The American Soul

Your Halo Might Be Crooked, But Your To-Do List Isn’t

• Jesse • Season 5 • Episode 175

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Start with honesty: none of us has a spotless record, and pretending we do only delays the obedience God asks of us today. We dig into the parable of the two sons to show why repentance is measured by action, not memory, and we highlight Rahab’s story as a powerful reminder that God writes redemption into the lives of imperfect people who choose faithfulness now.

From there, we turn to Titus 2 and get practical about the virtues that steady a home and strengthen a community. Temperance, dignity, sensible speech, and the work of teaching what is good give our faith credibility. Revelation 19 then lifts our eyes, reminding us that the wedding feast of the Lamb and the triumph of the Rider called Faithful and True are not abstract theology but the anchor for perseverance and hope when the world feels hostile and disordered.

We round out the conversation with Psalm 147’s comfort for the brokenhearted, Proverbs 31’s sober counsel to leaders, and a Medal of Honor spotlight on Sylvester Bonnafon Jr. History speaks, too: we read FDR’s Pearl Harbor address and Harry Truman’s 1949 Christmas message, drawing lessons about courage, clarity, peace, and service. Through Scripture and history, we argue for a life that names evil, loves neighbors, and trusts God for victory. If this resonates, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you won’t miss what’s next. Your reflections help shape future episodes—what truth do you need courage to act on today?

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SPEAKER_01:

Hey folks. This is Jesse Cope, back with another episode of the American Soul Podcast. Hope y'all are doing well wherever y'all are in whatever part of the day you're in. Sure do appreciate you joining me, giving me a little bit of your time and attention, a little piece of your day. I will try and use it wisely. For those of y'all who continue to share the podcast with others, tell others about it, thank you. Hopefully you're getting to listen to it with someone else. And for those of y'all who continue to pray for me and for the podcast, I thank you very, very grateful for your prayers.

SPEAKER_00:

Father, thank you for today, for this day that you have made.

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Help us to rejoice and be glad in it. Thank you for you and your Son Jesus Christ and your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your love and your mercy, your grace, and your forgiveness.

SPEAKER_00:

Forgive us our lack of gratitude, our vanity, arrogance, judgment of others, greed, selfishness, pride, cowardice, and our unbelief. Help us to overcome them all we do believe.

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Forgive us our sins as a nation, our support of abortion, feminism, sexual immorality of every kind. Forgive us for abandoning the widow and the orphan, the poor and the needy and pretending that we don't know about it.

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Forgive us for calling evil good and good evil, for punishing those who do what is right, and for praising those who do what is wrong.

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Be with our leaders, both in the pulpit and in the state. Give them wisdom and courage and a strong faith. Be with their families, their wives, and their children.

SPEAKER_00:

Bless them. Surround them with your angels. Be with those listening to the podcast. Father, thank you for them. Comfort them, bless them, surround them with your angels. Help us to love you with our whole heart, mind, soul, and strength to love our neighbors as ourselves. Be with those who are hurting and alone, anxious, scared. Comfort them. Help us to comfort them.

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And bring us all home to you, Father, and your Son Jesus Christ, in your time and your place.

SPEAKER_00:

In the name of your Son Jesus Christ, we ask and pray. Amen.

SPEAKER_01:

So uh there's a couple people I follow online that for whatever reason have picked us up over the last few days. And I think it's it's something we don't talk about enough inside the church today.

SPEAKER_00:

But folks, none of us are perfect. There's not been a single perfect person throughout all of history besides Jesus Christ. And we're not all equally imperfect.

SPEAKER_01:

Christ makes that pretty clear when he talks about it's going to be better and worse for some on the day of judgment, which would logically indicate that some people are better than others, some people are worse than others. But we all have to have Christ for salvation and eternal life. Nobody gets in the gate, gets in the door without Christ. Christ told a parable. Most of y'all are hopefully familiar with it, probably familiar with it. Probably quite a few of you better than I, but there were two sons, and the father told each son to go do something, right? And the first son said, No way, I'm not going. But then later he felt pretty guilty about it and he went and did it. The second son said, Yeah, absolutely, Dad, I'll go do that right now. But then he didn't do it. And Jesus asked, you know, which one did the will of the father? Obviously the one that did it. What we do now matters a lot more than what mistakes we've made in the past. And that's true in every single facet of your life, folks, in your business dealings, and the way that you have voted as an adult, the kind of parent that you've been, the kind of spouse that you've been. If you have, well, let me use because this this came up as I was thinking about this and looking at some of their comments online.

