The Hope Podcast with Lina Abujamra

Dear Lina: Why is it so hard for me to feel like I fit into the local church?

It has become more and more frequent to hear from Christians that they haven’t committed to a local church because they haven’t found the right fit. On today’s podcast I’m giving three reasons why I believe we’re having a hard time to feel like we belong to a body of believers, and how to fight for living out our faith in the community of other Christians. 

Dear Lina: How do I show respect to a government that holds views that do not align with my biblical worldview?

We live now in a highly polarized and divided society when it comes to politics, but we as Christians are not left without a roadmap to navigate this argumentative and conflicting society. How are we to show respect to a government that holds views that do not align with our biblical worldview? In today’s podcast I’ll point out to you one truth to RECOGNIZE, one notion to REMEMBER, and one RESOLUTION you must make.

Dear Lina: What are your thoughts on Christian nationalism and how does it differ from patriotism?

While love for one’s nation has a clear place in the Christian order of love, we must be careful to not allow a devotion to our country become our ultimate commitment. What is Christian nationalism and Christian patriotism, and how can we differentiate between the two?
Listen to today’s podcast where I try to answer these questions, as usual, from a biblical perspective, in a succinct way, and practically applicable to our everyday life.

Transgender to Transformed – A Conversation with Laura Perry

Hear from Laura Perry, a woman who formerly identified as transgender. God used her mother's love and prayers to call Laura back to Himself. Filled with raw, honest emotion, Laura’s story of transformation through Jesus Christ will relate to those who struggle with gender identity, those who have transitioned, parents and loved ones, and those in the church who want to reach them.

Dear Lina: Should Christians use pronouns?

The issue of gender pronouns has become controversial because some people in the transgender community want people who self-identify as transgendered to be called by their gender pronouns of choice. Thus, we are asked to refer to someone on the basis of their preferred pronouns. How are we to love God and love our neighbor in light of this particular issue? Should Christians use preferred pronouns?

Dear Lina: What are your thoughts about the Derek Chauvin verdict?

In light of the three guilty verdicts in the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd, I’ve been asked by our listeners to share my thoughts about his conviction. As you listen to this podcast, let God’s truth mold you, and let God’s justice give you rest.   

Dear Lina: Is it possible to be pro women in a complementarian church structure?

When it comes to gender roles in the church, Christians tend to adhere to one of two main approaches: complementarian or egalitarian. My goal in today’s podcast is not to make any direct contribution to those conversations but simply to answer a question related to women in complementarian churches.
P.S. Here's an article on a short evaluation of the two perspectives. 

Dear Lina: When is one filled with the Holy Spirit and what does it mean to be anointed?

I today’s podcast I want to try to answer three questions related to the Holy Spirit: When is one filled with the Holy Spirit and what are the outward signs of being filled with the Spirit? And what does it mean to be anointed?