Q on queue: Recent Episodes
Brian Querry
"Q on queue" is about a lot of different things - life, inspiration, music, family, and so much more. In each episode, you'll hear a lot about my own life and some of what's been on my mind. Most of the content for this show will center around my faith, my love for music, my career as an educator, and much more. My desire out of this podcast is that we can do life together. I might do a lot of talking, but I'm hoping it will be more of a conversation. Thanks for joining me on this journey with me, as I bring to you what I have - on queue. HANDOUTS AND MORE INFO AVAILABLE AT WWW.QONQUEUE.COM
One of our family's favorite summer activities is what we like to call “Destination Unknown” trips. We take someone to a special event or place and they have very few details about where they're going. Well, in a very similar way, a lot of the places we are headed in life are really a "destination unknown". We don't know every step, every result, every outcome. Sometimes we are hesitant to step out in faith because we don't know what's next. So, how do we handle, how do we begin to perceive going through life knowing there’s a place and a purpose for us, without knowing exactly where we are going? How do we take that journey without knowing all of the stops along the way?
This week I'll be sharing a new episode entitled "Destination Unknown". I won't be reinventing the wheel and I won't be giving any magic solutions. This week is more of a reassurance about even though we don't know every destination we are headed, we can trust the one who authors our steps as we take each of those steps.
What do your words communicate to those around you? What do your actions say about how you are feeling or what you're thinking? Our relationships are directly affected both positively and negatively by what we say and do.
This week, we talk about why communication doesn't have to be so hard as we make it out to be, the three basic principles for healthy communication, and how to put them into practice to improve your connections with others.
What if things are suddenly changing around you? What if your relationships are changing, your environment is changing, your finances changing? There’s no perfect solution, but I believe there are some basics we can apply that will help us deal with, tackle, and adapt to change when necessary.
In this third episode of our "Back to Basics" series, we talk about going back to basics in dealing with change in our lives and how approaching and dealing with change really has to do with some basic principles.
Why do we make relationships so complicated? We add so many rules, expectations, and other things that make some relationships way more difficult or complicated than they need to be. Some of that is pushed by society, others pushed by the other party in the relationship, but the fact is - relationships are based off of a few basic principles.
In this second episode of our "Back to Basics" series, we talk about going back to basics with the relationships in our lives. I'll be sharing about how we can stay focused on four basic principles in relationships and if we’ve strayed too far, how to get back to it.
Every day it seems like there are more and more things in life to pull us off track - things and experiences and people and situations that take us off course and stop us from achieving our objectives and goals. Some of our lives have SOOO much. I think about my own responsibilities - as a father, a band director, an educator, a composer, a church musician, a radio news reporter - I have so many things to do for so many people. These things can only be successful with a plan, and most importantly with boundaries.
In this first episode of our new "Back to Basics" series, we talk about going back to basics with boundaries in our lives. Why are boundaries important and is it really easy to set them and maintain them at the most basic of levels?
When we know our true identity in Christ, why do we pretend to be something we’re not? The fact is that all of us wear some type of mask, whether it's to hide something or to fit in or to pretend to be something we're not. This week, we talk about the dangers of those masks, how masks were a part of the Easter story, and why it's so important to tear them off and break them to be the authentic person God called us to be.
Today we begin our series "Three Images of Easter" with an episode entitled "The Mirror". When you look in the mirror, what do you see? For many of us, what we call our self-image is an extremely big deal. Many of us don’t see our true self, our “God-created” self. We don’t recognize our true value, not realizing how much we matter, honestly struggling to see ourselves as valuable as God sees us.
In this episode, we explore the many mirrors that give us a reflection that is not our true self, and how God defines who were our, our calling, and our true identity.
We can learn a lot from being stuck in traffic. It an teach you patience, learning how to wait your turn, and even selfishness. Think about this - are you always living life at one speed, or are you flexible to slow down and speed up when needed? When you get stuck, do you allow other people to merge, or do you take time to enjoy the pause, or do you hog everyone's bumper?
In this fourth part of the "Traffic" series, we take a look at what life lessons traffic jams can teach us with hopes they can help you with the way you view certain life situations.
Life is full of detours. We all see detours in our future plans, our health, our work, our families, our finances, our relationships. A detour may take you far off the path and slow you down. They catch us off-guard, often leaving us frustrated, confused, curious, or even hurt. We may be left questioning why certain things happened or why we were sent a certain direction. We can also be tempted to become discouraged, frustrated, or even angry.
In this third part of the "Traffic" series, we take a look at several reasons why detours happen and how we can and should respond to them.
Do you feel like life is running at 100 miles per hour? How much of that is us overworking ourselves? How much is us looking way overthinking things that are way down the road? How many of us need to do a better job of living in the present?
