Caryn & Jeremy in the Morning: Recent Episodes
90.9 KCBI-FM
Start your day with a blend of encouraging music and words of hope as we talk with you about things that matter to your life today.
Pictures of an eclipse are one thing, but experiencing it for yourself is completely different. I think the same is true with Jesus.
That old hand pump at my great-grandmother’s house taught me something about prayer... Just because the water didn’t come out right away didn’t mean the well was dry.
I tried to prank my son Tyler by cutting his pizza into tiny squares... and he thanked me for it. Not the reaction I expected, but it reminded me how powerful the right response can be.
When my boys were little, they used to follow me around with toy lawnmowers while I cut the grass. It was cute then, but it reminds me now that people are watching how we live. I want my example to point them to Jesus.
I once thought a door had closed for good, but God made a way I never saw coming. If your plan feels like it’s unraveling right now, don’t assume God’s plan is unraveling too.
I was ready to “teach someone a lesson” this week, but the Holy Spirit had a lesson for me instead. Proverbs 19:11 reminded me there is wisdom in being slow to anger and strength in overlooking an offense.
Sometimes Jesus gives us an assignment and our first thought is, “How is this going to work?” But He never sends us empty-handed. We have His Word, His power, and His presence for whatever He asks us to do.
I’m realizing I often pray after things go sideways, but Jesus said to “watch and pray” so we won’t fall into temptation. Maybe prayer is meant to be more than a reaction. Maybe it’s part of how God protects our hearts.
Have you ever tried to push two magnets together the wrong way? That invisible force pushing them apart reminds me so much of what discord can feel like. Sometimes the answer is not a new situation, but letting God flip my attitude.
My cake topper said “Best Dad Ever,” and as nice as it was, I still thought of all the ways I’ve fallen short. Maybe you know that feeling too. Psalm 22:19 gives us a simple prayer: Lord, You are my strength. Come quickly and help me.
Maybe my job isn't to change the world. Maybe it’s to be one part of the world that is already being changed by Jesus.
The world says to hide your weakness and boast about your strengths. But Paul said he would boast in weakness so Christ’s power could rest on him. I need that reminder, because God can do things through my weakness that my strength never could.
I see a yield sign almost every day, but this week it made me think about what I’m still trying to control. Jesus is in charge, not me, and I’m asking what I still need to yield to Him.
A lost aircraft was found after more than 70 years at the bottom of the ocean. It had been there all along, even though no one could see it. That made me think about heaven, and the promise that God has prepared something beyond what we can even imagine.
My coffee tumbler didn’t get stained all at once. It happened little by little, one cup at a time. That made me think about the things I let settle in my heart too. Jesus brings those things into the light, and He is the One who makes us clean.
“Because you say so” may be one of the hardest prayers to pray when God is asking us to do something that doesn’t make sense. But Peter’s story reminds me that obedience can lead to something bigger than we can see.
The older I get, the easier it can be to get set in my ways. But Romans 12 reminds me that God is still renewing my mind and reshaping my heart, and I don’t want to become rigid about the things He still wants to change in me.
Could you ever be too joyful or show too much kindness? Galatians 5 says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… and there is no law against those things.
What percent chance of rain makes you grab an umbrella? Spiritually, I don’t need a forecast to know I need to be prepared. Ephesians 6 reminds me to put on the full armor of God every day.
What would you pray for this week if you only had a limit of four prayers? Thankfully, God doesn’t cut us off. Because of Jesus, we can come to Him with every need, every hurt, and every worry.
What was missing from Noah's Ark? I had never caught this detail before, but once I saw it, it changed the way I thought about trust.
Have you ever turned on a light looking for one thing and noticed something else you really needed? That happened to me this morning, and it reminded me why Jesus calls Himself the light of the world.
A lot of my prayers start with, “Lord, I need You to…” But what about when God turns that around and says, “I need you to…”?
I may not always understand why He is asking, but His plans go farther than what I can see.
The Bible describes Satan as a roaring lion, but James 4 says when we submit to God and resist the devil, he is the one who flees. That changes the picture a little bit, doesn’t it?
Is living for Jesus boring or exciting? I think a lot depends on whether we're actually in the game or just watching from the sidelines.
I’m quick to pray when something feels urgent, but I’m learning God wants to hear from me in the normal moments too. Prayer is not just for emergencies... It’s meant to be part of the rhythm of life.
I don't have to remind my heart to beat. God is sustaining me in ways I don't even think about... and if He can be trusted with every heartbeat, He can be trusted with every worry, too.
If you had to describe God in one word, what would you say? One answer that made me pause recently was "present." There is a kind of refreshing we can only find when we remember God is with us.
When my son asked what I wanted for Father's Day, I realized I didn't really need a gift from him. I'm just grateful for his love. That reminded me of what God wants from us too.
Is there something your dad did for you that you’ll never forget? I have a story like that from when I was a teenager, and it still reminds me of the way our Heavenly Father sees us, values us, and knows what we need.
It may feel like we’re just scrolling, but what we watch can shape our hearts. Jesus said the eye is the lamp of the body, so I’m asking myself: is what I’m looking at filling me with light or darkness?
I think a lot of us would love to see revival happen, but I don't know how often we think it could start with something God does through us.
You know how chips and salsa just show up at the table before you even order? It got me thinking about grace... something freely given, not earned, and more than enough for everyone.
When you think about the size of the universe, it's easy to feel tiny. But Psalm 8 reminds me that the God who made the moon and stars is still mindful of us.
You know that feeling when you run into an old friend and realize it's been way too long? Sometimes I feel that with Jesus too. The good news is He’s always inviting us back.
I’m really good at saying, “Let me handle this.” But I’m learning the better prayer is, “Lord, show me.”
Faith is not just something we say we have. It shows up in how we live, how we respond, and how we treat people when it's not easy. That's the kind of evidence I want growing in my life.
Remember being warned about your "permanent record" in school? The truth is, we all have things we can't erase on our own... but Jesus cancels the record against us and nails it to the cross.
I don't think about the return of Jesus as often as I should. Hebrews 10 reminds me that gathering together as believers helps keep that hope and urgency in front of us. Jesus is coming back... and that changes how we live today.
If change depended only on my willpower, I'd be in trouble. Thankfully, God doesn't just ask us to try harder… He gives us His power to do His will.
Watching whales come up for air reminded me of something I need too. We live in this world, but we need life from above… time with God, away from the noise.
I still remember almost taking the “chicken exit” before my first roller coaster. Funny how fear can do that in life too… especially when we need to be honest, confess, or bring something into the light. But on the other side of that fear, God offers freedom.
Some days you just don't feel it. Psalm 42 reminds me that even when my heart feels heavy, I can still find my hope in the Lord.
Praise comes pretty naturally when life is good. But Paul and Silas praised God from prison, before anything changed. That kind of trust challenges me.
I make time to eat. I make time to sleep. But do I make time to pray? I'm learning prayer shouldn't just be something I squeeze in when there's a problem… it should be part of the regular rhythm of my day.
Caryn and I have had these little weeds popping up all over the yard and they're impossible to get rid of... turns out they're connected to a vine underground. That made me think about what Jesus said… "I am the vine; you are the branches." Stay connected to Him, and life keeps growing.
Psalm 28:7 says the Lord is my strength and my shield. That tells me hard times may come… but it also tells me I won't face them without Him.
Memorial Day reminds us that freedom came at a cost. As we remember those who served and sacrificed, maybe it's also a good time to ask how we can serve the people God has placed around us.
I was cleaning off our AC unit and noticed how much dirt had built up over time… and it made me think about my heart. I'm thankful Jesus keeps washing away what doesn't belong.
Sometimes the small, frustrating tasks are doing more in us than we realize. God sees how we respond in the little things, and He can use them to shape our character.
My sad little plant finally has three tiny new shoots, and it reminded me how patient God is with us. He doesn't give up just because growth is slow.
Even Jesus' own brothers struggled to believe in Him at first. That gives me hope for the people I’m praying for… and for the places where I still need Jesus to help my own unbelief.
Golf may look like an individual sport, but every player has a caddy helping them read the course. Life can feel lonely sometimes, but Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit as our Helper.
My mom used to tell me I had a good heart, and all these years later, I still find myself praying, "Lord, shape my heart into something good."
Texas sunsets have a way of making you stop for a minute and just look up. Psalm 19 says the skies proclaim the work of God’s hands… and some evenings, you can really feel that.
Prayer really does matter. As we get ready for KCBI’s Day of Prayer, let's remember why we keep bringing our nation, our families, and our needs before God.
Sometimes I ask God to bless my plan, when maybe the better prayer is, "Lord, show me yours."
Small choices add up, whether we notice them or not. What we sow with our time, words, thoughts, and obedience today can grow into something much bigger over time.
Sometimes the deepest question in the storm is, “Lord, don’t You care?” And He does. He may calm the storm around you, or He may start by calming your heart… but He is still with you in the boat.
When you’ve done everything you can think to do and nothing is changing, hope can take a hit. But Jesus reminds us that with God, all things are possible.
People may let you down… but God’s love never will. If His love had reviews, they would be consistent every time.
Not every thought that crosses your mind is true. Sometimes you’ve got to “set a trap” and take those thoughts captive before they take over.
Just because you don’t see God moving doesn’t mean He’s not working. Some of the most important things happen beneath the surface.
Following Jesus doesn’t mean life will be storm-free… it means you’ll have something solid to stand on when the rain comes.
Waiting on God can feel like sitting at a red light… ready to go, but stuck. But waiting isn’t nothing. It’s learning to be faithful right where you are.
Loving your neighbor is easy when it comes naturally. It’s harder when it doesn’t… but that’s exactly what Jesus calls us to.
Showing up matters, but it’s not the main thing. What we do with what God asks of us - that’s what really counts.
Complaining sneaks in faster than I realize sometimes… but it never actually helps. Following Jesus means letting go of some old habits and choosing a different response, even in the small moments.
Faith doesn’t have to be perfect to be real. “I believe… help my unbelief” might be one of the most honest prayers you can pray.
It’s natural to want to get even when someone hurts you… but God sees it all. And He says, “Leave it to me.”
A tax return is nice… but what God has prepared for you is better than anything you could ever get back.
Jesus didn’t just teach us how to live… He showed us. And when we follow His example in the small things, it starts to change everything.
Sometimes God trims things back in our lives, and it can feel like loss. But He’s not taking away without purpose… He’s making room for something new to grow.
Jesus knew Judas would betray Him… and still gave him a seat at the table. That kind of grace means there’s room for you too.
Mercy isn’t easy… especially when it’s not deserved. But Jesus says when we give mercy, we receive it too.
Surrender doesn’t just happen in big moments… it shows up in the small, everyday choices. Choosing patience, letting go, and trusting God.
The things we hear and see repeated are the things that stick with us. That makes me wonder… what am I reinforcing for the next generation?
Fairness means getting what we deserve. Grace means receiving what we could never earn. That’s why the gospel is such good news.
It’s easy to love people who are kind to us. Jesus calls us to something deeper… loving even the people who are hard to love.
We often say “there’s always tomorrow.” But every day we live is also one less day. That reminder makes me want to make the most of the time God has given me.
I thought I was going to teach my son about the Bible while we sat in a pharmacy line… but God used him to teach me instead.
Lots of voices online say “follow me.” Jesus says it too – but His invitation isn’t about content. It’s about a life that leads to eternity.
Being rich doesn’t always mean having more money. The Bible says to let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… because when life gets hard, God’s truth is what carries you through.
Sometimes we need someone in our life who can lovingly say, “Hey… remember what God showed you?” Accountability isn’t always comfortable, but it can be a real gift.
A little boy at a baseball game gave away the home run ball he caught… and it reminded me how proud a father feels when he sees generosity. God loves a cheerful giver.
Sometimes we make our plans and then ask God to bless them. But the doors He opens are always better. When God opens a door, no one can shut it.
The world has been feeling pretty heavy lately. I’m reminding myself today that I don’t have to carry the anxiety - I can give it to God and let His peace guard my heart.
Ever told someone you’d pray for them… and then forgot? I've done that too. But prayer isn’t just a kind response. It’s a promise to carry someone before God.
Not every thought you have is true. When a thought doesn’t line up with what God says about you, you don’t have to keep it.
Strength doesn’t always come from comfort or full stomachs. Sometimes God meets us in the quiet spaces and reminds us where real strength comes from.
Jesus kept His promise to rise again… and He will keep His promise to return. If you’re waiting on God today, remember: He keeps His word.
Olympians don’t get there by accident. A strong faith doesn’t either - it grows through small, daily choices to stay close to God.
We don’t usually run away from God… we drift. The good news is He welcomes us back, one small step at a time
A simple message at the right moment helped inspire The Chosen. You never know how one encouraging word could change someone’s direction today.
Ever catch yourself asking God to bless your plan instead of following His? Real blessing isn’t found in doing it our way… it’s found in trusting Him.
Ever have a moment where you walk away thinking, “Wow… I feel like dirt”? Here’s the reminder I need too: God formed us from dust and still calls us holy.
God’s silence can feel confusing… but silence doesn’t mean absence. Sometimes He’s right there, strengthening you for what’s ahead.
If your faith feels a little dry right now, you’re not alone. God promises to pour water on thirsty ground… and He knows exactly how to refresh your heart.
Feeling unseen can be heavy. But God promises this… “I will not forget you.” You have not been overlooked by Him, not even for a moment.
It’s easy to focus on everything that needs fixing… but peace comes when we focus on the Fixer instead.
Comparison is loud… but God’s truth is louder. You were intentionally created and wonderfully made.
Shame tells us to sit on the sidelines... but if God has forgiven you, you’re not disqualified.
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’ve been carrying a lot. Jesus invites the tired and the overwhelmed to come to Him and find real rest.
A stone doesn’t break on the first strike. It takes time and persistence. If you’re praying for someone’s heart to soften, don’t stop. God is still working.
Watching someone you love drift away can feel like losing hold of a balloon: you reach, you try, and then all you can do is watch. The good news? God sees them even when you can’t reach them.
Cats can sleep anywhere and look completely at peace… meanwhile I’m over here overthinking everything. Maybe there’s something to learn there about contentment.
When life doesn’t go according to plan, God still knows exactly where He’s leading you. Sometimes trust starts before understanding.
Just like frozen pipes need a drip to keep from bursting, our hearts need prayer to keep anxiety from building up. A little talk with God goes a long way.
I’m learning that forgiving myself can be harder than asking God for forgiveness. But if He says I’m forgiven, maybe it’s time to stop holding onto what He already let go of.
Forgiveness isn’t easy... especially when the hurt is real. But God meets us in the middle of it and helps us take the next step.
Some days the most honest prayer is, “God, I’m tired and I need You.” And that’s enough.
Sometimes the hardest forgiveness to accept is God’s... especially when we keep judging ourselves. Romans 5:8 reminds us we were loved before we ever cleaned things up.
If I can fall asleep on a plane while all kinds of impossible things are happening, I’m learning I can trust God to carry me through the impossible seasons too. Sometimes peace starts with letting go.
Grief doesn’t always come with warning, but God promises He is near to the brokenhearted. If you’re struggling to find the words to pray, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
If you’re feeling alone today, this promise still stands: God is with you, strengthening you and holding you steady. Sometimes a simple prayer is enough.
It's easy to say everything is 'fine' when it really isn't. Jeremy shares about a moment when life felt overwhelming, and his honest prayer to God.
Whether you got a late start, got off track or suffered loss along the way, God can make up for what you lack.
God doesn't expect you to fix your life and carry the weight of problems on your own. In fact, He knows you can't.
These kids will inspire you to have a child-like faith, and trust in the One who can fix anything.
I'm always trying to figure out what I want to change or improve in the New Year, but this time, I decided to ask God what He wants. I'll share with you the verse He led me to, to help refocus my life and walk in His ways.
Surrendering something to God is not always easy when we are holding on too tight. It can take bravery and trust to let Him move things out that don't belong.
A song can have special impact depending on what you are facing. It can offer comfort, help you worship or get you through a hardship while leaning on truth. For Jeremy, one special song stood out above all others in 2025. What would it be for you?
Every good and perfect gift comes from above, and the perfect lamb of God was the most precious. Jesus was the only gift the world needed and his arrival opened the floodgates of forgiveness!
The seed and the sower parable from Jesus has a lot to teach about being fruitful for the Kingdom of God.
In Isaiah, Jesus is given four different names, but why and what do each of these names mean? Jeremy talks about it in today's Morning Motivator.
Comfort and convenience are not the calling of God. Following Jesus is what He is asking, and that's not always easy or comfortable.
You can feel so much pressure to make everything perfect, that you forget to be present and miss out on the truly important moments.
If you have messed up in life, God doesn't just throw you away. You may have to learn some hard lessons but there's still room for redemption and another chance.
We have a Christmas decoration on our tree that is simply the word 'HOPE,' but it's more than just a decoration. It is the gift of God for you and for me.
You wouldn't invite someone to dinner and expect them to pay the bill if they had no money. In the same way, Jesus paid the bill He knew we couldn't pay.
This Christmas you may be experiencing grief because of the loss of a loved one, divorce or a broken relationship, but Jesus offers hope.
If you find yourself in challenging circumstances, it doesn't mean you are out of the will of God.
Do you have a favorite bible verse? It may be one that you hold on to in hard times, or a promise you cling to when you need encouragement. For Jeremy it is a verse that reminds him of how the light of Christ is meant to be seen as well as heard.
Caryn and her mother took a 90-minute road trip to a Texas quilt shop and didn't even go in! Then they went back the next day! Here's why:
Who taught you to pray? Jeremy's Thanksgiving memory is how he learned to pray from his grandfather.
Do you love mac and cheese? For one woman, mac and cheese lead to an unexpected blessing?
90% of electrical problems are caused by loose connections. In life, our connection to the Lord has a direct impact on how we handle problems.
A town in Alaska won’t see the sun again until January 23. When it finally rises, they celebrate. It reminded me of Isaiah 9:2 — the Light always returns, and with it, joy.
An AI generated song just hit number one on the country charts. Impressive, but still artificial. It reminded me how different God is. His Word, His Son, His Spirit… all truth, all real, always trustworthy.
I tried helping our son Zach dress for his new real estate job by sending him a few Pinterest ideas… which somehow turned into me getting a full feed of stylish guys who look way more put together than I do. Now I’m wondering if I’m the one who needs a wardrobe upgrade.
Sharing your faith can feel uncomfortable. I get it. Paul did too. His prayer in Ephesians 6:19–20 encourages me to ask God for the right words and the courage to speak them. The gospel is worth it, even when it stretches us.
A 13-year-old in Texas mowed lawns, saved up, and traded his Xbox… to buy his mom a car. Talk about raising a good one!
The same God who painted the skies with color calls us out of darkness and into His light. What a reminder of His protection and grace.
Kandi and her kids are turning their family’s change of Thanksgiving plans into an act of kindness for truckers on the road.
Live salty today! Shine God’s love wherever you go, and watch how He uses it to influence the world around you.
I may have lost my phone, but I found some reasons to be thankful. Even the frustrating days have little blessings hiding in them.
Some things can wait, but obedience to God shouldn’t be one of them. What could you say “yes” to today instead of “later”?
A dad and his kids started a tiny food pantry with one folding table, a storage bin, and a couple of coolers, and now it’s feeding people every day. You never know how far one simple act can go!
Sometimes God asks us to take a step of faith that doesn’t make sense in the moment. We're called to do what He's asked of us, and trust Him to handle the rest.
Ten Baylor players were baptized this week... by their teammates. Such a sweet picture of faith and friendship!
I’m starting to ask myself more often: “Is this bringing me closer to Jesus?” And if the answer is no, maybe something needs to shift.
This melted me! A little KCBI listener has a cowboy hat that has been passed down through four generations... from his “Great Poppy in heaven” all the way to him.
You don’t need to be everything to everyone. God made you for something specific. And He prepared you for today.
It’s okay to hold more than one feeling at once. Grief and joy can sit right next to each other… and God is present in both.
I’m learning that sometimes the very problems I wish would disappear are the places God grows my faith the most.
A hunter was lost in the Sierra National Forest for three weeks, and when he prayed, “Lord, you’ve got to send somebody”… he looked up and saw headlights. God still answers.
If you need something to hold onto today, pick one verse and speak it like it’s true about you. God’s Word isn’t just for reading... it’s for living.
Okay Texas friends: this Sunday is Texas State Parks Day! Which means… free entry to all 89 state parks.
Dinosaur tracks? Sand dune sledding?? Quiet trails and pretty trees??? Yes. Let’s go.
Thinking about what we leave behind one day…
More than money or things, our faith is something that can shape generations.
A monkey in a diaper running loose in a Plano store? Just another day in the wild world of fall shopping.
A hard heart forgets what matters most to God: people. Today, let’s ask Him to soften our hearts and make us more like Jesus.
A family got stranded on the highway in Arkansas, and instead of just pointing them in the right direction, the officer drove them to a hotel and paid for the room himself.
AND he made their son and their dog honorary officers.
More of this, please.
Have you ever thought of yourself as gifted? God has. He says He’s placed something purposeful in you.
A family joked that their mom would be late to her own funeral… and she actually was. The hearse got locked with the keys inside and everyone had to wait. Somehow, that little moment brought so much joy to a really heavy day.
Shopping for a new car has me thinking… no matter how much you clean up the old car, it’s still an old car. I used to think following Jesus was like that: just there to clean me up. But what He really does is make us new.
A group steals millions in jewels from the Louvre using a ladder lift… and then the lift company said, “Well, that’s great advertising!”
You know that feeling when you’re instantly frustrated…and then a few minutes later, you realize you could’ve handled it better? Yeah, that was me this week. I’m grateful God doesn’t meet me with frustration when I mess up. He meets me with mercy.
It’s amazing how quickly you recognize the voice of someone you spend every day with. Jesus says His sheep know His voice. The more time we spend with Him, the easier it is to notice when something isn’t Him.
Have you ever gone out for one thing and come home with a pet? One listener told us she smuggled a kitten on a plane in her pocket… and somehow got away with it!
Sometimes it feels like we’re waiting on God... but what if He’s actually waiting on us? Maybe it’s time to stop asking for direction and start walking in the one He’s already given.
A man had a heart attack during a comedy show, and comedian Drew Lynch actually went to the hospital later to finish the show just for him!
I know I’ve been forgiven so much… so why is it still so hard to forgive sometimes? If you’ve ever felt that way too, I get it. Forgiveness isn’t easy, but with Jesus, it is possible.
Sometimes helping others doesn’t look big... it looks like baking a birthday cake. One baker has given away over 300 cakes to people experiencing homelessness, just to remind them they’re loved and seen.
Still praying for someone who seems too far from God? Don’t give up. What looks impossible to us is completely possible for Jesus.
A mom and daughter both made it on The Price Is Right, forty years apart! The best part? They played for the same brand of car…and this time, the daughter won.
Whose standards are you living by: yours or God’s? Romans 10:3 says, “They sought to establish their own righteousness and did not submit to God’s righteousness.” His standard always leads to peace and blessing.
A family north of Lubbock found a NASA research balloon crash-landed in their field! Turns out it blew off course from New Mexico. Can you imagine walking outside and seeing that in your yard?
Your blood tells the truth about what’s really going on inside... and spiritually, it’s no different. The blood of Jesus speaks a better word over your life: forgiven, redeemed, and loved.
A wrong pizza delivery turned into a moment only God could orchestrate. When Pastor Neal and his family prayed for their delivery driver on the porch, that small act of kindness spread around the world... and raised more than $50,000 to help her.
What gets your attention first thing in the morning? I’ve been reminded lately how important it is to give God the “first fruits” of my day - before the to-do list, before the noise, before the distractions. Just a few quiet moments with Him changes everything.
You think you’ve packed everything for your road trip... and then you realize the cat came too. On the ROOF OF THE CAR. For 100 miles. I can’t stop laughing at this story.
Who doesn’t want to be more blessed? I sure do. But Jesus makes it pretty clear in Luke 6:46... obedience and blessing go hand in hand.
A girls’ basketball team in Oklahoma gave up their championship title after realizing they hadn’t actually won... even though no one else knew. What a beautiful example for all of us.
All the masks and costumes people wear this time of year made me think: sometimes the battles we face are the ones we can’t see. The Bible says our struggle isn’t with each other but with the powers of this dark world.
You think you love your dog… but do you love your dog enough to dress up as one and walk beside them? Rich does - and his wiener dog Maya doesn’t even blink. This might be my favorite thing I’ve seen all week.
What if the problem you’re praying about is actually part of God’s plan to reach someone else? Sometimes He uses the breakdown to bring you right where He needs you.
Dogs are just the best. Eeyore went out for a walk with his owner’s mom, she fell and couldn’t get up… and he came back with a police officer to help her!
“Prayer is me talking to God about my problems. Worry is me talking to myself about my problems.” What a reminder to turn our thoughts into conversations with God instead.
A little boy named Cross wanted a Jesus-themed birthday party — complete with Bibles and salvation bracelets. Proof that God can move through even the smallest hearts.
Sometimes people will say things about you that aren’t true. But God sees the truth. The weapon may form... but it won’t prosper.
So apparently the biggest “corn maze” in Texas… isn’t even made of corn. It’s grass. Sorghum Sudangrass, to be exact. I don’t know what that is, but I feel betrayed.
“Whoever does not have these characteristics is nearsighted and blind…” Wait – what characteristics?
Faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love. That’s what 2 Peter 1 says keeps us grounded in truth.
It’s amazing how God can use anyone to do something good — even a 4-year-old with a bag of toy animals.
Some weeks feel like everything’s falling apart. But what if that’s the setup for God to move?
Peter’s story in Acts 12 reminds us — the same God who broke chains then is still breaking them now.
Less than 2,000 people live in Sunray, Texas, but with our help, they could win $1 million. Cast your daily vote and help this community!
If you step outside God’s will to get something you want, you’ll have to stay outside His will to keep it. God says to trust Him, stay faithful, and let Him shape your desires.
There’s a woman in Texas who will show up with pumpkins and hay bales and make your porch adorable. Jeremy’s plan? Start “Pumpkin Porch Pirates” to haul them away when fall's over, and feed them to farm animals.
Jesus paid the price for my sin, and instead of giving me the bill, He gave me the reward. That’s love I never want to take for granted.
Just like lukewarm water isn’t useful on a hot Texas day, a lukewarm faith doesn’t refresh anyone. I’m asking God to keep me ready and alive in Him.
A mom’s decision to attend church opened the door for her son to share what God was already doing in his life. Now, they’re beginning a new journey together as a family.
Anger doesn’t solve problems, it multiplies them. God’s Word calls us to let it go and choose kindness instead.
Both our cars broke down on the same day… but instead of complaining, Jeremy reminded me to thank God for the good things that were still there. Gratitude doesn’t erase the hard stuff: it changes how you walk through it.
Pruning never feels good... but it’s always for good. Sometimes God asks us to let go of things that aren’t bearing fruit so He can grow something better.
Five-year-old McKenzie learned the hard truth about kindergarten: no naps.
Her reaction is priceless… and honestly, kind of relatable.
Feeling drained? Psalm 23 reminds us: “He refreshes my soul.” God restores what the world wears down - just like cold water on a hot Texas day.
So apparently, the State Fair of Texas now has its own shoe! Adidas made sneakers inspired by the fair – red, white, and blue with the Ferris wheel and even the shape of Texas on the bottom.
We can’t take houses, cars, or bank accounts with us to heaven. But the people we point to Jesus? That’s eternal.
Uber in the sky? Starting next year, you might be able to order a helicopter through the Uber app. Would you try it?
It’s okay to treasure the “good old days,” but don’t miss what God has ahead. The best part of your story hasn’t happened yet.
At a 3-year-olds' soccer game, one little hug stole the show. Sometimes kids remind us what matters most.
Remember those school essay prompts: “Who do you admire?” If I were writing it today, my answer would be simple... Jesus.
Your neighborhood page might have free furniture or baby clothes. Ours? A tarantula. With seven legs. And yes… someone actually wanted it.
It’s been a heavy week. Grief, questions, even a deep ache over the brokenness of our world. But I’m holding onto this: when things feel dark, Jesus’ light shines even brighter.
A wrong number turned into new friends, lots of laughs, and even a brand new grill. Not a bad trade for a little kindness!
Sometimes I find myself lowering the standard just to keep the peace. Pleasing people might feel easier in the moment, but following Jesus means choosing His standard instead.
Sometimes helping others doesn’t look big or flashy... it just looks thoughtful. Krystyna has been living with lymphoma for 20 years, and for her birthday, she decided to do something kind for others walking the same road.
Grief and hope can live in the same heart. We hurt because loss is real, but we hope because Jesus is alive.
When the Cowboys traded Micah Parsons, 7-year-old Isaac was heartbroken. But then Parsons himself FaceTimed him... and turned tears into smiles.
You wouldn’t paint a hotel room, because it’s not home. In the same way, this world isn’t forever: it’s just a stop along the way.
Are you officially an adult? Take the quiz: Do you have a basket of cords, a gift bag of gift bags, or a bag of plastic bags? If yes, welcome to the club!
Sometimes God calls us to stay close, and sometimes He calls us to go and tell others about Him. Mark 5 reminds me: Jesus set me free, not just for me, but so others can hear of His mercy too.
Brisket and ribs are Texas staples, but Brady, Texas? They’re all about BBQ goat. Every Labor Day weekend, it’s the World Championship BBQ Goat Cook-Off. Would you try it?
Sometimes God just wants our full attention. In Luke 10, Jesus said Mary chose what was better: simply sitting at His feet. Maybe today, that’s His invitation to you too.
We’ve all left a voicemail and wished we could delete it the second we hit “end.” One went hilariously wrong... and it has everyone laughing.
What if your kindness today is the very thing someone else needs? Mark 12 reminds us to love God with all our strength... and love our neighbor, too.
Most kids save for toys or candy… this 7-year-old is saving for a Lamborghini. His neighbors helped make his dream come true with a driveway full of supercars.
It’s easy to put off forgiveness. But the longer we wait, the heavier it gets. Colossians 3:13 reminds us to forgive as the Lord forgave us.
Some moms get Christmas card photos with everyone in sweaters. Kurt’s mom? She’s getting one with a giant cow.
How many times this week have you asked, “Are you ready?” Getting out the door, getting kids to school, making it to church. But God also calls us to “get ready”... to prepare our hearts for His purpose.
A flight delay turned into a once-in-a-lifetime jazz concert, thanks to Dave Koz and his band! ✈️
When life gets expensive, generosity can feel optional. But God’s generosity toward us didn’t come when it was easy or convenient — and we can trust that when we give, He multiplies our blessings.
At some high schools in Oklahoma, seniors have been cheering on freshmen to “kiss your mom goodbye” at drop-off. Honestly, one of the sweetest traditions around!
Watching our kids grow up means watching them become more independent — but in our walk with Christ, independence isn’t the goal. As Jesus said in John 15:5, He’s the vine and we’re the branches, and apart from Him we can do nothing.
Our son Tyler got his first tip at his job at the grocery store, and while he was thrilled, he didn’t know how to show his gratitude in the moment. It reminded me that when people don’t respond the way I expect, I can choose grace — because their hearts may be more thankful than I realize!
Imagine being the bride, waiting to walk down the aisle, and your dad just… goes without you. That’s exactly what happened at this wedding in Austin.
I caught myself complaining about things that didn’t go the way I pictured... and almost missed the best part. God reminded me through 2 Kings 5 that His process is worth trusting.
Car rides with kids are never boring. One minute you’re talking about cheese, the next they’re explaining why trees are “shivering” in the wind. 😂 Hear more of these hilarious “life tips” from kids here.
Not all advice is good advice. James 3:17 gives God’s checklist: pure, peace-loving, considerate, merciful, sincere. If it fits, it’s from Him.
Texas shelters are full of pets ready to be loved.. and now’s the perfect time to bring one home. Through the end of the month, dozens of shelters are waiving or reducing adoption fees for “Clear the Shelters.”
Maybe you’ve felt like you missed it... like God called and you didn’t answer in time. But here’s the truth: now is the day of salvation. Your chance is still right in front of you.
Breaking news: under-eye bags are now fashionable. Gen Z is calling it "tired girl makeup." I call it "Tuesday."
I’ve got alerts for just about everything - doorbell, bank account, even my car. But Proverbs says above all else guard your heart… which has me thinking about the “alerts” I’ve got set there.
Somebody pranked a local burger place with a huge $400+ order and never picked it up. Instead of tossing it, they donated all that food to a women’s shelter... and later that day, someone came in and quietly paid the whole bill. God really can turn a bad thing into a blessing.
Back-to-school week is here, and it’s wild how fast kids grow up - but we still see “our little kids.” I think God sees us the same way... no matter how much we change, we’re always His children.
Some people name their vehicles for fun. Jeff named his truck because God saved his life. He calls it Twister.
You’ve probably had a chipped windshield before. I had one recently too, and when I mentioned it on the air, a listener shared a story that stuck with me. It’s about windshields, yes… but even more about how we sometimes see people.
A mysterious illness almost took down a couple in their 60s… until they discovered the real culprit. It wasn’t anything serious, but it was tragic in its own way!
Some moments in life are so overwhelming, you don’t even know how to pray. The good news? You’re not alone in that. Romans 8:26 says the Spirit prays for us with “wordless groans” when we don’t have the words.
A man nearly closed his restaurant to stay by his wife’s side in the hospital… until a group of teenagers stepped in and kept it running on their own.
It’s wild how much truth God packs into just a few words. Like when He says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart.” Simple, but it changes how I see everything.
There’s a baby hippo named Mars who did not want to get out of the pool… until his mom gave him the mom stare. And he listened. Immediately. I guess it’s universal.
I read a quote that said, “You don’t want to be the richest person in the graveyard,” and it really made me think: am I investing in things that actually matter to God?
Our neighbor’s cat climbed a tree to get a bird the other day. I got him down, but the bird he was bothering kept dive-bombing like the problem wasn’t already handled... and I realized, I do that with God too.
Have you ever been at the self-checkout when it freezes and says, "Help is on the way"? It makes me think of something Jesus promised in John 14: that He’d send the Holy Spirit to help us.
My friend Suzanne has over 50 pairs of magnetic eyeglass frames, and she keeps them all on her fridge. Yep, just walks over in the morning and picks out her glasses for the day like it’s an accessory wall. A little odd… but also kind of brilliant.
When was the last time you cleaned your vacuum? I did recently, and it got me thinking... God’s Word is a lot like the filter. It keeps the junk from getting into the parts that matter most.
You know that feeling like you look suspicious even though you’re not doing anything wrong? That was me at the grocery store with a bag of cookies.
Sometimes life just doesn’t make sense. But even when things feel shaky, my faith pulls me back to what I do know: Jesus is still good.
Tarantula mating season is officially here in Texas… and I have so many feelings about it. If one of our cats brings a tarantula into the house, we’re moving. End of story.
It’s hard to let go of something you’ve been depending on: your routine, your plan, your sense of control. But following Jesus sometimes means dropping what’s familiar to step into something better.
One of the Camp Mystic flood survivors rewrote the song “Hallelujah” to honor the lives lost, and it’s absolutely beautiful. She shared it on TV… and got a surprise visit from her favorite artist, Lauren Daigle.
The verse in Proverbs about “fearing the Lord” used to sound a little intense to me, until I realized it’s really about trusting God first... and there’s a promise that comes with it.
Big Tex’s boots are headed to Washington, D.C.! Don’t worry: he’s not going barefoot at the State Fair. These are his backup boots. But it’s still fun to think about them taking a little road trip for a year-long exhibit at the Smithsonian.
I love a good summer cookout... but it got me thinking. The same way marinade changes the flavor of food, the people around us shape who we are. It’s a good reminder to be intentional with our closest influences.
You may have seen the news that Hulk Hogan passed away recently. What you may not know is that he was a Christian – and he shared openly about giving his life back to Jesus after years of struggle.
God didn’t design us to go through life alone. I was having kind of a rough day, and right in the middle of it, a friend texted just to check in. It turned into a really sweet moment of prayer and encouragement. He really does give us the right people at the right time.
I was so close to giving up on this plant... I moved it all over the yard, tried everything. And then it bloomed. It just needed more time.
God used it to remind me: growth doesn’t always happen on my timeline.
I’ve prayed "God, when are You going to show up?" more times than I can count. But John 13:7 reminds me: just because I don’t understand right now doesn’t mean God’s not working.
Scottie Scheffler may have just won a major golf championship, but let’s be honest... his one-year-old son Bennett completely stole the show.
Fear says, What if this goes wrong? Faith says, Even if it does, God is still good.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had that kind of faith... and it’s the kind I want too.
My mom found one of my dad’s old notepads the other day, just a little one he used for work. But tucked inside were some handwritten notes we didn’t expect. Sweet, simple words that meant the world to us.
Caryn and I planted some plants earlier this season, and I just noticed they’re all leaning toward the sun. It got me thinking… am I doing that with Jesus?
I’m a rule follower. I like order. I like when the red Play-Doh stays with the red Play-Doh and the yellow stays with the yellow. That’s just how it should be… right?
Did you ever make shadow puppets as a kid? I remember sitting in my room, taking the shade off a lamp and trying to shape my hands just right to make a duck or a butterfly on the wall.
The funny thing about shadows is they’re not real. They don’t have substance. But they can look convincing.
And I’ve realized that’s exactly how the enemy works.
Fishing sounds fun… until you’re sitting there for an hour with nothing biting. That’s usually how it goes with our boys. Jeremy will take them out, and about five minutes in, they’re already asking when we’re going home. They don’t love fishing – they love catching.
Which is why I think Joe, this guy at Bass Pro, might be on to something.
They hadn’t even finished building their church. But when the floods came, Citywest Church didn’t hesitate. They opened the doors, turned their grounds into a staging area, and just started serving.
There are times when I really want to reach out for help or prayer, but I hesitate. Not because I don’t trust my friends, but because I’m afraid of what they might think if they knew I was struggling. In reality, they’d probably just think I’m human… because I am.
Yesterday, I got a text from my friend Lisa...
When something good is on the horizon – a new opportunity, a fun idea, a big decision – I want to move fast. I want to make it happen. And in the past, I’ve even convinced myself I was doing the right thing… when really, I was just doing it my way.
But here’s what I’ve been learning: when I force things forward without waiting on God, even if it works out at first, it’s exhausting.
At what age can you start telling someone about Jesus? Not your age – how young can they be?I just saw the sweetest video of a Papaw holding his great-grandson, who can’t be more than a few months old, and he starts telling him all about Jesus.
There are plenty of things I’ve prayed about more than once (more like a thousand times). And sometimes I catch myself wondering, “Is this too much? Should I stop bringing this up to God?”
But then I remember: silence doesn’t make the problem go away. It just makes the enemy more comfortable.
Tobias, our cat, is obsessed with the front yard. Every day, he’s meowing at the door like he pays the mortgage.
So when I saw this couple online who filled a kiddie pool with real sod and put it inside for their cat… I thought: genius.
The other day at a doctor’s appointment, my doctor asked if I was still waking up early for work. I told him I was, and he mentioned that he’d been trying to stay consistent with early morning workouts himself. He said thinking about someone else who gets up early helped him stick with it.
I didn’t expect that. I hadn’t said anything to inspire him... I was just doing what I always do. But it reminded me that our daily choices speak, even when we’re not saying a word.
If I had a few million dollars lying around (and I don’t), I know exactly what I’d buy: a 54-pound rock from Mars.
No, seriously. It’s going up for auction this week in New York.
A friend of mine recently started working out because she wanted to change how she looked. But after a few weeks, she wasn’t seeing big results... at least not on the outside.
She told me it was hard at first, but everything shifted when she stopped focusing so much on the mirror and started paying attention to how she felt.
When I was growing up, my dog Callie was my best friend. You never forget the pets that loved you like that. So when I heard Nicole’s story, I just about cried.
There are moments in life that leave you wondering... Does God still care about me? I've had those thoughts too. Maybe you’re walking through something right now that feels heavy, and you're wondering if God still sees you, if He still hears your prayers.
When someone offends me, I usually want to talk about it. And by talk, I mean vent. To someone else. About that person.
I know that’s not the right way to handle it... but it’s just the habit I fall into.
But reading the book of Job recently gave me a better picture.
Sometimes I say things to encourage my kids... and then I realize I need to hear them too.
Baseball season and summer just go together, don’t they? The sounds, the snacks, and all the fun little traditions, like sometimes at smaller community games when they let everybody run the bases after the game.
I saw this sweet story the other day about a woman named Gabrielle who went to a game with her 85-year-old grandpa. And when it came time to run the bases, he stood up and said, “I’m doing it.”
There’s something about kids that makes them want to grab anything within reach... especially when it’s not theirs. When our boys were little, I had to start every store visit with the same phrase: Don’t touch it. It doesn’t belong to you.
I thought about that recently when I read Romans 12:19: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” And it struck me: God’s saying the same thing to us that I used to say to my kids.
After the devastating flooding in Central Texas, 9-year-old Corrigan wanted to do something to help. She’d just come home from Camp Mystic two weeks before, and hearing about the damage – and the girls who were still missing – broke her heart.
So she did what any kid with a big heart might do: she prayed with her family, made a sign, set up shop in their Fort Worth neighborhood, and started selling lemonade.
What does it really mean to “trust in the Lord with all your heart”? I was thinking about that this week, and a twist on that verse came to mind: what if it also means trusting God with all that’s in your heart?
You’ve probably seen those roadside fireworks stands popping up all over Texas this time of year. One of them, called Johnny Fireworks, was robbed this week. Thousands of dollars in fireworks gone. Even more damage done to the building.
But what the owner, Jonathan, did next? Totally unexpected.
Sometimes, the pain cuts so deep that even God's help doesn’t sound comforting. A listener recently asked me something really raw: “Have you ever been so mad at God that even if He offered help, you wouldn’t take it?”
What are the odds that Final Jeopardy would ask a question about your own ancestor? That’s exactly what happened to a contestant named Emily this week.
Comparison is sneaky, isn’t it?Sometimes it’s how someone else looks. Sometimes it’s their family, their job, their spiritual walk... whatever it is, it’s so easy to measure ourselves against what we see in someone else.
I’ve done it more times than I can count. But I’ll never forget the moment I saw it hit my son.
You know when you're in Sunday service and the pastor says something that hits exactly where you're at? That was me this week.
The news over the weekend has been heavy. As tensions rise, it’s understandable if you’ve felt anxious, even afraid.
I found myself glued to the coverage for a while… and I could feel it getting to me. My heart started to race. My thoughts got a little loud. That’s when I knew I needed to pause.
I put the phone down, opened my Bible, and found myself in Psalm 46... and the words there were exactly what I needed.
Some conversations with Jeremy start simple, like “What’s our Hulu password?” and then turn into a whole philosophical discussion about digital safety.
We all know what a "fair-weather friend" is: someone who’s around for the fun times but disappears when things get hard. And let’s be honest, most of us have felt that kind of disappointment at some point.
Paul knew that feeling too.
It’s summer camp season, which means parents everywhere are waiting to hear how it’s going. Some kids write home with sweet updates… and some? Not so much.
I saw a headline the other day that just said, “Carrots are in season.” Not exactly life-changing news… unless you're really into carrots.
But it got me thinking... I wondered if I’m like that with my faith. Am I only “in season” when life feels easy, or when I’m feeling extra spiritual?
When I was about five, we stopped at one of those roadside petting zoos... you know the kind. And they let you hold a baby wildcat for a photo. I don’t remember what kind of cub it was… but I do remember deciding I needed it.
I doubt you’d recognize Dan Meers if you passed him at the grocery store. But if you’ve watched a Kansas City Chiefs game anytime in the last 35 years, you’ve definitely seen his work. Dan was the man inside the KC Wolf mascot suit: bringing joy to fans, visiting hospitals, encouraging kids, and staying totally anonymous the whole time.
His story got me thinking. Dan’s whole job was to make someone else the star.
There are few things funnier than a good group prank... and this one was top tier. Over 200 dads at a church in Coppell showed up on Father’s Day wearing the exact same blue polo. Why? Because their wives secretly coordinated it.
Is your house God’s house?
That question really got me this week. I was reading in Titus 1, where Paul is laying out the qualities of someone who manages God’s household. And it made me stop and think: if Caryn and I want our home to belong to the Lord, what kind of qualities should I be living out as the one leading it?
I think most of us want the same things in life: to be healthy, to stay sharp, and to live with joy for as long as we can.
Well, there’s a 90-year-old woman who says she’s figured out a few keys to doing just that. Things like being kind to yourself, practicing gratitude, choosing joy... all stuff that makes sense.
But then she said something that made me laugh: she decided to cut onion rings out of her diet. At 90!
Do you ever overthink things? I do. I can spiral pretty quickly, playing out every possible outcome before something even happens. And one place this shows up for me is with a friend of mine who doesn’t want anything to do with God.
If you've ever been to an animal shelter and you're an animal lover like me, you know how hard it is not to just say, “Yep, I’ll take them all.” I mean, surely there’s some room left in the house, right?
Well, at this one adoption event, a sweet shelter dog named Sienna was walking around greeting people, just being her friendly, adorable self. But when she came across one man, she stopped.
Some people just seem to radiate joy. They always know how to encourage, always find the silver lining, and somehow make you feel lighter just by being around them. I thank God for people like that – but sometimes I wonder, could I be that person for someone else?
Scripture says yes.
There’s a video making the rounds that had Caryn and me cracking up. A little girl, probably no older than three, is standing there with lipstick smeared all over her face. And when her dad starts asking questions, she holds her ground like a seasoned lawyer.
Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZXl9AUgxdE
If someone Googled you, what would you want them to find? That question hit me hard the other day. Because honestly, my first thought was, “Please don’t let them see my mess.” My sin. My failures. My past. But because of Jesus, those things don’t get the final word.
So what do I want people to find?
Father’s Day can be complicated. There can be deep joy and deep sorrow – celebration and aching – all in the same day.
If that’s what this weekend looks like for you, I want you to know you’re not alone. The grief just means the love was real. And in all of it, God is near.
Let’s be honest – people aren’t always easy to love. And when I feel that tension, I have to stop and ask myself: What’s my motivation here? Is it to be right? To get my way? Or is it to reflect God’s love?
When something went wrong with my car, my first call was always to my dad. One night after church, my headlights randomly stopped working. I panicked, called him, and he drove 20 minutes to meet me.
Of course he helped me... but the next day, I received an invoice. Would you believe it's now one of my most treasured possessions?
There’s a moment in Luke 1 that stops me in my tracks every time. The angel tells Mary she’s going to give birth to the Messiah – life-altering, overwhelming news – and her response is, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”
That kind of faith blows me away.
I did not have “Texas team helps catch a runaway zebra in Tennessee” on my 2025 bingo card, but here we are.
Learn more about Ed the zebra's dashing escape (and eventual capture) here: https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/pet-zebra-captured-after-8-days-on-the-loose-in-rutherford-county/
I almost gave up on college. I had the books, I was enrolled – but I stopped going to class. I watched friends graduate and figured I’d missed my shot. But then a few friends started encouraging me: You’re not too far gone. You can still finish.
Their words helped me believe again. And it reminded me how powerful encouragement really is – not just in school, but in faith.
I thought I was making a new friend named Diane from California – she texted the wrong number, we had a fun little back-and-forth, and she even offered me homemade Chinese food if I ever visited. But then I got that weird gut feeling… like maybe this was a scam. So I blocked her.
I either protected myself from a scammer or ghosted a very sweet woman named Diane. Either way, lesson learned.
Sometimes the enemy tries to haunt us with our past – bringing up old mistakes, stirring up guilt, and making us question if we’re really forgiven.
But here’s the truth: if you’ve brought it to Jesus, it’s covered.
Sometimes love looks like doing the dishes without being asked. And sometimes… it looks like planting two different kinds of wheat across your farmland to spell out a mile-long anniversary message.
You can dump a whole bucket of water on a rock and it won’t do much. But a slow, steady drip? Over time, it can carve right through it.
That’s what consistency does.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Yeah… not true. Proverbs 12:18 says our words can cut like a sword or bring healing.
We used to live in an old house, and while we were there, we didn’t really notice the smell. But then we’d go on vacation, open a suitcase at the hotel, and boom – there it was. That old house smell, clinging to everything.
It got me thinking… our thoughts can be like that too.
Kermit the Frog gave the commencement speech at the University of Maryland this year... and honestly, he crushed it.
Electricity always takes the path of least resistance. It finds the easiest way through and avoids obstacles if it can.
I wish faith worked like that. I wish growing in my relationship with God was always smooth and simple. But the truth is – faith doesn’t grow stronger by avoiding resistance. It grows through it.
Sometimes I see all the sweet anniversary posts or matching Christmas jammies on social and think, “Should Jeremy and I be doing that too?” But then I remember—he doesn’t have to show the world he loves me… he shows me. And that’s what really matters.
I was standing in line at the store when I noticed the cashier holding each $20 bill up to the light to check if it was real – and it made me think. One day, our lives will be held up to the light too.
Olivia Jaquith was in the middle of anchoring a morning show when labor started - and she kept going. Calm as can be, timing her contractions between segments and finishing the newscast before heading to the hospital.
Words can stick with us. Sometimes for years. Someone says something hurtful, and it changes the way we see ourselves.
David knew that feeling. To his brothers, he was just the kid who watched the sheep. But God didn’t see “just a shepherd.” God saw a king.
That’s a good reminder for me not to let other people’s words - or even my current circumstances - define who I am. Only God gets to do that.
Our cat Dutch is not a cuddler... unless I bribe him. And yes, the bribe involves bird videos on YouTube. I literally open my laptop, play a video of birds flapping around, and suddenly he’s in my arms like we’re best friends.
Is it ridiculous? Absolutely. Does it work? Every time.
It’s kind of wild how much of life can be outsourced. You can hire someone to mow your lawn, fix your car, clean your house, even run your business. But there’s one thing you can’t outsource: your relationships.
And that includes your relationship with Jesus.
I was sitting on the floor in my closet yesterday (my usual prayer spot) just trying to block out distractions and spend time with God. Worship music was playing from my phone, and the room was dark and quiet.
Then I felt something soft brush up against me. It was our cat, Tobias.
I tend to praise God the most when things are going well. When life feels good, it’s easy to be thankful. But when things are hard? That’s when it gets real.
When Ambrealle Brown found out she needed a kidney transplant, it felt like her whole life got put on hold. She had to quit nursing school and spend hours every day connected to a dialysis machine, just trying to stay alive.
But then her mom, Nija, quietly went and got tested to see if she could be a donor. And without telling Ambrealle, she found out she was a match.
I think a lot of us are like ducks (stay with me here). On the surface, we’re gliding along, looking calm and collected, but underneath, we’re paddling like crazy just to stay afloat.
Some days just hit harder than others. You’re trying to keep it together, but then you have to run an errand, and you’re a complete mess in public – ugly crying in the checkout line or sobbing at a stoplight. Not a great feeling.
That’s where this woman found herself, rolling through a Burger King drive-thru in Stillwater, Oklahoma, having one of the saddest days of her life. When she pulled up to the window, the guy working there did something small but incredibly kind.
I wasn’t part of the popular crowd in high school, but I really wanted to be. I remember watching the cool kids from a distance, wishing I could fit in – even though, if I’m honest, a lot of what they were doing probably wasn’t what God would have wanted for me.
It took me a while to realize that fitting in isn’t always the best thing, especially if it means stepping away from what God has for me.
At 99 years old, Harry Humason probably never expected to be celebrated as a hero again. But that’s exactly what happened when a town in the Czech Republic invited him to their 80th anniversary of liberation – a freedom Harry helped secure as a young soldier in World War II.
I think a lot of us wonder if God can really use someone as imperfect as we are. I know I’ve felt that way.
But then I remember how Jesus worked with what seemed like ordinary, even inadequate, things. He used plain water and turned it into wine. He used a handful of bread and fish to feed thousands. He even used a little bit of dirt to heal a blind man’s eyes.
It’s a reminder that He doesn’t need us to be impressive or flawless – just available and willing.
When Olivia met Bradley, she couldn’t believe his last name was Blizzard. You know, like the Dairy Queen treat. Turns out, that’s his real last name – and a pretty great perk, too.
I love 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” But if I’m honest, that’s easier to read than to actually live out sometimes.
I’ve been thinking about how some things in life just take time. Like the old saying goes, “You don’t get to eat the fruit the same day you plant the seed.” It’s true for the garden, and it’s true in my prayer life.
There’s something beautiful about the way a child reaches up for you, completely trusting that you’ll hold them. No hesitation, no doubt – just pure faith that you’ll hold on tight and not let go.
I think that’s a picture of how God loves us. When we reach up for Him, He’s already reaching down to hold us, and His grip never fails. Our security isn’t in our strength, but in His unbreakable love.
Graduation is such a big moment – standing in your cap and gown, hearing your name called, and walking across that stage. It’s a rite of passage, a moment of pride and accomplishment. But for some students, that moment almost didn’t happen.
Waiting is a purposeful pause. It’s choosing to hold back, not out of laziness, but out of faith – because I trust that God’s timing is better than mine.
Lightning struck their Oklahoma home, and within moments, smoke started pouring in. Mandy, just 11 years old, didn’t even hesitate.
Studies show that people who attend church regularly are some of the most flourishing folks on the planet. The more often you show up, the better you tend to do in a lot of areas – emotional, social, and even physical health. But if you’ve ever tried to wrangle a couple of kids into church on a Sunday morning, you know it can feel like a battle just to get out the door.
I’ve definitely had surprise Amazon packages before, but nothing like this. Holly opened her door to find 30 giant boxes - over 70,000 Dum-Dum suckers - thanks to her second-grade son and a little too much access to her phone.
I read something the other day that stopped me in my tracks. It said, “If you chase butterflies, they’ll fly away. But if you plant a beautiful garden, they’ll come to you.”
That made me think: what kind of “garden” is my life?
There are some moments in grief where all the emotions just hit at once - and that was me the other day. I was weepy, irritable, and overwhelmed… and I felt bad that Jeremy was having to carry the weight of that with me. But during one of the songs, I apologized to him, and he stopped me. He said, “You're going through a lot. I think you're going through more than you realize, and it’s okay.” And something about those words made me feel seen in a way I really needed.
Hugo is a mailman in Charlotte, just doing his job and trying to make ends meet like the rest of us. One day on his route, he stopped by a local dental office - Providence PDO - and left a handwritten note. He explained that he’d lost his retainer, and wondered if there was any way they could help.
When Jacen Phillips was born, he had a twin brother named Nathan. Nathan had serious medical complications and passed away when they were just two years old. At Nathan’s funeral, instead of flowers, their family asked for stuffed animals to donate to the hospital that had cared for him.
And Jacen never forgot.
If God gave you enough to pay off all your debt – and someone else’s too – who would you choose to help? Now swap “money” for “mercy.” That’s where it gets a little harder, right?
I’ve always leaned on humor... sometimes in serious moments, too (which doesn’t always go over well). But I used to wonder, why am I wired this way? Comedian Jeff Foxworthy said he wrestled with that same question when he was younger.
Waiting can feel like the hardest part – especially when you’re waiting on an answer from God. James 1:5 says if you lack wisdom, ask God, and He will give it. But here’s what I’ve noticed: it doesn’t say how that wisdom will come… or when. And if you're anything like me, that “when” part can really test your patience.
There’s dedicated... and then there’s pajamas-at-10pm-plugging-in-Chromebooks dedicated.
Sometimes I wish I had a dashboard light that could warn me when my heart’s getting off track — like a little “pride building” or “forgiveness overdue” message. But as I was thinking about that this week, I realized God has given me a warning system: it’s the fruit I produce.
You know that awkward moment when you accidentally say "love you" at the end of a phone call... to your boss or a client? It happens!
Getting the flower beds ready for spring has me thinking about roots. I planted some new shrubs, and the instructions said they needed well-drained soil – because even a healthy plant, sitting too long in bad soil, will develop root rot. The plant might look fine on the outside for a while, but damage is happening underneath.
A second grade teacher asked her class to write about the most loving person they know. Some kids chose a parent or grandparent... but Brett chose God.
When life feels hard and you’ve been praying for things to get easier, it’s easy to wonder if something’s gone wrong. But someone recently reminded me that giving your heart to Jesus doesn’t save you from trouble – it saves you from sin.
When Trevor was just 9 years old, he got a diagnosis no child should ever hear - a brain tumor. What followed were nearly two years of weekly chemo treatments at Children’s Health. But this past September, he rang the bell to mark the end of treatment!
Now, at 11, Trevor has something new to celebrate.
We talked on the show today about this social experiment with 100 people and a bunch of balloons. Each person wrote their name on a balloon, tossed it into a room, and was told, “You’ve got 5 minutes – go find yours.” Total chaos. No one could find theirs.
But then the rules changed. Instead of finding their own, they were told to pick up a balloon and find the person it belonged to. And within minutes, everyone had the right one.
That story stuck with me – because it’s a great picture of what the Bible teaches. It’s not about chasing what we want, but looking out for one another.
If you’ve ever tried to nap while parenting preschoolers, you know it’s almost impossible. You lay down, close your eyes… and immediately someone needs a snack, a shoe tied, or just wants to know if ants sleep.
But one mom found a genius hack!
I’d like to think there’s nothing I’d withhold from God. But when I stop and think about it, there are places in my life where I hesitate. If He asked for more of my money – would I give it? If He asked me to forgive someone – would I? What if He asked me to stop something I really like – would I let it go?
That question has been sitting with me: is there a line in my life that I don’t want God to cross?
I know the gym is where I go to build muscle, but this week I think I built a little more empathy too.
Right after Easter, one of the first things Jesus did was show up for someone who didn’t believe.
When baby Millie was born with a rare brain disorder, doctors told her parents, Meg and Bill, she wouldn’t survive. So they brought her home on hospice and prayed for a miracle. And God answered.
I don’t usually forget to eat. I’ve got meals pretty much planned into my day – breakfast, lunch, dinner. And if I miss one? I feel it. I get hungry… or hangry, depending on who you ask. But I started thinking about this during Easter week, reflecting on the Last Supper and Jesus sharing a final meal with His disciples. It made me realize something.
Watching someone you love battle a long illness is so hard. And saying goodbye is even harder.
As we get closer to Easter, I’ve been thinking about something I hadn’t noticed before: where Jesus was positioned on the cross. Think about it: He was suspended between heaven and earth. Between a holy God and the people mocking, beating, and crucifying Him. And from that place, He didn’t call down judgment. He said, “Father, forgive them.”
“Not my will, but Your will be done.” We’ve all heard that phrase, but the context really hit me recently. These weren’t words Jesus said while preaching to a big crowd. He said them alone, in the garden, just before being betrayed, arrested, and crucified. It wasn’t a moment of strength - it was a moment of surrender.
Egg prices are still high enough that someone actually tried using them to sell a house. Seriously. A realtor in Tennessee put up a sign that said: “Free eggs with purchase!” right there in the yard. The house is $595,000, but hey – at least it comes with breakfast?
If you’ve ever felt like Jesus wouldn’t invite you to His table because of your past – you’re not alone. I’ve felt that too. But then I look at the Last Supper. Jesus sat at the table with His closest friends: the ones who had seen miracles, walked with Him, learned from Him. And right there beside them… was Judas. The one who would betray Him.
Jesus knew... and He still gave him a seat.
When I read that God “weighs the heart” (Proverbs 21:2), it made me wonder – what if He actually placed my thoughts and desires on a scale? Would it lean toward Him or toward me?
Pockets. They seem so basic, right? But if you're a woman, you know the struggle is real. We get pants with fake pockets. Tiny pockets. Or no pockets at all. So shoutout to Georgia, a little girl in the UK who had enough.
When Jesus was crucified, He wasn’t alone. Two criminals were hanging on crosses beside Him – both guilty, both suffering – but only one responded in faith.
One woman was cleaning out her birdhouse for the spring and found something surprising under all the twigs and feathers: a $5 bill. So apparently, some birds pay rent!
I heard an analogy from a pastor recently that really stuck with me. He said sometimes we’re like a dog playing fetch – we chase after what the Master throws, full of energy and trust. But when it’s time to go again, we don’t let go of the ball. We clamp down, hang on tight, and then wonder why God’s not moving.
16-year-old Tyler was home for spring break, relaxing and watching TV, when he heard screaming outside. He looked out the window and saw his neighbor’s house across the street on fire.
When things go wrong, I know exactly what to do — I pray. I lean into God, asking for His help, His peace, His rescue. But when things are going right?
If your house isn’t exactly spotless right now, good news – turns out a little mess might actually be good for you!
When my son was little and learning to ride a bike, his biggest question was, “But what if I fall?” So I’d run alongside him and say, “I’ve got my hand on the seat. I won’t let you go.”And you could see the shift in his face. My promise gave him the confidence to try.That same image came to mind recently when I read Isaiah 41:10.
Sometimes the most powerful praise comes from the middle of the struggle. TCU’s Hailey Van Lith didn’t just thank God for the wins - she thanked Him for the hard journey.
It’s good to be reminded of things, even when you already know them. Like taking out the trash - Caryn reminded me last night, and I still forgot. Spiritually speaking, I need those reminders too.
Billy Graham once said, “God is calling me not to the playground but to the battleground.” And I need that reminder regularly, because salvation isn’t just about being cleaned up - it’s about being powered up.
Jesus told His followers in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
That’s the kind of power God puts in you through His Spirit. Not just to survive the battles, but to stand strong, share boldly, and love deeply. It’s not about your strength. It’s about His.
It's April Fool’s Day! We’ve all seen those silly pranks and joke news stories floating around today. But there’s one lie that’s been around since the beginning of time - and it’s not funny.
Have you ever wanted to talk to someone about Jesus but felt like you weren’t supposed to? I struggled with that this past weekend.
There are moments when I feel distant from God, even when I’m doing all the “right” things - going to church, praying, staying in His Word. But something still feels off, like I’m not sensing His presence the way I want to. Caryn and I were talking about this just last night, and it reminded me of James 4:8: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
So what does that look like? For me, it starts with worship. Psalm 22:3 says "God inhabits the praises of His people." Worship shifts my focus and clears the barriers I’ve unknowingly built. It’s not about earning God’s presence... it’s about opening my heart to recognize He’s already near.
When Natalie was 13, she got the incredible opportunity to sing the national anthem at a Portland Trail Blazers game. She was ready, she had practiced – but when she stepped onto the court and started singing, she completely froze. She forgot the words.
The crowd started cheering, trying to encourage her, but then something amazing happened. The team’s coach, Mo Cheeks, walked right up beside her, gently reminded her of the words, and sang along with her until she finished. The entire arena erupted in applause.
That moment could have ended in embarrassment, but instead, it became a picture of grace – someone stepping in right when she needed it. And isn’t that what God does for us? When we fall short, He doesn’t leave us there. He steps in, lifts us up, and walks with us to the finish.
And here’s the best part – years later, she was invited back to sing the anthem again. This time, she nailed it. And watching proudly from the crowd? Coach Mo.
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." –2 Corinthians 12:9
This weekend, I was out at the lake and saw this little boy standing at the water’s edge, holding a rock. You could tell exactly what he wanted – to throw it as far as he could and make the biggest splash. The only problem? He was way too small to make it reach. But his dad saw what was happening, and without saying a word, he picked up a rock too.
The little boy pulled back, put all his effort into it, and tossed his rock… about two feet. But at that exact moment, his dad launched his own rock far out into the water. Huge splash. And of course, the little guy lit up – cheering, jumping, the works.
And I just stood there thinking, That’s exactly what God does for us.
Bridger is only three years old, but his great-grandma, GiGi, is calling him her hero.
Read more about Bridger and GiGi here.
Do you ever stop and really think about the power of God? I mean, the kind of power that sends fire from heaven and burns up an altar soaked in water – just to prove He alone is God.
Pastor Roger was expecting a package at his office. Pretty normal day... until he got a notification saying it had been delivered 70 miles away. That’s not just a wrong address – that’s a whole road trip.
After calling the family who received it, he decided to just drive over and get it himself. When he arrived, he met a little boy named Jonathan. Nine years old, battling stage four brain cancer, in a wheelchair and nonverbal. The package mix-up had happened because his delivery got mixed in with Jonathan’s medical supplies.
But the longer Pastor Roger talked with the family, the more he realized: maybe this wasn’t a mistake.
Windshield wipers aren’t something you think about – until they stop working in the middle of a storm.
That happened to me once, and let me tell you, sticking your head out the window in pouring rain is not a fun way to drive. I had to pull over and wait it out because something so small suddenly became really important.
Paul talks about this in Romans 12:4-5: “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Even when you feel small or unseen, you matter. God is using you in ways you may not even realize.
Easter is coming, and if you’ve seen the price of eggs lately… you might be rethinking that whole egg-dyeing tradition.
A friend found a fun alternative at Walmart - dyeable plastic eggs! They look and feel like real eggs, but they won’t crack, go bad, or make your house stink. Plus, they come with their own dye kits, and some families are even keeping them as keepsakes.
So if you’re looking for a budget-friendly, mess-free way to keep the Easter tradition alive, these might be worth checking out. And bonus... no boiled egg smell in your fridge!
Peter’s story is one of the most comforting in the Bible – not because he got everything right, but because he didn’t.
He walked on water, but then sank. He tried to defend Jesus with a sword, but Jesus corrected him. And when it mattered most, he denied even knowing Jesus – not once, but three times.
Yet, Jesus still chose him. Peter went on to perform miracles, preach boldly, and even write part of the Bible.
“God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.” –1 Corinthians 1:27
Your failures don’t disqualify you. God still has a plan.
Most of us work 40+ hours a week, but imagine if your entire year’s worth of work fit into just 34 days.
That’s reality for Vanna White from Wheel of Fortune. She recently shared that they film a whole year’s worth of shows in just 34 days!
And get this – Vanna has been on the show for 42 years, which means she’s technically worked less than four years total. Now that is the dream job.
And to make it even better? She doesn’t even have to flip the letters anymore – she just taps the screen. Living. The. Dream.
Sometimes life just drains you – physically, emotionally, spiritually. And the more you try to push through on your own, the emptier you feel.
I got a message on my computer the other day: “Your battery can no longer provide sufficient power.” And I thought, Same, computer. Same.
When I feel that way, it’s usually because I’ve drifted from my source – too busy to pray, too tired to open my Bible. But unlike a failing battery, we were never meant to run on our own.
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” –John 15:4
Stay connected. He is your strength.
If you have a smart speaker, you already know... it doesn’t always get things right.
Over the weekend, I asked Alexa to play a worship station, and she picked the Spanish version. At first, I thought, Wow, what a beautiful remix! Then I realized… nope. Just Alexa doing her thing.
Kathy said she asks Alexa for TobyMac and gets Snoop Dogg instead. And Jeremy? He requested a Ryan Stevenson song and got three times the Bart Millard credit he bargained for.
Maybe Alexa just needs a tutor. Or at least a little grace!
Faith can feel a lot like working on a puzzle. You see a piece, you’re sure it fits - but when you try, it just doesn’t. What do you do? You don’t give up on the whole puzzle. You trust the creator included every piece you need.
God’s plan is the same way. Sometimes life doesn’t make sense, and we wonder how this moment could possibly fit into something good. But His plan unfolds one piece at a time.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” –James 1:2-4
Even when the picture isn’t clear yet, trust the One who designed it.
Springtime in Texas means bluebonnets - but this year, they might look a little different.
Because of the dry fall and late rains, experts say the bluebonnets will be stunted this season. Think tiny tulips, but Texas style. And honestly, I feel like we’re missing an opportunity here. Let’s market them as Pygmy Bluebonnets - the cutest bluebonnets you’ve ever seen!
When my son was little, I was teaching him to pray, and he was doing great - praying for family, all the usual things. And then, out of nowhere, he prayed for his Transformer toy.
At first, I almost corrected him. We don’t pray for our toys! But then I realized: he was just talking to God about what mattered to him. And that’s exactly what God wants.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” –Matthew 19:14
God isn’t looking for perfect prayers. He just wants us to come to Him.
Losing an hour of sleep? Not fun. But for Heather, springing forward is the best thing ever.
Why? Because she’s 4'11", and driving into the sun is basically a battle she can’t win. Her visor is useless, sunglasses don’t help, and no matter what she does, she’s blinded on her commute.
But with Daylight Saving Time, that finally changes! More evening light means no more squinting and awkwardly ducking behind the wheel.
Honestly, I’ve never heard that reason for loving the time change before - but as someone who’s also on the shorter side, I fully support it!
We try to believe the best about people, even when they let us down. But when it comes to God, we sometimes hesitate, questioning what He’s asking us to do.
Maybe He’s nudging you to give, to serve, to step outside your comfort zone. And maybe, like me, you wrestle with doubt. Is this really for my good?
But if there’s anyone whose intentions we can fully trust, it’s God.
“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” —Psalm 40:4
God’s plans are always for our good.
Social media filters can do all kinds of things: make you look younger, add makeup, or even show you what you might look like when you're older. That last one? Not always fun.
Gabby tried an aging filter and wasn’t too happy with the results... wrinkles, gray hair, sagging skin. But then her mom saw it and said something that changed everything: “This is special to me because it gives me a glimpse of a person I’ll never get to see in my lifetime.”
Perspective changes everything. The years ahead may bring change, but they are a gift - every single one.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of prayer, fasting, and repentance leading up to Easter. If you see people with ashes on their foreheads today, don’t panic, they didn’t just forget to wash their face. It’s a symbol of humility, reminding us that we are finite and in need of God’s grace.
If you had the chance to save millions of lives, you’d do it, right? That’s exactly what James Harrison did.
Known as The Man with the Golden Arm, James had a rare antibody in his blood that helped protect unborn babies from a deadly blood disorder. After receiving life-saving transfusions as a teenager, he spent 63 years donating plasma every two weeks - saving over 2 million lives, including his own grandchildren.
James passed away this month at 88, but his legacy lives on. Scientists have used his blood to recreate the antibody, ensuring that millions more babies can be saved!
You may have heard this old saying: “Satan doesn’t have to make you bad if he can make you busy.” I was reminded of that the other day.
Distractions are sneaky. They don’t always look like temptations; sometimes, they look like good things... just not the best thing. Like when I start a new book, only to find another one I also want to read. Suddenly, my focus shifts, and I never finish what I started.
The same happens in our faith. We’re called to share Jesus, to grow in Him, but life tugs us in a hundred directions.
That’s why Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul reminds us that staying focused on Jesus takes effort. It’s an intentional pressing forward, ignoring distractions that pull us away.
So what’s pulling at your focus today? Keep your eyes on the goal. Jesus is always worth it.
It makes all the difference to have someone who holds you up when you feel like falling apart.
For me, that’s Jeremy. Over the weekend, I got a call that my brother, who’s battling cancer, was back in the hospital. Fear hit me hard, and I just started to cry. But Jeremy stepped in and said, “Let’s pray.” And in that moment, I felt strengthened.
“Two are better than one… if either of them falls, one can help the other up.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
We all need people who will pray for us and remind us to keep believing.
If you’ve been praying and it feels like nothing is happening, don’t lose heart - God hears you.
All throughout Scripture, we see this truth:
“I have heard your prayer.” - 2 Kings 20:5
“I have heard your prayer.” - Isaiah 38:4
“God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.” - Psalm 66:19
Even when you don’t see immediate answers, He is listening. Keep praying, keep trusting, and know that in His perfect timing, He will respond.
Some friends just feed your soul. Every time you’re around them, you leave encouraged, challenged, and maybe even a little closer to Jesus.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” -Proverbs 27:17
Jeremy and I had lunch with our friend John, and he did exactly that. He shared what God was teaching him, encouraged us, prayed for us... and then, to top it off, he paid for lunch! He fed us spiritually and physically.
We all need friends like that - people who sharpen our faith and point us to Jesus. And maybe today, you can be that friend for someone else.
If you walked up to the White House and said, “I’d like to see the President,” security wouldn’t let you in just because you’re a good person. You’d need authorization.
It’s the same with heaven. Being “good” isn’t the standard... being part of God’s family is.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” -John 14:6
The good news? Jesus offers that access freely. Through faith in Him, you’re not just a visitor - you’re family. And that’s the only authorization you need.
If you step outside tomorrow night just after sunset, you’ll see something pretty amazing: a planetary parade! Six planets will be visible across the sky in an arch formation: Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Venus.
Most of them you can spot with your eyes, but if you have binoculars, you can see them all. That is, unless you’re like Jeremy, who can’t tell the difference between a planet and an airplane.
Want to know the best time and place to watch? Check out this article for all the details.
Driving in DFW earlier this week was rough - that fog was so thick, I could barely see a few feet ahead. I just had to take it one mile at a time, trusting the road was still there.
Life feels like that sometimes. Where is this job going? What’s next for my family? You can’t always see what’s ahead, but God promises to guide us.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart… in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” -Proverbs 3:5-6
God doesn’t always reveal the whole plan at once, but He never leaves us wandering. Like headlights in the fog, He gives just enough light for the next step. When we trust Him, leaning on His wisdom instead of our own, He leads us exactly where we need to go.
If someone has ever surprised you with an act of kindness - like giving you a flower or paying for your meal - you know how good that feels.
A group of senior citizens wanted to spread that same joy, so they knitted dozens of teddy bears and gave them away to strangers - kids, adults, anyone who needed a smile. Each bear came with a note, letting the recipient know they were loved.
We often hear about people serving seniors, but here, they were the ones spreading kindness. Just goes to show: sometimes the best way to find joy is to give it away.
Sometimes, obedience doesn’t make sense in the moment, but God honors a humble heart.
At a wedding in Cana, Mary asked Jesus to help when the wine ran out. Even though He said, “It’s not yet my time,” she simply told the servants, “Do whatever He says.” And because of that trust, Jesus performed His first miracle.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” -James 4:10
Honoring God, even when we don’t fully understand, puts us in a place where He can elevate us in His perfect timing.
Sometimes, when life feels like it’s falling apart, God sends a reminder that hope isn’t lost.
Allison had a tough week: she lost her job, then lost her wallet on her son’s field trip. Just when things felt overwhelming, a package arrived in the mail. Inside? Her wallet, completely intact, with a note from a stranger named Alex. He said he was broke, so he used a few dollars from her wallet to cover shipping, just so he could return it to her.
Even in hard times, kindness still exists. And sometimes, hope is found in the most unexpected places.
God has blessed you to be a blessing.
Think about a fruit tree: it takes in sunlight, water, and nutrients to survive, but the fruit it produces? That’s not for the tree. It’s for others.
"A spiritual gift is given to each of us so that we can help each other." -1 Corinthians 12:7
Your gifts, whether it’s wisdom, encouragement, or teaching, aren’t just for you. They’re meant to nourish and strengthen those around you. So don’t hold back. God has given you something valuable, and someone else might be waiting for the fruit you’re called to share.
I saw a video of a girl who was scared to go to the gym, thinking people would judge her. But when she finally went, it was the most encouraging place - everyone cheering each other on, celebrating each other’s progress.
And as I listened, I thought, That’s exactly how church should be.
I remember my first time walking into a church, feeling intimidated, wondering if I’d be judged. But instead, I was welcomed, prayed for, and encouraged. Just like the gym builds strength, church builds faith. But unlike the gym, no one’s making you run a mile!
The best leaders don’t just give instructions - they lead by example.
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." -1 Peter 5:2-3
Whether you’re guiding your kids, leading at work, or mentoring someone, your actions speak louder than words. And Jesus? He’s the ultimate example. He didn’t return hate for hate. He showed mercy, forgiveness, and love while pointing people toward holiness.
If you want to be a great leader, start with the example we are given in Christ. The fruit of your life will always be the loudest lesson you teach.
Sometimes, what feels like a loss is actually part of God’s bigger plan.
15-year-old Levi went on a hike and had to be rescued after getting stuck in a steep ravine. In the chaos, he left behind his backpack, packed with emergency supplies, and was devastated when he realized it was gone.
A month later, a father and son got trapped in the same ravine, with no way to call for help. As night fell, they stumbled upon Levi’s lost backpack. Inside? Granola bars, matches, a first aid kit... even an emergency tent. It gave them everything they needed to survive until rescue came.
Levi’s mom put it perfectly: “Sometimes God uses a backpack that sat for a month and a half to help someone in the cold and in the dark.”
Following Jesus changes everything. The things I once thought were important just don’t compare to knowing Him. And people notice that change.
"They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you." -1 Peter 4:4
When you choose Jesus, some people won’t get it. They may think you’re missing out. But what if your life - the way you live, the things you no longer chase - makes them wonder if they’re the ones missing something? Your faith could be the very thing that helps someone else see that Jesus is better.
Egg prices are up again, and apparently, the solution is… Turkey?
I saw a headline that said America is turning to Turkey to help with the egg shortage. And for a second, I thought, wait, why aren’t we eating turkey eggs more often? Turns out, they meant Turkey the country, not turkey the bird. Whoops.
But now I’m curious... turkey eggs are edible, just bigger and less common since turkeys don’t lay as often as chickens. And some people say they taste even better! So now, naturally, I need to find one and try it for myself.
Life can feel like a guessing game - trying to figure things out on your own, hoping you’re making the right choices. But God has already given us the best guide.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” -Psalm 119:105
Why wander in the dark when God has given us His Word to light the way? Instead of struggling to “figure it out,” we can turn to Scripture and know we’re on the right path. Life isn’t always easy, but with God’s direction, we don’t have to figure it out alone.
As a kid, some things just made sense - until you got older and realized, wait… that’s not how the world works.
Like Jacob, who thought clouds were the ghosts of dinosaurs. Or Evan, who was terrified that swallowing a fruit seed would make a tree grow in his stomach (same, Evan. Same).
And then there’s Charlotte. She believed bird seed actually grew birds. So she planted some in the yard… and the next day? Birds everywhere. Proof!
Honestly, kid logic is undefeated. What’s something you believed as a child that you later realized was completely ridiculous?
Every family has that story... the one that gets retold for years, no matter how much you wish it wouldn’t. For me, it’s The Dog Incident.
I was five, my grandma was in the hospital, and we were watching her dog. Long story short: the dog got out, ran into the road, and, well... "met" the one car that ever drove by our house.
On the way to see my grandma, my mom warned me not to mention it. So of course, the first thing out of my mouth was, “Daddy put him down!”
Grandma started laughing, she literally thought I was joking. My parents immediately had to jump in, like, “No, no! Jerry didn’t put the dog down. But… the dog is down.”
And... that’s why we never dogsat again!
It’s easy to fall into the trap of wondering, Did I earn God’s love today? But here’s the truth: you are God’s prize.
Your faith in Jesus has secured an eternal inheritance, and God fiercely protects what belongs to Him. “Through faith, you are shielded by God’s power until the coming day of salvation.” -1 Peter 1:5
No one can steal you from His hand. No one can separate you from His love. God is undefeated, and if you’ve trusted in Jesus, you are in His family forever. You don’t have to earn His love - you already have it.
A guy named Adrian was out kayaking with his dad when - no big deal - he got swallowed by a whale. Well, sort of.
A humpback whale came up for fish, and Adrian just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. At first, he thought it was just a big wave, until he felt something slimy against his face. That’s when it hit him: I’m inside an animal. Thankfully, the whale spit him out after a few seconds.
People always ask if Jonah could really have been swallowed by a big fish. Well, apparently, not only is it possible... but if Jonah had a kayak, it would’ve gone in too!
Sometimes, you come to God in prayer and just don’t have the words. The need feels too big, too overwhelming. What do you even say?
The good news? You’re never praying alone.
Before Jesus left this earth, He made a promise: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” -John 14:16
That Helper is the Holy Spirit, and He is always with you, even in your prayers.
Romans 8:26 reminds us, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with wordless groanings.” That means even when you can’t find the words, the Holy Spirit speaks on your behalf, bringing your needs before God in ways deeper than you can imagine.
So if you ever feel stuck in prayer, know this: You don’t have to have the perfect words. God already knows your heart, and the Spirit is right there, lifting up your prayers - even the ones you don’t know how to say.
Sometimes you hear something at church that just sticks with you. For me, it was this: God is consistent, but He’s also creative.
