Kathie Lee Gifford talks about demolition tradition and forgives Frank Gifford for infidelity: “It nearly destroyed me”

What does Jesus mean to you? Kathie Lee Gifford is dying to find out.

For decades, the former TV co-host and proud Christian has had deep discussions with anyone willing to speak to her about their faith – whether they share her faith or not.

Many of these warm conversations inspired the 68-year-old to write a new book, The Jesus I Know, which highlights many of these cherished receipts from God over the years. Some of the many people she introduced in the book include Kris Jenner, Brian Welch, and Vicki Gifford Kennedy – to name a few.

It was a moment of reflection for the star who attributed her unwavering love for God during times of triumph and tragedy. Gifford, who now lives in Nashville after losing husband Frank Gifford at the age of 84 in 2015, spoke to Fox News about the abandonment culture, connecting with other people, and learning the power of forgiveness.

KATHIE LEE GIFFORD REFLECTS HOW FAITH LEADS TO AN “INCREDIBLY ADVENTURING JOURNEY”: “I ONLY TRUST IN GOD”

Fox News: How excited are you now to publish a book like The Jesus I Know?
Kathie Lee Gifford: Oh, it’s very exciting. I wanted to talk to people who were very different from me, but who were willing to share their views about Jesus and the importance of faith to them. It’s uplifting. And I think it’s a good time, especially because of the demolition culture we live in. It’s a cancerous tumor. It’s evil, and it’s not something Jesus would ever do. Jesus would never turn anyone down. I certainly don’t want to be the person who rejects someone because they don’t look like me or believe in the same things as me. We shouldn’t fire anyone and treat them as if they have no worth.

I think it is a challenge for us to look at people who are different from us and to understand them better. I want people to look at each other closely every day and ask, “Lord, am I doing the right thing? Does that honor God?” And if so, do it.

The story goes on

Photo by John Lamparski / Getty Images“src =” “data-src =” https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/LNjGOeu6_j5_mtZ2hM9.gQ–/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTM5Nw–/https://s.yimg.com/uu/ api / res / 1.2 / qTFd67LUN68WYP_B.2GQ.g– ~ B / aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u / https: //media.zenfs.com/de/fox_news_text_979/88f076ce714ac494

Kathie Lee Gifford currently lives in Nashville. Photo by John Lamparski / Getty Images

I’ve never met anyone who wouldn’t argue about faith. Even the most die-hard atheist was fascinated by Him. One unbeliever told me, “I don’t believe in Him, but if the whole world lived their lives as He told us, the world would be in a completely different place.” I wanted to sit down with people who were different from me and talk about Jesus … A lot of people think differently about Jesus than I do. But no one has ever condemned their way of life.

Fox News: One of the people you spoke to was Kris Jenner, someone who has had so much success as a parent but has also faced personal tragedy. How did belief help her cope with the loss?
Gifford: Kris was one of my dear friends in Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, before anyone knew her name. I know you as a kind person who believes in Jesus … It’s strange, some people have asked me, “How can you be friends with someone like that?” My answer is always: “Why not?” She confessed to me. She was one of the first people I called to work on this book.

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Most people don’t know how to give all glory to Jesus. Even in the most difficult times of her life, she turns to Jesus. Everything we see on TV with the Kardashians is show business, this is made up stuff. The Kris I know is warm, loving, and loyal. She has always turned to faith in good times and bad. Yes, she made choices that I wouldn’t make. But I still love her. And that’s called love. That’s called friendship.

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Kathie Lee Gifford has been friends with Kris Jenner for decades. Ben Hider / Getty Images

Fox News: You also spoke to Justin Bieber’s mother. How do you think she relied on the Faith growing up in public?
Gifford: She was always attached to God during her pregnancy. She was a young single mother with no money, no anything. But for them God was always there. She wasn’t someone born into the faith. But it was belief that kept them going. And she shared her wisdom with her son. Like Kris, Patti [Mallette] was excited to talk about how important Jesus is in her life.

You know, some people are born into Christian homes and never stray from them. I think that’s great and I bless her, but I have nothing to do with it. I wanted to hear stories about how God saved, relieved, and redeemed people. I wanted to know how they found their way to God. I’m so against cookie cutters. People always tell me, “You are so religious.” I reply: “Please don’t call me that.” I don’t like religion. I believe religion puts us in chains. I believe in walking with God. And that’s exactly what these stories are about. You may know some of their names, but I wanted to connect with them on their journeys to God.

Fox News: Has there ever been a moment in your life where you questioned your faith or perhaps felt that God had left you?
Gifford: Of course … when my husband was unfaithful to me, it almost destroyed me. I still hear people tell me, “You went through this and I was able to find God’s grace in the middle of it.”

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Kathie Lee Gifford and Frank Gifford tied the knot in 1986. They stayed together until his death in 2015. Bennett Raglin / WireImage / Getty Images

God has a purpose for us. And God’s ways are not our ways. There were times like this. I still have scars from them. Even though they are physically healed, they are still there. I will never forget what they are. But they are also trophies … I felt hopeless, but that moment also taught me to forgive. And I did it with God’s love. And with God’s love, you can face anything.

Fox News: Have you and Regis Philbin ever talked about faith?
Gifford: Oh, many, many times … I remember when Regis died I went to his widow Joy and her daughters. When I left, she looked at me and said, “Kathie … are you sure that Regis believed? Are you sure that he is in heaven with Jesus?” I said, “Absolutely, Joy.” I’ve spoken to him so many times and he was a believer. He believed that Jesus was his personal Savior. It’s that simple. He believed.

Fox News: What advice would you give someone who wants to believe that there is a God, but the challenges in their life make it difficult for them to keep the faith?
Gifford: There are too many people like that. God sees them … God calls each of us differently. It’s part of our journey. I would say keep your heart open There is a scripture that says, Taste and see that the Lord is good. People have tried everything in their lives except the goodness of God. For some reason they avoid it. If you could just give God this chance to know Him, you will see how much He loves you too.

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Regis Philbin died on July 24, 2020 at the age of 88. Peter Kramer / NBC / NBC Newswire / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

This book is really for those who have not yet understood that God loves them. You don’t notice. So I just pray that the Lord will illuminate His truth in their hearts. I pray that no matter what [that person] you will feel God’s love wherever you are, whatever darkness you sit in, whatever loneliness you experience, whatever loss you suffer.