A member of Finland's parliament who has faced a years-long legal battle for sharing a Bible verse on social media is refusing to back down from her freedom fight.

Päivi Räsänen told "Higher Ground With Billy Hallowell" her legal battle began more than five years ago when she challenged Finland's main religious body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, questioning why it had "decided to support, financially and publicly" a local Pride parade.

"It was a disappointment and even shock to me and many others," she said. "Many of my friends decided to resign the church, and I was also praying ... 'What should I do now?' I was very worried about this very public statement of the leadership of the church because I was worried that it will undermine people's trust on Bible and its authority."

Ms. Räsänen decided to take to Twitter to share text from Romans 1, where the Apostle Paul addresses sexual ethics. She added a question to church leadership about their position in support of Pride.

"After that, some citizen made a criminal complaint and the police started to investigate the case," Ms. Räsänen continued. "At the beginning, I didn't believe it. I just read it from the newspaper that police [had] started to investigate the case and I phoned to the policeman and he said, 'Yes, we are investigating it.'"

Now, she faces a major trial over her religious expression. Listen to Ms. Räsänen share the full story.

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“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

Jesus’ timely words are recorded in the Gospel of Matthew and have been invoked by many for millenniums seeking to make the point that intense division can lead to the dissolution of our most beloved relationships and institutions.

Considering the chaos of today's election, here are five prayers that will save our nation and help us survive.

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Pastor Allen Jackson of World Outreach Church in Nashville, Tennessee, is on a prayer-filled mission to ask God to bless America. Jackson explains why he believes millions of churchgoers don't plan to vote, why it matters, and why he believes Christians must engage in politics and culture.

He also has advice for what to do if your chosen candidate loses on election day. Listen to Jackson join Billy Hallowell to break it all down.

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Description: Jenn Nizza was a psychic medium who was paid to predict the future – and Halloween was the busiest night of the year for her. Now, as a Christian, she shares her experience to warn others about the glorification of evil and the dangers of the demonic. Listen to her story on this week's The Washington Times' Higher Ground with Billy Hallowell.

Brandon Showalter is the host of “The Generation Indoctrination: Inside the Transgender Battle” documentary podcast from The Christian Post. He has spent years revealing the “growing and metastasizing transgender craze in America” and his reporting works to expose “one of the worst medical scandals of our time.” Listen as Mr. Showalter breaks down what to expect from Season 4 of his podcast documentary with The Washington Times Higher Ground’s Billy Hallowell.

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With so much chaos, furor, and dysfunction in culture, entertainment has unsurprisingly become more depraved and disconnected from morality. Yet, new companies continue to emerge aimed at inspiring families and instilling faith and biblical ethics.

Entertainment industry veterans Monty Hobbs and Valerie Smaldone have jumped into the inspirational space with their new company Just Do GOOD Entertainment, a content creation company that seeks to entertain, inspire, and become motivated to do good.

Their new show "Divine Renovation," hosted by Erik Estrada, is just one such project.

Listen to Mr. Hobbs and Ms. Smaldone break down their mission and why they're hoping to help transform Hollywood content.

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In this episode of Higher Ground, Billy Hallowell sits down with Pastor Jesse Bradley from Grace Community Church in Washington State. They dive into the role of faith in today’s chaotic political climate, exploring why it’s essential for believers to engage thoughtfully and prayerfully with current events — especially amid dark times. Jesse shares his insight on the balance between spiritual convictions and civic responsibilities, reminding listeners of the importance of praying for all leaders—whether or not they align with our beliefs.

The discussion also takes a personal turn, as Mr. Bradley opens up about the struggles facing the church today. From navigating the political spectrum to facing cultural confusion, he offers guidance on finding clarity in Scripture and using it as the foundation for decision-making, especially during elections and chaotic times. This conversation will inspire you to ask, “What does God want for my vote?”

Beyond politics, Mr. Bradley explores the real-life challenges plaguing society—from the rise in mental health struggles to societal shifts that often leave the church feeling isolated. He emphasizes the need for a grassroots, Gospel-centered approach, sharing practical ways his church is working to reach people where they are, including innovative ministries like Drive Thru Prayer and JustChooseHope.org.

They discuss how, in dark times, a little light can go a long way. Jesse shares powerful stories from Seattle, highlighting how small acts of hope can transform lives and communities. He calls on Christians everywhere to rise above the fray, spread hope, and become part of the solution, living out the true calling of faith in every facet of life.

So, tune in for a stirring conversation that will challenge you to think deeper, pray harder, and act bolder.

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For KING + COUNTRY is undoubtedly one of the most popular inspirational bands of the modern era, with lead singers — and brothers — Joel and Luke Smallbone entertaining the masses through music, movies, and live tour experiences.

The duo most recently saw their family's incredible journey conveyed through the major motion picture "Unsung Hero," which was released earlier this year. Months later, they're now traveling across America on the 31-city "For KING + COUNTRY LIVE: The UNSUNG HERO 2024 Tour," performing music from the film and offering faith-inspiring messages to audiences.

The Smallbones' work is a fusion of art, faith, encouragement, innovation, and grit.

Joel Smallbone told "Higher Ground With Billy Hallowell" that he and Luke are "trying to create awe-inspiring environments" through their music and performances.

And it's not lost on him that For KING + COUNTRY is bringing out these messages of hope during a "very tumultuous time for this country." It's a responsibility and honor Smallbone doesn't take lightly.

"We get to pull people into a room that vote, think, look, act different from one another — different beliefs, different points of view, and yet we can come together for two and a half hours and have this ... emotional, relational, spiritual moment together," he said. "I'm really proud of it, and I think that's part of the deep purpose of it."

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