Jesus healed two blind men in Scripture - one by spitting in his eyes (weird, I know) and another by simply speaking. Same Jesus. Same power. But totally different methods.
That’s what I love about God. He is always faithful, but He doesn’t work from a formula. Just because He moved one way before doesn’t mean He’ll do it the same way again. I can trust who He is, even when I don’t know how He’ll come through.
The Super Bowl is all about big plays and championships, but for some of the players, the biggest thing in their lives isn’t football - it’s Jesus.
A few of them shared about their faith, and what they had to say was powerful. One player talked about how Jesus has already done the work for us. Another said, simply, “Jesus is better than football.”
You don’t always get to hear this side of these athletes, but we’ve got it for you. Listen in as they share what Jesus means to them!
Loving others isn’t always easy. Some people make it really hard. And honestly, when I think about how much God loves me - how He sacrificed for me - I have to ask myself, Could I have done that? Probably not.
“We love because He first loved us.” -1 John 4:19
God’s love changes how I see people. Instead of judging, it pushes me toward empathy. So even when loving someone feels impossible, I’m choosing to love anyway. Not because they deserve it, but because I didn’t either... and God still chose to love me.
The Super Bowl is great and all, but let’s be honest: the real showdown this weekend is the Puppy Bowl. And this year, four Texas pups are in the lineup!
Mr. Pickles (a pug mix) is suiting up for Team Ruff as a “running bark.” Haily (Shih Tzu-Yorkie), Wimberley (Chihuahua-Poodle), and Candy Buttons (Beagle-Chihuahua) are also ready to bring the cuteness.
Honestly, I expected bigger Texas dogs, but these little guys are representing well. And good news: each of them has already found their forever home! But Mr. Pickles has a brother, Mr. Dill… and he might still be available!
Reading the Bible is kind of like eating an apple. At first, you just taste the sweetness, but there’s so much more happening beneath the surface: vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, all working to nourish your body.
God’s Word works the same way: “All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial.” - 2 Timothy 3:16
You might read it just to know God better, but once it’s in you, it does even more. It strengthens your faith, gives you peace in trials, wisdom in confusion, and hope when you need it most. You may not see it working, but trust me: it is.
Sometimes, we stress over making things happen, trying to plan every detail, and then - boom - God just handles it. I found a story recently that surprisingly illustrates this super well.
In the Czech Republic, the government was stuck in endless debates over building a dam to create wetlands. Permits, funding, blueprints, it was a mess. Then, one night, a colony of beavers just… built it. Perfectly. For free. It was in the right place and everything, and it ended up saved the government millions of dollars.
I feel like I do the same thing: overthink, over-plan, and get nowhere. Meanwhile, God’s like, Would you just let me handle this? Because trust me, He’s way better at problem-solving than I am.
Your thoughts can take you down some wild rabbit holes. One moment, everything’s fine... then suddenly, you’re spiraling, convinced the worst will happen. I get it. But here’s the thing: not every thought you have is true.
That’s why 2 Corinthians 10:5 says to “take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
Before I let worry take over, I’m trying something new: asking, Is this thought true based on fear, or is it true based on God’s Word? Because if God’s not the source of it, I don’t need to dwell on it.
Social media needs to get it together. If a reel has multiple parts, I shouldn’t have to go on a full-blown internet scavenger hunt just to find the ending!
Lately, my feed is full of Say Yes to the Dress clips, and they keep cutting off at the most stressful moments. Like... does the bride find her dress or not?! I NEED CLOSURE.
If there’s a part one, just give me part two immediately. No mystery. No searching. Just answers. Because now I’m emotionally invested in a stranger’s wedding, and that’s social media’s fault!
Feeling unseen is hard. Maybe you wonder if anyone notices you, let alone celebrates you. But here’s the truth: you caused a celebration in heaven.
"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." -Luke 15:10
Think about that. Not because of what you’ve achieved or how perfect you’ve been, but simply because you’ve surrendered to Him.
Heaven threw a party over you. You are noticed. You are loved. And in God’s eyes, you are absolutely worth celebrating.
Birthdays are usually all about toys, right? When I was a kid, I loved getting Barbies or stuffed animals. But I just read about a 10-year-old named Kendyl, and the best gift she got this year? A pair of glasses. Not super exciting... until she put them on.
These glasses transcribe speech in real time, letting Kendyl, who is deaf, see conversations as they happen. How cool is that?! It’s going to change her life - helping her in school, with friends, everywhere.
Sometimes life doesn’t make sense. We look at our circumstances and wonder, why would God let this happen? But that’s where trust comes in. God sees the full picture when we can only see the moment we’re in.
I heard a quote that says, “Anyone can count the number of seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.” He knows the outcome before it even begins. So today, I’m choosing to trust Him - the one who sees what I can’t.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” —Proverbs 3:5
Did you hear that former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away in December, just won a Grammy Award? That's right, last night he was posthumously awarded in the audiobook, narration, and spoken word category for an album of his Sunday school lessons taught at Maranatha Baptist Church in Georgia. President Carter had a profound impact through his teachings, and this Grammy marks his fourth win in this category.
It's pretty remarkable that lessons about faith and life are celebrated this way... what a way to leave a legacy!
Sometimes, you're watching a movie, and out of nowhere, you get this spiritual application. I was watching this show with a gladiator defying his evil leader, who wants to use his fighting skills to increase his power, but the gladiator says, "I will never be your instrument."
It was like a light bulb moment about resisting evil, just like in James 4:7 where it says, "resist the devil and he will flee from you."
But here's the thing: God's playbook says, first submit to Him, then resist. That's how you fight God’s way, which is pretty much the exact opposite of how the world tells you to fight. It’s not just about muscle, it’s about where you’re drawing your strength from.
Found out Netflix is rebooting 'Little House on the Prairie' and oh, how it takes me back! I loved that show so much, I used to dream about being Laura Ingalls, doing all the prairie things like collecting eggs and working hard just like they did.
It always seemed like such a simple life, but simple doesn't mean easy, right? Thinking about those cold winters and chopping wood just to stay warm makes me second guess wanting that lifestyle. Maybe I'll try sewing my own dress first, see if I'm really cut out for prairie life!
In Psalm 37, we're urged to "take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." It sounds so straightforward, right? But really, how do we do that? How do we truly delight in God or commit everything to Him in trust?
Sometimes, I just have to be real with God and admit, "I'm not sure how to do this." It's about being honest in those unsure moments.
In Texas, we put our own spin on Groundhog Day. Forget Punxsutawney Phil, we've got Bee Cave Bob the armadillo and Big Al the alligator!
This Sunday, Bob might just poke out from his burrow in Bee Cave, near Austin, to predict the weather. Sunny day out? Early spring for us.
But he's not the only weird animal in the spotlight. In Beaumont, there's Big Al, a 92-year-old, 1000-pound alligator. If he eats a piece of chicken on Groundhog Day, spring's coming early. If not, it's more winter, because alligators don't really eat in the cold. Only in Texas, right?
Imagine this: You’re feeling sick, so you head to an urgent care. This is exactly what Nash, from Keller, TX, did. It's late evening, they check him in, tell him to wait for the doctor, and… they forget him.
Yep, they literally turned off the lights, locked up, and left for the night, leaving Nash all alone! And when he realizes, he has to call the police to get out. I mean, you can't make this stuff up!
Have you ever read a Bible verse and thought, “Well, that’s for someone else, not me”? I catch myself thinking like that sometimes, especially with verses like 2 Timothy 3:16, which says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."
It’s easy to think these words are meant for others - but they’re really for all of us, including me. God uses His words to shape us, to guide us into truth, and prepare us for the good things He has planned.
Sometimes it's the little things that lead to big changes. Back in junior high, I started quilting, which surprisingly opened up a whole new chapter in my life. It began simply enough at my neighbor Brooke’s house, where her mom shared her love for quilting with us kids. As we spent hours at their home, quilting and snacking, Brooke’s parents offered something else too: a weekly Bible study.
This casual gathering became my first real introduction to God’s word. It was there that I began to explore who God was and what faith could mean in my life.
If you've ever been to a kid's soccer game, you've probably noticed how many parents shout advice from the sidelines. It reminds me of 1 John 2:15, where it says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world."
Just like those kids can't listen to all those voices and their coach too, we can't serve two masters. It’s a choice between loving the world or embracing the love of the Father. And honestly, I need to focus more on hearing just God’s voice.
Imagine working not just while you're pregnant, but actually in labor! That's exactly what happened to Dr. Amanda Hess.
She was at the hospital, ready to give birth herself, when she heard that another mom was having a tough time in labor because the doctor wasn't there yet. Without thinking twice, Dr. Hess left her own room to help. She successfully delivered the baby, ensuring both mom and newborn were okay, then went back and soon after, gave birth to her own child. She was truly an angel in that delivery room!
Ever find it hard to let go of past wrongs? I know I do. In 1 Corinthians 13:5, we're reminded, "Love keeps no record of wrongs." That’s a tough one for me.
God's forgiveness is a perfect example: when He forgives us, He truly forgets. It's like our mistakes are thrown into the sea of forgetfulness, never to be brought up again. If we're to emulate this kind of love, we need to truly forgive and forget, just as we're forgiven.
Have you ever been touched by an act of kindness when you needed it most? That's what happened to Hannah. She was trying to reach her mom in the hospital for one last goodbye but was stuck at DFW due to flight delays. Desperate, she shared her story with a flight attendant.
What happened next was nothing short of amazing: the pilots coordinated just so she could make her connection. They even rushed her off the plane to ensure she'd make it. Thanks to their kindness, Hannah got to spend 24 more hours with her mom.
Jesus once said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying."
You'll find this powerful promise in John 11:25. It really hits home for me because it underscores something big: my own efforts could never fix the rift sin created between me and God.
Life can throw some tough days our way, can't it? I was reading Isaiah 41:10 the other day, and it felt like it was written just for moments like these. It goes, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
It’s amazing to think these words were spoken thousands of years ago, yet they're just as powerful and reassuring today. He’s still here, still strong, still holding us up.
When your child is sick, you will do anything possible to make them feel better. Imagine this: 7-year-old Isaac woke up one day and couldn't walk. Turns out, he had a rare condition that caused his spinal cord to swell, leaving him unable to walk. But during his hospital visits, Isaac fell in love with a movie about bull riding, '8 Seconds,' and decided he wanted to be tough like a cowboy.
Fast forward, and not only did Isaac walk again, but he also competed in Mutton Busting at the Fort Worth Stock Show. Guess what? He won by hanging on for eight seconds, just like his hero in the movie!
If you're a pet owner, you know it's just a matter of time before they cause some chaos. And yep, it happened at our house recently. Our cat was on the window sill, playing with this moth that got into the house, and next thing you know, he falls off, crashes into a plant, dirt goes flying everywhere... into his food, his water, all over the floor.
I'm just sitting there like, "What just happened?" Went from adorable to disaster in two seconds!
Do you have someone in your life you're hoping will find Jesus? I get a lot of messages from people praying for their loved ones to come to know Him.
Psalm 25:12-13 offers us hope: "Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land."
It's a reminder that God's promises cover even those we're worried about.
You know those moments when you're really aware of all your mistakes and feel like you just don’t deserve God’s forgiveness?
That happens to me every once in a while, but I read a post recently that hit home: "If you're thinking you don't deserve a second chance from God... remember, you didn't deserve the first one either." It was a tough pill to swallow at first, but it's so true - it's all about His grace, not what we deserve.
And thinking about forgiveness, Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 18:22 to forgive not just seven times, but seventy times seven. That’s how often He's willing to forgive us, with a grace that never runs out!
What's the first thing you do when you're in distress? I often chat with friends, family, pretty much anyone who’ll listen, but I forget to talk to the one who has real power over my situation.
Psalm 20:1 offers a profound reminder: "May the Lord answer you when you're in distress, and may the name of the God of Jacob protect you." It's a wake-up call that I should be turning to God right at the start, not just as a last resort. He's ready to listen and help us before anyone else.
An 11-year-old girl learned CPR at her Girl Scouts meeting and just two weeks later, she ended up saving her dad’s life with it. 11-year-old Vada's dad had a heart attack right in front of her, but she kept her cool and did CPR until the EMTs got there. She even thought about how she could finally cry once help arrived.
It just goes to show, you're never too young to learn something that could save a life. Totally a hero in my book!
Ever catch yourself saying, "I do not need this in my life"? We've all been there, whether it's dealing with difficult people or challenging situations. But have you ever wondered if maybe, they need you in their life?
Romans 15:2 reminds us, "Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up."
Just like Jesus served others selflessly, we too are called to be a positive force.
What do you do when you get news that really makes you worry? Yesterday, I learned my mom needs some medical tests, and my brother, who's battling cancer, can't start his next chemo yet. I was pretty shaken up.
Normally, I'd turn to Jeremy, but he was napping, so I decided to take a walk and pray instead. It turned out to be exactly what I needed. I shared my concerns with God and reminded myself of who He is: His goodness, His healing, and His faithfulness.
By the time I finished my walk, speaking those truths had really shifted my perspective, and I got home feeling so much more hopeful!
Watching the California wildfires on the news is tough, but here's a bit of good news: they're getting help from some four-legged friends!
Shelter dogs like Ruger, who was once too much for his original owner, have found their calling with the Search Dog Foundation. Now, they're out there using their boundless energy to help find people in disaster zones. It's incredible how dogs that needed rescuing are now the rescuers!
Ephesians 6:17 instructs us to "put on salvation as your helmet and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Sometimes, the best battle preparation might not look as dramatic as you’d think. For instance, daily Bible reading might seem simple, but it's actually powerful training. It arms us against the enemy’s lies and accusations, letting us fight back with God's eternal truths.
If you hear about somebody living to 100, you want to know: what is it that they've done to live that long? What are their secrets?
Well, JoCleta is 100 years old. She drives, shops, cooks, and even works part-time, even after having retired three times, because she just couldn't stand sitting still. Her secrets? Stay active (she was a dancer), eat well (but always save room for a slice of chocolate cake from the freezer once a week), and don’t sweat the small stuff. Oh, and she firmly believes in not cleaning her own house... smart lady!
So, maybe the real secret to longevity is enjoying that cake and letting someone else handle the chores!
As our boys grew up, I thought about 1 Peter 2:1 a lot, which says, "Rid yourself of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." We had lots of conversations about what it means to grow up and let go of negative behaviors. This wasn't just about following rules - it was about showing them that true maturity and influence come from the Lord.
This simple verse becomes a cornerstone in teaching us that to truly influence others, we need to embody maturity and integrity.
Watching "Wheel of Fortune" is always fun, especially when you play along and try to solve the puzzles. But for Rhea, a former contestant, her return to the show for its 50th anniversary turned into something she'll never forget.
During a toss-up round, where letters appear until someone guesses the phrase, Rhea guessed the answer: "Will you marry me?" Just then, her boyfriend walked on stage, dropped to one knee, and proposed right there!
Turns out, this wasn't just a special anniversary episode... it was a beautifully orchestrated proposal. Her boyfriend had planned the whole thing with the show's help to surprise her.
Psalm 78:4 says, "We will tell the coming generation the praises of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done." This verse really hits home for me.
My grandma shared her faith openly and because of that, I got to know Jesus. Her example shows us that our faith isn't just for keeping; it’s for sharing. By passing on our faith, we fulfill God’s command to be a beacon of His love and truth.
Ever been at the grocery store and the thing you need is just out of reach? That happened to me with the last pack of toilet paper on sale. I tried everything to get it... even thought about grabbing tongs to pull it closer. I ended up throwing another pack at it to try and knock it down. Want to hear how that turned out? Let's just say, Jeremy has never wanted to check the store’s security footage more!
We all know that feeding our bodies is important, but what about nourishing our souls?
Proverbs 7:2-3 tells us, "Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart."
Just like Jesus said when he was tempted, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." It’s clear that our spiritual nourishment is just as vital as our physical one.
Have you ever named a vehicle? Over in Minnesota, where the winters are serious business, they've turned snow plow naming into an annual event with the public chiming in on some pretty clever names.
Think "Fast and the Flurries" or "Taylor Drift." How about "Clark Blizzwald" and even "Scoop, There It Is"? My personal favorite? "Control, Salt, Delete."
If those icy roads ever get you down, just remember, someone out there is clearing the way with a snow plow sporting a name that's sure to crack a smile.
What would you like to be good at? If becoming an architect was your goal, and someone handed you a book with all the secrets, you'd probably read it, right? Well, think of the Bible like that book, but for life.
Psalm 119:165 tells us, "those who love your instruction have great peace and do not stumble." Who wouldn't want a life of peace and stability? It's totally possible with the truths from the Bible.
If you're looking to bring this kind of peace into your life and family, check out our free devotional to guide your prayers. Just click below to download "Pray The Bible In A Year."
Ever had people show up for you in a tough time? Maybe with a meal or some help when you really needed it? There’s a town in North Carolina that experienced something incredible like that.
After Hurricane Helene devastated Swannanoa, NC's community garden, a company from the Netherlands called Dutch Grown stepped in unexpectedly. They sent not 30, not 50, but 10,000 tulip bulbs to help replant the garden. This spring, the town expects to see a sea of 10,000 tulips bloom. It’s a perfect example of how beauty can emerge from the ashes—a real-life illustration of God's restoration.
Like many, I’ve often felt unqualified to share the Gospel, worrying that I’m not enough. But this passage is a powerful reminder:
"The Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth, and said to me, ‘Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.'" -Jeremiah 1:9
God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. He prepares us and even gives us the words to say. So, even if we feel weak, we're made strong in Him.
Heading to the Cotton Bowl this Friday? Keep an eye out for something special. Betty Taylor, a 94-year-old former Kilgore College Rangerette, will be joining the squad for their 75th anniversary of performances.
While she might not be high kicking, Betty will be there with pom poms and a sequin jersey, celebrating not just the team's history but also honoring her late husband. They shared over 70 years together, and she knows he would have loved seeing her perform once more.
The other day, I noticed my son heading to the mailbox in his slippers, and it made me think of something.
Ephesians 6:15 tells us to "put on the piece that comes from the good news so that you'll be fully prepared." It's a reminder that just like you need the right shoes for different tasks, you also need to be spiritually prepared for whatever the day might bring.
Whether it’s sharing the gospel or stepping into new opportunities, it’s about being ready... not caught off guard in your slippers!
Isn't it so true that when you're young, you can't wait to grow up, but once you're older, you wish you could be young again? I've been thinking, though, there are parts of getting older I'm actually looking forward to.
Like gray hair... it's kind of trending right now, and honestly, I'm kind of excited for mine to turn. And readers? I couldn't wait to pick out my first pair of stylish glasses, even if I'm not thrilled about needing them. Sure, wrinkles aren't exactly on my wishlist, but hey, who doesn't love a good senior discount?
Aging isn't all bad when you think about the perks!
Imagine starting every conversation with a reminder of God’s grace and peace. That’s exactly what Peter does in 2 Peter 1:2, saying, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus, our Lord."
This isn't just a "what's up" type of greeting... it’s a powerful declaration of what God offers us every day. How often do we miss the chance to remind others (and ourselves) of this truth?
Nine-year-old Remington was born without part of her left arm and her insurance wouldn't cover a prosthetic. Her family started a GoFundMe and raised $30,000, but then an amazing group called CrowdHealth said they'd cover the prosthetic.
With the money raised, Remington's family decided to help another child who needed a prosthetic arm. Now, they’re keeping the fundraiser going to help even more kids. It’s incredible how a little bit of help can turn into so much good!
John 14:15 says, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."
Simple, right? But sometimes, I catch myself acting as if it says, "I will love you if you keep my commandments." That’s not the message, though. The slight twist in words makes a huge difference.
We can't earn God's love with perfect behavior; His love is already ours. Instead, His love transforms us, inspiring us to live in a way that honors Him.
Ever heard the advice to never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach? Well, I think the same should apply to game shows.
Here's a funny example: a Wheel of Fortune contestant, clearly distracted by hunger, guessed "give yourself a round of sausage" instead of the actual phrase, "give yourself a round of applause."
Can you imagine mixing up 'sausage' and 'applause'? Next time you’ve got something important like a game show - or any big moment - don't forget to grab a snack first!
Heading into the new year, I've been thinking a lot about change. I just got a new planner, and it has a butterfly on the cover with the words "change is beautiful." It's timely because change can be tough - it can shake things up, make us anxious, and sometimes it's not even what we wanted.
But here's something reassuring: God isn't surprised by any of it. He’s already got it figured out. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
So even when change feels overwhelming, we can lean on that promise.
Packing up your artificial Christmas tree? Here's a tip I wish I knew before wrestling ours into the box!
The CEO of Balsam Hill, where they make those fancy artificial trees, advises against squishing your tree into storage. Especially if it's pre-lit! Smashing it down can stress the wires and break the bulbs, meaning next year, you might be in for a not-so-merry surprise. Trust me, I learned the hard way after trying to cram ours back into its original box.
As we step into the new year, Caryn and I have been setting goals, but it got me thinking: what does God want us to accomplish this year?
Micah 6:8 really puts it into perspective. It tells us, "God has shown you what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
It's a reminder that while our goals might usually focus on health or finances, God's vision for us goes deeper.
This season really reminds us how God’s blessings can come unexpectedly. My brother, battling cancer while running his plumbing business, always helps our friend Mandy’s family without charging them. Instead, he happily accepts these homemade cheese balls they make - they're like his favorite treat. Both Mandy’s dad and my brother are fighting cancer, and they've formed this sweet support system.
Recently, Mandy tried to give my brother something extra after a job. He insisted on no cash, just the usual cheese trade. But she handed him a check for $1,000 from her church, explaining they wanted to help after hearing about his kindness and his fight. When my brother told me about it later I could tell he was just overwhelmed by their generosity. It’s these acts of love, from people he’s never met, that truly show the depth of Christ’s love in action.
Take a look at your Christmas tree. See all those lights and gifts? Now think about this verse from James 1:17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."
Those lights on your tree? They remind us of God's light and glory. And the best part: the gifts at the bottom of the tree are easily reachable, just like God made His greatest gift, His Son Jesus, accessible to everyone. No matter how down you feel, that gift is within your reach. Isn't it amazing how a simple Christmas tree can show us so much about God’s love?
You never know where love will pop up - maybe even at an exercise class! Joe, a 73-year-old widower from Cleburne, Texas, thought he'd just try an exercise class to meet new people. He never expected to meet someone like Jill, a widow in her 70s.
They hit it off but insisted they were just friends, even trying to stay away from each other at one point. Well, their friendship turned into something more, and now they're gearing up to spend their first Christmas together as a married couple. How sweet is that?
Song lyrics really stick with you, right? Just like those Christmas songs we all know by heart. That’s why singing in worship is so powerful - it helps us remember and hold onto God’s truths. Psalms were originally written as songs too, not just to entertain but to sink deep into our hearts. Like Psalm 23, which is a beautiful reminder of God's care for us. Let's sing it together:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
If you're going to be flying over the holidays at any point, I sure hope you get to see something sweet like this. On a recent Delta flight, the pilot stepped out of the cockpit to greet a passenger... who turned out to be the donor who saved his life with a bone marrow transplant years ago.
He told everyone on board how she was an even better match for him than his own brother and joked that he now "makes her blood" because of her donation. Imagine saving a life and years later, getting a thank you hug mid-flight! What a beautiful example of God's love in action.
Where does your strength really come from? I stumbled upon a story in 1 Chronicles 5 - yes, not the most thrilling book in the Bible, but bear with me. It tells of the Reubenites, 44,000 of them, skilled warriors trained in combat with shields, swords, and bows. Despite their abilities, during a battle, they didn’t rely on their own strength. Instead, they cried out to God, trusting Him amidst the chaos. And guess what? God helped them because of their trust.
This hit home for me: if these mighty warriors needed God, how much more do I need Him to face my own battles?
You know how there’s always that one kid who ends up being the star of the Christmas concert? Well, this year it was a little girl named Stori. She’s only four, and after the concert, she grabbed the mic to give a shoutout to her classmates. She started off so sweet, praising everyone, and just when she was about to spill some serious tea about one of her classmates... yep, the principal stepped in. Talk about a mic drop moment! We’ll just have to wonder what she was going to say!
Ever plugged in your Christmas lights and found some that just won’t light up? It’s weird because they all look the same. This got me thinking about people and how we're kind of like those lights.
John 1:9 says, "the true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world."
Before I understood my faith, I thought being good was enough. But our real job is to shine - to spread Christ's light and illuminate the darkness around us.
In Texas, Christmas weather isn't exactly snowy and cold. So how do you get into the festive spirit?
Mrs. Miles, an elementary school teacher, shared how one of her students got creative during reading time. Instead of just reading his book, he had his laptop open. When Mrs. Miles went to check, expecting maybe a game or something, she found he had pulled up a video of a crackling fireplace. There he was, reading with the cozy glow of a fire on his screen. Now that’s a fun way to bring a little Christmas spirit into a warm Texas day!
Christmas isn't just about the lights and gifts; it's a time when we truly see each other and feel moved to give. The Bible nudges us in this direction in 2 Corinthians 9:7, where it says, "God loves a cheerful giver."
This season always reminds me how blessed I am and how those blessings aren't just for keeping but for sharing. Proverbs 22:9 puts it beautifully: "Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor."
Let's embrace this spirit, looking for ways to help and uplift others, knowing it’s through giving that we receive God’s greatest blessings.
Sometimes, God can write a story better than we could ever imagine. That’s exactly what happened with Caleb. After losing his wife, his heart was focused on raising their sons, with no plans to find love again. But life took a surprising turn at an amusement park.
Caleb’s boys struck up a conversation with a woman who had also lost her spouse and had sons herself. They insisted Caleb meet her. The connection was instant, not just between Caleb and Tamara, but their sons as well. They found out both their late spouses had found comfort in the same Bible verses during their struggles. Tamara even shared that her late husband had believed God would provide someone for her, and she truly thinks Caleb was the answer to that promise.
Now married, they’ve blended their families with ELEVEN sons, and just recently added a little girl!
When angels announced Jesus' birth, it wasn't to the high and mighty but to shepherds - simple folk who couldn't keep the news to themselves. They saw Jesus and immediately shared the wonder of His birth, amazing everyone who heard their story.
Luke 2:17-18 captures this beautifully: "When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them."
It reminds us that encountering Jesus can transform lives in extraordinary ways. If you've experienced this change, you know the impact it can have. Like those first heralds of the gospel, we're all called to share the transformative power of Jesus' love.
There's something about little kids and their fierce independence. I was hanging out with friends and their two-year-old daughter, who was determined to put on her vest by herself. She got one arm in just fine but struggled with the other, missing the hole every time. Even when I offered to help, she just said, "No, why would I want help from you?" It took her a dozen tries before she finally gave up, spinning in circles.
It was pretty funny, but it made me think: isn’t this just like us with God? How often do we insist, “Nope, I got it,” while He’s waiting to lend a hand?
Sometimes, our lives can feel like a pre-lit Christmas tree that’s only half lit - some parts full of light and joy, while others remain dark and difficult. This season, you might find yourself facing challenges, feeling as if only parts of your heart are truly celebrating.
Remember, it’s in our weakest moments that God often speaks the loudest, reassuring us just as He did Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." —2 Corinthians 12:9
In those darker times, we can lean into His strength and find comfort in His promise.
Age is just a number, especially when you're setting world records! At a wedding in Rowlett, Texas, instead of a little flower girl, they had 94-year-old Dottie Davis walking down the aisle.
Dottie, who lives at a senior home, decided to go for the world record as the oldest flower girl. Decked out with a sash that read "Queen of Flowers," she scattered rose petals from her walker, which was all wrapped up in holly and berries for the winter theme. Watching Dottie do her thing, I couldn’t help but think, that’s exactly how I want to be at 94!
Finding the strength to face daily challenges can be tough. Whenever I'm searching for that extra bit of encouragement, I think of Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength."
It reminds me of a story I heard about Jack Mudry. Jack is 100 years old and every day, he walks 30 minutes each way to visit his wife, Stella, who now lives in a full-time care facility. Everyone at the nursing home worries about him, but Jack draws his strength from prayer, asking God to help him continue these visits. It's love that motivates Jack, but it's God who gives him the strength.
Losing track of your pet can really give you a scare. That’s exactly what happened a few nights ago when our cat Dutch decided to play hide and seek without telling us. As it got darker, my son Zach and I were outside with flashlights, shaking the treat box and hoping Dutch would show up. We searched everywhere with no luck.
Just when we started to lose hope and headed back inside, guess who we found? Dutch, sitting calmly by the window inside the house, probably laughing to himself and wondering when he would get some of those treats!
Thanksgiving is all about giving, and Esther Sanderlin takes that to heart... and to the skies! In Alaska, she pilots her single-engine plane to drop frozen turkeys to families living off the grid. It all started when Esther heard a family was planning to have squirrel for Thanksgiving. Remembering how someone helped her family the same way, she decided to pass on the kindness.
Now, she's making sure 40 families get a proper holiday meal, dropping love from above and living out the truth of James 2:6: "If you say to one of them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but do nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
Flower Mound High School's marching band is making Texas proud this Thanksgiving! They're heading to New York to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It's their first time, and they're the only Texas school in the parade. Imagine how thrilled and nervous these kids must be, right? They've been prepping for a year and a half for this big moment. We don’t know yet what they’ll play, but we’ll be watching. Make sure you catch them in the parade!
We all get ready for tough times in different ways, like saving money or buying insurance. But what about those really tough days filled with disappointment? There's a simple thing you can try: a Joy Journal.
It's a place to jot down all the good stuff: things that make you smile, moments you're thankful for, and ways you've seen God work in your life. When hard times hit, flipping through your Joy Journal can remind you of the happy moments and help keep your faith strong.
If you've ever tried to talk in a language you don't speak well, you know it's tough. Adam, a waiter in Canada, felt the same way. He already spoke English and French, but many of his customers spoke Cree. So, he started learning it. Now, when he greets his Cree-speaking guests in their own language, their faces light up. It's amazing how a few words can make such a big difference. For Adam, speaking Cree isn't just about words; it’s about connecting with people and showing them love, just like Jesus taught us.
As we countdown to Thanksgiving, we often talk about giving thanks and counting our blessings. But it’s not always easy, especially when times are tough. The Bible nudges us to find thankfulness in every situation.
Philippians 4:6 reminds us: "Don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
And Colossians 2:6-8 encourages us: "Then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
Even when life feels unfair, remember, the hope we have in Jesus is something we can always be thankful for.
When you reminisce about your past, what do you miss the most? For 97-year-old Ilagene, it was her time on the cheerleading team. She shared this with the staff at her assisted living home, and they cooked up a heartwarming surprise: they invited her old high school's cheer team to perform for her.
They didn’t stop there - they even gifted Ilagene her very own uniform and pom-poms. Ilagene had a chance to share how she started the cheer team all those years ago. What a beautiful moment of connecting the past with the present!
Down but not out. This powerful phrase really hits home when life throws its hardest punches.
Micah 7:8 reminds us, even in the darkest times, that we are never truly defeated: "Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light."
Troubles will come; it's guaranteed. But so is God's promise to be our light in the darkness, guiding us back to our feet. If you're feeling overwhelmed, remember, you're not alone. God is with you, ready to lift you from despair and shine light on your path.
In life, sometimes the greatest gifts come from unexpected places. Sandy's story is a testament to that. Her husband got a new chance at life thanks to a liver transplant from a stranger. Moved by this, Sandy decided to give the same gift to someone else. She ended up donating part of her liver to a baby boy who needed it.
Just imagine, because of Sandy, this little boy has a whole life ahead of him. It’s amazing how a moment of kindness can echo God's love and change lives forever.
Reading Matthew 19 this week, something really caught my attention. Jesus asks a simple question when challenged in verse 4: "Have you not read?" It made me pause. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus responded, "It is written," but with these guys, He throws the ball in their court.
This line, "Have you not read?" isn't just a question; it's a challenge. It's like Jesus is saying, "You should know this from the scriptures." And it hit me: am I digging into the Bible enough? Knowing God's word isn't just about reading; it's about understanding His will for our lives. Let’s make sure we're not just flipping pages but really soaking up what God is telling us.
Meet Pancake, Croissant, and Donut. No, they're not breakfast, they're fluffy chickens from a cool Texas nonprofit called Healing Hens.
This group brings chickens to senior living places to brighten the residents' days. They just set up their first coop in Dallas with these three hens. Residents get to feed, pet, and hang out with them. It's a big hit - turns out, a little chicken company can do a lot for the spirit!
It's said that we spend two years learning to talk and a lifetime learning when not to. This week, Proverbs 18:2 struck me with its truth: "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
How often do we find ourselves speaking when we should be listening? Ephesians 4:29 offers further guidance, instructing us, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen."
It’s about speaking with purpose and listening with intent.
Ever found something precious you thought was lost forever? In North Carolina, Taylor’s been turning hurricane debris into treasured reunions.
After Hurricane Helene, she started finding washed-away family photos and used social media to return them. One photo she returned was of a mom with her sons, one of whom had passed away. So far, she's given back about 200 memories. For families who thought their photos were lost forever, it’s like reclaiming a piece of their history.
As the year wraps up, many of us think about year-end giving to lessen our tax burdens and support causes we care about. But imagine understanding the tax code perfectly and still not paying your taxes... that's knowing without doing. Similarly, knowing the Bible isn’t enough; it’s about living it out.
James 1:22 tells us, “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you're only fooling yourselves.”
It's a reminder that our faith should influence our actions, not just our knowledge. Let’s not just read the Word; let’s actively live it in our daily lives.
Jeremy forgot his phone today, and as luck would have it, another poor soul lost theirs in a pretty spectacular fashion. Picture this: you're setting up an ice skating rink and accidentally leave your borrowed phone on the ice. Fast forward, and that phone is now trapped under two inches of ice, frozen solid because it was overlooked before the water froze. And the kicker? They can’t melt or crack the ice without ruining the rink, so the phone has to stay there for two whole months. Needless to say, the phone’s owner (his daughter) isn’t thrilled, but hey, there’s probably a shiny new phone in her future!
Like many, I've been guilty of putting off important tasks, assuming there’s always more time. That happened to me last week when I spilled coffee all over my laptop. My photos, documents, and everything were gone in seconds. Why? I always thought there was more time to back it all up.
This made me think about how I handle other important things in life, like sharing my faith. Just like I put off backing up my data, sometimes I delay sharing the good news of Jesus because I assume there will always be another chance. But in truth, the only secure backup for our souls is in Christ. He's the ultimate safeguard for our eternity, no hardware required.
Sometimes you might feel like you've missed your chance to try something big because you're not strong enough or maybe think you're too old. But there’s this guy, Ploutarchos from Greece, who’s just completed his 12th marathon. He only started at 73, inspired by his son, an ultra-marathoner. Meanwhile, I'm here struggling to convince myself to jog around the block!
When you see kindness in action, it's like watching God's love at work. Take Jamie’s story, for example. When her family faced tough times after her parents divorced, unknown friends started leaving boxes of food at their door. This wasn’t just help - it was a lifeline. It reminds us that God moves through us to extend His grace to others.
As Galatians 6:10 tells us, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Every act of kindness is a chance to live out our faith.
Have you ever spilled something all over the place, or broken something of somebody else's? That was me, spilling coffee on my aunt’s pretty table runner. I was ready for her to be upset, but her response took me by surprise. She told me, "You know, a few years back, this would've really bothered me. But the older I get, the less these spills matter. Most things are washable."
Her words were a lightbulb moment for me. Why sweat the small stuff? It’s a lesson in letting go because, in the end, most mishaps aren’t as catastrophic as they seem. Things will become clean, even if they're not right now.
When you meet an old friend who's walked away from their faith, it hits hard. I had that happen recently with a buddy who was once all in for Jesus. It's never a sudden change, right? More like a slow fade that you don't even see happening. It's a wake-up call for all of us. Staying true to our faith journey requires constant effort and mindfulness.
Hebrews 12:1 from the New Living Translation says it well: "Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up, and let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us."
It's about staying vigilant and running our race with intention.
So, you know how they stress putting your phone in airplane mode before takeoff? I'm usually the one making sure everyone's phones, especially Jeremy's, are set because, well, I like following the rules.
But here’s a confession: on our last flight, as we were about to land, I realized my phone wasn’t in airplane mode. Yes, the entire flight! I was so mortified and honestly shocked that nothing drastic happened - no alarms, no glitches, nothing. It’s funny now, but at the moment, I was ready to give up some of my frequent flyer miles as a penance!
On Veterans Day, we're feeling deeply grateful for all the veterans who have dedicated themselves to our safety and freedom. For everyone who has served or has a loved one who has served, your sacrifices do not go unnoticed - thank you.
Just like our servicemen and women provide for our nation's defense, the Bible reminds us of our ultimate security in Jesus. Isaiah 12 tells us, "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation."
In the spirit of gratitude and joy, we’re excited to share a special resource with you - KCBI's '30 Days of Joy' devotional. Get your free copy today and find daily inspiration to renew your spirit: https://kcbi.org/resources/30-days-of-joy
If you love bacon, you're gonna love this story. Chelsea from Pennsylvania has a pig named Kevin Bacon, and not just any pig - this one's an escape artist.
Recently, Kevin decided to break free from his pen and take himself on an adventure. Chelsea, determined to find her runaway, started a Facebook page called 'Bring Home Kevin Bacon.' The page caught the eye of none other than actor Kevin Bacon, who shared the call for help.
When we ask Jesus to forgive us, we aren’t just asking Him to split the bill; we're asking Him to take care of it all.
Ephesians 4:32 tells us, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
That got me thinking: when Jesus forgives, there's no splitting the tab. He takes the whole thing, no conditions attached. That’s the model we're called to follow: complete forgiveness, without holding back or expecting anything in return. Because with Jesus, when He forgives, it's total and forever.
Finding your victory song might be more spiritual than you think.
In those moments when life feels too heavy, the words from Psalm 146:1-2 remind us of a powerful truth: "Praise the Lord, O my soul, while I live I will praise the Lord. I will sing praises to my God while I have my life."
Even when times are tough, if you've placed your faith in Jesus, you always have a song of victory to sing. It's not about ignoring the pain but finding strength in praise through every circumstance.
When a police officer shows up at your door, it's usually a cause for concern, right? But this visit was a little different!
Unbeknownst to his mom, an 8-year-old boy had called 9-1-1 because he wanted to give the deputy a hug. The officer showed up, received his hug, and while he reminded the young caller that emergency services should only be used for real emergencies, it's tough not to smile at such a sweet gesture!
Do you remember when you voted for the first time? I sure do. It felt like a big step into adulthood. Well, there’s this young man, Tommy from Greenville, Texas. He was just 18 and super excited to vote for the first time. But just six weeks ago, he got terribly sick and found out he was terminal.
Despite being in ICU, the determination to vote didn’t fade. They managed to get an absentee ballot to his hospital bed. It took effort, given his condition, but he filled it out and even got a photo with it. Tragically, Tommy passed away the next day, but his vote was cast, and his voice was heard.
Ever wonder what God really wants from us? I find myself asking that a lot - how can I fit into God's plan today? Whenever I seek guidance, one verse that consistently comes to mind is John 13:34. It's pretty straightforward: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
This isn't just a suggestion; it's a directive on how we should treat each other daily. It’s through this love that we truly show we are His disciples.
Imagine organizing a big surprise and the guest of honor just doesn’t notice - talk about a surprise fail! That’s exactly what happened to my uncle when he planned a special 50th birthday dinner for my Aunt Barb.
He took her to her favorite restaurant, where all their kids were secretly waiting at the next table, ready to surprise her. But Aunt Barb didn’t even notice them! Despite sitting right across the way, she didn’t recognize her own kids until my uncle had to literally point them out and say, "Barb, those are our kids!" So much for a smooth surprise.
Remember how it felt to be chosen last for playground teams? Not a great feeling, right? Well, with God, you're always His first pick. He chose you to be on His team long before you even knew it.
Here's the amazing part straight from the Bible, Ephesians 1:4-5: "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will."
So next time you're feeling overlooked or underappreciated, remember: in God's eyes, you're always first choice.
You know how you buy exercise equipment with the best of intentions? Well, I bought an exercise step, imagining I'd be stepping away while watching TV - turns out, it's my new laptop stand! Guess I'm exercising my brain more than my body.
When you were a child, you may have often felt confused and said to your parents, "I don't understand." Their reply was likely, "I know, but one day you will." This is something Jesus also conveyed to His disciples.
Despite their confusion, He reassured them with, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand" (John 13:7).
This sentiment resonates deeply when we face our own chaos and confusion. Though we might not grasp His plans immediately, Jesus assures us that everything He does is for our good, promising clarity and understanding in time.
If you've heard people be tough on younger generations, here's a story of hope. This past Tuesday, over 10,000 students poured into Texas A&M for a worship night that capped off a year of transformative events across various campuses. These gatherings have ignited faith and community, drawing in thousands, with many experiencing life-changing moments.
The incredible turnout at Texas A&M is a testament to a growing movement among young people seeking deeper connections and purpose through faith!
Imagine if we could see your "anxiety meter" – would yours be high or low? We all face times where it feels like stress just keeps building with every responsibility. It’s easy during those moments to feel like we're on our own, dealing with everything without any support. But here's a reminder from the heart of the Bible that truly resonated with me: God is closer than we might think.
Scriptures like 2 Timothy 4:17 remind us, "But the Lord stood with me." No matter what our anxiety meter reads, we aren't alone. God walks beside us, always.
Imagine thinking you’re headed to the orthodontist, only to find yourself at a World Series game instead! That’s exactly what happened to young Zachary. His parents played the ultimate switch-up and surprised him with tickets to see his favorite team, the Dodgers, play. And if that wasn’t thrilling enough, during the game’s last inning, Zachary caught a Grand Slam ball from one of his favorite players. Talk about a dream come true for a massive Dodgers fan!
How’s your heart? You might think about your health, but I’m talking deeper.
Proverbs 4:23 tells us, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." It's a powerful reminder that our hearts influence our actions more than we might think.
A hardened heart can lead to bitterness, while a joyful one spreads kindness. It matters what we fill our hearts with. Are we nourishing them with God’s truth or neglecting the goodness He offers?
If you and your spouse had to get married where you met, where would that be? For me and Jeremy, it’d be Pappasito's in Dallas. Now for Jack and Jessica, who met while stocking chips in a grocery store, they chose to snap their wedding photos right in the chip aisle! After their ceremony, they stopped by the grocery store, posed among the Pringles and Doritos, and even picked up some fancy kettle chips to save for their first anniversary.
Have you ever heard a rock argue with God? Sounds silly, right? Neither have I. Yet, I catch myself questioning God's plans, unlike anything else in His creation.
Isaiah 45:9 hits hard when it asks, "What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it?"
It's a reminder to trust more. Like the scripture says in Isaiah 46:9-10, "I am God, and there is none like me, everything I plan will come to pass."
Let's embrace this, trusting that God's plans are always perfect, even when they're beyond our understanding.
Are you ever torn between your sweet tooth and staying healthy? Turns out, there's a candy debate even among nutritionists!
When you gather for family holidays, what topics do you avoid? It’s almost a running joke: steer clear of politics and religion to keep the peace. But it's in these moments, amidst potential division, that I'm reminded of my role as Jesus' representative.
Ephesians 4:1-2 urges us to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Even when opinions clash and emotions run high, there's wisdom in scripture urging us to live up to our calling with humility, gentleness, patience, and, crucially, love.
Ever had a song hit right when you needed it? I was on a walk around my neighborhood the other day, listening to music, and I was also talking to God just about some people in my life who had passed away this year. And then the song "Same God" by Elevation Worship came on, and the lyrics really hit me.
Remember this year's Olympics? Every athlete was decked out in their country's colors, proud to show who they were representing. It got me thinking, what if we all wore a Jesus flag daily? How would I drive if it was on my car, or interact with family if it was on my shirt? It’s about our actions showing who we stand for.
Matthew 7:17-18 says, “Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.”
Let’s make sure our actions reflect the team we're on, proudly showing good fruit in everything we do.
At the KCBI station, we had a bit of a morning crisis: our office coffee maker kicked the bucket. They promised to fix it "as soon as possible," but for coffee lovers like us, that's not fast enough. So, I dug out our old Keurig, cleaned and descaled it for hours, and proudly set it up at work. Imagine my surprise when the first coworker to walk in had brought their own coffee maker too! It's official: we're a team that can't start without our coffee!
Yesterday, we woke to some pretty heart-wrenching news - our friend and colleague in Christian radio, Rob Dempsey, had passed away suddenly from cancer. Rob's journey profoundly impacted many, including Jeremy and me, and I just wanted to share it with you today, in case you need to hear the same thing he did.
Ever walked by someone eating something delicious and thought, "That’s exactly what I want"?
Abby, from an office near a construction site, always caught the irresistible smell of burritos the crew was eating. Turns out, they were homemade by the Foreman's mom. Abby's compliments reached the mom, and the next day, the foreman surprised her with a burrito, plus a note mentioning not just the food but how charming, hardworking, and single her son was!
Fill in the blank: "I am worried about _____." What fills that space for you? We all have worries, right?
In Isaiah 41:10, there's this comforting promise: "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
It’s not saying everything gets easier, but it assures us that God is here to make us stronger and to hold us up. So, the more we lean on Him, the less we need to carry those worries ourselves.
Chasing dreams isn’t just for us humans. Whalen, a stray Labrador, spotted a doggy daycare bus and just knew he had to be on it. Day after day, he chased that bus full of dogs, hoping to join in. The daycare owners couldn’t let him on without knowing more, so they snapped a photo and posted it online. That’s where Sadie saw him and knew she had to help. She adopted him and made sure he got a seat on that bus!
Whalen’s story? It’s about not giving up, even when the bus you’re chasing seems out of reach.
We all see how life seems to move in cycles. Whether it’s the hectic pace of election seasons or the ups and downs of the economy, it's easy to get swept up. But remember the story where Jesus calmed the storm while His disciples panicked? That's a reminder that, despite the chaos, Jesus remains in control and offers us peace that the world can’t give. Just like He reassured His disciples on that boat, He promises us the same peace, urging us not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." —John 14:27
Pets definitely pick their favorites, don't they? If you have a pet, you might have noticed how one person is the star and everyone else is just there. Who's the favorite in your home?
When you're driving, you rely on what you see through your windshield and mirrors. But what if you were navigating a submarine, where you can't see anything under the water? Just like a submarine uses radar to map out unseen obstacles, we too need tools to discern what's ahead in life.
The Bible teaches us this in 1 John 4:1-3: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God."
It tells us to test every spirit, not blindly follow every message we hear. Just like the submarine's radar, our spiritual discernment helps us identify the truth, ensuring that we follow the right path, one that truly acknowledges and follows Jesus.
Even a bad situation can turn into a blessing when you see how God orchestrates everything. David was mowing his lawn when he suddenly collapsed. Luckily, Cameron, an HVAC technician, was at his house earlier than scheduled. He had never performed CPR before, but a 911 operator guided him through it, saving David's life during those crucial minutes. What's incredible is that Cameron wasn't even supposed to be there that day - his schedule changed last minute.
This twist of fate not only saved David but also opened a new chapter for Cameron, who, inspired by the family’s faith, has started exploring Christianity and now attends church with them!
Intentionality is key - not just in life but in our spiritual growth too. A friend recently reminded me that you don't just stumble into a great life; it requires real effort and purpose. This is true for everything: nurturing a strong marriage, building a successful career, and even deepening your faith.
Spiritual health doesn't just happen. It grows through consistent actions like spending time in God’s Word, dedicating moments to prayer, and connecting with others at church. As Paul shares in 1 Corinthians 3:10, "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care."
Lisa was healthy, just finished an Ironman, and then at 35, boom - stage three breast cancer. It knocked the wind out of her. She was eating right, staying fit, and suddenly she faced a future that didn't include becoming a mom or getting married, like she’d dreamed. She almost didn't fight it, but her brother couldn’t stand losing her, so she fought. During chemo, she met her future husband - she joked he loved her because she had less hair than him! They married a year later and now have a miracle kid. Lisa's cancer-free, living proof that life’s got good surprises, even when it seems the darkest.
I heard a lyric in a song recently that really stuck with me - it said, "Time makes money look cheap." You can always earn more money, but time? That’s a finite treasure. And at the end, few rarely wish for more money; it's more time with loved ones or sharing more of their faith that tops their regrets.
It reminds me of what Colossians 4:5-6 advises: "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."
Let's cherish our time, using it wisely and loving generously.
Imagine a pumpkin weighing more than your car, because that's exactly what happened at the 2024 Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-off. The winning gourd tipped the scales at a staggering 2,471 pounds, earning a prize of $22,000. Here’s the kicker: second place was just six pounds less but the prize dropped to $3,000!
Now, for some fun - think a grand piano is heavier? What about a grizzly bear? Join us as we compare some unusual weights and maybe even throw in our cat, Tobias, for good measure.
During life's toughest times, it's easy to wonder why we face such challenges. Pastor T.F. Tenney had a great way of looking at it: "Sometimes God will pull you out of the fire, and sometimes He'll make you fireproof."
It’s comforting to remember that whether we’re rescued from our trials or strengthened to endure them, it’s all for our good. The Bible even encourages us in James 1 to see tough times as opportunities to grow stronger in faith and patience. So next time you’re in the fire, remember, it might just be shaping you to be complete and resilient.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." — James 1:2-3
Ever feel like the universe is playing hide and seek with you? That's me with the comet that's supposed to be visible through the end of October. I've been out every night, eyes glued to the west about 45 minutes after sunset, and... nothing. I read it gets a bit higher each night, which sounds helpful, right? But then I see these dazzling photos online that make it seem like it's right overhead! Maybe my west isn't everyone else's west. If you spot it, let me know which "west" you're looking at!
I spotted a sunflower growing out of a drainage ditch the other day. It wasn't the best place for a flower, but there it was, blooming away. It got me thinking about how I react when things get tough. Usually, I'm not as resilient. It's a good reminder that no matter the challenges, God has me covered.
Jesus made it clear: "See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." —Matthew 6:28-31
If God cares so much for flowers, imagine how much He cares for us.
While helping with hurricane cleanup, volunteer Courtney witnessed something pretty incredible. Every time her team needed something—whether it was a ladder, a crowbar, or even a backhoe—it just appeared. “We need a ladder?” Boom, one was found in the debris. “Could use a crowbar?” There it was. And just as she wished for a backhoe, you guessed it, one pulled up. This wasn't just luck; Courtney felt it was clear proof that even in the toughest times, God’s presence is unmistakable. Each timely help felt like a small miracle, a reminder that God is always good, even when situations aren't.
I usually bag our groceries at self-checkout because I have a certain way of doing it. But one time, I went through a regular checkout and the cashier did the bagging. When I got home, Caryn immediately said, “You didn’t bag these!” She just knew because it wasn’t done my way. It made me think about how God wants us to know Him so well that we can instantly tell when something is from Him or not.
It's all about knowing Him deeply, just as Jesus mentioned: “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” —John 17:3
Worship doesn't just happen in churches or during your drive to work while listening to KCBI. Sometimes, it catches you by surprise in the most unexpected places. On this season of "The Voice," a spontaneous moment of worship happened among the contestants around a hotel pool, singing "The Blessing" by Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes.
What stood out to us wasn't just those who knew the song well but the faces of others, experiencing this worship for perhaps the first time. Moments like these remind us how powerful and uniting praise can be, reaching hearts in ways we might never anticipate.
We've all met someone who says one thing and does another. That's why the words of Theodore Roosevelt resonate so much: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." It's a powerful reminder that our actions speak louder than words.
This echoes the Biblical truth found in Matthew 5:16, urging us to "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
It's not just about knowing the right things - it's about showing true care and kindness through our actions.
Ever wonder how kids interpret those old sayings we toss around? Well, Miss Powderly, a third grade teacher, put her class to the test and the results are hilarious! Jeremy took a swing at matching the kids’ creativity, and let's just say, the usual endings to these sayings didn't quite cut it.
At some point, we've all faced the disappointment of disqualification - whether it's from sports, educational loans, or even home loans, that message of "sorry, you don't qualify" stings.
But there’s good news from 1 Timothy 1:15-16: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."
Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and Paul, who considered himself the worst, was shown mercy. This demonstrates that Jesus has endless patience, offering forgiveness and eternal life to anyone willing to receive it by faith. No matter how unqualified we feel, we are all eligible for His grace.
Heading to the State Fair of Texas this weekend? Brace for a big crowd! This Saturday isn't just any fair day - it's also the Red River Rivalry, where the Texas Longhorns clash with the Oklahoma Sooners right at the fairgrounds in the Cotton Bowl. With the game now set for 2:30 PM, expect an even earlier start to the festivities. Everyone with a game ticket gets fair entry, so it's set to be packed.
Don't worry if you're there for the fair and want to catch some action; there’ll be TVs around to watch the game and even special rivalry-themed food to enjoy!
In the Navy, sailors would hear "hold fast" as a command during storms, a reminder to tightly grasp the ship's rigging against fierce waves. Life can sometimes mirror those turbulent seas, sweeping us into sudden challenges without warning. Yet, unlike those sailors, we have a steadfast anchor.
Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
So when life's storms hit, remember to hold fast - not to a ship's rigging but to the unshakable hand of God.
When David promised his daughter he’d walk her down the aisle, not even a hurricane could stop him. What should have been a short drive turned into an overnight ordeal, complete with detours, washed-out roads, and a final stretch on foot through knee-deep mud. But determination wins: he hitched a ride and made it just in time. Sometimes, the journey to keep a promise teaches us about our own strength and the power of commitment. What promises have you kept against all odds?
Watching a football game without knowing the final score can be a real nail-biter. A pastor I know does something clever: he checks the score after his Sunday services, and if his team won, he watches the game stress-free. He says it’s like knowing the end removes the tension of every fumble and close call.
It’s a bit like our walk with Jesus. No matter the challenges, we know the ultimate victory is ours. And that’s something to hold onto every day.
Picture this: you're enjoying a day out at a pumpkin patch when a half marathon races by, and suddenly, you're hit with a serious case of FOMO. Well, Joshua felt that too... except Joshua is a goat.
That’s right, spotting the fun, he couldn’t resist; he hopped the fence and joined the runners! Surprisingly, goats can keep up for miles. Joshua became an instant social media star as spectators snapped photos. His adventure didn’t end until he crossed the finish line, cheered on by fans, earning a well-deserved participation medal. Sometimes, you just gotta run with it!
Making a roast usually means peeling carrots, which always makes a mess. Well, the other day, as I was trying to toss the shavings, the bowl slipped, scattering them everywhere. It was a mess, and it got me thinking about the bigger messes in my life – the ones I couldn’t clean up on my own. Thankfully, unlike my kitchen fiasco, we have someone who takes care of our messes for us.
Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It's not about us cleaning up; it's about being made clean through Christ's mercy.
Have you ever asked the internet for help, like on social media? Turning to the internet for help can be hit or miss, but Mathew's experience was nothing short of heartwarming.
After losing his wife, he realized he didn’t have many good photos of them together, thanks to her shyness with cameras. He shared an old favorite photo online, but the harsh flash made their faces hard to see. He asked if anyone could fix it... and wow, did they deliver!
About 200 strangers edited the photo, clearing up the glare. It was like getting a big, warm hug from the internet, showing Mathew there are folks out there who care.
Ever feel like you're just spinning your wheels, getting nowhere? I get it. It's a tough spot, and we've all been there.
Isaiah 60:22 hits home during these times, promising "The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly."
It's a reminder that timing is everything. God’s timing, that is. He knows when we're truly ready for the blessings He has for us. So while we prepare, we wait... not for just any moment, but for God’s perfect moment.
Miles, an ER nurse, wasn’t on duty during Hurricane Francine, but that didn’t stop him. Spotting a truck submerged near his home on the news, he grabbed a hammer and dashed out the door. He knew he’d probably need to break a window to help... and he was right.
As floodwaters rose, he managed to rescue the trapped driver, all caught live on TV. Miles’ quick action and calm under pressure come from his ER experience, proving heroes don’t always wear capes - sometimes, they carry hammers.
Sometimes sharing an opinion on social media feels like throwing a rock into a pond and waiting for the ripples: good or bad. I recently shared my thoughts on a neighborhood issue and got mixed reactions. Some agreed, others didn't, and I almost got caught up defending my stance. But then I remembered something crucial: it’s not just about being right.
Ephesians 4:2 teaches us to "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
This verse reminds me to prioritize love and understanding over winning an argument, because at the end of the day, hearts matter more than opinions.
Talk about a special date for the Lammert family! Each of their four daughters - Sophia, Juliana, Mia, and now little Valentina - were born on August 25th, and not one of those dates was planned. From the oldest at nine to the newborn, this family has something truly extraordinary to celebrate every year!
Sometimes, when you’re in the middle of a mess, you find yourself wondering where God is in all of it. Lysa TerKeurst puts it beautifully: "Faith in God is being assured of His goodness, even when what He allows doesn't feel good."
This reminds me of that story in Mark 4 where Jesus and His disciples are in a boat. As the storm picks up, the disciples panic, but Jesus, He’s calm as can be. With just a few words, He quiets the storm.
It’s a powerful reminder that no matter the chaos, being with Jesus means we're in good hands. His plans have us heading to the right place, storm or no storm.
Did you know having a simple card in your wallet could inform emergency responders that you have pets at home needing care if you’re unable to communicate? After sharing this tip, a listener suggested another great idea: adding "ICE" (In Case of Emergency) before a contact's name in your phone to indicate they should be notified in emergencies.
Have you ever watched sunflowers trace the sun’s path across the sky? It’s pretty amazing. As they mature, they fill with seeds and eventually settle, facing east where the sun rises. This simple action results in more seeds and attracts plenty of bees. It’s a beautiful reminder for us, too. Just like sunflowers follow the sun, we're called to focus on the Son.
Psalm 84:11 puts it beautifully: "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; He bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless."
Let’s keep our faces turned toward Him.
On the 23rd anniversary of September 11, here's a heartwarming story from that day we don't hear often. When flights were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, the town's 11,000 residents welcomed over 6,000 stranded passengers. Local folks turned schools into dorms, pharmacies filled prescriptions for free, and everyone chipped in with meals and a place to stay. The visitors were treated to tours and concerts, feeling so loved that they didn't want to leave. To thank Gander, they started a scholarship fund that’s grown to over a million dollars, helping hundreds of local kids. It’s amazing how kindness can turn a dark day into lifelong connections.
Sometimes the simplest tools, like a list, can help us achieve big goals. Caryn and I love to travel, and our trips always start with a list to make sure we pack everything we need. Recently, I realized I've never made a list that's probably more important than any other: a list for eternity. It's a list of people in my life who don’t yet know Jesus. I'm committed to praying for them, inviting them to church, and sharing the Gospel when the time is right. As I check off names, I’m reminded there’s more work to do. Because in the end, I want everyone I care about to join me in crossing the bridge Jesus built to eternity.
Watching someone experience a 'first' is always special, whether it's your child or your parent. Recently, I got to help my mom buy her first car on her own. She's been driving the same car since before my dad passed, and it was time for something new. She didn't find one when we were together, but later, I got the sweetest call from her, trying out her new car's features!
In the thick of election season, the noise on social media can become overwhelming. It's a time when opinions clash and debates heat up, which can often lead to divisiveness.
A helpful reminder comes from Ephesians 4:29 during these heated moments: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
This verse challenges us to shift our focus from winning arguments to uplifting conversations - prioritizing health, moral well-being, and love even amidst strong political opinions.
Imagine being pulled over and instead of a ticket, you get a life-changing conversation. That’s exactly what happened to Abby when State Trooper JT Brown pulled her over. Instead of a fine, he offered advice and a challenge: pursue a career, and he’d let the speeding slide. Abby took the challenge to heart, graduated from nursing school, and Trooper Brown even attended her ceremony. It’s a reminder of how powerful encouragement and belief in someone can be.
Imagine driving a car where you can only steer, but can't control the gas or brakes. Sounds tricky, right? It's a lot like how we sometimes handle our faith. We ask Jesus to take the wheel, yet we still want control over the speed and stops of our life. Truly letting go means trusting Him with all parts, not just the direction.
In Proverbs 3:5-6, we're reminded: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Let's give Him full control and see where He leads us.
Living in Texas means getting used to severe weather, and sometimes our responses are a little different. Like when sirens go off, instead of heading to the basement, some of us step outside to see what’s up. Just the other day, a couple did just that during a storm, expecting a tornado but instead, their Amazon delivery showed up! They invited the driver in to wait out the storm.
It's a reminder of the tough conditions our delivery folks face, from scorching heat to stormy weather, yet they're out there every day, ensuring our packages arrive safely - even in a tornado!
Sometimes gratitude doesn't come easy, especially during tough times. It helps me to remember a specific line from Nehemiah 8:10, "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah said this to encourage people who were facing big challenges, just like us today. This verse isn't just about finding a little happiness; it's about tapping into a deep joy that comes from knowing God is with us. That joy gives us strength, even when things look bleak. It's a reminder that we're part of God's family, held up by His enduring joy, no matter what we face.
You may have had someone in your life who left a lasting impression on you - maybe a parent, teacher, or even someone you barely noticed.
Take Jenna, for example. She used to babysit a girl who adored drawing. Each time the girl showed her a drawing, Jenna celebrated it with enthusiasm, pointing out what she loved about each piece. This little girl recently got accepted into three major art schools and sent Jenna one of her paintings with a note: "Thanks for seeing the best in me."
It's amazing how small acts of encouragement can inspire others to pursue their dreams. Who has inspired you like that?
Searching for a new house has got us seeing some incredible places. It’s easy to start wishing for all these nice things. It reminds me of Psalm 73 where it talks about how tempting it is to desire what the world offers. But the real deal is what comes after, right?
"You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." —Psalm 73:23-26
This shifts our focus back to what’s eternal. That's the treasure worth chasing.
Got a special nickname for your loved one? Like Anna and her husband who call each other "panda" after their first movie date. What's your quirky nickname for your spouse or kids? Share with us!
Exploring the Titanic recently showed that even its famous bow railing, the one you see in the movie, has rusted away and fallen off. It’s a real eye-opener about how nothing made by humans lasts forever, not even the “unsinkable” Titanic, which sank just four days after setting sail.
Seeing this made me think about something Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
It’s a good reminder to focus on what really lasts.
Jeremy and I can't resist a unique proposal story, and we recently heard about one that's both heartwarming and quite impressive.
Before a dance competition, Luke surprised Yinrun by proposing in her native Mandarin, mastering not just the words but the tones to express his love flawlessly.
It made us think back to our own proposal. Thankfully, we both speak English because despite my years of Spanish classes, I’m still not fluent. Imagine if I had tried proposing in Spanish—we might still just be dating! Thankfully, I knew Caryn's real language of love: chocolate.
Feeling like justice hasn't been served can be frustrating. But imagine appealing all the way to the Supreme Court and finally hearing the definitive ruling. Now think about how sin condemns us, constantly nagging that we're not enough. But God, the highest authority, has already given His verdict.
Romans 8:1-2 lays it out: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
Sin’s reign ends with God's final say, offering us true freedom through faith in Jesus.
Ever seen someone speed past you and get pulled over right away? Happened to us yesterday. There's a bit of satisfaction in seeing someone get caught. But then, it reminded me of my own run-in with a speeding ticket. I was sure I’d get fined, but the officer let me off with a warning. As I drove away relieved, I felt God's message hit home: just as I was forgiven on the road, God has forgiven all my mistakes. It’s a powerful reminder of grace, far beyond what we see on the highway.
Are we more like computers than we think? Our initial setup, influenced by the world, comes with its share of bugs: glitches from past hurts and corrupted thought processes. But Jesus offers us a total reboot.
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." —John 10:10
This is like getting the ultimate software upgrade: the Holy Spirit. He repairs our broken links, enhances our spiritual output, and refreshes our soul’s system.
Ever lost something over and over? A clever teacher found her students kept misplacing their glue sticks, so she had a fun idea: name them! They wrote names on their glue sticks, and guess what? They started losing them way less.
This got me thinking about my missing glasses. Maybe I should name them too... how about "Clark" for my black-rimmed pair, like Clark Kent? Maybe then they'd stick around more!
Do you ever struggle with self forgiveness? This concept hit home for me recently during trash week at our house. We roll the bins to the curb, the trash is taken away, and that's that - we don’t think about it again. Yet, when it comes to our past mistakes, why do we keep pulling those bins back out? Micah 7 tells us God throws our sins into the depths of the sea, the so-called sea of forgetfulness.
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."
—Micah 7:18-19
If God can forget our sin, surely we can too.
This Labor Day weekend, we're all looking forward to the cooler temps and some rain here in Texas. Dealing with our usual suspects like extreme heat or the occasional tornado is one thing, but at least we don't have to handle "corn sweat"!
That's right, in places like Iowa and Indiana, mature corn stalks can release up to 4,000 gallons of water per acre into the air every day. Imagine needing a weather forecast just for corn sweat!
It’s amazing to see how ordinary people, like Peter and John, were transformed by their time with Jesus. They weren’t educated or extraordinary by the world’s standards, yet they spoke with a boldness that astonished everyone. This wasn’t about their abilities but who they were with: Jesus.
"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus."
—Acts 4:13
It's a great reminder that God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. Whether we feel qualified or not, we’re capable of great things when we walk with Him.
Imagine finishing a long day's work and then choosing to serve others. That's exactly what James, a pizza delivery driver, did when he noticed an elderly customer's overgrown yard. After delivering their pizza, he returned with his lawn care tools to tidy up their property. This act of kindness mirrors the love God calls us to extend to our neighbors. It's a powerful reminder that we're often placed exactly where we need to be to make a difference, just as God intends.
Are you trying, or are you training? Our pastor made us think about this last weekend, comparing physical training to spiritual growth. If you're curious how prayer, Bible study, and fellowship can be more like training for godliness than just trying to be good, you might find some inspiration from 1 Timothy 4:8.
"For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come."
It’s funny how quiet kids can make the biggest messes. Like the time a friend walked in on her son after he’d turned the living room into his own art project with pen all over the walls and couch! Or another little artist who decided his dad’s freshly painted cabinet was the perfect canvas for a big, bright red crayon chicken. These stories just go to show, silence isn’t always golden when you've got little ones around.
It feels like you can't escape division these days—whether it's in politics, at work, or even in family disagreements. But what do we do about it? The Bible gives some clear advice.
Romans 16:17 tells us, "Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned." And then Psalm 34:14 offers a solution: "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."
It's about making a choice not to get dragged into every argument. Instead, why not focus on spreading peace and doing good?
Can you imagine your kitchen turning into a mini Subway station? That's exactly what Melanie, a mom of nine, did to shift her family’s snack habits. She installed a refrigerated salad bar right where the candy bars used to be. Now, fresh veggies and healthy snacks are just as easy to grab as those pre-packaged cookies were. It’s a smart twist that makes nutritious choices accessible and fun for her big family. Who knew healthy could be so handy?
Yesterday, something simple happened with our plumber that got me thinking. He came over, but before letting him in, I made sure he was who he said he was. It reminded me of how we should handle sin: don't just open up and let it in.
The Bible tells us in Romans 6:12 to keep a tight watch so sin doesn’t take over: "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions."
And if it slips through? 1 John 1:9 tells us there's a way out - sort of like an eviction notice: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Meet Kashton, a seven-year-old from Texas with a big heart. He's facing a tough battle with a brain tumor, but he's using his situation to spread some joy. Kashton got to meet therapy dogs at the hospital that really cheered him up. Now, he’s making bandanas for these dogs to help other kids smile just like he did. With a donated sewing machine and some fabric, he and his mom are crafting these little gifts of kindness.
Life sometimes feels like a never-ending race, always chasing the next big thing. It's easy to get caught up in striving for more... more hours at work, more dollars in the bank account. But the Bible offers a different perspective, reminding us of what truly holds value.
"Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."
—1 Peter 1:17-19
These verses remind us that our time here isn't about accumulating wealth like silver and gold. Instead, we are redeemed by something far more precious: the blood of Christ. Every time I read these words, I'm reminded not to chase after temporary stuff, but to focus on eternal treasures.
Cooking isn’t really my thing, which is why Jeremy usually handles it. But last night, while he was busy with burgers, I decided to help by toasting the buns. Simple, right? Well, without much cooking experience, let’s just say things got a bit... crispy. Want to know what not to do with burger buns and a hot burner? I’ve got a story for you.
Back to school can be a whirlwind of activities, whether you're getting kids ready, preparing classrooms, or just reliving those days through grandkids. In the hustle, it’s easy to get wrapped up in our to-do lists and forget the bigger picture.
But there's a reminder waiting in Ephesians 4:1-3 about living a life worthy of our calling: "I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
It's not just about managing our tasks but being open to how God wants to use us to impact others. Even in the busiest times, there's room for more than our schedules; there’s space for His purpose.
Ever stumbled across an Olympic story that makes you go, "Wait, what?" Meet Isaquias Queiroz, a Brazilian canoer with a backstory that's almost too wild to believe. From surviving severe burns at three, being kidnapped at five, and losing a kidney after a misadventure with a tree and a snake—this guy’s life reads like a movie script. And then, he lands a silver medal at the Olympics. Isn't it incredible how some people's lives are just layer upon layer of amazing?
Ever felt stuck between being okay with how things are and wanting some change? That’s where Caryn and have been at lately. We had this big chat on our drive home about changes we thought we needed, but couldn’t figure out what to do next. Then, right there in the car, Caryn just said, “Let’s pray right now.” So, there we were: one driving, the other praying.
It’s so nice having a “let’s just pray” person in your life. After praying, it felt less about rushing to change and more about waiting to see where God leads us. It reminded me of what God says about patience in Colossians 3:12: “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Connie Claxton found two loves at Whataburger: the burgers and her future husband. Starting as a fan of their tasty burgers, she turned her passion into a 54-year career, where she not only served fries but also cooked up a lifetime of memories with her husband, a charming regular.
This week, as Connie hangs up her apron, she looks back on a life rich with joy, love, and good burgers.
Feeling weighed down today? Whether it’s a battle with illness or a heart heavy from life's trials, know that Jesus’ healing isn't just for our bodies but for our spirits too. When emotions ache, remember, God sees and cares deeply.
Here's a promise for you from Psalm 147:3: "He heals the brokenhearted." As you pray, hold onto this assurance. God's care encompasses every part of our lives, always ready to bring healing.
It's back-to-school season, and nothing tugs at the heartstrings quite like those first-day memories. Remember when you handed your little one over for their very first class? It feels monumental.
This sweet little boy wrote his mom a letter, not to soothe his own nerves, but hers! Isn't it funny how sometimes, our little ones seem ready to face the world before we are?
Ever felt like worry is weighing you down? I see ducks in the water all the time, and they don't sink despite being surrounded by water - they just wick it away. It got me thinking, isn't that how we're supposed to handle worry?
Instead of absorbing stress like I usually do, I'm reminded of what God tells us in Philippians 4:6-7: "Don't be anxious about anything. But in every situation, by prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
That's our way to wick away worry. By doing so, God’s peace, beyond all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Every August, those stacks of school supplies in stores send me right back to those awkward school days, especially the dreaded school picture day. Remember those? I sure do. One year, I took my first-grade photo fate into my own hands... literally. I chopped my bangs right before picture day. Big mistake. My mom did her best to fix it, but let’s just say, it was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Got your own funny school photo story? It’s comforting to know we’re not alone in those cringe-worthy moments!
Ever found yourself struggling the hard way, only to realize there was an easier solution right in front of you?
Jesus said in John 16:7, "But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Holy Spirit will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you."
It’s like this one time I was trying to reload my lawn trimmer. I struggled because I missed seeing there was an easy-load button. I had the solution the whole time and didn’t use it. It’s a lot like life; sometimes we try so hard on our own, forgetting the Holy Spirit is right there, ready to guide us if we just listen.
Isn't it cool when we get to see God’s name praised on a global stage? Yemisi Ogunleye, a gold medal-winning shot putter, shared a powerful moment during a post-event interview.
When asked about the time she tripped and fell during her performance, she revealed she was singing a praise song: "I almost let go. I was quiet at the edge of a breakthrough, but couldn't see it. The Devil really had me, but Jesus came and grabbed me. Oh, he kept me. God's mercies kept me so I wouldn't let go."
It's powerful to see someone shine their light and praise God in the spotlight, even amidst uncertainty!
Do you have someone in your life who's tough to love? Maybe it's a coworker or a neighbor. We all face that challenge sometimes.
"We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." - 1 John 4:19-21
Love often comes down to a choice, not just a feeling. Remember, God loved us when we were unlovable. Embracing the Jesus way means loving unconditionally, no matter how hard it may seem.
Have you been keeping an eye on the stock market? It's up one day, down the next—just like a roller coaster. But isn't it great that Jesus isn’t like that?
Hebrews 13:8 tells us, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
While the stock market can be unpredictable, Jesus is a sure thing. His love and peace are always there, steady and unchanging. Imagine knowing your investment will always go up. That’s what it’s like when you trust in Jesus. His mercy, love, and forgiveness are guaranteed, never wavering no matter what.
Thinking about organ donation? It really hit home for us when my brother needed a bone marrow transplant. But there's this incredible story of a Texas family that took generosity to the next level: three members each donated a kidney within a year!
It all started with Joel, inspired by an article on kidney donation. His act of kindness led his mom to donate next, and after reading a heartfelt thank you note from the recipient, Joel’s dad, at 70, decided to donate too. It shows how one good deed can inspire another, spreading goodwill like wildfire. It's a powerful reminder of the impact we can have by helping others.
Remember the good old lemonade stands? Well, they’ve had a modern makeover. There’s a young lady in our neighborhood who's put a new spin on this classic fundraiser. She’s not just selling lemonade and cookies to help pay for her gymnastics fees; she’s also offering to do flips for tips! Next to her stand, she’s laid out mats where she performs somersaults if you throw in an extra dollar. And get this—gone are the days of scrambling for spare change; she’s all set up for digital payments. Just scan her QR code to pay via Zelle or Venmo. How’s that for entrepreneurial spirit?
Reading the Bible is essential, but have you ever thought about what might happen if you lost the truths you've learned? Paul gave Timothy some advice in 2 Timothy 1:14: “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”
This idea of guarding really strikes a chord. It reminds us that our spiritual knowledge isn't static—we're either enriching it or letting it slip away. The more we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures, the more vivid and present God's words are in our lives. Conversely, the less we engage, the more we risk losing those valuable insights.
If you’ve been watching the Olympics, you’ve probably been amazed by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s performance. She’s so fast they joked even if other runners didn’t have hurdles, they still couldn’t beat her. But for Sydney, it’s not about fame; it’s about making Jesus famous.
She recently shared in an Instagram post, "I don't deserve anything. But by grace, through faith, Jesus has given me everything. Records come and go. The glory of God is eternal. Thank you Father."
As she heads into the finals on her 25th birthday, she’s a wonderful example of using a platform to shine for something greater than herself. Watch her race this Thursday and be inspired not just by her speed, but by her faith!
Watching the Olympics got me thinking: Do I have a gold medal attitude? There aren't actual medals for attitude, but it's super important for us as Christians.
Philippians 2:14-16a says, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.”
Seeing those athletes stand proudly on the podium reminded me to check my own attitude: am I really living each day in a way that lights up for Jesus?
Get ready for Texas Tax-Free Weekend! Here’s a quick guide on what to know to make the most of your savings.
Lola Anderson always dreamed of Olympic rowing, but doubted such a big dream and tossed that page from her diary. Her dad, always her biggest cheerleader, saved the torn page from the trash, reminding her to chase her dreams.
Years later, as he faced a terminal illness, he gave it back to her, urging her to believe in herself. Fueled by her dad’s support, Lola not only made it to Great Britain's rowing team but also won a gold medal. Now, that rescued diary page and her gold medal are her most treasured possessions, symbols of dreams realized and the power of encouragement.
Sometimes you may feel like God isn’t using you, even though you’re praying to be a witness for Him. Consider Paul’s unexpected ordeal on the island of Malta. After surviving a shipwreck, he was bitten by a snake while building a fire. The islanders watched, expecting him to die, but when he didn’t, their perception of him changed dramatically.
This story, detailed in Acts 28, illustrates how we may unknowingly demonstrate God’s power. Your daily actions, the way you handle challenges, and the transformations within you can powerfully testify to others about the work of God in your life.
Ever wondered about the actual value of those shiny Olympic medals? Despite the prestige, the medals aren't as valuable as you might think! A gold medal, mostly made of silver with just a bit of gold plating, is worth just over $1,000. Silver medals, true to their name, are worth a bit over $500. Bronze medals, composed of copper, tin, and zinc, come in around $460. So when athletes bite their medals in celebration, they're not tasting pure gold - it's mostly silver!
But let's not forget, this year's medals include iron from the Eiffel Tower, adding priceless historical value. So, while the metal itself might not make you rich, the true worth of these medals lies far beyond their material value.
Did you know your DNA can change? It's something we're learning firsthand as my brother prepares for a bone marrow transplant next month. Amazingly, if the donor's blood type is different, it could actually change my brother's DNA to match the donor's. This incredible medical process echoes a spiritual transformation we experience through Christ. Just as a transplant can rewrite someone's genetic code, when we accept Christ's sacrifice, we are made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." It's a profound reminder of the transformative power of God's grace.
Watching the men's gymnastics team snag a bronze at the Olympics, their first medal in 16 years, was absolutely thrilling. But what's even more incredible? The personal battles some of these athletes have fought. Take Stephen Nedoroscik, the pommel horse star who looks like Clark Kent. Despite having an eye condition that causes him to be cross-eyed and sensitive to light, Stephen feels his way through the routine, and absolutely crushes it. Then there's Brody Malone, who bounced back from a career-threatening injury just over a year ago, determined to return to the team. Their stories aren't just about gymnastics; they're testaments to human spirit and resilience.
How many passwords do you have, and how many have you forgotten? It's funny how we try to secure everything, even our hearts, holding onto things like pain, regret, or unforgiveness. But why do we try to keep secrets from God? Psalm 139 reminds us that God knows us completely: our thoughts, our movements, even our unspoken words. He knows the 'passwords' to our hearts and the burdens we carry. Realizing this, why keep anything locked away? Laying down these burdens means trusting that God already knows and loves us, unconditionally. It's a relief to remember that we're fully known and deeply loved.
Did you know that after a bone marrow transplant, if you left blood at a crime scene, it could trace back to your donor, not you? That's exactly what the doctor told my brother, who's gearing up for a transplant due to his recent cancer diagnosis. Sounds like something straight out of a crime thriller - where the real perpetrator is nowhere near the crime! It makes me realize maybe I've been watching a little too much true crime.
Have you ever felt like your prayers are just too big? That maybe they're going unheard? It's a feeling many of us share, especially when we've been praying about something important for a long time. During these moments of doubt, I often find comfort in Jeremiah 10:12, which reminds us, "God made the earth by His power, founded the world by His wisdom, and stretched out the heavens by His understanding." This verse helps reassure us that God knows no limits. Whatever we're facing, God can handle it, and He will, in His perfect timing.
As parents of a child with autism, we know firsthand how every small win feels monumental. Like the story of Zoe, a five-year-old girl with autism who recently spoke for the first time. Her mom gave her a phone to play a simple game of I Spy, capturing what would become a heart-melting moment. During her game, Zoe recorded herself saying, "This is my beautiful mom. She's the best mom. I love her so much." That was the first time Zoe's mom heard her say, "I love you." Imagine hearing those words from your child for the first time at age five! Moments like these are pure joy.
Watching Olympic athletes compete and seeing the crowd’s enthusiasm is truly inspiring. But have you ever wondered if heaven cheers us on in a similar way? Interestingly, Jesus gives us an answer in Luke 15:10, where He says, "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." That's the ultimate celebration! This passage reminds us that our spiritual efforts, our journey to bring hearts to Jesus through our life and stories, are not unnoticed. Each step we take in faith is a gold medal effort in the eyes of heaven.