The speed at which we choose to live our lives has a direct effect on our work, our family lives, our relationships, our emotional health, our spiritual lives, and deep down to our souls. In this episode, we address the question: Do you have a “speed limit”?
If you do, this week we'll talk about why it's important to take your foot off the gas pedal (or maybe off the brake) and how we can relish the present while still moving forward towards what our future holds.
I remember the first time I ever looked at a drivers education manual… it was kind of overwhelming. There are some big obvious things to learn, like speed limit, passing on the left, and moving over for emergency vehicles, among other things. But there are hundreds of very intricate rules that just seem impossible to remember, and many that are often different from state to state. As with every long-standing practice, traditions and rules around driving evolve, and they have been for decades as cars and highways have changed. Alongside those traditions are often myths and urban legends, dating back to who knows when, including this gem. I would always hear people say that if you come to a “Stop” sign that has a white ring around the edge, it was OPTIONAL.
Stop signs are stop signs, regardless of whether or not they have a white border. Saying a stop sign is optional, when we know the law says it isn’t, is almost like saying, “The Rules Don’t Apply to Me”. If we disobey a simple rule like that one, what other things do we feel don’t apply to us too? What other “rules” or standards do we feel are optional or don’t have to be followed all of the time?
This week, I talk about the importance of living our best life by being our best - not by being perfect, but by being our best example to the world.
Studies show that 20-30% of gifts given at the holidays will either be returned, lost, or forgotten. The rest get used, appreciated, and cherished. Valuing and cherishing the gifts we are given gives them a special significance. So what is the value in a gift? Why do we give what we give and why does it matter what we give? And why were we given the gifts we were given? The magi gave gifts to Jesus, and that simple act launched a beautiful tradition. But in the midst of the holiday hub bub, it can be easy to forget another very individualized package God gives to each of us: the gifts each of us has.
This week, I focus on the most important Gift God gave to this world - His Son... and the gifts He gives to each of us, as well as why it's important for us to value and cherish them.
From my house to yours, Merry Christmas!
In this season, which Andy Williams says is “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, how many people do you know, maybe including yourself, who are just plain miserable? And I’m not necessarily just talking about people who might have a negative demeanor every day anyways. I’m talking about people who are generally happy, who just let every moment of busyness, every stress, every demand of the season weigh on them, and they just become - do I dare say - nasty? Do They Know It’s Christmas? Or what about people who get exceptionally greedy and just want want want during this season of giving. Do They Know It’s Christmas? Or what about someone who just wants to make everything related to this time of year about them - Do They Know It’s Christmas?
In this episode, I talk about just how important our attitude is and how it affects all things, and perhaps most importantly, how we can prevent the "busy"ness of the season from making us a sourpuss.
Christmas is just a few weeks away, and if you’re schedule and to-do list are anything like mine, it seems like the word “busy” is the daily norm. We often feel obligated or compelled to go to each and every Holiday event we're invited to, regardless of the holiday stress we may be feeling. Did you ever ask yourself the questions, “What if I don’t go to that event? What will happen?”
This week, I share about why it's so important to be intentional about slowing down the rapid-fire pace most of us are embroiled in this time of year.
Speed bumps visit life in many different ways. It could come in the form of an illness, a job issue, a relationship struggle, or something else. When speed bumps happen, many of us get frazzled and ask lots of questions. In this episode, I share several strategies I've found are not just important, but NECESSARY to overcome speed bumps, and guess what? They come straight from the Scriptures! Maybe speed bumps are meant for protection. Maybe they're meant to slow us down. Regardless, what can we do when life’s speed bumps get in the way? Give this week's episode a lesson and find out!
In our 3rd and final part in our series on relationships, we talk about boundaries in our relationships. No matter what type of relationship we are talking about, why are boundaries important and necessary? What do they look like? We answer those questions and more in this episode.
In Part 2 in our series on relationships, we dig deeper into the idea of your "village". Who is in your support system? Who are the people that are a part of the bigger picture and who are the ones that are a part of your "inner circle"? Authentic relationships with both groups play an integral part in life.
Inspired by my own life and the teens and young adults I come in contact with on a daily basis, this 3-part series with dive into why being yourself in relationships is so important, how to find and define who "your people" are, and developing a sense of true community with those in your life.
In this first episode, I talk about authenticity. Why is it important to be honest and vulnerable? The practical points I share are applicable to just about any type of relationship, from friendships to romantic connections to colleagues and more.
Most of the things that make the biggest impact are the small changes we make and small things we do - repeatedly - that build into something larger over time.
In this second part of a 2-part series on habits, we'll talk about how to implement those small changes, what kind of impact they can have, and just how important those little steps can be in big results later on.
Let’s face it - change isn’t easy. But it isn’t impossible, either. The truth is that your future self is a result of the decisions you make each day, both big and small. And a lot of times, we don’t think about just how much each thing we do makes an impact. Most of the things that make the biggest impact are the small changes we make and small things we do - repeatedly - that build into something larger over time.
