem. Maybe you have heard of Jesus culture, maybe your teenager listens to their worship music, maybe your church sings their songs on Sunday morning, but you don't know what they actually teach and where it leads. Drunk in the Spirit pulls back the curtain on one of the most destructive forces in Christianity today. Who are these people? What do they believe? And why should it matter to your family and your local church? This isn't fear mongering, it's education. Because you can't guard against something you don't recognize. And this movement has tentacles in places you wouldn't expect. If you care about protecting your family and your church from false teaching, that sounds Christ centered, but it's not. This is essential. Drunk in the Spirit it is streaming now for free on for download the app on your smartphone, on your smart TV, or just simply go to fortisplus.org.

[A]

Important dates in Christian history 1948 the World Council of Churches is formed as an interdenominational body promoting Christian unity and presence in society. Modern ecumenism saw differing denominations work together in spiritual and social causes, but also resulted in the watering down of Christian doctrine. This is Wretched Radio with Todd Friel

[B]

and a hearty Nuk Nuk NYC to you this is Wretched Radio. The Curly Shuffle when me and my friends go out into town we can't sit still we can sit down we don't like to fight and we don't like doing the Curly Shuffle. Hey, that was a hit. Yep, that's right. That had to have been the 70s, because music like that could actually go to the top of the charts. Wow, how things have changed. I got to tell you, the music today, I know, it's a generational thing. It can be curmudgeonly. We were at the gym. You probably noticed, I go to the gym. There was a dude driving by and he had his, the, the. The convertible thing and he had on some sort of contemporary music and it was just dreadful. Just from a musicality standpoint, I don't even understand why it's popular these days. I guess you just have to be baked in it to appreciate it. And I know it's just generational, but it's like, whatever happened to, you know, singing? You know what else I miss a ton about today's music? They don't have orchestras or strings. Everything is synth, including the singing and the structure of songs. It's just different. Not to mention I can't comment on the writing. I don't know if the writing is better because I just can't listen to them. But you know what? Even as I say that, I perhaps need to repent and recant everything that I just said because the curly shuffle was a hit in the generation that I'm describing here. So maybe rethink that. 877-282-2337 all right, this question is from Jimmy Todd.

[C]

Is the match giving campaign still happening?

[B]

Oh, Jimmy is the thing. Aren't you a pal? Well, as a matter of fact, Jimmy, it is. And if you visit fortisinstitute.org donate you can learn the details of. It's not all. It's plenty, I think, to. To. For you to see. Whoa. These people have some stuff that they're planning on doing. It ain't nowhere near everything that we've got loaded in the cannon that we just can't fire quite yet. If you would please be kind enough to consider supporting us during our no Retreat match giving campaign, we would be mega. Not mega. Mega. Grateful. Fortisinstitute.org donate and thank you for that question, Jimmy.

[C]

He said, you're welcome. This question is from Matt. And it's not a conspiracy. It's not the Matt down the hall, but I was gonna say Todd, if

[B]

a man, what does he want? Something for social media, I suspect.

[C]

Yeah, no, this isn't that Matt, but this. Matt says, Todd, if a man has a wife who may not be a Christian, should he become a deacon or elder?

[B]

Wow. Wow, that's a. Wow, that's a good one. That. I think that there's. There's, There's. Well, obviously there's two answers, but I think that there's two. Two conservative answers to this. I, I think that some would say it's okay because he has to be qualified. I think the even more conservative answer would say if you believe that the attributes that an elder must possess, which is one who can manage his household. Well, if that applies to the deacon, then that would probably fall underneath it that the wife is saved. Having said that, there can be details in history that make things complex. Okay. When. When they got married, they were both pagans, this guy gets saved. Well, he can't make his wife become a Christian, so would that be a disqualifier? All that to say? I think that I. If a church said no, I would respect that. If a church said yes because of the backstory, I would respect that too. Jimmy, would you fall either side. On either side of that.

[C]

I was going to say exactly what you just said.

