2016 Episode 4

Show open from the Pathway Studios

The hosts open the show live from the Pathway Studios in Johnston. A bit about naming a primary health care provider lands on the punchline that one host's provider is the Lord Jesus Christ, and the show is framed as the once-a-year Live From The Path advice extravaganza.

Dear LFTP: 'Not like dear old dad' — husband accuses wife of infidelity

• How can I get my husband to stop accusing me of cheating when I have been faithful?

A listener letter asks how to get a husband to stop accusing her of cheating; he claims infidelity is hereditary because her father was unfaithful. The hosts reject the heredity claim, suggest projection or insecurity on the husband's part, advise an open-book posture on privacy to rebuild trust, and recommend marriage counseling plus agreeing on marital absolutes. The Secular persona advises asking for the source of the misinformation and getting professional counseling.

Dear LFTP: 'Offended in New Jersey' — brother-in-law's girlfriend on her phone

• How do I stop a relative's rude phone use at family gatherings without causing a rift?

A letter complains that a brother-in-law's girlfriend stayed on her phone through a family gathering, including the writer's daughter's violin performance. The hosts agree the behavior is rude but tell the writer to stop being offended, focus on engaged guests, and avoid conditional hospitality. The catchphrase 'keep your love on' is coined in this exchange. Secular's advice is judged as self-righteous and unhelpful.

Dear LFTP: how to break up with a hairdresser

• How does one break up with a hairdresser?

A listener asks how to leave a hairdresser named Flossy without it being personal. The hosts share stories of their own stylist switches, debate whether a long-time stylist deserves a heads-up, and land on just quietly stopping appointments. One host jokes about asking a real barber's opinion next visit. Secular advises calling Flossy in advance to free the time slot.

Dear LFTP: should I attend church if I don't believe?

• Should I attend church when I do not share the beliefs?

A letter from someone raised by pastor parents who left the faith asks whether it is dishonest to attend church for the community and ritual while not believing. The hosts argue the community an unbeliever wants is ultimately found in Christ, say 'go,' and compare the situation to a non-alcoholic attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings for the fellowship. Secular advises trying a denomination with no creed, naming Unitarian Universalism.

Dear LFTP: floral delivery fee and hand-delivering funeral flowers

• Is it acceptable to hand-deliver funeral flowers instead of paying the delivery fee?

A listener asks whether it is acceptable to buy a plant and hand-deliver it to a funeral home rather than pay a steep delivery fee. The hosts unanimously say yes, noting no one tracks who delivered the flowers and that a personal delivery is more meaningful. Secular agrees: it is the thought that counts.

Dear LFTP: old friend Violet has gone distant

• Should I leave my distant old friend Violet alone?

A letter describes a 25-year friend named Violet who moved back to town but now gives curt refusals to get together, saying she is 'only doing what I feel I can enjoy and manage.' The hosts advise giving her space, leaving the door open, and loving her from a distance. Secular advises a short sweet note and moving on with other friendships.

Bible quiz: King Agrippa

• Who was King Agrippa's wife?
• What question did Paul ask King Agrippa?

The hosts take a 12-question online Bible quiz on King Agrippa, Paul's trial before Festus, and the appeal to Caesar. They score 9 of 12 (75%), beating the quiz's historical average of 66%. On-air corrections: Agrippa's wife is Bernice (not Beatrice, as the group answered), Festus said Paul could be heard 'tomorrow' (not 'today'), and Paul asked Agrippa 'Do you believe the prophets?' (not 'Do you believe what I am telling you?').

Bible quiz: Nebuchadnezzar, part one

• What did Nebuchadnezzar do first when Daniel interpreted his dream?

The hosts take a 7-question Bible quiz on Nebuchadnezzar: king of Babylon, Zedekiah taken in fetters (corrected on air to Jehoiakim), Arioch the commander, the tree dream representing Nebuchadnezzar himself, and the golden idol at 60 cubits. Answering stalls when the group realizes Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and worshiped Daniel himself rather than Daniel's God.

Digression: incense and the senses in worship

• Should Christians incorporate sensory elements like incense into worship?

Sparked by Daniel 2:46's 'sweet odors' offered to Daniel, the hosts debate whether sensory elements like incense belong in modern worship. They compare it to drums and projectors as non-necessary but useful elements, discuss the tabernacle's anointing oil and Young Living's refusal to sell one of its ingredients, and reflect on high-church practices (Maundy Thursday, censers) their tradition shelved that may still be fine.

Bible quiz: Nebuchadnezzar, part two — scoring

The hosts finish scoring the Nebuchadnezzar quiz: 60 cubits confirmed for the golden idol and Belshazzar named as the king after Nebuchadnezzar, for 5 of 7 (72%) against a historical quiz average of 53%.

Dear LFTP: Jimmy asked her to take back the proposal

• My boyfriend asked me to rescind my proposal and avoids talking about our future - what should I do?

A listener proposed to her boyfriend Jimmy after he resisted marriage talk; he first said yes, then asked her to take the proposal back and now avoids all future discussion. The hosts read the relationship as over and advise moving on rather than quitting her job to move back. Secular calls Jimmy a coward for avoiding the conversation, and the hosts riff on stating marriage intentions early in dating.

Show close and website plugs

The hosts close the show, plug the Tim Timmons interview and his album Awake Our Souls on livefromthepath.org, and sign off with the line about being faithful in the means while God handles the ends.