Most of us can admit that patience isn't our strongest suit, and I'm no exception. I have an uncle, though, who embodies patience. He remains calm under pressure and doesn't let his emotions get the best of him—even with strong opinions. Observing him, I'm reminded that this calmness and patience align closely with how God wants us to act. Ephesians 4:2 calls us to live "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." It’s a powerful reminder that patience isn’t just a virtue; it’s a reflection of the Holy Spirit at work within us.
Often, when you check out of a hotel, you might feel like you’re getting a little extra value by taking home those complimentary shampoos and conditioners. I'm definitely guilty of stocking up! But there’s something else you might not realize you can take: the Gideon Bible. Unlike towels and robes, these Bibles are meant to be taken if they can be of use. The Gideons place them in rooms exactly for that purpose: to spread the word, and they’ll replace any that are taken. So, grabbing one on your way out isn’t stealing - it’s encouraged if it helps share the message!
Do kids today ever make you feel like you’re from a different era? Mention the Jetsons, and you might just get a puzzled look. That futuristic family from 2062 seemed like a distant dream back in the '60s. Fast forward to now, and we're living with some of those sci-fi gadgets like video calls, robot vacuums, and even dog treadmills!
Ever wonder how you could possibly make an impact for eternity? Matthew 5:16 was one of the first verses I learned, and it's stayed with me: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven." This verse isn't just about having the light of Jesus in your life; it's about letting that light be seen through your actions. Whether it's through kindness, forgiveness, or love, these simple acts can draw others to God. Every good deed done in Jesus' name helps shine your inner light and can leave a lasting, eternal impact.
Did you know that pure gold isn't attracted to magnets? That's how jewelers spot fakes – any impurities are drawn straight to the magnet and it pulls it out of all the other pure gold items.
1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us, "The Lord sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." It's a powerful reminder of God's deep insight.
I find myself praying that God will refine my heart, removing any impurities, so that what He sees is a heart devoted entirely to Him.
Can you believe TobyMac had never been to a Buc-ee's until recently? It's almost a Southern rite of passage! He finally decided to see what all the hype was about, stepping off his tour bus and into the wild world of this beloved mega-convenience store.
Late at night, there's nothing more unsettling than a strange noise in the house. That's exactly what happened to us the other night. I was in bed, heart racing, while Jeremy was sound asleep. I nudged him awake, whispering, "I heard something." With minimal information and half-awake, Jeremy had to figure out the rest. He asked where I heard the noise before reluctantly heading down the hallway to investigate. What did he discover in the shadows? You might be surprised by what was waiting for us.
Just like many of us secure our homes every night by checking the locks and making sure the cameras are working, we need to think about our spiritual security too.
Remember when murder hornets were headlining as the next big scare during COVID? Yep, that fizzled out, but hold onto your hats because now we’ve got something else: Joro spiders.
In Romans 12:2, we’re told not to conform to the world but to be transformed by renewing our minds. It’s easy to pick up habits from around us - some good, some not so great. It’s something I think about a lot, especially in how we influence each other’s growth.
Adopted as an infant, Ezra's family soon learned he would need a liver transplant due to severe damage present from birth. Just when the situation seemed hopeless, an unexpected hero emerged: Ms. Carissa, Ezra's former preschool teacher.
In a recent rainy drive in DFW, we encountered a roadblock that made us think about the signals the Holy Spirit sends us.
You dream of giving your kids the best start in life, and it's tough when things don't go as planned. But right now, I'm learning to let go and trust God's plan for my son, not just my own expectations.
Let me tell you about Boone, a one-year-old bloodhound with a spirit that's nothing short of inspiring. A few months back, Boone’s handler discovered a cancerous growth on his leg, which led to an amputation. It seemed like Boone's days with the sheriff's office were over, but he had other plans.
As the eclipse gets closer, we're all getting excited here in North Texas. But what about our furry friends? Do they need eye protection to enjoy the eclipse safely?
Feeling pain is a universal part of being human, and it's often in these moments we wonder if God really gets how much we hurt. Isaiah 53 paints a poignant picture of Jesus, a figure described as “despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.” These words were written centuries before Jesus's time, yet they capture the essence of His earthly journey so precisely.
Have you ever thought how cool it would be to have people cheering you on for just doing your job?
Have you ever felt like you've messed up too big for a second chance? You're not alone.
Have you ever played "Where's Waldo?"—scanning crowded pages to spot that guy in the striped shirt and glasses? Well, there's this town playing a real-life version, but it's "Find Mr. Bill" instead. Mr. Bill, a real person, walks five miles to work every day, not by choice, but because he's legally blind and can't drive. When a woman discovered why he was walking, she didn't just give him a ride; she went above and beyond. She created "Mr. Bill's Village" on Facebook, and suddenly, 1,500 people were offering lifts, turning it into a community-wide game of generosity.
Ever felt like your spiritual life is spinning that dreaded loading icon, just like a bogged-down computer? We've been there. Sometimes, everything seems to slow to a crawl, and what we really need is a spiritual reboot. Psalm 51:10 offers the perfect "restart prayer" for those moments. It's like hitting the refresh button on our hearts and spirits, asking God to cleanse us, renew us, and keep us close to Him.
The news can wear down your confidence and hope. It can be scary at times. You can overcome the emotions of the negative news by focusing in on the word of God and His spirit within you.
Peace is only lasting when God has all your cares in His hands. Pray and release the stress.
Tillie Burgin of Mission Arlington joins us to chat about KCBI's upcoming Service Day. Discover how Mission Arlington's services provide resources and hope to families in need, and learn about the transformative power of service and the love of God in action!
Please join us in praying for all affected by the horrific event in Allen, Texas this past weekend.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." - Psalm 34:18
If you've ever felt like you've messed up to the point that God couldn't use you, I hope you'll listen to Lonnie's story.
If you jump to the worst case scenario easily then this verse from the bible is for you.
Today is dad’s birthday. He would have been 80, which is weird to say. He’s been gone 3 years now. I miss so much, especially his laugh.
It’s also the day Jeremy proposed to me. He called my dad beforehand to ask for permission. Thankfully, dad said yes...and then so did I.
My dad always carried a handkerchief so on the day I got married I gave him a handkerchief below.
Dad passed away 2 days after my and Jeremy’s 6th wedding anniversary. I now have that handkerchief as a reminder of his love for me and my love for him.
Happy Birthday Dad - Love, Caryn
A super play lead to a team's victory in the biggest game of thier season, and it's a beautiful picture of looking out for other's needs.
Caryn shares a quote from her husband Jeremy that challenged her.
Listen for the married morning show with Caryn and Jeremy - weekdays - 5:30a - 8:30a and 10:00-11:00a on 90.9 KCBI.
There is a lot you can't believe these days, but there is always someone you can believe in.
Listen for the Morning Motivator weekday mornings at 5:40am on 90.9 KCBI
Anger is something that I can so easily jump into almost instantly when something goes wrong. It's so easy to be angry at the kids when they do something you tell him not to do. Maybe something happens at work and you get mad. Of course, traffic certainly is a trigger for anger for many (myself included).
One important thing to point out is that not all anger is bad. Anger is an emotion that God gave us. Jesus even displayed a righteous anger in the temple when the money changers were cheating the people. James understood that there will be times where we get angry, but his words of caution to be “slow to anger” are wise words to follow.
"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." - James 1:19
Whenever you find yourself with anger boiling up inside, reflect on James 1:19-20 and take the time to stop, step back, evaluate the situation and form a proper response before you let your words and actions cause you to sin.
We live in a fallen world. This isn’t paradise yet. So there will always be something or someone in the world that could be a source of our anger. But remember: Jesus didn’t display “man’s anger” but the righteous indignation of God. Let us go and do likewise.
When you and I walk into the gym, we know that we're about to have some trials and hard times as we begin to pick up heavy weights and put them back down. Or maybe we're doing some aerobic exercise and sweating it out. But we do that because we know that at the end of all of that there is hopefully going to be a healthier you and a healthier me with a stronger body as a result of that workout.
But when it happens in life and it's not something we're choosing, that's when it really gets hard. God tries to encourage us in those moments in James 1:2-4 where he says:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The implication here is obvious: trials are equal to the testing of our faith. God can use trials to test us in our faith. In the same way, when we suffer various trials in our lives, James says that we build up endurance in our Christian walk.
Trials are the means through which something beneficial happens in the life of a Christian. Not only are trials and the testing of our faith meant to benefit us, but it’s meant to benefit us in a way that we develop something that we would not develop without the trials.
I've been in this place and maybe you're there now where you go through a long stretch where it just feels like you're racking up a bunch of losses and no wins. When that happens, it can really be hard to see God really working in your life and the enemy can convince you that He isn't. But I just wanted to remind you that you have victory in Christ because Romans 8:37 reminds us:
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." - Romans 8:37
To be more than conquerors means we face the trials of life with the certainty that we are not alone. We have a mighty Father who fights for us. We approach the darkest valleys with confidence, knowing that nothing can happen to us that is not permitted by our loving Father for our good (Psalm 23:4; Romans 8:28).
No sin of ours and no attempt of the enemy can steal the loving care of God from our lives, and that makes us more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.
One thing that I do frequently when it comes to laundry is that often I'll pull out a load of clean clothes, throw them in a basket or hamper, and then leave the clothes like that throughout the week so that I can just pick and choose what I want to wear from the basket. This is of course because I hate folding clothes and hanging things up so if you do the same thing, I hope you know that you're not alone.
However, there was one thing I realized as I was carrying this heavy basket of clothes to our room the other day. I realized just how heavy this really was to carry. Now this caused me to remember how light the basket used to be when I was done with the load of laundry and had put everything away as it should've been done. The basket was light, it was empty, it was easy to carry.
In this life, God doesn't want us to carry around the weight of the stuff that we're going through. He wants you to know that He can shoulder that burden for you. Matthew 11:28 reminds us:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28
The heavy yoke of bondage to sin is a weighty burden we all have to carry on the treadmill of life, which causes physical weariness, spiritual fatigue, and emotional exhaustion. But Christ’s invitation brings rest to the weary, comfort for the hurting, solace to the heavily laden, and rest for the soul.
The rest that Christ gives, is an eternal rest beyond our understanding that can never be earned or purchased. The rest He offers, is freely available as God’s gift of grace to whosoever will come.
If you've watched TV recently, there are commercials left and right reminding us that we're in a political season. Whenever November rolls around, there's always an election coming up.
Sometimes it can feel like a really divided time in our social media feeds, even if you don't find yourself to be a political person. However, sometimes there might be a post that sparks an argument or prompts us to say something back. But during this political season, we need to be reminded to always responded to people in love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 tells us:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth."
Remember today that we don't have to attend every argument that we're invited to. Not to mention that John 13 doesn't say that people will know that we are Christians by our unkind memes, political putdowns, name-calling, or divisive talk, but by our love.
It has been in recent months that William Shatner (Star Trek) visited space which is a big deal for someone who became famous for playing Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek series. However, his response once he got to space really stood out to me. Here is how he described it:
"When I got to space, I was so excited to see what this next frontier was like. But there was no mystery. There was no majesty to behold, all I saw was death. I saw a cold, dark black emptiness. It was unlike any blackness you can see or feel on Earth. It was deep and enveloping and all encompassing."
Of course, this was of deep shock to William Shatner but then he turned back towards the Earth where he saw the light of home and this is what he had to say:
"Here I see the opposite. I can see the beige of the desert, the white of the clouds, and the blue of the sky. It's life."
This experience really reminds me of what life is life without Jesus. John 8:12 says:
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” - John 8:12
Christ is the true Light of the World, but we who have received His new-life have been entrusted to carry the testimony of His light, His life and His love into a darkened world, and He has commanded us to live out our lives in a manner that is well-pleasing to Him. We are to walk in the light as He is in the light and we are to point lost souls to the One Who lightens our darkness and breathes life into the lifeless soul.
If you are celebrating an anniversary this month, you are not alone! Our own Caryn & Jeremy are celebrating 8 years of marriage today and during today's show, they discuss how they first met and Jeremy shares the moment that He discovered that He had feelings for Caryn.
Luke 9:23 says:
"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." - Luke 9:23
Denying yourself is an essential part of the Christian life. Jesus called upon those who wish to be His followers to reject the natural human inclination toward selfishness. Self-denial for the Christian means renouncing oneself as the center of existence (which goes against the natural inclination of the human will) and recognizing Jesus Christ as one’s new and true center. It means acknowledging that the old self is dead and the new life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3–5).
When you are willing to sacrifice your time, energy, rights, position, reputation, privileges, comforts, and even your very life for the sake of Christ, you exemplify what it means to deny yourself:
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” - Matthew 10:39
You may have a box and in that box, there may be some things that you want to keep memories of like your kids school homework or letters/notes that you had from high school. But also, you may have a box that has things in it that you really shouldn't hang on to. I'm talking about a book that carries reminders of your past mistakes. Those things we call sin that God calls sin that we just have an old box of and something opens it up to remind us of all of it once more. This can lead us on an endless cycle of shame and regret as we constantly bombard ourselves with "what if's" and guilt. However, I want to remind you of what Psalm 103:12 says:
"as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." - Psalm 103:12
The phrase as far as the east is from the west is meant to communicate in infinite space. East is in one direction, and west is in the other. The New Testament details the sacrifice of Christ and points to it as the basis of our freedom from guilt: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). The fact that there is “no condemnation” means that those who are in Christ will never have to answer for their sins because Christ has paid the debt already.
He removes our faults so far from us. As far as the east is from the west. When He says it's gone, it's gone.
Rather than reacting in panic or doubt, followers of Christ should feel a sense of peace. This confidence is inspired by knowledge that nothing they experience catches God by surprise. The expression "take heart" implies courage: knowing Christ's victory overshadows all those troubles.
If you’re facing trials right now, you can have joy while your tears flow. You can rejoice in the midst of pain. You can be courageous even when your strength fails. Because your Savior, Jesus Christ, took on your sorrow, pain, and weakness. Most importantly, he took your sin and nailed it to his cross. Now, even your darkest struggle is part of his good plan to draw you closer to him. This trial can’t remove you from his love.
Recently, I was talking a TV show about family history and one of the men on the show had learned that one of his ancestor had sailed to America. However, to his surprise, he found out that the very next year that ship sank. The man responded to the news saying: "Well, it's just a random piece of luck that I'm here at all."
To me, this is such a sad response because you are never here by some random piece of luck. Nobody is ever a mistake. Jeremiah 1:5 says:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” - Jeremiah 1:5
Psalm 139:16 also says:
"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:16
All throughout Scripture, God reminds us that we were His plan all along. You are not a mistake. You were made and you are here on purpose.
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." - Ephesians 1:4-6
If you want a happier life, it isn't found in things like more possessions, money, or fame. It's when we practice contentment and gratitude. For many of us, this doesn't come naturally so it's a constant struggle we bear.
However, new research into the field of Neuroplasticity shows that we can actually rewire our mind the more thankful we are. In fact, the more thankful you are in the tough times, the more your mind rewires to find the positive. This of course is one of those situations where science catches us with the Bible because 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
God never commands us to do something that He will not enable us to do. We do not live the Christian life on feelings but on faith. If we obey God, the sincerity and feelings will follow. We walk by faith and not by sight. In faith, hope, and love we can be joyful, prayerful, and thankful.
Luke 18:27 tells us:
Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” - Luke 18:27
This verse takes place in the context of Jesus talking to a Rich Young Ruler who was asking him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus, knowing the state of this man's heart, told him to sell everything and follow him because he knew that possessions and riches directed the mans heart and affections.
This actually confused the disciples since a common belief at the time was that because rich people were so prosperous, they were the ones with all of the favor from God. Jesus squished that notion pretty quick. Jesus points out that there isn't anything that man can do to save themselves, but with God, that all changes.
I want you to know that if you're dealing with sickness in your life or a situation that just seems impossible, remember that what is impossible with man is possible with God. Does it necessarily mean that God will change your circumstances? No. But we can know that truly everything we're going through is in God's control.
Sometimes we can get so busy in life that we can look around and realize that we've been leaving God out of a lot of what we do. But we want to remind you of what Psalm 51:10-12 says:
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." - Psalm 51:10-12
When we allow ourselves to get too busy, we don’t take the time to slow down and remember the relationship we have with God. God wants us to spend time each day to renew our relationship with Him. He wants to know about our failures and our victories, our strengths and our weaknesses, and our joys and disappointments. If we fail to remember Him daily, we get caught up with the distraction of pleasing other people.
When we put God first in our schedules and make time for Him, we find that we look forward to that time, like meeting an old friend. If we make our schedule God-centered, we will find rest even in the busyness.
If you're human, at some point in your life, you are going to deal with shame. Whether that's over past mistakes or over present consequences, shame doesn't merely tell us that we made a mistake, but rather it tells us that we are a mistake. However, I hope you know that shame couldn't be further from the truth and as Christians, we always need to remember that God doesn't write us off whenever we fall.
Isaiah 43:25 reminds us:
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." - Isaiah 43:25
God never does anything accidentally, and he never makes mistakes. He has a reason for everything he creates. Every plant and every animal was planned by God, and every person was designed with a purpose in mind. God's motive for creating you was his love. The Bible says:
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." - Ephesians 1:4a
You are not a mistake or an accident. Don't ever let shame have the last word. You matter. You are loved. You were created for a purpose and no matter what you do or how many times you fail, that never changes.
If you're a parent, you know that sometimes when your kid is throwing a fit, they are either hungry or tired. But with Caryn, she learned this lesson yesterday as she was having a conversation with Jeremy where she ended up getting emotional for an unknown reason. After this happened, she decided to take a nap and woke up to a snack as well. Once she felt refreshed and satisfied, she remember that the Prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4-9 deals with a similar feeling:
"But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God. At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there." - 1 Kings 19:4-9
This passage of Scripture highlights the fact that after Elijah upstages the prophets of Baal, the evil queen Jezebel flies into a rage and orders Elijah’s execution. Elijah, fleeing for his life into the wilderness, sinks into a depression and falls into an exhausted sleep. He is awakened by an angel, who feeds him and then lets him continue to rest and eat, before Elijah finally gains enough strength to continue on into the safety of the mountains.
Simply put, God knew Elijah just needed a nap and a snack and just like Elijah, sometimes we can go from triumphant to despondent in a heartbeat. Regardless of what we're encountering in our life, we can know that God knows our needs better than we ever could.
If you feel like I'm in a battle, you are not alone. In fact, the Bible talks about us being in battles and facing things that are not flesh and blood but in the spiritual realm.
In Ephesians 6:10-13, the Apostle Paul reminds us that God doesn't leave us defenseless in the battles that we're facing. It says:
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." - Ephesians 6:10-13
When we put on this whole armor of God, we will be prepared for Satan’s attempts to attack us with pride, envy, lust for forbidden pleasures, itching ears, disappointment, discouragement, doubt or division—or any other tricks he may use. By learning, believing and trusting in the truths of Scripture, we are inviting God to train us up. As a result, we will become more like the King we serve.
Over the weekend, Caryn and Jeremy were doing some painting in the house they just moved into. After finishing up, Jeremy ran a flashlight over the paint to check if they had gotten every spot and to Caryn's surprise, there were several areas that had shown where the old paint was making it's way through the new paint. This reminded Caryn of Ephesians 5:13 where it says:
"But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light." - Ephesians 5:13
As Christians, we are told are to "expose" sin, making a clear distinction between right and wrong (Ephesians 5:11). Light reveals what darkness tries to hide. The way we do this in our lives is by remaining in active prayer with God asking for Him to chisel away what doesn't honor Him and by consistently being in His Word so it reveals where our blind spots are so we can be made more into the image of Christ.
The light of God dispels darkness. Darkness is dispatched by the light. The Christian dispels darkness by being and giving the light. We do not win people by disparaging their sin; we win them by the light of our message. Our task is to turn on the light of God’s truth.
Sometimes it can feel really difficult to make a change in the world but you can always be kind.
James Warren was walking in his Denver neighborhood when something gave him pause. "A woman was waiting for the bus, sitting in the dirt. And I was like, 'Oh man, that sucks.' That's not dignified at all. We need to be doing better by our fellow city members." And so, he thought, 'I could do something about that, I can build a bench.'" That moment led him on a mission to help his community.
So he went home built one and put it at the bus stop. Since then he has built built more benches and he puts a message on every single one of them that simply says, "Be Kind".
He posted about it and now other people are sending him pictures of benches they have built and are now putting them up at their own bus stops. Even when we think we can't make a difference, kindness goes a long way on it's own.
The Bible tells us to be kind to one another because of the sole reason that Our Lord Jesus Christ and Our Father is kind to us. He has commanded us to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving through the words of Paul. Therefore, it is our duty, as Christians, to follow.
James 1:2-4 says:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Christians who face trials with a joyful outlook—trusting God to accomplish His good purpose—will develop into full spiritual maturity. They will be equipped with everything they need to overcome every trial they encounter.
In light of this verse, we know the process of going through trials is by no means easy, but we can know that it will have a beautiful outcome in God's hands (Romans 8:28). For example, God changes sand into pearls. He changes coal into diamonds. Even caterpillars into butterflies. If you're feeling pressure right now, just know that if you're patient, it can be a powerful time for God to do a beautiful transformative work in you.
A man was visiting a tribe in Africa and he proposed a game to some of the kids that were running around. He put a basket of fruit at the far end of the field and said whoever gets to the basket first wins all the fruit. But something weird happened after he said that. When he told the kids to run, instead of running individually, they grabbed hands and ran together as one group. Puzzled by their decision, he asked them, "Why?". Because if one of them could have had all the fruit, why wouldn't they all be going after it? One of the kids said, "how can one of us be happy if all the others are sad?"
This response is such a great reminder of what Philippians 2:3-4 says:
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." - Philippians 2:3-4
When we understand the incredible sacrifice, grace, and mercy of God on our behalf, we realize that we have no use for pride. When we recognize God’s abundant grace, provision, and love, we understand that we have no need for selfishness. We need not focus solely on our own interests because we rest in our Savior. We have been adopted into an eternal family, and we can learn to love that family as the Father loves us.
Rather than be motivated by selfishness or pride, we can be of one mind with fellow believers and put their interests before our own.
The enemy likes tempts you with sin and trample you with guilt. But there is a lifeline for you. James 5:16 says:
"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." - James 5:16
Despite anything that we will do in our lives, we can't let the guilt from that destroy our desire to pray. God's specialty is to heal broken hearts and give rest to the restless! Because of Jesus, you are not only freed from the penalty of your sin (Romans 5:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21), but you are freed from the guilty conscience associated with that sin (Hebrews 9:14).
Does this mean we don't feel conviction or guilt for sinning? Of course not. But it does mean that because of the cleansing of Christ's blood, we no longer have to hold onto it or let it define how we see ourselves. The blood of Christ is more powerful than our sin and the Word of God is more authoritative than our conscience.
Every person in the world at some point has asked these questions:
Who Am I?
Why Am I Here?
While much of the world still seeks to find answers to these questions, we as Christians have the answer to these two questions in God's Word. Ephesians 2:10 says:
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10
So who are we? We are God's creation and as believers, we are called His children. Deeply loved and cared for by Him. Why are we here? Because God created us for His pleasure and so that we, as His creation, would have the pleasure of knowing Him.
You may have heard it said that: "No weapon formed against you shall prosper."
That's actually from Isaiah 54:17 when it says:
"No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD." - Isaiah 54:17
But a friend of mine turned it around recently and said, "make sure you are not the weapon formed against yourself" because sometimes we can be our own worst enemy with all our negative self talk and bad decisions. Sometimes we develop a negative self-image because we are the ones who have to live with our own flaws and failures. But our Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to treat ourselves badly or give up — He wants us to see ourselves the way that He sees us.
We aren’t perfect. We sometimes feel scared, embarrassed, or unsure. In fact, with everything going on in life, it can sometimes seem impossible to just get along with ourselves. But through Jesus Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can find strength and hope, find strength to conquer our weaknesses, and become more like Him each and every day.
Hebrews 11:1 tells us that:
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1
Faith is trust, assurance and confidence in God and Jesus Christ. Living faith is not just believing that God exists. It is demonstrated by one’s service and obedience to God. Faith makes us stronger, braver, better. Faith helps us through times of trouble and allows us to help others going through their own sets of trials. What exactly is faith? It is the trust that God exists, and by following him, we look forward to a world beyond this one — the kingdom of God, where we will live in peace with him forever.
The truest act of faith, which is made possible by God's gift of grace to us, is complete trust in the Lord through every circumstance, even when we do not understand why something is happening or not happening.
Recently, Jeremy was driving home from downtown Dallas to see a homeless man shaking a tree. At first, Jeremy was alarmed because he thought the man was crazy but then he felt convicted for making such an assumption.
After that, Jeremy was reminded that this homeless man was made in the image of God and that God died for them. After that, his perspective changed on the man completely.
God sees each of us through eyes of unconditional love, and He loves everyone—it doesn’t matter what they do, where they work, how much money they have, how educated they are or what they look like.
We need to do the same. We need to learn to see others as God sees them.
1 Peter 3:9 is what I like to call a seatbelt verse because it saves me from getting hurt. It says:
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9
For Christians, revenge is never the right option. Period. Peter echoes the teaching of Jesus, as well as that of Paul, in making it perfectly clear that those in Christ—those set apart to a new purpose—are not allowed to "get even."
The world believes that a person has the right to strike back in the same manner. They use evil to combat evil. In this they are just compiling sin upon sin. They are making the situation worse. It will usually continue to build, each person adding more to the fire. God does not work that way.
Jesus did not work in that manner when He walked on the earth. As Jesus was being whipped, beaten and nailed to the cross, He did not strike back physically or with words. He actually blessed the people asking God to forgive them. Believers are to pour out blessings upon those who do evil to them. It does not matter if the evil was done intentionally or by accident. Giving a blessing, is showing love–God’s love to the person.
In the end God will bless you greater than getting revenge will ever help you. Live as Jesus lived, not as the world does.
Matthew 6:14-15 says:
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." - Matthew 6:14-15
It's often true that we have no problem accepting forgiveness from God for our sins but when someone sins against us, that's another story. Whenever we are sinned against, we must choose to remember the extent to which God has released us from our sins through the blood of His Son (Revelation 1:5). Our horizontal forgiveness of other sinners is related to our vertical forgiveness from God.
Remember, forgiveness is not a one-way street, it's meant to be shared with everyone.
It's a reminder that we all need from time to time but it's okay to ask God for mercy. I know it can be hard because we don't deserve it but Ephesians 2:4-5 reminds us:
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
When you ask God for mercy, you're not wearing Him out. You're asking for something that He already desires to give you. We can put our hope in God with confidence, knowing that even when we make mistakes, He will still be rich in mercy toward us.
God can use you in really unexpected ways. It happened for Brittany and her toddler son, Ethan. They were blowing bubbles in the backyard when some floated off towards the fence. So Ethan went running after them and he starts yelling back, "feet, mommy feet". She's thinking, "What is he talking about?" So she walked towards them and crouched down to his level and look through this fence into the woods and sure enough, there was a pair of feet.
It was an elderly woman who was lying down. She has Alzheimer's and had been missing for four days because she had wandered off from her home. Even after 4 days away, she was still alive and ended up being okay, but they don't think she would've ever been found if it weren't for Ethan seeing her.
It makes you wonder from his low vantage point as a little guy that he had the perfect perspective to find her. Once again, God uses us in mysterious ways.
The world can give you a lot of reasons to worry nowadays whether it's for the safety of our kids, finances, relationships, etc. But in Philippians 4:6-7, God reminds us that it's okay to give that worry to him. It says:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7
The key to conquering anxiety is to turn our worries into prayers. You may not know what will happen, but God does, and He is in complete control. When we submit our anxious thoughts to Him in prayer, He replaces that anxiety with a peace which transcends all understanding.
God still answers prayers in amazing ways.
Nick's wife was pregnant with their first child and they found out a few months ago that the baby has severe hydrocephalus, which is also known as water on the brain. It was off the charts bad to the point where the doctors were talking to them about what it was gonna be like when they would have to take them off life support. They gave them absolutely no hope.
However, on July 8, the baby was born. They named him Charlie and He was in NICU for an entire month. But get this, he just went home this past weekend, perfectly healthy and whole! The doctors and the nurses have absolutely no medical explanation as to why their baby is fine as they are completely flabbergasted. But Nick knew exactly what happened. He said:
"I know from the bottom of my heart I know that God was involved. I give all the credit and the glory to Him because God is real, and he still performs miracles."
Caryn recently heard a quote in a movie that said: "You may not have the life you imagined, but it may be the life God intended." This reminded her of Proverbs 16:9 when it says:
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." - Proverbs 16:9
Even if we have many plans, right or wrong, in the end it is the Will of God that will remain. Many times we blame ourselves for the things we did or stopped doing and we find ourselves at crossroads where we need wisdom or advice to decide well, but we do not think whether the result obtained may be aligned to the Will of God, who directs our life and path.
Let the Lord direct your steps, for your ability to make decisions, however good it may be, is not always aligned to the Will of God. Let us not lose our strength, trust in the Lord, and He will know how to lead us on the way (Jeremiah 29:11). The key is to trust the Lord completely. His plan is always better.
Often, we can forget how God feels about us and when hearing things like "God is for you", it can be hard to believe it. The Apostle Paul gives us this amazing reminder in Romans 8:31 when he says:
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31
When God says he is for you, it means He is working on your behalf for your good. He has adopted you (Romans 8:15) and given you His Spirit (Romans 8:16-17, 26-27) and has determined to save you (Romans 8:29-30). The other part of this amazing verse is "who can be against us?" This doesn't mean we will never face opposition, but that simply put, our opposition is doomed to fail. They may be against us, but since God is for us, we have nothing to worry about. There is no one more powerful than our God.
Yesterday, Caryn attended the funeral of a friend who had two sisters. Naturally, they were bawling their eyes out and one thing that Caryn realized after losing her dad a few years back is the importance of the ministry of presence. Romans 12:15 reminds us:
"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." - Romans 12:15
Be thoughtful. Be compassionate. Be quick to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. To weep with those who weep is part of being family in the body of Christ.
Like Jeremy, it can be hard to be optimistic about what God is doing but when it comes to Romans 8:28, we have every reason to be hopeful:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
Even during grueling circumstances, we can find joy that God is working through our situations to make us more like Jesus. It is this very belief that should always inform the world of the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15).
With life as busy as it can be, we often forget what is most important. As Caryn & Jeremy were moving into their home, they began to obsess over the various changes that were going to need to take place like paint color, appliance repairs, renovations, etc. But in the midst of all of that, Caryn was reminded that God's priority for our life is to seek Him first and everything else follows that.
As Matthew 6:33 says:
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33
Let us cling to the final truth in Matthew 6:34 that all we need will be added to us. Let us submit our worries unto the Lord, for the day has enough trouble as it is. Let us run to the Lord with our emotions, let us seek after His reign and rule in our lives, and let us trust that He will give us everything we need to glorify Him — for His perfect plan and will.
It's a new day, a new week, and a new month and we wanted to share an encouraging verse for you today:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17
In this passage, the Apostle Paul is writing that Christ's death for sin has changed the way he regards people. Instead of looking at each person as a mere human being, he must view those who are in Christ as something entirely different. Those who are "in Christ" are those who have faith in Him, credited with Christ's righteous life, and their sin forgiven by Christ's death in their place. Such people are new creatures. Those "in Christ" have become something they were not before. Their identity has changed from being the fallen version of themselves, to being associated with the righteousness of Christ. That's who we are now.
It is not the old life that God reconditions or restores. We are not simply set-right, but made an entirely new person; we are born into a new creation; we are identified with Christ. Let us accept this truth in righteousness and true holiness by faith, and in everything we do, let us do all, to His praise and glory, from this day forward - even forevermore.
How does a child receive a gift? With openness, honesty, and unbridled joy. That type of happy authenticity should be a hallmark of our faith as we receive God’s gift in Christ.
If you were to tell me that "your faith is a work in progress", I would agree that you have a biblical mindset. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that:
"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6
I love the confidence that Paul is writing with to these Philippians Christians. While salvation from the penalty of sin happens at the moment a person accepts Christ, the process of becoming more like Christ is exactly that: a process. Paul is completely sure that this "sanctification" will continue in the lives of these believers.
Since faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8), we can rest assured that the gift of our salvation had nothing to do with us. We didn't deserve it so therefore we can't lose it. It is this realization that frees us to share about our failures and to be thankful to be a Christian. It’s what allows us to accept rebukes, criticism and advice with humility. It is also what allows the church to welcome and accept all who would seek to know God, as we who were once far off have been brought near ourselves.
In a world that tells us to live our way, our truth, and our life the way that we want to, we find that all this ever leads to is emptiness and a lack a fulfillment. Jesus says in John 14:6:
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6
So how do we follow Jesus today? The same way the disciples did long ago.
They heard the words of Jesus and believed them. They took His words and obeyed them. They confessed their sins to Jesus as their Lord and God. They believed that He died to take the punishment of their sins and rose from the dead to give them new life. They followed His example and command to tell others the truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment. When we follow Him in “the way,” we can be assured of following Him all the way to heaven.
When the weight of all that is going on in the world lands on our shoulders, how should we handle it? This verse shows us how to avoid letting the water in when it comes to weight of the world:
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." - Isaiah 26:3
When situations present themselves, our thoughts always need return to Christ. When we do this, we are intentional about not letting our circumstances guide our behavior and as a result, we make choices based on our faith, our prayers, and God’s guidance.
A cool way to remember this is that ships don't sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don't let what's happening around you get inside you and weigh you down.
When our world feels like it's being tossed and turned every single day, may we find hope in this verse:
"Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." - Psalm 62:2
We may never be delivered from our circumstances in this life, but we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God will be present with us the whole time. At the end of the day, we aren't stronger because of what we've been through, we're stronger because of the One who brought us through it.
Because of His earthly walk, the Lord Jesus is able to sympathize with all our weakness, all our disappointments, all our rejections, and all our temptations. Indeed, He identified so closely with us all that He was made sin for us and paid the terrible price that we so rightly deserve.
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." - Hebrews 4:15
We truly can say that we do have a Great High Priest Who understands ALL our weaknesses, for He faced the same testing that we do, but He did not sin - and He is with us today and lives inside us as we face our own troubles and trials.
When sin entered the world and infected all mankind, God did not remove sin. Instead, God chose to allow sin and promised to send His son to defeat it. God prophesied that the Son of Man would crush Satan and his works (Genesis 3:15; 1 John 3:8). Even as Paul requests God to remove his thorn, God's response is:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
We can trust that if God does not remove our thorn, He has something greater in mind. God's response to Paul that His grace is sufficient meant that to remove the thorn would not be sufficient. We forget in the midst of pain that we don't need our circumstances to change. We forget what we need is God. Through Christ, we overcome suffering. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37).
If you came into some unexpected cash, think of all the things you would do with it. What are some ideas that come to mind?
Well, a woman named Crystal actually ran into this exact situation where she came into $100,000 that she was not expecting. Of course, she plans on buying a car and paying off some bills, but she didn't want all that money to go to waste. So she actually went to the grocery store and bought $2,000 in gift cards and then handed them out to complete strangers walking around the store.
When asked why she did this, she responded with the fact that she believes in paying it forward. It's a great reminder that as we come into unexpected blessing in our lives, may we do the same and pay it forward to benefit someone else as well.
You may not be at the beginning of a challenge and you may not be at the end of one either. In fact, you may be right in the middle of it. Can you relate to that feeling like when is this ever going to end? This reminds me of some encouragement from Romans 12:12 where it says:
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12
What I like about this verse is it's not only that we should do those things, but that we have a hope that we can rejoice in that when there is trouble. We can find patience, and when we pray, we can rest assured that God hears us.
During any time of suffering, while waiting for what we're hoping in, we should pray. Prayer brings a connection with our Father through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26–27). He hears, understands, and helps in response to even our clumsiest attempts to communicate with Him.
Maybe you’ve been waiting for something God has promised & it feels like it’s never going to happen. A seed doesn’t become a watermelon in one day. After some time, a watermelon starts to form and eventually fully ripens. In the same way, sometimes God’s plans take time and patience can be hard.
Even though the act of praying can be easy at times, knowing the right words to pray is difficult. Especially in moments of great pain or sorrow, sometimes we don't have the words to pray and it's comforting to read this in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount:
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ - Matthew 6:9-13
It's also really helpful to remember that even when we don't know what to pray, the Spirit of God that indwells us prays on our behalf according to God's will (Romans 8:26-27). We can rest assured that when it comes to the power of our prayers, it lies in the one hearing it, not in the one praying it.
Israel Lemus, a Texas man with a brain tumor had only two months to live but miracles do happen when you believe in God, as he’s still living after six years from the day that doctors said he only had two months to live. Even though he is not in remission and doctors can still see the tumor, they are stunned at how he continues to survive and live way longer than they have projected.
Here is Israel's response when asked about this:
“To me, it’s 100% God. Honestly, I’m thankful to God for every day. The first thing I do when I wake up and the last thing I do before going to sleep is thank God for that day.”
This story is a humble reminder that just as Matthew 19:26 says:
"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26
Recently, Caryn & Jeremy were at a funeral and what was said of their friend was that they never read the Bible or prayed to try to be the perfect Christian, but so they could grow closer to God. That reminded Caryn of this verse:
"Come near to God and he will come near to you." - James 4:8a
It really makes us stop and ask ourselves about our motives. Are we trying to be the perfect Christian or are we trying to grow closer to God in relationship? God doesn’t want us to try and be perfect Christians. God wants us to grow our relationship with Him and give our heart to Him.
Recently, Caryn came across a verse by not one, but two people within the same day. It was Psalm 56:3 which says:
"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." - Psalm 56:3
It's a short but profound verse. Especially for Caryn who gets a lot of anxiety while driving, she felt that God was telling her to trust in Him in this area of her life, despite the fear that she has.
When we’re afraid it can literally consume us by the thought of the worst thing happening. However, when we put our trust in the Lord, He gives us the peace and comfort that we need to keep to get rid of that fear and accomplish the things we are called to do.
In a world that is constantly surrounded by bad news, what is one therapist's advice? Just keep scrolling. You see, our thinking is a lot like an ad we find on social media. A negative thought can pop up and we are given two options, we can either explore the ad, click on the link, and learn all about it or we can keep scrolling for the positive.
Philippians 4:8 says:
"Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things." - Philippians 4:8
So today, let's choose to focus on the good. Let's choose to focus on things that are good, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Let's choose to focus on things that inspire gratitude, joy and peace, not things that evoke worry, anxiety and stress. Let's choose to focus on things that lift us up, not things that drag us down. Let's choose to focus on the goodness in our lives and in the lives of others.
Caryn & Jeremy recently have lost some friends and co-workers over the last year and at a Celebration of Life ceremony for one of them, TobyMac was sharing from his experience of losing his son. As the family mourned the loss of their husband and father, Toby specifically encouraged the children who had just lost their father to press into God and know that He is still good.
It reminded me of this passage:
"The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made." - Psalm 145:9
Even when we don't understand what God is doing, we can always trust His heart and know that His purposes for us are good (Romans 8:28).
As Jeremy was going to bed last night, he thought about the fact that he was setting his alarm clock to wake up at a certain time tomorrow. Now typically, this is a normal task that most people do as they go to bed but have you ever thought about the fact that setting your alarm clock in a step of faith believing that you'll live to see the next day? It reminded him of this verse:
"Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing." - 1 Timothy 2:8
May we too approach prayer with that same level of confidence knowing that as we pour out our needs, wants, and gratitude to our God in Heaven; ultimately we know that He is listening and working for our good.
It's helpful advice to know that we can't unsay a cruel word. While what we say can always be forgiven, it can never be forgotten. That's why Paul reminds us in Colossians 4:5-6:
"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - Colossians 4:5-6
Back in those days, salt was valuable enough to be used as money, and was treasured for its ability to preserve and flavor foods. In the same way, a Christian's speech should be helpful and valuable, ''flavored'' differently from the speech of non-believers, and preserving the message of Christ.
You never know what people are going through and somebody you encounter today may need those graceful words. With God’s grace flowing through us, our words can be tools of grace God uses to build up, encourage, and edify.
A new poll has revealed that we insult ourselves more than 1,000 times a year. Of course, it's often said that we are our own worst critic, but is this healthy to think this way? Psalm 139:14 says:
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14
It's easy for us to read this verse and apply it to other people, but how often do we believe this about ourselves? Whether we insult ourselves out loud or we just think it, remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Be nice to yourself! After all, you're speaking to a child of God.
We find comfort knowing that everyone who asks of God receives an answer. Everyone who seeks Him finds Him. The door is opened to everyone who knocks. By including everyone, Jesus shows that God's responsiveness to prayer is not based on the goodness of the one who prays, but on the goodness of God.
Today is Global Forgiveness Day and forgiveness is a big word. It should be because it is a hard thing to do. A lot of times we want people to deserve forgiveness and many times we find ourselves in a position where we don't feel like they deserve. Especially if they haven't apologized.
But Matthew 6:14 says:
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14
Forgiveness is a part of God's plan for us and it's a part of His plan for us to offer. I once heard a pastor say this: "Forgiveness is not a feeling. It's a decision we make because we want to do what's right before God."
Jesus was the epitome of loving others well despite whether they loved Him back or not. It really showcases that as His followers, we are called to do the same in a world that very well may not love us back. Be encouraged by what 1 Peter 3:9 says:
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Many of us believe that in order to get something done, we need to be motivated first. But according to Brad Stulberg, an expert in human behavior, motivation follows action. Not the other way around. You don't need to feel good to get going; you need to get going to give yourself a chance at feeling good.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
A pastor named Dave had been fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia for a while and all signs were pointing up that he was going to beat this but then something tragic happened. His appendix ended up rupturing and because of that, he was in some real trouble. The cancer had destroyed all of his white blood cells which prevented him from fighting off any sort of infection.
But just as the doctors and members of his church were losing hope of him beating this, one lady at his church said something that stuck with him.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
When you are feeling unworthy of God's love, it's important to remember that God looks past the lies of the enemy to tell you who you really are. That is that you are loved beyond comprehension and that you are His.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Recently on social media, Caryn came across a graphic that really caught her attention when it comes to rest. For so many of us, we see rest as a reward for a job well done or whenever we've finished work for the day, but that idea falls short in a lot of ways. Here is what the graphic said:
Rest is not a reward. You don't have to earn rest, you need rest. You deserve rest. You are worthy of rest simply because you are living. Don't ever feel guilty for taking time to rest.
I don't know who needs to hear that today but if you are somebody who struggles with rest like I do, that is a liberating and encouraging thought.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
This week, the staff of KCBI got to participate in a team building event where we all attended a Texas Rangers game where they played the Houston Astros. It really was a fun event to be a part of as the staff got to bond like never before. Especially with the new stadium, many of us had never had a chance to see the new Globe Life Field so it was a great opportunity for all of us. Not to mention, the indoor A/C of the baseball game was incredibly nice considering how hot it would've been at the old stadium.
One element of a major league baseball game that often excites fans has to be the jumbotron. Being on the giant screen is the desire for so many in the stadium who want to make a small appearance on it for just a few seconds in front of thousands of people. In light of people's excitement over this, Caryn was actually reminded of Psalm 139 as she thought about our base desire to be seen.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Summer Clayton is the father of 2.4 million kids and he couldn’t be more proud. His TikTok channel is dedicated to giving people intimate conversations they might long to have with their own father, but can’t. With his videos, Clayton exudes unconditional love and support, helping others feel accepted.
Clayton might not be a biological father (yet), but he makes for one great dad. It’s lovely to see the power of the internet being harnessed in such a positive and uplifting way. Thanks to Summer Clayton, it’s never too late to have dinner with dad.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
With Father's Day happening this weekend, we thought it would be fun to play a game of "How Dad Are You?" Here's how it works, you go through this list of classic dad sayings and if your dad would say it, you give yourself a point. Let us know how you do!
"Guess it's free then." (when a cashier has trouble scanning an item)
"Found it!" (after pointing a stud finder at your chest)
"Looks like we'll have to amputate." (when a kid has a minor injury)
"Let's rock and roll." (when it's time to leave)
"Glad we're not going that way." (when seeing traffic on the other side of the road)
"Can't get very far without these." (after forgetting your keys)
"Look, horses." (when driving past horses)
"I'm not paying to heat the whole neighborhood." (when the door is open)
"Did you fall in?" (when a kid takes too long in the bathroom)
"It's not heavy, just awkward." (when carrying something heavy)
"No, your other right." (when someone mistakes left for right)
"People don't know how to drive in this town." (in every town you're in)
"What's the damage?" (before looking at a bill)
"We needed this rain." (every time it rains)
"Can you do mine next?" (when seeing a neighbor washing their car)
"That's how they get you." (after declining additional warranty protection)
"I was just resting my eyes." (after falling asleep on the couch)
"Back already? How was it?" (when someone comes back inside because they forgot something)
"Guess they'll let anyone in here." (when seeing a friend in public)
"That's not going anywhere." (after tying something down)
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
When it comes to hearing God's voice in our lives, we often allow the busyness of every day take over and when that happens, the volume at which we hear God gets lower and lower. But what happens when we lower the volume of our life around us?
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
It's often common for us to look in the mirror and focus on all the imperfections that we see, but have we stopped to wonder if this is the right way we should be seeing ourselves?
Turns out, being thankful can have many positive health effects. Studies show practicing gratitude can lead to more intimate and connected relationships, less depression, more motivation and engagement, and better overall mental well-being.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
This past weekend, Caryn & Jeremy attended the graduation of their son, Tyler and after being on social media, Caryn found some advice that was pivotal for her as well when it came to what she wanted to do with her life after high school and college.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
One of Satan’s most deceptive tactics is something all Christians have encountered: offense. While offense itself is not deadly, if we allow it to grow in our hearts, it can produce much fruit like anger, outrage, jealousy, resentment, strife, bitterness, etc.
Just like any normal day, Laurie Raybor was driving her car in midday traffic when all of a sudden she suffered a medical emergency that left her passed out behind the wheel of her moving car. Fortunately, her coworker was driving right next to her at an intersection and was quick on her feet to realize that something was very wrong.
After noticing that her coworker was passed out, she as well as several other people got out of their vehicles and worked together to stop Laurie's car before it caused any damage to her or those around her. If it weren't for her coworker and these amazing Good Samaritans, who knows what would've happened to Laurie! It just goes to show that being at the right place at the right time really can be life or death sometimes.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
You never know how your prayer can affect somebody's day and for Officer Cameron Tucker, it was truly a moment that stopped him in his tracks. While he was out with his wife, Justine, a young man named Juan walked up to his table and asked if he could pray over him and his protection.
It was moment where there was no dry eye as both officer Tucker and his wife were moved by the kind gesture and it really is a reminder that we have no idea how much our prayers can mean to somebody.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Every one of us has some sort of brokenness in our past. Perhaps we have grieved from a broken heart, complicated situations, loss of health, or relationships. Whether it’s from choices we have made or circumstances beyond our control, sometimes we find ourselves so profoundly broken that we don’t know how things could ever be restored.
However, as Christians, we know that God loved us so much that He couldn’t just let the pieces lie where they fell. He refused to give up on His creation. So God sent His Son, Jesus, to live and die as a human (Hebrews 2:14-18) so that we could see He was serious about wanting a relationship with us and that we could have a way to restore that relationship. You see, sin broke things so severely that it created a massive rift between God and us. The cracks were too deep to traverse on our own. But when Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He filled in those cracks and made it possible for each of us to have a personal relationship with the loving God who “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
The other day, Caryn came across this incredibly funny meme that highlights what might be going on in a dog's head as they are being walked by a human. Or maybe it's the other way around? We'll let you decide.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Recently Amy Grant was reflecting on her age in the mirror when she decided to write a poem containing her thoughts about the process over the years.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn absolutely loves this time of the year partially because of all the flowers and plants that bloom during this time, especially the dogwood flowers. What's really cool about these flowers is how these flowers remind us of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Recently, Jeremy was at an event helping a homeless ministry and a man asked if he could share a poem with the group. Jeremy at first didn't expect much but after hearing the poem he shared, he found himself very moved by it.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
If you've ever taken dancing lessons, you know that it can be a difficult process learning how to move together with your dance partner. But you come to find out early on that as one person leads, the other person follows. When the person following is trying to learn what the person leading is going to do, the best advice given is that they press in.
Isn't that so true when it comes to our relationship with God? The closer we push in to who God is, the better we will be at following Him.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Bride-to-be Grace Gwaltney was met with a sweet surprise when she ran into Tom Hanks during her pre-wedding photo shoot.
While the Charlotte Hornets came away with a 106-99 win, there was another winner at courtside. The Amway Arena “Kiss Cam” came with a special message for “James” after he kissed his girl. He was going to be a father!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
If you've ever wanted to be on the Price is Right, you are in luck! The show is going on the road and one of it's stops is right here in our backyard.
When it comes to what energizes you, is it alone time or is it time surrounded by people? For Caryn and Jeremy, their answers couldn't be more different.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Jeremy recently looked at what Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's breakfast routine includes and let's just say, it's overwhelming!
Recently, a man found an old tin lunchbox that had a name written inside of it. When he saw the name, he couldn't believe who it belonged to.
Typically in this situation, we would unanimously pick the bear. But in the case of a specific group of pigs and a black bear, the pigs ended up scaring the bear off!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
For many of us, managing our own pets is challenging enough. However, for one man, he welcomes any pet that walks into his door.
As parents, we've all been in a situation where we are walking through the house and we experience the ever-present pain of stepping on a Lego piece. It's an unexplainable type of pain and apparently, there are certain pieces that hurt more than others.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
A father in the Plano area is going viral with his daughter on Tik-Tok after sharing their cheer routines with the world. However, the bond with his daughter goes beyond the routine.
If you remember being a kid at school and being served sloppy joes for lunch, you're going to enjoy this discussion with Caryn, Jeremy, and Jay.
For a lot of us, directions can be an easy thing to navigate but if you're like Caryn, things might be a little more difficult for her to navigate.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
In relationships, it's hard to get people to open up and be honest, but with teenagers, it's even more difficult. Caryn & Jeremy share a moment recently where they were able to get their teenage son Tyler to open up and be honest with them.
If you have a dog or a cat, you are familiar with the cone of shame. A plastic cone that is meant to protect the pet from chewing on their stitches or formulate healthier habits. However, one dog may have found a loophole.
If you've ever stayed at an AirBNB, you know it's a viable alternative to staying in a hotel and can often be way cheaper with more privacy. Unfortunately, you can sometimes forget which house it is you're supposed to stay at.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Being married for 7 years so far, Caryn and Jeremy have learned a thing or two about each other. However, one of the most valuable lessons that Jeremy said he learned was while they were engaged.
UPS driver Sean McCarren started a Facebook group six years ago called "UPS Dogs." The group is dedicated to photos of the dogs (and sometimes cats) that UPS drivers meet on their route. UPS drivers from across the country submit their photos and videos to be featured on the page. Recently, a dog was waiting on a package and surprised a UPS driver as he was delivering packages on his route.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
As a retired elderly man, Mr. Gene struggles with short term memory loss in his old age. Fortunately though, the kids who get dropped off near his house always stop by to say hello to him and bring him the joy he needs every single day, even though he doesn't remember who they are.
Recently, a man was curious as to what his dog was up to when he wasn't at home to watch him. So naturally, he set up a camera and to his surprise, the dog was definitely doing something he was not supposed to!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
The gas station at the corner of 20th Street and Osborn Road in Pheonix, AZ is selling gas for $4.39 a gallon as of Tuesday night.
The station owner Jaswiendre Singh says he is selling it ten cents less a gallon than what he bought it for. “Now's not time to make money. We have a lot of opportunity to make money. Right now, it’s time to help people; that’s it.
Jeremy learned a valuable lesson in church this week that gave him so much relief when it comes to sharing his faith.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn recently learned a cool fact about sheep (lambs) that caused her to reflect on the goodness of God.
Caryn and Jeremy have differing views on the 5-second rule and they got to learn this firsthand yesterday as they were eating dinner.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Did you know that on average, people spend 10 days a year cleaning? That's a lot! When it comes to cleaning, there are some chores that we lean more towards than others. This morning, Caryn and Jeremy share a study that shows what are people's favorite and least favorite chores.
We all have said words in a way that we think sound right but in reality, we may have been saying them wrong our entire lives! Caryn and Jeremy share a few that they've gotten wrong over the years.
Recently, we've come to learn that Jeremy likes to bring chapstick wherever he goes. Now there is certainly nothing wrong with that, but Jeremy might have taken it a bit too far.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Amid a crush of heavy news from around the world, who couldn't use some sage advice right now? Call a new hotline, and you'll get just that — encouraging words from a resilient group of kindergartners.
Social Media is full of interesting pages but sometimes, the things we follow are straight up weird. Caryn and Jeremy share their favorite pages they follow that would fall into that category.
Photographer Josh Rossi transformed children living with diseases and disabilities into Justice League superheroes in order to “make their weaknesses become strengths.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
LA Galaxy midfielder Sacha Kljestan and Charlotte rookie Chris Hegardt swapped jerseys after LA Galaxy's 1-0 win over Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium, 12 years after Klijestan visited Hegardt at a Los Angeles children's hospital.
The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the U.S. hit a new record high of $4.104 this week, surpassing the previous record of $4.103 set in 2008 according to data from GasBuddy. So when is the best time to get gas?
We've all been in a situation where we think there is something wrong with us and then we go to the Internet to try and self-diagnose ourselves. As a result, we usually end up panicking because we think we have something worse than we actually do. Caryn shares about a moment recently where this was her experience.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
A father is being hailed a hero for saving his 18-year-old son from being trampled by a raging bull. When the son found himself in a position where he couldn't get up, the father stepped up and threw his body on him in order to protect him.
Recently, Caryn's mom came into some money that has left her with wondering what she is going to do with it. In that moment, Caryn's mom decided to create a new type of fund in her budget.
A heated Twitter debate revealed some people have taken to hiding their toasters away in a kitchen cupboard when it's not in use in order to free up space. In fact, 23% of people admit to doing so. Apparently this issue has Caryn and Jeremy divided.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Rand Jenkins of Texas Baptist Men is leading the charge in helping Ukrainian refugees in Poland as they seek shelter and safety from the conflict in Ukraine. Rand shares what he has seen so far and what the greatest needs are when it comes to helping these people.
Today, we are doing a Day of Hope at 90.9 KCBI as we encourage all of our listeners every hour to pray for the Ukrainian people and the conflict currently going on in their country.
In addition to dedicating the day to prayer, you will also have an incredible opportunity to provide tangible help to Ukrainian refugees. If you’d like to learn more or even give in advance towards the relief efforts happening in western Ukraine that KCBI is doing with our dear friends from Texas Baptist Men (TBM),
KCBI has committed ten thousand dollars to help. You’re invited to multiply those efforts by partnering with us. You’re needed.
You can give to help here: https://www.kcbi.org/
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Have you ever ordered some food online for delivery and had it come back to you messed up? Well Shay had ordered some food in her new home but forgot to change the address from her old address in a different state. But unbeknownst to her, that mistake proved to be more of a blessing than she realized.
Recently, a study found that people with higher IQ's are those who go to sleep late and sleep in later. For a morning show team that goes to bed at 8pm and wakes up before 4am, this isn't good news.
Just hours after she got married, Kimberly Woods was heading to the hospital to have a heart transplant at the young age of 21 years old.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Caryn & Jeremy talk about how their cat was named after an Arnold Schwarzenegger character named, "Dutch". So we thought we'd ask, did you name your pet after a celebrity or character?
A child ended up teaching his father that giving out of love and sincerity, however big or small the gesture is, never goes unnoticed and can make a world of difference in someone's life.
Even though many of us can often walk into a room and forget what we were doing, old commercial jingles have been seared into our minds over the years. Caryn and Jeremy play a game to see how many commercial jingles they can name from the past.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Recently, Caryn & Jeremy had their son Tyler fly down to Dallas to visit them and as an 18 year old with Autism, the level of difficult with certain tasks can be overwhelming. But when kids with special needs overcome those challenges, you have to celebrate them!
In a cute series of events, two parents were deeply surprised by news that their 5-year-old daughter had been proposed to by another boy in her class!
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Ron Harris, President of MediAlliance International joins the morning show with Caryn & Jeremy to share how we as Christians can pray for the unique needs of the Ukrainian people during this time of great distress and fear.
A Los Angeles highway patrol officer responded to a reported disturbance at a city DMV recently, but soon realized the situation was something else entirely.
Have trouble falling asleep? Jeremy shares his secret that helps him fall asleep even in the midst of the anxious and troubling circumstances we are living in.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
ABC 6 reporter Myles Harris got a special surprise from his mom while he was reporting in the field.
A garbage man in Norwalk, Connecticut, stopped his truck to give a woman down on her luck a much-needed hug. The act of kindness and compassion was captured on film by local deli owners Dave Kuban and Carlos Gonzales which as you guessed it, caused a domino like effect.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
Sadly, the issue of suicide only seems to be getting worse but Caryn shares a story about how one lady's venture of creating bumper stickers actively saved someone's life recently.
A lot of us have been in a situation where we saw two stores next to each other that seem to compliment what each other is doing. Caryn shares a funny instance of this happening recently.
A lot of people may not know this about Jim Carrey but when he was young, his father also had the dream of being a comedian. In an attempt to play it safe, his father ended up becoming an accountant which sadly ended poorly as well. This story was pivotal in Jim's life to pursue a different path.
Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!
This morning, Caryn shares an embarrassing story of a time when she got locked out while housesitting for some friends.
Even though Caryn & Jeremy have never lost their wedding rings, Caryn and Jeremy both share stories of which other couples weren't as fortunate.
Caryn shares a story about a man who got stranded at sea and before it was too late, a seal saved his life. Was it an angel or just an ordinary seal? We'll let you decide.
Caryn & Jeremy will join you each morning beginning at 5:30, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you!
There's a popular saying that says, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." While the intention probably was good in saying this, Caryn and Jeremy couldn't disagree more with this popular saying.
Considering how many "meat" options there are out there in the food world that aren't really meat. The same can be true of Apple Pies!
Caryn & Jeremy play a little game of "Have You Ever?" which led to Jeremy sharing a funny story from his childhood about his mom.
Caryn & Jeremy will join you each morning beginning at 5:30, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you!
Caryn & Jeremy will join you each morning beginning at 5:30, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you!
Caryn & Jeremy will join you each morning beginning at 5:30, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you!
Caryn & Jeremy will join you each morning beginning at 5:30, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you!
Caryn & Jeremy will join you each morning beginning at 5:30, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you!
Caryn & Jeremy will join you each morning beginning at 5:30, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you!
Caryn & Jeremy will join you each morning beginning at 5:30, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you!
Caryn & Jeremy will join you each morning beginning at 5:30, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They’ve been married to each other for seven years, and can’t wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you!
Our concept of "good" or "bad" in terms of what it means for our Christianity has nothing to do with our work, and everything to do with the work that has already been done on the cross. It doesn't mean that our works and our lifestyle don't matter in this life, but they don't provide you salvation from your sins.
So many of us believe that certain things are too late for us to do but it's actually not too late. If you start today, it's not as late as tomorrow is gonna be.
We are all like these broken jars of clay. We each have our own private stories that have shattered us – like so many pronged shards upon the cold concrete floor. The pieces no longer fit together in a unified way. Our vessel no longer works as it was destined to do. We are left with broken hearts, cracked and confused souls. But we can have comfort knowing that's not where our story ends.
Dosh is the free cash back app that finds you money for shopping, dining out, and pumping gas at thousands of merchants and brands nationwide. Start getting paid for doing the things you already do.
One thing is certain: It is not our grip on God that keeps us safe, but the power of Jesus’ grasp. No one can take us out of His grasp — not the devil, not even ourselves. Once we’re in His hands, He will not let go.
Unfortunately, many people think they have to be “good enough” to become a Christian. But that is a contradiction of clear Biblical teaching. Christians aren’t Christians because they are “good.” They are made good by God who continually works in us to make us better.
When life piles up around us and the darkness overcomes, maybe we aren’t being buried. Maybe we are really being planted. Because that’s how we grow.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “I got out of the wrong side of the bed,” when things don’t go well for a person on a given day. Well, today each of us has a chance to frame the kind of day, even week, that we are going to have. And, this occurs mostly in our minds.
Paul even reminds us in Romans 12:2:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will." - Romans 12:2
The degree to which we are able to make changes in our life will be determined by the attitudes that we have. In the above scripture, Paul is telling us that if we change how we look at things in our mind and if we change our thought patterns, then we can change our lives. Not only change our lives – we can transform our lives.
So instead of an "I have to" thought process, begin your day with an "I get to" mentality. Instead of "I have to go to work", say "I get to go to work." Instead of "I have to have a busy day", say "I get to have a busy day."
Whatever it may be, we often dress our opportunities as stress when it reality, they are blessings. When we choose to approach life through a posture of thankfulness and gratitude, we'll begin to see our perspective get uplifted!
When April Stringfield took the keys to her new 3 bedroom house in Virginia, a special bit of history was made.
May we as limited humans understand our need for rest and instead of working until we're burnt out, may we work from our rest. You deserve to live a life that you don't have to escape from.
If you feel unfinished, lopsided, or misshapen today, run to your potter. Trust God's hand in your life and know that He will keep reshaping you more and more into what He wants you to be.
Anxiety isn’t something anyone chooses, but it is something many struggle with. There are many different reasons someone may experience more anxiety than the next person: genetics, how your brain is wired, previous trauma, perfectionism, and many others.
Our sovereign God calls us to trust him. Trusting him means we walk by faith, not by sight. It means we seek him for wisdom to steward the resources and responsibilities he has given us. It means we believe his sovereign wisdom is right and best, even when we can’t make sense of it. It means that when we feel out of control, we choose to rest in his perfect control.
Trust God with His answers to your prayers and pray continually—even when God has said no in the past. We can always know that his priority is always His glory and our good. When we live in light of this, we can trust Him, even when He says no.
The thing we have to always remember is that it's not about the gift itself. It's about the Giver. The good news for you and me is that we can trust God with both.
Being quick to listen actually opens the door to greater communication because listening shows respect, and when people feel respected, they are more likely to return that respect and listen to us. It is important for us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. God’s Word always shows us the best way, and when we follow it, we are blessed. Wisdom begins when we listen more and talk less.
When we read the Bible the way it was designed, we discover a unified story. We’re building a reading journey that equips you with the skills to see the larger story of the Bible, every time you read.
By mercy, we are forgiven and God’s wrath no longer rests upon us. By grace, we have been adopted as sons and daughters of God and we call him “Father.”
Friend, I don't know what obstacle you may be going through today, but I want to challenge you to embrace these trials as God's design to bring you to full maturity in Him. Always remember that God is at work in us, through us, and around us.
Over the past few years, we as a collective human race have been through a lot. 2020 and 2021 have been riddled with pandemic uncertainty, economic tensions, as well as emotional burnout. That's why the idea of New Year's resolutions for so many seems exhausting. To be honest, many of us are simply trying to survive emotionally and if that's you, you're not alone.
This is a whole different type of interactive television, a tasty kind. A prototype of something called Taste the TV, or TTTV, is being tested in Japan. After telling the device what you want to taste, it plays video of the food while it whips up a concoction of liquids to strike just the right flavor balance and then sprays it on the screen to be licked off.
We won’t always know exactly what our purpose is for each day, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have one. When we seek God with all our hearts, we will walk in His purpose. It’s not a magic equation to ensure we follow the right steps to fulfill our purpose, but seeking God will point our hearts in the direction of that purpose.
Our faith is not irrelevant or unimportant, but it should never be the focus of our attention. Our focus is on a great God who can work even when our faith is small.
Considering that many people are taking their vacations around this time of the holidays, we wanted to highlight an app called iExit which tells you what's at upcoming exits when you're on the highway! It utilizes your device's location to determine where you are on the highway, and then displays upcoming exits in real time!
Earlier this year when we got the news that my mother in law had cancer and didn't have much longer to live, we didn't understand the purpose of the chapter of the story we were in. To top it off, when she passed, we definitely didn't understand what was happening.
The same thing happened earlier this year when my wife had to go to the hospital as she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (insulin dependent) at the age of 53.
One thing that I've found to be true is that we're in all a story. The book is being written chapter by chapter and there are moments in those chapters that we just do not understand why they are happening. It's like if we were a character in a book and had the ability to understand what we were going through. Whether we admit it or not, we have all questioned the author and why He is doing what He is doing. Of course, we haven't seen the end of the book yet.
However, maybe that's the situation you find yourself in today. We rarely understand the purpose of our current chapter until we're in the next chapter. But how we live in this chapter determines what occurs in the next. That's kind of a paradox because it's the hardest time to trust in Him. It's the hardest time to take the next step and do the next right thing. But it's also the most important time to do so.
The best news despite that is that God doesn't leave us alone in those times. He doesn't give us the answers necessarily, but He does say I'm going to walk with you through this.
When the promises of God seem powerless to quiet our fears, soothe our grief, lift our worries, or motivate our obedience, we need to do more than simply hear his promises again. We need to behold the God who gives them.
It can be easy in the mundane parts of our lives to forget our significance. Especially in these times, we often forget that continually showing up and being there for people makes more of a difference than we realize.
Whatever you may be feeling, just remember that God is near and desires to be involved in the fears and failures, the loss and laughter. His Word reminds us to feel and to be free from the false kind of faith that negates the weight of raw emotions. Let us continue to seek after God, training our hearts to find rest in the truth, and knowing that God does care about our feelings.
When the Roomba came out, did you think it was the coolest thing in the world? Wait until you see this!
Being compassionate and empathetic with people is not about being right or correcting emotions. It's about entering in a burdensome place with people and choosing to bear it with them to help them through it.
Admit it to yourself – you are not a perfect Christian. No one is perfect, and no one ever will be. You will run into situations where you doubt Christ, where you feel like God isn’t there, or you sin against Him. This is all normal for Christians to go through, and doesn’t make you any less a child of God.
No matter where you are today or what burden you’re carrying, remember God sees you. When he looks at you, it isn’t with disdain or disappointment over the things you’ve done. He sees you with a perfect and holy love we can’t begin to imagine or understand. His work in you isn’t finished yet.
Though the whole world might be quick to say, “Shame on you,” and “You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” but in Christ, God has something entirely different to say.
Often during the weeks leading up to Christmas, we can get so caught up in the practices of shopping and decorating that we forget to reflect and connect one what the holiday is really about. We can be so rushed that we miss the very moments that we've been anticipating all year.
Freeprints understands how important it is to preserve life’s special moments. Having physical photos of your favorite memories means so much more than having them stuck on your phone.
I want you to imagine something real quick:
You have $86,400 in your account and someone stole $10 from you. Would you be upset and throw all of the remaining $86,390 away in hopes of getting back at the person who took your $10? Or move on and live?
We'd move on and live, right?
We may not think about it like this but each morning, the bank (God) will credit your account with 86,400 seconds, which you will be free to spend or invest as you please. But every night, your account will close with a balance of zero. It will carry no balance from day to day, meaning that you must spend or invest the deposit each day or it will be wasted. I think if most of us had such an opportunity, we would manage to find a good use for the $86,400 every day!
Psalm 90:12 reminds us to value the time we've been given when it says:
"So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart."
If you can remember anything today, don't sweat the small stuff. Life is so much bigger than that!
Somewhere in the midst of all of this craziness, remember that you can accept that invitation to rest in God this Christmas. I'm not sure what you have going on stress wise, but if it's burdening you, make sure that you: remember His goodness, express your neediness, seek His stillness, and trust His faithfulness.
Did you know that not all gold is pure gold? A lot of gold has other metals and impurities mixed in with it and in order for it to become pure, the gold has to go through the refining process.
How that works is that a refiner will heat the metal to a really high temperature—roughly around 2,000 degrees. The heat makes all the different metals melt and separate and what's left behind is pure gold. The gold has to go through that extreme heat to come out better than it was before, and sometimes we have to do the same in our lives.
It would be ridiculous to say that there isn’t one person out there who has never had a financial emergency. There might have been people who were more ready for it than others, but at the end of the day, we all run into unexpected expenditures. Whether it’s our cars breaking down on us or a random thing around our house that needs immediate repairs, the idea that we can avoid these moments is unrealistic so it’s best to prepare for them just in case.
This innovative cane includes built-in speakers, voice assistance, Google Maps, a Bluetooth system that makes syncing to other devices possible, and high-end sensors that alert the user through vibrations when above chest level obstacles are within proximity—something a regular cane cannot provide.
If people treated their Bibles like they do their cell phones, this world would be a much, much better place (Psalm 119:11). This isn’t a knock on cell phones, but rather a reminder to spend time with the most important item in our possession. Our Bibles are a precious gift from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Let’s treasure them!
Life doesn’t always turn out the way that we want even when we are accomplishing God’s will for our lives. The pandemic taught us that quite well. We have been wrongly taught that if you obey God he will bless you with what you want. That is not true. God is God. He does what he wants even when we would prefer that he would do something different in our lives.
Apple’s glasses are said to make use of augmented reality, which is the technology that overlays digital images on top of the real world. The company has supported augmented reality on the iPhone for several years, but computerized glasses have the potential to open up even more uses for the technology.
It is truly the most wonderful time of the year and as we close out Thanksgiving and head towards Christmas, we wanted to give you some ideas of some really cool Christmas light displays and events going on in your area of the metroplex!
If you're married or in any relationship for that matter, the sentence "I told you so" is never a productive thing to say.
Saying "I told you so" after someone has suffered the consequences of their foolishness, is usually a blatant "in your face" kind of statement people say in order to lord over another person's failings. Fortunately, this kind of statement is not reflective of the character of God. Do you know why?
God will get us out of situations that we got ourselves into and won't hold it against us. God’s faithfulness is greater than our failure. His love and grace are greater than our sin and lack of trust in His promises. He doesn't hold grudges. He never throws our sin back in our face. He wipes the slate clean. He wipes it clean for one reason which is because Jesus died on the cross and He was raised from the dead.
Also, it's important to remember that God is always right and He knows it. So the idea of telling us "I told you so" provides nothing valuable to Him because He has nothing to prove to us. The God of the Universe doesn't need human affirmation in order to get His point across. God doesn't rub our sins in our noses or remind us of our sins to shame us. He lavishes us with His love and His grace. When we fall, we come to Him in humble confession, accept His forgiveness, and then move forward.
We're reminded that God doesn't condemn us in Romans 8:1-2 when the Apostle Paul says:
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." - Romans 8:1-2
God forgives completely, and we can rest in that. Like Paul, we can "forget what lies behind and strain forward to what lies ahead, we press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13).
If you remember one thing today, know that God is not an "I told you so" type of God.
Let’s face it. Life can be tough. From work to home and everything in between, new worries fly at us every day from every direction. Natural disasters, atrocities of all kind around the world, and an ever increasing atmosphere of conflict here in the United States seem to be front and center in our minds.
Couple these concerns with your own personal fears and insecurities, and you have the perfect recipe for anxiety.
However, we make a mistake when we perceive how God must feel in the midst of all of this conflict. A lot of us suffer from small thoughts about God because in an effort to see him as our friend, we have lost his immensity. In our desire to understand him, we have sought to contain him. Of course, we know that the God of the Bible cannot be contained. He brought order out of chaos and created creation itself. He consulted no committee. He sought no counsel.
In fact, He said in Isaiah 46:9:
“I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me."- Isaiah 46:9
From His perspective, God can see past, present, and future all at once. That should give us great confidence in God. It’s comforting to me that he knows everything that is going to happen in my life. He not only knows about the future, he’s also there in the future. He not only walks with us day by day, he can also walk in our future.
God is already prepared for everything you’re going to face tomorrow, next week, and next month. What the future holds may surprise us, but it doesn’t surprise God. Nothing ever catches him by surprise or makes him say, “Oh, really?”
1 John 3:20 says:
"If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." - 1 John 3:20
What God knows is what God will do. The future is not some kind of freewheeling reality separate from God’s will that he is trying to catch on to and adapt to. He knows the future because he plans the future, and he is never surprised by what he plans.
Rest assured that no matter where you are or what you are going through, it is not a surprise to God.
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A.W. Tozer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Most of us seem to believe that God tolerates us, but we have a hard time believing he is truly glad to be with us.
Think about this idea for a moment. God not only loves you, He likes you! He loves the sound of your laugh, the smile on your face, and being near you. Scripture tells us that we were made to be with God (1 Samuel 12:22), and that he delights in us as we delight in him. (Psalm 147:11) You cannot make God like you less through disobedience. You cannot make God like you more through obedience.
While I know that the word “like” is a much weaker word than “love”, there are countless amounts of people who would agree in a second that God loves them, but who do not for a second believe that God likes them.
So this is your reminder to slow down, stop being so busy, and take time to enjoy today with God and all of His blessings in your life because He actually likes you!
"For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory." - Psalm 147:4
For one, you're probably wondering what AR (Augmented Reality) even is so let me give you a brief overview of what it is:
"A technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user's view of the real world, thus providing a composite view." (Oxford Dictionary)
Sounds like science fiction doesn't it? Basically what these contact lenses do is give the user the ability to not only see clearly, but it also can translate languages in real-time, tag faces and remember people's names for you, as well as highlight facial expressions/non-verbal cues!
Today, we're going to face a lot of things that we would call negative. Things like negative emotions: fear, anger, sadness, etc. A lot of us would call those negative emotions and call it a day. Other times, we might make it our goal today to avoid being angry, avoid being sad, or avoid having fear. But how realistic is that?
Emotions are a part of the human experience so instead of trying to deny a part of our design, let's instead reframe our perspective on these difficult feelings. Instead of looking at them as negative emotions, trying looking at them as difficult. When something is negative, it by definition has no benefit in having contact with it. However, when something is tough, it only makes us stronger as we're reminded that God grows us through trials and tribulations (James 1:2-4, 12).
It can be a difficult emotion to aim towards God in prayer and to one another in confession but it helps to process these when we're finally willing to say:
"I am all in on God. He's my joy. He's my strength, but I still get sad. I still get mad. Sometimes I still get frustrated, but that's okay."
To bring all of that in and take all that in all of the realities that we face every day straight to God and acknowledge that before Him is a sure pathway to true spiritual wholeness and fulfillment in Him.
Many of you may not be familiar with G.K. Chesterton so if you don't, he was prominent Christian author in the early 1900's who is well-known for many works. Also, a fun fact to know about him is that he mentored the late great C.S. Lewis. However, there is a story that involves him that I recently heard that I absolutely had to share with you.
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Christmas shopping on it's own can be a hassle in it's own right but when you add on supply chain issues and labor shortages, it takes on a whole new level of struggle. As most people get ready to approach Christmas shopping as usual this year, there are few things you may want to remember as these unique economic challenges could very well impact your holiday.
Two years after partnering with autonomous vehicle startup Gatik AI to get goods delivered using autonomous vehicles, multinational retail giant Walmart Inc. said it is beginning to use fully driverless trucks to deliver online grocery orders in Arkansas.
Recently, I came across a post on social media by Chad Bird that just stopped me in my tracks and I wanted to share it with you:
Paul is on a roll in Romans 8. He's adding up all the things that can separate you from the love of God in Jesus Christ.
And the total? Nothing, zilch, zero. Not death, not life, not anything in all this vast creation where good and evil coexist.
This is the math of mercy. God's nothing.
But still we continue the list:
What about my deepest, darkest, most shameful act?
What about the years I spat in heaven's face?
What about the terrible things I've done to other people?
What about all the ways I've led others into iniquity?
What about this, what about that?
Write your list. Use up every drop of ink, cover every sheet of paper, go on and on and on with the innumerable screw-ups in your life.
When you've finally finished that exhaustive list of all the things that you think can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus, add them all up. Take that number and multiply it times God's zero.
All your sins x God's zero = zero.
This is the math of mercy. God's nothing. Your everything in Jesus Christ, who is bigger than your sin, more loving than your hate, more faithful than your infidelity.
The phrase “do not be afraid” is mentioned roughly 365 times in the Bible. Countless pastors, authors, and speakers have put that number in their arsenal of quick-witted Christian responses, pulling it out in conversations like a cheap party trick.
“Don’t worry. Just pray.”
This Bob Marley approach to the issue is sadly in line with what a lot of Christians and even some pastors still tell people in the midst of people sharing about fear.
Since the first bite of the forbidden fruit, we’ve often used scripture as a rug, sweeping under it anything and everything we can’t explain, using God’s name in vain, treating it as a manifest destiny barrier between us and the uncomfortable.
But that phrase means something entirely different than what we've been told most of our lives.
Being told "don't be afraid" in terms of a command or "don't worry" is extremely unhelpful because what this saying isn't referring to is getting over an emotion. That's not what it's saying at all.
Rather, this is an invitation to see Jesus even in the midst of that fear and to see that He is with you and for you always.
Something happens if you've got a fear in front of you and then you start to focus on Jesus. Just like with anything else, the more you focus on something, the bigger that object or person gets. So if you focus on Jesus in the midst of your fears, His presence and His love, fear begins to shrink.
In the end, let's put away the guilt instead say, "God, I'm afraid. But I trust in you despite that." As the Scripture says in Psalm 56:3:
"When I'm afraid I'm going to put my trust in you." - Psalm 56:3
Judas’ infamous betrayal of Jesus made him one of the best-known Bible characters of all time. Even people not familiar with the Bible reference him as an example of treacherous behavior. His reputation is even sadder when we consider what the Bible says about his time with Jesus.
However, recently I read something from Pastor Nic Burleson who wrote something very powerful that we often don't consider in this story:
Think about this for a second. Jesus knew. He goes into that room with His disciples. He knows He is going to be betrayed. He knows it is Judas who will turn against him. He knows that He has been sold out for a handful of silver. Stabbed in the back by one He has poured His life into.
Yet, in that room, hours before the death of Jesus, Judas ate too. Jesus fed Judas too. Jesus prayed for Judas too. Jesus washed Judas’ feet too. I struggle to fathom that kind of love. A love that would feed the mouth that deceived you. A love that would wash the treasonous feet of the traitor. A love that could forgive even the vilest of betrayals.
I honestly struggle to comprehend it. And then, suddenly, I realize that I’m Judas. And in that moment, I’m so thankful & altogether overwhelmed that Judas ate too.
Here’s the thing, people don’t come to church on Sunday for us to sit in and quietly judge them.
People come to church because in their deepest, darkest, most painful moments they heard about a man named Jesus that could save their soul and they’d like to know Him.
The saying "the struggle is real" has been around for a very long time and it's kind of a catch all for when things are tough or when we're making a joke about how that really aren't tough seem tough.
Sometimes we were serious when we say it and other times I have to check myself on this. Sometimes the question I have to ask myself is:
Am I in a situation that's tough because I've made it tough?
Of course, I want to immediately remind people that grace is always there for times like this. However, I have found that some situations that I've messed up are straight up the result my fault, not simply a product of misfortune in life. In the case of the Prodigal Son, he was literally wallowing after splurging his inheritance, but he knew that what he was experiencing was his own fault. But then he came home and found mercy and grace from his father.
I want to encourage you today that if you're in a mess that you've made on your own, it's okay. It happens. We all do this at some point. But the first step to get out of it is realizing that we are in fact the one who created this mess.
Elizabeth Elliot once said:
"A whole lot of what we call struggling is simply delayed obedience."
There are so many times in my life where I have been on the fence about something that I didn't want to do, but I knew that God really wanted me to do it. That was the source of my problems because I wasn't following where He was telling me to go; where I knew I needed to go.
Sometimes struggles come along and they get us so we end up having to deal with it. But in other times, we've got to make a choice. We're either going to fight God every step of the way as we seek to do what we want to do with our lives or we're going trust God with a next step and obey him. Even if it's scary, even if it's hard, we know it's the right thing to do. It's the best thing for us. That's the first step we can take on this pathway to peace.
Self-talk is the ongoing conversation we hold with our self in our mind. It includes thoughts about ourselves (“I’m worthless” or “I’m not good at this”) as well as thoughts about our circumstances (“I’ll never get out of this slump” or “This will completely ruin my day”). We all hold these kinds of ongoing conversations with ourselves, and although we might not always be aware of it, these conversations have a significant impact on our mood and our behaviors.