In this series, we'll talk about identifying habits we wish to change, add, or remove. We'll discuss why small changes can mean more than big ones, where we can find time to do these things, and what happens when we face resistance or personal doubt.
Give it a listen, and stay tuned for the next few weeks as we dive into this topic!
When given the opportunity, is it more important for you to “Be Real” or to be who others expect you to be? Sometimes our personalities, our choices, our attitudes, can change in the wind based on who we’re with or where we are. Social media draws us to post only the best versions of ourselves, and often don't allow the world to see the "real" us.
In this episode, I talk about why being real is so important, but most importantly, why we should be real in both private and public times, especially when it comes to prayer and our faith. Being real can really be a testimony to others.
You've probably all heard the phrase "Opportunity doesn't knock twice". When opportunity comes your way, how do you know what is from God and what is something sent to derail you from your life's dreams and calling?
In this second of a 2-part series, I'll talk about three things that can prevent you from seeing all of the opportunities life has for you. I'll share my perspective and experience on how your habits, the people you surround yourself with, and your faith have major effects on what you can experience.
You've probably all heard the phrase "Opportunity doesn't knock twice". When opportunity comes your way, how do you know what is from God and what is something sent to derail you from your life's dreams and calling?
In this episode, I'll reflect on how I have seen and discovered opportunity, and how to reflect on what crosses your path. This is part 1 of a multi-part series.
This week in part 3 of the "March Forward" series, we discuss the concept of the "Something New". How do we know what the calling is on our life? What happens when something new presents itself to us? How do we address and embrace change? This week we talk about that and a lot more, as we "March Forward" in our series.
This week in part 2 of the "March Forward" series, we discuss the concept of the "Rear View Mirror". What happens when we look back, why should we look forward, and are objects really closer than they appear to be? We'll talk about why dwelling on the past can be dangerous, why it's important to be "present", and how we can always be ready for the future by focusing on what God gives us each and every day.
One of our favorite things every summer is drum corps. I’m always fascinated by how a creative team can take a theme and turn it into a field production. The theme and the storyline is the most important part of putting a show together - long before music is picked and visuals are drawn up. I spent some time digging into the show themes for all of the corps this year, because I was just so impressed with how well so many of them told the story through their show. So, for the next 4 weeks, I’ve taken a few of our favorite shows from the summer and relate their titles to some of the things we’ve experienced and learned this summer. I’ve titled this series “Marching Forward”, because after some of the things we’ve experienced, I know we’re being called to move forward in many areas of life.
Today, we begin with part 1: Riffs and Revelations. This show was about a journey… the parts that repeat, the things that were learned, the things discovered - over the road on a journey to reveal who we really are. I'll share a little about some of our repeated patterns and the revelations God has shown us to move forward in several areas.
The number one thing the enemy would like to get us to do is quit. It could be something simple like a job or an activity, or it may be something bigger like your dream or your faith relationship or marriage or even, in some extreme circumstances, your will to live. You could decide to quit fighting and give in. When you think about quitting, then you begin to talk about quitting. Thoughts are often accompanied by words of what you are thinking, and then eventually, that is followed up with actions, and be assured that eventually, you will quit.
So, how do we know when we should step away from something and when we’re just letting ourselves get the best of ourselves? In this fifth and final part of the series "Best. Summer. Ever.", I will be sharing about the reality of how we feel and what we do when we feel like that work/life balance just isn't reachable, and we just have to quit or step away from something. Sometimes it makes sense for us to, but most of the time it's us allowing the temporary to make decisions that will affect the permanent.
This is Part 5 in the series "Best. Summer. Ever." Other episodes in the series include the following:
Part 1 - Take a Walk (released 6/20/22)
Part 2 - Work in the Garden (released 6/27/22)
Part 3 - Make Stuff (released 7/4/22)
Part 4 - Family Game Night (released 7/11/22)
Our family loves to play games. Whether it's card games, board games, puzzles, or something else, intentional family time and periods where I take a rest are essential. We get SO MANY ideas, so much excitement, so much desire to do, to make, to create… that we find ourselves almost doing too much.
In this fourth part of the series "Best. Summer. Ever." I will be sharing about finding a work/life balance. We need to know and follow our calling. But when we make it all about us, it makes it more difficult for us to manage, and takes us down a rabbit hole that we think is hard to dig out of. When we make Christ the center of everything, we know what we need to do and we understand when we need to leave room for margin in our lives.