[B]

No, you were not.

[C]

Well, I was going to say it's up to the individual church, I think, to dive more into the specificities of the situation.

[B]

Yeah, there's always going to be that. And in this instance, I think that those details are important because they could color the decision making process. So I would be more inclined. I think that I would be deferential as long as it's being done in a thoughtful and prayerful way. If you can think of a Bible verse that would say, no, no, no, the deacon's wife has to be saved, then please send it to ideaetched.org or you can text it to Jimmy at 877-282-2337.

[C]

All right. This is a text from Mr. John. He texts in time. Jesus tells us there is forgiveness of sins for all who repent. But isn't this a kind of work? I'm saved by God's grace alone, but if I still need to repent, whenever I fail anew, am I still doing something?

[B]

Well, that was actually two questions there. Ongoing repentance is the lifestyle of the Christian and it's a relational issue. If you are in a family and you do something wrong, you sin against somebody, you don't just say, well, I'm in the family and I'm forgiven. So I don't say anything, I don't do anything. No, it's in a family dynamic. It's a restorative act that keeps the relationship close. And it's the right thing to do to repent in real time. But that's different than repentance unto salvation. That one time act of turning, that one time where you realized I am totally undone. I'm a depraved sinner who is fully deserving of God's temporal and eternal punishment, you're sorry for your sins and you place your faith in Jesus Christ. Now you say, is that a work? And the answer is a definitive absolutely not. Because first of all, it's not actually a work. Repentance isn't a work. It's a right response. Repentance isn't doing something. Repentance is stopping doing something that's not a work. Furthermore, we understand that repentance isn't about perfection. It is about a new hard attitude that says, I don't want to do that anymore and I am heartily sorry for my sins and I repent of my sins. It's not a work. An illustration would be helpful. If a man commits adultery and he genuinely wants to be reconciled to his wife. And he rings the doorbell. You're the next door neighbor watching through your window at this scene that's about to unfold. The wife opens up the door and the man tearfully falls to his knees. Honey, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'll never do that again. Take me back. Please take me back. And she does. Would you look through your window and go, yep, he earned that. Yep, he definitely deserved that. You go, no, that was the right response. She granted mercy. Repentance is not a work. Speaking of which, we do have a resource that's going to be coming out. I'm not exactly sure when. Oh, you know what, though? I think in Terrified two, we have. I think that those illustrations to demonstrate why Repentance isn't a work. I think I've got like three, four, five different illustrations that support that Repentance is not earning God's favor. It's the other side of the coin of faith. They're one of the. You can't have faith if you don't repent. You got to turn from your former belief to your new belief. Would anybody say that's a work? No, faith isn't a work. Furthermore, repentance and faith are both gifts of God. So no matter how you slice that bread, it is not a work. You can find those illustrations if they're helpful. On Terrified 2, you can go to the Fortis plus app. It's free. Everything there is free. Jimmy. We need to change the name because the Fortis plus thing indicates you gotta pay. You don't have to pay. And then we're gonna be producing. In fact, it's being worked on as we speak. We filmed pretty much everything we did when we were down at a campus three weeks, four weeks ago, when we went to Georgia Tech and I got to spend some time with the students, the ministry leaders talking about this very subject, and then took it to the campus and tried to execute it. We're going to turn that into kind of a long form, sort of. What are they? Documentary. And we're going to be releasing that. You can use it at home, Sunday school. You can watch. And by the way, don't forget that all the stuff on the Ford has happened. There's thousands of hours. You can also get that on your Roku and Amazon Fire and all, whatever, where. Just download the app and you can watch it on your tv. There is tons of stuff and I'm telling you it's better than most of the garbage that is out there. It is just when we. It's like, okay, date night, let's go sit on the couch, hunker down, honey, we got some popcorn. Let's watch something. Click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click. Is anything good out there? And furthermore, why don't they put the rating of the show on the little thumbnail? That would be nice. Because some of us aren't interested in your R rated movies. Quit showing them to us. We just want the stuff that isn't disgusting. You will never get anything disgusting. Well, not in that sense. With the Fortis app you can download it onto your TV thingy. Majig. I don't want to get too technical here, but it's available there. 877-282-2337 this is from Anonymous.