SPEAKER_00:

Rahab, the prostitute, right?

SPEAKER_01:

The harlot, definitely an imperfect past. And yet she ends up in the lineage of Jesus Christ, the only son of God. Better to have an imperfect past and to follow God's roles and responsibilities for you as a husband or a wife now than to have a quote-unquote perfect past, which none of us really have, but a lot of us like to pretend that we do and not follow our roles and responsibilities now. And I think for most of us folks, that's really the crux of the matter is we like to pretend that we have a perfect past. We like to pretend, and what it really is, is us pointing fingers at other people going, well, I'm not as bad as that guy. And that may or may not be true. You might not be as bad, as sinful as the person next to you.

SPEAKER_00:

But the more we recognize our sin, be it great or small, the more we're going to strive to love Christ by following his commands and to do a better job today than we did yesterday.

SPEAKER_01:

The more we try and pretend that we're not sinners, well, we don't really feel like there's that much need to do any better tomorrow because, you know, we're pretty good.

SPEAKER_00:

At any rate, I hope that makes a little bit of sense.

SPEAKER_01:

So the marriage verse for today is uh Titus 2, starting with verse 1. But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith and love and perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible pure workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible, and all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech, which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

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Scripture for today Revelations Revelation again nineteen one through twenty one.

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After this I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, Praise the Lord. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, his judgments are true and just he has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants, and again their voices rang out. The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever. Then the twenty four elders and the four living beings fell down and worshipped God who was sitting on the throne. They cried out, Amen, praise the Lord. And from the throne came a voice that said, Praise our God, all his servants, all who fear him, from the least to the greatest. Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of a mighty ocean wave, or the crash of loud thunder. Praise the Lord, for the Lord our God the almighty reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear, for the fine linen represents the good deeds of God's holy people. And the angel said to me, Write this Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb. And he added, These are true words that come from God. Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, No, don't worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus. Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named faithful and true, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the word of God. The armies of heaven dressed in the finest of pure white linen followed him on white horses. From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the almighty, like juice flowing from a wine press. On his robe at his thigh was written this title King of Kings and Lord of all lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, shouting to the vultures flying high in the sky, Come, gather together for the great banquet God has prepared. Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and strong warriors, of horses and their riders, and of all humanity both free and slave, small and great. Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast. Miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast, and who worshipped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse, and the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies. Praise the Lord. How good to sing praises to our God. How delightful and how fitting. The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord, his power is absolute. His understanding is beyond comprehension. The Lord supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust. Sing out your thanks to the Lord, sing praises to our God with a harp. He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and marks the grass, makes the grass grow in mountain pastures. He gives food to the wild animals and feeds the young ravens when they cry. He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord's delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Zion, for He has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls. He sends peace across your nation and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat. He sends his orders to the world, how swiftly his word flies. He sends the snow like white wool, he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes. He hurls the hellstone like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? Then at his command it all melts. He sends his winds and the ice thaws, he has revealed his word to Jacob, his decrees and regulations to Israel. He has not done this for any other nation. They do not know his regulations. Praise the Lord. Proverbs thirty one verses one through seven. The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol, for if they drink they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. Let them drink to forget their poverty, and remember their troubles no more.

SPEAKER_00:

Medal of Honor for today Sylvester Bonifon Jr.

SPEAKER_01:

First Lieutenant Highest Rank Brevet Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Civil War Gulf Company ninety ninth Pennsylvania Infantry US Army, october twenty seventh, eighteen sixty four, Boyd Ton Plank Road, Virginia checked the route and rallied the troops of his command in the face of a terrible fire of musketry, was severely wounded. Accredited to Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, not awarded posthumously. Presented september twenty ninth, eighteen ninety three, born september fourteenth, eighteen forty four, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, died may twelfth, nineteen twenty two, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Buried Woodlawn Cemetery, MHR Tac two hundred ninety six, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

SPEAKER_00:

Sylvester Bonifon Jr. So we got a couple readings today I'm probably gonna go over.