This is Part 4 in the series "Best. Summer. Ever." Other episodes in the series include the following:
Part 1 - Take a Walk (released 6/20/22)
Part 2 - Work in the Garden (released 6/27/22)
Part 3 - Make Stuff (released 7/4/22)
Part 5 - Nap Time
I am a creator - I write music, I make videos, I take pictures, and though I’m not crafty or necessarily super handy, I love to dabble in that kind of stuff… But I don't always do everything I know I need to. How many times do we find ourselves excited for a project, an activity, or an experience, but seemingly unmotivated to move forward with much of what we’re excited about? It’s too hard - I’m comfortable right where I am - that’s a good idea, but I’m good where I am… I know it needs done, but I’d rather do something else.
In this third part of the series "Best. Summer. Ever.", I will be sharing this week about why using your creativity is important to God. The Scriptures spell out in numerous places about why it's important for us to use what God has given to us to create, and "Make Stuff". And don't worry - this week’s episode is not a command to go run yourself ragged - we'll talk about work/life balance in part 4 next week. :)
This is Part 3 in the series "Best. Summer. Ever." Other episodes in the series include the following:
Part 1 - Take a Walk (released 6/20/22)
Part 2 - Work in the Garden (released 6/27/22)
Part 4 - Family Game Night
Part 5 - Nap Time
In our lives, we have so many opportunities to "plant a seed" - so many chances to say a kind word, do a kind deed, or give an encouragement. How many times do we skip those opportunities because we think they won't make a difference? Or because we don't know if it will cultivate into anything further?
In this second part of the series "Best. Summer. Ever.", I talk a little about literally why it's important to be outside and a little about my garden, but most importantly about why we are called as Christians to plant a seed and to have faith that it will be cultivated in God's timing and with His help.
I am honored this week to have my FIRST EVER GUEST to Q on Queue! My guest this week is Skylor Wingate-Massie. Skylor is the founder and CEO of Plant a Seed Children’s Partnership. She has over twenty years of experience in the social services and educational sectors in the Pittsburgh area and beyond, and God has given her a vision to bring a new kind of mentoring program by coupling creativity and relationships with the arts. Skylor shares a little bit about her ministry but more importantly what God has laid on her heart, and why "Planting A Seed" is so important.
I encourage you to connect with Skylor and Plant a Seed Chidren's Partnership to find out how you can help, get involved, and support her ministry. Here are all of the ways you can connect:
Web Site: www.plantaseedpgh.com
Instagram: @paspgh
Facebook: @PASPGH412
Phone: (412) 448-2807
Email: PASPgh412@gmail.com
This is Part 2 in the series "Best. Summer. Ever." Other episodes in the series will include the following:
Part 1 - Take a Walk (released 6/20/22 - check it out!)
Part 3 - Make Stuff
Part 4 - Family Game Night
Part 5 - Nap Time
It's summer time, and it’s time to unwind, it’s time to disconnect, and it’s time to focus on some things to put me more “in tune” with how God has called me to live my life. I think of it like an opportunity for “reset”. One of the things that gets most often neglected is our health, and I'm not just talking about our physical health. There’s mental health, emotional health, spiritual health, relational health, and so many more. And you know, when things seem to be going great, we don’t take time to really reflect and focus on all of those aspects.
In this first part of the series "Best. Summer. Ever.", I talk a little about why I'm focusing on my physical health this summer and also how I'm visiting and reflecting on my spiritual health, relational health, and more.
Scriptures visited come from 1 Corinthians, Romans 12, and 1 Thessalonians.
This is Part 1 in the series "Best. Summer. Ever." Other episodes in the series will include the following:
Part 2 - Work in the Garden
Part 3 - Make Stuff
Part 4 - Family Game Night
Part 5 - Nap Time
This week's episode is the third in a three-part series about puzzles. My family and I love to do puzzles, and I think in many ways, they can serve as a metaphor for life - the borders we create, the pieces we include and attach together, and how everything fits.
In this third part of the series, I discuss my perspective on how you put everything together as you build your puzzle. Picking the right pieces, getting them to fit, and making the picture is a process. As we go through the process, we must have faith and trust that the right pieces will come along and fit together, to take us ultimately to a completed picture by the time our journey on earth is done.
This week's episode is the second in a three-part series about puzzles. My family and I love to do puzzles, and I think in many ways, they can serve as a metaphor for life - the borders we create, the pieces we include and attach together, and how everything fits.
In this second part of the series, I discuss my perspective on picking the right pieces as you build your puzzle. When we build a puzzle, we first look for the easy pieces, right? Then we try to match pieces together - what fits? What doesn’t? And then we get to the hard stuff - what blurs in with everything else? What can’t we find a home for? After we’ve built a puzzle a few times, we’ve had it where we end up with a random piece from another puzzle in our box, or even we’ll be missing a piece or two, as we’ve lost some pieces along the way. So, what about the pieces? Where do we start? What do we pick? What do we match up? What if some pieces don’t belong?
This week, I share my perspective on building the inside of your puzzle and what needs to happen so you know you're picking the right pieces.