[C]

Todd, how can I biblically handle the conversation with someone who always begins to argue every time we talk?

[B]

Read the proverbs. Sometimes people like that need to be avoided. I didn't say cut out of your life. But sometimes if you are just constantly wrangling they're a fool who doesn't listen, then you are a fool by participating in a conversation with a fool who never listens. In other words, you don't waste your time and it's going to make you nuts. It's probably not going to lead anywhere healthy in the relationship. Somebody who is like that, they just want to argue everything. They are a fool. I didn't say that you can't be friends with them, but use discretion because you're just going to drive yourself bonkers with somebody like that. And that by the way, is really all of our we all have that propensity, don't we? To defend ourselves sometimes when somebody always though has to be right. Pride is almost always the foundation of it. Because I want to show you you don't know something I don't. I see everything the right way, you see everything the wrong way. That's just really, really, really, really prideful. And sometimes with people like that, you just have to limit your exposure. This is Wretched radio.

[C]

And it is now time for your daily Fortis news break. A production of Fortis Institute. A pregnant woman on TikTok has gone viral for showing a video of herself playing ABBA next to her belly. Her caption explains her strategy, saying that she wants her little boy to turn out a little gay. The video has more than 4 million views and nearly a million likes, and the comment section is full of mothers describing the music they're using on their own sons. One brags her four year old listens exclusively to Sabrina Carpenter with another reporting that her son loves lady Gaga at 18 months old, Riley Gaines asks the obvious if gay people are oppressed and marginalized, why are these moms hoping their sons end up that way? Speaking of celebrating things that shouldn't be celebrated, the singer Pink just received a Champion of Change award from Planned Parenthood. The gala featured Meryl Streep, Melissa McCarthy and others all clapping for women whose chief contribution to public life is handing out abortion pamphlets. Pink told the Crown that people only care about issues when they're personally affected. Meanwhile, Senator Josh Hawley tried to extend the one year defunding of Planned Parenthood by a decade and two Republican senators make sure that taxpayers keep writing the checks. Some genuinely good news out of Indiana Governor Mike Braun has signed a law requiring public schools to teach the success sequence. You finish high school, get a full time job, get married, then have kids. In that order. Research shows that following that path produces 97% chance of avoiding poverty. A Democratic state senator complained that that curriculum is fraught with shame and amounts to a state codified moral judgment about family tradition. Yeah, that's the point. We used to call that wisdom. Down in North Carolina, a junior at Coxmill High School stood up before the county school board and described what life actually is like when a male student who identifies as female shares the girls locker room and the cheer team. The principal told them the issue was too political to address and the board's answer was, in effect, go somewhere else. And in Maine, Democratic congressional candidate Mac Dunlap declared that the transgender athlete issue is kind of a manufactured crisis. That was his quote. Tell that to the girls in North Carolina that we were just talking about. Or tell it to Riley Gaines or any other female athlete who has watched championships get handed to men. And In Loudoun County, Virginia, a trans identifying 19 year old named Hayden Dollory has been arrested. The charge threatening bodily injury against a high school. His day job until last week was substitute teaching in Loudoun county schools, the same district who has had a father arrested for speaking up after his daughter was assaulted by a male student in a skirt. Apparently the vetting process still has a little bit of room for improvement. And that is today's Fortis Newsbreak. I'm Jimmy Hicks. If you want more, you can download Fortis or sign up to become a Fortis Insider for exclusive daily content, both of which can be [e-mail], and don't forget, you can also subscribe to Fortis News on your favorite Podcast app in order to get these updates daily and until today. Tomorrow you'll serve your king.

