Christmas is not just a tradition or a season. It is the fulfillment of ancient prophecy.

In this episode of You Can Handle the Truth!, we sit down with Shane Rosenthal to walk through Old Testament prophecies that point directly to Jesus, focusing on Micah 5 and Isaiah 9. We talk about why Bethlehem matters, how Jewish Scripture foretold the Messiah’s birth centuries in advance, and why these prophecies still matter for faith today.

We also discuss why many people miss these connections, how Scripture builds layer upon layer of meaning, and how Christmas is ultimately about a Savior whose greatness reaches to the ends of the earth, including our own families.

If you have ever wondered how the Old Testament connects to the Christmas story, or if you want a deeper understanding of why Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah, this conversation will encourage and strengthen your faith.

Subscribe to You Can Handle the Truth! for honest conversations at the intersection of faith, Scripture, and culture.

🔹 Chapter Notes (with Time Stamps)

(00:00) Welcome and Why Christmas Matters

(01:58) Shane’s First Encounter With Micah 5

(05:50) Reading Micah 5:2–4 Prophecy of Bethlehem

(09:10) Why “The Ends of the Earth” Matters

(12:22) Why Many People Are Not Curious About God

(16:05) Ancient Jewish Interpretations of Micah

(17:24) The Aramaic Targum and the Messiah

(25:31) Introducing Isaiah 9

(25:50) Reading Isaiah 9:1–7

(29:16) Why Some Try to Explain These Prophecies Away

(32:30) The Jewish Roots of the New Testament

(35:11) Scripture as a Unified Story

(37:27) God Appearing in the Old Testament

(43:47) When Was Jesus Really Born

(45:08) Micah’s Prophecy and Your Family

(46:34) The True Meaning of Christmas

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In this episode of You Can Handle the Truth! we sit down with Dr. Jay Smith just days after his return from Nigeria. What he shares is urgent. Nigeria is now the most dangerous country in the world for Christians, and the global church has barely looked up. Dr. Smith walks us through what he witnessed on the ground, why the violence is growing, how Islamic ideology fuels the crisis, and what Christians must understand if we hope to respond with truth and courage.

We talk about the attacks in northern Nigeria, the Fulani militancy, the kidnapping of young girls, the rise of ISIS in West Africa, and why political leaders and the global media refuse to acknowledge what is happening. Dr. Smith also explains why the church in Nigeria is uniquely positioned to confront this crisis and how believers in the West can support them.

If you care about Christian persecution, global missions, apologetics, or understanding the spiritual battle behind the headlines, this conversation matters. We pray this episode equips you with clarity, conviction, and hope.

🔹 Chapter Notes (with Time Stamps)

(00:00) Welcome and Introduction

(00:18) Dr. Jay Smith Returns From Nigeria

(01:26) The Crisis Facing Christians in Nigeria

(03:22) Why Northern Nigeria Is the Epicenter

(06:58) Poverty, Oppression, and Islamic Influence

(09:21) The Fulani Militancy Explained

(12:12) When Violence Becomes Religious Persecution

(14:59) How Islam Is Reshaping Nigeria’s Power Structures

(22:30) Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10 and the Christian Response

(23:57) What the Quran Says and Why It Matters

(28:28) Can Argument and Truth Stop Violence

(33:39) Nigerian Seminaries Rise Up

(36:15) Ethiopia and the Wider African Context

(41:01) Why Assimilation Fails in the West

(44:07) What Christians Can Actually Do

(45:11) confronting Sharia Law in Nigeria

(47:45) A New Hope in the Next Generation

(49:19) Encouragement for Christians Worldwide

(50:31) Where to Find Dr. Jay Smith

(51:00) Closing Thoughts

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In this episode of You Can Handle the Truth! Kathy sits down with Dr. Tanya Paynter, a naturopathic doctor with a masters in Christian apologetics, CEO of Psalm Medical, and founder of the Christian Women’s Health Fellowship. We talk about how faith, science, mental health, hormones, and Scripture intersect to shape the whole person. We discuss spiritual health, perimenopause, emotional stress, digestion, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, Christian apologetics, and why God designed the mind and body to work together.

Dr. Tanya explains how spiritual alignment and time with the Lord influence physical health, cortisol, inflammation, digestion, and emotional stability. We cover the biblical foundation for mental renewal, community, gratitude, Sabbath rest, and the research behind practices like prayer, Bible reading, fellowship, and breaking bread.

We also talk about discernment, medical decision making, natural medicine, supplements, pharmaceuticals, trauma, thought patterns, and why Christian women often feel overwhelmed in midlife. Tanya shares practical advice on finding the root cause of symptoms rather than masking them and offers guidance on approaching wellness with wisdom and biblical truth. If you want to strengthen your faith, calm your mind, support your hormones, or simply understand how Scripture speaks to whole-person health, this conversation will stay with you.