This week's episode is the first in a three-part series about puzzles. My family and I love to do puzzles, and I think in many ways, they can serve as a metaphor for life - the borders we create, the pieces we include and attach together, and how everything fits.
In this first part of the series, I discuss my perspective on the border of the puzzles. As we build puzzles, most of the time, if we can recognize a spot or matching piece for the inside parts, they still just kind of float around, and don’t really have a home until we start with the outside. We have stacks, a bunch of stuff that doesn’t have a place, or the right place… We need a boundary… we need a defined, outer edge, that allows us to know where everything belongs and to help find where everything goes.
Boundaries keep us in check for our own well-being and that of our interactions with others.
Are you a benchwarmer or a starter? In many sports, some players spend a lot of time on the bench, watching while others are "in the game". How many of us treat life that way? This week, I talk about why it's so important to be "in the game" and not "on the sidelines", especially when it comes to fulfilling God's calling on your life.
Life with God is a fun adventure, and God calls us to greater things than just fitting in and being like everyone else. When you have the choice between changing to fit the world's mold or being the one-of-a-kind individual who God has created you to be, choose to be yourself. The world will be a better place because you did.
Today I share 3 principles to think about when trying to fit in with those around us. And while I share these, I realize that everyone of us wants to be loved and accepted. None of us like to be rejected. But also remember that we were born to stand out - we have all been set apart for God’s calling on our lives. Sometimes, that involves us stepping away from the influences, temptations, standards, and pressures of the world.
Wouldn’t it be nice if life was less complicated and didn’t have challenges in it? I forgot who said: “Life was not meant to be easy”. Today I share about challenges… and like some of my other episodes, I’ll give you a bit of inspiration to overcome challenges, talk about ways I’ve gone up against difficulties, but today is going to involve a lot of me opening up - things I haven’t said much beyond my “inner circle”, but things I think you need to here about how God has been with me in your time of challenges, and how He can be with you too. While I don't have all of the answers, I pray my story can inspire and help you in some way - to get closer to the Father who loves you so much and will be with you every step of the way, regardless of the challenge.
Mistakes - we all make them. But how many of us beat ourselves up over them, allow ourselves to dwell on them for a long time, or maybe don't know how to move on from a mistake? Today, I'll share my perspective on why it is so important to admit mistakes, and why learning from them and moving forward shows maturity and really is important if we want to get past our imperfectness.
Are people attracted to you? Let me clarify - I'm not talking about physical attraction or good looks here - but are there things about you… your attitude, your work ethic, your demeanor, your faith life… that causes people to want to be around you? To learn from you? To grow from spending time with you?
This week, I talk about how you can construct and live out your life so that others recognize you have "something special" going on, finding themselves wanting to be around you and learn from you. It all starts with a service-first heart and living our life like Christ. When we live out our calling, we will be blessed, and that joy will speak volumes with those we come in contact with every day.
Scriptures referenced include Matthew 7:12 and Philippians 1:27.
When we think of Valentine's Day, we think of love... and when we think of love, we think of the heart. Have you ever really stopped to think about just how important your heart is or what an important role the heart plays in so many things? Physically, metaphorically, and spiritually, the heart is pretty important, don't you think?
In this episode, we take a look at parts of 1 Corinthians 13 and reflect on why a big heart and “big love” is so important in so many aspects of our lives.
Circles have been used to represent all kinds of things - spirituality, the life cycle, equality, just to name a few. But have you ever thought of the circle as a boundary?
The term "circle of friends" is probably pretty familiar... but which of these is more important to you regarding your "circle" - quantity or quality? Whether we want to admit it or not, when we have the choice, the people and environments we choose to surround ourselves with can define who we are and who we will become.
This week, I share a "heart check" that I truly needed for myself... Who's in your inner circle? Do they truly deserve to be there? Are the people you are surrounding yourself with challenging you to grow and supporting you?
It really is all about the size of our circles.
We live in a world that, to be very honest, is full of noise and disruption coming at us from every angle. So much information is thrown at us each day. Our brains have to figure out ways to literally keep us sane in the midst of what can be quite a bit of chaos.
This is why communication - clear, impactful, and meaningful communication, is so important. We have come to a point where all we hear sometimes is garble… we selectively tune things out, we maybe have so much going on in our minds or other things we’re telling ourselves, that we genuinely don’t hear whatever is being said to us. You’d think that since we do so much communicating, both speaking and listening, you’d think that we’d be really good at it.
This week, I share a few practical reminders about how we can be better communicators and why it is so important. I don't have the magic cure, but these strategies have worked for me, and I hope they can help you.
Birthdays... some people look at them by saying things like, “Ready or not, here they come.” But that’s not how everyone looks at them. For some, their birthday is a joyous event, especially for the young. Birthdays mean presents and surprises and cake and being the center of attention. And though some years go faster and some go slower, the fact is that birthdays come and go and time moves along.