This starts with taking the thoughts we do have and reframing them so that we allow grace for ourselves and have healthy mindsets about challenges. So repeat after me:
If think think this: I can't do this, it's too hard.
Think this instead: I can do this by breaking it down into smaller steps.
If you think this: They are doing better than me, I'm a failure.
Think this instead: I admire their success. What can I learn from them?
If you think this: I hate my body and the way that I look.
Think this instead: My appearance does not define my worth. My body lets me do the things I love.
If you think this: I should be further along in my life by now.
Think this instead: I am on my own journey. What can I do today to move closer to my goals?
If you think this: I'm so stupid. I shouldn't have made that mistake.
Think this instead: I was doing the best I could at the time. What can I do differently in the future?
Long before psychology came around, God said our thoughts determine our feelings and our feelings determine our actions. If we want to change our lives, we have to control the way we think.
In Psalms 42 and 43 (usually associated together), David actually is talking to himself on three separate occasions with the same basic premise. These words were likely written when he was in exile after being banished by the betrayal of his son Absalom. In the context of Psalm 42:5, He is far from home and close to despair so he says to himself:
"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." - Psalm 42:5
2 Corinthians 10:5 is the strategy we are given to have victory in this area as Paul says: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
There isn’t a better thing you can do for your mental health and self-talk than to start believing what God says about you. Always remember that you are valuable, significant, forgivable, and loveable. Let God renew your mind (Romans 12:2) because your life is shaped by your thoughts (Proverbs 4:23).
Remember that as you are talking to yourself that you are talking to somebody made in the image of God. Somebody that God loves so deeply that He died for them. Accept the grace and forgiveness that God has already offered you and start believing that what He says about you is true. After all, you are talking to God's child.
This may be hard to understand but God has already lived your future. He has seen where you are, where you've been, and where you're going.
God is not bound by time. Revelation 1:4 tells us that He has always existed and always will. Some of us mistake the word “eternal” to mean that God will continue into the infinite future. However, thinking like that assumes that God is bound by time: that there is a part of God that has not happened yet; a time that He has not yet experienced. Of course, this is incorrect.
Instead, we know that time is something God created. Because God created time, He is therefore not subjected to it's limitations. Not only that, but everywhere he is present he is fully present. He is not engaged in some cosmic game of Twister, trying to stretch himself between an infinite number of locations. Rather than a small part of him occupying each place he inhabits, all of God is present everywhere, all the time.
Theologians call this his immanence. To put simply, there is no place or time where God is not.
Time doesn't "happen" to God, He happens to time. Because of this encouraging truth, we can take comfort knowing that He has everything under control.
Psalm 139:16 even reminds us that He not only is in the future, but He's in the past as well:
"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Psalm 139:16
Whatever we face in the days to come, may we remember: Fear not the future, God is already there. Even when we can't see what is ahead, we can trust who is already there.
Maybe you can relate to this but sometimes I'll say things to myself out loud in order to actually hear something in my own ears, even if it's my own voice. Usually it's my thoughts, but sometimes vocalizing things that are true helps me never forget God's promises.
Of course when life happens whether that prayer wasn't answered the way you hoped or you were anticipating something and it didn't happen, regardless of your disappointment, always remember that your feelings are not indicative of God's character.
All those things that disappoint and frustrate us often make it super easy to draw conclusions of who God is based on how those circumstances go. In fact, it's almost a natural human tendency that we have to prevent from happening because if we're not careful, we'll begin to think incorrectly about the nature of God.
Often, we need to remind ourselves of how often our feelings have let us down. I'm by no means saying that feelings are not important because they are. Feelings matter a lot because God designed us with emotions. However, they never should run the show because they let us down a lot.
I can attest though that one thing that has never let me down is God's character. It's not always easy to feel it but in those moments, I like to verbalize my trust to go with God's character over my feelings. If there's ever choice put in front of me, I'm choosing God's character every time.
How full is your cup right now? Have you been telling yourself that you’re just fine, because you’re used to (or even addicted to) being busy, productive and perpetually on the edge of exhaustion?
We spend so much time caring for other people that it’s easy to forget that we need to rest as well. When we try to pour out of an empty cup for too long, we’ll find burnout. Truly, we cannot be who God is calling us to be unless we are resting ourselves.
The Bible says in Matthew 11:28-30:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30
Even in the life of Jesus, we see that He took the time to remove Himself from the crowds and His disciples to be alone with the Lord and to pray (Luke 5:16).
God tells us to come to Him, just as we are. We don’t have to be perfect, or feel like we have it all together. If you are tired, if you are worn out, if you feel burned out, let Jesus be your rest. It’s okay to take a moment and just hit pause.
Start today and begin to cultivate the habit of checking how full your cup really is. You might be surprised by how low your reserves have gotten—far better to realize and remedy this now, than later.
In order for us to really love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31), we first have to in fact, love ourselves. This involves making sure that our needs are met. Don't be ashamed of taking care of yourself. After all, you can't pour from an empty cup.
What is your favorite book of the Bible? For me, I probably would have to say either Ecclesiastes or Philippians. Specifically regarding Philippians, I love the message of this letter since one of the main overarching themes is joy.
At the very core of Paul's teaching in this book, Jesus is revealed as the humble servant who meets our every need and therefore, this is our source of joy!
Often we can make the mistake of conflating the terms joy and happiness into meaning the same thing but in reality, there is a big difference between the two. Happiness is about a certain set of circumstances whereas joy is about a certain set of attitudes.
There's nothing wrong with happiness. I'm by no means saying that happiness is bad, just that it's limited and based on the situation entirely. Joy is not.
Philippians 4:4-5 says:
"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon" - Philippians 4:4-5
Something that might interest you about this book was that even though one of the main themes is joy, this book was written when Paul was imprisoned under house arrest. It's such a beautiful reminder that while circumstances seemed dire, his joy remained unharmed because it was rooted in Christ.
If we put our joy in Christ alone, it doesn’t matter what our circumstances are, we will always have joy because Christ is unshakable. At the end of the day, we come to realize that the world didn't give us our joy so therefore it can't take it away. Your circumstance does not determine your joy.
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Recently, I went to the Dermatologist to get an annual check-up at the request of my primary doctor since Skin Cancer is a condition in my family. My grandfather died of melanoma and my mother deals with Psoriasis as well as had one diagnosis of a basil cell carcinoma.
Everything began to look great until the doctor caught sight of a small mole on my back that was discolored so she thought it would be best to get a biopsy of that particular spot to see if it was an area of concern. Of course, as soon as I heard that, my heart dropped as the possibilities began to flood my head as worst-case scenario after worst-case scenario followed suit. My wife and I are having our first child in just a few months. What would happen if I wasn't there for them?
To top it all off, they told me it was going to be 5 business days before I would know anything so naturally, that week was going to be a very hard one to get through emotionally. But despite the mental struggles of thinking about "what if", God really reminded me of what His Word already says in Matthew 6:34:
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:34
I know it sounds stereotypical but it really spoke to me to remember that I really shouldn't stress about what I don't know. A lot of us think of worry as we're preemptively putting a down payment on the worry or stress to come, but in reality that is far from how it works.
Fear doesn't stop death and it definitely doesn't stop worry. It stops life. It stops us from living in the moment and enjoying what we have and who we have. During that week of waiting for the results, I came to realize that worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's worries, it rids today of it's peace.
Lamentations 3:22-24 remind us that:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
God doesn't operate with us like a Costco or Sam's Club membership. He gives us just what we need when we need it. He is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). Tomorrow has enough troubles of it's own so let tomorrow be it's own thing and instead, live in the grace and peace that God gives for you today. They are new every morning.
Also, I'll be happy to update you that the biopsy came back benign and that there was no reason for concern. But I would be remiss to say that I didn't learn a whole lot about God and His love for me during this struggle for my mind.
Today, I want to challenge you to see if there's somebody you can breathe hope into today because I am convinced that everybody has at least one person in our lives that is basically is dying to hear the words:
I still believe in you.
I still believe in the good in you. I still believe that person is going to shine again. You might have given up on yourself, but I haven't.
Right now, there is probably somebody that's coming to your mind in your life for whom that's true. The trajectory of their life is such that it seems as though they've given up hope on themselves and maybe we can be the one person the first person in a while to remind them that you're not going to quit on them. God is definitely not going to quit on them.
Who is it that we can breathe hope into today? That's something we're thinking about something worth praying about.
It would be remiss of me to think that there is anyone in this world that has never had an enemy. Much less, somebody that they have actively rooted against or wished they failed. Sadly, no one has escaped these thoughts and while Jesus has specifically called us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48), what does that look like exactly?
A recent quote from Dorothy Day really has convicted me when she said:
"I only love God as much as I love the person I love the least."
Ouch, right? It's a staunch reminder that the way we love others showcases our love for our God. I'm also reminded that I can't truly say I love God and then go on to hate my brother or sister (1 John 4:20).
Proverbs 24:17 also reminds us specifically:
"Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles," - Proverbs 24:17
In Matthew 22, Jesus outlined the two most important commandments in the Bible which was to love God with all of your heart and then to love your neighbor as yourself. The reason I love this is because I believe it conveys priority in how to accomplish this type of love in our lives. In order for us to love our neighbors and our brothers/sisters, we have to love God. If we try to love these people without loving God first and foremost, we won't love them properly or at all.
If I'm rooting for the demise of a person rather than the demise of a problem, it reveals a lot about the state of my heart because like Dorothy Day says, "I only love God as much as I love the person I love the least." Our goal for loving those around us should always be to love others the way Christ loves us and that includes having the humility to understand that we don't deserve grace anymore than the next person, regardless of the difference of sin.
Truly loving our enemies doesn't simply mean that we don't acknowledge hatred, but it goes a step beyond that to wish for the very best for them. That God's will for their life would be realized and accepted by them. That God would prosper and flourish them as they seek to follow His leading in their life. Whether they are a Christian or not, our hearts should never root against them. It should desire to see them the way that God does.
North Texas isn’t known for its burritos. The region has excellent tacos, but usually when I think of burritos, I think of West Texas. The Permian Basin and El Paso each have their own distinct burrito style—the former is as fat as a dachshund and packed with a daunting number of ingredients, while the latter is smaller and usually has only one filling.
Happily for those of us who don’t live out west, these options are starting to spread to other parts of the state. Some of the best are at Taqueria Los Angeles in Plano. Its burritos are rolled-tortilla gold.
However, there was one more surprise in store, their food is delivered via an autonomous robot cart, a sort of BurritoBot 3000, if you will.
If we've ever been insecure in a relationship, we might find ourselves asking the other person questions like, "Do you still like me?" or "Do you still love me?" However, when it comes to God, we can rest assured that his answer hasn't changed.
When we’ve sinned or disobeyed God, God doesn’t stop loving us, nor does He love us any less. There is nothing you can do to make Jesus stop loving you. There is no sin that can trump God’s love for us. In reality, we can't surprise God because even before we were created, he knew everything we were going to do (both good and bad) and still decided to create you despite all that!
You can lie, you can steal, you can turn your back from Him, and what does He require of you? To love Him and believe in Him. What a life-changing thought!
"But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” - Psalm 86:15
Our sins have been washed away. God knows that we are broken. He knows that we needed saving. He knows the choices we are going to make before we even make them. He would not put us through anything that we could not come back to Him from.
In my life, it has truly been my lowest brought me that much closer to Him. It made me want to do better for Him because He loves me so much. Beyond anything we could ever deserve!
So even though we've given God a million reasons not to love us, none of them have changed His mind. And He never will.
A number of years ago, the Orthodox theologian, Fr. Thomas Hopko, composed 55 maxims as a guide for the Christian life. Although many of them are helpful, here are ten that stood out to me.
Be always with Christ.
Have a short prayer that you constantly repeat when your mind is not occupied with other things.
Be an ordinary person.
Be simple, hidden, quiet and small.
Don’t compare yourself with anyone.
Don’t seek or expect praise or pity from anyone.
Be merciful with yourself and with others.
Have no expectations except to be fiercely tempted to your last breath.
Endure the trial of yourself and your own faults and sins peacefully, serenely, because you know that God’s mercy is greater than your brokenness.
Get help when you need it, without fear and without shame.
While these themselves may not explicitly be stated in Scripture, they certainly are based in biblical values and are super helpful as we learn what it looks like to follow Christ in our everyday lives.
Many of can get caught up in the belief (explicitly or implicitly) that we are supposed to clean ourselves up before God can accept us.
However, Romans 5:8 reminds us that "while we were still sinners Christ died for us." Also, when we read what Scripture says in regards to repentance, we know that we can't take any credit for it. Plus, we have no ability to clean ourselves up which is why God had come down in the first place. The healing and the fixing have to come from outside of us.
Pastor Daniel Dickard puts it beautiful when he says:
"The false gospel says: God will love you if you change. The true gospel says: God will change you because He loves you, so believe in Christ. The former makes you think that God's acceptance is based on meeting certain conditions. The latter affirms that God accepts you because of what Christ has done."
Even repentance on it's own isn't a work you do, but rather a response to what God has done in you and for you. Repentance doesn't start with us. A person can only change their mind about God if God draws them near to Himself (John 6:44)
Repentance isn't something we do to earn salvation, it's an indicator of true and right belief/faith in Jesus in regards to what's He done for our past sin. It is something that God gives and it is only possible because of His grace (Acts 5:31; 11:18). Simply put, no one can repent unless God grants repentance.
Like Jonathan Edwards once said:
"The only thing we contribute to our salvation is the sin that makes it necessary."
As important as salvation is, it is not the goal of the Christian life; it is just the beginning. Salvation restores God’s purpose into your life. Redemption returns you to the purpose for which God created you: to be a bearer of his image and an agent of his kingdom. He did not save you for your purposes; he saved you for his purposes.
There are two types of people that I find when it comes to how we walk movies and TV shows? There are those who love to watch new movies because they love the drama and tension that come with a new storyline. However, there are others, like me, who love to watch the same TV shows and same movies because we find comfort in them. Not just because these movies and TV shows are so great, but because they are predictable.
Have you ever been stressed out at the end of a long day and told yourself, "I don't have the capacity to watch a new show or movie at the moment." There is actually a psychological component that goes hand-in-hand with that as London-based psychologist Lucy Spicer says:
"A lot of anxious thoughts are future-focused and the pandemic brought a significant lack of control over what the future would look like. Given this backdrop, it is unsurprising that we looked for security, familiarity and routine in our everyday lives to gain a sense of control. Sameness and repetition can help reduce anxiety as we can have an existing knowledge of how things are likely to be and, in turn, dial back uncertainty and worry. We can watch what we know over and over again without any surprises, thereby giving us the control and predictability we need in an unpredictable global situation."
With COVID-19 still in our midst, the comfort that many have found in the shows and movies that we know so dearly reveals our inherent human desire for stability and structure.
People do this with books as well because either watching a new show or reading a new book can be stressful. You have to keep up with new characters and a new storyline and frankly, it can be exhausting because you're exerting more emotional energy than you are with something you are already familiar with. With a new story, you have no idea how everything ties up or if every character ends up with a happy ending.
But if you know the ending, there’s none of that stress. Even when things look pretty bad for the characters, you don’t have to worry, because you already know what happens.
Uncertainty is scary. But as Christians, I'm reminded that while uncertainty surrounds us, especially during this pandemic, we still can have the same confidence that we do in watching familiar TV shows and movies. This is because we do in fact know how it all ends.
Revelation 11:15 reminds us:
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever." - Revelation 11:15
Just a few chapters later, Revelation 17:14 details:
"These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful." - Revelation 17:14
In the end, Jesus overcomes. He rights every wrong. He wins the ultimate victory!
So whatever uncertainty we face today, let’s find comfort in remembering that we do know the ending. It's a good one!
Many of us are familiar with Redbox in that we often will see them at the store as we are entering or leaving, but did you know they have an app? Their free app not only includes free live TV, but also free movies as well!
If you are a grace person, you are most concerned about being loved. But if you are a truth person, you are most concerned about being right even it means being unloved. Both of them have their dangers because they both weren't meant to be pursued in isolation from the other. Something is wrong if everyone hates you and something is just as wrong if everyone loves you.
Timothy Keller said it best when he said:
“'Truth' without grace is not really truth and 'grace' without truth is not really grace."
One isn't better than the other, they are equally important as we share the Gospel with everyone.
Jesus came from the Father full of grace and truth. All grace, all truth, all the time. John 1:14 reminds us of this when it said:
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14
However, Jesus didn’t come simply to give us an example of grace and truth. He came to save us in grace and truth. The motivation to be full of grace and truth is not because we need to earn God’s favor, but because being a follower of Jesus Christ means we begin to model the one whom we claim to follow.
Do you remember cassette tapes? One of the nice things about those back in the day was that you could record your own hits on them. Many would keep it by the radio and then press record when they played a song that they like so in a sense, you could make your own recordings.
In the same way that so many of us did that years ago, it works the same when it comes to our consciousness and minds. We got told some things when we were younger that get recorded onto a tape in our heads and sadly, we keep replaying it over and over and over again.
It never occurs to us that we can erase the tape and put something new on it. We just keep playing the old tape over and over again.
Maybe when you were younger, somebody told you that you weren't that smart. Maybe somebody told you that you were unproductive or a slow learner. Maybe somebody called you a quitter.
But here's the deal, we have to look at those comments in light of God coming into the picture. When God gets a hold of us and we really start to trust what He says, His grace starts to infiltrate our lives. As we start to believe in Him more and more deeply, you begin to realize that is not who you are.
You are not what people say about you. You are who God says you are. Ephesians 2:4-7 says this about you:
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:4-7
The parents who can't be pleased, I'm afraid they are as mistaken as anybody can be. God is the one who wrote your story. He puts you in this part and you are there as a work of His art. You are His!
If you're a parent, your advice to your children probably at some point whenever they were at someone's house was either to "treat this house like it is your own" or "leave it better than when you got there".
This reminds me of a recent quote I saw from Marvin J. Ashton saying:
“Be the one who nurtures and builds. Be the one who has an understanding and a forgiving heart one who looks for the best in people. Leave people better than you found them.”
This truly encapsulates a Christian mindset when it comes to our treatment of others not just because the golden rule commands us to "do unto others as you'd have them do unto you" (Matthew 7:12), but because it reveals that more often than not, you have to do for others what you wish others had done for you but didn’t. We go beyond what we feel we deserve and treat others graciously in our approach giving them beyond the expectation of what they feel they deserve when it comes to how we treat them.
I'm reminded of what Hebrews 10:24 says:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”
When life is tough, and the outcome looks bleak, we remember how He has never forgotten nor forsaken His creation. We are to look back and recount how we’ve been blessed, how we’ve been spared, how we’ve been shaped and molded. When you make an active effort to leave people or things better than before, you’ll find that God will shape you more and more into the image of His Son, Jesus. Be the reason that somebody believes in the goodness of God today.
How do we survive the bitterly cold winds of life? When the account has no cash. When the marriage has no joy. When the crib is empty or the grave is occupied. Well Scripture offers a couple of starchy observations.
First, no one gets a free pass. Trouble knocks at the door of us all. Someone needs that reminder. Someone has been led to believe that the Christian life is a yellow-brick road. Consequently, when the inevitable bad stuff happens, the person is forced to face the tough questions about a God who didn’t keep his promises. To which God says, “Well I never made those promises.” God did promise, in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble.”
Troubles come with life. We gain nothing by pretending they don’t. It's not a matter of if we will experience trouble, it's a matter of when we will.
No one gets a free pass, but we can believe this: one way or another, relief and deliverance will come.
Digitization has long reached deep into people’s lives: Family photos are in the cloud. Mom’s recipes are indexed on an app. Breakups can arrive overnight, via text. Now technology is being deployed to try to replicate a human touch, as a growing number of consumers turn to pen-wielding robots that can mimic the loops and patterns of the human hand.
When things don’t go as planned, or we allow our insecurities to creep into the present moment, saying “I’m sorry” can be the easy path out of the awkwardness.
Obviously, it’s important to apologize when you’re in the wrong. But many of us might also be frequently saying sorry for things that aren’t our fault or not even wrong so with that being said, here are a few things that you don't need to feel guilty about doing.
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31
When the Bible says that "God is for us" (Romans 8:31), it isn't making the claim that God is for whatever definition or happiness of fulfillment that we give Him.
The reality is that God is for His own glory. He's God so therefore He has to be! God being for His own glory truly is the best thing for us. We don't invite God onto our side, He invites us to His side (Joshua 5:13-14).
When we come to understand that God is for us, we don't take that as His endorsement of whatever we "feel" is best for us in this life. We understand this truth to be that God knows exactly what we really need and want because we don't have the knowledge or wisdom to truly understand that for ourselves.
Tim Keller described this level of faith and trust well when he said:
"If we knew what God knows, we would ask exactly for what he gives."
At the end of the day, whether we want to submit to what that looks like or not is really up to us.
God's best for us should always be our goal but we must know that it will come with challenges. Sometimes God's best for us requires us to be broken so He can begin to put us back together. C.S. Lewis said it best when he said:
“We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
Speed kills, but in this case, I'm not talking about driving.
My friend, John Piippo, wrote an essay about this very subject when he was reading a journal of higher education that talking about the way that speed in and of itself is seen as this amazing, remarkable thing. However, it actually has a huge downside to it because it affects us negatively in the church.
Our culture is obsessed with speed. The idea that speedy technology would give us more leisure time was an illusion. So many of us are trapped within the prisons of our quick gadgets. Contrary to our expectation, the technologies that were supposed to liberate us now enslave us. Networks that were supposed to unite us now divide us. Technologies that were supposed to save time leave us no time for ourselves.
Social status used to be measured by how little somebody worked, but now it's measured by how busy you are. If you're not constantly connected, you're unimportant. If you unwillingly unplugged to recuperate, play, or even do nothing, you become expendable slacker. The worship of fastness has its own value system.
Good is now understood by words like: individualism, utility, efficiency, productivity, competition, consumption, and speed. As a result, it has repressed values like: community cooperation, generosity, patience, subtlety, deliberation, reflection, slowness. As acceleration accelerates, we find ourselves approaching a meltdown. We've been tricked into worshiping speed. Something that creates an endless desire where there's no need.
There's just something about slower living. It's sometimes easier said than done, but the truth is that certain things in life just shouldn't be microwaved. Sometimes we just have to give it time.
If that's where you are right now and you're feeling a little rushed, a little impatient, ask God for the gift of His presence. This gift will allow us to be present in this moment and to recognize more of Him and less of what's coming next.
What if instead of being on the hunt to catch people doing wrong, we went on the hunt to catch people doing right? What if instead of looking for someone to curse, we started looking for someone to bless? What if instead of naming people according to their worst behaviors and features, we named them according to their best and most God-reflecting ones?
“If you can do anything for him, please have pity on us and help us.” - Mark 9:22
This prayer in Mark 9:22 doesn’t sound courageous or confident. It was the prayer of a desperate parent with a demon-possessed son in need of a miracle.
Most of our prayer lives could use a tune-up. Some prayer lives lack consistency. Others need sincerity. And some honestly wonder if prayer makes a difference. We are tempted to wait to pray until we know how to pray.
Notice that Jesus responded to the man’s prayer. God is more moved by our hurt than our eloquence. Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the one who hears it and not the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.
When did you learn the words—it’s not fair? What deed exposed you to the imbalanced scales of life?
Have you ever prayed the psalmist’s prayer: “O Lord, how long will you look on?” (Psalm 35:17). When did you first ask the prophet’s question: “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?” (Jeremiah 12:1). Why indeed?
God’s answer is direct– Not long! Scripture reveals a somber promise. “For God has set a day when he will judge the world” (Acts 17:31). Every flip of the calendar brings us closer to the day when God will judge all evil. The Judgment Day has been chosen. The hour is marked and the moment reserved. Judgment is not a possibility but a stark reality.
This is God’s promise: He will forever balance the scales of fairness. And because God’s promises are unbreakable our hope is unshakable!
TouchNote is the most thoughtful way to make friends and family smile with your pictures!
So many people think that Christianity is about doing enough good things to outweigh the bad ones, and that as long as you’ve done enough good, you’ll go to heaven when you die. Plenty of (false) religions believe that, but Christianity isn’t one of them.
No matter how hard you try and how many good things you do, you can’t measure up to God’s standard of perfect righteousness. You might be able to control some kinds of behavior, but there’s always going to be something broken on the inside, at the heart level, where only God can touch.
The solution to the broken world begins, continues and ends with nothing but faith in Jesus. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). You can’t fix the flesh. You can’t fix yourself. It’s God’s job to subdue your sinful flesh and empower you to live and thrive in the life of the Spirit.
As you learn to walk in the Spirit, you’ll understand Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 5:21 when he says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!"
You don’t need self-help, you need a Savior.
When asked this question, most will respond with the answer, "Because He died on the cross for my sins" or "because of how He has always delivered me." Before I move forward, I want to say that these are all beautiful answers about God's character and willingness to go above and beyond for His creation. We should have hope in what God has done for us and will do for us, but this is not the basis for our worship.
For instance, how would Christians in the Old Testament respond to this question? If Jesus hadn't died for them yet, what would be their reason for worshipping God? Yes, God delivered them out of Egypt into the Promised Land but their worship was deeper than that. They did in fact have to be reminded consistently that they had be saved and delivered over and over again in the story of the Old Testament, but what was the very root of their worship?
What if we ask Adam and Eve before sin entered mankind (the Fall)? If they didn't need to be saved from sin yet, what was their reason for worshipping God?
So many of us have a relationship with God that is heavily based on what we can do for Him and in exchange, what He can do for us. We'll read our Bibles, memorize and study Scripture, worship every week on Sundays, and give faithfully to our churches in our finances. Now before I go any further, these are all great habits to cultivate in our faith. But if we think that any of these things make God any happier with us, we are not only underselling God's holiness, we are also communicating implicitly that we are not in need of His grace.
All of those things listed are not for God under any stretch of the imagination. They are all for us. These habits all gradually mold us into the image of His son over the course of our lifetimes. We can certainly draw nearer to God, but it's important to remember that God is already as close as He can possibly be to us because He has given us His Spirit in us.
This leads me to why we ultimately worship God. We don't worship Him for what we get out of the deal. We don't worship God for what He does for us or what He has done for us. We worship God because He is God. He is the Creator of the Universe and is completely and totally worthy of all of our worship.
Rest for the soul. Isn’t that what we need?
The story is told about a poor man who lived in Eastern Europe in the early 1900s. He scraped together enough money to buy a third-class ticket on a steamship to New York City. He subsisted for the twelve-day journey on cheese and crackers. On the final day of the voyage, the man stood at the railing beside one of the ship’s stewards. “Why have we not seen you in the dining room?” asked the steward. The traveler explained his lack of money. The steward responded with shock, “Did you not know that three meals a day were included in your ticket? We set you a place every day, but you never came.”
God has set you a place at his table. Avail yourself of every spiritual strength and blessing. Heaven knows, we need the help. And heaven knows, the help is here.
Jesus once went to the house of a little girl who had just died. Mourners were gathered at the door. “’Why are you crying?’ he asked them” (Mark 5:39).
You see, when we see death, we see reason to cry. When Jesus sees death, he sees deliverance. That was too much for the people to take. “They laughed at him” (v. 40). You’re not going to believe what Jesus did next. He threw the mourners out!
You know, God is still busy casting out the critics and silencing the voices that could deter you. Some of his work you’ve seen, most of it you haven’t. Only when you get home will you know how many times he has protected you from mocking voices of unbelief.
He knows you and I are blind. I think that’s one reason he raised the girl from the dead. Not for her sake—she was better off in heaven—but for our sake, to teach us that heaven notices when we trust.
The story of the Prodigal Son is beautiful for several reasons. Not just because it represents God's celebration when one of His children comes back home, but also his unlimited forgiveness no matter how far we stray or walk away.
When you read this story, you find that the Prodigal Son is actually preparing what he is about to say to his father because he doesn't feel worthy to be called his son anymore (Luke 15:18-19). But as the son is walking back, the father spots him from a distance and before the son can even get through half of his prepared speech, the father is calling for a party and for his son to be treated to the highest of royal treatments.
Wanderer, it's time to stop drafting your speech and just come home to your Father in Heaven who loves you no matter how far you've walked away. We are ALWAYS welcomed back home with God, even when we think we’ve strayed too long or made unforgivable mistakes. The world may not always forgive us, but God truly does. He even goes as far as to say that He forgets our sins (Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 43:25).
"I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." - Luke 15:7
I wanted to tell you a short story about a prisoner who was inside of a concentration camp. For one, it's hard for us to even imagine what that must be like, but that's where this this person was. During their time of imprisonment, they carved these words on the wall:
"I believe in the sun, even though it doesn't shine. I believe in love even when it isn't shown. I believe in God, even when He doesn't speak."
What eyes could have seen good in such horror? There is only one answer: eyes that chose to see the unseen. It's like what Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians
“We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever.” - 2 Corinthians 4:18
What eyes could have seen good in such horror? There is only one answer: eyes that chose to see the unseen. What we see will last only a short time, but what we can't see will last forever. Jesus wants us to make a choice. It's a daily choice really to live by the facts that we see around us or to live by faith.
When tragedy strikes, we, are left to choose what we see. We can see either the hurt or the Healer. The choice is ours.
If you’re from a religious background, it’s likely that sometime during your fledgling parenting career you learned this verse, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). It sounds so simple, right? Coaches train athletes. Sergeants train soldiers. And parents? They train sons and daughters.
However, if you look closely at this verse, there is a little Hebrew gem that’s embedded in Proverbs 22:6. As it turns out, this verse is not so much about what we do as parents but what our Father does when he claims our children as his own.
Heinz, the arguable king of ketchup, is about to release what they are billing as their "biggest innovation in sauce since the packet itself": The Heinz Packet Roller, a device specifically designed to extract every last drop of ketchup out of the packet.
The great theologian Francis Schaeffer once said, "Bible-believing Christians should never have the reaction designated by the term shocked."
That quote has always stayed with me as it helps me be intentional not just with my reactions to the world, but also my expectations. If we think about it, the Bible clearly tells us what is wrong with the world. The whole story of Scripture is about how a disease called sin has entered into every human being's life as it draws us away from God.
If we truly understand how detrimental sin is, we should expect this world to be exactly the way that it is.
One of my favorite comedians said it best when he said:
"I've never met a person in my life that I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that they are capable of doing awful things."
When we're watching the news and we see that something terrible has happened or somebody has done something truly horrifying, the reality is that as Christians, we shouldn't be shocked by this. This isn't to say that people don't have a right or even a responsibility to mourn, lament, or grieve as those are key to processing emotions well and ultimately landing at the destination of praise in our faith. But what this does mean is that in certain situations where most people would react in outrage, anger, or anxiety, we as Christians have an opportunity to go above that to display the heart of our Father.
One of my favorite qualities about someone is their ability to react well when situations demand an extreme reaction. It's not that the person is denying the reality of their circumstances, it's their ability to look at in light of what they believe so that they can move forward in a way that shines a lot on God's presence in their lives.
Pastor Rich Villodas put it perfectly when he said:
"In a world torn by rage and anxiety, one of the greatest gifts followers of Jesus are called to offer is a simple, non-anxious presence. Not a presence removed by this reality, but a presence that refuses to be shaped by it."
At the end of the day when the whole world seems to be panicking and people wonder what is going on, we as Christians not only know the answer to that question, but we also know the solution to the problem as well: Jesus.
Christian Ethics Professor David W. Jones put it beautiful when he said:
"When we find ourselves surprised at the decay, trials, and troubles of the world, it may be an indication that we were not viewing the world through a biblical lens."
Let's use our lives as an opportunity to have a humble expectation of the world so that instead of a life characterized by panic and anxiety, we can provide a peaceful presence in the lives of those who may not know God yet.
"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
While the world may look out of control, we worship a God who isn't and it's because of that truth that we can live with peace now knowing what is to come.
I hope that if you're reading this that you never think that your life is just random or a matter of luck. Your life and your value is truly a miracle. Let's look at the math.
In order for you to be born on this Earth, what we all need is:
2 Parents
4 Grandparents
8 Great-Grandparents
16 Great-Great Grandparents
32 Great-Great-Great Grandparents
64 Great-Great-Great-Great Grandparents
And all the way up to the 9th generation of grandparents, you would have a grand total of 2048 grandparents. For you to be born from 12 previous generations, you would need at least 4,000 ancestors over the last 400 years.
So think about this for a moment. How many struggles were those 4,000 people battling? How many difficulties did they face? How many love stories were in there? How many expressions of hope were there for the future? They endured all of them.
Of course, in most cases, they had no idea you were going to be here but you are because they did. It's just a beautiful realization to think about the math of all of this since it takes so many people to bring you to where you are today. Not to mention how amazing it is to think about how God works a plan throughout all of this to make your life what it is today.
Do you want to know the overarching percentage of what chances you are of being born? 1 in 400 trillion! Can you believe that?
Sometimes we're tempted to think that this is all a mistake, yet we don't really see the bigger picture. But when it comes to God, He sees the whole thing.
Make no mistake, you are here because you have a purpose. God loves you and He has you.
First off, we just want to say that your prayers have truly been appreciated during this time. The amount of encouragement that has come in for Doug & his family over the course of the last few weeks has been nothing short of extraordinary. However, sadly, Doug's mother-in-law passed away last week and the funeral happened this week.
While we ultimately know that she is in a better place right now reunited with her Heavenly Father, we continue to ask that you pray for Doug & his family as they mourn and grieve this huge loss.
The Christian rap artist Lecrae Moore once said, "success isn't what you've done compared to others. Success is what you've done compared to what you were made to do.”
I couldn't agree more.
Success is not a zero-sum game. Just because someone is doing very well in their life and succeeding doesn't mean that they are taking that success from me.
Not only does changing this mindset prevent envy, it actually enables us to celebrate with those who do succeed around us while also humbling us to learn from them so that we can achieve results for ourselves. The goal in cultivating this mindset is to have true confidence and contentment in our lives.
We can come to realize that we are on our own journey and that success looks different for everyone. The reality is that confidence isn't going into a room thinking that you're better than everyone else, it's being able to walk into a room and not having to compare yourself to anyone at all.
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In 2004, one of the most popular movies that came out and still remains big to this day is Mean Girls.
If you haven't seen the movie, it's about a girl named Cady Heron who joins a group of popular girls and slowly throughout the movie, she becomes more and more popular until she eventually finds herself in the role of the leader of the group.
While this movie certainly isn't faith-based, it definitely has some theological metaphors that are very apparent and one of those was how we as humans operate in our desires. So many of us fight for status on a daily basis as we seek promotions, increased visibility, and more followers. We want to be respected, affirmed, and validated.
At the end of the movie, the main character, Cady Heron (played by Lindsey Lohan) becomes homecoming queen and as she gets to the stage to accept her award, she experiences this moment of awakening as she sees the honor for how vain it actually is. Out of that realization, she takes the homecoming crown, breaks it up, and starts handing out the pieces to all the girls in the crowd.
As I watched this scene of the movie, my friend Nika brought this up to me that what she did on stage is exactly what Jesus does with us. He has all the status, all the fame, all the honor and glory. He has everything that we're trying to clamor for and instead of clinging to it, He lowered himself to as low as He could possibly go so that He could bring us up with Him and share His inheritance and fellowship that He has with God the Father & God the Holy Spirit.
It's truly a powerful reminder that the thing that we're clamoring for in this life is actually pretty empty. It's all just a plastic crown and really, the best thing we can possibly do is to live with Christ and share that.
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Dear Doug & Jay,
Most of my friends have specified “no gifts” on their invitations for their kids’ birthdays and I always abide by it because: (1) Why say it if you don’t mean it? and (2) If we throw a party for my baby, I will say “no gifts” and 100% mean it.
Yet every time I go to a birthday party where this is specified, I’m one of the only people who hasn’t brought a gift for the kid and I feel terrible.
What are we supposed to do?
I got into a conversation the other day that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. One of my friends and I were talking about Bill Gates and one thing that she said to me was that he has unlimited resources. While Bill Gates is certainly one of the richest people in the world with a net worth of $131 billion, we really can't say that because even that number is finite.
In response to this idea, I actually started thinking about how God indeed does have unlimited resources. Can you imagine how much our lives would change if we lived in that reality on a daily basis? Can you imagine the anxiety just rolling off your shoulders at that point?
Think about it for a second:
God is unlimited in power and strength.
God is unlimited in knowledge.
God is unlimited in ability.
God is unlimited in mercy.
God is unlimited in compassion.
God is unlimited in resources.
God is unlimited in wisdom.
God is unlimited in glory.
God is unlimited in beauty.
God is unlimited in love.
Just know that in light of all this, God will never make a wrong choice for you. There is nothing that God can't do. He will never stop loving you. You cannot make Him not love you. You can't wear Him out. You can't frustrate Him. You can't even make Him angry because He already exhausted every ounce of anger that He had towards humanities' sin on His Son, Jesus.
You and I serve a God who is truly unlimited in all things. That means we are now free to have those limits because we can go to the God who has none. I don't know about you, but that's such a liberating reality.
Do you find yourselves shopping wholesale or in bulk at either Costco or Sam's Club?
It's a pretty awesome way to save money and buy things that you'll undoubtedly need for the future in bulk, but do we treat our relationship with God the same way that we buy our groceries?
Rich Villodas recently tweeted something profound that changed the way I view my daily walk with God:
"Jesus tells us to pray for daily bread, but we’d rather have a Costco relationship with God.
We'd rather have stuff in bulk so as not to come back to God so often. But we can't live without daily dependence.
In the kingdom, daily bread > bread in bulk."
Of course, while handling our grocery shopping in this way might be efficient, this method totally fails when we choose to deal with God in this manner. Often, we want to get stuff from God and get them in reserves so that we don't have to keep coming back so often. But what did Jesus talk about in the Lord's prayer about our daily bread? This isn't just a referral back to the Old Testament when God provided manna (bread from Heaven) to the Israelites as they were traveling through the desert, this is symbolic of daily dependence on our Father in Heaven.
God wants us to have dependence on Him daily because it's better to we don't focus on things too far ahead, but instead trust in the one who is already there. While we here in America certainly love efficiency, it's just not as much of a priority when it comes to God's Kingdom.
Daily bread is much better than trying to get it in bulk. We absolutely have nothing against Costco or Sam's Club, we are just saying that God our Father loves providing for us, taking care of our needs, and being there for us every day, especially multiple times a day. Don't be afraid to keep coming back to Him! It's not efficient according to our standards, but it's the best thing for us.
I'm sure that you've heard that story out of the Bible where Jesus was on trial before the crowd and they were given a choice between two people to set free (Matthew 27:15–26; Mark 15:6–15; Luke 23:18–24; and John 18:40); either Barabbas or Jesus.
Jesus was standing before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who had already declared Jesus innocent of anything worthy of death (Luke 23:15). Pilate knew that Jesus was being railroaded and it was “out of self-interest that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him” (Mark 15:10), so he looked for a way to release Jesus and still keep the peace. Pilate offered the mob a choice: the release of Jesus or the release of Barabbas, a well-known criminal who had been imprisoned “for an insurrection in the city, and for murder” (Luke 23:19).
The release of a Jewish prisoner was customary before the feast of Passover (Mark 15:6). The Roman governor granted clemency to one criminal as an act of goodwill toward the Jews whom he governed. The choice Pilate set before them could not have been more clear-cut: a high-profile killer and rabble-rouser who was unquestionably guilty, or a teacher and miracle-worker who was demonstrably innocent. The crowd chose Barabbas to be released.
Anytime I've heard that story, my first thought was truly how unjust and wretched this was. This crowd wanted Jesus dead so badly that they were willing to free this obviously guilty criminal. But recently I heard a preacher change my mind when it comes to the meaning of that story. As unfair as this trial was and despite the pain and suffering that Jesus had to endure, if Jesus was given the choice, Jesus would have chosen Barabbas as well.
The Scriptures continually remind us that He had His face set towards Jerusalem and that His purpose in coming was to give Himself for you. That's the mercy that He has for us. None of us are better than Barabbas. No one. None of us are getting into Heaven based on our own good track record. It's ALL Jesus' mercy and the grace of our Father in Heaven.
Most of us carry baggage from stuff in our past that is heavy and weighs us down. In fact, for a lot of you, it might still be affecting you today. Whether we know it or not, it is these things that have happened to us that deeply impact the way we view the future as well as the present.
In Canada, fast food chain Wendy’s is trying to entice customers not with a hamburger or fries, but with a company-made smartphone.
When it comes to engaging people, there are certainly many ways to go about it and it's likely that you'll need to try different methods. Meet people where they are and try to bring the church to them instead of trying to get them to step outside of their lives to go to church. When people experience personal value from your church, they’ll keep coming back.
Jen Wilkin recently tweeted saying:
"The antidote to anxiety about the future is not to discern the future, but to remember the past. Instead of straining your gaze forward, look over your shoulder and rehearse God’s faithfulness to you, and to all generations."
What I love about this quote is that this is what the Bible encourages us to do. If you read the entire Old Testament, you'll realize that they would rehearse what God had done for them. They would remember the Exodus, they would remember the Passover, and they would remember that the same God who brought them out of Egyptian slavery, miraculously through the Red Sea, who fed them consistently manna from Heaven during their 40 years of wilderness. As they were wandering for so long, they would also remember the God who always makes sure made sure they had water and who made sure their clothes never wore out.
That is the same God that is with us today and this is also the God who has always been so faithful to watch over you. H is not going to quit on you now.
It doesn't matter what the future is going to bring because God is going to be there with you. If the one who spoke the universe into being has you in His hand, what in the world do we have to fear? Absolutely nothing. So when we are afraid of the future, all we have to do is remember who God has always been in the past because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
There is this looming belief in the young adult crowd (myself included) where you have to aim to be a prodigy within your age group. You desire to impress, exceed expectations, and usurp all of the stereotypes about your generation. We desire for adults who are much older to look at us and think we are a "one in a million wonderkid".
While this indeed does happen for some, we should never accept this as the standard. It's an exception at best and even then, the people who had that massive success at a young age would tell you to seek as much wisdom from older mentors as you can. While the start to their success no doubt had to do with them, most of them would say the maintaining of their success was preserved by those they surrounded themselves with.
If you're in your 20's, 30's, 40's or beyond, let's say this together: life takes time. Building a life takes hard work, patience, endurance, and discipline. Your parents didn't start out with the house they are in. They certainly didn't start in the role they have now. What they have built over the course of their entire lives is an indicator of the work and experience they've accumulated over their life. It's often a temptation for so many of us young people to look at the destination and find a quick way to achieve that without all the work (get rich quick schemes) but the reality is that those methods simply aren't as accurate as they're often communicated.
Achieving what's important in life takes time. Being a good leader, a good parent, having a good career, having the home you've wanted; it all takes experience and wisdom over the course of your life to achieve these milestones. If we don't work for something, how are we supposed to appreciate them for what they are? If we're not careful, we'll lose our contentment for these things and find ourselves chasing the next big thing.
"Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle, but whoever earns it through labor will multiply it." - Proverbs 13:11
Currently, I'm teaching through the book of Philippians at my church and last night as I was gathering my notes together for the lesson, I came across Philippians 1:12 where Paul is saying:
"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel." - Philippians 1:12
In this verse, Paul was sitting in chains, most likely chained to a guard in Rome, in Caesar's household somewhere. Somehow, Paul, being locked up, has actually served to advance the gospel. What I love about this verse is it shows one of the biggest principles of Christianity and that is that our greatest victories often come disguised as defeats. Think about it, you've got Paul on household arrest and he was put there to stop the gospel from spreading. He was put there because he wouldn't stop talking about Jesus and so when people end up hearing about this, the Roman guard knows what's going on. Everyone ends up talking about it because the reality of somebody who used to kill Christians is now advocating for their God to the point of imprisonment is no ordinary story.
Because of this, the news starts to spread which leads more and more people to start believing in Jesus. In fact, if you look at Jesus, the cross looked like His ultimate defeat, but did it not end up being the ultimate victory for all of mankind? When the disciples started to follow Jesus, they thought they were following a military conqueror. They believed He was the promised Jewish Messiah, but they thought that Messiah was going to overthrow Rome and take over to bring about this big, giant political victory. However, that's not what happened. They followed him to His death and then they scattered which gave off the impression that they had been defeated. But it was the biggest victory that humankind has ever known. In fact, the resurrection of Jesus was so monumental that it split the calendar into two parts so now we talk about history before Jesus and after His resurrection.
So I don't know what you're going through today, but I do know this: if your purpose is to glorify God and tell people about Jesus, then all of your defeats can be spun as your victories.
If you haven't heard the announcement by now, I (Rebecca) have taken a role at Dallas Theological Seminary to further my education which gives me the opportunity to eventually join faculty there once I am finished.
Of course, this has been a big process that my husband and I have been praying and thinking about for some time. When it comes to thinking about our future and what this change will do to it, this ultimately helped me realize that we really don't know what the future holds. The best we can ever do is ask the Lord, count the cost, and to make sure that we know what we're walking into so we can move forward in confidence.
Often, we tend to think of God's will has this two-lane highway where one way is the right way and the other way is the wrong way. However, God's will is actually very wide for you because in most cases, there really isn't a wrong way. It's simply left or right and the reality is that we should choose which option honors God the most. God cares a whole lot more about who you are rather than what you do because the primary calling on your life is to glorify God. You can do that washing dishes, driving a big rig, working concessions in a movie theatre; anywhere. We can glorify God wherever we are at.
If you are finding yourself at a crossroads of a really difficult decision, I want you to do everything in your power to make the best decision possible: praying about it, ask people in your inner circle who know you really well and know your history, and then move forward confidently in whatever decision you make. Don't you ever forget that your primary calling in your life isn't to do a specific action or this specific job, it's to glorify God wherever you go.
If you were asked what humility is, what would you say? Many people quote Rick Warren in saying that "humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less." While that's 100% true, there is another side of humility that most people never look at.
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A big announcement is finally here as we at 90.9 KCBI have bittersweet emotions in regards to this news. After 10 years of serving on the air at 90.9 KCBI, our own Rebecca Carrell has decided to take another role at Dallas Theological Seminary where she has been offered the opportunity to continue her education towards a Ph.D. as well as the chance to become faculty once she hits the right educational requirements. If you've known Rebecca at all over the years, you know that this job offer is straight from the LORD as she has desired for a long time to be a Bible teacher and to do it at her favorite school is a dream come true.
Of course, while we're deeply saddened to see Rebecca leave KCBI after a faithful 10 years of serving on the air, we are also very excited to watch what God continues to do in her life during this next chapter. Rebecca's last day at KCBI will be Oct. 15th and we wish her nothing but success as she moves forward in furthering her education and career at Dallas Theological Seminary.
If you know who Corrie Ten Boom was, she was somebody who survived a concentration camp during the Holocaust and has written several books detailing her journey. Her story has also been told in a movie called The Hiding Place which has continued to be a best-seller as a book as well.
She is an incredibly inspirational person so when she says something, I tend to listen to it.
This is what she used to say:
“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.” - Corrie Ten Boom
The way to deal with discouragement and maybe the antidote for that strong disappointment in your life is to go back and read the story of God. This is what God says to you:
"I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me." - Jeremiah 32:27
We've got to hear and remind ourselves of that truth daily. It's not over until God says so. We've got to hear and be reminded that life's mishaps and tragedies are not a reason to give up on hope. We've got to hear that God still is very much in control and maybe even more to that point, He's good. I hope that you can find comfort in that today, friend.
Amazon announced a home robot named Astro during a press event last week.
Astro has a rotating screen on wheels and features animated eyes that can respond to user interaction. The robot can also move from room to room while avoiding obstacles inside the home.
Astro is built on Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant and can perform multiple tasks including recommending TV shows, deliver reminders, and provide updates on Amazon deliveries.
Overcome by a seemingly permanent, debilitating injury to his vocal cords, Duane Miller was forced to give up the life he loved as a pastor and teacher. Then, with breakthrough technology, he was able to begin teaching Sunday School again. But each short session was a grueling ordeal of shouting into a microphone placed on his lips. That was until God miraculously healed him while teaching one Sunday morning, a miracle caught on video/audio!
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I broke my shoulder six weeks ago and have started physiotherapy. I have to do several exercises, several times a day, or I’ll permanently lose my shoulder mobility. The problem is that they are really painful!
How can I motivate myself to do something I just don't want to do? Previous experience tells me willpower isn't enough.
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I am 38 years old and my longest relationship ever was six months. For some reason, I am never attracted to the people who are attracted to me. I keep ending up with men who aren't interested in a commitment.
What's wrong with me? I want so much to be married with kids, but none of my relationships last.
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I’ve noticed that a friend of mine just can't take a compliment. She always responds by changing the subject, deflecting it some other way, or simply remaining silent. For the record, I’ve noticed she does the same thing with others, whether other friends or strangers. She just can’t say “Thank you,” and I find it rude.
Should I bring this up to her? I'm sure others are bothered by this too.
Last week we were fundraising and as a listener supported radio station, that means a couple of times a year we stop down and invite you to be a part of what we're doing. During that time, we like to highlight a lot of the ministry partnerships that we have and one of those is with PreBorn ministries. Because of our work with PreBorn Ministries, a lot of women who have been in crisis pregnancies see an ultrasound image of their unborn child and chose life.
Recently, I got an email from a woman who gave to our fundraiser because she was very passionate about about women seeing those ultrasounds. She told me that 41 years ago, she was in a crisis pregnancy and no one told her that there were other options. Her boyfriend had encouraged her to have the abortion and since no one in her family spoke to her about it, she ended up going through with it. She wrote that if someone would've just talked to her more about her options, she would've done things differently.
She later on wrote that because of that decision, it has been hanging over her for 41 years. During those years, she has been bearing that guilt, shame, and heaviness ever since. But I want you to know that if you also made a similar decision, you are not alone.
Here is something that I have to remind myself of regularly: it is time to forgive "today you" for what "yesterday you" did. Most women who make a choice like that who choose to terminate a pregnancy are in their early 20s. They are alone and afraid and let me tell you, there's something that happens at 26 years old with your brain because your frontal cortex in your brain becomes fully developed at the time in your life. That's the part that considers long-term consequences and so when you're younger than that, you're not really good at making those types of decisions.
I know what you're going through right now feels like forever and it's never gonna change, but I want you to know that it's time to stop punishing yourself for the decisions you made in the past. I want you to take some time today, go back, and forgive "yesterday you" because today you would do things different. "Today you" is a different person. God has chosen to forget your sin (Isaiah 43:25, Psalm 103:12) and loves you and wants to redeem you.
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Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I'm 40 with a wonderful family and fulfilling career. Occasionally I am consumed with regret for past behavior. In middle school, there was a boy who was different (a disability, thick glasses, blue-collar in a neighborhood of professionals). The students were not kind to this boy. Neither was I. I never engaged in any active teasing, but I ignored him as much as possible. We used to "spray for cooties," and every time I had to touch something he had touched, I "sprayed"! I think I felt so out of place myself that I thought if I associated with him at all I would also be targeted.
I deeply regret being such a little horror. Would there be any utility in writing this man a letter to apologize? I see no reason to go into the specifics, except as they apply to me — my own insecurities, etc., led me to be awful.
Is an apology worth attempting, years later? Or does it just bring back painful memories for the recipient while the sender gets relief from the guilt?
Most of us in our journey of understanding prayer often find it hard to come up with the words to say to our Father in Heaven. Either because we're too upset to speak or because we genuinely lack confidence in our ability to communicate our feelings to our Creator.
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I am getting married to a wonderful man. He is thinking of taking my last name. We both come from traditional backgrounds so this seems like a big deal to the world. Not to us as much.
Over the years he's grown much closer to my family than I've grown to his. He is distanced from his family, but not totally alienated, for a variety of reasons. My last name is not going to be carried on, so that's part of our thinking.
If he takes my name, how do we share this news without getting into the reasons? We are also worried his parents will be so offended. The reasons all feel really personal.
Millions of people are victims of identity theft every single year just in the US alone but did you know that there are free things you can do to lower your chances of being a victim? Not to mention, completely eliminate a criminal's ability to affect your financial situation.
Airless tires have been around for a long time on industrial machinery like forklifts and other devices. However, those tires haven’t been available for passenger vehicles until now. Michelin is showing off a new airless tire that relies on rubber “c” shapes underneath the tread in the area where air would normally help the tire maintain pressure. Anyone who’s ever had a flat tire can immediately see the benefit of the Uptis tire; no air means no leaks and no flats.
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I have a good friend that I go to lunch with once a month. Every time, half-way through lunch, she profusely blows her nose. This is a sickening habit to me. When we were at lunch last week, I came really close to leaving the table – and the restaurant.
How do I let her know how rude and disturbing this is to me? Is Big Joe available to meet us for lunch?
Smart toilets aren't a new idea. The Japanese are renowned for having incredible toilets with posterior warming seats, built-in bidets and much more besides. The toilet of the future might go a step further by analyzing your leavings to check to illness.
Imagine how effective such a device could be at helping people catch signs of bowel cancer early on before it becomes a significant problem. It could also alert you to dietary issues or deficiencies that need rectifying to improve your health.
When you think of a ship in the ocean, you think of a small object in relativity to the massive amount of water that surrounds it. But one thing that you might not know is that the boat will not sink unless water gets inside the boat to weigh in down. The reality is that ships don't sink because of the water around the, but rather they sink because of the water that gets in them.
Isaiah 26:3 provides such a great reminder for us during times of trouble when he says:
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." - Isaiah 26:3
Keep your mind on God. When situations present themselves, our thoughts need to return to Christ. We don’t need to let our circumstances guide our behavior. Instead, we should make choices based on our faith, our prayers, and God’s guidance. Once that happens, we can know that we’re putting God in charge instead of giving all the power to the water around us.
Researchers have found that while levels of subjective wellbeing initially rise as free time increases, the trend does not necessarily hold for very high levels of leisure.
“The sweet spot is a moderate amount of free time,” said Dr. Marissa Sharif, a co-author of the study from the University of Pennsylvania. “We found that having too much time was associated with lower subjective wellbeing due to a lacking sense of productivity and purpose.”
After crowdsourcing opinions on which activities would be equated with leisure time and then calculating this time for participants, the team found that while subjective wellbeing rose with the amount of free time up to about two hours, it began to drop once it exceeded five hours.
Of an estimated 176 million American adults who identify as Christian, just 6% or 15 million of them actually hold a biblical worldview, a new study from Arizona Christian University shows.
The study shows, in general, that while a majority of America’s self-identified Christians, including many who identify as evangelical, believe that God is all-powerful, all-knowing and is the Creator of the universe, more than half reject a number of biblical teachings and principles, including the existence of the Holy Spirit.
With that being said, we wanted to provide some resources not only for your kids, but for you to be able to learn about the Holy Spirit and His role that He plays in your life.
The pandemic has clearly thrown the global economy for a loop. While some have been pushed out of work by layoffs, others are quitting of their own volition – so many of them, the trend has been dubbed the “Great Resignation.”
Gallup research from earlier this year found 48% of the American workforce was actively looking to change jobs.
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I own a company and six months ago gave a job to my fiancé's 32-year-old daughter. She is a single mom with son and a baby on the way. Here's my dilemma: she is a terrible employee. I have had to spend hours cleaning up after her and literally doing her job.
How do I handle this? My fiancé tells me every day how much she appreciates me giving her daughter a chance to "turn things all around."
When it comes to the forgiveness of Christ, get used to it. Seriously, just accept it. Just lay back and let it happen to you. The forgiveness of Christ is yours and you are set free.
Somebody within the sound of our voice is struggling to believe that that is really true because they think that God is hanging on to the memories of those sins. That somehow he is holding you hostage because you're hanging on to the memories of those senses. Actually, here's what He says:
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." - Isaiah 43:25
"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our wrongdoings from us." - Psalm 103:12
He has chosen to not remember your sin because they've been buried so deeply with Jesus that they will never be seen or heard from again. Of course, we know they can't be wiped from our memory and yes, our actions on this Earth do merit consequences. However, we still struggle to live with this idea that we're forgiven. It never seems to sink in, but that still doesn't change the reality that you are forgiven.
The gospel is not a one time act. We've got to hear it all the time.
God delights and giving you mercy. Whether you can accept it or not, it's been freely given to you. It's yours!
It's a moment that we've been waiting for going on months and it's finally here! Recently, Jay Allen and his wife Kailey (who is 20 weeks pregnant) got to find out the gender of their baby and now they want to share it with the world.
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
My husband and his best friend have known each other for over 20 years. Here's my dilemma - anytime we entertain, which is often, he and his wife are the last to leave - by several hours. They don't read our social cues, and one time I even just got up and went to bed, and they still stayed until almost 2 in the morning! My husband won't say anything, and I don't want to invite them anymore.
How should I handle this?
There will sometimes be a situation when someone will ask you a question and it will completely shift your way of thinking.
I was driving into work this morning and Colin Smith was on KCBI doing his teaching program, Unlocking The Bible, which you can hear every morning from 4:30am - 5:00 am every weekday. If you're ever up that early, you know him as the Scottish pastor. This morning, he made an interesting statement and then asked a question. Here's what he said:
"The vast majority of parents parent out of fear as opposed to faith. Think about your decisions. Do you live according to fear? Or according to faith? Do you parent according to fear, or according to faith? Do you approach relationships according to fear, or according to faith?"
What would it look like if we so trusted the Lord? That we were really able to live out of the certainty that God is who He says He is? He loves you more than you love you. He really has gone before you and established the grace and the strength that you're going to need at every single juncture.
I've always thought of myself as a really faithful person because I don't struggle in my belief. However, does that mean I am always walking in faith? I don't think so. Especially when it comes to parenting, I've been guilty of making decisions out of fear.
So what does it look like to make decisions out of faith?
You and I have the utmost privilege of living in the certainty of God's sovereignty. Yeah. When it comes to parenting, jobs, or even relationships, God doesn't promise that it's going to work out the way you want it to, but He does promise He's going to be there. If it doesn't work out the way you want it to, He promises that He's enough to satisfy whatever you were trying to fill in His place. When a relationship isn't enough, He promises that He is the one who sees the end from the beginning.
We don't have to knee jerk react over things because we can walk in the certainty that God's got this. I don't think that gives us a pass when it comes to making wise decisions, but I do think that it gives us peace when we approach the unknown.
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Leslie Haskin was standing by her assistant's desk in the World Trade Center when the first plane slammed into her building. She sits down with Rebecca and Liz to talk about the trauma of that day and the God who gave her new life.
DISCLAIMER: Leslie's descriptions of what she saw are honest and, at times, graphic. Please do not listen to this podcast with children nearby or if this could be a trigger for you.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
My best friend's daughter got engaged last year, and as soon as she and her fiancé registered I bought them a very expensive give - several hundred dollars. Well, they broke off the engagement several months ago. Here's my dilemma. They are clearly not getting married, but my friend's daughter has not returned my gift.
How do I approach this? Her mother, my best friend, is devastated, but I want that money back.
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I was at a wedding recently where family members kept coming up to me and asking me why I wasn't married and if I had a boyfriend. I'm a 34-year-old single woman and these relatives hadn't seen me in a few years. I was really uncomfortable with the incessant questioning.
What is a good response when people ask intrusive questions regarding your relationship status?
Our own Jay Allen and his wife Kailey are having a baby this upcoming January and let's just say, we're a little excited around here!
Of course, I know Jay and his wife will be great parents but I wanted to share with them some advice that really changed the way I parented my kids early on, specifically 5 words. These are five words that you should say to your children and you've got to find reasons to mean them so you'll have to find specific things to pick out. But here are the words:
I am proud of you.
Your words to your children have so much power. I think about this all the time that we are made in the image and likeness of God. God creates with his words and we have that same power. Obviously, we can't speak universes into existence so it's not exactly the same type of power, but we do have that same power with our words to create a future for our children.
Let me just tell you what my mother has done in my life. I told her the other day that she's got to stop predicting my future. My mother has told me since I was a little girl that I would work in radio and where am I at right now? A radio station hosting a Morning Show. My mother also told me that I would write books one day. Today, I've written two books and now I've added a Bible study to that. My mother told me that I would teach one day. Now I have the privilege and honor of teaching the Bible at churches all around the area, but also in my home church. I'm actually starting to teach a Bible study through the book of Philippians that I wrote in just a couple of weeks.
At every major juncture in my life, my mother and father have spoken life-giving words into me and my sisters and it has been a gift. If you remember anything today, know that you have all the power to speak life into your child.
Recently, Doug & his wife found out some very tragic news. His mother-in-law, who has fought cancer before and lives in Michigan, just found out that cancer has popped up and needs to be operated on quickly. However, because of the situation with COVID-19, no operating rooms are currently available to take her and right now there are about 100 people in line in front of her to be operated on at the moment.
While we know that these circumstances seem dire and heartbreaking, we believe in God who can do anything (Matthew 19:26). We ask today that you would lift up Doug, his wife, and most of all, his mother-in-law as they navigate this situation and find out next steps.
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
My wife has a habit that totally annoys me. Whenever we go to a restaurant, she always asks for a bite from my plate. I tell her that if she wanted that dish, she should have ordered it. She insists that people share food samples all the time, and I am being selfish. My mother did the same thing to me growing up and I resented it, but I have told my wife about this and she still insists on asking for “a bite.”
How do I handle this?
Do you ever get up on the wrong side of the bed?
This morning for whatever reason, I just got up in the grumpiest of moods. I then went downstairs and my amazing, wonderful loving husband, who usually makes the coffee every night and sets the timer for it forgot to do it for the second day in a row.
So naturally, I got frustrated with that but once I starting feeling anger build up in me, I just began to pray to the Lord that He would change my heart. But just out of curiosity, I did decide to Google some good tips to get you out of that grumpy headspace if you find yourself also waking up on the wrong side of the bed.
- Figure out the source.
The best way to get rid of grumpiness is to drill down to the real reason. It's probably not the little things that are annoying you because it's probably rooted in something like not enough sleep.
- Get in touch with your compassion.
This doesn't just mean compassion toward others, but also compassion towards yourself. If your best friend or the person you love most in the world were sitting in front of you, you would tell them to ease up on themselves if they were having a similar kind of day. So you just need to turn that toward yourself. Everybody gets tired and everybody gets cranky because these are normal parts of being human.
- Gain some perspective.
Most of the things we get mad at are things that we tend to not even remember in a day or two. But more importantly, above all else, remember that God's got you and He loves you.
Traffic in the DFW area is nothing to mess around with, I just thought you should know that in case you forgot. However, here's why I am thinking about DFW traffic more right now than I ever have. It's because I am teaching my 15-year-old daughter how to drive. It's certainly not for the faint of heart and one of the things that I am really trying to work on is to drive defensively.
When you drive defensively, you are anticipating other people's mistakes. For instance, I come to a complete stop at a stop sign because someone else might run that stop sign. I pause before I try to stop when it turns yellow, because I am anticipating that other people might not do the same. I give myself extra time because I am anticipating that there will be traffic and congestion on 635 because there always is.
As I was thinking about this, Jesus and His disciples came to head because Jesus was very deliberate about this. He even warned them as he was getting ready to be crucified when He said:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
In other words, bad things are gonna happen to you. There is no way around it. However, it's not going to be the end of you. This means that when we go through life as we drive or live defensively that we should anticipate that things are not going to go our way. We should expect that hardships are going to come and that things are going to be tough. When we enter into that perspective, these things don't sideline us quite so much and they don't devastate us because our hope isn't in this world. Jesus has already overcome this world so that means our hope is in Him and that's a hope that can never be taken away.
You got hammered at the bar on Saturday but came to church on Sunday. You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.
You’re a drug addict but came to church on Sunday. You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.
You’re divorced and the last church you attended condemned you for it. You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.
You’ve been unfaithful to your spouse but came to church on Sunday. You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.
Here’s the thing, people don’t come to church on Sunday for us to sit in and quietly judge them.
People come to church because in their deepest, darkest, most painful moments they heard about a man named Jesus that could save their soul and they’d like to know Him.
Romans 3:23-24 says:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
There isn’t a person in this world too bad, too broken, too mean, or too damaged for Jesus to save. And He does!
God tends to use messy, broken failures, because that's all he has to work with. So, remember today, when you think you're ready to give up hope in you, God has not.
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Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I have always been so close to my son. He got engaged in the Spring to a girl that doesn't like me. She scarcely makes eye contact with me, but is warm and engaging to everyone else. Now she and her mother are edging me out of all of the wedding planning. Her mother even told me she will pay for the rehearsal dinner.
My son says I'm making a big deal out of nothing. What should I do?
Every morning on our way into work, we think about what we want to share with you because we have a goal: we want to encourage you and let you know that you're loved by your Father in Heaven. We also want you to know that things will be okay.
God's promises aren't dependent on our circumstances. That doesn't mean we can rest in God only when things are going well, it means we can rest in God no matter what happens. I don't know what you have coming your way today, but I do know that the Bible says:
"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance?" - Isaiah 40:12
The answer to that question is God because He has the whole world in His hands. If he's got the whole world in his hands, that means you are in His hands. If you are in his hands, then anything that comes toward you has to get through His hands. If God is a loving and sovereign Father who wants only good for you, you can know that it's going to be okay.
Whether it's a bad diagnosis that you're wrestling with, it's going to be okay. If you're dealing with job loss, it's going to be okay. Regardless of what is going on in our world, it's going to be okay. This isn't true because we say so, but because God has already said so. He has promised that he works all things for the good of those who love Him and whom he has called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) That means if you are in His hands, it's going to be okay.
In Invincible, Dr. Robert Jeffress helps us identify and defeat the mountains that threaten to keep us from experiencing a blessed life. Offering biblical insight and practical tools, Dr. Jeffress shows us how to move from:
· doubt to faith
· guilt to repentance
· anxiety to peace
· discouragement to hope
· fear to courage
· bitterness to forgiveness
· materialism to contentment
· loneliness to companionship
· lust to purity
· grief to acceptance
Such obstacles can seem insurmountable. Yet with God we are invincible. When we put our faith in God and rely on His power, praying according to His will, He will enable us to move the mountains in our lives.
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
My marriage is in trouble. My husband and I have two young children and we both work full-time. I feel like we should both do the housework, and he agrees, but he never does anything. He says he'll clean when the mess bothers him, but it never bothers him. This isn't about a clean house - this is about him refusing to help me and thinking more about himself than me.
I'm angry all the time and I don't know how long I can keep doing this.
I imagine that you have someone you know in Louisiana that's been impacted by Hurricane Ida. One of my closest friends mom's lives in Baton Rouge actually so I spent the weekend just watching The Weather Channel and praying for her safety and protection.
There's so much coming down and maybe you feel like we do where it just seems like every day, there's something else in the news. So much so that we are without words and feel utterly powerful. It's so overwhelming to see the pictures as it's completely flooded. Over a million people right now are without power across the state of Louisiana. Even though there are a number of people from Texas heading over there to help out, we just wanted to pray with you as we encourage everyone to get involved whether that's physically, financially, and of course, prayerfully.
After a year filled with devastating loss, Nika Spaulding, Resident Theologian at St. Jude Oak Cliff and dear friend to Rebecca and Liz sits down to discuss biblical joy in the midst of despair.
To find out more about Nika Spaulding or to contact her, go to https://stjudeoakcliff.org/about/our-staff/
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Bionic eyes have been a mainstay of science fiction for decades, but now real-world research is beginning to catch up with far-sighted storytellers. A raft of technologies is coming to market that restore sight to people with different kinds of vision impairment.
In January 2021, Israeli surgeons implanted the world’s first artificial cornea into a bilaterally blind, 78-year-old man. When his bandages were removed, the patient could read and recognise family members immediately. The implant also fuses naturally to human tissue without the recipient’s body rejecting it.
Likewise in 2020, Belgian scientists developed an artificial iris fitted to smart contact lenses that correct a number of vision disorders. And scientists are even working on wireless brain implants that bypass the eyes altogether.
Researchers at Montash University in Australia are working on trials for a system whereby users wear a pair of glasses fitted with a camera. This sends data directly to the implant, which sits on the surface of the brain and gives the user a rudimentary sense of sight.
If you love watching the Chosen and you've wanted to act, we may just have the perfect opportunity for you! Wherever you are in the country, you can submit a video audition to the show and see if you get the opportunity to be a part of this amazing show about the life of Jesus!
Anyone who has ever done some serious long distance running knows what it means to hit the wall. Personally, I've done the long runs before and I've even made it up to an 18-mile run at one point. I actually come from a long family of runners because my dad has done 10 or 11 marathons over the course of his lifetime. Of course, he's got two shiny new hips and a brand new knee to show for it, but I remember growing up and let me describe what hitting the wall means when you hit that point.
Physically in physiology, what happens is that you have depleted your muscles of glycogen, which is a carbohydrate that your muscles store up. So once you have depleted your body of glycogen, you go into a state of extreme fatigue which would represent the wall. However, it's not just physical, it's mental. The overwhelming desire to quit is incredibly high and simply put, you just don't feel like you can do it. Everything in your body is screaming that you can't do it and yet, if you're running a marathon, you have to keep going.
So a marathon is 26.3 miles and generally, most runners hit the wall somewhere between 18 and 20 miles. Now, when my sisters and I were young, my mom would always take us to watch my dad run these marathons. So we'd get a little pack lunch and we would make signs and we would bring chairs to set up camp right at the 19 mile mark. Why? Because that is exactly where my dad would always hit the wall. When our body and our brain betray us, the encouragement of the crowd carries us forward.
Of course, I hope you know that I'm not really talking about running. I know that as you're reading this, maybe you feel like you have hit that wall whether that's spiritual, physical, mental, or even emotional. Not only is your body exhausted, but your brain just wants to quit.
All I can is in that moment, will you please reach out? Will you please talk to someone? Will you please reach out to people who love you? We were never meant to run this race alone. We were always designed to run this life as a part of the community.
It is devastating news to hear about a number of our service members and even more Afghans have been lost in just this awful, tragic attack. As we were watching the news come in, the consensus among all of us as we were talking was that we just have to keep pointing people back to God, just have to keep talking to God about the situation.
Especially in these moments where it seems like the world is falling apart, it's comforting to remember that 70% of the Psalms in the Bible are Psalms of Lament, which means they are crying out to God because the Psalmist is angry. He's frightened and doesn't understand why it appears as though God won't act, when there's so much hurt, so much heartache, and so much violence.
"How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”
lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me." - Psalm 13
The reason I'm grateful that those psalms are included (like the one above) is because it means that God not only allows our grief, frustration and anger, but He welcomes it. He communicates to us that we cannot do this on our own. We bring it to Him and let Him minister to us. So with that being said, here is a prayer we can utter to our Father in Heaven today as we pray for the situation in Afghanistan:
Heavenly Father, we love you so much God and we groan, we cry, and we ask how long? How long Oh, Lord, will you let the earth crumble around us? How long? But Lord, we remember that you are the God who speaks order into chaos. You spoke order into chaos at the creation and you have never stopped. So we thank you that we know that even when it appears as though nothing is happening, your Spirit is always working. Lord, we ask that your glory would be evident amidst this chaos and that you would speak order into the chaos of our world, but also the chaos of our minds. Lord Jesus, for so many who are grieving amongst all this reckoning as well as the unexpected tragic losses we've seen. May you be the Prince of Peace in a very real way, Lord. For our world at this time, be the true Peacemaker. Be the one who's come to make all things new to restore broken things. Your death on the cross was the ultimate sowing of peace. It happened. It's coming. Because of you, terror is terrified. Because of you, one day there's going to be no more terror or tears, no more brokenness, no more heartaches. No more war or even evil. Until that day, Father God give us all mercy, grace, and the peace that we need for this day and we pray with joy and hope.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Dear Doug and Rebecca,
I recently changed jobs to take on a role with more potential for advancement. I was hired to be a project manager, but it seems like the majority of my day is spent doing things like making coffee, stocking the breakroom, and running little errands for my boss. They pay me well, but I feel like this is insulting and not what I was hired to do.
Should I say something? How can I get my boss to take me seriously?
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I am a proud grandmother of four beautiful kids. My husband's sister, we'll call her Jane, never married and has no children. Here's my issue: Jane tells our grandkids to call her "Grandma Jane," and it drives me crazy. She has always acted passive-aggressively toward me and I know she does this to get under my skin.
How can I handle this? She's not a grandma.
I have so many friends who are going through such difficult times at this moment.
I'm gonna quote Beth Moore when she says:
"If it's not one thing, it's two. If it's not two things, it's ten."
There's a guy named James in the Bible, who was the half brother of Jesus, and he wrote a letter encouraging fellow Christians to take joy in their trials, difficulties, and hard things they go through. This is specifically what he says:
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:2-4
In other words, it makes you stronger. Currently, I'm in my fifth semester of Greek at Dallas Theological Seminary and one thing that I really enjoy doing is looking at the Greek words to deepen my understanding of the translations. When you get down to the nitty gritty of our faith, there are multiple places in the Bible that remind us that faith is a gift from God. Faith is a gift that God gives us, it's not something that we conjure up on our own.
So when we go through tough times and that tests our faith, we have to ask what God is up to here. When we are in these periods that are just so difficult, God's not sitting there in a referee shirt with a whistle around his neck watching to grade our faith. God's not allowing this so that we can prove to him that we're faithful. God allows this so that He can prove to us that He's faithful. The more difficulties we go through, the more we see God's provision and His faithfulness at work in our lives, what ends up happening is that we get stronger and grow in endurance.
But what is endurance? It's the ability to keep going, to not quit. So if you're going through something really difficult right now, I want you to take a deep breath and ask the Lord to show you that He's faithful.
I think worry is something that all of us have in common. At least I wrestle with it, but maybe you don't. Or maybe you're like me, it's a lifelong struggle.
However, a new realization has dawned on me in 2021 thanks to some things that I've been reading, thinking, and praying about is that I am starting to call my worry now by a different name: a lack of patience.
What patience is at the core is the willingness to suffer. Worry for me is proving to be the unwillingness to suffer. As we know patience is a fruit of the Spirit and it means long suffering; or more accurately put, the willingness to suffer. It's described as a direct result of hope because they go together. With hope being anchored in the knowledge of Christ, you can look at your Bible and read Romans 5-8 to see it all there.
However, you start to realize something that if we're willing to endure whatever the inconvenience is, whatever the frustration is, whatever the suffering thing is, if we're willing to ask God to help us with that, we begin to develop a willingness to go through it. Once that attitude sets it, the lack of patience starts to dissipate.
One of the things that helps me is to remember that while we might find temporary comforts and temporary solutions in the here and now, we're really not a people of the here and now. Our hope is not in the here and now, our hope is in the future. Our hope has always been in eternal life with Christ. So the next time you are going through a moment of worry, ask yourself this:
Is this a lack of patience?
If so, ask God for the grace to handle the situation because he always gives grace to those who want it.
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
My husband and I have four kids and a couple weeks ago we dropped the youngest off at college. Now it seems like my wife and I have nothing in common. I feel like I don't even know her. We sit there awkwardly at dinner, making small talk and I hate it.
How can I fix this? I don't think I love her anymore.
I recently got an email that had this statement:
"I don't want to be angry with God anymore. How do I do that?"
This was actually a response to what I had posted recently and essentially, my post was about loving God and loving God's Word. This is what she said in response:
"How do I become equipped to love the Bible? I want to but I don't, I don't want to be angry with God. I don't know how to get there. I want to experience peace and joy in my life again."
I don't know about you but I'm fairly willing to bet that you or someone you know is in that place right now. What I love about her email is that it's so beautifully honest. Who are we trying to kid here? God already knows what we're going through and how we feel about it.
This was my response to her: God rejoices when we come to him with our broken pieces. Here's a really good prayer to pray when we feel like this because we all go through this. God, I'm so angry with you, but I don't want to be so please help me find peace. I don't want to read the Bible, but I want to want to please help me want to read the Bible. I have no joy, God, but your word promises me that when I spend time with you, you give me joy. Show me how to do this. I want to love you more God and I know that I'm supposed to, but I'm broken. So help me to love you like I should.
I think that we refrain from praying that way because we think God will be angry, but here's the deal when it comes to God. He knows our brokenness. He knows the depths of our heart. He sees the hurts we can't remember that cause the behavior that we can't explain. We're not always going to feel God working in our lives but I can assure that He still is. So have that faith and trust that it's true, even if you're not feeling it today.
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Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I am getting married in March and this is a second marriage for both of us. My fiancé's daughter is always going to her dad to bail her out. She has a good job and drives a very expensive car. I am certain she is taking advantage of my soon-to-be husband. This scares me, because I want to retire comfortably in 10 or 15 years.
How would you handle this?
Have you ever been so down that you don't even know how to pray? Recently, I've been texting back and forth with a friend of mine who has just had the worst year ever. Her mother just passed away last week after being hospitalized for COVID. The last exchange we had, she said that she doesn't even know how to pray right now. Of course, I've been praying for her and I'm praying for you if you are in that situation as well.
But as I was lifting up my friend in prayer, I felt the Lord saying, "when you can't pray, you can still proclaim and there's so much power in God's word." There is so much power in proclaiming who God is. If you're in that situation today, I want to proclaim this over you. If you look in Isaiah 40, verses 10 and 11, say this:
"See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." - Isaiah 40:10-11
If you read further along, verses 29-31 say:
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:29-31
Part of the reason I think we even have those passages and the Psalms is so that when we can't pray, we can still proclaim. So if you're just feeling so weary that you literally can't even pray today, I want you to remember that God's doing all the verbs. He's doing the work. He's the one that is bringing the life to the situation. Lean on Him.
The nation has watched in horror as the Afghanistan government has collapsed under the Taliban regime. Dr. Samira Page, who fled Iran in the '80s, sits down for an honest conversation on the Afghanistan crisis and how we can pray and help.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
It is with great excitement that 90.9 KCBI announces Doug Hannah as the new co-host for the Morning Show! Doug has been a crucial member of the KCBI team for years and we couldn't be more excited about how God will work through Doug & Rebecca every morning as they talk about what matters in life the most.
Make sure that you join them every weekday morning from 5:30 am - 8:30 am on 90.9 KCBI and on the free KCBI app!
Dear Doug & Rebecca,
I am fed up with people. In every relationship I have, I end up being a doormat. I give and give, and then go on social media and see that my friends have gotten together without me.
What am I doing wrong? I am sick and tired of being used.
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Dear Rebecca and Jay,
I am a single woman in my mid 30s and I have no children of my own. I have a brother and a sister and I absolutely love my nieces and nephews--they're the light of my life. My dilemma is that my brother is a terrible human being. He has bullied me my whole life and he is still at it. He does it to his wife, too - none of us know why she has stayed with him. My sister doesn't even talk to him anymore. I can't do that - I want so much to be in my nieces and nephews lives.
What can I do to make my visits to his house less painful?
I have to give some major props to my husband Mike. He loves puzzles and can sit and do them for hours. One of the reasons he's such a good problem solver is because problems to him are just big real life puzzles. Over the summer, we had nearly everything break including our pool pump and leaf blower. But you know what he did? He fixed the pool pump and every time the leaf blower broke, Mike would always repair it.
However, we got to a point with the leaf blower to where he could no longer fix it since it was beyond repair. It reminds me of the fact that there are some things in life that get so broken where the only logical solution is to get a new one. Knowing who God is, we know that He specializes in making all things new.
As I look around our world right now: the wildfires in California, the hurricane that's bearing down towards Florida, the storms that are pummeling the east, Afghanistan, Haiti, etc. We don't need better, we need new. Revelation 21:5-7 says:
"He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children."
He's making all things new: your broken heart, your broken relationships, our broken world. He's making all things new.
Understanding the Exodus is key to understanding the Bible. The Exodus meant to Israel what the cross means to Christians. Jen Wilkin sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss God's deliverance of the Jews and what it means for you and me today.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
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Dear Rebecca and Jay,
I have been a part of my church's small group for almost 5 years. We have some newer members who now lead the group. These new members are gossips, politically obsessed and frequently criticize anyone who thinks differently than they do.
