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December 18, 2019


Title: Is Your Heavenly Home Ready, or Still Under Construction?
Topic: Heavenly Home: Ready or Under Construction
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

Is your heavenly home ready for occupancy or is it still under construction.

Our parents and grandparents dealt with death in their homes for many back before 1945 died at home. Today, we have sanitized death and moved it out of view. Unless the rapture occurs and we meet Jesus in the air, we are all appointed someday to die. Then what?

Should we all live today as if it might be our last?



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March 18, 2016


Title: Is Your Heavenly Home Ready, or Still Under Construction?
Topic: Heavenly Home: Ready or Under Construction
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

Is your heavenly home ready for occupancy or is it still under construction.

Our parents and grandparents dealt with death in their homes for many back before 1945 died at home. Today, we have sanitized death and moved it out of view. Unless the rapture occurs and we meet Jesus in the air, we are all appointed someday to die. Then what?

Should we all live today as if it might be our last?



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February 15, 2016


Title: Why Would Anyone Want to President?
Topic: Presidential Politics
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

The role of the Presidency has changed dramatically since the days of Washington and Abraham Lincoln. There is no doubt, however, that being the President of the United States is the toughest and most challenging job on the planet. Professor Gary Scott Smith states: “The pressures presidents face are immense, and the scrutiny, second-guessing, and ridicule to which they are subjected is intense and never-ending. Those willing to pursue this office must either have very thick skin, a huge ego, the ability to ignore criticism, a strong conviction that they can make the world better through their service, or all of these things.”

The role of the President has always been a daunting challenge. In the early days, we weren’t certain our country would even survive. Then the Civil War came and pitted brother against brother. Now, the world looks to the United States as not only the world leader, but also as the world policeman and even the world humanitarian.

Even many Americans believe that it is the responsibility of the President to “fix things” and that the President has the power to do anything he wants to do. That just isn’t true – or even possible, as Professor Smith explains. “This is very unrealistic. The President can have an impact on the state of the economy, but there are many worldwide and domestic factors that are simply beyond his control.”

Professor Gary Scott Smith also discusses how a person’s family is affected when they run for the Presidency. It certainly isn’t fair, but their family will be scrutinized under the microscope; everything they do or say will be watched, photographed, and recorded. It only gets worse once they actually obtain the role as President. This all needs to be taken into consideration. They will live in a glass house for the rest of their lives. “Ideally, the President should be allowed to have a private life….We are subjecting him to even greater pressure… and we will potentially destroy his physical and mental health,” Professor Smith believes. He goes on to discuss vacations and the need for down-time.

One more issue discusses in this segment is the importance of praying for the President and all people in leadership roles in our government. It doesn’t matter if you love them or hate them – pray for them constantly. “It’s a Biblical command!” Professor Smith declares.

Professor Gary Scott Smith is the author of "Religion in the Oval Office", “Faith and the Presidency From George Washington to George W. Bush”, "Religion in the Oval Office" and “Heaven in the American Imagination”. For more posts and information about Professor Smith, click here.




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January 26, 2016


Title: Is Trump a “Good” Example of a Christian?
Topic: Donald Trump
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

Russell Moore, the head of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, calls Donald Trump “an unrepentant serial adulterer who has abandoned two wives for other women” and “spoken in vulgar and harsh terms about women, as well as in ugly and hateful ways about immigrants and other minorities.” Moreover, Moore protests, much of Trump’s wealth has been derived through an “industry that preys on the poor and incentivizes immoral and often criminal behavior.”

Dr. Gary Scott Smith is the author of several best-selling books, including “Religion in the Oval Office” and “Faith and the Presidency”. For today’s interview, Dr. Smith will focusing on The Donald – his faith, or lack thereof – and why so many Evangelical Christians are so gung-ho to see him as POTUS. It is confusing to Dr. Smith why Christians like Donald Trump so much. “He simply does not adopt many of the policies a lot of Evangelicals favor,” he says.

FACT: Donald has stated, on record, that he has “not asked God to forgive me of my sins”. He goes on to say that when he “does something wrong, he just tries to move on, never asking God to forgive him.” We need to pray that God will get a hold of Donald Trump’s heart and he will having a life-saving experience.

So what makes The Donald so appealing to Christians? Dr. Smith believes it is his bluntness. Trump is not afraid to speak his mind and expose the media’s lies. “He comes across as a bold leader and is talking about making America strong again,” Dr. Smith says. This really resonates with Christians, but Dr. Smith cringes at the thought of President Donald Trump.

Please go to the home page of our website www.terrylowry.com/ and click on “Register 2 Vote Now” to check to make sure you and everyone in your household are registered to vote. If you’re not, your vote won’t count.



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January 20, 2016


Title: Is Trump a “Good” Example of a Christian?
Topic: Donald Trump
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

Russell Moore, the head of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, calls Donald Trump “an unrepentant serial adulterer who has abandoned two wives for other women” and “spoken in vulgar and harsh terms about women, as well as in ugly and hateful ways about immigrants and other minorities.” Moreover, Moore protests, much of Trump’s wealth has been derived through an “industry that preys on the poor and incentivizes immoral and often criminal behavior.”

Dr. Gary Scott Smith is the author of several best-selling books, including “Religion in the Oval Office” and “Faith and the Presidency”. For today’s interview, Dr. Smith will focusing on The Donald – his faith, or lack thereof – and why so many Evangelical Christians are so gung-ho to see him as POTUS. It is confusing to Dr. Smith why Christians like Donald Trump so much. “He simply does not adopt many of the policies a lot of Evangelicals favor,” he says.