As the years go by, are you just living one day at a day, or are you truly living life to the fullest? In this episode, I talk about ways we can reflect on our daily lives, reflect on whether we're living life to the fullest, and what we need to make sure we do to keep living that way.
Mean people... why is it so hard for them to be kind? What's the best way to approach your experiences and relationships with them? How does empathy play a part?
In this episode, I'll talk about some real (albeit difficult) ways to approach your interactions with people who aren't always so nice, and a little of my perspective on when being so kind is being too kind when God's plans are taking you elsewhere in a relationship.
How many times do we discount the value of “one”? How many times do we bypass a coin on the ground or a single opportunity because we think "there will always be something more"?
How much we value the idea of “one” can have a significant impact on our lives. Principles out there on the concept of "the power of one" are in the billions.
As 2021 comes to a close, I focus on a few important “ones” in our lives and why they should really be our focus going into the new year.
Happy New Year and thank you for your continued support and listenership!
"Once upon a time"... those words usually stir visions of knights in shining armor, magical lands, and happily-ever-after. Everyone has a story. This time of year, we focus on the greatest story ever told... the birth of our Savior. We all have a story too. What's your story?
In this episode, I talk about His story, my story, and your story... and how and why His story can be your story too.
Scriptures referenced include selections from Luke 2 and Matthew 10.
One of the things I most look forward to this time of year is Christmas music. Many of the radio stations around our area switch to all Holiday programming, and many streaming providers offer all Christmas music stations. If you’ve been around a few years, you probably have your Holiday favorites… year after year we hear Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Michael Buble, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, and others belt out the most-often played versions of our favorite Holiday tunes.
However, what about the artists that produce versions of these timeless tunes that don't often get listened to? This year, I’ve been trying out different arrangements of some of these familiar tunes… versions that are perhaps rarely listened to, or you could even say underappreciated.
I can’t help but think about that first Christmas… the night Jesus was born… He really deserved to be born with pomp and circumstance and fanfare and celebration… but God had other plans… arrangements that on the surface seemed to give a sense of “underappreciation”. This week, I talk about the Christmas story from the perspective of what it looked like on the surface and God's plan for a deeper meaning... a story that should always amaze us yet humble us.
Scriptures highlighted this week include selections from Luke 2 and Jeremiah 29.
We continue our Thanksgiving theme in this episode by talking about Grat... n'at (which you'll only get if you're from Pittsburgh - or you listen to the episode). Why is an attitude of gratitude so important and how can you get in the habit of developing one? I share the answer to both of those in this episode and reference one of my favorite scriptures, Psalm 100.
It's November! I'll be spending this month focusing on the topics of thankfulness and gratitude.
In this first episode of November, how often do we take the things provided for us for granted until we lose them? How many times do we allow ourselves to get too comfortable and just assume everything will be there for us? How many times do we succeed financially, mentally, physically, and even spiritually, all the while taking for granted what we truly have?
The reality is this… too often, we allow ourselves to take our eyes off of the Provider and place them on what has been provided because we take the provision for granted. This week, I talk about how we can reflect on what we take for granted and put a plan in place to express our thankfulness to friends, family, and God.
In this episode, I will reference I Peter 4:10.
In the song of the same name as this week's episode, the utensils sing, “We only live to serve, so be our guest.” Serving is literally woven into almost every facet of our daily lives. So the question is - if it’s part of so much of our lives, why is serving others so hard?
This week, I share about my perspective and personal stories when it comes to serving, in the field of education and in life. And while I don't have all of the answers, I share about the importance of serving and why some of us make excuses that we shouldn't.
Scriptures referenced this week include Luke chapter 10 and Matthew 10:39.
We can't hold this episode back anymore! Ok, now that you're all singing the hit song from the movie "Frozen" (you're welcome), this week's episode focuses on letting go. And while there are so many different things we can let go of and be let go from, I focus specifically this week on letting go of things we want to keep under our control, like our kids as they get older. God has laid this heavy on my heart these past few weeks, and I hope you will find it inspiring and helpful in your own journey as well.
Scriptures referenced include Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 2:6, Romans 8:28, and Isaiah 43:18-19.
We're excited to be back for an all new season of Q on queue!
In this first episode of Season 2, we deal with the issue of interaction - how our words and our actions speak volumes when we deal with our co-workers, our friends, our family, and most importantly our children. While I don't have the "magic answer" for you, I share real-life experiences that have worked for us and why you shouldn't lose hope, even if the process has been hard.