[A]

Books of the Bible. The Book of James is much like Proverbs for the New Testament, employing a concise and memorable style with a simple yet profound message. Christians should think and act like Christians. It is very easy to understand but exceptionally difficult to obey. This ought to lead us to repentance and a fresh reliance upon the grace of God. This is Wretched Radio with Todd Friel.

[B]

Should have known I was right. I'm a talk show host. This is Wretched Radio wanted to make sure that my representation of Proverbs was accurate. When somebody asked, hey, do I have with somebody? They all they do is just argue about everything. And I said, the Proverbs would advise. There are times with people like that you have to limit your exposure to them. I didn't say ghost them. I didn't say that you just cut them off. I said that you've got to limit your exposure so that they don't rub off on you. Which is exactly what the Proverbs talk about, too. You get engaged, you get embroiled with it. You become like the company with whom you hang. That is why the choosing of friends is right up front in the Proverbs, Son, choose your friends wisely. Why? Because you affect them, they affect you. And if they are somebody who is quarrelsome, they will not do you well. You will get embroiled in these conversations. You're going to become like them, and you can keep your distance. Proverbs 23. It's an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife. But every fool will be quarreling. That is how the Proverbs refer to the quarrelsome person. They're foolish. They're foolish. They're foolish. And I do hate to bring this up, but I'm gonna, because it's in the Bible. Do you know who is usually identified as somebody who is quarrelsome? Sorry, I'm just telling you. There's at least four, I think closer to six verses where the quarrelsome wife is identified. Now, she's not the only one who can be quarrelsome, most certainly, but it identifies that being a quarrelsome wife really makes a household rough. It's better to live in the corner of an addict than in the house with a quarrelsome and contentious wife. A contentious wife is like a constant dripping. I think it is safe to say this is not an accusation that every single woman on the planet is quarrelsome, but it does indicate that that particular sin might be more of a propensity for the gals than it is for the guys. 8, 7, 7, 2, 8, 2, 2, 33 7.

[C]

All right, this question is from Becca Todd. I had an abortion 11 years ago. I know I've been saved and forgiven through Jesus. And most days I don't even think about that life. But then I start to feel guilty for nights. So I force myself to imagine who the baby would be and think about what life would have been like. And this causes me to be depressed for a few days. Is this right?

[B]

This is one of those scenarios that I would be very foolish to speak directly into her situation because I don't know enough. So let me just speak about a woman who's experienced an abortion in general terms, and then you can make the application as you see fit. So this is not a direct response. This is a general commentary on women who have experienced that sin. Is it right to feel guilty that you had that abortion? And the answer is it's not right. Now I do believe you can still feel regret. I don't think regret has to be sinful, but you have to keep focusing on remembering. White as snow, white as snow Though your sins are as scarlet he has made you clean. And so you need to remember. You gotta find that line between experiencing remorse because it can be something that when we look back on certain things that we've done in the past, it can make you feel bad, but it can't make you feel guilty now. There's another aspect to this. This is something I believe I learned from Kim Jeffries, who is, I believe, still a part of a post abortion ministry that Kim said that sometimes when women, when they stop thinking about their baby or they stop feeling bad, it terrifies them because that's their connection to their child, that they feel bad about what they did. And if they stop feeling bad, that's a betrayal of the child. And that would indicate that maybe you need to go through the process of thinking through the subject, perhaps a little bit even more than you already have to work through, that you are not cutting yourself off from your baby. If you no longer feel bad, how do I know? Because your baby is waiting for you in heaven. I am so fully convinced of that because I think there's two dozen verses that point directly toward your child is safely in the arms of Jesus. So you don't have to feel like, oh, I don't love that child anymore, or I've turned my back on that child or I'm going to be a stranger to that child. No, you're healing you're healing and your baby will be waiting for you when you get to heaven. So you do not need to feel bad about not feeling bad as you go about the business of healing now, what about imagining what life could have been? I don't think that's necessarily unhealthy. It can be. If it debilitates you and it throws you into a tailspin, you might want to curb it for a bit until you maybe can do that. But I don't think that's necessarily unhealthy. But I would paint it in the context of eternity rather than wondering, oh, what would they be like if they were 16 now and today they'd be 25? What would that be like? You're going to experience better things with your child in heaven because you're going to experience better things with everyone in heaven because Jesus is going to be the centerpiece of it. So it's not necessarily a sin to imagine, but I would put it in the context of, I am going to experience those glorious things with my child. Now, probably not the maturation process, but you will be spending time with your baby in heaven, and that will be absolutely glorious and delightful. Jimmy, would you be so kind? Kim Jeffries.

