The Watching World

With Revival Weekend just around the corner, Les Norman and guest host Mark McGaughey discuss baptism: what it means and why we should do it. Baptism is the picture of being immersed in Christ, fully covered in Him. It started as a ritual to purify the Israelites of contamination before entering the tabernacle. John the Baptist called the nation of Israel to repent and wash themselves clean of the...

Les Norman and Pastor Phil talk about what is revival and how can we apply scripture to it? We are often in need of need spiritual refreshment. Spiritual revival means spiritual reawakening is on the horizon. In other words, what was once… Asleep is awakened Stagnant is moving Dry is refreshed Dead is alive Hidden is revealed Spiritual revival increases devotion to God for His children and makes k...

oday Les Norman and special guest host Mark Denison tackle a sensitive yet pervasive topic: pornography. The pornography industry is a billion-dollar industry, ensnaring about 64% of men outside the church and 60% inside it. It doesn't just affect men, either. An estimated 40% of sex addicts are women. Mark Denison and his wife, Beth, co-founded There's Still Hope after he recovered from sexual ad...

In this episode of the Watching World Podcast, Les interviews Gina Pastore, inspirational speaker, author, and radio host of The Real Life with Gina Pastore and David James. Gina is also the widow of Frank Pastore, former MLB player, and radio host. After thirty-five incredible years of marriage, Frank’s sudden death shattered Gina’s identity and future. In this episode, she talks about their earl...

Welcome to the Watching World Podcast with Les Norman. In this episode, we chat with Austin Henry about serving in the church. Austin Henry is the Children’s Ministry Leader at Abundant Life Blue Springs. As a child, he first felt the pull toward ministry after visiting a church Christmas production in Tulsa. It wasn't long before serving became a regular part of his life. He grew up in a family t...

Thanks for listening to the Watching World Podcast with Les Norman. In this episode, special guest host Jennifer Maggio discusses single parenting and her own inspiring journey into ministry. Jennifer is a four-time, award-winning author and speaker, the founder of The Life of a Single Mom Ministries, and the host of the Life of a Single Mom Podcast. The Life of a Single Mom Ministries began as a...

n this episode of the Watching World Podcast, guest host Rod Handley, the creator of Character That Counts, gives us insight on Biblical Manhood in the Face of a Crazy World. What should the biblical man be doing when the world has turned upside down and the line between right and wrong has been erased? Rod encourages us to look at the 4 responsibilities God gave Adam: Courageously follow the Word...

In this episode, host Les Norman talks with Author Patrick Morley, Main in the Mirror and his new book The Four Voices: Taking Control of the Conversation in Your Head. In the first line of the book, "Are you tired of feeling confused or overwhelmed by the voices competing in your head for control of your head and heart?" . In his new book, Patrick talks about the 4 voices we battle. The World, Th...

Welcome to the Watching World Podcast with Les Norman. In today’s episode, special guest host Annette Bartel tells us about Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). BSF is a multicultural, inter-denominational Bible study focused on producing a passionate commitment to God, his Word, and his church. It hosts over 1200 classes across the world for men and women, online and in-person. At BSF, you'll study God'...

In this episode of the Watching World Podcast, special guest Jeff Cox tells us all about Re:gen. Re:gen is a 12-step life-change ministry. It meets every Monday at 6:30 in the Core Building at Abundant Life Lee’s Summit Campus. Re:gen stands for re:generation! This program is for anyone who wishes to grow and get the past struggles and addictions that keep them stuck. A few might include addiction...

Welcome to the Watching World Podcast! In today’s episode, we speak with special guest host Heidi St. John about parenting in a culture that is anti-God and anti-family, developing community, and where to find Biblical examples of motherhood. Biblical literacy should be at the heart of motherhood. In order to teach scripture to our children, we need to know it ourselves. We can’t pass on what we d...

Wrapping up our series, Knowing What You Believe And Why You Believe It; World Views, Truth And Evidence Part 9, Les Norman and Ed Croteau discuss how to live as a Christian and share the gospel in today’s post-Christian American culture. The number one thing you must do is know Jesus as your Lord and Savior. The Lordship of Jesus in your life is the most important aspect of witnessing to people....

Welcome to part eight of our current series, Knowing What You Believe and Why You Believe It. In this episode, Les Norman and Ed Croteau wrap up understanding American culture and the final worldview, Christianity. Unlike postmodernism, Christianity teaches that there is an absolute truth that you can know. Understanding who God is and the mechanics of the gospel is the key to understanding Christ...