I have spoken up within the group about this and how I know it's wrong, but nothing changes. Should I leave the group for a new one or keep trying to address the un-Christlike behavior. What would you do if it were you?
Do you ever wonder how prayer works? If we're being honest there, it can be confusing because there are scriptures where it makes it seem like God is going to give us what we asked for. Then we know from our life experience, that this certainly not the case. So as we're looking at the events of the world and as we are praying for our city, our nation, and the world and for ourselves and our families, I want you to think about something.
Tim Keller, a pastor and an author, once said:
“God will either give us what we ask or give us what we would have asked if we knew everything he knows.”
So what I want you to do for just a second is I want you to look around, where are you? Are you in the bathroom getting ready? Are you in your car? In the space that you're in, imagine that space contains all the knowledge there is to know; every ounce of knowledge is in the space where you are. Now, imagine that the head of a pen is the size of all the knowledge that you'll ever have. Knowing that in your space, God has all the knowledge there is to know and all the knowledge you and I will ever have fits on the head of that pen, what are you going to ask for? Who are you going to trust? You're not going to trust yourself because there's so much more to see.
One of the things that we get to rest in is God's sovereignty. He knows all the knowledge because he possesses it all. He has all the wisdom and He sees everything there is to see: past, present, and future. You and I can see exactly what's in front of us and even our memories can get a bit foggy, but God sees it all. He takes everything into account and He always does what is best for you. So if God works all things for our good and good means becoming more like Christ, we can know that not only is everything going to be okay, but someday we'll see that everything is going to be worth it because if we knew what God knows, we would ask for exactly what he gives.
Dear Rebecca and Jay,
I have been at my job for over fifteen years. We had management turnover three years ago and since then, the environment has become more and more toxic. I want to leave and I have a good opportunity to do so. Here is my dilemma. If I turn in my resignation, my manager will let my team go, as well. One of the members on my team has a daughter undergoing cancer treatment and needs insurance.
I don't know what to do. The stress of my job is literally killing me and my wife wants me to quit.
Something cool that you may not know is that you and I are actually wired for praise and worship. When you put together all of the commands in the Bible to rejoice and be glad, to sing, give praise, to be glad in the Lord, we come to realize that to praise and be joyful is the most common and repeated command in the Bible. I just I love the way God has done this.
Did you know that the longest book in the Bible is the book of Psalms which essentially is the song book of ancient Israel. It's a book of songs about praise to the Lord, some of them are laments, but every single lament Psalm in the Bible ends except for one ends with praise.
When we sing and when we praise, something happens in our brain because we release dopamine, which is the happy chemical, and then we also receive release oxytocin, which is the hormone that calms you down. So God has perfectly wired us so that our deepest joy, our greatest sense of well being comes in praising him.
Psalm 100:1-5 even says:
"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."
I just love that God has created us so that our deepest joy comes through praising him and that the more we praise, the more we worship, the more we sing, it all does the same thing. It creates new pathways in our brain that actually turn us into happier people.
We have all seen on the news the things going on in our world right now and to be honest, I can scarcely watch it. How do you find the words to describe the tragedy going on in Afghanistan? It's just awful. Then to top it off, another earthquake recently happened in Haiti, which was even stronger than the last one has set them back even more considering they are still recovering from the last one that happened years ago.
It seems like everywhere we look, things are just falling apart. When I come up against these times in life, I don't have anywhere else to turn other than Scripture. As I was lifting up these two tragedies in prayer, I was constantly reminded of God's promises.
The human brain is remarkably malleable. It can be shaped very much like a ball of Play-Doh, just with a bit more time and effort.
Within the last 20 years, thanks to rapid development in the spheres of brain imaging and neuroscience, we can now say for sure that the brain is capable of re-engineering. In fact, you could say that we can facilitate these changes.
In many ways, neuroplasticity – an umbrella term describing the lasting change to the brain throughout a person’s life – is a beautiful thing.
We can change our brain for the positive, so we don’t have to feel “stuck”. We can increase our intelligence (our “I.Q.”). And, we can learn new, life-changing skills. In some instances, a person can recover from brain damage. Finally, we can choose to become more emotionally intelligent by “unlearning” harmful behaviors, beliefs, and habits.
But, there’s another side of the coin, we can redesign our brain for the worse! Fortunately, thanks to our ability to unlearn harmful behaviors, beliefs, and habits, we can right the ship again!
Negative habits change your brain for the worse. Positive practices change your brain for the better. Negative people are almost always complainers without fail. Worse, complainers are not satisfied in keeping their thoughts and feelings to themselves; instead, they’ll seek out some unwilling participant and vent.
Of course, we all complain from time-to-time. In fact, researchers from Clemson University empirically demonstrated that everyone grumbles on occasion. Some just do so much more often than others.
So Is The Brain To Blame?
The answer is (mostly) “Yes.” You see, most negative people don’t want to feel this way. Who truly would? Truth be told, it may not consciously be their fault.
Harmful behaviors such as complaining, if allowed to loop within the brain continually, will inevitably alter thought processes. Altered thoughts lead to altered beliefs, which leads to a change in behavior.
Additionally, our brain possesses something called the negativity bias. In simple terms, negativity bias is the brain’s tendency to focus more on adverse circumstances than positive.
Repetition is the mother of all learning. When we repeatedly focus on the negative by complaining, we’re firing and re-firing the neurons responsible for the negativity bias.
We’re creating our negative behavior through repetition.
It’s not possible to be “happy-go-lucky” all of the time – and we shouldn’t try. It’s crucial to process feelings naturally as they come in. We should, however, take concrete steps to counteract negative thinking.
Research has repeatedly shown that positive affirmations, prayer, and mindfulness are perhaps the most powerful tools for combating negativity.
Isn't it also funny when science catches up with the Bible? Paul in Philippians 4:8 tells us to:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
We're definitely not suggesting that life won't have negative moments and we certainly not telling you that every situation has a silver lining because they don't. Sometimes we're called to mourn and weep and that's totally fine. What this is suggesting is that our default setting should always be on positive side of things as we live in light of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Think about what's true about God and what He promises us and watch your brain revert to positive thought patterns and healthy thinking over time.
Dear Rebecca and Jay,
My friend lost her job last March with COVID and started receiving food from a food bank. Three months ago, she got a job that pays better than her previous one. But she is still going to food banks using old documentation that says she is unemployed.
I know so many people who need that food - what should I do? I feel like she is stealing because she doesn't want to buy her own groceries.
It's not just medicine that 3D printing could benefit. The latest printing technique could be used to print food, ridding the world of food insecurity. According to the experts, the technology massively decreases food waste, cuts costs and streamline supply chains.
At any given moment, we are both influencing others and being influenced by the people and institutions around us. Kate Downing, minister to girls at Battle Creek Church in Oklahoma City, sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss how we can wield influence wisely and guard the things that influence us.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Dear Rebecca and Jay,
I am the youngest of four, and my parents – both in their 90’s – just updated their will. My two sisters and I have great jobs and wonderful families. Our oldest brother has caused my parents nothing but heartache. He’s been in and out of rehab and lived with them most of his life. He’s stolen from them and made their lives miserable. My parents are by no means wealthy, so there is not much of an inheritance, other than their house. They informed me and my two sisters that the house will go to our oldest brother, because they don’t want him to be homeless. I am furious.
My mom and dad are going to continue to enable our brother even after they die. What should I do?
In the beginning, God tasked Adam and Eve to “fill the earth and the subdue it”—bring the order and glory of the garden to the chaos of the wilderness outside. In other words, as my friend Chad Bird says, “to expand the sanctuary of God until it eventually covered the entire earth” (The Christ Key, 118).
Our hearts crave sanctuary because God created us for sanctuary. But not just any sanctuary; His sanctuary. The beauty we enjoy on earth, the sanctuaries we create on earth, are but a foreshadow, a glimpse, a whisper of what we will experience when Christ returns to usher in the new heavens and the new earth.
Dear Rebecca and Jay,
I'll try to keep it short. My grown daughter has been seriously dating someone for nine months. We finally met him, and he is the son of my long-term college boyfriend. I almost married him. I have no idea how to handle this. The relationship was toxic, and I needed counseling to move on.
What do I do? I can't say anything to my daughter, and I don't want to talk to my husband about it.
Once upon a time when you asked someone how they were doing, the typical answer was fine. Today, the typical answer is usually tired or busy. We are a pack of tired and worn out people who carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Especially in a year like this and especially with the virus and this continuing pandemic with no end in sight. What I've seen in my heart and yours is that we are just a people who are worn out.
Recently, I had a little bit of time off and I was just doing some reading. As I was in Matthew's Gospel, there are a couple of verses that have always been a comfort to me. Jesus was addressing the crowds when he said:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30
One thing that's funny is that I've been taking Greek at Dallas Theological Seminary and as I'm about to start my fifth semester, I came across the verb that the Bible scholars have translated to "give you rest". It can also be translated to "I will revive you." I don't know about you, but that resonates with me right now. Have you ever been there where you're not just weary, but you are nearly empty. Not just burdened, but broken.
Sometimes I think we need more than rest, we need resuscitation. We need reviving, renewal, and regeneration and Jesus offers that. He offers that to you if you're tired, weary or worn out. If you're burdened, broken, and if you feel beaten down by life, the same God who breathed the breath of life into Adam can breathe the breath of new life into you. He can restore your soul. He can restart your heart.
Dear Rebecca and Jay,
I have worked at my job for a year and I love it. I also do some handiwork as a side hustle. My boss has asked me to do several small jobs for him, which I was happy to do. Here's the problem. My boss has never offered to pay me, and these requests are starting to come a little more frequently. This takes time away from my family.
How do I handle this? I can't afford to lose my job, but I also can't afford to do things for free.
The Grand Prairie Cobra has been on the loose now for over a week and with no end in sight, people are beginning to have fun at the snake's expense. With people marking themselves safe from the snake on Facebook all the way to a Twitter page being created on it's behalf, it's no secret why this story has become so popular around the nation.
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Here's my dilemma. At work we clock in on our computers and we are supposed to work 9 hours and clock out for an hour to go for lunch. However, the company does allow for some overtime of up to 2.5 hours a week. I've noticed recently that a co-worker has been going to pick up lunch and then comes back before clocking out for lunch. When he gets back he will clock out for only 30 mins and finish an hour long lunch in the building, essentially giving himself a 1 hour and 30 min break which gives him 30 mins of overtime a day. That is cheating the company out of paying overtime when they don't need to.
Should I mention this to the management? If so, how do I go about this?
We've started a new segment on the morning show in light of our own Jay Allen announcing last month that his wife, Kailey, and him are having their first baby in January of 2022! So with that being said, we just wanted to give you an update on where they are at in the process and how the baby is doing!
Here's my dilemma. I coach a flag football team for nine-year-old's and last season we won the championship. Because of league rules, I can only keep five of the players on my roster, then the league decides where everyone else goes. Every parent on the team wants me to keep their kid--including our team sponsor, who paid for everyone's team shirts and socks. But his kid is a terrible player.
How do I handle choosing who stays on the team? I have to turn in my list on Friday.
In the near future, 3D printing is set to revolutionize organ transplants and prosthetics.
In 2019, researchers at Israel's Tel Aviv University created the world's first 3D-printed heart using a patient's own cells and other biological materials, eliminating the risk of implant rejection.
Scientists have also developed 3D-printed corneas, bone matrices and cartilage derived from stem cells, as well as 3D-printed skin cells. There are always new developments in this exciting field, and 3D printing is also being implemented to create increasingly realistic models of organs for training purposes.
We constantly hear about what you should put on your resume, but we rarely talk about what to leave off.
If you want to write a resume that says “Hire me,” then every word, number, line and achievement must be carefully considered. So let’s hit the backspace button on 3 commonly overlooked things you should remove from your resume ASAP — and why.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
Our close friends, that we have spent every Thanksgiving with for the past 10+ years, recently let us know that because we have differing opinions on many topics, that they can’t in “good conscience” enjoy a thanksgiving meal with us. Our relationship with them is so important to us, and we are devastated.
Any advice is welcome. Please help!
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Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My best friend and I are pregnant at the same time! She is a few months behind me and we are absolutely stoked that we’re going through this at the same time. Here’s my dilemma. She recently announced the gender of her baby and the name they are going with. My husband and I haven’t come up with a name up until this point and when we saw the first name of their child, we LOVED it. In fact, we felt the name was perfect in what we were looking for with our child as well.
Is it wrong for me to also take that name for our child as well? I’m not trying to steal names or annoy anybody, we just really love the name. I don’t want to lose my friend over this.
Padrone Ring is a small and nimble finger ring which can be used as a computer mouse. This ring mouse connects to any device over low-energy Bluetooth and supports a variety of clicking and scrolling gestures. More importantly, it comes in 12 different sizes and is waterproof, which means you can continue wearing it anywhere you go without worrying about breaking it or frying the internals.
Yes, we did have a baby announcement for our own Jay Allen just a few weeks ago, the Morning Show is also having another baby in the form of Don Burn's newest grandbaby! His daughter Kayla and her husband Will are welcoming their 3rd son coming this December!
Former L.A. Dodgers baseball manager Kevin Malone walked in on every parent's worst nightmare. His son had overdosed on drugs and he couldn't wake him up. Kevin joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about his years on the road and how they impacted his family and how the God who redeems all things changed their lives.
To learn more about The Shawn Miracle go to https://www.shawnmiracle.com/
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
We recently lived with my Father-in-law for 8 months to save money. And it was horrible. He was a terrible role model for our kids. He rarely showered and was super negative about everything. Now that we’ve moved out, I don’t want to see the man, but my husband feels obligated to let him see the kids because he is family – AND it’s the Christian thing to do. But, I don’t want our toddler mimicking all of the negativity.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
Our dear friends have a son who is going on a mission trip. The parents told him he has to fundraise for it, and we received his letter asking for a $200 donation. First, I feel like that's awfully high. But here's the real dilemma. This is a very wealthy family. Not only can they afford the mission trip, they could afford to send all of the kids in the youth group. My husband doesn't want to give to his fundraiser, but they are our dear friends.
What do you think?
When I anticipate my first glimpse of heaven, I remember the first time I went snorkeling.
I saw countless fish of every shape, size and color. Just when I thought I'd seen the most beautiful fish, along came one even more striking. Etched in my memory is the sound of a gasp going through my snorkel as my eyes were opened to a breathtaking underwater world.
As believers, I imagine our first glimpse of heaven will cause us to gasp in a similar way—with amazement and delight. That first gasp will likely be followed by many more as we continually encounter new sights in that endlessly wonderful place.
Though most of us are in no hurry to get to our final destination, we all have questions about it. After in-depth study of the Scriptures, here are some of the most frequently asked questions.
We had a terrible scare the other day. My sweet son, Nick, was hit by a car on his bike on Kirkpatrick in Flower Mound.
He was not wearing a helmet. He knows he is supposed to, but I was exhausted and didn’t check to see if he had it. I haven’t the last few times.
He has road rash on both legs, and his elbow. He has a scraped up torso. But miraculously, and by the mercy and grace of God, it appears that we avoided a head injury. I’ll watch him tonight and tomorrow to make sure he has no concussion symptoms.
This could have ended so differently. I can’t stop seeing him all bloody on the ground. The impact knocked him out of one shoe.
Please make your kids wear a helmet. We will never make this mistake again. If Nick won’t wear a helmet, he won’t ride his bike.
I haven’t stopped thanking God since it happened. But I want to say a few more thank you’s:
To the poor gentleman who hit him—thank you for stopping and calling the police. Thank you so much. Please pray for this kind man.
To the sweet woman who called me and started with, “I’m with your son and he’s okay.”
To the police who arrived within minutes and the fire fighters who hugged me. To the EMT who made me repeat her instructions back to her.
Please, please make your kids wear helmets.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I have noticed something about one of my friends. She is always exaggerating stories or blurring the details. For instance, we were at a party together for the fourth of July and when someone asked her about her son's baseball tournament she said he got two homeruns. Our sons play on the same team. He got one hit and struck out the other time.
I know this seems silly, but it makes me crazy. What should I do? I don't want to embarrass her.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I am 32 and single. I have recently gone on several dates with a guy from my church whom I've known for a long time. He's a great guy and I really like him. The problem is that he doesn't like dogs. I have had my dog for seven years and my dog is my family. I can't imagine a future without dogs, and I'm a little nervous about someone who doesn't agree with me.
Should this be a deal breaker or is this a red flag?
We're starting a new segment on the morning show in light of Jay Allen announcing last week that his wife, Kailey, and him are having their first baby in January of 2022! So with that being said, we just wanted to give you an update on where they are at in the process and how the baby is doing!
Here's what's happening in week 13 of the pregnancy:
As the second trimester begins, the baby is growing so quickly that the little plumb-sized baby it was last week is now about the size of a peach. They measure almost three inches or almost seven and a half centimeters from the top of their head to their bottom, and they weigh .8 oz. or 23 grams this week. Their intestines, which started out as part of the umbilical cord, have found a new home in the abdominal cavity. Their tongue and vocal cords are getting ready for their debut at birth, and his or her eyes are moving closer together. Their ears are in place, fingerprints have formed on their fingertips, if we could see inside the belly, we would see veins and organs which are clearly visible through the baby's skin. This week, little bones are beginning to form in the baby's arms and legs and they are also able to suck their thumb in the womb.
I bet you have a movie that when you watch it, it just takes you right back to your childhood. For me, that is Alice in Wonderland and can I just say, that was just my favorite of the animated Disney movies. In fact, I can still watch it today and enjoy it as if I were a kid again. I also have read Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass countless times as well and who knows, it probably will be some of my beach reading this summer when I go on vacation.
There is one scene in particular that I really love where it shows this encounter that Alice has with the Cheshire Cat.
Here's what I love about this scene: it reminds me of us. Jeremiah 17:9 says:
"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
In Romans 3:22-24, it says:
"This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
We have all fallen short of God's standard. In other words, none of us know why we do the things we do. None of us can figure us out. It's why we the enneagram is so popular as well as any of those other personality tests that we tend to put our hope in and seek all these answers from. We're all broken and we're not all mad, but we are all messy. I find so much comfort in knowing that God is the one who can figure our hearts out. God looks at you and He looks at me and He doesn't need an enneagram to figure us out. He sees the hurts you can't remember that cause the behavior you can't explain. He chased you down and captivated you while you were in the midst of rebelling against Him. So I think that's good news today to remember that you are loved and that it doesn't depend on your behavior.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I moved to the DFW area right before pandemic hit and my office just re-opened in June. I have finally made some friends--we meet for dinner one night a week and I'm so thankful. My dilemma is this - I don't drink and I never order dessert, but this group splits the check evenly every time. It sticks me with much more of the bill than it should, and I don't like it.
How can I handle this in a way that won't put off my new friends?
Our own Liz Rod-on-the-Pod graduated with a Bachelor's degree and two Master's--one from the prestigious Dallas Theological Seminary. From a distance it looks like everything comes easily for Liz. In reality, Liz has struggled for decades with a learning disorder and has had to fight tooth-and-nail for every inch of progress she's made. She opens up to share her struggles and the shame the Lord has helped her overcome in the process.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Solar Roadways is exactly what you’re thinking after reading the name. These are solar panels that can be used to pave roads, driveways, sidewalks, or any surface meant for walking. Solar wafers protected under thick layers of shatter-proof Gorilla Glass can be used to generate electricity from any surface. These modules come in hexagonal panels which makes replacement super easy.
Additionally, Solar Roadways panels can be programmed electronically to show specific markings on the road. The panels can generate enough heat to melt the snow and thus ensure easy walking or driving over them during winters. All of this while saving the Earth and Earth-dwellers from succumbing to the damage caused by greenhouse gases.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I have a delicate situation. I am uncomfortable with the way my teenage granddaughter dresses. I have even had one of my friends ask how her parents let her get away with some of her outfits. I know that my daughter and son-in-law don't love unsolicited advice, but I am embarrassed to take my granddaughter places with me. She lives a mile away so I am very involved in her life.
What is the best way to handle this?
How often do we consider which types of people we want around us? There are good reasons to be intentional about the other adults in your life so here are 4 types of people you should surround yourself with.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
Our we invited our son and daughter-in-law to move in with us so they could pay down their debt and afford a house. The deal was for two years. This has been terrible. They are messy, they waste food, leave clean clothes in washing machine, and are overall poor house guests. Additionally, our daughter-in-law has lost her job and made no efforts to find a new one.
We feel we are being taken advantage of, but we don't want to kick them out and ruin our relationship with them. Tell Big Joe we need his help.
Sometimes you can hear something or see something that you've heard or seen a million times and it affects you a whole new way. I don't know about you, but that happens to me a lot when I read the Bible. Right now I'm in the process of writing a Bible study on the book of Philippians and I'm going to teach it at my church in the Fall. During this time of writing this Bible study, it is causing me to just pick my way through the book of Philippians in a very deep and detailed way.
The the crown jewel of the book of Philippians is something called the Christ hymn and it's in the second chapter between verses 5 through 11. It says:
"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:5-11
That's the gospel! That Jesus who was perfect, who is God, came to live on Earth, a perfect life, but died the death that you and I deserve. We get it wrong all the time and maybe it's because I was going through it so slowly, but as I was writing the discussion, I could not emotionally keep it together. Honestly, I'm still emotional when I think about it. So today, I want you to have something to think about. I want to provide you some of these questions that I wrote:
The Most High King, made himself a slave for you. How should we live in light of this?
The one with the most fame became a no-name. How should we live in light of this?
The author of strength became weak. How shall we live in light of this?
The one who had everything made himself poor. How shall we live in light of this?
The one without limits, limited himself to time, space, and a body of flesh so that we could spend eternity with Him in a perfect, glorified eternal body. How shall we live in light of this?
We truly owe him everything because he is the very author of life. How shall we live in light of that truth today?
We all go through difficult and painful times and when we do, I think it's really normal to ask a certain question. That question is, "why?" Why did this happen? Why did it happen to me? Why did it happen to them? What in the world can God possibly do through something like this?
Last night, on my way home from Bible study, I bumped into a neighbor of mine and discovered that when your kids go to go to school in elementary school, that's just a close knit community, especially if you're involved in any of the after-school activities and things of that nature. One of our moms shared that her husband at 53 years old, just dropped and died very suddenly yesterday from a heart attack completely out of the blue. So my neighbor and I were talking about this and she simply asked "why?". She had lost her father some years before and we got into this discussion of when we see the Lord, if we are we going to get the answers or not. My response is that I didn't know.
However, here's what I do know when things like this happen and especially when it's the sudden loss of a loved one. I want to tell you four things that I can prove from the Bible that comfort me:
Death is not a friend. 1 Corinthians 15:26 says this: "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."
Death is from Satan. John 10:10 says: "A thief (which refers to Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance."
Jesus wept in the face of death. When Lazarus died, he wept. (John 11:35)
God created us for life.
I don't have an answer to the big "why" questions of life, but I do know that we have a solution and that's Jesus. He came to defeat death because death is such an aberration to God's plan that He sent His son to conquer it once and for all.
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It's the announcement that you've been waiting for and we're so excited to say that our own Jay Allen and his wife Kailey are expecting their first child this upcoming January! This is absolutely incredible news and we just wanted to ask that as they go along in their journey closer to when the child gets here, can you pray for them as they welcome their first baby into this world? Parenthood is such a blessing from God and it's certainly life-changing. As they navigate the many decisions ahead, we are so overjoyed with excitement as we wait to welcome Baby Allen into this world!
"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court." - Psalm 127:3-5
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I am a 72-year-old widow and have become good friends with a man in my neighborhood. He lost his wife about a year ago. We have gone to church together and go out to eat once or twice a week. We have talked about going on a trip together, as neither of us really has anyone to travel with. My kids tell me that he is romantically interested in me and that I shouldn't go on a trip unless I want to pursue that.
What do you think? I am lonely and just want a friend.
One of the words most commonly used to describe God in the Old Testament might surprise you. The reason why I bring up the Old Testament is because I've found that when I am leading a Bible study, we tend to think that in the Old Testament that God is this big, angry, wrathful judge. Then, when we read the New Testament, He's warm, fuzzy, and cuddly Jesus.
However, in the Old Testament, one of the most common words used to describe God is the word refuge. In Psalm 46, it opens by saying:
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1
In Psalm 91, it says:
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” - Psalm 91:1-2
God being described as a refuge is a common theme in Scripture. If you look at what a refuge is, it's a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. In other words, when you find yourself in a scary situation, one of the things you want to do is you want to take refuge. We even have people living in the United States where their status is refugee, which means they are a group of people seeking refuge. It's a condition of seeking shelter or safety.
When you take refuge, it doesn't mean the danger has gone away. It doesn't mean your condition has changed. But what a refuge enables you to do is it enables you to take a breath. It enables you to rest. It enables you to reframe your conditions. It also enables you to gather strength as well go out and face your circumstances rather than stay hidden. I just want to remind you today that you and I can take shelter in the Lord. Here's what it looks like for me: on my way into work, I think about God, I pray to him, I rejoice in him and I'll sometimes recite scriptures that I've memorized on my way home. Sometimes I turn everything off and just take a few minutes to pray because I know that when I get home, I'm going to be walking into a warzone with two teenagers at home who keep forgetting that the living room isn't their bedroom. Or before I go into a meeting, I just take a minute and I think about that as refuge and I take comfort in that.
One of the things that I love about a refuge is that it's also a place where you can feel peace in a very unpeaceful time. Remember that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
We have been a part of our church for almost 20 years. Our sixteen-year-old twins have visited another church's youth group a few times and loved it. Ours is admittedly not great. They have told us that they want to become members of that church.
We don't know what to do. It's different denomination, which isn't a deal-breaker, but we don't line up with all of their views.
Let the bells ring out in every direction from Toledo to Tokyo. Flying cars—the vision of transportation from science-fiction writers—may finally be landing in the modern world.
"Once we get back to normal..." We've heard the refrain over and over the last year. In light of the pandemic, the world wants to return to its pre-Covid status. Christian recording artist and author Laura Story sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss whether or not "getting back to normal" is what God really wants for us.
Find Laura Story's latest book at https://tinyurl.com/2nav6ct8
Find more about Laura Story at https://laurastorymusic.com/
Click here to listen to the full episode: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My dilemma probably sounds silly, but it's a huge deal to me. I am ready to have a baby. We had agreed to start trying on our 5-year-anniversary. Well, we've been married for six years now, and the last time I brought it up to my husband he told me to go get a cat. I know he was kidding, but I am so angry.
I know that the Bible says to let no root of bitterness grow in your heart, but I am angry and resenting my husband.
Sooner or later, we all have big questions about God, life, faith, and the Bible, especially when our non-Christian friends start asking us about what we believe. A common one is: How do we know Christianity is really true? Here are 4 things you can say the next time you are asked this question.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I was recently helping my parents clean out their attic when I came across a box of family records. In it, I found my mom's birth certificate and I was shocked to find out that she is five years older than she says she is. This makes her five years older than my dad, and I don't know if he knows the truth. I am so angry about this, but my sister says I should leave it alone.
What do you think? She's been lying to us our whole lives.
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Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I lead our Singles' group at church, and it has been a huge success--even drawing new people to our small congregation. The problem is that about half of our group has gotten married, which defeats the purpose--we are supposed to be a single's group. We really need to split, but several of the married couples have said the group is the only reason they go to our church, and they will leave if we split. The pastor has left the decision up to me and I don't know what to do.
Can you help?
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My wife and I recently put our will together. In it, we state that our three kids are to go to my wife's parents in the event that something happens to both of us. We have always known we were going to do this. My sister asked me about it, and when I told her, agreed that we made the right choice. She also told my parents, who now refuse to speak to us. They won't answer our calls or texts and I have no idea how to handle this.
What should we do?
Get ready to forget your woes of spending hours getting adamant stains out of your clothes using soap bars. Because it’s time for ultrasonic solutions to take over and Dolfi is an example of how technology can transform the way we wash clothes.
If you've been listening to the Morning Show this past week, you've been aware that our own Don Burns has been out because he had an ablation procedure in order to treat his atrial fibrillation. The first time he had one, there were no complications but this time around definitely was not the case. Here the update from Don himself as he highlights how the last few days for him as we learn how we can continue to pray for him.
Pastor Neil Tomba started on the Santa Monica Pier and biked all the way to Maryland for the sole-purpose of starting conversations and listening. On the way, he met countless strangers--each with a story, each with eternal worth. On this episode of the Honest Conversations podcast Neil sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to redefine evangelism and to show that the way to tell people about Jesus always starts with listening.
If you want to listen to the full episode, click here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
This one is specifically designed for globetrotter or someone who has to often interact with people coming from different parts of the world. This invention is designed to be a top a notch translation tool that excels in translating languages. With a fully customizable setting, the translator allows you to fine-tune everything in line with your needs. With most options, you can comfortably wear it for long and that’s not all! It can also give a stiff competition to various Bluetooth wireless headphones in terms of fast pairing and long battery life. Here is just one example of a company called Waverly Labs who is looking to break down language barriers in a whole new way.
When my daughter was a baby, I remember I was in the hospital and right after I just had her, I was waiting in the maternity ward. Of course, in that area, you'll hear a lot of babies but then all of a sudden, I heard one cry and I knew immediately that it was my daughter, I knew immediately! they brought her in and then eventually we took her home and she would start to cry again. Once the crying happened again, my husband or someone else would be like, "what do you think's wrong?" I got to a point very, very quickly, where I knew by my daughter's cries what she needed. I knew the cry that said she was hungry. I knew the cry that said she was wet. I knew her cries. She didn't need to be able to verbalize them to me for me to be able to know what she wanted.
In Romans 8:26, Paul wrote to the Roman Christians that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, He takes our heart groans, and carries them up to God the Father, when we are so distraught that we don't even know what to pray. The Holy Spirit's job is to take that heart groans and translate it. Do you know why He can do that? Because He's God! God loves you so much that He has spent sent His Spirit to dwell in you to take your inner most groanings, the things that you can't even put into words, and carry them up to the Father to translate them where they burn like incense before the Father as prayers.
The father answers your prayers. Maybe not in the way you expect, maybe not in the way you want, but He always answers His children's cries because He is your father. He knows what those heart groans mean. That's really encouraging for me today as I am sifting through some things and I hope it encourages you today too.
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For thousands of years, passages in the Old Testament have troubled believers as they try to reconcile God's love and mercy with his wrath. This week on the podcast Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez sit down with scholar and theologian Chad Bird of 1517.org to ask him about God, violence, judgment, and genocide.
You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
If you've been listening to the Morning Show for the last year or so, you know our own Don Burns struggles with a condition called Atrial Fibrillation or in short, Afib. Usually you would get a procedure called an ablation and it should eradicate the problem (or at least a majority of it) but sometimes it doesn't completely fix it so medication is the next available route.
Well recently, Don's condition was getting worse and it was advised that he undergo another ablation in order to fix the issue and while the procedure was a success, some side effects did come into play. Here is the update his wife Valerie provided:
"It has been a rough day! Don came to the hospital for a 2nd ablation on his heart for Afib. After much pain, that painkillers didn’t really touch, they did an echo and discovered he had fluid around his heart. They went back in tonight and drained that and left the drain tube in. The pain meds have finally kicked in so I am praying for much relief overnight. His “maybe I will come home late today” has turned into Friday at the earliest. We would certainly welcome your prayers during this time as he heals."
So that's what we're going to ask of you as well. We're thankful that Don is healing and that the doctors found this problem and were able to catch it but of course, we just ask that you pray alongside us as we lift up Don and his wife Valerie during this time.
Like just about everyone, you want your life to make an impact. But for many of us, this desire to influence the world often adds a sense of pressure when it comes to finding and living out our purposes in life.
However, purpose shouldn’t be a burden.
Too often, we succumb to cultural misconceptions about what success looks like and what it means to do big things for God. Here’s a look at some myths that many of us hear about purpose, and how to overcome them.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I had a big medical issue last year and my neighbor stepped up to help me in an incredible way. She truly went above and beyond and we became dear friends. Here's my dilemma. When she comes over with her four year old son, she lets him run around like crazy. He even climbed on my TV and she said nothing. I feel like I owe her and I don't want to put a strain on our friendship, but I'm worried for his safety.
What should I do?
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Dear Rebecca & Burns,
A close friend and I have worked together for almost seven years. In fact, he got me the job. I have been promoted to department head, which was unexpected. Now my friend is always late and cutting corners. This puts me in a tough position because our wives are good friends, too. I don't know how to handle this in a way that will keep our family's friendship intact. I'm not a big fan of confrontation.
What should I do?
It's been said that we can live without just about anything. If we really think about it, the list of things we have to have to survive is not too terribly long, but one that that we absolutely have to have is hope. One of the things that I love about the hope that we have in Jesus Christ is that it is a living hope. It's a hope with a pulse. It's a hope with a heartbeat. It's a hope with flesh and blood because it's a hope that came to the Earth over 2000 years ago.
So it's not like you're hoping in something the way my daughter did when she was really young and hoped for a pony on Christmas. The thing that you're hoping for and the thing your heart longs for is a sure thing. It may not be a right now thing, but it is a promised thing. That promise is that the deepest longing of your heart will be satisfied because the deepest longing of your heart is for Christ. That is the base of our longing. We are a people who've been marked by longing and we try to satisfy it in all these other ways and trust me, I'm right there with you. I fall into it so easily. Often, I'll think that once I achieve this and that, once I get this and that, I'll finally be able to relax and be happy. But then you get there and it ends up not completing you at all.
Jesus is our living hope, which means he's a VERY sure thing. The thing that your heart longs for the most will be realized.
"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." - Romans 5:5
So today as you're going about your business, just know that "not quite rightness" that you walk around with is your heart longing for the Lord.
Engineers at the University of Glasgow have developed a new type of flexible supercapacitor, which stores energy, replacing the electrolytes found in conventional batteries with sweat.
It can be fully charged with as little as 20 microlitres of fluid and is robust enough to survive 4,000 cycles of the types of flexes and bends it might encounter in use.
The device works by coating polyester cellulose cloth in a thin layer of a polymer, which acts as the supercapacitor’s electrode.
As the cloth absorbs its wearer’s sweat, the positive and negative ions in the sweat interact with the polymer’s surface, creating an electrochemical reaction which generates energy.
Christians believe that God has a certain call for each of us. What does that mean? What does it look like? How can we know that we're in it? Can we miss it? Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez sit down with Jodie Niznik to discuss the concept of "calling" -- what it means and what it doesn't.
To listen to the full episode, you can click here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
We all could be more measured with our words because let's face it, words matter more than we think. In fact, they mean a lot—especially a parent's words to their children. Each day is an opportunity to speak life and truth into our kids.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I started a new job last month after six-months of unemployment. I love the company and I love my boss. Here's my problem. Last week, a different department head asked me to help his team with a project. It's been pretty time consuming. When my boss found out, he was very angry and confronted the other department head and his team. Now everyone is giving me the cold shoulder.
I can't afford to lose this job and I don't know how to fix this.
I had a fascinating conversation the other day with a friend of mine who has been in the United States for 12 years. We were talking about what it's like to live in the United States as a resident alien and those are her words. She doesn't call herself an immigrant, she calls herself a resident alien.
The reason that it was just fascinating is that you would think that after 12 years, you would feel like you're home, but she doesn't. She has a church, she has a job and she has a home. She has a green card so she is allowed to live in the United States permanently. Everything's legal, but she's not a citizen. So even though she's been here for 12 years, even though she's got people here, her heart still longs to be in a place where she shares a corporate history. She shares figures of speech, she shares cultural norms because even after 12 years, every now and then, she'll say something or do something that might be considered awkward in our culture. For her, it's just a consistent reminder that she isn't home.
The reason why I'm thinking about this is because there is a line in the book of Philippians where Paul is reminding the Christians in Philippi saying something along the lines of "hey, I know you live in this city, but you are resident aliens, your citizenship is in heaven. And therefore, you really shouldn't feel too at home here."
"Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." - Philippians 3:17-21
You're always going to feel out of place, you're always going to have some loneliness. I don't know if you ever feel that way, but oftentimes, I walk through life feeling like I just don't fit IN 100%, even with the people I love the most. There is still a yearning in my soul that has just always been there.
So here's the thing: this world is not our home. You and I are here on work visas. We have earthly green cards, but we don't belong here. We're here on mission. What would it look like if you approached everywhere you went and everything you did as though you were only here on a work visa to accomplish a project which is to glorify the Lord? I want to comfort you in knowing that if you do walk around with that feeling of not quite rightness. It's because you are not made for this world and someday Jesus will come back and he will make everything right.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I am 47 years old and my husband and I found out three months ago that we are pregnant. This is a total shock to us. My daughter, who is 25 years-old, has been struggling with infertility for two years. How in the world am I supposed to share this news with her and my son-in-law?
We have no idea what to do and would love to hear what Big Joe and all the others have to say.
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TODAY is our very own Don Burns' birthday today and as a surprise to him, Rebecca decided to give him a sweet surprise on the air!
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
We are celebrating Father's Day for my husband this weekend, and we have always invited his daughters and a future son-in-law.
This has historically been a point of tension for me, as we pay for dinner and I manage all of the finances in our family. My step-daughters drink quite a bit and never offer to pay for their alcohol.
So I get stuck with paying the heavy tab for their drinks, two drunk daughters-in-law, and a husband who says I am trying to ruin his day. How do I stand on my beliefs but not sour the mood?
You've heard people say, "Christianity isn't about following rules, it's about a relationship." But author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin points out that relationships without rules are impossible. In her latest book, Ten Words to Live By: Delighting and Doing What God Commands, Jen shows the law of God is a feast for the famished soul, open to anyone who calls on the name of the Lord. Join Rebecca Carrell, Liz Rodriguez, and Jen Wilkin for an eye-opening discussion on how to delight in obedience to God's Word.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Are tooth-whitening strips and treatments a thing of the past? With this new innovation from the University of Washington, they just might be!
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I am a deacon at a church of about 250 people. We are seeing some growth, which is great. The last six weeks a woman has been attending who is very vocally responsive to just about everything our pastor says. Multiple people in our congregation have complained, and it does derail our pastor a bit. But I'm afraid that if we say something to her, she will stop coming.
Any suggestions? We are not a congregation that speaks while the pastor is preaching.
Teenagers are being bombarded with lies about money. The world is consistently pouring into them its money principles, so much so that they become like the air we breathe, accepted without very little questioning. Little do they know that what’s shaping their money mind is often toxic.
If you are a teenager, I am going to share with you some money lies that are regularly being put before you. If you are a parent of a teenager, let these money lies become points of conversation. The world certainly won’t tell them the truth. It is up to you.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
Last year our medical insurance overpaid us and sent us a check for $4,000. We called both the hospital and the insurance about it, but they said our balance is correct and they've settled the account.
What should we do about this? I feel guilty keeping it but they won't take it.
When was the last time you went on a long road trip?
Sometimes driving in rush-hour traffic here in the DFW area feels like a long road trip. Last week, we went to and from Denver because my son had a baseball tournament and on the way back, one of my kids was so anxious to get back that it was a very unpleasant trip for them. They kept asking, "how much longer?" and "are we there yet? and because they were so worried about this, they ended up missing out on some things with their friends.
The drive to and from Denver when you get out of West Texas and even some in some parts of West Texas, it is breathtakingly beautiful. Once you get into where the mountains start in New Mexico, I had a hard time getting stuff done. I had originally earmarked this trip to get a lot of reading done but I just couldn't muster up the time to read because I could not stop looking at the scenery. And last night as I was laying in bed trying to fall asleep, I was thinking about how I have been going through some anxiety lately. Of course, I know that I've shared millions of times about my journey with anxiety and how I manage but naturally, like everyone, I have some uncertainty in my life right now. Whether it's surrounding school or in regards to what am I going to do about a certain project coming up, I found myself just wishing that I could be done and be on the other side of this degree that I'm pursuing. As I was thinking about that, I remembered the drive home from Denver and how my child could not enjoy it for even a second because they were so concerned about getting home. I felt the Lord saying to me:
"What if it isn't about the destination, Rebecca? What if it's about the process? What if it's about the journey? What are you missing out on right now because you're so anxious to get to the other side?"
I wonder if you're going through something right now where you're just so eager to get to the other side of something. Maybe without knowing, you could very well be missing the beauty of the journey. Sometimes the beauty is a little bit hidden and you have to look for it, but it's there. I think at the end of the day, it's not about the destination with the Lord. It's about the process. So as you're going through your life today, there is a joy in the journey. Take a moment to recognize it!
Texas is definitely a unique state, and that's the way we like. If you're from here and you're a native Texan, you've certainly come to know that once you leave Texas, you find out things are VERY different elsewhere. When it comes to comedian Jeff Foxworthy, he has some funny words on folks from Texas and what things only Texans will understand from living here.
Like many other people, you might spend most of your waking hours at work. And you've likely built ongoing relationships with your coworkers, customers, and others in your organization. But the prospect of sharing your faith there could seem daunting. After all, the wrong approach to evangelism could land you in trouble in the workplace.
Yet all around you at work, people are looking for spiritual answers. And it's no accident that God has placed you in your particular job, alongside them. God wants you to share your faith at work as He gives you opportunities, and He will help you do it.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My best friend since childhood met a guy online. They dated long distance for a year and then got married. He has since moved to the DFW area where they live together. Here's my dilemma. He keeps flirting with me. His hugs are too long. I catch him staring at me. My husband thinks I'm making too much out of it, but I'm telling you, he gives me a bad feeling.
How should I handle this?
A young soldier had been brought up on trial and was given the death penalty due to his crime of treason. He was pronounced guilty and when the judge handed down the sentence, the soldier's brother asked if he could approach the bench. His brother needed some help to approach the bench because he had also served in the country's military and in battle had sustained terrible injuries that resulted in the loss of his arms. This brother stood before the judge and held up what was left of his arms. He pleaded for his brother's life and begged the judge to reconsider the verdict, not because of what his brother had done, but because of what he had done. He confessed that his brother was guilty of treason and that he deserved death, but asked this:
"Because of what I've done for my country, would you please spare my brother's life?"
Shockingly, the judge agreed. Of course, this was completely unfair, but it was mercy. Here's the most unfair part: the hero, the brother who lost his arms did not have to serve any penalty for his treasonous brother's crimes. But when Jesus stands in front of the Father and He speaks of you, He says, "this one's mine. I've already paid the price. I've already done the time. I've already died the death. And now this one. This one's mine. This one is in me and God."
The just and merciful judge says it's okay. That is exactly what Jesus has done for you! The price has already been paid. A sacrifice has already been made for you and because of that, you and I are free to joyfully follow in the steps of Jesus.
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Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My 25-year-old son is dating a 42-year-old woman. I thought it was a phase that would pass but he has started talking about proposing. I am beside myself. The woman is nice and a Christian, but she is closer to my age than my son's, and I see this as a disaster in the making.
Why would this woman want to be with someone who is 17 years younger than her? What should I do?
While Amazon has taken some important security precautions with Sidewalk, the fact that it’s sharing bandwidth may not sit right with some users, let alone any privacy concerns you may have.
If you don't have a handheld bug zapper yet, you need to put that on your list of things to get a handheld bugs out. It looks like a tennis racket and when you press the button, it zaps the flies as it makes contact with them. I've never touched it but I've been warned that it hurts.
Here's the thing though, this has become sort of like a sport for me and the kids at the house where we're always fighting over the handheld bug zapper. But after this story, you might change your mind.
Do you know who John Wesley is? He is the founder of the Methodist denomination of the Christian church and he used to hold meetings in the city of Dublin, Ireland. One day, there was a man who came and he wanted to come and hear the music because He absolutely loved it. He came one morning with the idea that he would hold his hands over his ears so that he wouldn't have to listen to the preaching. But then he would take his hands down when the singing started. So initially, everything was going great and they did the first few songs, but then came the time for Wesley to start preaching. Naturally, as this happened, he put his hands over his ears. However, there was a pesky fly that kept landing on his face over and over again on his cheek. It would also land on his forehead and his nose and what he would have to do is move his hands from his ears and shoo the fly away.
As he uncovered his ears at one point, the preacher John Wesley gave a solemn warning and this is what he said:
"God in His infinite mercy and love for lost souls speaks once. Yes, twice. Woe to those who close their ears against him."
That's what he heard. After hearing that, God's word went straight to his heart. He believed that the Lord was talking to him through John Wesley and he heeded that warning. He started going to church regularly and became a believer in Jesus! So maybe I will think twice and maybe you will too, before we swat or zap those pesky flies. God may just be using them to accomplish His will!
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
Our church is brand new and very small - between 20 and 30 people. We have only one musician - he sings and plays the keyboard, but I am looking for more people. A good friend of mine has agreed to play the guitar, but he's a self-proclaimed Buddhist. A couple of people in the church are adamantly against him playing on Sunday mornings.
What do you think? Can a non-Christian play in our service?
The bottom fell out for Pete Scazzero when, in the middle of his most "successful" season as a pastor, his wife left his church. He quickly realized that, although he was leading a large, fast-growing church, he was, in his words, an "emotional infant." Join Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez as they sit down with Pete Scazzero to discuss the path to emotional health.
Find Pete Scazzero at https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/
If you'd like to listen to the whole episode, click here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
High schools across the country are celebrating the accomplishments of their students as they prepare to graduate. Students, decked in the ever-fashionable graduation robes, will finally leave the K-12 school system and embark on the next steps in their journeys.
Allow us to add some words of wisdom to the mix with some advice every high school graduate should hear.
Kristin Scroggins is a pastor’s wife and home schooling mom of eight kids. She and her husband, Jimmy, have seen it all and share their theology of parenting in a brand new book called “Full-Circle Parenting.” Join Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez on this honest conversation about having open conversations with kids.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
Two years ago I received several million dollars in a medical settlement. I have given a large amount to our church and invested much of it. I cannot work and this money has to cover my medical and living expenses for the rest of my life. My dilemma is this: my kids and family have not stopped asking for money. I said no to my son recently and he has threatened to forbid me to see my grandchildren. What should I do? It sounds like a lot of money, but as I said, it has to last the rest of my life.
PS - tell Big Joe he should be a counselor.
Whether you've lived in North Texas all of your life or you've moved here recently, DFW is the host of so many cool activities and experiences that you and your family can be a part of! With that being said, lots of places are hidden gems because they are often forgotten about when people look for fun things to do so here are some places you need to check out that maybe you didn't know about!
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
Our office is finally back up to full speed after the pandemic. However, we made big layoffs at the start of the shut in. Corporate has no plans to rehire those positions and because of that, my workload has more than doubled. I asked my boss for a raise and he was very vague about it. He essentially said we should all be grateful we have jobs.
How should I handle this?
One might argue that the person most responsible for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman empire in the first century was Saul of Tarsus, also known as the Apostle Paul. And aside from Jesus, Paul intrigues me more than any other character in Scripture.
He started out as the unlikeliest of candidates. Not only did he oppose Christianity, he fiercely fought for its demise. In his words, “I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man” (1 Timothy 1:13).
Upon hearing that the flames of Christianity had ignited a movement in the city of Damascus, Paul, “breathing threats and murder” (Acts 9:1), set out to extinguish the spread as quickly as possible. It was on the road to Damascus that Jesus intervened.
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly, a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:3–5).
What do you imagine that Paul saw?
Luke, the author of the book of Acts, never tells us, and neither does Paul. At least three years passed before Paul took center stage. Then, determining that his ministry focus targeted Gentiles, he set out for the mission field.
Whatever Paul saw in that light from heaven lit a fire in him that consumed his whole life. He exchanged prestige and honor for persecution and torture. Consider his catalog of suffering.
I have…worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move (2 Corinthians 11:23–26).
Even one flogging would send any one of us to trauma therapy for the rest of our days, yet Paul endured it over and over again. Note especially this phrase: “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.”
This punishment hails from the Jewish law recounted in Deuteronomy.
When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court, and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty. If the guilty person deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make them lie down and have them flogged in his presence with the number of lashes the crime deserves, but the judge must not impose more than forty lashes (Deuteronomy 25:1–3).
Jewish authorities only assigned thirty-nine lashes so that they would not accidentally break the law. What does this race-specific punishment mean?
It tells us that Paul kept going after the hearts of his people.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The skin barely healed from one flogging before he stuck his back out all over again. From one town to the next. Seeking always the Gentiles but never dismissing the Jews. Never deterred by their hostility. Always determined to risk his very life in case one soul might believe. His passion burned through his pen in his letter to the Romans.
I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart, for I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel (Rom 9:2 –3).
Paul’s passion highlights my apathy. I might shy away from sharing my faith to avoid awkwardness, but Paul had no time for that. He had seen a vision of Jesus that had knocked him off his horse. It knocked scales loose from his eyes. It knocked the foolishness of the world out of him and the reality of Christ into him.
What could we, as the church, accomplish if we asked God for a fraction of Paul’s passion?
Heavenly Father, forgive us for our complacency. Remove our idols of comfort—light a fire in our soul for your glory. Drive us to your word so that we can share Paul’s vision of Christ. We love you and pray this in the magnificent name of Jesus. Amen.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I've been married to my husband for almost twenty years. He is not a Christian and I knew that when I married him. He used to go with to church with me on Christmas and Easter, but stopped a few years ago. Now he doesn't want me to go to church at all. He says it's divisive and intolerant.
What do I do? The Bible is pretty clear when it speaks of the husband as the head of the household.
When my daughter was 6, she was invited to a birthday party at a roller skating rink. A couple days later, I got a call from my friend at the party that said that Caitlyn (my daughter) was having a hard time with the attention being focused on someone else so she ended up kind of railroading the whole birthday party. Of course, hearing that devastated me because I didn't know what I was going to do so I ended up calling my mom crying about how I was clueless on how to handle this. But my Mom gave me what I still to this day consider the best parenting advice that I've ever received:
"Rebecca, she is 6 years old. Why would you be surprised if a 6 year old acts like a 6 year old?"
That statement to this day continues to provide the foundation for the way my husband and I parent our kids because we fully expect our children to make mistakes. Even MASSIVE ones. But because we do, the grace is already there. Because the grace is already there, my kids feel the freedom to come and tell us (at least from what we know) when when they do something wrong.
The reason I'm sharing this story with you is because you have a heavenly Father who fully expects you to make mistakes. In fact, He knows exactly when you're going to make them and He also knows how bad they're going to be. He even knows the shame that you're going to feel because He sent His Son to bear and take it upon the cross for you. Your Father knows you're going to make mistakes and so when you do, the grace is already there. The forgiveness has already been extended and so I hope this frees you up to unburden yourself today in front of the Lord, who is your heavenly Father who loves you.
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Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I went through a terrible divorce eight years ago, but have done my best to maintain a civil relationship with my ex for the sake of our son. It's been tough, as my ex has never paid a dime in child support.
Here is my dilemma. My son has saved up for over a year to buy an expensive pair of sneakers. He loaned that money to his dad--my ex. It was about $130. That was over two months ago. Every time I ask my ex to pay it back he makes excuses.
How in the world do I handle this? My son is devastated and furious.
Out of the deep love we have for our children flows a desire for them to experience good things. We want what is best for our kids.
But sometimes this good desire leads us down the path of poor financial decision-making. We spend money that we don’t have on our children and find ourselves sinking in an ocean of debt.
We find ourselves asking, “How did we get here? How did we become a living proof that the personal debt statistics we hear are actually true?”
How do parents get there? Consider these 3 common causes:
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My husband stopped wearing his wedding ring a year ago, saying it's not the ring that makes the marriage. I've told him how much it hurts me. I've prayed about it. I've begged him to see a marriage counselor with me and he just refuses. Now when I bring it up he gets up and leaves. I have no idea what to do.
Please ask your listeners to give me some advice.
Her journey with anxiety began at just five years old. At age ten, she stopped eating. Marci Dittmer sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about teens, eating disorders, and God's faithfulness through it all.
To read more about Marci's journey visit https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/where-is-god-in-eating-disorders/
If you'd like to listen to the full episode, you can click here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Copy & Paste is a portable scanning and printing tool with which you can literally perform the said function. You don’t need your heavy printer or a photocopier machine. All you need is this handheld scanner that can transfer the images and text from one source to another source, but in the physical plane.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
Our son and his buddies are in a band, and we are delighted to see that they are getting some local attention. They've booked a big show at a popular bar where they'll actually make some money. Here's the deal. Our pastor is a good friend and says that we have no business showing up to a bar. Neither my husband nor I drink, and our son and his friends are Christians.
We can't bear to miss his show, but we don't want to be at odds with our pastor. What should we do?
Seeing obstacles as opportunities isn’t natural. We’re wired to protect ourselves and our kids. But if we’re able to help our children choose courage, there are incredible opportunities to be had.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I am the newly appointed general manager at a non-profit ministry here in the DFW area. Our previous general manager fired a department head last year and, admittedly, she was very difficult to work with and created a toxic environment. It's been nine months and she has recently reapplied for a lower position with us. She has asked for forgiveness and claims she has changed.
We need the help, but I have reservations. What do you think?
Did you know that what you are going through right now has an expiration date?
A friend of mine named Erica totally inspired me when she has shared openly about her son's health journey. A couple years ago at this time, he was near death in the intensive care unit and they were just begging and pleading with the Lord to save his life. Today, he is alive and kicking and this is what he said:
"Your current situation is not your permanent destination."
One of the biggest things that makes God so different from us is that we are confined to time and space. The past is sort of foggy to us and the present is where we are right now and the future is uncertain. However, to God who knew the end from the beginning, He sees everything laid out as though it had already happened. Romans 8:30 says:
"And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." - Romans 8:30
I want you to notice that those verbs are in the past tense which means when God looks at you, He sees the finished product. He sees the glorified version of YOU. He sees the YOU without sin, He sees the YOU without pain, the YOU without tears without grief.
I think one of the things that we need to remember now more than ever is that we are called to a life of perseverance. Perseverance means not quitting. Just because it's hard doesn't mean God didn't call you to it. In fact, I tend to think that's evidence that He did. James 1:12 says:
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." - James 1:12
Where you are right now may be really difficult, but your current situation is not your permanent destination. We don't know what the future holds, but we can rest assured that we know the one who does.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My older sister is a new mom and we are all thrilled. I'm not a parent, but I'm really worried about the way they are trying to get their daughter on a sleep schedule. Five weeks old feels way too young to make the baby sleep through the night. Over the weekend I stayed with them and I got up at one point with the baby because I couldn't bear to hear her cry.
I know you two are parents. What do you think?
I think it's fair to say that you will face a battle today. Whether it's big or small, every day comes with its own fresh set of challenges. I have found that I slip very easily into a bad habit when it comes to challenges that I'm facing in my life. I start thinking about how great my problems are and when I think about them, I tend to meditate on them. I rehearse scenarios in my head and I forget that whatever it is that we're focusing on, that's the biggest thing in our life. When we focus our attention on something, we are holding a great big magnifying glass up to it. Whether we like it or not, we are telling ourselves that this is the biggest thing in our lives.
I imagine the battle in all the different ways he could go and really focus my attention too much on the battle. So what happens when I do that is that in my mind, God shrinks and my problem grows. Why aren't I focusing on how great my god is? I went back to passage of Scripture recently that has been such a reset for me and I wanted to share it with you just in case you fall into the same trap that I do.
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”- Isaiah 6:1-3
Someday we will come face to face with this God and our problems will seem very, very small. Don't look at God in light of your problems, instead, look at your problem in light of who your God is.
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Just about everyone I know is struggling with anxiety right now and I wonder if you are too. Anytime we talk about anxiety on the radio, I usually get several emails, Facebook messages, Instagram messages, or direct messages on Twitter because it's such a real thing right now.
Here's something I know to be true about anxiety, it tends to take place in the things that you and I tend to already worry about and tend to be things that haven't actually happened. But what we do is we have these scenarios is that we play them out in our mind the way we think it's going to go. I love that David wrote this in one of the Psalms:
"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." - Psalm 139:23
Why would he ask God to help him know his anxious thoughts? David wasn't asking the Lord to test him and know his anxious thoughts so he could say, "See? Nothing wrong here! No anxiety, no depression." That's not what David was doing. It's because he couldn't even fully put his finger on why he was the way he was.
This has been the case of mankind since the garden. In the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate the fruit and God told Adam, "by the sweat of your brow, you will you know toil for you'll work the ground." (Genesis 3:19) We tend to read that passage and think that that sweat of your brow means hard work like you're exerting yourself so much that you sweat, but that's actually not the case. It's the cold sweat of anxiety and the uncertainty of where your next __________ is going to come from.
So if you are struggling, know that you're in good company and that no one knows your heart like God does. I have found when I sit down with my journal and my Bible and I asked the Lord, to search me and know my heart, to test me and know my anxious thoughts, and explain them to me, he does. You and I long to be in the presence of God and someday we will be fully. But even now, we can be in part by listening to songs that turn your heart to the Lord and spending time in His Word.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I heard the dilemma about the girl who wasn't asked to be a bridesmaid, and I have wedding dilemma of my own. My fiancé's brother is an addict and I don't want him at our wedding. He has stolen from my fiancé and his parents, spent time in jail, and pretty much derailed his life. If he is in the wedding, he'll ruin it like he ruins everything.
What should I do? My fiancé thinks it will be different this time.
Too often, we’ve set up money as our solution rather than God. The danger in doing this, is that when it comes to praying for God’s provision, what we can actually end up doing is not praying for God at all. We instead pray for money, man’s solution rather than God’s solution.
And this so often makes us blind to how God truly is providing for us.
Now, for those in more stringent tax brackets, asking for money is not a matter of comfort, but of survival. You might need money, and God’s not against that, because there is a difference between being in need and having plenty (Philippians 4:12).
His financial provision will be evident when we are in need. But when we have enough, His provision won’t necessarily look like more money.
His provision is so much greater than slips of paper. It’s time to catch the bigger picture: That His provision is geared more toward making us better people, not making us more comfortable. It’s our human will that desires comfort, but it’s God’s will that desires change.
He provides us with change in the hard times, yet we’re so hardwired for comfort that we often miss the battlefield we must tread through to be better people. It’s time to redefine God’s provision to care more for our betterment, and this involves being refined through the struggle.
God’s provision truly does make us into holier men and women. And that’s something money can’t buy.
Lamenting the way things are is tied to longing for the way things ought to be. In addition to lamenting the state of the sin-infected world, Christians should long for a world cured by the gospel, a world completely invaded by the kingdom of God in Christ. Before a person can be on mission, living in and for God’s kingdom, they must lament the idolatry and injustice of the world. This pain, seen in the light of the cross, sends us into our purpose. Out of a broken heart, we cry out to God, and his comforting grace moves us to be comforters.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. (2 Cor. 1:3–5)
The good life is found lamenting the brokenness of the world, longing for the way things ought to be, and helping God make others’ lives better.
Jesus lamented the state of things as they were. He was the happiest person to ever live, yet he was still called “a man of sorrows” (Isa. 53:3 NLT). Lament was not absent from Jesus’ life. He can relate to us in every way.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I am heartbroken. There are six of us in my friend group and we have been inseparable for years. One of the six just got engaged and she asked everyone in our group to be a bridesmaid but me. To make things worse, I found out on social media. I don't even want to go to the wedding.
How would you handle this?
Facebook is currently testing a new feature where users can ask for or respond to prayer requests. “Prayer posts” allows users to post their own prayers or click a “pray” button that lets others know they are praying over the request.
Like many of you, Jan Greenwood's journey has included pain and failures, but it has also included healing and triumphs. By God's grace, she discovered some life-transforming leadership principles that help her lead and mentor effectively. She sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about the curveballs life has thrown her and the God who gives her grace.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
I began sharing my journey with mental illness in 2009. When I was twelve or thirteen years old, anxiety held me in a vice-grip until a psychiatrist diagnosed me in my thirties. Because I talk about it on the radio, I often get emails like this:
I have heard you, many times, reference your struggle with depression and anxiety and thought I would ask you if you are aware of a Bible study book on the subject.
I have been in a small group for about 15 years, and we were brainstorming what we might study beginning in the Fall. Two ladies asked to study something on depression since it seems in many churches to be unaddressed.
These women aren’t alone. In fact, I wrote and taught a Bible study ten years ago called From Worrier to Warrior: Conquering Your Thoughts Once and For All.
I don’t recommend it.
Here’s why.
When we read the Bible for self-improvement, we miss the “why” of the Bible. The Bible contains the words of God, who reveals himself because he wants a relationship with us. Relief from anxiety and depression evades us because we want a quick verse or story to make us feel better. But the psalmist wrote, “In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore” (Ps 16:11). Elsewhere we read, “Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God” (Ps 146:5).
We cannot hope in whom we do not know. Shawn Lovejoy says, “Peace and joy are fruits of the Spirit, not our circumstances.” I wrote FWTW out of the overflow that came from spending time with God in his word. But pulling verses from various books of the Bible and meditating on them is not a long-term fix for unhealthy thought patterns.
So, if what you are seeking is relief from anxiety or depression, I don’t recommend “a” Bible study. I invite you to consider a lifestyle of Bible study in community for the sole purpose of knowing the Lord and walking with him daily.
Grab a group of friends and tackle a book of the Bible. Dr. Sandra Glahn of Dallas Theological Seminary offers an array of theologically rich studies. If you want something with teaching, anything by Jen Wilkin is outstanding. Meet together once a week to discuss what you’ve read and to wrestle with the text. Share your prayer needs. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). Our culture elevates independence, but God created us for interdependent connection—to Christ and to each other. And Christ—the source of our joy and peace—promises that when we bring him our burdens, we will find rest for our souls (Mt 11:30).
Have I experienced relief from anxiety and depression? Yes, and part of it comes from medical care. But most of it comes through a daily walk with God.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I am getting married in a few months and I have a decision to make regarding who will walk me down the aisle. My parents divorced when I was three and my father has only been in my life the last six years. My step-father has been my father figure since I was five. I can't ask both of them to walk me down the aisle because they don't get along, and my mother says it needs to be one of them.
What should I do?
Happiness is the feeling you get when things are going well; it’s based on your circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is a deep sense of pleasure, delight, gladness and well-being that is independent of circumstance. Shawn Lovejoy said it best when he said:
"Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, not a fruit of the circumstance."
Joy flows from a deeply rooted conviction that not only does God cause all things to work together for the good of those who love Him; but inherent in joy is the sense of delight in God that can cause our heart to smile even if things on the outside seem to be falling apart. With that being said, here are 5 simple and cost effective ways you can experience joy in your everyday life.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I have son starting 9th grade in the fall and he's a very good football player. The problem is he'll go to a very big high school where only the elite of the elite get to play. I know that other kids have gotten on the team when their parents made a large donation to the booster club. We can afford to do that. I want my son to have every chance. Is this wrong? I know many other people who've done the same.
I started to suffer from severe generalized anxiety when I was 12 or 13 and I wasn't even formally diagnosed until I was 30. So with that being said, it was a really long and hard road for me during those years. When I say I struggled with anxiety, I don't mean that I worried about things. I mean it was so bad it drove me right into alcoholism. I obsessed about everything, I exercised myself to death, and caused me to develop some unhealthy patterns in my life. After a year like we've had, reports now that say 1 in 6 adults report to be struggling right now with their mental health. However, if you're between the ages of 18 and 24, that number grows to 1 in 4.
So I actually wanted to take some time today to talk about what God has to say about anxiety because it may not be what you think. Of course, a lot of people in my circle will say things like, "well if you're worrying about things then you're sinning" but that's just simply not true.
"When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." - Psalm 94:18-19
When you read this verse, you can't help but realize that it's talking about fear! When it mentions that their foot is slipping, it says that the Lord supported them. God doesn't condemn those who are struggling mentally, he consoles them. When we hear verses like "don't worry about anything, instead, pray about everything", (Phil 4:6) why do we read an angry tone into that? Paul was not speaking the book of Philippians with an angry tone. When Jesus looked out at the crowds and saw that the people were helpless and lost like a sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36), he didn't get mad at them. He felt great compassion toward them!
I want you to understand that when you struggle, God is not coming at you like an angry judge. He's a loving Father that we can celebrate. He is our solution and with him, we can trade our worry about his peace and joy.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
We have three kids and our oldest just got baptized - praise God! Our middle daughter is terribly shy and a bit socially awkward and wants to get baptized in our pool. We are very conflicted over this, as baptism is supposed to be a public proclamation of faith where you share your testimony. I'm afraid if we insist she gets baptized at church, she won't do it.
What do you think?
ChangEd is the product of two brothers who made the tough and costly decision to take out student loans. When the time came to start repayment, they realized just how inefficient the process was. With student loan debt reaching a critical mass in the United States, affecting how people save, spend, and invest, the brothers were determined to find a solution.
Founders, Nick and Dan built their business from the ground up by pulling their savings together and working hard to perfect ChangEd for the largest financial crisis of the millennial generation. Today, ChangEd members have collectively saved millions in interest and shaved decades off of their repayment. Everyday with ChangEd is a day closer to a life without the burden of student loans.
This week, we had an interesting discussion on the morning show with Rebecca & Burns about whether or not God puts that special person in our lives or as many call it: a soulmate. This conversation all stemmed from an excerpt of a book we read from pastor, author, and scholar Tim Keller who makes the claim that we don't ever marry the right person. The book is called The Meaning Of Marriage by Tim & his wife Kathy.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
In 1987 my dad left my mom for another woman and married her, devastating us. He was largely absent from our lives and my brothers and I don't have a relationship with him. His wife died early last year, and now he is coming around and trying to date my mother. He hurt her so much before and she is lonely and vulnerable. I know he'll hurt her again.
What should we do?
When was the last time you had to train for something?
Personally, I think back to high school sports and training for track. I went into track my senior year of high school never having been a runner and so the training was brutal. At the end of track, I got the award for Most Improved which is interesting since I never won any races. However, I was thinking about how painful that training was, but then how how sweet the reward was at the end because at the end of my senior year of track, I had gone from my fastest mile time of 8 minutes and 20 seconds to 6 minutes and 24 seconds! So I shaved about two minutes off my time, which is why I got most improved. It didn't score the team any points, but I hit my own personal best.
This really makes me think of some of the things that you and I have faced over the last year. There's the global challenge we've all walked through, but then I know that because of the global challenge that you have also had your own personal challenges. You've had your own personal heartbreaks. So with all that being said, I want to ask you this:
What if every trial we are going through is training for the next thing?
I think that's the truth! I learned a whole lot of things about life when I was running track. I also think about the first 13 years of my career that I spent in country music. I had no idea that the Lord would move me to Christian radio in ministry someday. What if all of the hardship you're going through right now is a gift to strengthen you? I think that we can say that confidently because this is what Paul said to the church in Rome:
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." - Romans 5:3-5
What if the difficulty you're in right now is preparing you for glory to come?
Growing up in Hong Kong, Ben Perkins lived in humidity. He regularly wore a white dress shirt for school functions, orchestra performances, and church activities. When he wasn't wearing a dress shirt, he was wearing athletic clothing. On one particularly muggy and miserable day while wearing a white shirt he thought, "Why can't I make a dress shirt out of athletic material?" And that is how the idea of &Collar was born.
After breaking bread, the company &Collar was officially formed in August of 2017. From the first meeting in a living room to running the company out of several different garages, they have always kept the goal of producing affordable apparel that will not only keep you comfortable but won't break the bank.
And to top it all off, these shirts are stain-repellant which means if you have kids, this is a God-send. Plus, with each shirt that is made, it means that 15 plastic bottles are diverted from landfills so it's great for the environment as well!
Through the ages, the Holy Spirit has been misunderstood, misinterpreted, and even abused. Who is this mysterious being that Jesus promised and what is his role in our lives? Author and speaker Jeannie Cunnion sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss the third member of the Godhead and why he's worth pursuing.
Find more about Jeannie Cunnion at https://www.jeanniecunnion.com/about.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I manage the sales department in a medium-sized company that made it through the pandemic surprisingly well. That's why I was taken off-guard when my boss told me that I wouldn't be getting a raise this year because of budget reasons. Here's the thing--another department manager got a sizable raise. This is frustrating because the other manager is always late and not well-liked by her department.
What should I do? I'm not supposed to know what other managers make.
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Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My backyard fence was there when the neighbor built their house three years ago. Now the fence needs repair. The neighbor refuses to split the cost saying it is my fence, not theirs. Should I keep pursuing them or just do the repair on my own in regard of loving our neighbors as ourselves?
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
The Titan Arm is the work of a team from the University of Pennsylvania and is a strength-enhancing upper-body exoskeleton that’ll help you lift an extra 40 pounds. The Titan Arm is built to help rehabilitate people who’ve suffered serious arm injuries or strokes as well as provide some extra strength and protection for anyone who lifts heavy objects for a living.
Rebecca Carrell met Cheilla Stone when Cheilla wrote her a letter from prison. Cheilla was listening to listener-supported Christian radio station 90.9 KCBI during their annual fundraiser and, wanting to give, sent stamps. Rebecca and Cheilla immediately struck up a friendship through visits and letters. Now Cheilla is home and sharing her journey of how God set her free behind the locked doors of the Gatesville State Women's Prison.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
It's never easy to ask your boss for a raise, but if you've earned it, you've earned it! Sadly, there are so many people who will actively avoid asking for a pay rise in work, purely because they want to avoid the awkward encounter with their boss.
At the end of the day, if you work hard, and have proven yourself, there really is no reason why you shouldn’t speak to your boss about getting a pay increase. And when you do pluck up the courage to speak about a raise, be sure to consider the following.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Ever since I was a little girl, people have told me I'm too nice or that I'm a pushover. I do have a hard time saying "no." There is a woman at church who keeps asking me to get together, and the truth is that I just don't want to. I'm tired all the time and when I do have a free hour or two, I want to spend it with my real friends. I'm running out of excuses, but she won't take the hint.
What should I do?
In the 1920s, Will Rogers said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Wise words from the radio personality and writer. People form impressions inside of two seconds, and it can take us years to change our minds.
What was your first impression of God? For those of us who sat through years of fire and brimstone messages, God looks down on us like an angry judge. Others think of him as an absentee father or someone who looks the other way when harm comes to us
If those are your views, God wants to reintroduce himself to you.
Do you know that feeling you get when you've been praying for someone and things just continue to get worse?
Recently, I was checking my Facebook when a message popped up about someone I've been praying for. I was first introduced to this person in 2019 so they've been on my radar for a long time. This poor mother is having to take a child to a facility and let's just say that the child is not well mentally and it just seems like things aren't getting any better. Naturally, this mom is wrecked and it's been so hard for her to watch her daughter fall so hard. It's insanely difficult as well when you have just been begging and pleading with the Lord for something for a long time and things just continue to spiral downward. Also, to top it all off, the facility that she is dropping her off is not close so it will be a few months of her not being able to check in with her daughter daily. After reading about her situation, I'm also just burdened by this horrible, heartbreaking season.
When we go through difficulties like this in our lives, it's normal for our mind to go down these dark tunnels and explore the worst possible scenarios. However, what we tend to do when we do that is that we don't bring God with us when we explore those scenarios. We imagine the situation, but we forget to include the grace of God that is covering it. I can remember a similar type of experience when I allowed my mind to rabbit trail and just getting the sense that the Lord was saying, "Hey, if you're going to go there, go there with me. Take me with me."
Isaiah 43:2 says:
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." - Isaiah 43:2
God promises us that these times are going to come. It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. But the next time you allow your mind to default to the worst case scenario, don't imagine it without the grace of God covering it. What you're failing to imagine is that when you have to pass through these waters, God's gonna carry you through them.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am sixteen years old, and I listen to you on the app because we moved to Louisiana last year. I am on the track team and one of the seniors has cancer. A whole bunch of us said we were going to shave our heads for him, but I don't think I can go through with it. My mom said I don't have to but I know everyone on the track team will hate me if I don't.
What should I do?
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My son just went through a divorce after sixteen years of marriage. As his parents, we are devastated. He and his wife met when they were thirteen and I'd always thought they were soul-mates. Naturally, I am keeping in touch with her to help her as much as possible. She is the mother of my three grandchildren. My son is furious at me. He says I've sided with her and that he won't talk to me if I keep this up.
What should we do? Isn't his wife still our daughter-in-law?
This week, Bart Millard from the band, MercyMe, came onto the Mornings with Rebecca & Burns Overtime Show to share about how the band has been handling the pandemic over the last year as well as some exciting new music coming out later this month! We also had a little fun as Bart, Rebecca, and Jay Allen played a game of "Bible Name or Complete Gibberish"!
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Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My husband and I have been married for five years. He is Italian and his family lives in Italy. There have been a few culture-shocks for me. For instance, they are lip-kissers when they greet each other (and me). Here's my dilemma. His brother and parents are visiting until June, and when his brother "greets me" I get a really uncomfortable feeling. I've caught him staring at me, too.
How in the world can I handle this? My husband is oblivious.
In Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he encouraged wives to submit themselves to their own husbands as Christ submits to the church. What does this mean and how far should it go? In a society that drifts further and further from biblical principles, Dr. Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship sits down with Rebecca and Liz to discuss Kingdom Living and why we can't thrive apart from it.
To listen to the full episode, click here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am attracted to a woman that I serve with at church. The thing is that I’m 65 and she is 34. She’s nice, pretty, and loves the Lord. I’ve been debating to ask her out but I don’t want to my a fool out of myself because of the age difference. We’ve had some good conversations.
What’s your opinion? I’ve been praying about this for awhile.
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What do you think of when you hear the word 'cherish'?
Currently, I am taking a Greek class right now at Dallas Theological Seminary and our project this semester is to work our way through the book of Ephesians. We're translating it word by word and one of these things that I'm focusing on right now is doing word studies. Something interesting that I came across was a specific word in Ephesians 5 where it discusses how a man and a woman in marriage are to interact with one another. It talks about how the husband is to love his wife just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. (Ephesians 5:25) Then it goes on to say, "as his own body". (Ephesians 5:28) It says "he who loves his wife loves himself, for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church." (Ephesians 5:29)
So let's talk about this word 'cherish', which is the Greek word θάλπω. It's a beautiful word and it doesn't just paint the picture of cherishing, but of keeping warm, of comforting, of holding close, of providing for their every need. In fact, this word is also used to describe a mother nursing her child, holding the child close, and nourishing the child. That is how Christ loves the church and that means this is how Christ loves you. I know you have this cognitive knowledge that God loves you but it goes so far beyond that. He doesn't just love you, He holds you close, He watches you carefully, He gives you everything you need, He keeps you warm, and He comforts you. That's the God that you and I love and serve. He doesn't just love you in an 'I have to love you' kind of way, He cherishes you!
Understanding how finances work is a key step in truly accessing financial peace in our lives as we seek not only to learn how money is used, but why we use it the way that we do. However, lots of unbiblical ideas have been shared about the subject of money and sadly Christianity hasn’t escaped this. In fact, many Christians have shared some thoughts about money management and stewardship that sound well-meaning, but in reality, are very toxic in our understanding of finances and how God wants us to use it.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I'm a single mom and my 13-year-old daughter was invited to a slumber party. She has struggled to make friends in middle school so I'm thrilled about this. Here's my dilemma - her friend's father is a single dad. I know he's a good guy and no other moms seem to have a problem with this, but it raises a red flag with me.
Am I being too protective? It would devastate my daughter to miss the party. What do you think?
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My 38-year-old daughter has never been married and is dating a man she seems to really like. I have big concerns. To put it bluntly, he's a hoarder. He had us over to grill in the backyard and when I went inside, I was appalled at his living conditions. I know how much my daughter wants to be married, but I don't want her living like this. Hoarding is a mental illness, isn't it?
I was hoping Big Joe and your other listeners might have some advice.
We spend so much time trying to figure ourselves out and to discern who we are and why we're here.. You have probably read the enneagram books back to back or you have taken one of the many personality test tests out there. This week on the Honest Conversations podcast, we had Nika Spaulding sit down with us to talk about the Trinity. Here's what this means in a nutshell:
God is one God, but three persons:
Father
Spirit
Son
So three persons, but still one God. One essence. I know that can be very confusing but it's crucial that we understand what the Trinity is because it helps us understand ourselves and how we relate to a Triune God.
The pinnacle of creation was humanity made in the image of God and interestingly enough, it's plural "let us make mankind (humankind) in our image." (Genesis 1:26)
What does that mean then for humans? The image that you are meant to bear is that of someone who eternally exists in community and eternally exists in self-donating loving relationships. You might hear people say things like, "it's just me, the Bible, and Jesus", but the reality is that couldn't be further from the truth. That's not even how Jesus relates! You hear him say in Scripture, "I do nothing except for the will of the the Father" when he is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. (John 5:19)S
Scripture even makes the point He (Jesus, the Son) is the visible representation of the invisible God. (Colossians 1:15) The Father and Him are one. If you want to know what the Father is like, all you have to do is look at Jesus. If you've ever thought, "I really disappointed God, he needs so much from me" or "God needs me to do that", we need to take a step back and really think about what we're saying because that isn't even close to true. There's actually a technical term called the aseity of God which basically means God needs nothing. The reality is that God doesn't actually need anything from me. He delights to participate with you and He delights to welcome you in, but don't give yourself too much credit on what God is doing through you because that's God working through you, not the other way around.
That's the best news ever because you can't disappoint God. God already knows everything since He sits outside of time and space and knows the end from the beginning. He can't be caught off guard and in order to disappoint someone, it means you have to fall short of their their expectations. So with all this said and done, remember that we depend on a God that does not depend on us.
Most people spend their entire lives trying to figure out their purpose or the meaning of life. The same is true with Christians but it just looks a little different. It looks like this:
"What does God want me to do?"
Should I take this job or this job? Marry this person or that person? Do this or do that? It ends up taking a lot of space in our brains which can drive a lot of us crazy.
What if I told you that what God wants you to do is given all the way back in Genesis? There is a theme of walking with God and we see it in the Garden of Eden where God walked with the man in the cool of the day. Right now in my Greek class, I'm studying the book of Ephesians and we're translating it from Greek to English. What I've come to notice in this assignment is that there is this massive theme of walking with God; simply getting up every day, tuning your mind and your heart toward the Lord, listening for his voice, and spending time in the Scriptures.
In the book of Proverbs, there are countless verses on how the Lord will tell you when to go left or to go right and when he will lead you down the straight path.
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." - Proverbs 19:21
This is awesome news for you and I because this means that you don't have to spend all this time trying to do great things. You don't need to be famous, you don't have to be the best. You don't have to figure out your destiny. You can take this job or that job. You can hang out with this group or that group, as long as you're walking with God.
God cares a whole lot more about having a relationship with you than you running off and doing great things for the Lord. God is great and He doesn't need any of us to do anything. He created the Universe by his word and by the power of His Spirit, you therefore are freed up to rest and enjoy him. You are free to soak in worship music, to listen to his word, to read his word, and to simply walk with God trusting that He's going to show you what to do.
So no matter what you do, no matter where you go, just make sure you walk with God.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have been dating my girlfriend for a year and I love her. But I came from a broken home and I will never get married. I have decided this in my heart and will not change my mind. One of the ministers in my church said if I'm not going to get married I should not be dating. I think that's crazy, but I respect you all and wanted to hear what you and your listeners thought.
Should I break up with my girlfriend just because I don't want to get married?
The Chosen is the first-ever multi-season TV show about the life of Jesus. Created outside of the Hollywood system, The Chosen allows us to see Him through the eyes of those who knew Him. No matter where you are in your journey with Jesus Christ, this TV show is for you.
I have been working for a small company for the past 5 years, and have worked my way up as far as I can go. Now, I have an opportunity for a management position at our rival company. But, I feel guilty about it. My company has been meaning to make me sign a non-compete for a few months, but they keep forgetting. If I go to the rival company I'll have information that will greatly benefit them.
What should I do?
The doctrine of the Trinity is one of the loftier concepts of Christianity: God is three persons, yet one God. The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Spirit, yet all three are equally God. How can that be? Nika Spaulding sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss the importance of understanding the Trinity and how it affects our everyday lives.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My son is graduating from High School next month, and he has let us know that he plans to join the military as soon as he can. He says he wants to make a difference, but I just don’t feel comfortable with him making a difference in this way.
