• As hate and cancellation roil over U.S. campuses, there are others that shine love and peace. At the end of the day, isn't that what most of us hope for Peace and Love? Respect, dignity?
• The Tale of Two Campuses. In the Phoenix area of Arizona you can find two of America's largest campuses. Arizona State University (145k+, around 80,000 across campuses) and Grand Canyon University (118k+, 25k+ on campus).
• Over the weekend of April 26-28 of 2024, one campus (Arizona State) was in turmoil. 72 arrests. The other (GCU) in peace, no arrests.
• Source: https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/asu-pro-palestine-protest-timeline/
• At GCU, no hate raging. In fact, peace and harmony during 5 graduation ceremonies and aptly playing during some of it, "Amazing Grace".

Yes! You are in! Confession, I've been dragging my heels on this one. Why? An atheist is back for the play of the day. Yet, once again, it points to Biblical Truth. Here you go...

Bill Maher, two weeks in a row?! The Pharisees and religious hypocrites are outraged. Yet I greatly appreciate people who tackle tough subjects. For your ratings can also be adversely affected as the masses don't like seeing the error of their ways. Ways of the world.

For those versed, you heard the beauty of that. You have ears to hear and eyes to see. And you are seeing some Truth reflected from perhaps a surprising voice.

Ways of the world say love money, money, money! Confession, I like getting paid. I don't know many that don't. Which unearths this timeless lesson, money is not evil. It can be used for evil. It can also be used to do a lot of good. Just check out Overflowshowers.org and climbing to 1,000 showers of Hope and clean clothes, tackling homelessness. Countless nonprofits using money to do major good. Churches need money and many do amazing work. There's a purpose for tithing. A test to you and me from God. Do we put money in front of God? Confession, I have. You?

1 Timothy 6:6-7 New Living Translation (NLT)
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.

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Read 1 Timothy 6
1 Timothy 6:10 New Living Translation (NLT)
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Hey, I read that one out loud! Newer listener, sometimes I'll just give you the verse reference for example Rom 3:23, Rom 8:1, Matt 22: 36-40. Because I want you to get into the Word and read it with your own eyes.

Going full circle, Ways of the World says love money! Look at me! Look at what I got. Most get jealous and covet. The Bible is clear, don't get jealous, don't covent, don't love money. Confession, easier said than done.

• Yes! You are in! Ready to get uncomfortable. I didn't think so. This play of the day is a doozy. I'll let it speak for itself and then we'll break it down. Here you go...
• Whoa! Dang! Some of you are thinking, what are you doing playing an atheist on the play of the say. First, not the first time we've had an atheist on as the play of the day. Why? If it points to the Truth. We'll use it. Think jiu jitsu. If you are not sure what that is, then look it up. Bottom line the enemy all the time twists what was meant for good and turns it to bad. Or flat out will just use someone's bad where they should be good, think hypocrite and say, you see!

• Yes! You are in! I used to complain about the homeless. What's wrong with them? Why don't they get a job? Do you wonder the same thing? How did we get here? Here you go...
• Greetings from Encino, CA. That's where one of my daughters calls home. About 15 miles away is Beverly Hills where my wife was getting some testing done at Cedars Sinai. If you have ever been to L.A. then you'll see the homeless. What used to be the home of glitz and fame has turned into the capital of homelessness. It wasn't always like that. Well, there has always been the poor and the rich. Even Jesus says we will always have the poor. See Matt 26:11.
• We didn't always have tents all over the place. Despite that. The California government has spent $17B in the last few years to solve homelessness. $17B! And it got worse. How is that possible?

• Yes! You are in! The news is full of sucky news. For we live on a broken planet. So how do we possibly have Hope? Here you go...

Yes! You are in! Work. Most of us complain about it. Yet very interesting play of the day. The correlation of free time and depression. Make sense, if you are living life and feel like you are not fulfilling a purpose, that can be depressing and empty. Here's the good news. You do have a purpose. You are here for a reason. Here you go...

Thank you Pastor Rick Warren, a mainstay on our play of the days. If you would like to hear more of that play, check out Daily Hope, that one is entitled "The Purpose of Work, Part 2", published on the 11th of March 2024.

You have a purpose. You do. How do I know that? Jer 29:11. You don't believe that? Well, that's on you. Your choice. For those that believe, that is an epic verse and promise.

A few years back, the FriDudes tackled a book called "Halftime" by Bob Shank. Epic read. Life changing for some of us. Further back, we also read "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. Yes, that Rick. Game changing for some of us. Why just some of us? Your choice. Your choice to read and your choice to implement.