The hit song "We've Only Just Begun" by The Carpenters told a love story. But many of its lyrics mirror what believers experience in their faith walk also: so many roads to choose, start out walking and learn to run, finding a place where there's room to grow. Regardless of whether we're new to our faith walk, mature believers, or even non-believers, we all have a calling. Too often, we try to put our calling in a box and give it man-made schedules and deadlines, when in reality, it goes on throughout our life.
In this episode, I'll share about how we can avoid that pitfall and how it's more about obedience in our calling than deadlines or perfection. Scriptures highlighted include selections from Hebrews 12 and Isaiah 40.
When we feel God moving in an area of our life, we should get super excited! But how do we respond? How many times do we find ourselves excited for just a short period of time, anxious for the great things that lie ahead, but seemingly unmotivated to move forward with much of what we’re excited about? Maybe we're too comfortable. Maybe we're afraid. Maybe we want to just go back to the way things were. It really comes down to the reality of us choosing to go in one of three directions - we go backwards, stay right where we are, or go forward.
Today I challenge you to look ahead and step out. I'll discuss what going all of these directions might look like and how these things have all played out in my own life. I'll also share a little about what new and exciting things will be happening with me in the weeks and months to come. It’s game time, my friends. God has drawn up the game plan for each of us and it’s time for you and me to do our part. Let’s go!
Scriptures highlighted include selections from Matthew 14, Isaiah 6, and Matthew 9.
Is there something that’s got you tired or worn out or exhausted, and you just don’t know what to do about it? And I’m not talking about being just physically tired… What about being tired emotionally, mentally, or even spiritually? This week, I talk about being tired and how we can lean on God for strength when we feel like we just don't have any more to give.
Scriptures highlighted include selections from Isaiah 40 and Matthew 11.
Let’s face it - life isn’t easy. We’ve all been hurt, knocked down, sick, separated, left alone, and broken. There may have even been times when you thought to yourself (and others said) you wouldn’t make it. But in spite of all of it, you can stand and say, “I’m still here.”
In this second episode in a series on that phrase, we discuss the perspective of the overcomer... I discuss how important it is to develop guardrails once you've overcome, how necessary it is to dig into the Word, and how powerful it can be to share your testimony with others.
Scriptures highlighted include selections from Romans 8, Joshua 24, Matthew 6, Isaiah 54, and Ephesians 6.
Many of us use the phrase "I'm Still Here" in a variety of situations, whether it's being stuck in a situation, feeling alone, being unable to leave a place, or even in the perspective of an overcomer. In this first episode in a series on this phrase, we'll discuss the perspective of someone who feels forgotten… Abandoned. Omitted. Left out. These aren’t pleasant words. We all know too well the pain that these words and actions related to them can cause. I'll discuss one of my own experiences on this topic and ways you can reflect on God's presence in your life. Scriptures highlighted include selections from Psalm 43, Genesis 39, and Genesis 40.
How many times have you felt like you're "Running on Empty"? Are you overwhelmed with responsibility? Are you lacking energy? Are you giving, giving, giving, and not taking time for yourself? In this week's episode, I'll share what I discovered when I was running on empty, ways you can discover if it's true in your life, the strategies I took to help overcome that "empty" feeling even when life is super busy, and the important role your relationship with God plays in the whole picture.
When it comes to the topic of Responsibility, do we take responsibility when we need to do so or tend to blame others or pass the buck on to other people? We’d like to think we have the strength of character to always choose the first option, but more than likely, we choose the second option by default. Taking responsibility for your life is no easy task. Today we take a look at why we tend to pass responsibility to others and what we can do to begin taking responsibility for what happens in our own lives.
Scriptures reference in this week's episode include Genesis 1:27-29, Genesis 3:8-13, 1 Peter 2:21, and Philippians 3:13-14.
Integrity is defined as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness - at all times. Are you displaying moral integrity at all times, both in the public eye and out of it? What do you do - how do you react and respond - when someone puts your integrity in doubt? We'll address these questions and I'll share personal experience in this week's episode.
Scriptures this week include Philippians 4:8, Isaiah 54:17, Proverbs 10:9, Psalm 41:11-12, and Proverbs 28:18.
The seasons we experience in life are crafted for us. While it is true that we have free will to make decisions about where we go and what we do, when we follow God’s plan for our lives, there are people, places, experiences, trials, and outcomes that we will face - in different seasons… and they were all part of the plan. There was a why for each of them.
Today, I’m going to share some of life's seasons I've gone through, and how they’ve shaped me and prepared me for the seasons that come after.
Scriptures today will include verses from Ecclesiastes 3, Matthew 4, Matthew 6, Isaiah 54, James 1, and Colossians 3.
In this third and final episode in a series on the topic of "Guardrails", we'll discuss applying practical, visible guardrails to your everyday life, focusing on the major areas of your finances and your calendar, and wrapping up by putting you on the trajectory of having meaningful guardrails in your life.
Scriptures highlighted will include verses from Matthew 6 and Proverbs 4.