🔹 Chapter Notes (with Time Stamps)

(00:00) Welcome and Introduction to Dr Tanya Painter

(01:23) Faith, Functional Medicine, and Whole-Person Healing

(03:51) How Biblical Practices Change the Body

(05:28) Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:15 to 16

(09:29) Gratitude, Neurology, and God’s Design

(12:22) Handling Criticism and Bold Faith Online

(16:06) Why Christian Women Struggle in Midlife

(18:12) When God Reorders Your Priorities

(22:46) Kathy’s Story of Forgiveness and Healing

(24:50) The Power of Fellowship in Women’s Health

(29:27) Balancing Natural Medicine and Medication

(33:15) Discernment in Today’s Health Information

(43:18) Returning to Scripture as the Foundation

(46:06) How to Join the Christian Women’s Health Fellowship

(49:51) Final Encouragement and Closing

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Thanksgiving has a way of turning into a full family debate before the turkey is even carved. In this episode of You Can Handle the Truth!, we talk about how to navigate political conversations, complicated relatives, and holiday expectations with a Christian perspective that is honest, warm, and grounded in Scripture.

We walk through the parable in Matthew 22 and why Jesus used a banquet to explain the invitation of the gospel. We talk about choosing peace instead of proving a point, loving family members who disagree with us, and why kindness often opens doors that arguments close.

This episode is ideal for anyone hoping for a calmer, more Christ-centered Thanksgiving that reflects grace, patience, and truth.

For anyone needing a reminder of grace this Thanksgiving, here is a song that captures the heart of invitation and peace:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXXxLwxfo0U

🔹 Chapter Notes (with Time Stamps)

(00:00) Thanksgiving tension and political divides

(00:16) Why no one wins Thanksgiving debates

(00:50) The pressure to convince family at dinner

(01:15) Choosing peace and protecting your joy

(01:24) Loving relatives even when they are wrong

(01:37) The humor and chaos of holiday meals

(01:43) Introduction to the Parable of the Wedding Feast

(01:50) Scripture: Matthew 22 explained

(02:23) The open invitation of the gospel

(03:10) Loving without compromising conviction

(03:33) When politics come up at dinner

(04:01) Final encouragement and Thanksgiving blessing

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In this heartwarming episode of You Can Handle the Truth!, we talk about God Winks—those small, perfectly timed moments when God reminds us He’s listening.

From a fortune cookie that reappears years later to a worship song that shows up at exactly the right moment, Kathy and Annabelle share stories of prayer, purpose, and divine timing.

We also dive into how to pray, why gratitude changes everything, and how even the smallest details of life matter to God. If you’ve ever wondered whether He still hears you, this episode will remind you that He does—and sometimes, He even has a sense of humor about it.

Before the holidays hit, take a deep breath, say a prayer, and start watching for the wink.

🔹 Chapter Notes (with Time Stamps)

(00:00) Intro: Annabelle returns and the never-aired episode

(00:38) What are God Winks and how to see them

(02:10) Kathy’s journey with prayer

(03:35) The fortune cookie story: “There is a true and sincere friendship between you both.”

(08:00) God’s quiet reminders

(09:19) The Easter song moment (yes, Kathy only found the VeggieTales version—link below)

(11:15) Why we should pray about everything

(12:42) Finding The Purpose Driven Life and hearing God’s direction

(15:59) How to pray with gratitude

(16:35) Scripture Reading – Psalm 100:4

(18:10) Scripture Reading – Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord’s Prayer)

(20:49) Why a thankful heart transforms prayer

(23:08) Keeping a prayer journal to remember answered prayers

(25:14) “A lot of prayer, a lot of power”

(26:16) Jesus heals the blind man—how God heals how we see

(28:15) Final encouragement

(28:34) Closing message and subscribe reminder

Oh, and when Kathy went searching for the beautiful Easter song that mysteriously reappeared after years of praying about it… she could only find the VeggieTales version. Naturally, we’re linking that one below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em062IcIVuI

Link to Purpose Driven Life:

https://tinyurl.com/bdhapacu

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This week on You Can Handle the Truth! Kathy Afzali sits down with her husband, David Afzali, to share one of the most miraculous stories of divine providence you’ll ever hear.

As a 15-year-old boy in pre-revolution Iran, David saw a simple sign at school that set off a chain of events orchestrated entirely by God. What followed was a bold escape, a $25 flight, and a series of “coincidences” that could only be described as the hand of God.

Through humor and heart, Kathy connects David’s real-life journey to the Book of Esther, reminding us that God is often working behind the scenes even when His name isn’t mentioned.

Watch to hear how one quiet prayer in a dorm room, one daring act, and one act of faith changed the course of David’s life—and Kathy’s too.