[C]

Already done it.

[B]

Alrighty, then.

[C]

We.

[B]

Jimmy on the spot.

[C]

We are of the same mind.

[B]

All right.

[C]

What's her name is Kim Katola.

[B]

Are you sure you're comfortable with that?

[C]

Maybe not.

[B]

I wouldn't be if I were you.

[C]

Her name is Kim Kitola.

[B]

That's right. Kim Jeffries was her radio name.

[C]

Okay. She's retired from radio, but she wrote a book, Cradle My Heart. Finding God's Love After Abortion.

[B]

Right.

[C]

And she works through support after abortion. It's a ministry. It's a recovery abortion. Recovery ministry, yeah.

[B]

If they're still sound and everything, then I would commend that ministry to you. I would definitely check that out. In fact, I think pastor, too, you might want to have that reference available to you because it's very customized. Kim, she had an abortion many, many years ago. And so she knows about that, which she speaks. It's biblical, it's sound, it's helpful, and it's healing. Good catch, Jimmy. Good catch. Yeah. She retired from radio, though. That's kind of a shame, because she was good. She was like a list good.

[C]

She just was not committed. Radio is my life.

[B]

It was her life. She was at KS95, and then she went to the smart station, WCCO. And if I'm not mistaken, did she go over to kti? Well, how would you know. Did she go over to ktis, the Christian station? I believe she did, but that was after I was fired and she was.

[C]

It looks like she was in St. Cloud as well.

[B]

No, really?

[C]

Wjon.

[B]

Well, that must have been closer to her home or something.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah. Because she was on in the Twin Cities and she was an A level broadcaster and her resources are good. She's actually in Life is Best. There's something else that you could go to for a resource. One of the episodes is specifically about this subject, so that's free also. You can find it at the Fortis app. It's fortisplus.org it's totally free. You can go watch Life is Best. And that might be helpful for you too, Pastor. What you just heard is happening in your church. Do not think that you must avoid the subject of abortion. You must talk about the subject of abortion. The statistic of the number of women who are now Christians who have had an abortion is very high. And many women struggle with this. It's the big sin of their life. It's a black cloud. And they oftentimes never feel like they are a 100% Christian. They're mostly a Christian, but not as much as everybody else because they've got that sin in their past. You need to address it. You need to joyfully proclaim to the woman who has had an abortion, who has repented and put their trust in. In Jesus Christ, you are white as snow. You. You. Your sins, they are gone. They are taken care of. Jesus didn't die for most sins. He died for all sins. And they will be ministered to you by your encouraging words that forgiveness is in Christ. Totally. 877-282-3337.

[C]

This is from Eric Tide. Altar calls, yes or no? And why?

[B]

No? Because they're not in the Bible.

[C]

Next question.

[B]

How was that? Pretty good. All right, we've talked about this before, but we'll do the CliffsNotes version of it. It's not something that we see in the Bible, so that doesn't mean that it couldn't be done. It's just instructive that we never see it in the Bible. And we also need to note, has anybody ever been saved from an altar cult? Well, no. They were saved by the power of the Holy Spirit. But did it involve an altar call? Sure. But what are the statistics of altar calls? What are the statistics of altar calls? They're very poor. The number of people who walked an aisle, perhaps multiple times, but then just then backslid and backslid and indicating they were never in and so I believe altar calls have created a fair amount of false converts. False. Furthermore, it can be confusing. What do I need to do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. You will be saved. If somebody gets the opinion. No, I've got to do it publicly. No, you don't. You have to do it quietly in the privacy of your own heart. That doesn't mean you should be ashamed, but it doesn't mean you have to do it publicly. And so I think that an altar call, it can confuse grace and works. So for those reasons regarding the altar call, I'm out. This is Wretched Radio.