FACT: Donald has stated, on record, that he has “not asked God to forgive me of my sins”. He goes on to say that when he “does something wrong, he just tries to move on, never asking God to forgive him.” We need to pray that God will get a hold of Donald Trump’s heart and he will having a life-saving experience.

So what makes The Donald so appealing to Christians? Dr. Smith believes it is his bluntness. Trump is not afraid to speak his mind and expose the media’s lies. “He comes across as a bold leader and is talking about making America strong again,” Dr. Smith says. This really resonates with Christians, but Dr. Smith cringes at the thought of President Donald Trump.

Please go to the home page of our website www.terrylowry.com/ and click on “Register 2 Vote Now” to check to make sure you and everyone in your household are registered to vote. If you’re not, your vote won’t count.



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July 14, 2015


Title: The Comforter-In-Chief
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

Part 1 of 2

Please keep an open mind and an open heart when listening to these two segments, no matter what your preconceived opinion may be.

President Obama’s religious faith is often misunderstood. Is he a Muslim? Is he a Christian? Does he affiliate with a specific type of religion at all? Over the past six years, Obama has been called on numerous times to unify and encourage our nation in times of great sorrow. The latest display was the eulogy he gave for Pastor Clementa Pinckney, who pastored the church in Charleston where eight others were murdered.

Professor Gary Scott Smith has researched and written about the faith of many of our Presidents in an attempt to better understand them and their political tendencies. Today, he is here to discuss President Obama’s faith and the common misconceptions about what he believes.

Professor Smith says, “Every President tries to influence voters and Congress and the press. They’re going to use every weapon at their disposal to achieve that and religious rhetoric still carries weight with a lot of American people.” But does Obama have too much influence from too many varieties of religious leaders to have a clear head when it comes to faith in God?



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Title: Part 2 of 2 - The Comforter-In-Chief
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

Many Christians have begun questioning President Obama’s Christian faith due to his support of homosexual marriage and abortion, as well as his attitude toward social justice and equal rights. He often cites God’s grace to humanity as the foundation of his faith.

Professor Smith explains how virtually every President has used God’s Word to explain their political practices. But has President Obama gone overboard trying to convince Christians that he is right?

You can learn more about Professor Gary Scott Smith here.

You can orders copies of his books here



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May 21, 2015


Title: The Faith of the President of America
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

In February, we celebrate the births of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two presidents whose deep but somewhat unconventional faith has evoked great debate. But, does the faith of a President really matter? Does it significantly affect how they think, live, and govern? Concluding that it does not, most biographers have treated presidents’ religious convictions as no more important than hobbies such as collecting stamps or playing golf.

Professor Gary Scott Smith believes that the faith of a President does, in fact, matter; it matters a great deal. “We should all pay close attention to the faith of Presidential candidates…particularly asking them how their faith impacts their policies and what they would do while they are in office,” he says.

Professor Smith also considers that a President’s active worship, prayer life, time spent reading the Bible, church attendance, and the types of religious leaders they consult greatly affect their decisions as a President. Prayer is essential. Abraham Lincoln said that he was “driven to his knees many times by not having anywhere else to go”.

America obviously does not have a “Pastor-In-Chief”, so the President often becomes the beacon of life, light, and hope for the nation. The faith of a President shows on his sleeve; it impacts the nation as a whole, no matter what that faith may be.

To order a copy of Professor Gary Scott Smith’s newest book “Religion in the Oval Office” on Kindle or hardcover, click [here].



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March 12, 2015


Title: The Faith of the President of America
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

In February, we celebrate the births of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, two presidents whose deep but somewhat unconventional faith has evoked great debate. But, does the faith of a President really matter? Does it significantly affect how they think, live, and govern? Concluding that it does not, most biographers have treated presidents’ religious convictions as no more important than hobbies such as collecting stamps or playing golf.

Professor Gary Scott Smith believes that the faith of a President does, in fact, matter; it matters a great deal. “We should all pay close attention to the faith of Presidential candidates…particularly asking them how their faith impacts their policies and what they would do while they are in office,” he says.

Professor Smith also considers that a President’s active worship, prayer life, time spent reading the Bible, church attendance, and the types of religious leaders they consult greatly affect their decisions as a President. Prayer is essential. Abraham Lincoln said that he was “driven to his knees many times by not having anywhere else to go”.

America obviously does not have a “Pastor-In-Chief”, so the President often becomes the beacon of life, light, and hope for the nation. The faith of a President shows on his sleeve; it impacts the nation as a whole, no matter what that faith may be.

To order a copy of Professor Gary Scott Smith’s newest book “Religion in the Oval Office” on Kindle or hardcover, click [here].



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April 3, 2013


Title: Is Your Heavenly Home Ready, or Still Under Construction?
Topic: Heavenly Home: Ready or Under Construction
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

Is your heavenly home ready for occupancy or is it still under construction.

Our parents and grandparents dealt with death in their homes for many back before 1945 died at home. Today, we have sanitized death and moved it out of view. Unless the rapture occurs and we meet Jesus in the air, we are all appointed someday to die. Then what?

Should we all live today as if it might be our last?



More from this Guest      More on this Topic      More from this Organization

July 11, 2007


Title: Religion and the 2008 Part One
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

Even though the Presidential Election is nearly 18 months away the contenders are vying for the Religious Vote. Is this the first time in history that religion may play an important part?



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Title: Religion and the 2008 Part Two
Topic: Religion and the Presidency
Discussed by Prof. Gary Scott Smith
with Center for Vision and Values (www.VisionAndValues.org)

Even though the Presidential Election is nearly 18 months away the contenders are vying for the Religious Vote. Is this the first time in history that religion may play an important part? Are the Democrats finding a 'true religion'?



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