🔹 Chapter Notes and Time Stamps:

(00:00) Intro: The wildest idea yet

(00:16) Why Esther’s story mirrors David’s

(01:00) Introducing my husband, David Afzali

(03:12) Tehran, Iran before the revolution

(03:52) The sign that changed everything

(05:12) Passing 59 exams to come to America

(08:00) From Tehran to North Little Rock, Arkansas

(11:10) Go Chargers Go – his first American moment

(12:30) Discovering Christianity for the first time

(14:10) The phone call that changed his future

(16:20) A secret plan to stay in America

(19:05) The $25 ticket to Newark, New Jersey

(21:10) Walking into Fairleigh Dickinson University

(23:00) Meeting his Jamaican roommate, Brian

(25:10) The bold soccer tryout prayer

(26:30) “If you want to win, you’ll have me on your team”

(27:10) Earning a full scholarship—by faith

(28:15) Becoming a proud American citizen

(29:19) (Esther 4:12–14) “For such a time as this”

(31:07) The providence of God in hindsight

(32:58) Closing reflections and gratitude

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#YouCanHandleTheTruth #ChristianPodcast #Faith #Bible

In this episode of You Can Handle the Truth!, Kathy Afzali sits down with resident Bible scholar, Shane Rosenthal, to uncover the deeper meaning behind one of Scripture’s most mysterious moments - Jacob wrestling with God in Genesis 32.

Together, they explore how Jacob’s struggle symbolizes every believer’s journey: from deception to redemption, weakness to strength, and striving to surrender. Shane breaks down why God allowed Jacob to “win,” what his new name Israel truly means, and how this moment points directly to Jesus and the cross.

If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, guilt, or your past, this episode will remind you that God meets us right in the middle of the struggle - not to destroy us, but to transform us.

🔹 Chapter Notes and Time Stamps:

(00:00) Introduction — Welcome back with Kathy & Shane

(00:16) What We’ll Cover Today: Jacob Wrestles With God

(03:10) God Uses Imperfect People

(05:16) Jesus’ Broken Family Line and God’s Redemption

(07:02) Scripture Reading — Genesis 32:22–32

(12:10) The Meaning Behind Jacob’s Name Change

(17:16) Wrestling With Faith and Doubt

(20:02) The Dangers of Favoritism in Families

(25:08) The Cherubim and God’s Hidden Symbolism

(26:53) Jacob’s Dual Nature: Smart but Flawed

(33:22) Did Jacob Think He Was Wrestling Esau?

(40:26) Understanding God’s “Weakness” in Scripture

(43:05) “The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth” Explained

(47:24) How Every Verse Points to the Messiah

(49:22) Closing: How Jesus Lets the Child Win

Watch now to discover how the God who wrestled with Jacob still meets us in our struggles today - with grace, strength, and love.

Shane Rosenthal's Website

https://www.humbleskeptic.com

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Today on You Can Handle the Truth! we’re talking about faith under fire—literally and figuratively.

Rob and Stephanie Krop are a married couple from Frederick, Maryland, who found their faith tested in an unimaginable way. Rob, co-owner of The Machine Gun Nest, was federally indicted in 2023 under newly reinterpreted ATF regulations that criminalized actions once considered legal. Stephanie, his wife and business partner, stood beside him through every moment—leaning on God, prayer, and Scripture to find peace in the chaos.

This is a story of endurance, courage, and the kind of faith that holds steady when life feels unfair. Rob shares how his personal walk with Christ deepened as he faced the real possibility of prison. Stephanie reveals how she fought fear, anchored herself in Scripture, and learned to trust God one day at a time.

Their journey reminds us that even when the system fails, God never does—and that peace is possible when your faith stands firm.

📖 Scripture Highlight: Isaiah 43:2 — “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.”

Watch this powerful testimony of faith, perseverance, and God’s victory through trials.

🔹 Chapter Notes and Time Stamps:

(00:00) Faith Under Fire: Introducing Rob & Stephanie Krop

(02:00) ATF Policy Changes and the Legal Storm

(05:00) The Day Everything Changed

(08:00) Facing a Federal Indictment

(11:00) Rob’s Salvation Story

(13:00) What They Were Accused Of

(20:15) Stephanie’s Faith in the Fire – Proverbs 22:6, John 3:3, Psalms 23

(25:00) How the Trial Dragged On and God Sustained Them

(30:20) The Power of Church and Community

(33:25) Choosing Forgiveness – Romans 8:28, Philippians 2:3

(41:53) Isaiah 43:2 – God in the Fire

(43:00) The “Not Guilty” Verdict

(44:20) How God Turned It for Good

(45:40) Life After the Trial

🔗 Links to their channels below:

Website: www.themachinegunnest.com

Instagram: @themachinegunnest @machinegun_steph

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tmgnmd

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@TheMachineGunNest?si=MdbT6m5rUxO0Qrx4

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