How well do you know the people asking for your vote—and the ideas shaping the next generation? In this departure from my usual Feeding My Faith episode, I challenge you to look beyond headlines, campaign promises, and social media talking points. Beginning with Romans 1:22, I share my concerns about political ideology, religious extremism, and America’s future—and explore what it means to exercise discernment when faith and politics collide.

I share my perspective on:

• The Democratic Socialists of America and why I believe voters should examine candidates’ policy proposals more closely.
• Social media, influencers, and the role belonging can play in shaping young people’s political beliefs.
• The distinction I draw between peaceful Muslim believers and radical Islamist movements.
• Immigration, assimilation, religious liberty, and the relationship between religious beliefs and constitutional government.
• Reports of child exploitation in the United Kingdom and my concerns about institutional accountability.
• How political figures use Scripture—and why we should examine the conclusions attached to biblical language.
• The importance of researching local, state, and national candidates rather than relying on party labels.

This verse frames my challenge to question confident claims, examine what people actually advocate, and consider whether persuasive language reflects wisdom.

Know who represents you. Read candidates’ platforms, examine their public statements, and investigate the policies they support. I close this episode by encouraging you to take personal responsibility for understanding your government and making informed voting decisions.

This episode contains my political commentary and discussion of terrorism, war, and child sexual exploitation. I reference statistics, quotations, and accounts from several commentators and videos. These show notes summarize my views; they do not independently verify the claims discussed in the episode.

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It's one thing to follow Christ. It's another thing to surrender to Him. In this episode, Dave digs into Matthew 26 and the Last Supper, where every disciple (including Judas) asks Jesus, "Surely you don't mean me?" Dave unpacks how Judas could sit at the table, hear Jesus teach, and still walk away unsurrendered, then traces that same tension into modern stories of costly surrender: Mel Gibson betting $45 million on The Passion of the Christ with no distributor lined up, Jonathan Roumie's rock-bottom testimony before landing the role of Jesus in The Chosen, Alice Cooper risking his career to go public about his faith, and Sylvester Stallone turning down a fortune to protect his vision for Rocky. The question underneath it all: what are you still holding back from God?

• Why proximity to Jesus isn't the same as discipleship - Judas sat at the table, heard the teaching, and still pursued his own agenda.
• How Judas's objection to Mary's expensive perfume (John 12) exposed what he was really protecting: money, not principle.
• The chilling detail behind the 30 pieces of silver - it was the Old Testament price for a slave gored by an ox (Exodus 21:32).
• What we refuse to surrender in private eventually shapes what we do in public.
• Common things people quietly withhold from God: relationships, private habits, financial control, bitterness, unforgiveness, ambition, reputation, schedule, and self-made plans.
• Four real-life stories of costly, public surrender — and what happened after.
• A challenge to stop asking "what's in it for me" and start asking God to show you His plan.

• Matthew 26:20–25 — Jesus predicts His betrayal at the Last Supper
• Matthew 26:14–16 — Judas negotiates with the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver
• John 12:4–6 — Judas objects to Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume
• Exodus 21:32 — the price set for a slave killed by an ox

Mel Gibson — The Passion of the Christ (2004) Gibson self-funded the film through his own company, Icon Productions, spending roughly $30 million on production and another $15 million on marketing — about $45 million total — without a distribution deal secured. Early accusations of antisemitism made it hard to find a U.S. distributor. He found one anyway: the film grossed $612 million worldwide, became the fifth highest-grossing film of 2004 internationally, the highest-grossing Christian film of all time (inflation-adjusted), the highest-grossing independent film of all time, and the highest-grossing R-rated film in the U.S. at $370 million — a record that stood for 20 years. It earned three nominations at the 77th Academy Awards (Best Makeup, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score). Two sequels, The Resurrection of the Christ, Part One and Part Two, are slated for 2027 and 2028.

Jonathan Roumie — the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen Before landing the role, Roumie woke up one Saturday in 2018 roughly $100 overdrawn, deep in debt, and out of work. He got on his knees and surrendered — quoting Matthew 11:28 out loud: "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." That afternoon, four checks arrived in the mail totaling $1,100. A week later, another check equal to all four combined arrived. Three months later, he got the call asking him to audition for The Chosen.

Alice Cooper The rock musician known for his shock-rock stage persona began following Jesus and decided to go public about it, despite his manager warning it could end his career. Instead, he experienced a career resurgence, selling out concerts at a level he hadn't seen in years.

Sylvester Stallone — Rocky (1976) While nearly broke, Stallone was offered $360,000 for the script to Rocky. He turned it down, believing so strongly in the project that he insisted on starring in it himself for a fraction of the money — around $35,000 — rather than let go of his vision.

What's one thing you're still holding on to instead of handing it over to God — and what would it look like to surrender it today?

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Jealousy can be a real buzzkill, right? I mean, who hasn't scrolled through social media and thought, 'Why can't I have that fancy car or that perfect vacation?' Well, in this episode, we dive into the topic of jealousy and how it can mess with our heads. Our buddy Dave shares some personal stories, from his childhood where he learned the value of hard work, to moments in the Bible where jealousy led to some pretty wild outcomes.

We're talking Cain and Abel, Joseph and his brothers, and even the whole Saul vs. David drama. It's like a soap opera, but the lessons are real! The main takeaway?

Focusing on the wrong things, like who has more likes or who's sitting at the cool kids' table, can really steer us off course. Instead, let’s flip the script and look at what truly matters.

That is the love and grace that’s already ours. So grab your headphones and let’s get into some fun, light-hearted banter about how to ditch the jealousy blues and keep our eyes on the prize!

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