SPEAKER_01:

I'm gonna apologize in advance. Please don't feel like you need to stay longer today if you don't have the time.

SPEAKER_00:

But uh gentleman who is becoming a better and better friend of mine reminded me of my mistake, and I'm gonna try and remedy that today.

SPEAKER_01:

I did not read FDR's address to the joint session of Congress on December 8th, 1941. And we passed up Pearl Harbor Day a few days ago, and so I'm gonna go back and read that in addition to the Christmas message today. So we'll start there. Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. Yesterday, December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy. The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation and at the solicitation of Japan was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack. It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night Japanese the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation. As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, but always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the utmost, but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, december seventh, nineteen forty one, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire. Excuse me, for today, is from Aries Truman's Christmas address at the lighting of the National Community Christmas tree on the White House grounds, December twenty fourth, nineteen forty nine. Christmas tree, to give thanks for the greatest blessing that could come to any people, the blessing of peace. Tonight, as we light this tree, our hearts go out to our men in Korea who are fighting to defend that peace. We pray that the child whose birth we celebrate this night will guide them and protect them and bring them safely home. Since returning home, I have been reading again in our family Bible some of the passages which foretold this night. It was that grand old seer Isaiah who prophesied in the Old Testament, the sublime event which found fulfillment almost 2,000 years ago. Just as Isaiah foresaw the coming of Christ, so another battler for the Lord, Saint Paul, summed up the law and the prophets and a glorification of love which he exalts even above both faith and hope. We miss the purport of Christ's birth if we do not accept it as a living link which joins us together in spirit as children of the ever living and true God. In the spirit of the Christ child, as little children with joy in our hearts and peace in our souls, let us as a nation dedicate ourselves anew to the love of our fellow men. In love alone, the love of God and the love of man will be found the solution of all the ills which afflict the world today. At this Christmas season, when the hearts of men are softened by the memory of Bethlehem, let us resolve to put aside hatred and envy and strife. Let us remember that the only path to happiness for any nation or any individual is the path of service to others. To the men and women of our armed forces everywhere, especially to those in Korea, I send the warmest Christmas greetings of a grateful nation. We are proud of you, and we pray for your safety and your early return. To all the peoples of the earth I extend the hand of friendship and goodwill. And to my fellow Americans I say, May the peace of God which passeth all understanding be with you and your families this Christmas night and throughout the coming year. Merry Christmas, and may God bless you all.

SPEAKER_00:

President Harry S Truman, december twenty fourth, nineteen forty nine.

SPEAKER_01:

I think the only thing, the only closing comments that I'll make a couple here, is uh you go back and you look at Psalm 147, verse 11. The Lord's delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. And verse 3, he heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. All of my hope is in God and Jesus Christ, folks. That's all the hope we really have.

SPEAKER_00:

And the other commentary comes from FDR's message.

SPEAKER_01:

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. You can say that we have been are being invaded today in America, not only through illegal and mass immigration of Muslims in particular, but through the treason and treachery of our own universities, turning our children against our nation. You hear his other comment here hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

SPEAKER_00:

We are in grave danger today, folks. Internally. And again, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us, God. That's where we've got to turn, folks, God and Jesus Christ. Hard and fast.

SPEAKER_01:

If you are looking for a family-friendly middle grade read, uh, if you would check out Countryside, there's two books in the series: The Book of the Wise is the first, The Tears of Adina the Second, Hardback, Paperback ebook. It's kind of like Narnia, Harry Potter, Hobbit, Percy Jackson, that kind of stuff. And if you enjoy one or both, if you would leave a review, I would greatly appreciate that. Those reviews help a lot. And if you feel like you're getting something out of the podcast, if you uh would leave a review of the podcast, and also if you have three or four or five dollars a month that you can donate, there's a website on the Buzz Sprout website for the podcast, and you can set up that monthly donation.

SPEAKER_00:

I would be very grateful for that as well.

SPEAKER_01:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, the kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil. Reline is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen. God bless y'all. God bless your families, God bless your marriages if you're married. God bless your nation, wherever you are around the world listening. God bless America. We'll talk to y'all again real soon, folks.

SPEAKER_00:

Looking forward to it.