So game changing that we have a FriDudes named Greg. He's been featured before. He was so moved by especially Half Time that he created something that we call Gcrosssurf.org. In the midst of a rebrand. Things in the works. Stay tuned. Bottom line, Greg set out to better identify, goal/life plan/God's plan, write it down make it happen. Identify strength and confess weaknesses. Super bold. Not for the faint of heart.

Back to the HalfTime book, tracked a bunch of guys that made a bunch of money. In particular some Exxon retired execs. Worked hard, retired, comfy, played, golf and on average died 10 years too early on average. Many depressed, lost their purpose. Their former jobs were their identity. No longer needed. Again, lost. Some of you are now way, you are saying I never have to worry about money and I can be depressed and empty? Yep, have you read David or King Solomon? Then, yes! Ever wonder why the rich and famous overdose and die...repeatedly? There you go.

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes.

Ecclesiastes 1:2-9 NLT - Bible.com

Hang in there. Full circle. Yet if you tune in. Ask God why and keep pursuing, match your gifts into service and your heart will overflow...

Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28
New International Version
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Yes! You are in! Some of you are oh wow Bill! And some of you are who's Bill? Either way, you are going to be blessed. Bill is one of my favorite teachers and speakers. We believe the Lord led you here, to this message, here you go...

Thank you Bill Bohline, what a gift! Thank you Nancy and family, founding members and all contributors to the ongoing Hosanna story. Sacrifices, yes. What a legacy. Wherever you are. What is your legacy? Why did God put you here? Just like Bill. It is your job to tune in and ask. You are all not destined to be pastors of large churches. I do believe you are destined to be a blessing to someone each day.

If you digged that one, have a question for Bill? If there will be a part 2, what would you like to know? Let us know at FriDudes.com. Now go, love God, love others, Matt 22: 36-40. Everything else you are trying to do correctly hangs on those two. I love you. Share love, be a blessing to someone today and each going forward...

Thank you Dr. Lorrits! That is getting real and pursuing Truth. How do you handle when things don't go your way? Prayers not answered? That is key part of the test of life and Faith. If you would like to hear more of that play of the day, check out the Bryan Lorrits Podcast, that episode is entitled, "Jesus, Bread of Life...John 6", published on the 11th of March, 2024.

What is blessed? Perhaps you have everything perfect in your life right now. How about that person who lost a child? Or battling cancer? Are they not blessed? Before you answer that, for you that are versed in the Word, did the best go through the best or the worst? Job, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, Joshua, Ruth, Joseph, David, Jesus, almost all his disciples. They all went through brutal and unfairness.

Show me a person going to church and treating God like a genie in a bottle and I'll say that's human. Show me still going to church and praying and keeping the Faith despite hardship and unanswered prayers and I'll say that is a strong, true follower of Christ.

My wife has been battling cancer for years. She could have stayed angry and asked why her. She has only gotten closer to the Lord during her trials. That is the test. She inspires me.

When tragedy strikes, there are those that will run from God...angry. And there are those that get closer to God. I can't blame the former. For that is human. You and I really don't know what we would do until we are in that situation. You say no way. And that reminds of someone, Peter. Peter said no way. Then he got tested and failed, 3x. Check Matt 26.

My wife has been tested many times. And she has responded. People that are closest to Lori yet maybe not the Lord, notice her Faith. Her strength.

As for me, if you have listened long enough, you know my trials and tribulations. Finances have been a wrestling match. Once upon a time, money used to come easy. Too easy. Now, for about 15 years it has been a struggle. Don't get me wrong. There are others in worse situations. I'm just trying to say vs. most of my peers, my path has been challenging. Easy to pay bills when it flows strong. When it doesn't, ok Lord, what are you going to do in this struggle? I look forward to Rom 8:28. This is going to be solved one way or the other. I'm still hoping to hit the jackpot and make it all right. I keep working and digging for wells. We'll see if Brother MikeC's words come true as he tells me to keep working/digging and I'll hit the wellspring. If/when I do, I'll think I'll be more appreciative than the one that takes it for granted. Perhaps that is part of the refinement.

What's your story? Wrestling match? Are you closer or further from God, let us know at FriDudes.com

Now go, lift your struggles, know they are part of the test. Know the best go through the worst. Those going through the worst, loving God with all your heart, soul and mind is amazing. For those going through better times, recognize the season and give thanks for what is worthy. Love others. Matt 22: 36-40. Everything else you are trying to do or pray about hangs on those two. I love you. Keep going. Get stronger.