[C]

Hey, thanks for listening to Wretched Radio today. Let me ask you a question. Have you experienced any type of real change in the areas of your life that really need it the most? Or do you find yourself just getting by, just figuring out a way to manage to the next day? Look, a lot of people have gotten really good at managing their anger, managing their anxiety, managing the habits that they've formed. But management is not the same as transformation. That's why one of the world's leading podcasts today is transformed with Dr. Greg Gifford. Greg is a professor at the Master's University and a fellow here at Fortis Institute as well, and his whole focus is helping people experience the kind of change that only comes through the sufficient Word of God. And this kind of content is only possible because of our Gospel partners. If you've been blessed by our ministry, I would love to ask you to prayerfully consider joining us as an ongoing monthly gospel partner. I know you have questions about that, and we have [e-mail] wretched amazing grace amazing Gospel Be honest. When's the last time you shared the gospel with a stranger? Not posted something online, not liked a Christian meme, but actually opened your mouth and told someone about Jesus? If your stomach tightened just a little bit, you're not alone. Most Christians would rather do almost anything than evangelize. It's terrifying. What if they get mad? What if I say something wrong? What if they ask me a question I can't answer? Our resource terrified 2. It exists because Jesus gave us the Great Commission, not the great suggestion, and he actually gave us the tools to obey it. And this resource will walk you through how to share the gospel with strangers, even family members, without needing Pepto Bismol to get through it. You'll still be nervous. That's normal. But you'll also be equipped. And equipped beats terrified every single time. Terrified 2. It is streaming right now for free on Fortis. Download the app right now on your smartphone, on your smart TV, or head to fortisplus.org Most men don't make one big decision that takes them off course. No, it happens gradually, and eventually you look up and you realize, I've been coasting for years. Well, Dr. Adam Tyson has created Walk Like a Man. It's available now on Fortis Plus. Dr. Tyson knows that's the story for way too many guys right now. And so he gets into God's word and he lays out what it actually looks like to walk with wisdom and live with real conviction. And the way he teaches it, you'll walk away from every episode knowing exactly what to do and why it matters. This is biblical teaching that puts solid ground under your feet and gives you a clear path forward. It's streaming right now, with new episodes dropping every Monday on Fortis for free. Download the Fortis plus app right now. Wherever you download apps on your smartphone, your smart TV, or just go to fortis plus.org and walk like a man.

[A]

Lexicon Faith is not a force we harness or a feeling we get. True biblical faith consists of three knowledge of the truth, agreement with the truth, and a trust in the true God. There is no power in faith itself. The power is in the one we put our faith in. Are you trusting in Christ or in something that cannot deliver? This is Wretched Radio with Todd Friel.

[B]

Hey, Mo. Hey, Mo. This is Wretched Radio. It's stuck in my head. I need a pill. That's what I need. I need a pill because I suspect there's going to be one that's inventive. We got a pill for every malady that there is. There's got to be a pill for earworms. I've got a zog stuck in my head. It's driving me crazy. Don't worry. Take bluff, Nalia. Bluff nail. It'll get the earworm out of your head. Side effects may include. And then brace yourself, because whatever you got, it's going to be worse with the side effects that you're going to get. What did I call it? Blarff. Nailing.

[C]

Your legs could fall off,

[B]

but at least I don't itch. I'm grateful for that. You know, speaking of the itching, I think that I would almost want to have some sort of a skin issue just so I could take the Skyrizi and be as happy as the people in the commercials. They just look delighted with life and I let's do a commercial for the ear. Blarfnalia blarfnalia. It's a man and he's got his head in his hands. Too predictable.