Any advice for either one of us?
Parenting is one of life’s most rewarding but complex challenges. While there are many good parenting books, no two kids are alike. But kids are resilient, too, and you can know that God intentionally chose you to parent your child. So ease up yourselves, moms and dads. You won’t parent perfectly; you will make mistakes. But God loves your children more than you do. So here are 5 truths to set parents free from parenting guilt.
- You cannot control the outcome of your parenting. You can only control your parenting.
Proverbs 22:6 says:
“Train up a child the way they should go, and when they are old, they will not depart from it.” - Proverbs 22:6
As much as we want to claim that as a promise and cling to it, the book of Proverbs is not a book of promises—it’s a book of wisdom. The Proverbs are “probabilities.” Chances are, if you raise your children in a Christ-centered loving and gracious home with healthy boundaries and discipline, your children will grow to love the Lord. But your children are also individuals granted free will by God. That means you can do everything right, and your children will still make their own decisions. Knowing that you can only do so much frees you up to model Christ, love them well, show them grace, and entrust them to the Lord.
- Your children save their worst behavior for you.
Because they sense your unconditional love, they know they can fall apart in front of you—you’re their safe person. All day long, kids and teens alike put their best foot forward and do their best to conform to the standards their teachers and friends set for them. So as difficult as it may be when you’re wading through the mess of their meltdown, know that it comes from a place of love and trust.
- Your parental mistakes are opportunities for you to model a sincere apology.
Children do not learn how to apologize appropriately when you tell them to apologize. They learn by watching you. God doesn’t require you to be perfect to be a parent. He wants you to be humble. You can’t be perfect. You can be humble and honest and tell them that you need Jesus as much as they do. You also validate their hurt when you ask them to forgive you.
- You don’t have to protect your children from failure and mistakes.
Many parents spend a lot of unnecessary energy trying to swoop in and keep their kids from failing or making big mistakes, but failure is one of life’s best instructors. Obviously, you want to protect them from anything that would cause severe physical or mental trauma, but you can let them forget their homework. You can let them fail a class and miss out on their favorite sport. You can let them leave their coat at home and spend an hour or outside too cold. Chances are, they do the right thing next time, and if you always rush in to save the day, you’re only prolonging the inevitable. Let them fail at home when the stakes are low.
- Love covers a multitude of parental mistakes.
In his first letter, the apostle Peter wrote:
“Above all, love one another deeply, for love covers over a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8
What was true for the first century Christians is true for parents today. You will make mistakes, and some of them will be big. But when you love your children well, you give them a secure foundation on which to build their lives. Your instincts may tell you that, to succeed, your kids need tutors, private coaches, lessons, and discipline. Those are good things, but studies have proven time and again that the number one way you set your children up for a happy and productive life is to love them well. And chances are, you’re already doing that.
God’s wisdom gives us the direction for not only recognizing our mistakes, but also correcting them. In parenting, it is no different. God’s way of life is the abundant life (John 10:10), and this life gives parents the opportunity to watch their children grow up making good decisions and avoiding decisions they may later regret. And learning how to live out these traits in our parenting gives our children a model for living out His abundant life.
There's a couple in Argyle, Texas who rehabilitates animals like horses, goats, and any kind of animal that's had broken legs or something that would disqualify them from what that animal normally does. Of course, more than anything else, they rehabilitate horses. But here's the thing, once a horse has had a break of some sort, it is done racing.
In fact, it' still a very big issue as lots of horses are put down once they experience a break. But here's what this couple does. They take these animals and then they bring in kids who are suffering from that same sort of brokenness. This is specifically for kids who have been through some serious trauma and so they end up taking these rehabilitated animals and put the kids to work helping these animals. While the kids think they're helping the animals, it's actually the animals helping them! Throughout this process, they've found that these animals are tremendously beneficial to kids on the spectrum.
In fact, the daughter of one of my girlfriends works at this place because she herself had a traumatic brain injury when she was young. This place really has just given her a new lease on life. What I love about animals is most of the time, they can sense the extra need and they get the nurturing aspect going and as a result, it just ends up being a wonderful partnership.
However, in light of this story, I want to remind you of something. While the world looks at these animals and says, "nope, you're too broken," remember that it's their brokenness that makes them so valuable and the same is true for you. You may think that you are too broken to be of any use to anybody or even to the Lord. But I'm here to tell you as someone who has shared her testimony regarding alcoholism over and over again, it's our very brokenness that will minister to people the most.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have a pretty good relationship with my next-door neighbor, but he is blatantly breaking the rules. Our HOA is adamant that you can't run a company out of your home, and during the pandemic he started a business when he lost his job. More and more, his clients line the street and have even blocked my mailbox several times. Sometimes his customers show up late at night, waking our dog up – and therefore all of us.
Turn him in? Or, let it go?
You don't have to know the Bible to be familiar with the story of David and Goliath. Back in the days of King Saul before David was king of Israel, they went to war with the Philistines. A lot of times back in this time period after many battles and an ongoing war at the end, the two armies would send out a champion, and the champions would battle it out. Whoever won represented the victorious nation and army and whoever lost would be subservient to the nation that won. That's what happened with Goliath because in 1 Samuel 17:10-11, it says:
Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
They were terrified of this guy because he was huge. He had more armor than he could carry. He actually had an armor bearer go out before him carrying some of his armor, but David wasn't afraid. David knew something that Saul and the Israelites did not know. You see, their problem wasn't Goliath, their problem was their perspective of Goliath. They had been watching and listening to Goliath for too long, and they had forgotten that God was the God who led the Israelites out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, fed the men in the desert, their clothes and their shoes never wore out, and then went before them into the promised land and conquered it. David knew who their God was and he knew that when he went out to face that giant, he wasn't facing him in his own strength. He was representative of the living God of Israel.
I want to tell you something. I know you have problems and I know they're big and they might even be mega-Goliath sized. But your problem isn't your problem. Your problem is your perspective of your problem. My friend Debbie Stewart says that all the time and sometimes I just need to be reminded of it.
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Dear Rebecca and Burns,
A friend nominated me to be an elder at our church. Here's the deal. This opens me up to scrutiny and an investigation. There is something in my past that no one knows about--not even my family. I don't want it coming out, but I would love to serve my church this way.
What should I do?
It’s true—there’s no place like home.
And apparently, even ants know this is true.
Ants are wired to find their way home. In forest settings, ants use scent glands to guide others and themselves back to their nests.[1] But what about in the desert?
This has puzzled researchers for years. Ants in the Sahara desert are just as capable of finding their way home as the ants in your yard are. But it couldn’t be scent glands because high desert winds blow the sand all around.
Professor Harald Wolf of the University of Ulm and his assistant Matthias Whittinger also asked this question, so they set out to find some answers. Their theory? Desert ants count their steps.
Here’s how they proved it. Wolf and Ulm divided a group of desert ants into three. They left the first group alone. They lengthened the legs of the second group and shortened the legs of the third group.
The second group marched right past their nest and looked confused when they stopped. The third group stopped short but also looked confused. The first group? They found their way home without incident.
How? The Sahara ants have specialized “pedometer-like” cells that serve as internal counters.
Solomon wrote, “[God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecc. 3:11). God wired ants to find their way back to their queen, just as he wired YOU to find your way back to your KING.
[1] Wilson, J. L., & Sandell, J. (2015). Ants Marching, and Using Pedometers. In E. Ritzema (Ed.), 300 Illustrations for Preachers. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Imagine how you would feel if one of your kids came to you and said they were leaving home and that they wanted nothing to do with you. Oh, by the way, they also want you to give them their share of the inheritance before they go. You'd be devastated right?
I imagine the father of the prodigal son was devastated and that's what we're talking about here: the parable of the prodigal son in Luke's gospel. (Luke 15:11-32) What is astonishing in this story is that the father actually does what his son requests: he sells off a third of his cattle, a third of his sheep, a third of his land, and sends his son to who knows where. Now the son, giddy over his newfound freedom, takes off for new frontiers, but the party lifestyle is pricey. It wasn't too much longer that his son had spent everything he had which couldn't have come at a worse time since a famine had also hit leaving him even more in a state of starvation and destitution.
So he tucks his tail between his legs, heads home and during that time, he prepares a speech saying:
"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." (Luke 15:21b)
However, the father sees him coming from a long way off and instead of letting his son walk the walk of shame, he hitches up his robes and races to him. He tells his servants:
"Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet." (Luke 15:22b)
He gives his son the shoes and reinstates him as a son and says you will not be a slave. He gives him his robe, which is the best robe and covers his sin and shame with his own glory and then he gives him his signet ring so that the son can go and do business in the father's name! The father then says:
"Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate." (Luke 15:23)
Here's what I found interesting. The younger son never says, "No dad, I'm not worthy of this celebration and gesture." The Bible does not tell us otherwise so we can safely assume that the son goes to the party and lets the father celebrate him. Here's what I learned from this: I don't think we allow the father to celebrate us and lavish us with his grace and mercy. I think so many times we get so caught up in our shame that we refuse to let the father celebrate us.
Are you still dragging around a suitcase of shame? Are you standing outside the door of the party that your father wants to throw for you? That does not glorify your father because you bring glory to your father by allowing him to shower you in his grace and to showcase you as an object of his glory!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I usually park my car on the street, and I noticed that someone dented my car. The dent happens to have the same silver paint as the car that our neighbor's sixteen-year-old son has. I asked them about it, and they grew very indignant and angry. I know their son hit me -- there is a suspicious dent on his car, too. But they're not Christians and I also want to show them Christ.
What should I do? I can't afford to fix my car.
Was Jesus a real, historical person? Did the Resurrection really happen? Is the Bible the only ancient work that mentions Jesus or the Cross? Apologist, podcaster, and professor Mikel Del Rosario sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about the historical reality of our Christian faith.
Find Mikel Del Rosario:
Website: http://apologeticsguy.com/
Twitter: @ApologeticsGuy
IG: @ApologeticsGuy
If you'd like to listen to the full episode, click here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
The power to change recycling for good is now in your hands. Meet the home recycling solution that will not only give me to you, but also give back to your planet.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am a 42-year-old single woman, and it looks like marriage is not in my future. I've wanted to be a mom my whole life, so I'm looking into fostering and hopefully adoption. My mother told me that is robbing the kid of a two-parent family and that she wouldn't feel like the child's grandmother. I'm devastated.
Am I wrong for wanting to give a child a home?
Give generously. Save wisely. Live appropriately.
This is the sequence that leads to financial health. It is also the sequence that aligns most closely with what we find in the Bible.
Unfortunately, most manage their finances in reverse—Live, save, give. Giving is for the leftovers. The idea of making generosity the priority of our finances is a struggle for many. Here are a few reasons why.
No matter how long you've been reading, no matter how brilliant you are, sometimes you just have to go back to the ABC's. I am in seminary and I'm studying for my master's degree in theology and biblical studies. I have been a Christian my whole life and reading the Bible front to back since seventh grade and yet, I heard something this morning that I had never heard before. It just took me back to the ABC's of the gospel. In Jeremiah chapter 15, The Lord is telling Jeremiah how he is going to punish his people because they have followed other gods and worshipped other gods. The Lord gave them a list of commands and said, "do this and I will bless you", but of course, they did not do any of those things. So now the Lord is going to bring about the curses that he promised them that he would bring them if they didn't obey.
Jeremiah 15:1 says:
"Then the LORD said to me: "Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not go out to this people. Send them away from my presence! Let them go!" - Jeremiah 15:1
In this passage, we recognize that if we were to go back in time to ask who the best, most obedient Jews were, they would most likely say Moses or Samuel. But even the best of the best could not intercede for his wicked people. Only God could and so God did. Jesus is the one who stands before the Father and pleads for you, me, and the people you're praying for. Sometimes I really just need to be reminded of that because it's just the simple things that end up being the most powerful reminders. Jesus pleads for you before the Father and God listens to him and forgives.
You can learn a lot from video games. Bear in mind, this is coming from a mom of two teenagers and I'll be honest here, I don't like video games at all. However, psychologists say they do have some value. For instance, people really enjoy a challenge, right? I mean, we all love a challenge. What video game designers have been doing over the last two decades is purposely making their games more and more difficult and maybe you would think that at some point that it would backfire. However, it hasn't yet.
In fact, all the studies show that gamers love it because the prospect of failing quickly, but improving over time, even over long periods of time, encourages users to keep going. So the hardest games seem to be the most addictive and people who play these games post videos about their improvement. In these communities, they post their scores, and they're encouraged to plant hints in the games that help others succeed. What this is showing us is that through perseverance, through difficulty and through trying all the harder, people find hope.
Of course, you and I already know this because the Bible has been telling us this message for 1000's of years. For instance, James 1:12 says:
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12
Romans 5:3-4 also says:
"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope." - Romans 5:3-4
Let me tell you something, you might be going through something tremendously difficult, but you're built for this. You're built for this! You're wired for this and through Christ, you will get through this.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I got into a lot of trouble with my parents because I got caught cheating on a math exam at school, but I heard my parents talking about “cutting corners” on their taxes.
What’s the difference?
There is a difference and nuance between the words sympathy and empathy. Sympathy is to feel sorry for person who is going through something difficult. You feel sorry for them. Empathy is to feel sorry with them. It's to climb into their sorrow, feel it, and experience it with them. We are able to empathize when we have gone through something that someone else is going through.
Jesus is an empathetic Savior and maybe you're thinking, "No, he didn't go through exactly what I've been through." However, I want you to listen to something from Acts 9 where the apostle Paul has been given permission by the Jewish authorities to go into a city called Damascus and persecute Christians as well as drag them back to Jerusalem for trial, imprisonment, and possibly death. So as Saul (he was going by his Jewish name at the time, later went by Paul) is on the way, he is literally breathing threats and murder (Acts 9:1). Here's what happened next:
As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” “Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” - Acts 9:3-6
The interesting part of this passage is that Jesus had already been crucified, risen, and ascended into heaven. Saul wasn't persecuting Jesus, except that Jesus being an empathetic Savior since he was feeling what his people were going through. So maybe you're going through something and you're thinking, "well, Jesus never went through this. Jesus never went through abuse as a child, etc." He sees your situation and he feels your physical pain and I just think that's a precious thing about him that we need to know. He enters in and suffers with you because he is an empathetic Savior. (Hebrews 4:15)
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Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have been offered a promotion at work that I have wanted for a long time. I'm afraid it might be unfair, though, as there are two people in the office who have been there longer than me. I am good friends with my boss's wife and think that may have something to do with it. I know this could cause tension in the office, but my husband and I have a special needs daughter and really need the money.
What should I do?
John Elmore took his first sip of alcohol at four-years-old, and that sip started a journey of alcoholism that nearly killed him. Now he runs the biggest Christ-centered recovery group in the world. In this episode of the Honest Conversations podcast, he sits down to discuss the vertical nature of forgiveness and the horizontal nature of healing.
If you want to listen to the full episode, click here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
We recently moved back into the office after being away for a year. I have always been the type to tell someone if they made an extra effort to look sharp – how nice they look that day. Didn’t matter to me if they were male or female. But, it must have bugged someone, because I was called into HR because I told someone of the opposite sex they looked pretty that day. I won’t do this at the office anymore, but, is it wrong to compliment the appearance of someone of the opposite sex?
The COVID-19 pandemic shaped much of the innovation from this past year and Airthings is one of those consumer innovations. Their at-home or office wall sensors can analyze rooms for virus risk. They do not specifically detect the virus; they look at a wide series of factors using AI like monitoring temperature, humidity, and the number of people in a room to assess risk.
Kids live in a different world from the one that those of us over age 50 grew up in. Life for them is so serious. There is pressure to perform, social cultures to navigate and an all-consuming media environment to balance. These demands can take a toll on a child’s health and well-being. The difference a grandparent can make in helping a child navigate life clearly shows why grandparents are important.
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Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife and I have been married for nine months and there is a problem. She doesn't like to cook, and when she does cook, it's frozen meals. I was raised by a mother who cooked every night, and this has put a real wedge in our relationship. I go out of my way to do things that make her happy. Help!
To all of us who have ever felt stuck in our circumstances, Kat Armstrong offers a word of comfort and hope. She sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to take a look at the Samaritan woman at the well from John 4 and shows us how Jesus meets us in the in-between places of life.
Kat's latest book is called The In-Between Place: Where Jesus Changes your Story. Connect with Kat Armstrong at https://www.katarmstrong.com/.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
The victory of God does not look like deliverance from our circumstances. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. You and I are overcomers in Christ and what that means is that God is faithful, moment by moment, to give us the strength and the courage to rise above our circumstances. God is the God who meets us in our circumstances.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past twenty-two years and just last year my husband and I decided it was time for me to re-enter corporate America. My youngest is a sophomore in high school so we feel very good about this decision. An older woman in our church, whom I love and respect, recently told me that she had a "word" from God for me. She says the Lord has laid it on her heart that I should not work an 8 to 5 job with a child still at home. I have been beside myself.
I love my job, but I don't want to be out of God's will. What do you think?
Looking like a mix between an F-1 car and the Batmobile, the world’s first mass-produced solar-powered car just took several more steps towards its first market day.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
We've made a terrible mistake and don't know how to get out of it. Our daughter is getting married in six weeks and I was charged with sending out and keeping track of invitations. She gave me their list of people along with her and her fiancé's address books. I accidentally sent an invitation to her fiancé's.....EX FIANCE! Even worse, the woman responded that she is coming and has already sent a gift. My daughter is furious with me.
How do we handle this? We don't want her there, but it feels too late.
One of the biggest parts of learning to walk or learning to ride a bike is falling. I think we forget that part of learning is failing. When you are learning a new skill, failure is inevitable. And when it comes to our kids, we know that. We don’t scold babies when we fall; we cheer when they get back up.
God calls us his children. And when we take a first faith step toward Jesus, all of Heaven cheers. Jesus told the crowd:
“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” - Luke 15:7
And then the rest of our journey on earth is learning to walk like Christ.
We are going to fail.
But think about this: God sits outside of time and space. He sees the end from the beginning. That means God knows precisely how many times we are going to fall and how many times we will fail. And instead of getting frustrated with us when we blow it, he cheers when we get back up.
Tara-Leigh Cobble said this at the HeartStrong Faith Women’s Bible Conference:
"If God knows that you will fall 100 times, he is not angry when we fail the 55th time. He says, only 45 more times. Only 35 more times. Only 20 more times—you’re almost there, don’t give up!"
So don’t give up and don’t be so hard on yourself when you fail!
Luis Palau, a Christian evangelist known for his smile and hearty laugh and described by some as “the Latino Billy Graham,” died Thursday (March 11) at his Portland, Oregon, home. He was 86.
What if that thing you have been striving for is right in front of you? That is the story of just about every person in the world because what the world would tell you is that your highest ideal is your happiness. However, the Bible would tell you your highest ideal is holiness.
Every ad, every commercial, and every marketing line you hear tells you that you have the right to be happy and that you have the right to do what it takes to achieve happiness. You deserve it, you deserve it all, in fact, they'll even say you're entitled to it. Although, research would suggest that the things that make us happiest are things we already tend to have. Most of us do this even if we don't think we do this, but we equate happiness with more _______. Usually that starts with more money, more notoriety, more respect, more letters behind the name, or ________.
Though, research shows that after you make about $75,000, your happiness level doesn't change that much between that point and someone who makes millions of dollars of year. This is because you don't have food and security and for the most part, most people are able to pay their bills while also covering costs like retirement, college, healthcare, etc. After that point, more money does not equal more happiness and even in a lot of cases, it can mean less. So this is a fascinating study that showed the happiest people tend to have lives that are deeply entrenched in relationships, family, friends, and community in church. They also spend time outside in nature where they get sunshine which produces vitamin D and that produces dopamine experiences, like life experiences make us happier
Another interesting thing about these findings are that this isn't new research. In the 1800's, Alexis de Tocqueville wrote a book called Democracy in America where he details his experience of coming over to America from France to study the American prison system. He specifically was interested in studying different pockets of societies and what he found in America was really surprising. He expect to find Americans to be the happiest people in the world because they were very affluent and wealthy, but what he ended up seeing was that the happiest people in the world were those who tended to live in smaller communities where everybody knew each other and where they spent a ton of time outdoors with less material possessions. These communities of people placed less emphasis on accumulating things and more on time and experiences.
I love this so much because it reminds us that we were wired for relationships and community, not the accumulation of things. We know that the greatest secret to our abiding joy is always going to be found in the very designer of humanity: the God of the universe.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am ashamed to even write these words, but my husband and I discovered a few months ago that our son was having an affair. We are devastated, obviously, as he married his high school sweetheart, whom we have loved dearly. He said he broke it off, but we're not sure. Recently our daughter-in-law came to us in tears because she says she knows something is wrong, but she doesn't know what. They have two children, a four-year-old and a two-year-old. I am avoiding her because I don't know what to say.
She deserves to know the truth, but how could I do that to my son?
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I've shared on the air before that my family has just been in a challenging season consider that we have a family member who got a diagnosis. It's not a terminal diagnosis, but it's still a tough diagnosis to bear. As we've been navigating this path forward, I have just been praying that God would fix it. Lord, just fix it. I don't think it's bad to pray that at all, but I was reminded through a conversation with a friend about a small group leader I have used to have. this small group leader had been a pastor for years and told a story about how he was at a pastors conference up in New York City and this was a conference was where they had pastors from all over the world representing different cultures and different locations to share their experience. However, one of them stood out as he was from somewhere in the Middle East. They couldn't even give this pastor's name because he would be killed, especially being the pastor of an underground church. This is what he said:
"You Americans, you pray that God will take your load. We pray that God would strengthen our back."
After hearing that, I feel like I have not been praying the right way, I am only praying that God would fix it. But now, I want to pray that God would teach me through this, that he would strengthen me through this and that he would strengthen the recipient of the diagnosis that this person would learn that God uses all things to glorify him if we will be patient and wait on Him and allow him to strengthen us. Sometimes God swoops in and fixes things. I think more often than not, God walks with us, strengthens us, and shows us that he that he is trustworthy through the process.
I will tell you this, it's been a challenging season, and I might have had a massive meltdown recently. But God has walked with us and he is strengthening us and continues to prove himself faithful over and over again.
As my friend Christian Williams says, "I am learning over and over again that you can pray for escape and endurance at the same time."
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." - Luke 22:42
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have a relative who has diabetes and must take insulin shots after every meal. He makes quite a production of it, testing blood sugar level, preparing the injection and injecting himself at the table -- all in front of family members and friends and in restaurants. I can handle it, but several others cannot. The sight of blood and injections ruins the enjoyment of the meals for those with queasy stomachs. This person is extremely sensitive, and his feelings would be crushed if he knew he was offending people.
How would you handle this?
In the quest to be healthy and whole, spiritual care can get lost in the shuffle. Phil and Lou Walleck of Restoration Community sit down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss an unlikely path to soul care and joy for adults and children alike.
Listen to the whole episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Those of us making grand post-pandemic travel plans might want to consider the final frontier as a destination. That's because Orbital Assembly Corporation, a new construction company run by former pilot John Blincow, is planning to open a luxury space hotel by 2027. Voyager Station, as it's being called, would accommodate 280 guests and 112 crew members while aiming to be the first commercial space hotel, upon completion.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My husband and I go to a very large church and joined a small group a while ago. One of the members is a woman who was really awful to me in High School. She is very sweet now, but has never addressed how she treated me. I thought I would be able to let it go--it's been over 20 years--but I'm actually starting to think about it more and more. I want to leave the small group but my husband loves it. It took me a long time to get him to join one and I don't want to rock the boat.
What should I do?
Don’t underestimate the effect that 2020 had on young kids. Much has been written, discussed and preached about how the pandemic has affected adults. But, as we stand at the start of another year, which has already brought its own measure of uncertainty and unforeseen challenges, perhaps it’s time to ask ourselves: How do we teach our kids to trust God when the world flips, when uncertainty swoops in, when even the grown-ups who love them don’t know what to do?
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My nephew calls himself an entrepreneur. He has a habit of big ideas that never pan out. His latest venture is providing IT support to small and mid-sized companies and he is trying to get me and my husband to switch over to him. We have been business owners for 20 years and are happy with our service, plus, we don't really trust him.
What should we do? My sister (his mother) keeps bringing it up, too.
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Jesus did not say tolerate your neighbor. He said, "love your neighbor". (Mark 12:31) One of the things I love about God is that God doesn't command that which He won't empower. In other words, if God tells you to do it, He's going to give you the power to do it.
Over the weekend, the DFW area lost a very well known radio personality: Russ Martin. Russ Martin and I have a little bit of history and if you've been in the DFW area for a long time, maybe you know about it. I worked at another station prior to this one on a morning show and Russ Martin had some fun at my expense. When I was younger in my 20s, I wasn't very good at being the brunt of someone's joke. However, I will say that I honestly believe to this day, Russ Martin never said anything that wasn't out of fun. I don't think that it was ever malicious. Looking back, it probably did me a favor career-wise because you know that you've arrived when someone starts picking on you.
One of the things that God has done in my heart because I saw this news over the weekend is that I was genuinely sad and mourning his loss. God tells us to love our neighbor and He won't command us to do something that He won't empower us to over the course of time. As I grew closer to the Lord, I would see Russ Martin pop up in the news every now and then, especially in regards to his charitable work. He has raised $100,000's of dollars for families of people who were officers or firefighters killed in the line of duty as well as a lot of other good work in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
I'm deeply sorry to hear of his passing and perhaps you've been one of his listeners. If you are grieving today, I'm sad for you as well. I really am. If you're one of the families that his charitable organization impacted, we remember him with you. If you happen to struggle with someone in any kind of way, just remember, God will never command that which he will not empower.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Recently, my parents blessed my wife and I with a new car for my birthday. There’s just one problem though: it’s in their name and they say they want to keep it that way. We’re one year into our marriage and have been trying to become financially independant from my parents, but frankly this feels like a step back. My parents tend to hold stuff over my head when things get tense in our relationship so I just don’t want us to find ourselves without a car if there is ever a disagreement in the future.
Help!
My dad would have a piece of advice that he would say over and over again to me and my sisters as we were growing up. It has proven to be such good advice and what's interesting is that it started out as dating advice because I was not good at picking boyfriends. My dad would always tell me and my sisters, "Girls, just don't settle. Don't just settle to have someone. Wait for someone who's crazy about you."
When I moved down to Texas over 20 years ago, I was looking for a job in radio and I did get a job in radio, but I was only making minimum wage. Because of that, I was also working at another job where I was making pretty decent money. I really had some some thoughts about forgetting about the radio idea so that I could just make some money. However, I would remember my dad saying, "Rebecca, if you do that you're settling. I've always taught you not to settle."
I was thinking about that very moment over the weekend as we were teaching through the book of Philippians at the HeartStrong Faith Women's Bible Conference. One of the things that I think you can take from that book is the idea of not settling. I think that we tend to do that sometimes with Bible study because there are Instagram memes with Bible verses, or we read devotional books that are about God where they pepper a couple of verses of Scripture in there. Although, Paul has such an incredible vision of Jesus that he says "to live is Christ and to die is gain". (Philippians 1:21)
I think that if Paul were here today, he would say: Don't settle. Don't settle for Bible verse memes and don't settle for just devotionals. When you have the richness and the treasures of Scripture, bound together in one book, which is definitely NOT how they got to read their Bible. They had one letter at a time or they had to sit and listen to a passage at a time, but we have the whole thing! Not only is your God crazy for you, He's jealous for you. He's jealous for your time. So don't settle. Don't settle for riding the coattails of someone else's faith when you could have your own relationship with the king of the universe.
The short four-chapter book of Philippians offers us deep theology, rich promises, and the clearest picture of Christ's divinity. After teaching through Paul's letter to the church of Philippi at the HeartStrong Faith Women's Bible Conference, Rebecca Carrell, Liz Rodriguez, and theologian, speaker, and Bible teacher Nika Spaulding sit down to discuss the book and its implications for us today.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am a helper. I love to find ways to help people, especially my friends. And, I have a new friend who is a wonderful, caring, and funny person. But, I am starting to feel like she is taking advantage of me, my time, and even my resources. It feels like every day there is something, and it’s starting to drain me.
How do I say no, when I feel so guilty for doing so?
We were fortunate to have Judge Roy Sparkman join the morning show to talk about his book, "A Pastor's Pit" which talks about some of the dangers that religious liberty faces today in our culture.
NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance mission captured thrilling footage of its rover landing in Mars' Jezero Crater on Feb. 18, 2021.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
During the beginning of the pandemic, I lost my job due to budget cuts and was out of work for a few months. Thankfully, my dad offered me a job at his company working in his department. However, a few weeks ago, he had to let me go because performance expectations weren’t being met. I’m devastated and frankly, it’s affected my relationship with him ever since.
What should I do?
From minor challenges to a major crisis, stress is part of life. Whether it's a global pandemic or a major snowstorm passing through the area, we know that we can't always control our circumstances; but we can control how we respond to them.
When stress becomes overwhelming or even chronic, it can take a toll on our well-being. That's why it's important to have effective stress relievers that can calm our minds and bodies. Here are 5 things you can implement today that will reduce your stress.
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Have you ever looked around at your life and thought, "It wasn't supposed to be like this?" Producer, director, actress, songwriter, and vocalist Kristen Brewer joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss ways to navigate deferred and broken dreams and trusting God in the midst of deep disappointment.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am a senior at TCU and live in a townhouse with three of my friends. We have been best friends since freshman year, but only started living together in January. I am really upset because I am the only one who cleans. I've talked to them about it a couple times--they always apologize and say they know I'm right but that they're so busy. I'm busy too! But if I don't clean the bathroom and the kitchen, it never gets done.
I don't want to lose them as friends, but my feelings are hurt. What should I do?
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Our son is one year old, and my mom takes care of him during the day while my husband and I work. This is such a gift because we are in debt and can't afford traditional day care. The problem is that she won't respect our boundaries. She feeds him junk food and lets him drink sweet tea. We've talked to her about it and she thinks we're being silly.
What should we do? She is our only option during the day.
This year, starting on February 12th, the federal government began accepting tax returns for the 2020 year and let's just say that if threw a lot of our financial situations for a spin. Whether you lost your job and lived on unemployment for a period of time or received stimulus checks, it's crucial to understand how COVID-19 will affect your taxes.
Have you ever think of ‘what if your phone’s broken screen has heal/repair itself automatically just like your skin?’
Yeah, self-healing materials will help us to build self-repairing phones, gadgets, household appliances, or even architectural structures like buildings and bridges. And, prevent them from damages and cracks by aging.
What are self-healing materials?
Self-healing materials are quite similar to biological substances and behave like human skin. Since they are artificial or synthetically created, self-healing materials have a built-in ability to automatically repair damages to themselves without any external diagnosis or human intervention.
Self-healing materials are not a new concept, ancient Indians, Egyptians used this technology to build their houses, temples, and traditional structures to last through the ages thousands of years ago.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My husband and I are expecting our first child and we are so excited. My husband has two sisters and both of them have been married longer than we have--one has kids, the other does not. Here is my dilemma: I am trying to get them to help plan a baby shower for me, but my sister-in-law who doesn't have kids is resistant. In fact, she has been acting funny ever since we told her we were expecting. I don't know what to do.
I want her to be a part of things, but I don't know how to proceed.
Children learn who they are and how to identify, value, and communicate needs and feelings through interactions with their parents. Thus, how you communicate with your children is critical to the formation of their identity and to a large extent determines how secure their sense of self and self-esteem are. Here are traits of healthy families that allow children to develop into independent, functional adults.
Have you ever read something and thought to yourself, “That is an absolute gamechanger?”
That happened to me while I was reading Philippians – an itty bitty little four-chapter book in the New Testament. Philippians 1:12 says this:
"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel." - Philippians 1:12
The Apostle Paul wrote this book and the first thing we need to ask ourselves is, “What has happened to him?”
We know from other places in the Bible that Paul has been betrayed by people he loves, run out of town on multiple occasions, stoned, whipped, and shipwrecked, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Paul as writing this letter while he was under house arrest. Scholars say he was actually chained to a guard. And he says that what has happened to him as actually served to advance the gospel.
What if we could adopt this mindset about everything that happens to us?
Paul was talking about jail, but this could go both ways.
How can your location in your neighborhood serve to advance the gospel?
How can the raise you just got serve to advance the gospel?
How can the new car you just bought serve to advance the gospel?
How can this pandemic serve to advance the gospel?
How can this winter weather catastrophe serve to advance the gospel?
What if we determined right now, in our hearts, that we would let the Lord use all of our circumstances to advance the gospel?
Our theme next weekend at the HeartStrong Faith Women’s Bible conference is Anxious for Nothing, and we are teaching through the entire book of Philippians.
I hope you can join us!
It’s a great lineup of speakers, including Tara-Leigh Cobble and Margaret Feinberg, and tickets are still on sale.
You can join us live at First Baptist Dallas or attend virtually. You could even host a watch party live from the comfort of your own living room.
We want to thank our sponsors: Logos Bible Software, Preborn ministries, GFA World, and Kids’ Faith Krate.
For ticket information and all the details, click here: https://firstdallas.brushfire.com/heartstrongfaith/
So how is your 2021 going so far?
Global pandemic, check.
Massive ice storm that paralyzes the state of Texas, check.
Kids missing more school, check.
These are the facts. But I’m not discouraged about this, and let me tell you why you shouldn’t be, either. The facts don’t have the final say.
I want to read you something that Paul said in the book of Romans.
"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." - Romans 4:18
So, God had promised Abraham a son. That’s a fact. But here’s another fact. Abraham’s body was as good as dead and his wife’s womb looked more like a tomb. But it says that Abraham faced those facts, but didn’t waver in unbelief. Why? Because he knew that the facts never have the final say when it coms to God.
The natural thing to do is to look around at our circumstances and say “Woe is me.” But you and I serve a supernatural God. Let’s think for a minute about God’s track record.
He created a universe out of nothing, a man out of mud, and a woman out of a rib. He led his people through the Red Sea and into the Promised Land. In the New Testament Jesus walked on water, calmed a sea, gave sight to blind, healed countless of people, cast out demons, and raised the dead. And this same God knows how many hairs on your head, how many times your heart will beat, and how long your circumstances will last. He can change everything in an instant and he is always working on your behalf.
Romans 4:19 says “Abraham faced the facts.” So let’s face them.
A global pandemic. An arctic freeze. An uncertain future. Those are the facts. But the facts never have the final say. Not when we remember that God works everything for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose.
Breakups are emotionally difficult no matter which side you’re on. If you ended the relationship, it’s normal to deal with guilt and regret over hurting someone else. If you were the one broken up with, insecurity, depression and anger are equally natural responses.
In either case, God’s will is for this season to strengthen you for the road ahead. You can come out of this difficult time full of hope and inspiration for the future! But to do so, you must learn how to give yourself fully to the present. You must move on from your past relationship. Here are a few ways to do just that.
Carman Dominic Licciardello, a Christian music legend known simply by his first name, has died at the age of 65.
Carman had been hospitalized in Las Vegas for complications following surgery to repair a hiatal hernia, according to a press release.
Carman sold millions of records but by the early 2000s his music career had stalled. Fans rallied to his aid though after the musician announced he had cancer in 2013, donating hundreds of thousands to fund a new music project.
Carman was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018. He had been planning to start on a 60-city tour later this year. He credited his fans with helping spark his musical revival and his recovery from cancer.
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God answered Liz's prayer with a job that moved her from Tulsa, Oklahoma to Lancaster, Pennsylvania. But what do we do when an answered prayer looks nothing like you imagined? In a conversation called, "Redefining Good," Liz and Rebecca chat about the common misconceptions about answering God's call and the definition of "good."
If you'd like to listen to the full episode, you can click here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
One of my earlier childhood memories is my mom watching a show that she loved to watch: Perry Mason. If you are unfamiliar with the show, imagine a Law and Order show before there was Law and Order. I don't know if you're like me but I absolutely love a good courtroom drama.
However, there is one part that I can't stand: when the bad guy gets away with it. Most of the time, these courtroom drama shows wrap it all nice, neat, and pretty in a bow. Although, there are some times that the murderer or the offender gets away with it.
You and I are that offender.
I was reading in the book of Romans just the other day and in Romans 3, it says:
As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” - Romans 3:10-12
That includes every last one of us, but here's the thing. Our standing before God does not depend on our actual guilt or innocence. Our standing before God depends on God's justification. God, because of Jesus, has declared each and every one of us not guilty. Even though we're guilty, Paul wrote:
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:31-32
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It's God who justifies! Who then is the one who condemns? No one! Why? Because Jesus is standing in front of God as the perfect defense attorney arguing for us and taking our sentence. Isn't that incredible? You're standing before God does not depend on whether or not you did it. You did it. Your standing before God is blameless because of what Jesus did.
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Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I work at a marketing firm under one of the more successful executives. He has had me helping on more accounts over the last few months, which is great. What's not great is that he recently landed two major clients because of work that I did, and he has given me no credit for it. Our CEO was in town and interrupted a meeting to tell him what a rock star he is, and he said nothing. I have a great job and don't want to rock the boat, but I also want to be fairly recognized.
What should I do?
Disappointment. Devastation. Heartbreak. These emotions seem to be on repeat still especially after a year like 2020 and just a couple months of 2021.
What do you do when the bottom falls out? In other words, when life comes at you and you’re faced with a difficulty, how do you handle it? Here are a few things you need to remember about God and His character during these challenging times.
Did you know that when you submit a job application online, it’s probably read and filtered by a robot before a human ever sees it? No, this isn’t Star Wars, folks—just the 21st century job market. And that “robot” is something called an applicant tracking system (ATS).
There’s no way around it, but there are a few things you can do to help your application pass through the system to get to the next stage (human interaction)! Here’s everything you need to know about ATS so you can beat the bots and get a real, live person to look at your resumé.
There is one facet of God that I don't think we think about very much, especially when it comes to the times we live in currently. It's God's "otherness". What we tend to do, because this is how our minds work, is we project our attributes onto God instead of remembering that we are made in His image. Our attributes are but a fractured image of His.
God is completely and totally other. In fact, He says:
“This is what the Lord says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come— yes, let them foretell what will come." - Isaiah 44:6-7
Here's why we struggle with the future. Even though we know that God is in control, we struggle it with it because we're not in control. We cannot help but think if this freaks me out, somehow or other, it must be out of control. But one thing that we can know about God is that He is the God that sees every angle of every situation, and we can't. He is the God of every possible outcome. No matter what you do, no matter how this turns out, He can, He will, and He promises to use it for your good.
He is completely unlike us. It's the reason He can love us so much. It's the reason He can send His Son to die for us because He is not like us. I find that "otherness" really comforting because oftentimes in life we find ourselves in situations we would never choose. We would never want something to work out the way it's working out. But God in His magnificent otherness, sees every possible angle, every possible outcome, and loves you so much that He will allow things because that is how He's going to get you to your greatest good and His greatest glory.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I love your show! I moved here in December for a new job, and because of the pandemic, I haven't been able to really meet anyone, so y'all are like my friends. Our office started back in person in January and one of the guys in another department has asked me out twice. I am so lonely, and I really want to go, but our office is small and has a strict no-dating policy.
What should I do? I don't want to offend the only person who's really given me the time of day.
When you're expressing something you're feeling, how you say it and the words you choose matter. According to experts, there's one frequently used word that can make others think you're being selfish, causing a conversation to go wrong in the process, and that word is “actually”.
Often times, the word "actually" can sound critical. Experts say that it carries a tone of ego and hubris. It can make you sound like a know-it-all or someone who is unwilling to compromise. Using the word “actually” to emphasize a fact or correct someone who misspoke can be off-putting.
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Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My mother-in-law passed away suddenly over the weekend. Although she raised my husband in the church, she had become very angry and bitter the last two decades and had very little interest in Christianity. My daughter is twelve and very sensitive. I know she is going to ask me if her Nana is in heaven and I don't know what to tell her.
I do know that I don't want to lie.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I'm a senior in college and I quit social media two months ago because I was spending too much time on it. But now I feel like an outsider with my group of friends. They have inside jokes that I'm not in on and I've even missed a party because the invite was on an Instagram message and no one remembered to tell me about it.
My feelings are hurt, and I'm confused because I feel like social media is harmful and that I'm doing the right thing.
In times where everything seems to be just kind of spinning out of control, there is one thing we have to cling to. It's the absolute complete and utter sovereignty of God.
I got an email from one of our friends last Thursday or Friday and she is going through just about everything you can go through and it's all happening at the same time. Her kids are making poor decisions, her marriage feels like it's on the rocks, and she hasn't gone to the office since the pandemic started. She says that she's just feeling lower and lower and lower and lower. You know something? I think a lot of us are in the same boat she is in and the boat seems to get more crowded by the day.
When I go through things like this, I just have to remember that not only can we cling to the fact that God is completely, totally, and utterly sovereign, and that nothing happens without His knowledge. But we can also cling to the very fact that we're going through what we're going through is proof that God's Word is true. It's proof! What did Jesus say in John 16:33? He said:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
I wish he said you might, but He didn't. He said "you will". But then He said, "take heart because I have overcome the world". What that means is that we can look around us and we can praise God because He said this would happen. That means we can cling to every single promise in Scripture, which includes: He has overcome the world.
Each year churches gather groups of students to send them to under-privileged areas for short term mission trips. Dallas Theological Seminary professor and missionary Dr. Jenny McGill sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss potential mission pitfalls and whether these trips help or hurt the people to whom we minister.
If you'd like to listen to the full episode, you can click here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
The idea behind the Infinity Game Table is pretty simple: Play any board game you want -- but the games are digital on a large touchscreen table. No pieces to set up, no cards to shuffle and no one has to be the banker. Just gather the family around and dive in. And the family doesn't have to be in the same home. Table owners can play with each other online.
As you read the title of this article, you might be thinking of things like: finances, infidelity, lack of communication, etc. We actually want to go beyond that to the root of what is going on in marriages across the world as these are the real threats to any marriage. Often, these problems can simply be fixed when we address the root cause of it rather than the symptom.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
We have three kids and our middle daughter is 14. She is incredibly talented and been performing her whole life. A friend of mine with ties in the entertainment industry convinced us to let her audition for a pilot television show. We were stunned when she got the role, and now we are a house divided. My husband wants her to do it and I am terrified of letting our daughter enter that world at her age.
I need some godly wisdom.
It's the biggest game of the year this weekend and whether you are rooting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Kansas City Chiefs, our own Rebecca Carrell wants to share her gift of rhyme with the world as she predicts who will win.
Stay close to your loved one's health using the Hero app. With this personalized health portal, you can set up the Hero device and help your loved ones manage their medication routines.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
We love our church. But we have an Autistic child and our church offers no help to care for her for 1 hour so that my wife and I could serve and worship. It’s keeping my wife from going to church.
Should we find a new church?
Strapping on a leather suit can protect you from a nasty case of road rash should you wipe out on a motorcycle, but that’s about it. For more robust protection during a crash, several companies have been developing airbag technology for motorcycles, including a pair of inflatable jeans designed to protect a rider’s legs.
After playing many years in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys as a tight end and one year with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, Jason Witten may be retiring from playing football, but he hasn't retired from coaching! Recently, he announced that he will be the new head football coach for Liberty Christian School in Argyle! To top it all off, his kids happen to be students at this school as well!
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I’m a 32-year-old American-born Indian (both of my parents immigrated here from India a year before I was born.) I mention that because it definitely has to do with my dilemma. I am in love with my girlfriend. She’s 24, has a child, and is American (not Indian). My parents had an arranged marriage and are kind of stuck in their ways. I’ve tried to introduce a non-Indian girlfriend to them years ago and they refused. I know my girlfriend is my soulmate. I’ve heard of children of Indians simply cutting their parents out and I don’t want to do that.
What do I do?
The way you read and understand the Bible depends 100% on this one thing: how you view God. I thought about that this morning because my friend Amanda and I do a devotional together and currently, we're focusing on the book of Romans. Right now we're in chapter two and starting at Romans 1:18 all the way to verse 32, the book of Romans gets really tough.
If you don't have a right view of God, it is impossible to read those words without feeling condemned or like God is an angry judge just waiting to get you.
Here is how you need to understand the Lord: God is a loving, compassionate father. That means any time there is a harsh word in Scripture, it is for your protection and your blessing. Because God is a loving Father, He will never require anything of you that is not for your flourishing. Not ever. You can take that to the bank!
One of my favorite verses is Isaiah chapter 30:18 and it says,
"Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!" - Isaiah 30:18
That word "longs" is a feeling that you feel in your whole being. It's wanting something so bad that you hurt and your stomach twists. God longs to be gracious to you. The verse later says, "therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion for the Lord as a God of justice and bless it are all who wait for him!" If you don't come to the Scriptures with that as your picture of God, you will not get everything out of them that you could.
Let's remind ourselves that in the same way we love our children, just imagine how much more God loves us. God as a compassionate, loving Father. Look at Him that way and it'll transform the way you look at Scripture.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My parents are getting up there in years and starting to need us on a regular basis. The problem is, my oldest sister doesn’t help at all, and she lives closer to them than anyone else. She doesn’t even call to check up on them. I see the hurt in my parents eyes, and the anger in siblings eyes.
What can I do/say to get her to help even just a little?
Over the weekend, Jay Allen walked through a house that had been completely burned down. In the midst of all that loss, it was a story about the homeowner's 5 year old daughter that gave him the biggest parenting lesson he's ever received.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am 34-years-old and have been married for a year. Although we didn't talk about it a whole lot, I went into the marriage believing my now husband wanted kids. He recently told me that can't imagine bringing a child into this world and wants to take permanent measures to make sure it can't happen. I am devastated--I've wanted to be a mother my whole life.
I can't imagine staying married because I'll resent him for the rest of my life. What should I do?
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14
I'm getting ready to teach on this passage to a bunch of college girls and can I tell you why I am so excited? If there is one thing I know a lot about, it's that a lot of college girls struggle with body image. When I was in my early 20's and my late teens, I didn't feel like I was fearfully and wonderfully made. I felt like I was awful and ugly made. But listen to this.
Whether you believe it or not, in some way or another in your life, you are a leader! Whether you are a parent, a boss, a manager, or simply a leader in your faith, you lead in some regard. That's why we decided to highlight 5 qualities that leaders as well as normal people can aim for in order to not only improve their own life, but lift up the lives of others.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
A friend of mine recently told me that I have a habit of correcting people when they use improper grammar or bad manners. She said this after I told her to put her napkin on her lap. She was offended, which I don't understand. If someone doesn't tell people when they use bad grammar or manners, how will they learn? I don't want to be rude; I just want to help.
What do you think?
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Teenagers have a really big opportunity to make a big difference because of their age. And I guarantee you that their parents wish they could go back in time and start their retirement account when they were teenagers.
Is it abnormal for a teenager to save for retirement?
Yup.
But this is a good kind of abnormal.
Today's the day - we get to make our BIG announcement!
Tara Leigh Cobble is joining the lineup of the HeartStrong Faith Women's Bible Conference this year! Tara-Leigh is the host of the God Shot on 90.9 KCBI and The Bible Recap with Tara-Leigh Cobble.
But wait—there’s more! To celebrate, we’ve decided to lower the ticket price back down to the Early Bird rate for forty-eight hours only.
This offer ends on Thursday, January 28th at 8 am, so don’t wait. Get your tickets here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife and have four kids--two that are biologically ours, one adopted, and one foster child whom we took in intending to adopt, if possible. Our foster child is fourteen and has bounced from home to home since she was two, and she is very broken. Our problem is that she steals, lies, and sometimes terrorizes our other kids.
We can't bear to send her back into the system, but where do we draw the line? We also have to protect our other three kids.
I have give credit where credit is due. My (Don) pastor is Craig Etheridge at First Baptist Church in Colleyville, Texas and this past weekend, my wife, Valerie and I looked at each other and felt like he was looking into our living room talking about our lives. He was talking about Habakkuk and he says three times Habakkuk uses the word "though". Though I do this, though this happens. The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translated to "even if."
So instead of saying, "What if? What if this happens? What if the doctor's report isn't good? What if my friend moves away? What if I lose my job? What if fill in the blank?" Change it to, "even if" and that's what Habakkuk did. Even if these bad things happen, God is still God. Even if the worst comes to reality, God will care for me. Even if it happens, I will trust the Lord. Then he shared this:
"What if leads to a question, even if leads to a statement. What if leads to doubt, even if leads to faith. What if focuses on me, even if focuses on God. What if leads to worry, even if it leads to worship." - Pastor Craig Etheridge
We can't even begin to wonder what the Israelites were going through because I know we can read the Bible and see some of it but can you imagine living that life and being in captivity to the Babylonians and everything that they went through? But even then, even if you go through the worst thing you've imagined, know that the Creator of the Universe, the God of Heaven, loves you. He has a plan for you and you're never going to go through it alone.
Kroger is experimenting with a high-tech grocery cart that lets shoppers scan items as they go and leave the store without waiting in a checkout line in its latest push to bring more automation into its stores.
With the power of social media, we've all been given the power to say whatever we want. But just because we can say almost anything we want doesn’t necessarily mean we should.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am 54 and lost my husband five years ago. A year ago I met a man who is also a widower. We have become dear friends and are planning a trip together. I mentioned this to my pastor's wife offhandedly, and then was shocked when my pastor called me to tell me how inappropriate this is. I am offended. I am a grown woman and am traveling with this man as a friend, but my pastor says it looks bad.
I need advice.
events of the past month and the circumstances in her life, our country, the world, pandemic, and she was terrified.
What I wish I could have done was reached through the phone and hug her and say, "when God says you have nothing to fear, he means it." In case this is something you're going through too and are feeling overwhelmed with anxiety and worry and fear, I want to remind you of a scene out of Matthew Chapter 14. Jesus makes His disciples get into the boat ahead of him and He sends them on to the other side. He then goes off to a mountainside by Himself to pray. Then what he does right before dawn, right before first light, Jesus starts walking out toward the disciples on the water. Just imagine this, you're in a boat, and you're rowing and you're tired. You see this figure walking on the water coming towards you and the disciples were utterly terrified. They started crying out in fear saying it was a ghost. The circumstances are in fact crazy, there is no denying that. But Jesus immediately said to them:
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. - Matthew 14:27-29
But then Peter did something, He took his eyes off the Lord. He started noticing the storm, he started noticing the wind, and he started noticing the waves. When he stopped looking at Jesus and started looking at what was going on around him, what happened? He sank! He sank and immediately cried back out to the Lord. After this, the Lord reached out with His hand and pulled Him right back up.
Do you think that the God who sent His Son to die for you is going to somehow abandon you now and make you just figure this out? The circumstances may look different, but they're exactly the same. Wind, waves, commotion, confusion, clamoring, and Jesus is saying to you, "I'm right here. Right here. Look at me."
Ed Young, Senior Pastor of Fellowship Church here in the metroplex, as well as his family are grieving the tragic death of his oldest child, LeeBeth Young, at the age of 34.
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You know what, I'm going to go beyond the title of this article and say if you master this skill, you're going to have better relationships across the board, not just your kids. Here's the skill: deep listening. Especially with our kids, it's really easy to look at a 5, 6, or 7-year-old's problems or even a 14, 15, 16-year-old and think it's not really a problem. We hear what they're saying and we give them the hug, a kiss, and we send them off. But you have to remember that what they're going through at that moment is actually the biggest thing in their world. One of the things that tends to happen as parents is that you're just busy doing so many different things that we forget that our kids really need us to sit down and zero in on them when they're going through something difficult.
Some good practices are when they come to you needing something and they clearly have something on their mind or on their heart, you sit down, put the phone down, shut the computer, and you look right at them. You listen in such a manner that you can repeat back what they said because you're not listening as you are formulating your response, you're listening to really hear and understand. Then, instead of trying to fix it, immediately validate their feelings saying phrases like: "that is scary or I do remember feeling like that."
I think what we're all looking for no matter the age is to be seen, heard, and known. Let's allow ourselves to sit in the presence of our children and the people around us and not only learn to listen deeply, but reap the benefits of a better relationship as a result.
My husband has a very distinct smell. In fact, that was one of the things I liked about him so much. When we went on our first date. I remember calling my mom after and telling her, he just smells so good! I don't know if it was the cologne that he uses or what, but he always left a pleasure scent behind. Over the Christmas break, I had a few days off where my husband still had to work so when I woke up, he had already gotten dressed and left for work, but his cologne his scent lingered.
I was thinking about that this morning when I read this verse out of 2 Corinthians 2:16 where it says:
"To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?" - 2 Corinthians 2:16
We are a life-giving perfume. There is something about perfume or cologne it emits. It permeates, it lingers, it evokes memories, and emotions. That is what you and I have the opportunity to do with our lives. If we are believers of Jesus, that is what our life is supposed to be: a sweet fragrance that permeates the stench around us that that makes people want to draw close and learn more while lingering long after we've gone. So as you go about your day, I'm going to be thinking about the impact I'm leaving on people behind me. Am I leaving a fragrant scent or the stench of death? It just all depends on how we act and whether or not we're gonna try to be like Christ.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My boyfriend and I have a wonderful relationship and I know we both love each other. The problem is tipping at restaurants. I believe that you give an 18% tip at the bare minimum, and more for good service. My boyfriend says 18% is too much, and if he's unhappy with anything he won't tip at all.
My mom says this reflects his character, but he is a good person in every other way. I don't know what to think.
As Christians, we know someday we will leave our familiar country and be united with God in heaven. And yet many of us know very little about this place called heaven. In his bestselling book, A Place Called Heaven, Dr. Robert Jeffress opened the Scriptures to answer ten fascinating questions about heaven. Now he offers this devotional to help us think about heaven on a daily basis and put into practice the heavenly qualities of truth, honor, righteousness, purity, loveliness, character, excellence, and praise.
A Place Called Heaven Devotional includes 100 devotions to elevate your thinking from earthbound concerns to heaven-bound comforts. Each devotional includes reflection questions and a closing prayer to assist you in seeking the things above. The beautiful packaging makes this a perfect gift for anyone who longs for biblical insight and a daily reminder of the hope of heaven. Hear the conversation we had with him about the book below!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
We have a fifteen year old son whom we adopted when he was two. He came from a terrible situation that we don't want him to know about. Recently he told us he wants to find his birth family.
We think it's a terrible idea, but we want to do the right thing. What do you think?
As we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day today, we also want to share some events going on in North Texas to help us remember his incredible legacy. As with almost every event over the past year, the events surrounding MLK Day will look much different this year due to COVID-19.
Our friends at NBC DFW has worked to gather a list of events across North Texas to honor the Civil Rights leader.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I listen on the KCBI app in a small town just north of Tulsa. My husband and I have been at our church for over thirty years. We recently got a new pastor and his wife leads worship. I'm not trying to be petty, but she can't sing. We have a choir and several really strong soloists, but she won't let anyone else lead.
What should we do? We are very frustrated.
Scientists are on the cusp of commercializing the first personalized cancer vaccine. If it works as hoped, the vaccine, which triggers a person’s immune system to identify a tumor by its unique mutations, could effectively shut down many types of cancers.
The possibility of cancer vaccines began to develop in 2008 when geneticists first published the sequenced genome of a cancerous tumor cell.
From there, researchers began comparing the mutations in various tumor cells and found that most tumors contain mutations unique to only that tumor — the same mutations don’t show up in the cells of other tumors or in healthy cells.
Several companies are now working to create and test cancer vaccines containing copies of a specific tumor’s cell mutations, according to Gates. The idea is that the vaccine could compel a person’s immune system to find and destroy any cells containing the mutations found within their specific tumor.
Given that cancer kills nearly 600,000 people every year, customized cancer vaccines would be a breakthrough technology.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Please don't read this as ungrateful, but I am unhappy about the gifts my in-laws got our family for Christmas. They made a large donation in each of our names to a televangelist with a questionable background. They are convinced this will bring us great prosperity.
My fear is that they are gullible and easily taken advantage of, but my husband doesn't want to address it.
There are a variety of great reasons why the Church should address the topic of money. The Church should bring it up is because God talks about money. Consider these statistics on Bible verses about money:
16 out of 38 of Jesus’ parables deal with money and possessions.
Nearly 25% of Jesus’ words in the New Testament deal with biblical stewardship.
1 out of 10 verses in the Gospels deal with money.
There are more than 2,000 scriptures on tithing, money, and possessions in the Bible, which is twice as many as faith and prayer combined!
Bible verses about money are frequently used because there’s a direct correlation between the way we handle our money and our faith. When it comes to money, we will either worship wealth or worship with our wealth. That's why I decided to highlight 3 different saving principles that you find in God's word.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Please don't read this as ungrateful, but I am unhappy about the gifts my in-laws got our family for Christmas. They made a large donation in each of our names to a televangelist with a questionable background. They are convinced this will bring us great prosperity.
My fear is that they are gullible and easily taken advantage of, but my husband doesn't want to address it.
Everything you need to understand just how much Jesus loves you, you learned in third grade English. If memory serves me correctly. I think it's around third grade when you start structuring sentences. For instance, you have a subject and you have a predicate. The subject does the action and the direct object receives the action. Also, when you're talking about a verb, which is an action word, you're talking about the active voice or the passive voice. So an example of an active verb is "I threw the ball." A passive verb would be "the ball was thrown to me."
The New Testament was written in Greek and translating Greek can be really tricky because the Greek also has something called the Middle Voice. So what's the middle voice? The Middle Voice is when the actor, the one doing the action, is doing it for some sort of benefit to him or herself. Why is that so important? Ephesians 1:4a says this:
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." - Ephesians 1:4a
That action word there is "chose" and that word is in the middle voice. What does that mean? It means He chose you because it benefits Him. He chose you because in the act of choosing you, He is the one that reaps the rewards. You are Jesus's prize. He chose you! Not because you walked an aisle and prayed a prayer because He chose you before all that. Why? Because He loves you so much! Because you delight Him and I want you to know something. He has no choosers remorse with you. He knew every mistake you would make before you make it and before you even made it. He still shows you and it fills His heart with joy.
Mercedes-Benz is not sitting out the revolution in screen technology. As proof, the latest part of the automaker's MBUX infotainment lineup is Hyperscreen. Just revealed ahead of the CES virtual technology show next week, it's a three-screen setup that includes a screen for the front passenger, stretching across nearly the entire dashboard for a total screen span of 56 inches. The setup will first appear in the EQS, Mercedes's electric sedan that is coming this spring.
Turning to Scripture should be an intuitive response for Christians when we feel anxious about the world we live in. Yet the American Bible Society’s annual State of the Bible 2020 report found an alarming trend: A mere 9 percent of Americans read their Bible each day in 2019—the lowest number in ABS’s decade of research and decreasing more in the first few months of the pandemic. But if 2021 carries even a fragment of the uncertainty we experienced in the past year, we need Scripture for guidance and reassurance even more.
As a kid in elementary school, we would recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning. My favorite words were, "One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
Indivisible. That's a strong word with Kingdom implications. In fact, it's a Kingdom principle that comes from the mouth of our King:
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity." - John 17:20-23
Jesus prayed for you and for me, that we would have complete unity in Him. What is impossible for man is possible with God. Today is a good day to remember that you and I are Kingdom citizens who serve a King. What a relief! What a joy to know that our King sits on the throne in a throne room that cannot be stormed. His power is absolute and will not be usurped. Today I am choosing to fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith and yours, who has promised to come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, whose Kingdom will have no end.
I don't know very many women who have not struggled with body image and you can count me among those considering I suffered from an eating disorder from the time I was 13 to well into my 30s. My mother who has had a hard time realizing that the Lord has healed me from that every now and then will send me articles or pictures regarding body image and things like that. However, recently she sent me a magazine clipping from the 1960s to 1970s that shows two women in their bathing suits. It says "how do you look in your bathing suit?" and it has one woman who is curvy and one woman who is very thin. Then it says, "1000s gain 10 to 25 pounds this quick and easy way."
The funny thing is if you were to look at this and not read the text, you would think it's an ad to help the woman lose weight or an ad showing how she lost weight, but it's not! It's an ad showing how to become what I think looks like a size 10 size 12. So what I want you to remember as men and women made in the image of God; as we start a new year thinking about resolutions, gym memberships, and health goals, let's remember that beauty is a cultural construct. It's something that our culture creates. You go back several centuries and the idea of being skinny was not a celebrated thing. Actually, to be what we would call overweight today was a sign of prosperity, wealth, and beauty.
In both Hebrew and Greek, the word translated to good also means beautiful. So I just want to remind you today that when God created you, he said it is good, and He created you with a certain body type. Do not call ugly or unfit what God Himself calls beautiful.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Things have been tight this year and my husband and I agreed that we were going to have a very modest Christmas. We bought each other small gifts within the budget we agreed upon. Here is my dilemma. He spent quite a bit of money on his grown kids from his previous marriage, and even a gift for his ex-wife. When I tried to talk about it, he said he'd done nothing wrong.
What should I do?
Have you ever heard of other-shoe syndrome? It's that feeling of something's going to happen, like you're waiting for the other shoe to fall. A friend of mine just did a big long Facebook post on it and as I was reading it, I thought that a lot of us are suffering from other-shoe syndrome.
After a year like 2020, I can definitely argue that things can always get worse. She ended her post with just a beautiful reminder of where our hope really is. We are waiting for the other shoe to fall, but that shoe is going to fall straight on the serpent's head and crush it. That's what we're waiting for! That's what our hope is in and that has been promised throughout the pages of Scripture since Genesis 3:15 when God promised a coming descendant who would one day crush the serpent's head.
"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” - Genesis 3:15
We're all waiting for a shoe to fall, but it's the shoe that ushers in our victory. To all who stumble to all who are wounded and to all who are weary and weak, come home to your heavenly Father. Come drink from the Fountain of Grace, come washed in the blood of your Savior, come rest from the world's frantic pace. For He alone binds the broken, He alone names the stars. His Word is completed as spoken and He is the mender of hearts.
An Earth-based space elevator would consist of a cable with one end attached to the surface near the equator while the other end beyond the geostationary orbit. The cable is held up under tension using the competing forces of gravity which is stronger at the lower end while the centrifuge force is stronger at the upper hand. The climbers can climb using the tether by mechanical means.
The concept of a space elevator was published a century ago by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky in 1895. A Canadian space company called Thoth Technology Inc has patented a free-standing space elevator that could one day take astronauts into space.
This episode of the Honest Conversations podcast kicks off a six-week series based on the book Sanctified Sexuality: Valuing Sex in an Oversexed World, edited by Dr. Sandra Glahn and Dr. Gary Barnes. We will look at gender, gender dysphoria, same-sex attraction, and other hot-topic issues surrounding sexuality and the church. This week, Dr. Glahn sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss biblical views of gender and gender roles.
If you'd like to listen to the full episode, click here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
As we thankfully end 2020, the new year ahead still warrants some massive challenges ahead. But in keeping with tradition, Rebecca & Burns wanted to share the words that are on their hearts for the upcoming 2021 year.
As we thankfully end 2020, the new year ahead still warrants some massive challenges ahead. But in keeping with tradition, Rebecca & Burns wanted to share the words that are on their hearts for the upcoming 2021 year.
Have you ever convinced yourself that something was true only to have to acknowledge the hard fact that you were wrong? We often do this in marriage. We tend to believe lies about our spouses that we can become so convinced are true. Sometimes, we even believe these lies due to our own complacency.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My neighbor recently got a new dog from the pound and it is truly one of the cutest dogs I’ve ever seen. The problem is that someone who lives down the street from me has signs all over our neighborhood of a dog that looks EXACTLY like that dog that she lost several weeks prior. I’m at loss on whether or not I should bring it up to my neighbor considering she just moved in not too long ago and I don’t want our relationship to start off on the wrong foot.
Help me!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My best friend was in a car accident a couple of months ago and totaled their car. They are physically fine, but they don’t have the money to get their car repaired right now, and they are relying on the kindness of others (me) to get all over town. I want to help, but it feels like all of my free time is gone now.
Any suggestions?
Everyone has something to say about who you are and what you're worth. Amidst the competing voices of social media, advertisers, friends, family, and coworkers, Hannah Brencher sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to chat about training our ears to hear the only voice that matters.
To listen to the full episode, click here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
The pandemic has really changed a lot of things. Especially when it comes to how my children view health. Especially my oldest who is a teenager has now decided to become a vegan. I’m proud of him for taking care of himself and eating healthy but now he has been insistent that our family adopt the same diet as him. So much so that he won’t eat with us at dinner if eat things he disagrees with.
How do I handle this with grace?
Contrary to popular opinion, waiting is not sitting, sulking, seething, striving, and stressing. How to wait patiently involves an intentional choice to trust God with an outcome you can’t control.
48 years ago yesterday, my Mom married Jack Burns. I was so incredibly blessed to have him as my Dad. He was strict - but kind. Could be quiet-but a dry sense of humor. Loved Jesus most - but always let me know I was loved too. Far from perfect - but the perfect Dad for me. This is the 2nd Christmas without him - but still the best Christmas "present" ever!
Whether it’s wishing your sibling a happy birthday, or roasting a friend after a close fantasy football matchup, Cameo lets thousands of amazing, talented people deliver your message.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Three years ago, our daughter had twins after eight years of infertility. Because she and her husband live in Idaho, we only get to see our only granddaughters a couple of times a year. My daughter and son-in-law live a block away from my son-in-law's parents. Every time we visit, they come over unannounced and stay for hours. It infuriates me - the twins run immediately to them because they know them better and then I don't get to spend the time with. How can we handle this without seeming petty? I don't want to put my daughter in a bad position.
The religious people of Jesus's day had one major complaint against him. It was simply because he would eat with tax collectors and sinners. That was very, very offensive to them and my question for you today is have you ever wondered why Jesus did that? I mean, the easy answer is He wanted to include them, right? However, science says there's something more to it.
There was a big research study released in late 2019 that shows when two members of opposing camps sit down and share a meal before they negotiate, they are more likely to cooperate, listen to the other side, and leave satisfied when they share a meal together. I just have to think that Jesus, being God, knew what He was doing because He did have an agenda with them. He wanted to include them in the Kingdom of God. He wanted to show them that His way was the better way.
I think that's a good word for us today because we live in such a divisive time. What would it look like if instead of throwing stones and getting so angry and talking about groups behind their back, what if we sat down and shared a meal? If your end game is to share Jesus (it always should be), then the way to their heart just might be through their stomach.
I found that knowing a little bit about the ancient world really helps me understand the Bible. For instance, the Israelites that came through the Exodus had known of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because those stories were passed down. But they lived in Goshen in Egypt so they were also very familiar and acquainted with over 1500 other named gods that the Egyptians worshiped. So one of the things you need to know is the way that the ancients viewed their gods. They saw gods kind of as super-powerful, like super powerful humans. They had all the human attributes and you had to appease them and you had to keep them from getting mad at you.
Here's one thing about the ancient gods: they did not have relationships with people. You just tried to stay on their good side. There was no notion of having a relationship with them. They were also very high off high up and far away so it was inconceivable that a god would dwell with his people. Now imagine how these words must have sounded to the ancient Israelites:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." - Isaiah 9:6-7
The prophet Isaiah also said:
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." - Isaiah 7:14
Emmanuel means "God with us." The notion of a God dwelling with His people is so completely foreign. It doesn't exist in any other religion and yet, that is what we have in Christ. That's what we dwell on this time of year because we don't love and serve a God who is high up and far away. We love and serve a God who is closer than close, nearer than nearer. Emmanuel, God with us.
Paul wrote to the Christian believers in Philippi while chained (most likely) to a guard under house arrest. The book is packed with promises and I'd like to share one. Here it is in its original Greek:
ὁ δὲ θεός μου πληρώσει πᾶσαν χρείαν ὑμῶν κατὰ τὸ πλοῦτος αὐτοῦ ἐν δόξῃ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ.
"And my God will meet your every need according to his abundance in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
Let's focus on πᾶσαν (PAH-sahn). This is the adjective "every." Some of your translations might say, "My God will meet all of your needs" but the true translation is "every." It's a subtle, though important difference.
It's true, all means all. All of them. None of them are left out. But "all" also lumps your needs into one, big, general group. "Every" is more specific than "all." God sees your every single need. Each one individually. He doesn't look at the world and see a simmering stew of problems, he sees each individual hurt. Each individual heartache. Each individual tear. Each individual fear. And he will meet your every single need through his abundance in glory in Christ.
If we love because He first loved us, perhaps we give because He gave so much to us––abundant life here, eternal life forever! Christians ought to be marked by generosity, but what if our bank accounts are marked in red? Allow me to suggest three ways you can be generous, even if the bank account is empty.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My family has decided to keep our Christmas celebration small. Me and my family, my sister and her family, and my parents. Here is the dilemma. My sister's office party is on the 21st, and she and her husband are going. She says that the only time they'll have their masks off is at the tables. I think she is being irresponsible. My mother has emphysema and heart disease, and if she gets COVID, it could be devastating.
My sister is hosting--what should I do?
How should Christians approach the environment when we know that someday God will usher in a new heaven and a new earth? Does the way we approach stewardship extend to our planet? Does the Bible speak into this? Dr. Sandra L. Richter, author of Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why it Matters, sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to sort through the myths and the methods of Biblical Environmentalism.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
One of 500 is an upcoming episodic narrative game about the Gospel, as a "morally and spiritually challenging and fascinating adventure interwoven with events around Jesus from Nazareth."
The Gospel is the cumulative Christian text that follows the life of Jesus, from the perspective of anonymous authors who titled their chapters after the apostles, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Though their contents are essentially identical, each gospel interprets the role and character of Jesus differently, and acts as a record of the man's teachings. At Lightword Productions, the team are developing One of 500, a sincere and emotionally engaging game about the gospels, and are aiming to "raise the bar for the quality of bible games like never before."
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have found that CBD oil helps with my anxiety. When our home group leader found out I was using it he told me that Christians should not use anything that could cause someone temptation. He cited Romans 14:21 that says you should not drink wine or do anything that causes a brother to stumble.
Now I'm conflicted. What should I do?
No school. No playdates. No camps. No pool outings. The world as kids know it has been thoroughly upended and they are justifiably anxious, whether they show it or not. It’s up to the adults in the room to get them to open up about those feelings so that they can be addressed. Doing so takes finesse, curiosity, and a very light touch.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Back in February our oldest daughter--who is single and unemployed--told us that we were going to be grandparents. We decided to have her move in with us so we could help her out during this time. Here is where we need help. We do not know how to parent an adult child. Our daughter seems to have no interest in finding a job or getting her own place. She also makes decisions that make us uncomfortable. We adore our grandchild but are very concerned about our daughter's lack of initiative.
Help!
A second round of breast cancer. A global pandemic. And a battle plan. Suzie Eller sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about joy-stealers and the key to true and lasting joy.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
If you are a fan of Football, 2020 has truly been a season unlike any other. Not only because of the pandemic but because certain teams are outperforming expectations and some are downright playing under what was expected of them. Recently, we were watching yesterday when the Cleveland Browns played the Tennessee Titans. It is a very strange world where the Cleveland Browns are actually big-time contenders because they haven't been for so long.
There was a point yesterday when a guy on the Titans made a catch, or at least it looked like a catch. After watching the play, I asked my husband Mike, "if this were a high school football game, would that have been called a catch?" He said, "absolutely." But here's the thing, what they do up in the broadcast booth when there is a call that's uncertain is they replay it on instant replay. They have the ability to replay it over and over from every single camera angle. I have always thought that's got to be excruciating for the player in question as you're sitting there hoping that the call on the field won't be reversed. Well, it was it turns out it wasn't a catch after careful review.
Now, here's what got me thinking: How many times in your life have you replayed things from your past over and over from every single camera angle, slow motion without mercy? I want to give you some good news. In Paul's letter to the Romans in Chapter 8, Verse 1, it says:
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," - Romans 8:1
That means the ruling on your life which is vindicated, justified, child, and beloved can never be reversed. When you make another mistake and you go back and you read this verse, it's still going to say, "therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
If you're trying to avoid airborne viruses, heading to a near-vacuum might not be the worst idea.
A Florida company is planning to fly passengers to the edge of space in a high-tech version of a hot air balloon, with a pilot and up to eight travelers riding in a pressurized capsule suspended from an enormous blimp.
If you didn't hear it on the radio, it's Valerie's (Don's wife) birthday! To start off the celebration right, Don had the sweetest tribute that he wanted to share. Little did he know that we had a surprise for him as his wife, Valerie was on the phone listening to it the whole time!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My neighbors have a four-year-old son who has one of those battery operated cars that he can drive up and down the sidewalk. His parents let him drive around unsupervised. Twice now I have almost hit because I didn't know he was behind my truck. I have talked to the parents once with no change. They also have twin babies, so I know they are in over their heads, but I am terrified.
What can I do?
About five or six years ago, I was eating a grapefruit of all things. Why? Because I love grapefruit and I noticed that one of the seeds had started to root like a root was coming out of one of the seeds in the grapefruit. They have tons of seeds and so what I did was I put it in a thing of water, set it in the sun and forgot about it. Then, I came back however long after and it was starting to grow. So then I got a little pot and I put it in a really small pot with some dirt in it. I mean this thing was bound and determined to grow so I got a bigger pot. Maybe six months later, I had to get another pot and now my grapefruit tree is six feet tall.
We are about to plant it in our yard and let me tell you why this grapefruit tree has thrived. It's because of my husband. Let me tell you something else about my husband, he does not like to garden at all. However, about five days ago and he's done this every year, when he heard that there was going to be a frost overnight, he wrapped my grapefruit tree so that it wouldn't freeze and would continue to live. Isn't that so sweet? My husband really does not care at all about this grapefruit tree, but he does love me. When you love someone, you love the things that they love.
In Matthew 3:17 the heavens parted when Jesus came up out of the water of his baptism and God said:
“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” - Matthew 3:17
The only way we can really show our love to God is by loving his people. So maybe there's someone in your life who frustrates you. Maybe there's someone in your life that just you can't stand. You don't have to love them for them, but you can love them because you love Jesus.
A listener recently reached out to us to share her story and let's just say it's heartbreaking. She told us that she had worked in the healthcare industry for over 30 years, but now because of a failed surgery, she can no longer do that. Her question after going back and forth with me was this, "I can barely walk, what in the world can I do now for God's kingdom?" Essentially, she feels useless, worthless, and no good. After reading this, I thought this would be a great opportunity to talk about the difference between the way the world views worth and the way God views worth.
The world views worth by doing, producing, making, and creating. Once you can no longer do that in the world's eyes, there's not much more you can do so you go to the sidelines. But the Bible talks a whole lot more about being than doing. God is a lot more concerned with who we are than what we do because who we are is going to bleed over into what we do. God is far more concerned about us growing in Christ-likeness and being more and more like His Son.
If you have ever felt like you just don't know what to do or you want to do something but you feel limited, I want you to remember something. Ephesians 2:10 says:
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10
We should walk in those good works that God has prepared for us and you know what? That doesn't change if you can't walk. What that is simply saying is that if you are focusing more on who Christ is and your relationship with him, those works have already been laid out before you. All you have to do is listen to the Lord's voice!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I bought a house back in January of this year. My neighbors were great, even showing up with a housewarming gift, . But, this summer, my neighbor told me it was time to replace the fence, and that my half of it would be $750. Well, my hours were cut because of the pandemic and we just can't spare the money. Now he is giving me the silent treatment. He told me that technically the fence is mine (he is correct) and that if we didn't do it soon, he would withdraw his offer to split the cost.
Any suggestions?
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A lot of people are talking about prophecy these days. A question that I keep fielding in email and we've even done an Honest Conversations podcast on the topic "Are We Living In The End Times?"
Here's something you may not have known. The Bible was written primarily by Jews and to Jews and for the Jews, prophecy was less about prediction, saying what would happen and more about patterns. I was reading in Mark 4 the other day and I noticed another pattern.
"That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion." - Mark 4:35-38a
Did you notice that last verse? It's the only place in Scripture where Jesus is seen resting. The passage goes on to say:
The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
"He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." - Mark 4:38b-39
There are echoes of Genesis 1 all over this! To the ancient Jew, the sea represented chaos and confusion. They were afraid of it and their enemies always came from over the sea. When you read in Genesis 1:2, you have God, and His spirit is hovering over the waters over the deep, which would have been the chaos and the confusion to the ancient Jew. He says,
"Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light." - Genesis 1:2-3
What God does is He speaks order out of chaos. Now we have Jesus in the dark of night, chaos and confusion over the waters, and the Spirit is in Him and He speaks order out of the chaos. In Hebrews, it says:
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13:8
As you look out over the chaos of your lives, Jesus is still speaking order out of chaos. He still has the power to calm the storm and what I love about knowing this is when He doesn't calm the wind in the sea, He will calm the storm in me. You just have to listen for His voice!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have been dating someone for three weeks and I am falling in love with him. It seems to be going very well. I want to get him a Christmas present but I DON'T want to seem too into him. Is there a proper protocol for this? If he gets me something and I don't get him anything, it will be awkward.
Sincerely,
Single and tired of Mingling
A mysterious metal monolith has appeared in Romania this week after another similar structure found in the remote Utah desert was removed by an 'unknown party'.
This Sunday was the first Sunday of the season of Advent and if you didn't grow up in the church, Advent refers to the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. It is a season of waiting and I think what tends to happen every year around this time is that we get very caught up in the birth of Christ. Now that is good because we should be doing that on Christmas Day as we celebrate the birth of Christ. Of course, we know that's not the actual day that Jesus was born because we don't really know what that day is, but that's when we celebrate and recognize that Jesus, fully God and fully man, came to Earth and was born of a virgin to save us from our sin. Everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life forever.
I don't know about you, but to remember the coming of Jesus as a baby is precious to me, but our hope is actually in His return. I think it's important to remember that that we are waiting right now just as the the nation of Israel was waiting over 2000 years ago.
The crazy thing about this year is that more than any other year prior to this, we are keenly aware of waiting, longing, suffering, and hardships. We are waiting for a vaccine, we are waiting for the pandemic to be over, we are waiting for all of our enemies (cancer, death, grief) to be trampled under the Lord's feet. I want to read something to you because we are not waiting for a baby, we're waiting for a warrior king and a New Heaven and New Earth. Revelation 21:1-7 says:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Be comforted that in this season of waiting that we aren't waiting for a baby, we're waiting for our Warrior King!
Joy and Tait Cruse lost their precious son, Connor, to Stage IV neuroblastoma over ten years ago. They launched Team Connor in 2008 to honor their son's last wish--that no other child would have to fight the battle he fought. In July 2020, they received another blow--doctors diagnosed Tait with a form of leukemia typically seen in children. Joy sits down with the Honest Conversations crew to talk about God's presence and power in the midst of their worst fears.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am 24 years old and live with my aunt and uncle. I am worried about my uncle's drinking. He has always been a social drinker, but now it seems like he gets drunk several times a week, and when he does, he yells and says terrible things. I can lock myself in my room, but I'm really worried about my aunt.
What can I do or say to help her?
Who do you follow on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook? Dan Darling says, "What leaders do in moderation, their followers do in excess." Who we follow, what we watch, and the voices we listen to are shaping us. But that doesn't necessarily mean we should cancel our accounts and drop off the face of the internet. Join Rebecca Carrell, Liz Rodriguez, and Dan Darling as they have an honest conversation about social media in the age of rage.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
We are going to my sister's house for Thanksgiving and have been looking forward to it. Here is the dilemma. My wife noticed that my sister's husband--our brother-in-law--has not only unfriended her from Facebook but has also blocked her. I suspect it has to do with differing political views, but my wife really doesn't post divisive things on social media.
What should we do? My wife doesn't want to go.
Ibotta, Campbell's, Butterball, and Coca-Cola have teamed up to launch the Free Thanksgiving Dinner program through an exclusive promotion with Walmart. The promotion was created in an effort to feed millions of American families this Thanksgiving.