Welcome to part 7 of Worldview, Truth, and Evidence. In today’s episode, guest Ed Croteau talks about understanding postmodernism and why it fails to lead you to the ultimate truth. What is going on in today’s culture and how does it relate to the biblical truth? The Bible tells us to be still and slow down and spend time with the Lord. Americans are choosing to be too busy. Jesus is reaching out...

In part six of our series, Knowing What You Believe and Why You Believe It, Les Norman and Ed Croteau will help you understand American culture, modernism, and how it fails to lead you to the ultimate truth. Ed is the leader of the Faith, Substance, and Evidence University at Abundant Life Church, Lee’s Summit. You can also check out the FSE University Facebook page to catch his articles about how...

In today’s podcast, Host Les Norman and Lead Pastor at Abundant Life, Phil Hopper talk about the capstone of God’s plan, the crucifixion, and the hope the resurrection brings. Jesus came quietly. A simple birth. People began following Jesus. People that we wouldn’t imagine followed Jesus. He quietly chose his disciples, because he knew that one day, he would leave and that they would need to conti...

Our special guest, Susan Perlman, Cofounder of Jews for Jesus based out of San Francisco, CA. Jews for Jesus began as a movement in the early 1970’s of young Jewish adults searching for the Gospel. They exist to support anyone in exploring Jewish life with faith in Jesus. Many Jewish people have never heard that following Jesus is a viable and thriving expression of Jewish life. Jews for Jesus wan...

Welcome to part 5 of Knowing What You Believe and Why You Believe It. In today’s episode, guest host Ed Croteau tells us how we can test for what is true, specifically in today’s post-Christianity culture. Before presenting the truth, it’s important to establish trust and authenticity. Then, when testing the truth, we look to principles of epistemology or the study of how truth claims are formed....

In part 4 of Knowing What You Believe and Why You Believe It, Les Norman and guest host Ed Croteau discuss rhetoric and how we can use it to persuade others of Biblical truths. Ed is the leader and founder of FSE (Faith, Substance, Evidence) University at Abundant Life Church, Lee’s Summit. FSE University meets every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM, in room 1024 of the main building. Last week, we talke...

In this episode, part 3 of learning about World Views, Truth and Evidence, guest Ed Croteau helps us understand how people decide what is truth. Ed Croteau is the leader of FSE University at Abundant Life Church Lee’s Summit, MO, classes are every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM, located in room 1024 of the main building. The Bible encourages us to examine ourselves. It’s important to be honest with you...

In part 2 of Why Christians Should Run for Public Office, Pastor Phil and Host Les Norman talk with local candidates Colleen Huff (Mayoral Candidate), Dr Joe Yacaginsky (school board candidate), Heather Eslick (school board candidate), Rach’l Aguirre (Missouri State Office), Rick Brattin (Missouri state office). Colleen Huff: She had a desire and compassion for people. When Pastor Phil mentioned i...

Pastor Phil and Host Les Norman spend some time with some local candidates in the Kansas City Area that are running for public office. Jesus said in Matthew 5 that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Let your light shine before men. For far too long, Christians have hidden the light behind the four walls of the church. Church is more than Sunday and it is something we are not...

Continuing in our series on World Views, Truth and Evidence, Ed Croteau walks us through popular religions, cultures and philosophies we see today. Ed is the leader of FSE University at Abundant Life Church Lee’s Summit, MO, classes are every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM, located in room 1024 of the main building. Different world views defined in this episode are: Deism, Pantheism, Atheism, Secular H...

Lead Pastor, Phil Hopper, teaches in-depth historical insight in our new series on the book of Daniel. Follow along in person, or online with Abundant Life Church’s current sermon series on Daniel, for more background. When studying the bible, there are three questions to ask: Historical Application, “What happened?” Doctrinal Application, “What is God teaching?” and Devotional Application, “How d...

Joining host Les Norman in beginning part 1 of 9 of a new series, “Knowing What You Believe and Why You Believe it, World Views, Truth and Evidence” is guest Ed Croteau, leader and founder of FSE University at Abundant Life Church. In today’s episode, Ed takes us through some shocking parallels that led to the collapse of ancient Rome, and our American culture today. Mentioned in the book “The Lif...