In this second episode in a series on the topic of "Guardrails", we'll discuss guardrails related to people and habits, and why they play an important part in our lives. When we are around people and situations where we feel comfortable, we tend to let our guard down. It's important for us to make WISE decisions when it comes to our relationships, our interactions, and our habits. Scriptures highlighted will include verses from Genesis 3, Proverbs 13, and Luke 7.
In this first episode in a series on the topic of "Guardrails", we'll discuss what guardrails are and why they play an important part in our lives. We can call upon the Holy Spirit to take up residence and do a work in us - to help us make WISE decisions based our past experiences, our current circumstances, and our future hopes. Scriptures highlighted will include Ephesians 5 and John 14.
Did you ever think about how the story of Easter can be a story for you? When we’re told to rise up and challenged to hope, do we instantly turn to the negative - think we’re a failure… do we think only about the times we’ve fallen down? Do we think we’re not good enough? Or do we take it as an opportunity to grow, to learn, to become better… to rise up?
In this week's episode, I'll share a few Scriptures related to resurrection, how you can have a personal resurrection in your life, and how you can “rise up” to what and who God has called you to be.
Why are we so drawn in by the thing's our society identifies as "The Next Big Thing"? What if we stopped looking at the things the world defines as needed and popular and started focusing on the next big thing God has in store for us? In this episode, I'll break down some of my own experience with the concept of "The Next Big Thing", in a worldly sense and in the spiritual - in the ordinary, and in the extraordinary.
No handout or bullet points this week - just speaking from my heart and experiences.
This week’s topic is something that I’m sure almost all of us, if not everyone, is very familiar with. And that is the topic of Social Media. This week's episode is not a social media bash fest, and also doesn't encourage you to suddenly spend all of your time on social media. I share with you a few practical strategies related to social media… both in how and how much we use it, and in our interaction with the people we are friends with and the pages and channels we follow, based on what I’ve experienced - things I’ve found myself doing, ways I’ve shifted my thinking and actions, and how I’ve begun to use social media in a good way.
This week’s topic is something that I’ve had a lot of first-hand experience with during recent years - and that is the topic of giants in our lives. It’s easy to talk about giants as long as they’re lumbering over someone else’s landscape; but when you discover one is at your doorstep, or even come inside your head, you realize how intimidating a giant can be. In today's episode, we'll talk about the story of David and Goliath, and I'll share with you three ways that you can identify and attack your giants.
A handout with Scripture references is available to follow along with at our podcast website, www.qonqueue.com.
In this week's episode, I talk about "Life's Playlist". I gave this episode that title because I wanted to share a little bit about not only music and how it has been a part of my life for so many years, but talk about life’s playlist - the times, the moments, the themes, and the Scriptures that are and should be on our playlist for life. I talk a little about my "playlist", both literally and figuratively, to help you identify and discover what your playlist can and should include.
A handout with Scripture references is available to follow along with at our podcast website, www.qonqueue.com.
In this week's episode, I talk about discovering the calling on your life. God has a special plan for each of our lives. Whether we realize it or not, we were born for a higher calling tailor-made for just one person - us. It’s not something that was thought of yesterday or last week or when you found out about it. When you were born, that calling was already on your life, and everything that’s been in motion in the days, weeks, and years up until now was part of serving the purpose for you fulfilling your calling. In this episode, I reflect on how I discovered my own calling and ways for you to identify and live out the calling on your life.
Though there is no handout for this week's episode, scriptures referred to in this week's episode include:
- Ephesians 2:10 (AMP)
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
- Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
- Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
- Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)
- 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)
- Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
In this week's episode, I talk about Love, specifically selfless love, or Christian love. Love is a very big word only made up of 4 letters. Everyone in the world seems to have their own definition of what love is… The Bible calls us (in many places) to LOVE ONE ANOTHER - ALWAYS. Sounds good, right? But can we do it? With God's help, you can. I'll share several Scriptures that refer to what we've been called to do and how you can apply the principle of loving others into your life.
In this week's episode, I talk about the concept of "One Word" as a focus for your year... New Year's Resolutions often fall to the wayside. We often seek change because we are unhappy with a situation or circumstance. But most often, seeking some "surface change" doesn't solve the problem. Changing ingrained habits is no easy task. We'll talk about how to use prayer and reflection as a way to identify what your focus should be for the new year and how narrowing your focus can help you make your changes become habit.
In this first episode of our new podcast, I talk about inspiration... Inspiration, by definition, is something that makes someone want to do something, or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create. To me, inspiration is so much more than that. Inspiration motivates me to be better and DO better. In this episode, I share about some of the things that inspire me, why they inspire me, and how you can identify things to inspire you.
Q on queue is a new podcast where I'll share lots of things about what's going on in life - inspiration, music, family, and much more.