When I first got into radio, I had a friend and we would go out to eat all the time. I stopped going out to eat with her because I could not stand that she was not a good tipper. She would have a $6 meal and she would get her calculator out and she would determine the exact bare minimum percentage and that's what she tipped. So I ended up compensating because here's why: I waited tables when I was younger. I'm a firm believer that everyone should wait tables for a year just to gather the perspective of the service industry. When you wait tables, you see how hard it is, how hard they work, how fast paced it is, and how easy it is to forget something like bringing another basket of chips or something like that. When you experience that firsthand, it makes you empathetic and because she had never waited tables, she did not have that empathy. She was a really stingy tipper and I was thinking about Hebrews 4:15:
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." - Hebrews 4:15
When you think about the God of the Universe wrapping himself in flesh, humiliating it, and humbling himself to live on this Earth, you know that there's nothing you will go through that He wouldn't be able to empathize with. You will never have an emotion that He didn't have. He didn't sin in it, but he felt them! You'll never have pain, heartbreak, or heartache that he didn't feel. You'll never face anything that he didn't already face. That comforting!
He is able to have such mercy and grace towards you because he's been there too.
If you choose to spend the rest of your life living under the same roof with the same person, guess what? You’re going to have conflict. That’s just a part of any long-term relationship and, once marriage, kids, and responsibilities come into the picture, the triggers for conflict multiply exponentially. As anyone who has been involved in a big or small marital spat knows, they tend to follow a pattern. One person points out something negative, the other person becomes defensive and escalates it by pointing out something else negative, and the two volley back and forth until the powder keg goes off. But for those who want a happier relationship — and who doesn’t? — there is an interesting marriage hack to break the cycle of negative reciprocity and getting you and your partner back on even ground — and it takes only 21 minutes: invite a third party.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am a thirty-six-year-old woman who loves to entertain. I am also an excellent chef--having gone to school for it. But when I invite my boyfriend's family over, his father, without fail, will intercept me on my way to the grill, take the tongs from my hands, and insists on grilling. He has even told me it's a man's job. My boyfriend knows how I feel and shrugs it off. This drives me crazy! His father literally ruins the meal.
What should I do? My boyfriend thinks I should just let it go and I want to spend the rest of my life with him.
Are you looking for work? If so there are several companies in North Texas adding thousands of employees as they add staff in stores and at area fulfillment centers ahead of the upcoming holiday season.
This app is the cat's meow! MeowTalk by Akvelon gives your cat a voice! Using machine learning MeowTalk instantaneously translates your cat’s meows into one of nine general cat intents; these nine intents represent cat moods and states of mind. But each cat also has its own unique vocalization and vocabulary of meows that goes beyond these nine general intents.
I was walking in my neighborhood the other day and I saw a mom and her very young child who was learning to ride a bike. As we all do, when we are learning to ride a bike, this little boy fell and it scared him. Naturally, his mom immediately scooped him up and comforted him by saying, "Oh, that hurt. That was scary. I know. I know. It's okay. It's okay, though. It's okay. See, we're okay."
It truly was the sweetest moment and it reminded me of when one of my kids would wake up in the middle of the night from a bad dream or would fall and hurt themselves. I would do the same thing and run into their room, scoop them up, and would hold them close in my arms. I would say, "Oh, I know. I know. That was so scary, but I know it's okay. It's okay. Mommy's here. You're okay."
Isn't it funny how we still do that? We still say that! In my inner circle, one of my people is dealing with some rejection and as I hugged this person, I said those same words, "I know, this hurts so much, but it'll be okay. It will, it'll be okay." I think we say what we want to hear because that tends to be the human response to pain. "I know, but it'll be okay."
It will be okay! I think right now what we want to hear in the midst of our circumstances, in the midst of this pandemic, in the midst of uncertainty over the future, over the vaccine, over ________, I think we just want to hear that it'll be okay. It will be okay! Not because I say so, but because God promises us in His Word that it'll be okay.
But Rebecca, you don't know the diagnosis. I know. But it'll be okay. Rebecca, I lost my job. I know. And it'll be okay. But Rebecca, _________. I know, but it'll be okay. God said this to Malachi, the very last prophet in the Old Testament:
"But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty." - Malachi 4:2-3
It really will be okay! Not because I say so, but because God promises you in His Word.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have been happily married for ten years. I work in a small office of fifteen people, and I am ashamed to admit that I am attracted to one of my co-workers. I love my husband and kids and would never cheat, but I can't stop these thoughts. I am the only one working at the moment and we need my income, so I can't quit.
What is the right thing to do?
Get paid to live and work in the Ozarks!
The Northwest Arkansas Council is shelling out more than $1 million in the next six months to attract top talent to the charming small towns within the Ozark mountains -- and remote workers will get $10,000 to make the move, plus a bike to navigate the hilly terrain.
Over the weekend, our own Jay Allen got a new title as he was asked to do something that he has never done before! His sister-in-law Mandy and her now-husband Cody got married and several months ago, they surprised him by asking him to officiate their wedding! Of course, he was honored to take this on, but let's just say he was nervous because he didn't want to mess anything up. Hear the full story of how the whole ceremony went!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My sweet husband takes great pride in gift-giving. And he doesn't like suggestions - he says that he loves finding the perfect gifts. The problem is that I never like what he gets me - ever. I took a gift back once and he was so hurt.
How can I fix this? He throws money away every Christmas and birthday on stuff I don't like, want, or need.
When their daughter was born with a severe brain disorder, the doctor told Pastor Robin Steele and his wife that their newborn daughter would not live a meaningful life. Robin sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez on this week's episode of the Honest Conversations podcast to discuss what makes life meaningful and how their precious daughter Kennedy--who has severe special needs--has helped them discover the truth.
Click here to listen to the full episode: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
My inner circle is pretty small and it basically just includes my closest friends & family. Recently, someone in my inner circle is dealing with terrible rejection and I think what makes it almost more difficult is that it's a dear friend. It's a friendship that's broken up and I have been so heavy-hearted over this. I know that rejection is a common human experience and when you go through it, you feel alone and you feel like you're the only one. But everyone goes through rejection.
So I wanted to remind you of a few things about rejection that are true:
Rejection is confirmation that you possess an achievable dream.
Rejection reveals those incapable of distinguishing your personal worth.
Rejection is a guide leading you away from dead-end relationships while directing you toward healthy, positive relationships.
How you respond to rejection is a reflection of your self-worth.
Rejection exposes who or what does not belong in your future.
Rejection reveals who is intimidated by your potential.
Rejection is the motivation to go in a new direction.
"Rejection is powerless without your cooperation. If you don't cooperate with rejection, it cannot get under your skin. Rejection is a friend who withholds no secrets, exposes all enemies, and closes every wrong door." - Tracey Mitchell
Since I know you have dealt with rejection and perhaps it's been very painful, I want to remind you that because God is fully sovereign. I want to remind you that rejection is a tool that your heavenly Father uses to sharpen you, strengthen your character, and make you more empathetic/compassionate. Your heavenly Father says you are selected, not rejected. When when the Creator of the Universe loves you as much as He does, remember, no matter who rejects you, He doesn't. You are welcome in his arms anytime!
Have you started to think about Advent yet? Advent is about the 4 weeks leading up to Christmas and I believe it starts on November 29 of this year.
Advent means arrival and so the season of Advent is actually a season of waiting. But for the first century Jews who were longing for their Messiah, it was a season of longing. They had lived under terrible persecution and oppression for a very, very long time. In fact, in Luke 2:25, it says:
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him." - Luke 2:25
After reading this, I want to give you some promises that we can hang on to while we wait because we're not waiting for a baby, we're waiting for a warrior king. Here's a promise: He's coming back! But we still have to wait. Here's a promise: His grace is enough! There was a time I've spoken openly about my alcoholism and as of this year, I am 11 years sober now. But Mike and I were on a vacation at an all-inclusive resort and it was getting very lively out by the pool one day and I leaned back and I told the Lord, 'God, you tell me in Scripture, your grace is enough and right now I want to drink. I need you to be who you say you are to me.' I am telling you, He took the desire to drink from me like that. His grace is enough! It may not be more than enough, but it's enough.
Here's another promise: He will comfort you with His nearness.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and he saves the crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18
I have found in the darkest, deepest valleys, that His nearness has been a constant comfort. The last promise is this: He will redeem your struggles. You do not struggle in vain and God never divorces purpose from your pain. Romans 8:28 says:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
"We know that for those who love God", that's not for everyone, but for those who love God. All things work together for good and He will redeem your struggles!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife of over 30 years passed away suddenly almost 2 years ago and I was shattered. She was very close to her sister. In the months following, her sister and I would spend time on the phone together as a way of processing our grief. We have discovered we have deep feelings for each other. I brought the subject up with my son and he was horrified.
Are we wrong to pursue a relationship?
Virgin Hyperloop gave the first ride on its test track Sunday in Las Vegas, but it will be years before the public can potentially take a high-speed ride on a hyperloop.
I listen to the Bible oftentimes on my way to work during seasons where I don't have as much time to read. Currently, I am in the book of John right now and was listening to the part where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. It's such an interesting story because Jesus waited two full days while he was out with his disciples to go back after Mary and Martha had called for Jesus because Lazarus was His dear friend. Jesus gets there and everyone's grieving. He walks to the tomb and He has to roll the stone away and he says, "Lazarus come out." (John 11:43) Then it says, "and the dead man came out." (John 11:44)
If you fast forward to the beginning of chapter 12 where it says six days before the Passover. Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus lived. And I thought, 'yeah, he did!' See, I think we forget that there's a big difference between surviving and thriving. I don't have any proof but I bet Lazarus was living like he had never lived before. I want you to know that Jesus can tear off your grave clothes. Jesus can break your chains so that you too can move from surviving to thriving and my prayer for you today is that you would live! Live in Christ like you never have before because you fight from victory, not for it! You were made to thrive, not survive.
When it comes to how we manage our finances in today’s world, it looks vastly different than what it did 20 years ago. Whether people used the envelope system or kept track of their expenses in an Excel document, I think it’s crucial that we learn some ways that can take some of that stress off your shoulders if you find yourself being overwhelmed by your financial responsibility.
- Automate Your Bills
For me, this is a no-brainer because the last thing I want to do is sit down at the table and read paper bills while writing checks to everyone that needs my money. To me, this provides me with a negative experience of handling bills which ends up making it even more dreadful the next time I have to do it. Most companies love it when you automate your payments because it guarantees they will get paid and, in some cases, they’ll even give you a discount! Not to mention that when you automate your bills, your payments are always on time!
- Use Your Account/Routing Number Instead Of Your Card Number For Online Bills Or Accounts
You might be slightly puzzled by this because you might be asking, “what’s the difference?” Or some of you might not like the fact that when you put your account number in as opposed to your card number, it takes longer to withdraw from your account. But the reason that this is a smart idea is that in a world where identity theft is rampant, you want to prevent yourself from as little difficulty as possible. In addition to identity theft protection (which I suggest to EVERYONE), using your account number will ensure that if your credit/debit card was to ever get stolen, that you wouldn’t have to change your method of payment on all your bills. Of course, you’d get a new card number, but the account/routing number would stay the same, hence, making your life a whole lot easier during an already tumultuous time.
*Not So Fun Fact: In 2019, 14.4 million consumers because victims of identity theft which amounts to about 1 in 15 people. Not to mention that 1 in 5 victims end up experiencing it more than once in their lifetime. Make sure you’re protected! *
- Spread Out When Your Bills Get Paid
This is such an easy mistake to avoid but sadly, a lot of people fail to consider this because if you’re not careful, you can find yourself strapped for cash at the same time of the month every month or even worse, facing overdraft fees. When you spread your bills out throughout the month, you always ensure that you’re in a good financial position on any day of the month and better yet, you won’t have to worry about reaching a dangerously low balance in your bank account. If this still remains to be a problem for you despite this change, I would consider inserting a buffer of about $500-$1000 (depending on the need) that just stays in your account without spending it so you don’t reach that consistently low balance throughout the month. However, under no circumstances should you spend that buffer! It’s there simply to protect you, that’s it.
- Use Online Software Or Apps
With technology innovated constantly in the financial world, it literally has never been easier to take control of your finances and track your spending. Most apps can even sync to your bank so that all you need to do is drop the transactions in the appropriate categories! Some of my favorite budgeting apps include:
Everydollar
YNAB
Goodbudget
Mint
Of course, these are just a few of my favorites but as I say, find one that works for you! There are tons of great apps that are out there and if you find one that you like, that’s awesome! You are officially on your way to rocking your finances and being a better steward of what God has given you! Remember, the goal is always to live generosity, save wisely, and live appropriately.
Veterans Day will look different across North Texas with COVID-19 precautions, but there are several events planned to thank local veterans.
Goodbudget (formerly EEBA, the Easy Envelope Budget Aid) is a money manager and expense tracker that’s great for home budget planning. This personal finance manager is a virtual update on your grandma’s envelope system--a proactive budget planner that helps you stay on top of your bills and finances. Built for easy, real-time tracking. And, sync across Android, iPhone, and the web to share your budget with your budgeting partners. Keep everyone on the same page with household finances!
You might be seeing that headline and asking yourself, "Wait, you can break your ear?" Well, our own Rebecca Carrell did just that yesterday, and let's just say, the story is more than entertaining.
You've probably heard this phrase time and time again, "God won't give you more than you can handle." It actually is traced back to Mother Teresa and later on, she said, "I wish He wouldn't trust me so much."
But here's the thing: That is actually not a biblical statement and in fact, it's not a true statement. I want to remind you of what was the biggest event in the Old Testament: the Exodus. The Exodus changed the Hebrews into Israelites, just like the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension makes us Christians. That was the defining salvific moment of the Old Testament. But listen to this: they have the Philistines on one side, they have the Pharaoh's army bearing down on them from behind, and God had led them right to the edge of another kingdom that would help them and take them in, right? No, it was the Red Sea!
This is an interesting place because we see the Israelites start to mutter and grumble and you see that theme over and over again in the Bible. God turns to Moses and says, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move." (Exodus 14:15) They were paralyzed in their fear and then this is what God did. He sent a great wind from the east to blow over the sea all night long. Why? Because God is all about bringing you face to face with your limitations. Will God give you more than you can handle? Absolutely! All your whole life long! Why? So that you can see just how much you need Him because He loves you that much. If He is the source of life, He would be a cruel God to let you go through your life never needing him.
So don't fall into the same pattern the Israelites were in. Don't let your fear paralyze you. Get up, move, and take one foot in front of the other. I don't know what your particular circumstances are, but I know my God and He will not let you go through this alone. He will make a way for you!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife is an actress doing mainly corporate training videos and commercials. She recently landed three episodes on a television show, which is huge for her career. But it calls for a kissing scene and I'm really uncomfortable with it. She says it's not a big deal, and I guess I know that, but I'm still uncomfortable.
Is there a right or wrong thing to do here?
What is it like to navigate the world right now as a Black Woman in America? Christian Williams and Janay Barksdale, hosts of the Bad Seminarians podcast/vodcast, sit down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss hair, body image, imaging God, and the always-present reality of racism.
Find the Bad Seminarians show at https://badseminarians.com/. For more information on NWA, go to nwaunited.org
Are you enjoying the Honest Conversations Podcast? Would you be willing to subscribe, rate, review, and share it? We'd also love for you to join the conversation! Reach out to us on the following platforms:
Twitter: @RebeccaACarrell; @lizannrod; @HeartStrongF
Facebook: @HeartStrongFaith
Instagram: @rebeccacarrell ; @lizannrodriguez ; @lizrodonthepod ; @heartstrongfaith
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
This is an oversimplification, but I believe the following statement is true: if Christians lived as if eternity were real, many of our problems would disappear.
Article referred to was written by Paul David Tripp here: https://bit.ly/35dgP3u
Scientists have found a way to store energy in the red bricks that are used to build houses.
Researchers led by Washington University in St Louis, in Missouri, US, have developed a method that can turn the cheap and widely available building material into “smart bricks” that can store energy like a battery.
Dear friends,
It’s with the heaviest of hearts and tears in my eyes that I share this news with you. Jeff Taylor passed away yesterday morning of a heart attack at his home in Florida.
He and I sat across a microphone from each other for six years. I have served in radio in Dallas/Fort Worth for twenty-two years now, and I can tell you he was one of the most talented broadcasters I’ve ever known.
Jeff had a way of reaching through the radio and grabbing you by the heart. Because his security truly was in Christ, he could voice his deepest struggles. He didn’t want to “broadcast,” he wanted to “do life together.” He shared freely about his son Tommy’s autism. He spoke openly and honestly about his struggles with depression and alcoholism.
More than anything, he wanted you to know that if you struggled, you didn’t struggle alone.
A decade or so before I’d met him, Jeff had encountered the grace of God in a way that changed him forever. His eyes lit up as he recounted the way Jesus pursued the worst of sinners. “The only thing you bring to your salvation,” he would say, “is the sin that makes it necessary.”
His final status on Facebook the day before he died is a perfect picture of his message for everybody while he was here:
"I am broken. I have failed. I have hurt others. I have made terrible mistakes. I have rebelled.
Yet, He loves me and His grace covers me. He calls me his dearly-loved child. He took full and final responsibility for all my sin.
Thank you, Jesus..."
What a message of hope for a broken world.
I find the deepest comfort knowing that Jeff is in the arms of his Savior, fully and finally free. Please join us in praying for his wife, Larisa, his daughter, Kate, and his son, Tommy.
We love you and pray for you daily.
Much love and many blessings,
Rebecca
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
A dear friend and I had our babies very close together and we get our kids together often. They are four years old now and I am very concerned about her son. Before COVID, I worked with special needs kids at church and I think he is showing symptoms consistent with autism. She seems to be in denial.
Should I push the issue and say something or let it go?
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My husband and I have been talking about getting a pet. We both agreed that a pet might help with our stress level, and might even give us a reason to exercise. I THOUGHT we were talking about a dog, or maybe even a cat, but I came home to a new terrarium and a PET SNAKE!!! I can't get past the fact that he didn't ask me and our marriage is feeling pretty chilly.
Please help!
When my daughter was in fifth grade, she had to do a science project as all fifth graders do. The topic she chose was butterflies which
worried me greatly because one year she was charged with keeping a plan to live and that did not go well. Specifically, she decided to focus on monarchs and it was very stressful because it has to be just the right circumstances for things to go right in these cases. You've got to provide the caterpillars all the leaves that they could possibly need and you also have to monitor the temperature very closely.
This project ended up being very fun in that we got to very slowly walk through the stages of caterpillar metamorphosis. What I didn't know back then was that when a caterpillar is getting ready to go into that metamorphosis state, it is like it never stops eating. Then one day, it climbs up a branch and hangs from the branch, and spins a cocoon around itself. Then it digests itself! If you were to cut open a cocoon too early, essentially what would happen is a sludgy ooze would just drip out. But if you let it go its course and stay in the darkness long enough, a beautiful monarch butterfly breaks out and flies away. A beautiful new creation!
Here's the point: What seems like the end of the world to the caterpillar is really just preparation for a beautiful new beginning. You may feel like you are stuck, stranded, and hopeless, but I would like to propose that you are not. Things, even good things, have to come to an end for beautiful new beginnings. Please be patient, God's not finished with you yet!
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17
Whether you're tapping out a quick email or writing up a long report, Grammarly’s real-time writing feedback will help you make sure your work is tip-top. The keyboard works across all your apps, no copy and pasting required. Plus, with a document editor and personal writing statistics, you can take your writing to the next level.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife and I recently inherited a large sum of money - enough to retire on. We have known this was coming and never agreed how we would allocate it. I think we need to start college funds for our future grandkids and then support missions and my wife says generosity starts with family and we should pay off her parents' house.
This has become a point of contention between us. What do you think?
Although Christmas comes at the same time every single year, most Americans find themselves scrambling financially during the Holiday season. Many people are unsure of how to cover the costs of gifts, travel, and décor as they host family and friends.
The crazy thing is that in 2019, on average, people went $1,357 into holiday debt when 57% of them didn’t even plan on it! Whether we want to believe it or not, holiday spending can make or break our financial progress. To combat the financial burden of the holidays, here are 3 easy tips on how to save for Christmas every year.
Did you know that we are hardwired to imitate? Out of all the species in the world, we are the only ones who imitate for reasons more than survival. It starts around four months of age where babies start to imitate facial expressions and sounds and then for the rest of our lives, we are imitators.
It's really interesting when you think about it because there's a biblical principle under underneath this: we become what we behold. The loudest voice in your life is the one that you're imitating and I think about how we are called in Scripture to imitate Christ. In John 13, as Jesus and his disciples were reclining at the table for the Passover meal, Jesus suddenly gets up and takes off his outer garment and lays it down. He then takes up a towel and goes around to wash his disciple's feet. You've probably heard that this is something that was reserved for slaves or women because in an honor/shame-based culture, foot-washing was the least of the tasks. It meant if you were the one tasked with that, it really meant you were the lowest.
What's so interesting about this scene is that is the way the disciples were reclined at the table. The Greek word used there indicates that they were laying down propped up on their left elbow and with their right arm they would have been reaching for food. So if you think about it, they were positioned so that they didn't even have to look at the one washing their feet. What is even more fascinating is that there is no other instance in ancient literature or anywhere that records one of nobility taking on this task. This is the only place! In fact, even in Genesis, when the Lord and His two angels approach Abraham, He does not wash their feet but rather He has water brought so they can wash their own feet. Yet, our Lord washed his disciple's feet.
That's our example. It's not to grab power or notoriety or position. We are foot-washers. I know that can be hard, but it's something that I know my heart needs to remember all the time.
Psychologists say depression and anxiety are skyrocketing. Dentists report an increase in jaw pain due to teeth grinding. Why? Because our stress, our anger, our fear must come out somehow. Chad Bird sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about the healing power of lament and how God has graciously provided a script.
Are you enjoying the Honest Conversations Podcast? Would you be willing to subscribe, rate, review, and share it? We'd also love for you to join the conversation!
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
We have always encouraged our kids to play sports. They love it and are learning great life principles. We have always told our kids that church takes priority over all sports, but my oldest son made an elite soccer team that travels. We are so proud of him, but it will require being gone two Sundays a month.
What should we do? He's a very gifted player and we want him to have this opportunity.
The parent company that owns Burger King, Popeyes and Tim Horton is inviting the robot takeover to the fast food race.
Restaurant Brands International Inc. announced Tuesday that it will roll out 40,000 new drive-thru screens at 10,000 restaurants that will, among several other advancements, guess what you’re hungry for.
Using “predictive selling” technology, the drive-thru screens will use factors including previous orders, regional weather patterns and the time of day to personalize special promotions.
Loyalty programs will customize menu options based on repeated orders. New technology will also allow for immediate, remote contactless payment that will let guests order and pay simultaneously.
I think if there's one word we could use to describe the season we're in, it might be: insecure. I spent the vast majority of my life being terribly insecure, like, cripplingly so. A while ago, I started thinking about this and came across a passage in Matthew that I think really speaks into insecurity and what we can effectively do about it. There's a parable in Matthew 7 at the very end of the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus is speaking to a crowd of disciples, and he says this,:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” - Matthew 7:24-27
I think about the storm he's describing and it takes four Greek words to describe it. 'The streams rose, the winds blew, the winds beat against the house, and the rain came down. Yet it didn't fall because it had its foundation on the rock.' Then he goes on to say this, 'but everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.' After that, he describes the exact same storm. 'The rain came down, the streams rose, the winds blew the winds beat against the house, and it fell with a great crash.' What's so interesting is the same word 'great'. is also used to describe the storm.
Here's what's so interesting, Jesus is speaking to a group full of believers and he's speaking to the pews. One hears and does what he says, and their house is standing. One hears and then just continues to go along their way. It doesn't say they don't believe it, it just says they don't do what he says. We tend to think the security is in the knowing, but Jesus says the security is in the doing. We will never have security with the Lord if we are not walking with the Lord. Your heart knows this! This is a convicting word for me today, but it's also an encouraging word because at the end of the greatest storm we could ever experience, the one who walks with Jesus is standing.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My sister and I listen to you every morning. Here is our dilemma. My sister has been dating a man for over six years. They have talked a little bit about getting married but he has never proposed. So my sister has planned a big proposal and wants to ask him to marry her over the holidays.
I think this is a terrible idea. We were hoping your listeners would weigh in.
I have been listening to the Bible on my way to work lately because I'm in a season right now where reading the Bible is tough. Due to my Greek class that I'm taking at Dallas Theological Seminary, my time has been very limited. However, I've been listening to the book of Acts and I truly can't get enough of this book.
There's this scene in Acts Chapter 17 when Paul is speaking to a great crowd and this is his sermon on Mars Hill. This is what he tells the people:
"From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands." - Acts 17:26
God did this so they would seek Him, reach out for him, and find him, though He is not far from any one of us. So we run into a problem in the Bible, especially in what are called narrative passages like this. This is a narrative, which means it's a story. It's telling you something. We run into problems when we take a little line from that and slap it on our circumstances. What you do instead is you say, "is there a timeless spiritual principle here? Is there something that's true all the time that I can take from this passage and apply it to my life?"
Here's the spiritual principle. God has appointed you to live where you live, work where you work, and shop where you shop. You are in your neighborhood on your street, in apartment 3C for a reason. God has given you a circle of influence and He has empowered you to impact your circle of influence.
So today, I want to encourage you, but I also kind of want to challenge you. What can you do to make your corner brighter? Don't worry about that other person's corner. What can you do today to make your corner brighter? How can you share the love of Christ today? Who can you comfort today? Whose Facebook page can you stop by today and leave a smile? I think you'll find that as you reach out to others, God will fill you up.
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Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am a retired attorney, although I still have my license. I have a nephew that has been in and out of trouble for years. My sister and brother-in-law want me to represent him in his latest brush with the law. They can't afford an attorney, but the bigger problem is that I think their son needs to learn a lesson.
What is the right thing to do? He is guilty.
I saw a quote the other day that got me thinking and perhaps you've heard it. It's by A.W. Tozer, who was an author and theologian, who has written some of the deepest, richest books on God that exist. This is what he says:
“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply." - A.W. Tozer
I first heard this about 10 years ago and it has really ministered to me through some of the more difficult seasons of my life. I started to suffer from severe clinical anxiety when I was 12 or 13 years old and it went undiagnosed until I was 30. It was that struggle that drove me to the Lord. In seventh grade, I started reading the New Testament and I just started reading it front to back over and over again. Then I went on a retreat when I was in 10th-grade and they gave me a whole Bible. That's when I started reading the whole Bible from front to back and I don't think I would have done that had God not given me this affliction of anxiety because the only place I seem to find comfort truly was in Scripture. So this quote continues on and says:
"God actually rises up storms of conflict in relationships at times in order to accomplish that deeper work in our character. We cannot love our enemies in our own strength. This is graduate-level grace." - A.W. Tozer
Graduate-level grace. That's what I want for me! Not only do I want that for myself, but I also want to be able to give it to others. So as we are in this season where it seems like everything is so divided and everyone is so angry; ask God to do that deeper work in you. God never divorces purpose from pain.
NASA announced it has discovered water on the sunlit surface of the moon.
The water was spotted near the Clavius crater, one of the largest crater formations on the celestial satellite and one that can be seen with the naked eye.
Researchers have known for some time about the existence of that water on the moon, having first discovered water vapor as early as 1971. In 2009, the first evidence of frozen water on the surface was discovered.
The new studies note it could be significantly more accessible than previously thought. As such, the water could be used for drinking, fuel supply and other use cases.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters, and all but one of us has come to the realization that our parents can no longer take care of themselves. They are in their upper 80s, and they need help. The problem is that have vowed to disown everyone who thinks they should go “into a home” and have even set an appointment with an attorney to change their will.
There have been lots of tears with more to come, any advice and prayers are welcome.
In a ladder-climbing, platform-building, always-going world where achievements equal success, we find ourselves stressed-out, burn-out, and exhausted. Christian Williams, a self-described recovering performer, invites us to examine rest and how we define it. There is a reason we feel empty and Jesus offers a better way.
Christian graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with a Masters in Theological Studies.
Are you enjoying the Honest Conversations Podcast? Would you be willing to subscribe, rate, review, and share it? We'd also love for you to join the conversation! Reach out to us on the following platforms:
Twitter: @RebeccaACarrell; @lizannrod; @HeartStrongF
Facebook: @HeartStrongFaith
Instagram: @rebeccacarrell ; @lizannrodriguez ; @lizrodonthepod ; @heartstrongfaith
As we get closer to Thanksgiving and Christmas, we'll most likely be shopping for gifts for the holidays. Why not save a bunch of money while you're at it? These tips will not only save you time in the process, but will also save you big when it comes to your budget.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have 3 brothers and 2 sisters, and all but one of us has come to the realization that our parents can no longer take care of themselves. They are in their upper 80s, and they need help. The problem is that have vowed to disown everyone who thinks they should go “into a home” and have even set an appointment with an attorney to change their will.
There have been lots of tears with more to come, any advice and prayers are welcome.
October 25th is a double birthday for our own Rebecca Carrell because it's not only her mother's birthday, it is also her sobriety birthday! This year marks 11 years of being sober for her as she recounts how God miraculously healed her of her drinking addiction and how God's grace continues to sustain her to this day.
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A long time ago, I memorized the armor of God which is located in Ephesians 6. Every now and then when I'm really needing to hear from the Lord, I will repeat those words out loud and I have found those to be some powerful words! In verses 10-11, it says:
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." - Ephesians 6:10-11
I want to chat about that little word, 'schemes'. This is an interesting Greek word. It's an interesting Greek word and it's gonna sound familiar to you: methodeia (μεθοδεία, ας, ἡ) It sounds like the method. He has a method! I think we keep forgetting that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12) I think we keep forgetting that. People aren't the enemy. Since the dawn of time, Satan's method has been to turn us against each other. Why can't we see that? Football players, every week before they play a game, will sit and they will watch game footage of the other team over and over again, and based on this information, they will develop a method or game plan. This helps them best take down their opponent as they seek to end the game victorious. The enemy has been doing that with you your whole life. Let's not fall for it because our struggle really isn't against flesh and blood, it's against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Let's remember this and pray for each other instead of fighting with each other. When it comes to you, the enemy has a method and God's power is stronger.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife's parents divorced last year, and in that time my mother-in-law has lost a substantial amount of weight. Since that time she has started to dress suggestively and even flirt with my friends - most of whom are married.
My wife is so upset about the divorce that I don't want to bring it up, but the holidays are coming and I don't know what to do.
The other day I watched the Paris Hilton documentary called "This is Paris." Paris Hilton's net worth is $300 million and she, of course, is an heiress to the Hilton fortune but she alone has essentially made a brand for herself; being famous for being famous.
I finished it feeling really, really sad because Paris Hilton is a woman who has it all. She's got CDs out, she's written books, she's starred in TV shows, she's been in movies, and she travels between 45 and 50 weeks a year. However, she only ever sees the insides of hotel rooms and clubs because her schedule is nonstop. There's this one part in the middle of the documentary where she's thinking about her calendar and just breaks down. At one point, she's standing in her closet surrounded by shoes and clothes that she has never worn, and her closet is bigger than my bedroom. I'm not kidding! Despite having all that, she's miserable, she's lonely, and it's so obvious what she needs.
A couple of years ago, Time Magazine had a special edition called the "Happiness Edition". Something that I really found fascinating is that once someone makes about $75,000 a year, the happiness levels between them and someone that makes $75 million a year are virtually the same. After that, money doesn't seem to make any difference in your happiness, only relationships do. We are wired for relationships and all I wanted to do was reach through the TV and grab her to say that God loves you the way you are without all this. Without all the hair extensions, the eyelashes, and the shoes. It's such a perfect illustration of the fact that you can have everything, but without Jesus, you have nothing. But when you have nothing but Jesus, you truly have everything.
I've been in radio for 22 years and I've never received the amount of email that I've been receiving over the past few months. There's a common thread to all of them. Because of the pandemic, there are a lot of people struggling with depression and fear. However, here is what I'm seeing more than anything else: Anger.
As Christians, we don't know what to do with anger. We have somehow bought into this false idea that we need to stifle it, stop it, and whatever you do, do not express it. Yet, the Bible is full of Psalms of lament. We have an entire book called Lamentations that is one big, long, weeping, wailing, angry rant about what's going on in the society as Jerusalem was burning around the prophet Jeremiah.
I just want to remind you today that you ARE allowed to be angry. What we're going through right now is insane! I had a conversation with my husband yesterday and my words were, "I feel like I am unraveling at the seams." It's one thing after another after another and nobody knows what to think and nobody knows what to do.
If you remember one thing today, remember this: God can handle this. The Bible doesn't say don't get angry. It says in your anger, do not sin. (Ephesians 4:26) So the first place you are invited and encouraged to take your anger is straight to the ears of a God who's always listening and who can handle it. He's the only one I think that can really get down in there and minister to you where you need it. It's going to be okay! I don't know what that means and I don't know what it looks like, but you can trust that it's going to be okay because God says so.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I’m in my early 20’s and I started a job at a dental office a few months ago and I hate my co-workers. You see, most of them are twice my age and treat me like their daughter. I was even pulled to the side because they didn’t like my tone when I responded to a question. I would bring this up to my boss, but I don't want to seem whiney.
Help!
When the layoffs started, she was terrified that she was going to be fired. First, it was in one department, then another department, and then another department. As she watched all of her good friends lose their jobs, the day came when my sister Emily called me because she had just gotten the news that she had lost her job. She had worried about losing her job for almost a year and she lived in constant dread. In her mind, it was the worst thing that could happen. She was single, living in Texas, and she had no support system outside of moving back in with my parents. This is what she said to me a week or two later:
"When the bottom fell out and the worst happened, I got up, made myself a cup of coffee, sat outside, and the birds were still singing. The wind was still blowing, and the sun was still shining."
She later said it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be because somehow when the worst happened, the world kept on turning. It was a good lesson for her, for me, and I wonder if it's a good lesson for you. I think a lot of us have had a year or a year and a half where a lot of our worst situations have seemed to happen all at once. I'm getting your emails on a daily basis more than I have ever received before of you asking for prayer and telling me about this and this person you lost and how the pandemic has affected your lives and your jobs.
Here's what I want to encourage you with if you are living in that state of fear. In Romans 8:15, it says:
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” - Romans 8:15
You belong to God and God is bound by His Word to provide for your needs. So what I want to remind you of today is that it will be okay. Not because I say so, but because God says so. Not only will it be okay, but you also have the assurance that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:38) Eventually someday for all of us, the bottom will fall out, but you have to know that God is there to catch you.
I find so much comfort in God's word when it seems like everything is going wrong. Recently, I was reading in the book of Isaiah and I want to read this little passage to you out of Isaiah 46.
One of the big problems with the Israelites was that they were worshipping other gods that the pagan nations around them were worshipping. So much so to the point that would make these statues either out of wood or clay, cover it in metal, and that would be the god they worshiped. Here's what God says about those false gods:
"Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity." - Isaiah 46:1-2
When we take things in life and make them an idol, we put that thing in front of everything else as we give it too much attention. It can be fear, worry, kids, relationships, or anything really. When we do that, it becomes a burden to us. This thing that we think will save us actually weighs us down. It commands a high price! I think about all the things I have worshiped in place of the Lord, and what a high price it demands. But listen to this, the next thing God says is:
“Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." - Isaiah 46:3-4
We carry around these burdens and God says, "Will you put that thing down and just let me carry you?" How encouraging is that when we are going through something that weighs us down, God simply wants us to give it to Him. It's not about how much the burden weighs, but how we carry it.
The tiny book of Jonah carries big implications and applications for believers today. Dr. Mark Yarbrough, president of Dallas Theological Seminary, joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss the legitimacy of the prodigal prophet and what we can learn from him today.
Are you enjoying the Honest Conversations Podcast? Would you be willing to subscribe, rate, review, and share it? We'd also love for you to join the conversation! Reach out to us on the following platforms:
Twitter: @RebeccaACarrell ; @lizannrod ; @HeartStrongF
Facebook: @HeartStrongFaith
Instagram: @rebeccacarrell ; @lizannrodriguez ; @lizrodonthepod ; @heartstrongfaith
If you'd like to listen to the full episode, click here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
As I look at the climate of our country right now, something that strikes me is we are a people in need of compassion. We need to give it to others but we also need to give it to ourselves. I want to show you a verse in the Book of Exodus and the reason I love this verse so much is that you can scour the whole Bible and this is the place where we get God's clearest self-definition of himself. His clearest introduction of Himself is found in this passage and this happens when Moses says, 'show me your glory' In response, God takes his man, Moses, and He tucks him in the cleft of a rock and says, "My goodness, my glory will pass before you." (Exodus 33:19) This is what He says, this is God's self-disclosure:
"The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7)
Do you know what sticks out to me so much about that? God said compassion first! We typically tend to prioritize by placement what's most important to us. So when I tell people who I am, I'm first off a Christian, a wife, a mom, and then a radio broadcaster at 90.9 KCBI. I list things in order of importance to me and God said compassion first. He didn't list His Holiness, He didn't declare himself judge over all even though He could have. He didn't even say He was the Creator of all, He said, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God."
We see this reflected in His Son as well because, in Matthew 9:36, it says:
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." - Matthew 9:36
I know a lot of us are nervous and I know a lot of us are angry. I know a lot of us don't know what's around the corner today, tomorrow, or in two months. But let's be a people who have compassion because we have a God who shows compassion on us!
Google has finally launched the perfect feature for when a song is stuck in your head but you don't know any of the words.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I recently discovered that my wife has a secret bank account. We’ve been married for over 10 years, and have struggled financially at times, and there was a good amount in “her secret account”. I believe we’re in this together and shouldn’t have our own accounts. She disagrees and refused to give me a reason as to why she had the secret account. I feel betrayed because she was being dishonest.
Should couples keep secrets? I think it's so wrong.
If you didn't hear the great news on Mornings with Rebecca & Burns, our own Jay Allen is attending Dallas Theological Seminary in the Spring of 2021! He will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Apologetics & Evangelism where he will learn to defend and proclaim the Christian faith as well as come alongside those struggling with intellectual doubts from a posture of kindness and character. We're so excited for him (Of course, Rebecca is the most excited) as we watch God pour into him as he furthers his education. We wish him the best and of course, we can't wait to hear what he is learning as he shares on the Morning Show with Rebecca & Burns!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I’ve been contemplating joining the Air Force reserves for some time now. I’m mostly thinking about the outstanding benefits to my family, and where it would take me in my career. My wife is supportive but I know we’d both be missing each other quite a bit during training and, God forbid if I were pulled into Active Duty. I’ve prayed and I know there might be someone listening who has been through this. God has taken amazing care of me and I know He wouldn’t give me something I can’t handle. Should I keep pursuing these thoughts of enlisting or continue working my normal 9-5?
In evangelical circles, there is a huge emphasis placed on evangelizing and telling people about Jesus. That emphasis is almost always placed on leading someone to Christ, telling someone about Jesus, getting them to pray the prayer, bringing them with you to church, and getting them baptized.
This might interest you did you know that Jesus did not quite look at it quite the same way. In John Chapter Four, Jesus has been talking with a Samaritan woman and He sits down with her and engages her in a conversation. She then runs off to tell her whole village about the man who told her everything she had ever been through. In the meantime, she runs off and the disciples engage in a conversation with Jesus about bringing people to Christ so that they can believe His message. Jesus says this in response:
"I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” (John 4:35-38)
In Greek, word order can tell you something about what Jesus is doing and in this passage, Jesus is emphasizing the sower. Jesus is emphasizing the one who gets no glory, the one who gets no attention. Jesus is emphasizing the importance of sowing seeds. What does that look like? It looks like kindness, love, and also encouraging people in the things of the Lord. It does not always involve leading someone to Christ. But that's the position that gets all the attention. I want to encourage you today that sowing matters. Sow seeds of kindness and sow seeds of grace. Billy Graham said on average, it takes 21 touches before a person is ready to receive Christ. Remember today that Jesus honors the one who sows!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
For the past few months, I have been struggling with dating. I'm in my early 20's and I've never dated before. There has been someone in my life who I think we should just see where it goes. My family and my best friend say otherwise. I have been praying about this issue for months.
How do I know if this person is really in God's plan for me?
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After nearly four decades, the complete Bible is now available in American Sign Language for the first time ever.
Deaf Missions, a ministry dedicated to communicating “the Gospel of Jesus with Deaf people through their heart language, culture and identity,” began the project in the early 1980s.
In 2016, the mission partnered with Wycliffe USA, American Bible Society, Deaf Bible Society, Deaf Harbor, DOOR International, Pioneer Bible Translators, and Seed Company to complete the project.
The Deaf Bible Society President J.R. Bucklew previously said that "although there are various text translations of the Bible available, some 95% of the world's deaf population is functionally illiterate. And only 20 of the world's 400 sign languages have some form of Bible content available."
The final books needed — Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel — were completed this fall. Now, the entire Bible is available to the world’s 70 million people who are deaf for free online, through social media, and on a smartphone app. The translation was led by people who themselves are deaf and trained in the biblical languages.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have been on a few dates with a guy from my church. Things were great until I got this text: “I have prayed about it and sought counsel from some Godly friends, and I just feel like God is telling me not to be in a relationship with you right now.” I don’t understand this. Why would God tell him something so different from what I’m feeling? Is that even true, or is he just using God as a cop-out to preserve my feelings? This is not the first time a man has used God as an excuse for why he doesn’t want to move forward with a relationship with me.
It feels unfair and confusing.
After paying down $43,000 of debt in just under 2 years, I have found that my passion is to help people get out of debt and save money so they can be generous like never before. Of course, during a pandemic, many have found themselves in a difficult place financially so if you're looking for ways to save money, you've come to the right place!
In possibly one of those most divisive times in our country, Christians have an opportunity like never before to be "ambassadors for Christ" by "God making his appeal through us". (2 Corinthians 5:20) Whether we like to believe it or not, what we say or do on our social media accounts matters a great deal to God as we can choose to be part of the problem or the solution. Here are some things we as believers should consider when it comes to better represent Christ through what we post and share.
I had such an interesting conversation with a friend of mine at a baseball game recently. If you've been following our show for a while, you know that my family has just been going through a lot of difficulties over the last eight months or so. After telling her, my friend was absolutely amazed because she had no idea I was going through this. She kept reiterating that she was sorry about the circumstances and it honestly was something that I really appreciated.
However, I realized in talking to her that my joy has not been insincere. This past year, we have gone through something that that should've taken us out. But the Lord has been so gracious and so faithful because I knew that the ground underneath my feet was firm. In the midst of what has been the hardest season, there has just been so much peace and joy that while I've mourned somethings, I've never had to worry.
There are a couple of promises that I've been able to cling to during this season:
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18
"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1
One thing I grasp from these passages is that God does not promise to pluck you out of your circumstances or even fix them. But He does promise to be near to you. He promises to give you that peace and when you rest in him, He truly is a fortress. So I hope when you tune into KCBI, you are reminded that God loves you, He's with you, and He will never leave you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I recently got engaged to a man that I have been dating for a year. I met him through church and he is wonderful. Here's the thing. He has asked me to sign a prenup and this has crushed me. I know he is wealthy, but that is not why I am marrying him.
Should I sign it?
Is the vaccine the "mark of the beast" from Revelation 13? Did the Apostle John really climb out of a vat of boiling oil unscathed? Did Martin Luther actually nail his ninety-five theses to the door of the Roman Catholic Church? Dr. Michael Svigel of Dallas Theological Seminary sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss Urban Legends of Church History (available now in bookstores) and why we need to get this right. Also find Dr. Michael Svigel on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
A new study reveals a chemical found in McDonald's French fries may be the cure for baldness.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Our office has a strict no-smoking policy. Our branch manager vapes in his office and the breakroom. It stinks up the whole place and I hate it. Then when the regional manager comes in town (which is only a couple times a year) he races around spraying air freshener. I am sick of coming home smelling like smoke, but he has never been the kind of boss to take criticism or gentle suggestions well.
What should we do?
There is a curious thing that happens in the book of Exodus. In Chapter 16, verse four, it says:
"Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions." - Exodus 16:4
Keep this in mind, the Israelites have left Egypt and are now wandering around the wilderness as they need water and food. They were under strict instructions not to take any more than they need, except for on the sixth day. During that day, they could take twice as much because they were to rest on the seventh day. There were some Israelites who did not trust the Lord to provide for them the next day so they gathered enough for two days during the week when they weren't supposed to. The next morning, they woke up and it was rotten, full of maggots, and really gross.
After looking at this passage of Scripture, there is a parallel there for us. The Lord will give you what you need when you need it. He will not give it to you before you need it and He will not give you more than you need. So you probably have some things that are pressing on you right now that you may be waiting on whether it's a diagnosis. You might be waiting to see if a treatment works or you may be waiting for a job. You may be waiting for all kinds of things. You may have a meeting today that you're terrified for.
I want to assure you that the grace and the strength you need to get through that moment will be there when you need it. For God, His provision is manna provision. It's there at the moment you need it but not before. He's not going to give you more than you need. For the moment. Jesus says today's worries are enough for today. So whatever you're going through today, whatever you're going to go through in the future, you really can rest because you will have the grace and the strength that you need when you get there.
Periodically, we find ourselves having to air some grievances when we need to get something off our chest about another member of the Morning Show. This morning, Rebecca and Jay Allen place Don on the seat to share why they are worried.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
After 27 years of alcoholism, I am almost six months sober. I joined a step program and have started making amends. The rule is that we are to make amends so long as it does no harm. Thirteen years ago, when I was still married, I had a brief romantic encounter with a friend's husband. If I tell her it will shatter her and possibly ruin their marriage. What is the right thing to do? This is eating me up inside.
Thank you.
As we all navigate a different type of workplace due to COVID-19, many of us are having to get accustomed to video-conferencing through services like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or GoToMeeting. However, did you know there are certain things that we do during these video meetings that are considered rude to fellow colleagues?
Read the Bible and make use of commentaries and reading plans. You can save any book or Bible you own for offline use. Get free resources when you download the app and sign in, and do better Bible study with exclusive Logos Bible study tools.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I work at a faith-based non-profit organization. There is a board prominently displayed that has a 3"×4" color picture of everyone who either works or volunteers there. I have worked there since January of this year and my picture is not up there. Many people who started after me have gotten their pictures up there.
I have spoken to the person who is in charge of the pictures and even sent her a picture of myself, the same one that is in my employee email, but she has never put it up. I talked to the person who is second in command about this, and she has deflected and said I should talk to someone else.
Am I being petty? What should I do?
I have to tell you that my Greek 3 class is absolutely eating my lunch. I feel like I'm back in Algebra like College Algebra where no matter what I did, my brain just rejected it and I got a grade not too long ago that just depressed me so much. I was just not very happy with myself. I had to have a pity party for a little while and here's why: because that was my best. That was my best effort! Then I just remembered that my grades don't define me. Let's phrase it this way and be a little more honest, my failures do not define me. I want to remind you that is not God's grading scale because God's grading scale really does not have anything to do with what the world would call success. His approval of you does not have anything to do with what the world would call failure.
Have you ever heard of the Hall of Faith? It's Hebrews Chapter 11 and essentially, it is about 39 verses of the author of Hebrews listing names and talking about why they're righteous. But listen to some of these names: Noah, Abraham, Gideon, Barak, and Samson!
Here why this passage is shocking: Abraham passed off his wife as his sister, Sarah was abusive towards Hagar, Gideon was a coward and had a massive temper, and Samson was a total train wreck! In fact, I'm going to say that every name listed in the Hall of Faith comes with a track record of deep failure. How about Moses who killed a man with his bare hands and then hid the body? So why are they included in the Hall of Faith? It is because when you read about them in the Hall of Faith, you are reading this list of people that God has declared righteous. God doesn't grade them by their worldly successes or failures. The grading scale He uses is faith. Jesus said all it takes is a mustard seed of faith (Matthew 17:20) and you are declared righteous. Jesus trades your track record of failure for his blameless record of perfection.
Tom Cruise will officially take on his biggest stunt yet in October 2021 when he travels to outer space to film a new movie.
The Space Shuttle Almanac tweeted last week that Cruise would lead the first movie filmed in outer space on the International Space Station (ISS) is coming to fruition. The 58-year-old actor will be joined by “The Bourne Identity” director Doug Liman next year as part of Elon Musk’s Axiom SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule.
Together, they’ll head to the ISS and begin production on the first major movie ever shot in space. Although the movie doesn’t yet have a title or plot, it will mark Cruise’s most ambitious stunt in a decadeslong career of death-defying on-screen moves.
In past "Mission: Impossible" installments, Cruise performed daring stunts such as hanging off the side of a jet plane and scaling skyscrapers. However, it was previously reported that the project he’s blasting off the planet for is not related to the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, which is currently filming its seventh installment after Cruise personally paid for cast and crew to live on cruise ships amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am one of three siblings. As the oldest, my sister, brother, and nephew look to me and my husband when in crisis, particularly financial. We have moved all three of them to North Texas since my folks passed away several years ago. They all have jobs, but can barely make ends meet.
I do not have the money to fund their funerals or final wishes, but they refuse to make end-of-life plans or even a will. I'm concerned that when the time comes that I will be left to pick up all the pieces, including financial arrangements because of their poor planning.
What should we do?
Did you know that chronic loneliness is as deadly as smoking five cigarettes a day? And also the number one reason for overcrowded emergency rooms? Pastor and author Max Lucado sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez on this week's episode of the Honest Conversations podcast to discuss how Jesus can and does meet us in our loneliness and isolation. Max Lucado's latest book is called, You are Never Alone.
Are you enjoying the Honest Conversations Podcast? Would you be willing to subscribe, rate, review, and share it? And we'd love for you to join the conversation!
The number one thing parents should be doing to ensure their kid's well-being in the middle of a pandemic might surprise you.
The answer is simply to take care of yourself. You might remember the old analogy of the airplane where you have to put on your oxygen mask before you can take care of your kids. Since the pandemic started, depression and anxiety rates have skyrocketed and now two out of every five adults say that they are feeling increased levels of depression/anxiety to a place where it's affecting their ability to operate day-to-day
An author named Sarah Waters who is a Trauma Specialist says that the ability to manage our own discomfort is the number one factor that will determine our kid's experience of 2020. We have these things called mirror neurons which "mirror" the behavior of the other, as though the observer were itself acting. That means our children are getting far more information about their surroundings by watching us rather than by what we say to them.
Even kids who have not yet learned a language, even babies and toddlers, will pick up on our distress because kids hear us then they watch our facial expressions when we're on a call. They watch us as we respond to an email or post on social media and they really pick up on whether we're relaxed or stressed. They will absorb and experience what we feel at a far greater rate than by what we say. In fact, what we say almost doesn't matter in comparison to the way we present ourselves around our kids. One of the most important things we could do is get comfortable with giving a very authentic, "I don't know". When your kids ask you, "well, what about this? And what about this?", sometimes the best thing to say is, "I don't know, but I know I'll take care of you no matter what. And I know you don't ever have to worry because that I'm doing this, this and this." This is definitely something to think about as we continue to navigate this weird new world.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I'm a senior in college living in an apartment for the first time. My parents let me use their Amazon Prime & Hulu logins. One of my friends says it's stealing. My parents still mostly support me, so I don't think it is.
What do you think?
With our kids being out of school for over 6 months, it can be difficult getting them back into the rhythm of doing homework and staying motivated during the learning process. That's why we decided to talk about 5 different ways that we can motivate our children when it comes to school.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My fiance wants to lose weight before our wedding. Neither of us is a good cook so we always eat out. I heard that when you want to lose weight you should order off the kids' menu because the portions are smaller. My brother says if I tell her that she'll leave me because my suggestion is insulting. My best friend thinks it's a great idea. Is my idea insulting or great?
PS: My fiance hasn't asked for my advice.
When most people hear the word "politics" they tend to back away or change the subject. Kaitlyn Schiess sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about how "political" became a dirty word and why Christians should eagerly engage in politics--not for power, but for the love of your neighbor.
Kaitlyn Schiess' book is called The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor. Find her blog at https://kaitlynschiess.com/kaitlyn-schiess and find her on social media on the following platforms: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Join the conversation! Find Rebecca and Liz on the following platforms:
Twitter: @RebeccaACarrell ; @lizannrod ; @HeartStrongF
Facebook: @HeartStrongFaith
Instagram: @rebeccacarrell ; @lizannrodriguez ; @lizrodonthepod ; @heartstrongfaith
To listen to the full episode, click here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
NASA wants samples of moon dirt for its lunar base plans and wants companies to compete on getting them and handing them over. The agency is opening up a solicitation to commercial companies to propose how they would collect such lunar regolith, provide images and locations of it to NASA and eventually deliver it to the agency.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife and I have a wonderful marriage. We rarely argue, and when we do, we settle our differences pretty quickly. Here's our dilemma. We have different parenting styles. Our kids are 5 and 7, and I feel like they should be doing some chores around the house--making beds, doing dishes, helping in the yard. My wife thinks we should let the kids be kids, and there will be time to teach them how to do chores later.
What do you think?
When my child was born, I realized pretty quickly that there were words I used thoughtlessly that needed some redefinition. When they would toddle around and bump their head, I’d try to distract them, to get them to stop crying, by picking them up and tossing them in the air while telling them that they were "tough”. At the same time, I was working with young teens in campus ministry and I’d find myself frustrated with how little they empathized with others. Then it hit me—maybe a key to empathy is being comfortable with your own feelings. If so, defining “tough” as “non-emotional” isn’t the best strategy for raising a healthy adult.
Sometimes words carry cultural baggage that creates barriers, making it difficult for kids to understand what it means to live well. Redefining words is a critical skill for parents. In fact, redefining words helps our kids see the world more clearly. Here are 3 words we need to redefine for our children.
The enemy wants you to believe that God is frustrated with you. Disappointed in you. Enduring your presence because you prayed a prayer and walked an aisle and therefore, he's locked in.
This might be Satan's deadliest trick--to keep you from dwelling in Christ's love. For if Satan can convince you that the Lord merely tolerates you (and scarcely, at that), then he has successfully stripped you of all desire and inclination to turn toward your Father and abide in him. For who seeks to sit in the Presence of one who clenches their fists and grinds their teeth at the very sight of you? But the One who longs for you, sings over you, rejoices over you? We could hardly bear to leave his Presence if that were true.
Guess what, friend? It's true.
But the enemy will fight to keep you entangled in unbelief. Why? Because we have no shot--no shot--at long-term godliness outside of him.
We live in an age of outrage in a culture constantly in conflict. Pastor, author, and speaker Scott Sauls joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about the devastating effects that cancel culture can have on a person and how to speak peace into a rage-infused world.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
KCBI Artist Lauren Daigle made a very exciting announcement about a partnership between her foundation, The Price Fund, and Bob Goff's Love Does Foundation. Together the organizations will focus on building a brand new school in Congo that will eventually serve to educate more than 300 students. The school will be located in the conflict zone of Goma and will help educate the youth to help end the cycle of war and establish peace in the area.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My husband and I have been looking for a church home for over a year. We found one we both like and are considering going through the process to become members. I looked up their website and was shocked to see how young some of their elders are--early to mid-30s. I am having a very difficult time with this. We are in our 60's and I think people need more life experience under their belt, but my husband doesn't think it's a big deal.
What do you think?
They call it "Sober September" and this movement started a couple of years ago with millennials who called themselves sober-curious. It all started where they would take the month of September off to see how they felt when they weren't going out and drinking several nights a week.
This caught my attention because next month will mark 11 years of sobriety for me. I've shared often about my severe generalized clinical anxiety that I started to suffer with when I was 12 or 13 years old and now when I look back at my 13-year-old self, I can see that I started to drink because I was self-medicating. It continued to grow and grow as I went through high school and by the time college rolled around, I think it's safe to say I was probably a social alcoholic. I needed alcohol to feel comfortable in my own skin around the groups of people. But then when I graduated from college, I was a full-on alcoholic.
In October of 2009, the only way I have to explain it was the Lord just took it from me. It was one of the lies that I had kept believing and this is why I want to talk about this is that I didn't think people would like me if I wasn't drinking at parties and things like that. I didn't think people would like sober Rebecca even though I didn't like drunk Rebecca. I hated myself when I would drink and I wasn't the kind of alcoholic that where I started drinking during the day and then just kept on going till I went to bed. I didn't get drunk every time I drank but I never knew when I was going to have one of those days where things just went off the rails and I ended up making a big mess of things the next day that I couldn't remember.
If you're struggling with any kind of addictive behavior, I want to encourage you to reject the lie that this is who you are or that this is what you have to do. I've never been freer and I've never been happier. My friends still like me and I think they like me better. My marriage is stronger and I just want to encourage you that if this is a struggle of yours, you're not alone and help is available.
This application has over 5,600 of our most frequently asked questions about the Bible organized by topic, with a built-in search function, the ability to bookmark articles for easier future access, automatic downloading of new/updated articles, and the option to ask us a question if the answer to your question is not already available in the app.
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." - 1 Peter 3:15
The GotQuestions App gives you access to our entire Q&A database on your mobile device, with no need to be connected to the internet. Think of it as GotQuestions.org "on the go." You can browse and search the database, ask a question, select favorites for quicker access later, download updates, and more!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have worked at the same company for ten years and have an excellent record. I manage a small team and am having an issue with one of my employees. They have a terrible attitude and is not getting his projects done. I have told my boss several times, but recently she came to me and told me that this employee has filed a complaint against me for picking on them. On my yearly review, I got a 66 and it's because they are taking my employee's word over mine.
Am I being forced out? What should I do?
London’s coffee industry creates over 200,000 tonnes of waste every year, so what do we do with it? Entrepreneur Arthur Kay’s big idea is to use his company, bio-bean, to turn 85 percent of coffee waste into bio-fuels for heating buildings and powering transport. Now they are the world’s largest recycler of coffee grounds.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My husband has an offer to accept another, better job after the first of the year. His current company just gave him a generous bonus and a raise, but he still plans on leaving in December. Is it ethical for us to take the money?
We need it but we want to do the right thing.
This is hard to talk about because suicide has touched my personal sphere here recently. Sadly, more than one. A friend of mine whom I just love and respect so much recently lost her sister who committed suicide about six weeks ago. Also, my best friend had a childhood friend who recently took her own life and I've honestly just keep hearing stories one after the other. The pandemic has caused what experts are calling a mental health crisis. So considering the size of our listening audience, if you are struggling or considering taking your own life, I've written you an open letter and I want to read it to you.
Be ready to be shocked, but I saw something on Twitter yesterday that has my blood literally boiling. I just need a soapbox moment.
Someone recently tweeted and I don't know this person, but he had a blue check which means they are a person of influence. They were talking about depression, anxiety, and mental health issues and said this:
"You don't need pills. You just need Jesus."
Here's the thing, there might be some people for whom that is true. I have heard stories from people who have reached out to me and shared with me what they call miraculous healing from mental illness. My response to those types of stories is always rejoicing because God is ALWAYS able! But sometimes God chooses doctors, medication, and therapists to help someone through a mental illness of any kind. I chose not to respond because I didn't want to pile on as plenty of other people had taken up that flag and told this person that it was a damaging thing to say.
However, one of the things I just want you to know is this, there are a whole lot of things in life where if they happen to you, you really do just kind of have to suffer through it. Sometimes that looks like losing someone you love, losing a job, or breaking a leg. These are just some things that you just have to suffer through that and wait for the healing process. But when it comes to mental illness, anxiety, or depression, that isn't one of those things. There is help available to you and there is nothing wrong with taking a pill if your brain chemistry is out of whack and nothing you can do is helping. I am that person!
So just like you would take a pill for a headache, just like you would take antibiotics for strep throat, medicine isn't a bad thing and is actually an answer to thousands of years of prayer. Yes, I absolutely believe God can heal you from strep throat without antibiotics, and sometimes he does, but sometimes he doesn't. But God also has gifted doctors with knowledge and wisdom when it comes to treating illness and people. If you need help with mental health, please take it.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I'm 22, live at home, and my parents have decided to sell our house and relocate far away. I don’t make enough at my part-time job yet to get a place of my own. I love where I live and don’t want to start over in another state.
What should I do?
Here is a riddle. Can you solve it?
Almost every living person on planet Earth has it. It can get you into trouble, but only if it's misdirected. What is it?
It's called 'optimism bias'. It's that thing inside of us that causes us to drive really fast on a rainy night. It's that thing inside of us that believes that'll never happen to me. It's why you don't wear sunscreen. It is essentially a mistaken belief that our chances of experiencing negative events are lower and our chances of experiencing positive events are higher than those of our peers.
This term was coined in 1980 and this is at the root of a lot of careless behaviors because nobody thinks it's ever going to happen to them. What if God actually wired that into us? The reality is that we have every reason in the world to be optimistic. Listen to what we have in store for us from Isaiah 65:17, God says,
"See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind." - Isaiah 65:17
That means that everything you're going through right now won't even be the wisp of a memory once we are in glory with Jesus. If God can work all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28), what can happen to us that will not ultimately work out for our good? We have every reason in the world to have optimism bias when it comes to things of Christ.
Neighbor is the Airbnb of Storage. Get paid for your storage or parking space. Also, find storage that's 50% cheaper than self storage units by renting unused space with a neighbor.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I love my husband dearly. I can’t stand clutter because my parents are hoarders and I grew up with clutter. Clutter absolutely drives me nuts. My husband who I dearly love doesn’t understand this. When I clean and tidy up or try to get organized, those go right back to clutter. I don’t know what to do.
Thoughts?
She had some kidney stones, gallstones, and gallbladder removed after her first child was born. But other than that, she was in really good health. Her husband had recently moved to a new area and while they were waiting for insurance to kick in after 90 days, she was setting up appointments where she could go to the doctor to get her yearly physical to make sure that everything was okay.
She does that every year and so finally insurance kicks in on the first of August and she goes to the doctor to get a physical and mammogram done. Then the phone call comes. They ask her if she can come back and talk. She thought right away that something might be wrong and sure enough, there was a tumor that they had found in the mammogram and they did a biopsy and found out a few days later that yes, it was cancerous. She then goes to the oncologist to find out that it most likely is in stage one. She then goes a few more times and they may upgrade it to stage two. So she has the surgery and the surgery goes well and everything seemed to be removed. Everything turned out to be successful. She asked to go through chemotherapy for the next several months and I think it turned out to be 18 weeks of chemotherapy. That was dangerous for her because it messed with her heart a little bit, but she recovered. She did fine. But it was today, September 1, 10 years ago to the day that she, my wife, Valerie Burns, became cancer-free!
During this time, I was working in Christian radio and it was both a blessing and tough for me to hear sometimes because I felt encouraged, but at the same time, I would ask God, "Why? I don't understand. We've dedicated our lives to Christian ministry. Why would you let this happen to us?" But God brought us through it and my wife has had the opportunity to share her faith with those going through cancer. I get to share with husbands whose wives are going through cancer and remind him that God is always there. This is not taking Him by surprise.
What I'm learning through this journey is to make God a priority. Seek God first with all of your heart and know it's not going to be easy sometimes because we don't understand. But this is not taking him by surprise. He has a plan and it's our role to just seek to be in His plan. Whatever it is, however, just know that God's plans are better than anything you could ever dream up.
If you could see my home right now, you would just turn around and walk right back out. Let me just tell you that we have plastic in our living room hanging from the ceiling to floor taped on both the ceiling and the floor. The floor is covered, the furniture is covered, and we are tearing things down. We are building things up, we are throwing things away, and we are bringing new things into the house. It honestly looks like a war zone because of how chaotic things like right now. Here's the thing: my husband and I purchased our house 12 years ago knowing we were purchasing a bit of a fixer-upper.
So we knew that about once a year, maybe once every couple of years, we would tackle a really big project. Well, we let a couple of years go by and we had a few big projects that we wanted to tackle. So we decided that we were just going to pull the plug and do it and then we found out that we needed seven piers under our home. Everything is just crazy right now and there is no relaxing in our home right now. I was thinking about how ironic it is that in the middle of a year that kind of resembles a war zone that has all of us anxious and unable to relax, difficulty finding peace; that my house sort of seems to mirror that. As I was thinking about this the other day, I remembered Philippians 1:6 which says:
"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." - Philippians 1:6
In all honesty, my house is not bothering me all that much. You know why? I'm focused on the finished product. Because when all the tearing down and redoing is over, something beautiful will be there. I can promise you that when all is said and done with the pandemic, with the rioting/political unrest or with fill in the blank, God is doing a good work here in you and in our world. So let's focus on what's to come.
There is a beautiful passage tucked in the very end of the Bible in Revelation Chapter 22, and it says this:
"No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads." - Revelations 22:3-4
God is doing something beautiful in you and in creation. Let's focus on that today.
As a culture, we are always on the run, always racing to the next thing. In her latest Bible Study, Teresa Swanstrom Anderson, aka "The Pink Theologian," beckons us to slow down and soak up God's Word as she calls us to, as her study is titled, "Live for What Really Matters."
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Amazon Prime Air has cleared a regulatory hurdle, moving the online retail giant one step closer to dropping packages off at your doorstep with drones. The US Federal Aviation Administration on Saturday issued Amazon Prime Air a "Part 135 air carrier certificate," allowing it to begin commercial drone deliveries in the US.
The way you manage your money will impact your marriage. It will either bring your marriage together or tear your marriage apart. Rarely is money's effect neutral.
In marriage, there are money land mines. These land mines are often decisions that can lead to a significant blow up in the relationship. Needless to say, each one can be avoided if you are aware of the potential dangers of each.
If you'd like to read the full article we referenced on the air, you can click here: https://www.artrainer.com/post/4-money-land-mines-for-your-marriage
Technology has become the architect of our intimacies. Online, we fall prey to the illusion of companionship, gathering thousands of Twitter and Facebook friends, and confusing tweets and wall posts with authentic communication. But this relentless connection leads to a deep solitude. MIT professor Sherry Turkle argues that as technology ramps up, our emotional lives ramp down.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My husband spends thousands of dollars every year on a country club membership so he can play golf. Once a year, I go to Las Vegas with my girlfriends to see a concert and gamble a little. I give myself $500 to play with and once it's gone, it's gone. My Bible study teacher recently told me that I am sinning and in direct disobedience to God's word. I disagree - this is no different than spending money on the movies or a country club membership.
What do you think?
Sadly, over the weekend on Friday, August 28th, actor Chadwick Boseman passed away at the age of 43 after a 4 year battle with colon cancer.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My husband did not grow up in a Christian household and I had finally gotten him involved at our church when COVID hit. He hung in there for a little while, but then told me that online services weren't doing it for him. Now our church is meeting again, but I can't get him to come with me and the kids.
This is so important to me and I don't know what to do.
Have peace of mind that someone will know if you need help. Snug is a free, friendly daily check-in service for people living alone. The app is simple and easy to understand, no matter how comfortable (or uncomfortable!) one may be with new technology.
Since Hurricane Laura hit land early this morning, we wanted to have our friend, WFAA Meteorologist, Greg Fields, to talk with us about what we can expect in North Texas and what our friends and family members in Louisiana still need to know as they weather this horrible storm.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My ex-husband and I divorced six years ago and have always co-parented our children peacefully, even when I got remarried. He recently converted to another religion and has been taking our kids to their place of worship and actively teaching them that Christianity is false. The kids love their dad and don’t know who to believe.
What should I do?
I love having friends that are smarter than me. I've got a friend named Christian Williams and we've actually had her on the Honest Conversations podcast before so if you haven't checked that episode out, click here! This is what she just posted on Facebook a week ago and this is just pure gold!
"A week ago someone asked how they could pray for me. I replied that I need to cultivate the discipline of rest. I find that the opportunity to rest often presents itself to me but I wrestle with immersing myself in rest when rest comes around. It’s probably because at heart I’m a performer. I like to do. I like to feel a sense of accomplishment and capability but if I’m not careful I can easily find myself rooting my identity in my work and not the work of Jesus. I think the discipline of rest isn’t just about me taking a break until I can do again. I think it’s about me owning my finiteness and trusting God. I don’t think the point is to turn to God when I’m empty when I’m at maximum capacity. I think the point is to be in God, to abide, and do all things through Christ who strengthens me. To be rested and rest-full.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” - Psalm 46:10
Daughter, Son, just be a human. And let God be God." - Christian Williams
That is so good! The discipline of rest is not about coming to God when you're empty, but about abiding in Him and allowing Him to work through you. I love that sometimes when I had a friend that would have one of those planners, they had to write out every moment of what they were doing and they would have often holes in their schedules with nothing. It often stressed them out because they felt like they needed to fill it when in reality, maybe that's your opportunity to take the time to rest in the Lord. Get reinvigorated to get on fire once again!
Imagine that you can get medication that was customized for a rare disease or genetic mutation. This capability is no longer only a figment of someone's imagination—it's possible. When medicine is tailored to the exact needs of a single patient, it will make treatment and cures possible for ailments that went untreated in the past. Hyper-personalized medicine will bring hope to many who suffered from incurable diseases.
Is there a right and wrong way to share your faith? God can and does use anything and anyone, but in this episode of the Honest Conversations podcast Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez talk about a recent conversation that left Rebecca feeling frustrated and unheard. Is there a "best way" to talk about Jesus? Join the conversation anytime by reaching out to Liz and Rebecca through email, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and recommend the Honest Conversations podcast.
Twitter: @RebeccaACarrell ; @lizannrod ; @HeartStrongF
Facebook: @HeartStrongFaith
Instagram: @rebeccacarrell ; @lizannrodriguez ; @lizrodonthepod ; @heartstrongfaith
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My father left my mother when I was two and I have never had a positive experience with him. He never paid child support and the only time he has reached out to me as an adult is to ask for money. He recently reached out on Facebook and asked me to do a Bible study with him. Even the thought of being in the same room triggers me, but I want to do the right thing.
What should I do?
There are two major storms moving their way toward the Gulf Coast and one of them is a hurricane. As I was praying for the people on the Gulf Coast this morning on my way into work, I was thinking about something Jesus said at the very end of the Sermon on the Mount, he says,
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.- Matthew 7:24-25
So what words is he referring to? The words of the entire Sermon on the Mount, which is kind of like a Bible Study on the Ten Commandments. I want you to notice that the wise man who built his house on the rock who followed Jesus was not immune to the worst of storms. These are really big robust words in the Greek language used to describe this storm and the wise man is not immune. Bear in mind, when he refers to "those who put them in the practice" or "those who don't", that is a churchgoer he is talking about. That is someone who is sitting in the pew hearing the sermon and does not put them into practice. He compares them to a foolish man who built his house on sand. It's the exact same storm with two completely different outcomes.
We prepare for the real-life hurricanes by building our houses according to the code of how things are to be safely built. We hedge up our lives against the storms of life by listening to and doing and practicing what Jesus said in Scripture so whether you have family in harm's way on the Gulf or whether you feel like you are sitting in the midst of a metaphorical hurricane, just know that your friends here at KCBI love you and we are praying for you.
Do you ever say "God, why haven't you given up on me yet?" I just had a moment over the weekend where I did something so stupid. I had to confess, repent, and afterward, I got so frustrated with myself. Honestly, I've been walking with the Lord my whole life, not always in obedience, but I've known the Lord and loved the Lord my whole life. Sometimes I'm just like "will you just do this thing in me already?" So if you know how that feels, if you find yourself messing up, and sometimes just completely failing, I want to read to you some verses that the Lord led me to. This is in the book of Ezekiel, it's one of the major prophets and this is in chapter 36:
“Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes." - Ezekiel 36:22-23
Let me tell you why that's good news. Because your salvation isn't about you. You didn't earn it and honestly, you and I kind of keep trying to blow it. But it's not about you! It's about God, and about His mercy, His grace, His compassion, His wisdom, and His forgiveness. Because you didn't do anything to earn it, you and I cannot do anything to lose it. God didn't save you because of anything you've done. He's saved you in spite of what you've done. He doesn't love you because of who you are, He loves you in spite of who you are. Be comforted today knowing that you didn't earn it and therefore, you can't lose it. The God of the Universe delights in you, not because of you, but because of Him.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Our Son is a Senior in high school and my wife and I can’t agree on whether we should pay for our Son’s college or not. I was raised that if I wanted to go to college, I would pay for it myself. My wife was raised that her parents paid for everything until she graduated or got married. Of course, our kids want us to foot the bill and I feel alone in this battle.
What do you think I should do?
I got to spend some quality time with the grandsons last night and this was an absolute BLAST. That's just one of the things I love about life and it's one of the main reasons why Valerie and I moved back to Texas.
Recently, I was spending time with the grandsons at the pool, and my oldest grandson, Judah who is almost 3 has no fear. As long as his Mom, Dad, Grandma, or Grandpa is around, he has no fear. He is currently learning to swim and while he's not perfect at it, he is always just diving in headfirst with anticipation and excitement. My other grandson from my daughter Kayla is named Everett and he is still very young as he was born in April. Everett is one that has always been drawn to my wife, Valerie, but not me most of the time. There is just something very comforting about Valerie that he really loves.
However, things have really changed over the last couple of weeks to the point where he lights up when he sees me! For the first time at the pool, Everett saw me and as I reached out to hold him, he just sat and relaxed. Typically he squirms or is quick to get fussy so it doesn't last too long, but this time was different. Even though he was a little fuzzy and tired, he actually fell asleep in my arms. It was this moment that helped me realize that the position he was in was an unfamiliar place. But I was familiar and because of that, it brought him comfort.
That's EXACTLY how it is with God because 2020 is truly the craziest year of our entire lives and if you're looking for comfort, you can find peace in his arms and his arms are always open for you. Reading God's word every day, spending time in prayer, and even if it's hard to gather in church right now, you can always come to the Father knowing that the familiarity with him is going to bring you peace.
Currently, I am preparing to teach on the book of Philippians and if you didn't know, this book of the Bible has always been known as Paul's joy letter. This is because many scholars have said that the theme of Philippians is joy. However, while it's definitely woven throughout the entire book, I am also going to say that a huge theme in this book is overcoming. This is a book of what the ideal Christian life looks like.
I know that this is something that's perhaps on your heart right now as we think and dream about having victory over the things that are going on in our lives right now. Maybe it's victory in your finances or relationships or maybe it's finding that new job. I don't know what battle you're fighting, but I want to tell you that the Apostle Paul says that victory is ours, but it is not found in overcoming our circumstances. It's not found in the changing of circumstances, but rather it's when we're changed by our circumstances.
Paul is so Christ-centered that for him, to live was to serve Christ. There is nothing that we can't have victory over because the book tells us to have the mind of Christ. We read the scriptures to recognize the voice of Christ and we memorize scriptures to think the thoughts of Christ. We obey the scriptures to be the hands and feet of Christ. So with all that being said, to become the very image of Christ has encouraged me greatly today and I hope that's true for you as well.
The Mayor of Dallas has issued a Proclamation a Day of Prayer and Fasting to eradicate the Covid-19 plague in Dallas on August 19, 2020.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My closest friend and I got pregnant two months apart - we even had our baby showers together.
She and her husband knew that we were naming our baby after my grandmother and that we'd been planning on it for years. Well, they just had their daughter and they stole our name. I have no words to describe how betrayed I feel. They don't think they did anything wrong.
Am I crazy for being so upset? I don't know if we can friends anymore.
If you are a white-knuckled planner like myself, I have some good news for you. I was reading in the Proverbs the other day and Proverbs 16:9 says this
"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." - Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
Here's why I know this is true, aside from the fact that it is God's Word. When I first got into radio, I wanted to be doing what I was doing where I was doing it for the rest of my life. Then some years later, God called me into ministry. I did not see that coming and I never once in my upbringing said that I wanted to be in ministry. Now I've always remembered being a Christian, but I never wanted to work in ministry. I also never wanted to write a book because I have ZERO interest. But then I woke up one day and I had two books! When I graduated from college, I swore to anyone who would listen that I would never go back to school. Fast forward to today and I am a third of the way through my Master's Degree.
So here's the thing I know for a lot of us right now: the future is just uncertain. Planning inherently is a good thing because we should plan for things. But we also need to rest in the certainty of God's sovereignty. He's got you. He's guiding you. He knows the path on which He has set you and He knows which direction you're going to turn at the fork in the road. Listen to His voice, read His Word, and know that the Lord establishes your steps. You can know that He loves you more than you could ever imagine.
A student at Loughborough University has designed a “robotic guide dog” that will help support visually impaired people who are unable to house a real animal.
Achalasia is an extremely rare disorder that causes the esophagus - the muscle that helps you swallow - to stop working. Joy Pedrow Skarka recently received this frightening diagnosis and spent over 30 days alone in the hospital in the midst of a global pandemic. Even in great pain, she has managed to praise her Savior. In episode 64 of the Honest Conversations Podcast, Joy shares her story of God's Presence in the midst of deep physical and emotional pain.
Like what you hear? Please rate, review, subscribe, and recommend the Honest Conversations Podcast. Plus, we want to hear from you! Join the conversation by reaching out through email or social media:
Liz Rodriguez: erodriguez@battlecreekchurch.com; IG - @lizrodonthepod; @lizannrodriguez; Twitter - @lizannrod; Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/liz.rodriguez.92775
Rebecca Carrell: rcarrell@kcbi.org; IG - @Rebecca Carrell ; Twitter - @RebeccaACarrell; Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RebeccaAshbrookCarrell/
Joy Pedrow Skarka - https://www.authenticintimacy.com/ ; IG - @joyskarka ; Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=727009223
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
Ten years ago I had a very brief affair and my wife and I separated for six months. Five years later we decided to tell the kids the truth. We focused on how Christ had rebuilt and strengthened our marriage. My oldest son has not spoken to me since. Now he has left the faith. I am devastated and feel like it's all my fault.
What can I do to repair this?
If you're a fan of the show 'American Idol' and you fit the requirements to audition, you could be in for a real treat! While COVID-19 has certainly made things a whole lot harder for some things, it truly has never been easier to audition for this show as they do their first-ever virtual nationwide search.
When do your kids start school? I know that a lot of parents are preparing their kids to start school today and there is quite a bit of anxiety surrounding it because everything is different. Fortunately the experts have weighed in and have shared some great ideas on how to make this transition easier.
A recent study suggests the average person has missed more than twenty-two hours of sleep a week since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Thirty-seven percent of respondents say worrying about COVID-19 is causing their insomnia. Plus, one thing you might not know is that if you're not getting enough sleep, it can impact your overall health, especially your immune system!
A lack of sleep impacts your body and mind.
This year, many of us have had to adapt to a “new normal” that doesn’t feel normal. Sudden life adjustments like this can negatively impact mental health and lead to chronic fatigue and burnout.
Yet, in the midst of this, God still calls us to come to Him, promising to give us rest. One way we draw closer to God is by spending time in His Word, but how do you make time with God a daily habit? And then, how do you bridge the gap between knowing Scripture and living it out every day?
Here are 5 seamless steps (that form an easy to remember acronym) that can help you PAUSE, rest, and study the Bible every day—even when you feel overwhelmed. With that said, who better to learn from than the team behind the YouVersion Bible App!
Unlike conventional alarm clocks and alarm apps, Mathe Alarm Clock forces you to solve multiple-choice math puzzles before shutting off its alarm. You’ll never worry again about unconsciously pressing your alarm clock’s “snooze” button and oversleeping! Mathe Alarm Clock wakes your brain up. Irritating, but definitely gets you up!
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I recently lost my mother to Alzheimer’s earlier this year and I found out from my doctor that there is a test that I can take to see if I too will likely contract Alzheimer’s in my life. I want to take the test so I can know for myself but my wife doesn’t want me to take it because she says she doesn’t want to know because it would lead to us living in fear for the rest of our lives.
What should I do?
The book of Revelation has long been acknowledged as perhaps the most mysterious book in all of Scripture, interwoven with symbolism and metaphor. This week on the Honest Conversations Podcast Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez sit down with Bible teacher Nancy Gemaelich to discuss how and why Christians need to study the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing to its readers. PLUS - what FAMOUS CELEBRITY is Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod related to? You'll find out in episode 63 of Honest Conversations by HeartStrong Faith.