[C]

He's walking through a flower garden, but

[B]

it's black and white, okay? And the flowers are all dead. They're all just bent over and dead. And then blarfnalia. It'll remove the earworm from your head in just 72 hours. And then gradually the flowers start to come to life and it goes from black and white to color. Blarphnalia. Prepare to never feel anything in your feet again. You may get several forms of cancer. I just saw that one.

[C]

Oh, my goodness.

[B]

I'm actually. Look, I think there's a lot of good stuff out there and the odds of this versus that. I'm excited, genuinely excited about any sort of help with cancer that does not involve chemotherapy. Bring it on. And there are some pills that do that. And I'm like, thank you, Lord for that, because that's so much better. Immunotherapy is less. Not every cancer responds to that. But it's better than the chemotherapy. I'm telling you, I hope someday, and I mean soon, we're going to look back at chemotherapy and go, we did what? I know it can be effective, praise God. And if it worked for you, praise God. But wow, it's such a harsh cure for so many people. I just wish that somebody, the people that try without violating any sort of embryonic stem cell research principles, that a line that shouldn't be crossed. You're trying to find cures to diseases. I say press on and make it snappy, especially with the cancer business. 877-282-2337.

[C]

Here's a question from Kenneth Todd. I'm a single guy in my mid-20s, just moved to a new city a couple of months ago. I found a great theologically sound gospel preach and I was invited to join the elders and some of the men in the church for some Sunday night poker.

[B]

Well, clearly not a Bible teaching church. I'm sorry.

[C]

Keep going for some Sunday night poker with a $5 buy in. I really want and need to build community around me, but I feel like this is gambling, even though it's such a small amount. I've played poker before with no money involved, but my conscience is telling me it would be wrong to join in. But I don't want to turn down the opportunity for fellowship.

[B]

I can say this definitively. Stop immediately until you get it sorted, because you do not want to violate your conscience. That's like danger, Will Robinson. Don't do that. So you might come to the point where you go, I don't think that it is a sin. Okay. But until then, if your conscience bothers you, then shut it down. Now, should it trouble your conscience, and the answer has some. I'm afraid it has some variables to it. Would any of us think that it is gambling if people were playing for matchsticks? I don't think so. What about a penny? Penny, Annie? Would that be a problem? I think most of us would say, I don't think so. It just makes it more of a competitive thing. It has a prize then that you're working toward. It makes the game more fun and exciting. I get that. But is there ever a time where their dollar amount crosses that line from just a fun competition into the issues that make gambling a sin? And I think there is. I'm not sure what that number is because it depends on the person playing there, the bank account size, et cetera. But I think that there are some things where it would cross the line because it can start infecting your heart. Because if you're wanting to win because you want that kitty, then you could be being covetous and you're being greedy. You could become a lover of money so it can cross that line. Furthermore, I think you've got the issue of stewardship. This gets tricky also, because I know that God gives us discretionary funds and time to do with as we see fit. And that can just be fun activities. But even with fun activities, without getting crippled in decision making when it comes to spending, if it's something that's a regular activity, I think we're wise on occasion to stop and go. Is that money being used wisely? As a good steward, could I be giving that to my church? Could I be helping somebody out? Could I just be increasing my inheritance for my children? You got to wrangle through those things. So all that to say, I don't think that it has to be a sin. It can be a sin. If it's troubling your conscience, then it is a sin.

[C]

I'm probably going to go a little bit farther than you on this. I know the amount is small. $5 is a small amount?

[B]

No, I don't think so, but go ahead.

[C]

And it could be that the money is going to a ministry in the church. And I get that. I understand that. I would be very careful and I would be hesitant if I was a leader in this church to even go down that road. And the reason that I say that is because this is something that can be a stumbling block.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And it's something. Even if it is just matchsticks. It might be fine for one man, but it may awaken something in another that masters them. And you just got to be careful with this kind of thing that can lead to something else.

[B]

I agree with that. And I think the bigger the dollar amount, the more that there's a likelihood of that happening. You know, there is another consideration in this that you kind of hinted at, Jimmy, and that is testimony. If somebody in church found out that you're playing poker. They don't know the details. They just. They're playing poker.

[C]

That's true.

[B]

Now you might. Let's say that you're not. You just have to be mindful of this and sort through it. And maybe just doing it with discretion is important and not sharing it. But as soon as somebody says I'm playing poker, what image conjures in your brain? I'm seeing Robert Redford and Paul Newman.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, what was. What was that movie with a swipe on the nose? The. The. The. The begins with an S. I'm pretty certain. Where do I think it was? Gambling. And I just. Okay. Back room and horse racing.

[C]

That's all.

[B]

And there. There's this. The. The. The. Please help me.

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

Does the. There's an. Okay, look at Paul Newman and Robert Redford. It's Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Great movie. A great soundtrack to boot. Excellent. Like maybe one of the best soundtracks ever. But then it was the. The. The strike. The. The stink. The. The. The. The. The Bamboozle. It begins with the nest. I'm pretty certain it was a movie in the 70s.

[C]

The Sting.

[B]

Stink.

[C]

Sting. S S T I N G with the kg.

[B]

I was close enough.

[C]

Potato baton.

[B]

That's what comes. That comes with. To mine. For me, that there's probably high stakes involved and it is gambling. So you do need to be mindful of testimony. Now, what do I do with all of that? What do I do with all. Could it be that you can play it without sinning? Could it be that there's money involved and you're not sinning? Yes. Do I need to. Do I need to. I want to be as far away from the line of sin as possible. I want to make sure that I never do anything that's going to cause somebody to stumble. We just. You have liberty to do these things. And I don't think that we should make a law where there is no law. But if it is something that. If your church heard about and they'd go, huh? And your character would even be brought into question. Ask yourself, do I need to? Is there maybe another way? We could have fellowship and do something. Horseshoes. Do horseshoes. Nobody thinks, ah, you're a lecherous gambler because you play horseshoes. Or jarts, I think jarts.

[C]

I've never heard of that.

[B]

Charts. They're lawn darts. Oh, charts. Did I ever tell you that I got hit in the head with a dart?

[C]

No.

[B]

Thrown by my brother.

[C]

Oh, wow.

[B]

I'm still working through it. 8, 7, 7, 2. Right in the temple, right there. There's still a little hole in my head, and I'm not kidding. 8, 7, 7. 282. But that's not. But not as bad as being shot in the foot with a.22.

[C]

You were shot in the foot with a.22 by yourself?

[B]

I wish you wouldn't bring it up. It didn't have the peloton. It was just the air.

[C]

Okay, well, that's.

[B]

Okay. So. So for you want to. You. Okay. You want to. When you like to walk into my world for a moment, you're going to want to run right out the door. I'm just telling you. Was talking to my brother about this because I thought it was my other brother who shot me in the foot with a.22. And he said, todd, that wasn't your brother. Well, who shot me in the foot? That was your dad.

[C]

Oh.

[B]

I think I need biblical counseling.

[C]

David, you need him.

[B]

I could do something. It was like, you got it. You're kidding me. No, no. He was in on another bender and he thought that would be interesting to see what it did to human flesh. And so you can look. I think it's on my. I can't remember which foot it's on, but the scar is there. You can definitely see it. I do remember it, like, sort of, like, kind of grainy because it just blew the skin open and it bled like nobody. I know you didn't ask for any of this, so my apologies for offering it up. The question of whether or not you can take advantage of your liberty needs to be considered wisely. And if you conclude, you know what, I can just find a better way to do this and have this result of fellowship that I want with my local church. I would seek that out because, yep, you've got liberty. But liberty sometimes means a willingness to not take advantage of that liberty. And until tomorrow, I'll be getting counseling. Go serve your king.