Purchase Nancy Gemaelich's Bible study: https://www.nancygemaehlich-author.com/comelordjesus-biblestudy
Join the conversation! Follow us on our social media platforms:
Twitter: @RebeccaACarrell ; @lizannrod ; @HeartStrongF
Facebook: @HeartStrongFaith
Instagram: @rebeccacarrell ; @lizannrodriguez ; @heartstrongfaith
Like what you hear? Please rate, review, and subscribe to the Honest Conversations Podcast.
Listen to the full podcast here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Are you turning crisis into an opportunity? There is little so unsettling as watching fear create the exact experience people were anxious about in the first place. It’s called a self-fulfilling prophecy, like when we worry that we won’t be able to access toilet paper in a global crisis so we buy all the toilet paper, thereby making toilet paper impossible to find in stores. Or when someone says that gas is short and therefore creates a gas shortage in Texas. It all stems from fear.
We know it's been hard and unknown as many of us have known somebody who has lost someone due to this virus. It's a difficult position for us all and while we can mourn and lament the lack of normalcy and uptick in outrage, we also have a choice. Instead of being fearful, we could be turning crisis into opportunity. Because good things can happen in hard times, too. Rather than being panicked and afraid, we and our families can get stronger in every way, despite the chaos around us. Here are 5 ways you can accomplish this.
It's one of those days that is very hard to get through for our own Don Burns. 5 years ago today, he had to say goodbye to his father as he was in the final stages of Alzheimer's fighting pneumonia. This morning, he just wanted to share how much of an impact his father had on him as he not only remembers the man who raised him, but also his best friend.
The explosion in the capital city of Beirut, Lebanon has rocked the world as video footage of this tragedy stops us in our tracks. With over 300,000 homeless, over 150 deceased, and over 5,000 reported injured, what can we do to help? KCBI Ministry Impact Partner, Heart For Lebanon, currently has over 60 people on the ground in Beirut assisting in whatever way they can. We were fortunate enough to hear from Heart For Lebanon co-founder, Tom Atema, about what emergency needs they are providing for the citizens of Beirut right now and how God is using this crisis to provide an opportunity to reach people with the Gospel.
Zocdoc is the start of a better health care journey for you. Find and book top-rated local doctors, on demand. Visit them in their offices, or video chat with them from home.
Nestled in the middle of one the Bible's most well-known passages is God's definition of good. Megan Fate Marshman sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss what the world gets wrong about "good" and how God's definition can set us free from life's heaviest burdens.
Join the conversation! Follow us on our social media platforms:
Twitter: @RebeccaACarrell ; @lizannrod ; @HeartStrongF
Facebook: @HeartStrongFaith
Instagram: @rebeccacarrell ; @lizannrodriguez ; @heartstrongfaith
Like what you hear? Please rate, review, and subscribe to the Honest Conversations Podcast.
Click here to listen to the full episode: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Have you ever noticed that children love to hide? Maybe we started this behavior with the game of peekaboo or something but I'm pretty sure they feel encouraged to do that sometimes. But here's the thing, this is normal behavior.
At nine months, they love to sit in boxes. At 12 months, they love to shimmy through tubes (you know, those tent tubes that you can buy for your kids). Hide and seek is a favorite game of many kids, but this obviously is not the case if you're claustrophobic. But for children, there is something about being in a small, cozy space that makes them feel safe. I also find it interesting that in Scripture, the word refuge is used eight times, eight times. Most of those are in the Psalms and a refuge can also be a hiding place. You and I according to the Apostle Paul, are to live lives hidden in Christ.
So what does that mean? It means that no matter what is going on in the world, you can be sure that you're safe and secure in Christ. Because what we are living in right now, it's not that it's not real because it definitely is. It's just that there's a true, better and bigger reality. Paul wrote,
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." - Colossians 3:1-2
Your life is now hidden with Christ in God. You are in that secure space. I don't know what it looks like for you but for me, it looks like when I find a quiet place and just sit and read His word and let him talk to me. For no matter what's going on around you right now, your true and better reality is that your life is hidden in Christ.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife and I grew up in two different denominations and when we got married – we agreed to a “compromise”. The problem is, we recently had a child, and now she says she wants to bring it up in the denomination she grew up in - and not the one we have been going to – where our friends are.
What should I do?
Whether they are on their way out of your house or they have their own kids now, you never stop being a parent to your children. It's important that as our kids grow up that they consistently hear encouragement from us as parents in all realms of life.
I think we need to remember that right now when we look around, it seems like everything is in chaos and to an extent it is. But God is a God of Order. So much so that a single cricket doesn't chirp until the grand conductor allows him to. So even though it may look like nothing is happening in your world and things are spinning out of control and everything's getting worse, God is not the author of chaos. God is still bringing order out of chaos right now, even if you can't see it.
From spotting identity theft to seeing what affects your credit score, Credit Karma has a lot of great tools that you can utilize to keep you informed about your credit.
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
My 30-year-old son was recently diagnosed with cancer. Since then, I cannot believe some of the comments people have made, saying things like, “At least he’s a Christian”, or, “My father died from that cancer.” I think they mean well, but I’m so angry I could cry.
Is there a Christian way to tell people to keep their mouths shut?
We are celebrating Christmas in July here at 90.9 KCBI and we're giving away free snow cones, KCBI swag, as well as jamming out to Christmas music, but what is Christmas in July?
I heard something the other day that has had me thinking and it was the phrase “attention is not a neutral force.” It always affects the object or concept on which it is placed and that object or concept on which your attention is placed ultimately grows bigger. So the more you feed it, the more it grows.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is urging Texans to take extreme precaution when receiving unsolicited seed packets from China. These packets have been mailed to multiple states, including Texas, falsely labeled as jewelry. Residents are advised not to plant the seeds as they could contain harmful invasive species or be otherwise unsafe.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
We recently had our first child, and we are over-the-moon excited! Our issue is, we don’t want pictures of our newborn all over Social Media. My in-laws completely understand and have been great at covering our Son’s face. However, my parents have posted several pictures of his face and quite a few details (name, weight, location). My parents have done so much for us, and I don’t want to hurt their feelings.
What else can we do?
Overgrown and broken, city officials of Jacksboro, Texas had no idea what to do with all the vacant land they had for nearly a decade, until a company came forward with a suggestion that was out of left field. Like Neil Armstrong first did 51 years ago, visitors to the old Jacksboro ball fields will soon be able to walk on the lunar surface.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am newly engaged. There is one problem. My fiancee is carrying a considerable amount of debt and has a terrible credit score. I've known this for a while and accepted that things will be in my name. I mentioned this to my parents and they were horrified. They say this should be a deal-breaker, and now I don't know what to do.
Help!
From abuse to addiction to homelessness to prostitution, Amberlee Wright shares her heartbreaking, yet hope-filled, story of God's redemption. Amberlee's message is simple: You cannot out-sin the cross and you cannot outrun God's grace.
If you or someone you know needs help to escape stripping, prostitution, or sexual exploitation, go to https://www.valianthearts.org/.
Join the conversation! Follow us on our social media platforms:
Twitter: @RebeccaACarrell; @lizannrod; @HeartStrongF
Facebook: @HeartStrongFaith
Instagram: @rebeccacarrell ; @lizannrodriguez ; @heartstrongfaith
Like what you hear? Please rate, review, and subscribe to the Honest Conversations Podcast.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
When you have a really difficult decision to make, what do you do? I think the right answer is to pray about it and talk to people that you trust and know.
However, I have seen in my years in ministry that a lot of people get really tripped up and almost paralyzed because they can't make up their minds about something. You might have heard of the saying, "paralysis by analysis" which is defined as:
"An individual or group process when overanalyzing or overthinking a situation can cause forward motion or decision-making to become "paralyzed", meaning that no solution or course of action is decided upon."
These people are trying so hard to get a specific word about which specific thing to do. I want to encourage you today if you ever find yourself in that spot that sometimes God will make it very clear to do something, but sometimes He won't. The good news is that God's will, I believe, and I believe scripture backs this up, is wide. God's will for your life is more about who you are than what you do. I will say though that the Bible says a ton about what you are supposed to do, but it says a whole lot more about who you are supposed to be.
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." - Matthew 6:33
A friend of mine once said that God is the God of all possible outcomes and if that's the truth, you really can't pick the wrong thing. Of course, that's if that thing isn't directly in contradiction to something in God's word. If God is the God of all possible outcomes and you make what looks like to you a giant mistake, you can know that you know that He is going to use that to make you more like Christ, which is always his will for your life.
Your mistake is not going to usurp the will of God because it was already in His plan. He already knew it was coming and you're still going to be okay. Remember that while the gate is narrow, God's will is wide.
Before the pandemic, financial health was already low but now with record job layoffs and economic hardship happening because of this virus, many people are finding themselves at wits with what to do with their money. With that being said, our resident financial expert Jay Allen has a few tips on what you can do with your money today that will make a lasting difference for your future!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I’m not crazy about my job. Don’t get me wrong, I’m THANKFUL I have a job, but I feel like I’m just going through the motions. Recently, I was offered my dream job, in the field of work that I got a degree for, but, it’s far away from family (relatives) and friends in an area that just isn’t very appealing to me.
Should I take the job or stay in my current role but be close to family?
We’re grieving. In different ways and degrees, but we are moving through the grief process.
So be gentle with yourself. Be extra gentle with others. Remind yourself of our truths every day. We’ll get through this, and what a glorious testimony we’ll have.
A lot of people I know are having a tough time and I wanted to tell you what I was thinking about this as I was driving into work. Specifically, when God led the Israelites out of Egypt. God took the Israelites the long way. God took the Israelites the winding way He was delivering them. When they finally stopped for the night, God had very deliberately placed them smack in the middle of a rock and a hard place. There was a short, easy way they could have gone, but God didn't do that. So when they stopped for the night, they had the Philistines off if they were to go toward the left or they had the wilderness off toward the right. The Egyptians were bearing down behind them and the Red Sea was in front of them and you know what? God did that on purpose.
The Israelites saw destruction, but God saw deliverance for them. Exodus 14:18 says,
"The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen.” - Exodus 14:18
It doesn't just say the Egyptians will know I am the Lord. It says the Egyptians will know Yahweh. His covenant relational name! That was missional not just for the Israelites, but also for the Egyptians. What if your suffering is not about you? What if this is your moment to shine through the suffering? What if what you think could be your destruction? God means for your deliverance, but not just your deliverance, the deliverance of those around you. My friend Debbie Stuart says it best, "Your problem is not your problem. It's your perspective of your problem that is your problem." Sometimes God doesn't stop you from being thrown into the furnace because He has a point to make to the people who threw you in.
A lot of us have found ourselves in the position of working from home and while some have continued to work, others have been forced out of their jobs due to COVID-19 related layoffs or furloughs. With that being said, did you know there are certain jobs that not only have incredible pay, but they are also 100% remote (work from home)? Here are the top 10 that we have found!
If you're a fan of Ultimate Frisbee but for obvious reasons (COVID), you find yourself not being able to participate in that type of activity with friends, this app is for you! For me personally (Jay Allen), this app has been a nice distraction from what we're all experiencing and just allows me to have some solid fun on my phone without having to get on social media.
This has gone down since COVID-19 started and I have to say that I am surprised because I would have thought it would go up. I am talking about Bible reading and The American Bible Society releases its annual State of the Bible research today and because I work in Christian media, I got a preliminary report. It says that Scripture Engagement has gone down during the pandemic and they are seeing a direct correlation between Scripture Engagement and the traditional discipleship opportunities that the church gives us like small groups and Bible studies.
As I was thinking about this, it made me think of something that happened not too long ago. My son was in a baseball tournament and there was this play and the ball went to this kid out in the field. There were several possible plays he could have made and everyone started screaming and when I say everyone, I mean, EVERYONE. The parents of our team were screaming and the parents of the other team were screaming, and all the coaches and teammates were screaming. For anyone, this would be a point of anxiety but do you know what this kid did? He looked straight at his coach, zoned in on his coach's voice, and in spite of all the different voices clamoring for his attention, he threw that ball right where it was supposed to go and made the out. Here's why: He was listening to the right voice.
You and I have a lot of voices speaking a lot of things into our lives right now and if there has ever been a time to lean on scripture, it's now! There is one voice that we should be listening to and it's not the voice of your favorite news station or the voice of your favorite radio personality/commentator. It's not the voice of your best friend. It's God's voice. You won't cure it if you're not in the Bible. You have to train yourself to listen to that voice and when you do, you immediately recognize the voice and pay attention. You can focus and do what he exactly what he says.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I hired my next-door neighbor to do some repairs to my house. The problem is, things seem to be worse now than when he started. He says they are new issues, not from what he did. His wife is a lawyer and told us to either accept it or sue them. I am trying to be a good example of God’s love and forgiveness, BUT I feel like I wasted a lot of money.
Help!
Wearable sports bands that measure your heart rate are nothing new, but as numerous studies have shown, the accuracy can vary wildly (especially if you rely on them to count calories). In general, that’s fine if you just want an idea of how hard you’re working out, but for professionals, accuracy is everything.
Using a single lead ECG printed into the fabric, this new t-shirt from smart materials company KYMIRA will accurately measure heartbeats and upload them to the cloud via Bluetooth. Once there, algorithms process the data to accurately detect irregular heartbeats such as arrhythmia heartbeats, which could prove life-saving.
And it’s not just athletes who could benefit. “The possibilities this product offers both sportspeople and the general public is astonishing,” says Tim Brownstone, CEO and founder of KYMIRA. “We envisage developing this product to be used for clinical applications to allow those who may already suffer from heart conditions enough warning of a heart attack.”
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My husband and I have three kids - two are out of the house and the baby is 17. He recently started dating a girl of a different faith. She is lovely, but we are adamantly opposed to the relationship. My best friend says at 17 he is old enough to make his own decisions and if we forbid him to date her he will resent us.
We are torn and don't know what to do. Any ideas?
I am reading a book right now that is just killing me. It's called Spirit of the Rainforest: A Yanomamo Shaman's Story and it's about a people group that lives in the Amazon. I want to say maybe Venezuela, but they live in the jungle and they are called the Yanomamo, and this people group is known to be among the most violent people groups that are in living in the majority world. This book chronicles the story of a shaman and if you don't know what a shaman is, it's essentially a spiritual man who communes with the spirits. In the book, his tribe meets a group of white people and they want to learn about the spirit that the white people worship. The white people are Christians, or at least they say they are, and they keep hoping a white man will come and live in their village. They keep going to the white people and asking if they will come to their village and help them learn to know the Spirit. They won't go and finally, this exchange happens between two characters named Spear and Shoe Foot:
"When we live with our spirits, we become more like them. They dance. We dance. They steal and rape women. We steal and rape women. They fight and kill. We fight and kill. But these white people don't do what they say their spirit does. They say he's generous, but they're not. They say he's kind, but they're not."
This passage from the book is killing me as I read it because we are living in a time right now where people are desperate for the truth. People are seeking and the church is not behaving. When we don't get it right, people are turned off. We have got to watch what we say, what we post, and what we tweet. People are watching and they are desperate for the truth.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
A co-worker and I started carpooling to work about a year ago. About 3 months ago, her car broke down and the repairs were so much, that she had to sell the car.
My dilemma? I now drive us every day, AND now she is comfortable asking to borrow my car to run errands during lunch. She has offered to help SOME with gas money, but there is more to wear and tear of a car, and it limits what I can do for lunch. She is a dear friend, and I want to help but this has gone on too long.
Any suggestions?
A study came out over the weekend on what they are calling pandemic fatigue. I don't think I need to define that for you because if you're anything like Don Burns, Jay Allen and myself, you're going through it too. Saturday morning I woke up and I just kind of hit my breaking point so in my journal, with my time with the Lord, I made a list of all the things I cannot control. Of course, the pandemic is at the top of that list. I can't control it. However, I can control my response.
Then I made a list of all the ways the Lord has blessed me and my family in the midst of the pandemic which was WAY longer than the list of things that I couldn't control. then I started to thank the Lord for each one of those things. Essentially, I started to praise Him and it was this moment that I thought about Psalm 146. It goes like this:
"Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live." - Psalm 146:1-2
Do you know what happened when I read that? My heart was lifted, my anxiety was gone, and I was a totally different person. There is power in praising the Lord! We've talked about it over and over again, you can either worry or you can worship. If you spend your time worshipping, it will change you. It won't necessarily change your circumstances, but it will definitely who you are and your response to those circumstances. There are all kinds of psalms in the Book of Psalms like Psalms of sorrow, Psalms of anger, but the last five Psalms in the Bible are devoted to nothing but praise. So as you're reading this, we invite you into a moment of worship. Give the next few minutes over to the Lord. Yes, your circumstances will still be there when you're done, but just remember that the God who led the Israelites to the Red Sea did it because He knew He was going to make a way through it.
What began as typical teenage rebellion landed Jarrad Stuart in prison for over ten years. Recently released, now Jarrad and his mother, Debbie, share their story of heartbreak and redemption on the Honest Conversations Podcast. If you or anyone you know is parenting a prodigal (or challenging) child, this episode is a #must hear #mustshare.
Like what you hear? Please review, rate, and subscribe to the Honest Conversations Podcast where we look at tough topics through a biblical lens.
Order the book: Redeemed Rebel: 20 Perspectives from a Prodigal and His Mom. Available for purchase at DebbieStuart87@gmail.com. Venmo: DebbieStuart-11.
You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
If you were to ask any nutritionist or health expert, they would tell you one of the most important things for us to do is drink more water. Every now and then, I just get a little urge to research random things so I decided to research water. You probably knew that your body weight is approximately 60 percent water and I'm sure you knew that your body uses water in every single cell, organ, and millimeter of tissue in your body to help regulate temperature and also maintain other functions.
You lose water through breathing, sweating, and digestion. The standard amount of water one should aim for is about eight cups a day, but that actually depends on how active you are. So you can go without food for quite some time, but you can only go for a couple of days without water. I find it very interesting that Jesus refers to himself or the Holy Spirit as Living Water because water is the number one thing we need to survive. I mean, we need oxygen, but water is a close second.
We intake water and it affects every single thing in us. Not one cell goes unaffected by water and I think it's the same with the Holy Spirit. When you come to that place in your life and you realize you just can't do it on your own, you finally surrender that thing to the Lord. The Holy Spirit permeates every single aspect of your life and one of the things that I think can be hard to understand in Bible study is the notion of God being a jealous God. God's not jealous of us, He's jealous for us that He wants every aspect of your heart, every aspect of your life to refresh you, revive you, restore you, and ultimately to resurrect you.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
This Spring, I started homeschooling my two kids, and it went really well. Recently, my 12-year-old stepson moved in with us permanently, so, of course, I am adding him to the homeschool group this Fall.
My dilemma? His mother now wants to drop off her two kids at my house during “school hours” so I can teach them as well. She didn’t really ask, and she doesn’t understand why I might not want to add her children to the mix.
Any suggestions?
Let's be honest, we all have at least one that we would qualify as a "problem person" in our lives. Sometimes they can frustrate us so much that we want to pull our hair out or jump around a room and scream so it's no secret that it's hard for a lot of us to be grateful for these people. But the reality is that if we read God's word, we're called to love people sacrificially and to be thankful in all circumstances (Ephesians 5:20 & 1 Thess 5:18) & abound in thanksgiving. (Col 2:7). So with that being said, with the help of our friend Chuck Lawless, here are some reasons we can be thankful for difficult people in our lives and how it can change our perspective.
For those who have been a fan of the show for a while, you know that Rebecca's gift of rhyme is legendary. Recently, she went to Main Event and their way of encouraging people to wash their hands was through a fun rap that you could recite while washing your hands in the sink. However, Rebecca thinks that Main Event should've hired her for her rapping skills as she makes some much-needed changes to their 'wash your hands' rap. What happened next was pure greatness.
There is a book in the Bible that you may or may not have read called Hosea. Hosea is one of the 12 minor prophets and even though he is a minor prophet, the book has a major message. God instructs his prophet, Hosea, to marry a prostitute and this sounds really, really strange, but what God is doing is He's having Hosea live out God's love for Israel. This is because God compares Israel to a rebellious wife who bears children to him out of wedlock, who is idolatrous, who sells herself over and over and over again. This picture presents possibly the clearest vision of God's ferocious love and ruthless pursuit of His people.
Interestingly enough, I got to have a conversation yesterday with a woman who spent years on the street and was a prostitute. We talked about worth and shame and one of the things that occur to me is that we all have pockets of shame from our past. You've got things you regret, but you don't get to define your worth. That's not your privilege. You didn't create yourself. You don't get to define your worth. Only your Creator gets to define your worth. God says you are more precious to him than gold and He says you are worth more than all the precious jewels in the world.
"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." - 1 Peter 1:18-19
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10
In fact, you're worth the blood of his very son. Regardless of what you've done, God's still pursued Israel and He still pursues you. He calls you worthy and you've got to let that be enough.
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SMU Dedman School of Law is offering free, coronavirus-related legal information through a “helpline" that launched June 1. Just call 214-SMU-COVD.
I have found that in times like this, God has been very, very faithful to give me strength for the catastrophes. But it's the little things that pop up out of nowhere where I absolutely lose it. As you may know, I'm a student at Dallas Theological Seminary and when you're in seminary, you study things about God in great detail. When you're in seminary, you also study a lot of old dead people, especially as it relates to their faith and doctrine. There was a theologian named John Calvin who lived in the 1500s and he had a phrase that he termed, 'Total Depravity.'
In a nutshell, this means that despite the ability to look good outwardly, to do good things outwardly, there is still this inward distortion which makes all of our actions displeasing to God. In other words, all of us have a sin generator living inside us that never stops. Those fleeting little moments of truly good intentions we have are only the Holy Spirit working through us in our own strength. We are not good and the reason I believe that is because that is a description of me. But there's good news! Hebrews 8:12 says:
"For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” - Hebrews 8:12
Sins are actions. Those are the things that we do wrong, either accidentally or deliberately. But wickedness is a condition. Wickedness is that inward distortion. Wickedness is that sin generator that keeps going despite our greatest efforts and that is what Jesus came to fix. I am so grateful knowing that someday that sin generator inside of me and you will be slain forever.
If you remember what it was like to be a teenager, it was hard enough as it is just adjusting to the new realities that you faced as you went through massive milestones like middle school and high school. Add a global pandemic on top of that and it'll break anybody's mental health. With all that being said, there are some things that we as parents need to keep a close eye on as we raise teenagers through one of the weirdest times in history.
It might possibly be one of the most expensive things that you find yourself paying for during your lifetime: college tuition. With the average in-state tuition for a public college being $41,000/4 year term and out-of-state tuition being $107,000/4 year term, saving for college is a priority for a lot of parents and students. That's why our own Jay Allen decided to highlight a few ways that you can save big on your college tuition over the next few years.
With so many restrictions on what we're allowed to do outside because of this pandemic, we decided to give some ideas of what we can do with our families and friends to still ensure that we stay active and have fun during this time.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife and I have been married for a little over a year. And, though times haven’t always been easy, I think we’ve done pretty well – especially considering the circumstances we live in right now. My dilemma? The election! My wife and I are on completely opposite sides when it comes to the candidates. She even wants to put a sign in our yard for the other candidate.
I can’t wait until after election night, but in the meantime, what do I do?
It's evident that doing things like exercise and napping are good for our mental health as we navigate these very unfamiliar circumstances, but did you know this one thing can also be good for anxiety?
We're all a fan of balloons but did you know that balloons are currently being used by Google to provide 4G internet service to those in Kenya? Jay Allen unpacks this cool technological innovation that is helping over $1 billion people during this time of the pandemic.
If you can work from anywhere, would you stay where you are? As much of the world has taken to working remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees are no longer tied to where their offices are. Barbados is banking on the idea that many people will choose a tropical paradise over their current circumstances.
You are in a season of testing. You are always in a season of testing. But here's the thing, God is not testing you so He can know that your faith is good. God tests us so that we can know He is faithful. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. These tests are opportunities for us to rest in the certainty that God is good, God is sovereign, and that there is purpose in what we're going through.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My daughter is pregnant with our first grandchild and we are over-the-moon excited. My dilemma concerns my daughter's mother-in-law. She is a very controlling person. She has to have things her way and will not compromise.
She and I got into it recently at a family event and it got ugly. I do not know how to move forward. I want to get along, but she has to meet me halfway.
What would you suggest?
If you'd like to submit a Daily Dilemma for us to share and discuss on the air, you can email us at mornings@kcbi.org and in the subject line, write: Daily Dilemma.
In 1982 TJ Stevens walked into his high school with a rifle and opened fire. His intent? Kill himself and take as many people with him as he could. But while he was locked in the office with nine hostages, something happened that changed not only his mind but his entire course of life. In this riveting episode of the Honest Conversations podcast, Stevens sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to show how the love of God can usher light into the darkest of spaces.
Like what you hear? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to the Honest Conversations Podcast and share it with a friend! Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Need Help? Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-283-8255.
TJ Steven's book: Once a Shooter: Redemption of a High School Gunman
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I’m getting married in a few months and I just found out that the photographer is my fiancé’s ex-girlfriend. The relationship was years ago back when they were in school but I don’t know if I should say anything to her before moving forward. Also, I’m worried about her sabotaging my wedding photos.
What should I do?
Over the weekend, Jay Allen and his wife, Kailey announced that they were debt-free after trying for 2 years to pay off $43,000. So our question is: "how did you do it?"
Are you somebody that is superstitious? I would generally say no but when I was at my son's baseball tournament last weekend, I noticed that the games they were winning were the games where I was wearing a particular set of earrings. So naturally, I decided to only wear those earrings for the remainder of the tournament.
Of course, after I did that, I began to think about how silly it was for me to think that I can do anything to impact the way other people play sports. As Christians, we believe that God is sovereign and in control of all things and we know this deep in our hearts. But isn't it funny that everybody has a pocket of their life that they're trying to control? There's usually a section of our lives that we can focus on where there is at least a little superstition.
One of the things that we are seeing right now and I think this is the reason for a lot of the outrage we're seeing in our communities and in the media is simply the idea that we have NO control. We have no control in the fact of a microscopic virus but in the midst of all this, here is what we need to remember. Isaiah 46:10 says:
"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’" - Isaiah 46:10
That is what God says and that means we're not in control, but He is! The one who is in control is more passionate about what's good for you than you are. The one who is in control has a steadier hand on your life than you do. So you and I may not know what tomorrow holds, but does that really matter when we know the one who holds it?
It happens in every household at some point in time: one of the kids blows it and you got to sit down and you've got to have yourself a little discussion.
One of our kids a few days ago told a dumb lie and then tried to cover it up over and over again. After getting past all the lies, we finally had to talk about it and the kid didn't tell the truth because they didn't want to get in trouble. Now, of course, the lie and the cover-up process are what really gotten them into trouble. But here's what I got to do. I got to sit down in front of this kid after consequences were dealt and I got to say, "stop being afraid of getting in trouble. Here's what you can't do. You can't disappoint me."
It's so important to tell this to your kids because a disappointment comes from unmet expectations. You are disappointed you didn't get the job. You are disappointed that X didn't go as you thought it would. Unmet expectations are at the root of every disappointment.
I told my child that when their dad and I planned on having kids, we knew that they would wet the bed at some point, probably a lot. We knew that they would fall when we were teaching them to walk, that they would fall off their bike when we were teaching them to ride. We knew that they would sass us and that they would lie sometimes. We knew all those things! Because we knew all those things, forgiveness and grace are already there when they do it and therefore they can't disappoint. Instead, they get to see a facet of me that loves to give grace and that relishes giving the same mercy that I have been given by my Heavenly Father.
The reason I wanted to tell you that story is because you've probably blown it recently as well and you might be feeling guilty or swimming in a pool of shame. You need to know that you haven't let God down because He knew every mistake before you would make it and the grace and the forgiveness were already there.
What does it mean to be a man or a woman in today’s world? How should the church approach gender? Dr. Paul Pettit sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to discuss toxic vs. Christ-centered masculinity in episode #58 of the Honest Conversations podcast.
Find out more about Dr. Paul Pettit and his ministry at dynamicdads.com.
Like what you hear? Please rate, review, and subscribe! Listen to the full episode of the podcast here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Greenlight is a debit card for kids and teens that parents manage through an app. Parents can choose the exact stores where their children can spend, manage chores and allowances, set parent-paid interest rates on savings and more. Kids monitor balances, create savings goals and learn to make real world trade-off decisions.
Since Greenlight is a prepaid debit card, kids can’t spend what they don’t have. No overdraft fees. No overspending. No surprises.
A popular saying says, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me", but in reality, that simply just isn't true. Being in a long-term relationship or friendship is hard enough as it is but did you know that constant criticism or 'nitpicking' can be deadly?
As COVID-19 cases rise and it becomes more and more uncertain of when things will return to normalcy, we felt it would be important during this time to share how we can take care of our bodies to strengthen our immune system against this virus.
Especially during COVID-19, there are very few times that we can find to celebrate but our own Jay Allen had a huge announcement for us this morning! Even though it's not a baby, we're still very excited about what he and his wife, Kailey have accomplished!
A global pandemic. COVID cases rising across the US. Political division. Even the healthiest, most balanced people among us are reporting increased anxiety and stress. This week on Mornings with Rebecca and Burns we talked about the top 3 ways to decrease anxiety immediately.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am a 44-year-old female that works in the healthcare industry. I have a co-worker that continuously rebels against the dress code and cell phone policy. Several of us have mentioned this to our clinic supervisor but this employee still continues to do things. The Supervisor is one of her daughter's friends. It feels like the rest of us are held to a standard that doesn't apply to her.
How should I handle this?
A global pandemic. COVID cases rising. Riots in the streets. Political tension and division. Plagues of locusts in Africa. Are we living in the last days? Dr. Michael Svigel of Dallas Theological Seminary joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about end times and the return of Jesus Christ. Like what you hear? Please rate, review, and subscribe to the Honest Conversations podcast on all podcast platforms or HeartStrongFaith.com.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
A new study out of Michigan State University, published in the journals Early Childhood Research Quarterly and Infant and Child Development, finds a strong link between dads' moods and mental health and kids' development, both mental and behavioral.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I went on a girls' trip back in January to Mexico. We stayed at a beach house and one of my closest friends made an off-hand comment about my weight. We are both overweight, although I am the bigger of the two of us, and she told our other friends that she takes me places because it makes her look skinnier.
I've known her half my life and I know if I say something it'll mean weeks of the silent treatment, but I can't get over this. Is there a way to confront her that will keep our friendship intact?
We recently got an email from someone who is going through a lot not only in their personal life but in their spiritual walk as well. They mentioned that they were saved at the age of 11, but because they have made so many mistakes in their life, they question whether or not they are really saved. Here's what we had to say in response.
Welcome back to work! Take a thermometer. Here’s your pulse oximeter. And don’t forget to grab a proximity alarm that beeps if you’re too close to someone for too long.
But for all the futuristic measures awaiting NBA players in their Orlando, Fla. bubble, maybe the most ambitious is a wearable device called the Oura ring.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have been divorced for more than a year and recently started dating a very nice man named Brian. My eldest daughter and her children live with me and my daughter doesn't want "strange men" around her kids, which I understand. Because of this, Brian and I never spend time at my house. It hurts because I have allowed the father of her children to live with us, yet I can't have someone I care about visiting me at the home I work hard to pay for.
How do I handle this? I don't want to go into detail, but I want my grandchildren under my roof.
Are you trustworthy? Being trustworthy is one of the qualities of a good leader. There are traits someone needs to have in order to be trustworthy. Trustworthy traits are internal qualities that form the bedrock of our character. Regardless of the situation or circumstances, these traits are simply a part of who we are.
Is this a dream come true for kids or what? It certainly looks to be that way as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has for the first time approved a video game for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.
The FDA said this past Monday the game built by Boston-based Akili Interactive Labs can improve attention function for kids dealing with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
The game, called EndeavorRx, requires a prescription and is designed for children ages 8 to 12 with certain symptoms of ADHD. This is also history in the making because it will be the first time that the FDA has approved a digital therapy for improving ADHD symptoms while also being the first time it has authorized the marketing of it as well.
After conducting several studies on more than 600 children, the FDA gathered data through the game which involves a character traveling by hoverboard through a racecourse path. Due to the nature of the game, the sensory and motor tasks included are designed to help the patient improve cognitive functioning in the process of having fun engaging with the game.
Isn't this absolutely incredible? All I can think of is what will they come up with next?
Before you post that blog, Facebook status, or tweet, what would be some questions you would ask yourself before doing so? This week, we decided to highlight 5 things you need to consider before you post anything online.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am a 24-year-old newlywed and I nanny for a lovely family. They are Buddhist but I don't know how seriously they take it. I love to read to their kids and the other day I brought my children's Bible. My husband is upset because he's afraid I'll lose my job. He was laid off during COVID and so right now mine is the only income. I'm not sure what the right thing to do is. I want to honor my husband but I want to witness to these kids.
Help!
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We talk about the dangers of debt, not saving, and spending beyond our means. But the dangers of financial health? We don’t talk about it.
Here’s how financial health can be dangerous.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
We are celebrating Father's Day for my husband this weekend, and we have always invited his daughters and a future son-in-law.
This has historically been a point of tension for me, as we pay for dinner and I manage all of the finances in our family. My step-daughters drink quite a bit and never offer to pay for their alcohol.
So I get stuck with paying the heavy tab for their drinks, two drunk daughters-in-law, and a husband who says I am trying to ruin his day. How do I stand on my beliefs but not sour the mood?
You probably have heard that word in and out of social media but the funny thing is that Merriam-Webster is currently eying this word in regards to adding it to the dictionary. Doomscrolling refers to:
noun: "the act of reading the seemingly endless stream of upsetting news headlines that emerge on social media in times of distress."
We need to ask ourselves, "what am I submitting to?"
A couple of my favorite verses are in the 3rd Chapter of Colossians and Colossians 3:15 says:
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:15
If the word let is there, that means you have to choose it. So we have the ability to make the conscious decision to allow the peace of Christ to rule in our heart, to be the thing we submit to. So if we are not submitting to the peace of Christ, what is ruling us? What what are we bowing down to? What are we submitting to?
Probably fear, anger, greed, selfish desires, anger, etc. Then one verse later, my favorite verse Colossians 3:16 says:
"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." - Colossians 3:16
What's dwelling in you richly today? The answer would be words, but which words? We have to make a choice to allow the word of quiet of Christ to dwell in us richly and that is what has the steering wheel. Whatever is dwelling in us richly is the thing that drives our behavior. Our thoughts are words and so my encouragement to you today is to put down your phone and instead of doom-scrolling, try scripture-scrolling.
Pray for insight into their heart so that you might know their hurts. Ask God to give you empathy so that you can feel their pain and then ask God to fill you with His Spirit and help you to forgive freely, fully, and faithfully as you have been forgiven in Jesus because that is the only path to freedom.
We know we should read the Bible, but if we're being honest, we just don't always want to. So how do we want to? Tara-Leigh Cobble, host of The Bible Recap Podcast and founder of D-Group joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod to talk about a better way to read the Bible and grow in love for the Scriptures.
If you'd like to listen to the full episode, you can listen here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
For so many of us, we're either asking for a do-over of 2020 or wishing it would just pass already. But an inspiring poem from Leslie Dwight has gone viral as it provides a new perspective on handling this difficult year.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My next-door neighbors have 3 wonderful and friendly dogs. They greet me with wagging tails, and always put a smile on my face when I come home.
The problem is: they let them out without a leash, and they don’t have a fenced yard. My cat is now scared to go outside, and every once in awhile I’m stuck cleaning up their messes. I’ve mentioned this to them a couple of times, and they apologize, but nothing changes.
Any suggestions?
Perhaps one of the most curious creatures in the book of Genesis was the serpent. Genesis 31 says now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. An interesting little tidbit about the Hebrew word translated to Serpent is that it can also be translated as 'the shining one'. I think this is interesting because usually when we see things that are deceitful and the serpent was the deceiver.
Usually, when we see things that are deceitful, they are shiny. They are pretty. They grab our attention. The fruit looked good to eat. It was pleasing to the eye.
In 2 Corinthians 11:14, it says,
"And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." - 2 Corinthians 11:14
I just think it's worth a little discussion that everything that glitters is not gold. In fact, we need to be really, really careful these days. Which side we take, where we stand, where we dig our heels, and what lines we draw in the sand because everything that glitters is not gold.
The shining one, the ancient one is still making things very, very glittery today. Just because it looks good and sounds good doesn't mean it is good. That is why prayer is so important in our daily walk so that we remain grounded in the truth of God's word as well as who God wants us to be.
In a time where money is a concern for a lot of us during this pandemic, it's crucial that we take a look at where our money is going so we can better steward what God has blessed us to better serve his Kingdom.
Backhanded compliments, avoiding conflict, guilt-tripping, and feigning ignorance are all signs of passive-aggressive behavior that serve to convey hostility or signal resentment in a veiled and/or roundabout way.
Here are ways to successfully deal with passive-aggressive people.
There’s power in the covenant you have with God, and one of the most beautiful aspects of that covenant is the ability to pray. That's why it's vital that we not only come to God for our needs but for the needs of others, especially our husbands.
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Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife and I have been married over 25 years, the kids have finally moved out, and I was really looking forward to this time of our lives where we could spend more time together. Our problem is after we get home from work – my wife is ALWAYS on her cell phone. If it’s not Facebook, it’s a game, a phone call, Facetime with a friend from years ago, etc. until we decide to turn in for the night. I have tried turning off the TV, suggested going for walks, going for a drive, starting a project together, and nothing works.
Any suggestions?
When I think of the word 'strive', I think of trying, doing, straining, and the feeling of being almost there but not quite. It's very tiring and I think one of the reasons I think about that so much is because that has marked the majority of my life. I have had a mindset of striving, trying, and doing to make sure I have a seat at the table. Am I good enough? Am I valued? Do people see me? Do people hear me? It's a constant battle of always trying to be enough.
Would it surprise you to learn that every now and then in his writings the Apostle Paul used naughty language? It's true.
If you are struggling with depression or anxiety right now, you are not alone. I have suffered from severe clinical generalized anxiety since I was about 12 or 13 years old and I didn't know that and didn't start treating it till I was in my 30s. Now that I treat it with medicine, I've always been very, very open about that. It manages the clinical because it manages the chemical imbalance, but it does not protect me from circumstantial anxiety. I was talking to someone in my family yesterday who lives out of town and this person is really struggling with depression right now. We started talking about things that have helped us. They said a few things, I said a few things, and I thought I would give you three things that have been helpful for me during this time of the pandemic.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I worked with one of my closest friends for over five years. I had a supervisor position in a different department. I was let go in February and they recently gave her my position. I can't let go of the hurt and it has affected our friendship.
How do I get through this?
Do you find people-pleasing is messing up your mental health? Where is the line between people-pleasing and simply helping others? Dr. Caroline Leaf highlights some great tips on how we can address our tendencies to want to please people and manage those emotions productively.
Writer, speaker, comedienne, and radio host Sherri Lynn joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod (Rodriguez) for a candid discussion on subtle forms of racism that cause deep wounds.
You can listen to the full episode by clicking here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I come from a big family, and over the last twenty years, my husband and I have gone to nearly a dozen graduation ceremonies and sent monetary gifts.
We have homeschooled our children and this year our oldest graduated. We had a party and none of our family came into town and only our parents have sent gifts.
We don't want to seem greedy, but we are so hurt. How should we handle this?
Some call it the saddest book in the Bible, the book of Job. I'm not going to lie, it's a tough book written in poetic form and it's quite possibly the oldest book of the Old Testament.
Nestled in the middle of Chapter 14, there is this beautiful, shining, golden nugget that I saw yesterday morning and I just had to sit and chew on it. I had to do this because it was so comforting because Job goes through the worst trial anyone could ever go through. He literally loses everything through no fault of his own.
Then, his dearest friends cut cheap judgment on him which only makes matters worse. In the middle of Chapter 14, this is what Job says when speaking to God:
"You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature your hands have made. Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin. My offenses will be sealed up in a bag; you will cover over my sin." - Job 14:15-17
God not only loves you but He longs for you. Think about what it feels like to long for something that prompts a physical response: a tightening of the chest, a twisting of the stomach, your heartbeat increases. God longs for you! He not only counts your steps, but He also counts the very hairs on your head and if you are in Christ, He does NOT keep track of your sin.
So I don't know where you're at emotionally whether you are just feeling dry like God doesn't see you, or that God doesn't hear you. If you feel like you've just sinned too much and strayed too far, I want to remind you that God not only loves you, He longs for you!
Last night, I was texting back and forth with a friend last night who is having a very difficult time sleeping and it's because of everything going on in the world. I think this has been a very traumatic time for a lot of people and it is has been affecting her sleep. So as we were texting back and forth, a Psalm came to my mind from Psalm 121. It is one of the songs of assent that the worshippers sang on their way up to Jerusalem three times a year for some of the feasts. Verse 3 says:
"He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;" (Psalm 121:3)
I don't know what you're going through right now and I don't know what your particular stress point is right now. I feel like I've been sitting under the weight of all of it. Not to the extent of some people, but I've been feeling it. I know you have to and here's what we can remember today.
No matter what, the Lord is working even when it looks like nothing's happening. He who watches over you, neither slumbers nor sleeps, and He who watches over you is passionate about biblical justice. The God who loves you does not sleep, He doesn't stop working, and he stands on the side of the righteous.
When it comes to the way we live our lives, we occasionally run into someone who just seems to have hacked life, they manage their time well, they are wise with their emotions, and they seem to have a good grip on things. But why? Well, it turns out if you are looking at how to be more resilient in life and more effective in how you live, look no further!
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife and I have been working hard to get out of debt. The problem is, the vehicle I drive is over 20 years old with 200,000 miles on it. After ANOTHER visit to the mechanic, he actually put my vehicle up on the rack and pointed out all the rusted parts underneath. In the near future, I was going to need a new transmission, new brake system, the AC was already not working, etc.
Do we keep putting money into this “money pit” (wife’s words)? Or, do we delay our getting out of debt plan, and get a “new-used” car? Help!
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The most patriotic thing you can do for America is to pray for America. In times of division and disaster, our country has a long history of turning to God. It should be no different today. When we seek God’s help and pray about the issues that affect our lives we influence the fate of our families, our churches, and our nation. It has happened before in history, and it can happen again.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My best friend and roommate in college is getting married this Summer, and of course, I am supposed to be her maid of honor. My dilemma is – because of COVID-19, she has had to change her wedding date several times over the Summer, and the date she has settled on is the day of my reschedule college graduation ceremony. I am a mess – she is my best friend, but I have family coming in for the ceremony.
What do I do?
As he’s so gifted at doing, Tony Evans explains the Christian response to this tragedy in a profound yet practical way.
We're so excited that KCBI is launching a partnership with the Bible Recap Founder, Tara-Leigh Cobble! With over 22+ million downloads, Tara's voice has become a familiar one considering she hosts one of the most popular Christian podcasts on the planet. Each weekday morning at 6:45am and each afternoon at 12:45pm and 6:45pm, tune in as she unpacks one Bible verse at a time to tell you how it applies to your life today!
Just like COVID-19, the news cycle has been dominated recently by protests and demonstrations of people who are outraged by the murder of George Floyd. Frankly, if you haven't seen the video already, it's pretty gruesome. But it highlights a problem that has been going on far too long in our country and as the church of Jesus Christ, our time to shine is NOW.
It's easy to forget sometimes that we have a God that gives us His spirit when we accept what He has done for us. Because of what He's blessed us with, we can be assured that the Holy Spirit is here to empower, enlighten, and instruct us on how we can live out our faith in the everyday world. With that being said, here are some gifts that God gives us merely if we just ask for them. (James 4:2-3)
I recently got a Facebook message from someone I've known through Facebook for a while and she wrote that she wants to love the Bible. She wants to want to read the Bible but she has very little knowledge about it.
This is my favorite kind of question because I've been reading the Bible front to back since 1999. I remember sitting in my very first Bible study ever was a Beth Moore Bible study and thinking, "God, I want to love you like that. I want to love the Bible like that." So I prayed that God would give me a love for his word and since that moment, it has never ceased.
Jen Wilkin is a friend of mine and also a very prominent Bible teacher and author who has such a brilliant quote regarding this subject:
"The heart cannot love what the mind does not know." - Jen Wilkin
The best way to fall in love with the God of the Bible and the Bible is to simply read it and keep showing up. When you choose Bible studies, choose teachers that take you through a book of the Bible, not something centered around a topic, although those are fine every now and then. However, if you want to really get a knowledge of the Bible and a knowledge of the God of the Bible, you've just got to keep showing up every single day and place yourself under a teacher like Jen Wilkin who teaches through books of the Bible and teaches you how to study for yourself at the same time.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most profound reality of life. But sharing it with someone can be as simple as three circles. Discover how you can share the gospel with anyone.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I listen on the app from Oklahoma - thank you for what you do! I have a dilemma. I work for an ad agency in Oklahoma City. My boss knows I'm a Christian and has never had a problem with it. They've put me on a project with a company that I don't like and simply can't support in good conscience. I want to be a good employee but I want to do the right thing.
How should I handle this?
I have learned I don’t agree with everyone. And everyone doesn’t agree with me. I could say shame on them, and while that might be funny, it isn’t fair. I’ve been wrong many times before. Many times.
Over the years, as I’ve taken time to listen and get to know people different from me, I’ve realized I often have as much in common with them as I have differences. Most of us are closer to alignment than the news media or politics might describe. Of course, there are people who are extreme in their viewpoints, but even they probably share some common desires.
Here are some things that I can probably assume about most people with whom I might usually disagree.
So last night, my husband and I finally, for the first time since the beginning of March or maybe even the end of February, we ventured out of our house just the two of us went to a secluded place and had a date night. However, something stood out to me during the course of that entire date If you want a strong relationship, you have to fight for it. I woke up yesterday morning and realized that the same is true with God.
In fact, I got a Facebook message from someone about two weeks ago because of our fundraiser, I was not able to get back to them in a timely manner so I couldn't respond until today. The gist of what they were saying was, "I don't feel close to God, I just don't feel close, and I don't know how to get back to that place." So I was thinking of fighting for intimacy in my marriage and how we also have to fight for that intimacy with God. Here's what I told our friend:
Just keep showing up. A lot of people cite Jeremiah 29:11 as their favorite verse. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful verse:
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
Although, we stop too soon when reading this passage because then verses 12 & 13 say:
"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." - Jeremiah 29:12-13
Just keep showing up even and especially when you don't feel like it. Even especially when you have no words to pray. Just remember these three words: Keep Showing Up.
Jon Steingard, lead singer of the popular Christian band “Hawk Nelson,” recently announced that he no longer believes in God. He cited deep theological issues, like the problem of evil and whether or not we can trust the Bible. Dr. Glenn Kreider of Dallas Theological Seminary joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez on this week's episode of the Honest Conversations podcast to discuss faith, doubt, and the tough questions we all ask.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
When I was born my parents paid my tuition to go to Texas Tech. I am already enrolled, but I do not want go. They don't have the program I want to major in. But if I don't go to Tech they won't give me money for college.
What should I do?
It's as simple as opening up social media or turning on the TV if you want to hear bad news about the Coronavirus. However, despite COVID-19 being an absolute tragedy on our planet, there are good things that are surrounding this virus that we can celebrate as we watch people step up like never before.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My older sister is a new mom and we are all thrilled. I'm not a parent, but I'm really worried about the way they are trying to get their daughter on a sleep schedule. Five weeks old feels way too young to make the baby sleep through the night. Over the weekend I stayed with them and I got up at one point with the baby because I couldn't bear to hear her cry.
I know you two are parents. What do you think?
This edition of Welcome To The Future is very cool to Rebecca & Jay Allen specifically because of their fascination with space. Now as of Dec. 20th, 2019, the United States has launched a new division of the military, the U.S. Space Force.
In a culture where people get married later and later, statistics show that 40% of Christians between the ages of 30 and 64 are single. Lauree Meza (aka Lauree Austin on 90.9 KCBI-FM) sat down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod (Rodriguez) to talk about the beauty and opportunity found in singleness.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Tim Keller is one of my favorite authors and he is actually a pastor/theologian in New York City. I've been assigned a couple of his books for my seminary reading and I'm so grateful every time I get to read what he has to say because number one, he's so wise. He loves the Lord so much and number two, he's very readable as opposed to a really high academic kind of book. One of his famous sayings from his book, 'The Reason for God' is:
"The God of the Bible takes our misery and our suffering so seriously that he was willing to take it on himself." - Tim Keller
I think that we forget sometimes that we love and serve a God who allows his heart to be broken over and over and over for his people. There's a passage in the book of Matthew where Jesus stands outside of the city of Jerusalem looking at it the crown jewel of Israel, the city of David, and he weeps. That word for weep isn't just sadness, it's a gut-wrenching cloak rending grief. That grief drove him to the cross with a mighty force.
The love of Christ is so powerful. It's like a tidal wave in the sense that nothing can stand on its path, not even, and especially death. So as we are in this season of uncertainty and suffering, we must accept that God may or may not just deliver us from it. However, we can be certain that He is passing through it with us.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am a single mom and considered an essential employee, so I am still going to work. My mother helps me with the kids two days a week and let it slip that she is still getting together with her bridge group. I'm horrified, but I don't know what to do, because she is my only option for childcare. She refuses to take this seriously.
What should I do?
In an age where TikTok, Instagram, and other networks are taking over and kids seem to be speaking a different language than us, it's crucial that we take the time to learn how we can best help our kids. Especially during this pandemic, lots of kids contrary to popular belief aren't seeing this as an 'extended summer' but rather as their worst nightmare which is leading them down a path that many parents fear. That's why if you are monitoring your kid's phones or social media feeds, keep an eye out for these hashtags as they could be vital to your child's health and safety.
It's only three little chapters long and you may have never read it. I'm talking about the book of Zephaniah which is a book of judgment on the whole earth and on God's people. At the very end of this little book, just 53 verses long, one of the most comforting scriptures, I think, in the entire Bible is this:
"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” - Zephaniah 3:17
I love the notion that God is a singer. I love that notion because I think music is such a powerful spiritual connection for so many of us. We hear it all the time that when listeners share their stories with that that we at KCBI played the right song at the right time. Just remember this today, the Lord your God is with you and the mighty warrior who saves will take great delight in you in his love. He will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My company has given me the green-light on a very big project and has also given me the budget to hire an outside contractor to handle the website and graphic design. Here's my dilemma. My brother-in-law is just getting started in this industry and really needs the work. But I'm not sure he can do a good job and a lot is riding on this with my job.
How would you or your listeners handle it?
This Coronavirus hasn't just changed the very fabric of the way we live, it's dramatically changed the way we spend our money. Let's take a lot at some of the ways this pandemic has altered our spending habits both in a negative and positive way.
We become what we behold and we are a product of what we take in every day. God desires to make you more like him, to make you more like Christ, and if we're going to do that, we have got to feed our faith more than our fear.
Former President George W. Bush on Saturday tweeted a video encouraging Americans to be their best selves during the coronavirus pandemic.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I am a systems engineer for a small company. We've since moved everyone home and I am able to see when people are clocked in. I have it on good authority that one woman is clocking hours that she is not working or available. Here's the thing - her husband was furloughed and they have four kids.
Should I say something?
The Unreached People of the Day app presents a photo, map, basic statistics, profile text, and prayer items for a different unreached people group each day. Browse by country, people name or date. Expand your vision and passion for unreached peoples. Develop a heart to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to some of the least-reached peoples in the world.
With some of the restrictions being pulled back as the economy slowly begins to open back up, it's important that getting back to life, as usual, is a gradual process. To keep appropriate expectations of what we can expect, we must first put in front of us and acknowledge these 3 scientific, immutable facts about what we're up against here looking towards the future.
Matthew 12:46-50 says:
"While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
I come from a strong family and that passage always bothered me. I've got a good mom and a good dad and I've got two kids of my own. Family is very important to me, but as we get closer to this Mother's Day, I'm thinking of some of my friends who really, really struggle with this holiday who probably won't tune into church this Sunday because they think that the message will be about Mother's Day.
I'm thinking of one friend in particular that just didn't have the best upbringing and doesn't have the best story. I also have another friend who suffered over 12 miscarriages while another friend of mine recently lost their mother. I'm thinking of my own mother who lost her mother back in September and even though my grandma was 101 years old, that still does not remove or take away the sting from the grief that we've felt. If anything, it makes it worse.
However, one of the things that Jesus did was he turned everything upside down. You want to be the greatest, you gotta be a slave. It's those who mourn who are the blessed ones and who are my mother and my brothers. Those who love me, who obey my commands, they are my mother and brothers. What I've come to learn in my 45 years on this planet is that empty wounds should never mean empty arms. An empty nest should never mean an empty table because the blood of Christ is stronger than our DNA. The family we have on Earth is really just a shadow, a foreshadowing, pointing to the true and better family we already have in Christ.
Flippy is the world’s first autonomous robotic kitchen assistant that can learn from its surroundings and acquire new skills over time.
Restrictions are lifting and many of us are asking, "Where do we go from here?" Don & Rebecca recently got the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Jim Denison who is the founder and CVO of the Denison Forum, a nonprofit Christian media organization that comments on current issues through a biblical lens. They not only talked about what life after the Coronavirus will look like but the opportunity that we have right now as Christians for evangelism.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My friend’s golden retriever ran away about a month ago and she was devastated. Her husband went to a golden retriever rescue to see if it had been found and we were all thrilled when he came back with the dog. But then her husband told my husband the truth – it’s a different dog. My friend thinks her dog is just spooked and skinny from having run away. I say I need to tell her the truth but my husband says I need to stay out of it – it’s none of my business. What would you do?
If you're like our own Rebecca Carrell, you are really understanding the struggle of having to take on the responsibility of handling your kid's schooling at home in addition to your normal day-to-day routine. One of the biggest struggles that parents are facing right now is simply the act of motivating their kids to not only do schoolwork, but also to do well. That's why we decided to talk about a few things that we as parents can do that can improve this area of our lives during this changing time.
Many know that the New Testament book of James was penned by Jesus' half brother of the same name. But did you know that our Savior had other brothers? We asked Nika Spalding, Resident Theologian of St. Jude Oak Cliff, to join us to talk about Jude and his tiny little largely-neglected letter tucked all the way in the back of the Bible, just before Revelation. Listen in to learn more about this wacky, wild, and relevant epistle.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Rebecca has become a multi-tasking parent over the last month as her kids do their schoolwork from home and let's just say her appreciation for teachers has skyrocketed since then.
It's no secret that a record number of people are out of work and if you were to ask anybody right now, a majority of them would say they are financially stressed out right now. Considering that before the pandemic, 78% of Americans lived paycheck-to-paycheck, this economic slowdown certainly has done a ton of damage. However, as we look ahead to the future, there are a few lessons that we have learned from this virus that will help us prepare way better for the future should another shutdown occur again.
Recently, Rebecca experienced something that truly terrifying in her family and despite the fear of the situation, it taught her a lot about God's ferocious love for us.
Our own Jay Allen became an Uncle this week! His sister Cassidy and husband Tyler had a little surprise as baby Knox showed up 4 weeks early being born at 8:57pm on Monday!
Length: 18 3/25
Weight: 4lbs, 15 ounces
Mom and Baby are both healthy and will be heading home soon! Praise God! ❤️
COVID-19’s impact on the DFW community has been substantial. Unemployment rates are at an all-time high as many businesses remain shut down due to the pandemic. This is causing the morale of the community to be at an all-time low. Amongst others, the most affected people in the community are service workers. Being so Chibo is being refocused to help this important sector get back on its feet.
I pray that God would strengthen our backs during this pandemic. I wanted you to know that as I prayed for you this morning and as I pray for you throughout the day, I am praying that God would strengthen our backs because the better thing, in the long run, is not the quick fix. It's the endurance provided by God.
If you're like us, you've had to engage in some kind of online meeting platform as we all try to work around the spread of this virus, but frankly, all of us on the show are starting to get tired of them. What about you?
If you're not feeling it yet, research says they are finding that people are getting out more and more and more and more and done. 16% of us say we are at our breaking point with this quarantine. If it's not done by mid-June, 72% of us say we will be at our breaking point and if it's not done in six months, 100% of the people that were asked in this survey said they would be at a breaking point.
Could you have had COVID-19 and not even realized it? Because the coronavirus actually has a spectrum of symptoms—some so mild they are barely noticeable or easily confused with something else—it can go unnoticed or undiagnosed.
Everything just seems out of control lately and considering that we can't even get all the necessities we can from the store when we go, it can create a lot of anxiety. For many of us, this might be the first time that we've genuinely felt like we were out of control. But if we really think about it, we never really were.
Considering that many of us are unable to interact with our extended communities during this shelter-in-place, the idea of "quaranteams" are beginning to grow a lot more popular. If you don't know what they are, it is a group formed together of close friends, family, or anyone that you can safely interact with while sheltering-in-place. For some, it’s hunkering down with a chosen group of necessary individuals, while others are prioritizing hobbies and shared interests. Either way, if you're experiencing cabin fever staying indoors and your inner extrovert is seeking for some social interaction, "quaranteaming" might be what you're looking for!
Typically when you think of mushrooms, you're thinking in the context of putting them in a salad or on a pizza, but making a boat out of it? How is that possible? Apparently this challenge is not too big for young Nebraska woman and student, Katy Ayers. However, the boat isn't primarily what she thinks mushrooms should be used for as her purpose is to inform the public about the utility of fungi and mycelium to solve some of today's most pressing climate problems.
Parents, if you feel overwhelmed and unprepared when it comes to helping your kids navigate online school, you are not alone. Jill Miller, fourth-grade elementary school teacher and founder of Teacher, Be Still Ministries says, "This isn't home school, this is crisis school." Listen in for her encouragement on how to approach school in a pandemic situation.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
Betsy Childs Howard wrote a book called "Seasons of Waiting: Walking by Faith When Dreams Are Delayed". We're in a season of waiting right now and in this book she wrote, "If you feel like you don't have the fortitude for a lifetime of waiting, that's because God doesn't give grace in a lifetime supply. He provides it one day at a time. If you doubt that God has given you the capacity to endure your trial for a lifetime, you can rest assured, he hasn't. But he has given you exactly what you need to flourish today."
The Israelites in the book of Exodus had to depend on God day by day for their Manna (bread). They didn't get two days' supply in one day except for the day before the Sabbath. So if you are worried about your job, can you trust God to provide your needs today? Jesus said in Matthew 6:34: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)
Can you trust God to help you with your kids today? Can you trust God for peace today? Can you trust God for strength today?
He has already passed through today and deposited the grace, strength, and peace that you need to get through today, not tomorrow. So don't worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
As parents, we often try to shield our children from any dangerous or daunting situation that comes our way, and for the most part, we're successful at it. But in light of the global pandemic, there is only so much we can do and now this is starting to affect our kids. In light of children looking for structure and peace during this time, YouVersion put together a list of 3 ways we can help our kids adjust to this new "normal".
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With all this time at home, it can be easy to overlook the most important people in our lives. That's why it's crucial that we take much needed time to not only pray for this world but also our spouse. Specifically, if you're a husband, here are ways that you can pray for your wife!
We talked last week about how sound can put out fires, but did you also know that it can repel mosquitoes too? At least, there's a specific type of music that is linked to preventing mosquitos from feeding, but Rebecca and Burns say at this point, they would rather take the mosquito bite.
Whether you deal with insomnia or you have trouble falling asleep because of fear of the Coronavirus, we wanted to help you find easy foods that you can eat to promote healthy sleep in your life!
Bible verses and words in and of themselves don't tend to fix what's wrong in our hearts. But being in the presence of the one who made our heart does.
Parents, you are setting the bar too high. Parents who have been just kind of been motoring right along all of a sudden now are wearing hats they've never worn before whether that's working from home or maybe that means your spouse is working from home. They're also filling or taking on the role of homeschool teacher trying to make sure the child is getting all their assignments in and having to show them how to get plugged in online. What if we told you that you didn't need to try so hard?
The Dallas Regional Chamber has started a new initiative to connect workers displaced by the COVID-19 crisis to thousands of available jobs and they’ve brought on one of the most well-known Dallas Cowboy players to help.
We were not built for isolation, but rather deep, rooted relationships and community. Psychiatrist and author Dr. David Henderson joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod with practical and impactful tips on how to process the grief and anxiety and make the best of the quarantine.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.kcbi.org/honest-conversations/
For all of us, we are having to become homeschool teachers overnight and with kids staying at home all day and our spouses staying at home all day, it can start to build a lot of tension in our relationships, especially our marriages. That's why we decided to highlight 4 ways that church leader and pastor, Carey Neiuwhof and his wife Toni suggest for everyone who is experiencing these types of emotions in their house.
There will be a time—it’s hard to imagine—where we will look back on this as a brief moment of trouble as we are experiencing a perfect world, perfect bodies, perfect hearts, and perfect relationship with God. Everything will be as it’s supposed to be and function as it was meant to function—in peace and righteousness forever and ever. This scary moment reminds us of the most precious truths of the gospel. Instead of focusing on the what-ifs, how about meditating on those promises of future glory? God bless you as you do that. Stay safe, hunker down, and remember Jesus and the glories of his gospel of grace.
With Goat 2 Meeting, people can request animal cameos and virtual field trips in their work happy hours and corporate meetings.
Let's face it: we are all hurting right now and it might be time to start flexing that grace muscle as this is nothing like we've ever experienced. Even when encouraging people in our lives, we might have a tendency to over-promise instead of providing some honest hope.
Of course, we've been asked to wash our hands constantly and to keep our hands out of our face as much as possible to prevent the spread of this virus. But did you know there are other things that we are doing that might unknowingly be opening ourselves up to the virus? Check out some precautions that you can take to ensure that you stay healthy during this time.
A lot of us are having to take precautions and work from home which means that Zoom or Skype calls are going through the roof. However, there are ways that we can ensure that our web call not only looks the best but sounds the best as well!
Stories Kids Love, Values Parents Trust! Instantly stream Christian shows for kids, including 30 classic episodes of "VeggieTales" plus "What's in the Bible," "Owlegories," and more Bible videos and cartoons that get kids excited to learn about God, Jesus, and faith. Minno Kids is ad-free and always safe.
In a "like" driven society where social media is the new playground, raising daughters is a daunting task. Author and Parenting Expert Meg Meeker, MD sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod (Rodriguez) to talk tips and tricks to raise girls well.
To listen to the full episode, click here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Sometimes a simple mindset shift can make the world of difference in how you feel emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
That’s why it’s so vital to be constantly regulating what you think, what thoughts you choose to accept, and what thoughts you choose to act on. What toxic mindsets are you working on changing and reconceptualizing? What are you struggling with?
All across the globe, parents have been thrown into the world of online education and variations of homeschool. We know this has been daunting to so many parents, so we thought we’d offer some tips from the teachers to you!
When it comes to Easter, we need to do more than simply celebrate it. We need to take it personally. At least, that is what Priscilla Shirer who is the daughter of Dr. Tony Evans, as well as a prominent Bible teacher, has to say.
The best way to study the Bible is to read it for what it is, which is a book. So instead of flipping around to different books and pulling out verses that you like, pick a book and start there. I usually take about a year to study one book of the Bible and I know that sounds crazy, but it has been an incredibly edifying thing for me. I've done that through the Gospels and now I'm doing that with the book of Romans. I read it all in one sitting so in the case of the book of Romans, that usually takes about 45 minutes. Then I go back and I start in the first book on the first verse and I just go through as slowly as I want to go looking up different words picking my way through it. Romans 1:6 says:
"And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:6)
In the first chapter, the first seven verses are Paul's greeting to the Christians living in Rome. We tend to think that our calling is more of our vocation or what we're gifted to do, but our initial calling is simply one of belonging. I love that because I grew up moving every three years of my life and I describe the majority of my life like this feeling of being a puzzle piece that couldn't find its puzzle. Every now and then I would kind of be able to push my way in here or it seemed like I might fit in here, but ultimately, I could never find my puzzle until I really started taking the Christian life seriously.
If you are one of those who have gone through life feeling like you never fit in, just know this:
Our calling is to belong, to belong to Jesus, to belong to the people of Jesus, to belong to the church.
We belong to each other and we belong to Jesus so just know this: you belong. After you have soaked in your belongingness, then you can start to explore where you can serve. We're all commissioned to be an active part of the body of Christ. But first and foremost, we're simply called to belong to it.
For a lot of us, this quarantine that we are having to participate in is nothing like we've ever experienced. But for KCBI Artist Lauren Daigle, this is all too familiar to what she dealt with years ago. At the age of 15, she was diagnosed with an illness called cytomegalovirus which is an immune deficiency that kept her at home for about two years! Can you imagine that?
During that time, Lauren learned how to sing thanks to her mother who thought it would be a good idea to take voice lessons as she was beginning to fight depression. Lauren later commented saying, "And I fell in love, it became my healing," as she discussed how she found music during this period of isolation.
After dealing with this fight against the virus as well as isolation, Lauren said, "From that space, that's where those songs come from. I feel like that experience, I could live an entire lifetime off of just those two years." She now encourages everyone that "What you think might overcome you is actually just the place you're supposed to launch from." I can't think of a better way to say that as we all go through the same battle at this very moment.
A.W. Tozer once said, "When I understand that everything happening to me is to make me more like Christ, it resolves a great deal of anxiety."
There was a year and a half period in my life where I really felt called into ministry. I didn't know what that looked like but I had been working at a country station here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and I just knew that wasn't where God wanted me anymore. So my husband and I agreed that it was time for me to step back. In that year and a half where I was only working part-time, I had this really intense period of study and what I mean by that was that God gave me the grace to get up at 4:30 am every morning. Each day as I would start, I would journal, study the Bible, get my daughter off to kindergarten, I would get my son off to preschool, and then I would spend those three hours with my nose in the Bible. Then, when my son napped in the afternoon, I would write and that year and a half of study served as the bedrock for what I do now. That built this foundation that has made everything else in my life possible.
I thought about Paul when it came to circumstances like these, but this kind of period in my life was voluntary. I stepped down deliberately from the radio station where I had been and took a part-time job at KCBI and that was all voluntary. However, Paul was thrown in prison a couple of times in his life. During one of those imprisonments, he wrote four letters of the New Testament: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Later he wrote a letter to Timothy from a prison cell and these are texts and scriptures that we cherish and draw life from still to this day. In fact, one of my favorite few verses in the New Testament comes from Philippians 1 starting in verse 12, Paul said:
"Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel." (Philippians 1:12)
So his quarantine, if you will, his imprisonment, had a purpose. It served to advance the gospel and he says later:
"As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear." (Philippians 1:13-14)
What is our quarantine serving? Can we say that we are in quarantine for Christ? Can we give this season of our life to the Lord in such a devoted fashion that the people who know us would dare all the more to share the love of Christ?
It's probably the only test in your life that you ever want to fail and Rebecca is cheering like crazy to hear that she tested negative for COVID-19! If you've been listening to the show for the last week, you've heard that Rebecca has been exhibiting symptoms that were concerning so hearing this news that she doesn't have it is such a breath of fresh air.
Sadly, Bill Wither's who is known for his famous song, "Lean On Me" passed away last week on March 30th.
If you didn't know, there was actually a documentary about his life released some time ago called: Still Bill. There is a scene where Bill is talking to a group of kids and these are all kids that have speech impediments. He tells them that when he was a child, he had a terrible, terrible stuttering problem and it's really fascinating because you don't pick up on that. It's something he worked very, very hard on as a kid to overcome and when Bill is talking to these kids about what it's like to grow up with a stuttering problem, he introduces a concept that he says he lived by. He says that he was able to get through his childhood without bitterness and resentment because of something he decided he was going to do called: prepared forgiveness.
When I was in high school, my dad made me read Stephen Covey's 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People'. I didn't appreciate it fully at the time, but I did pick up some nuggets along the way. So, when I went back to read it again as an adult, I remembered that there is a concept that Stephen Covey talks about in his book that has always stuck with me. It's when he discusses the difference between having a scarcity mentality versus an abundance mentality. So to give you an example right now during a global pandemic, what do you think we're living in: a scarcity mentality or an abundance mentality?
I know I'm not the only one to feel like this but when you're driving on the roadways, do you ever stop and think, "when in the world are these potholes going to get fixed?" Or maybe you have a road by your house that is desperately needing cracks to be fixed, well here is a solution that could be seen on all our roadways in the years to come!
When I asked my teacher friends how they're doing, they're all pretty much giving the same answer: stressed.
I think about what it's like for me and perhaps you as a parent to all of a sudden move into homeschooling or home facilitating type position, but think about what it must be like for our teachers, who are all of a sudden doing everything online and have maybe never even attempted something like this before.
Well, there is a there's a post circulating on Facebook and I wanted to read it because it is perfect. It's just the best encouragement for teachers and I didn't write it but I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
If you're anything like us, you are probably asking yourself, "How long will this go on?" Listen as Rebecca Carrell unpacks this short but sweet passage of scripture.
Even if you're feeling sick at the moment, there might be some things that you're eating or drinking that could be doing more harm than good in your efforts to feel better.
Considering the fact that Don was only hired by 90.9 KCBI a few months ago, should it be alarming that Rebecca is already trying to find him a new job? Well when you hear what the job is, you'd want to quit too!
Naturally, this worldwide pandemic has a lot of people on edge which unfortunately has led to a lot of people being at each other's necks over the smallest things. What if we chose gentleness during this time of uncertainly as we look at people through a lens of compassion and grace?
With more and more people being required to work from home, spouses can initially see it as fun because of things like lunch dates, no commute, and later nights to spend with each other. However, after a while, it can feel like a strain on your relationship. Here are a few tips that can help if you are in a situation where you and your spouse are working at home together.
Abide is the #1 Christian app to sleep better and stress less. Find deep rest with our bedtime stories, as you listen to stories based on the Bible. Wake up with our daily prayers that will fuel your mind for the day ahead. Join the millions of people using Abide, including Grammy award-winning singers, church leaders, and Christian therapists.
A quote recently came to Rebecca as she was on social media the other day and it's a profound word for parents who just feel completely overwhelmed during this time. Emily W. King, Ph. D wrote:
"Parents: What we are being asked to do is not humanly possible. There is a reason we are either a working parent, a stay-at-home parent or a part-time working parent.
Working, parenting and teaching are three different jobs that cannot be done at the same time.
It's not hard because you are doing it wrong. It's hard because it's too much. Do the best you can.
When you have to pick, because at some point you will, choose connection. Pick playing a game over arguing about an academic assignment. Pick teaching your child to do laundry rather than feeling frustrated that they aren't helping. Pick laughing, and snuggling, and reminding them that they are safe.
If you are stressed, lower your expectations where you can and virtually reach out for social connection. We are in this together to stay well. That means mentally well, too."
Rebecca, Don, & Jay all share what their quarantine experience has been like so far in just 3 words and we even share some of your responses!
As the world is forced to adjust to a new (but temporary) normal, Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod and Rebecca Carrell look at the way things have changed and the uncertainty we are all navigating. So what can we know for certain in a season of uncertainty? We pray this episode blesses you as much as it blessed us.
Click here to listen to the full episode: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Times are tough. There is no question about that and with the fear that is being experienced by everyone, it can sometimes seem impossible to see how things will be after all of this. But our own Rebecca Carrell has put together 6 ways that the Coronavirus will change us for the better once this pandemic is all over.
Millions of people are freaking out because of what the Coronavirus is doing to our economy as the stock market is more volatile than ever, jobs are being lost by the millions, and with 78% of Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck, people are beginning to wonder where there next meal or paycheck will come from. In times like this, it's always great to have experts weigh in so that's why we decided to see what Financial Expert, Dave Ramsey suggests we do during this time.
Have you ever seen the movie Apollo 13? If you don't know what it's about, it highlights the story of the seventh crewed mission in the Apollo space program and the third meant to land on the Moon. During one scene where things are going very south during the mission, a quote stood out when someone commented about the situation being a great catastrophe and the response was, "With all due respect sir, I think this is going to be our finest hour."
WOW! What a quote! But you know something? This applies to so much of what we face in life. Great challenges are daunting to most, but when viewed properly, they are actually great opportunities. With the panic of COVID-19 taking over the world, it can be easy to join in on the message that we have no hope and to brace for the worst. But for Christians who believe in a God that is not only in control of this but on the other side of this, we really have an opportunity to display the Gospel like never before. In a sense, the Coronavirus has the potential to be our finest hour.
Danny Gokey has decided to perform the Wash Yo Hands Challenge and let's just say if you're looking for something to sing while washing your hands, this will definitely do the trick!
Whether it's the flu, COVID-19, or just the common cold, here are some great principles to follow, and music is a great way to spread the message. In light of current public health concerns, this is a fun reminder to be vigilant without instilling fear. So share the song, learn the moves, and stay healthy!
A simple way to connect with God in the middle of your busy day. From John Eldredge, the New York Times Best Selling Author of "Wild at Heart" and "Captivating".
Based on the One Minute Pause chapter of his new book “Get Your Life Back”, this app invites you into the simple practice of releasing everything to God, restoring your union with God and inviting Him to fill you.
With the fear and panic surrounding COVID-19 continuing to rise as case numbers continue to increase, it's important for us as Christians to be a beacon of light and hope as the whole world endures this together. Dr. Robert Jeffress, Pastor of First Baptist Dallas, joined Rebecca & Burns to share some encouragement for us as we face these very uncertain times.
The coronavirus has shaken the very foundations of our society as everything we used to see as normal is either closed or suspended until further notice. Not to mention, sports are temporarily canceled, the stock market is all over the place, and restaurants, as well as other businesses, are having to shut their doors to the general public for a shelter-in-place. So even in these uncertain times, here are some things that you can hold onto and know are true.
If you are somebody that has had their employment affected or terminated because of the coronavirus closures, first of all, we want to say we are so sorry. We are not living in easy times as millions of people are looking to see where their next paycheck is coming from in the midst of unemployment. As a result of this, we wanted to provide you a comprehensive and continually updated list of places hiring during this time that will hopefully ease the financial strain that the coronavirus is having on the economy.
In a time like this, we definitely want our bodies and our health to be the best it can and so that's why we decided to highlight several simple ways that you can boost your immune system so that your body can be strong as we fight the coronavirus globally.
Graze is building electric, autonomous lawnmower specifically for the commercial landscaping industry to counter labor shortages and rising wages in the US.
It's no secret that the Coronavirus outbreak has done a number on our personal relationships as recent developments have not only required us to stay indoors other than necessities like groceries and medical care but have also put many people at work. Of course, most of us have had to resort to Facetime, Skype, or Zoom calls as we look to engage with our friends and family during this difficult time. Although, it's important that know that as Christians, there are 5 relationships that we need to be pursuing in our lives, especially during this Coronavirus pandemic.
Now before we go any further, the COVID-19 threat is still very real and needs to be taken seriously as our government leaders and officials have required citizens to stay inside and self-quarantine unless for necessary reasons: groceries, food, outdoors (6 feet apart from others), as well as many other things. However, as we watch footage of TV station after TV station or news article after another highlighting how the virus is getting worse, we decided to share some good news about the progress that is being made in this fight.
With the latest update on Dallas County's law on social distancing going into effect at midnight tonight, even more people will continue to face the harsh reality of social distancing and isolation as the world looks to deal with the coronavirus.
Scott Kelly, who is a retired NASA Astronaut has been on the International Space Station so he definitely knows what it's like to be isolated and so he decided to share tips recently with the New York Times on ways to deal with isolation as we all practice self-quarantining for the time being.
As we make our way forward filled with uncertainty, author and therapist John Eldredge says we can find healing and wholeness in unlikely places. Nika Spalding sat in for Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod for this can't-miss episode of Honest Conversations.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
While we're just beginning to see how COVID-19 is changing our daily lives, have we thought about what will happen with us once this is all over? Laura Kelly Fanucci had some amazing words of wisdom to share:
"When this is over, may we never again take for granted:
A Handshake With A Stranger
Full Shelves At The Store
Conversations With Neighbors
A Crowded Theatre
Friday Night Out
The Taste Of Communion
A Routine Checkup
The School Rush Each Morning
Coffee With A Friend
The Stadium Roaring
Each Deep Breath
A Boring Tuesday
Life Itself
When this ends, may we find that we have become more like the people we wanted to be, we were called to be, we hoped to be, and may we stay that way -- better for each other because of that worst."
We had the utmost pleasure of having John Brock on the show this morning who is a Pastor & Fundraising Consultant. He recently got back from overseas to the news that everyone in the world is scared of, "You have COVID-19." After being in quarantine for several weeks in a state that he doesn't live in, John shares his story with us about what his experience was like dealing with the Coronavirus and what we as Christians should be doing in the meantime as we self-quarantine and practice social distancing.
Keep hands out of your mouth, nose, & eyes. Immutouch is a smart band that vibrates every time you touch your face, keeping you safe today and building clean habits for tomorrow.
Shame and failure go hand and hand, but author and Bible teacher Chad Bird says that should not be the case. Chad shares his personal failure story with Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod (Rodriguez) and encourages us to let God use our failure on this powerful and encouraging episode of Honest Conversations by HeartStrong Faith.
You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
At a time when many people’s faith is being shaken with pestilences sweeping the world, one Minnesota mom’s story of choosing faith over fear in these times of the COVID-19 outbreak is captivating the hearts of many.
You may have questions on how to help your children process the frightening news of the Coronavirus. Focus on the Family would like to help.
Danny Huerta, who is a licensed clinical social worker, has offered a few pieces of advice for talking to your children about tragic news.
We are all living in a very uncertain time as places continue to close off to the public and panic surrounds us everywhere we go as people practice social distancing. However, one group of people that are really being hurt by the coronavirus is not just the victims of the virus, but seniors in high school.
For many of them, they are having to ask themselves, "Am I going to get to walk the stage?" and will be missing final experiences like Prom, Senior Baseball season, and AP testing. While high school seniors learn to cope with that reality, it has also been VERY hard on the parents who have waited their whole lives to watch their child graduate only to see the opportunity wiped before their very eyes. That's why we decided to bring on Jessie Blu (Sundays on 90.9 KCBI - 4 pm - 6 pm) to share about her experience in dealing with this for her high school senior and what encouragement we can find in the midst of all of this.
You've probably of Bart Millard as he is the lead singer of the very popular Christian band, MercyMe who is famous for their hit song, I Can Only Imagine as well as dozens of other hit songs over the years. Recently, because of the spread of COVID-19, many bands are having to cancel shows and postpone tours in order to cooperate with new measures in social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. However, some fans are responding negatively to these changes saying that artists are acting out of fear by doing this. After hearing this, Bart Millard, the lead singer of MercyMe decided to weigh in on what is happening from their perspective.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that this is a vital step in ensuring your protection against COVID-19 and with the number of cases rising in our area alone, it's crucial that we take this seriously.
Most people know Martin Luther as a theologian and as the father of the Reformation but he also happened to have some pretty relevant advice for communities dealing with the coronavirus.
Back in 1527, a deadly plague hit Martin Luther’s town of Wittenberg and he wrote a letter to a friend (Volume 43, Pg. 132: Whether One Should Flee From A Deadly Plague - To: Rev. Dr. John Hess), explaining how churches should deal with such complicated circumstances.
"I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God."
If you went to bed last night anxious, you are not alone.
I did the worst thing I could possibly do, which was scroll through the headlines one last time before I turned off the lights.
When I woke up, I realized that I had been feeding my fear more than my faith. I wasn’t giving God equal time. Listen in to our conversation for more, and know that we are praying for you.
We were created to live in harmony--harmony with God and harmony with each other--in God's presence. Because we are separated from him, we fear. Even once we receive Christ and his Spirit dwells within us, his Spirit is only a deposit. We are not living in his manifest presence yet as he created us to.
For some of us, dealing with anxiety isn't really a choice considering it has to do with faulty brain chemistry and a lack of certain chemicals that ensure optimum function in our heads. But for others, there are actually some everyday things that we are doing that are causing us to deal with unnecessary anxiety.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have a precious miniature long-haired dachshund who will be 18 and a half years old this month. After my husband’s battle with cancer, my daughter and I needed something to care for. She can't see, hear, chew anything large, walk or stand. While friends tell me to put her down, I refuse to do it out of inconvenience. Also, and most importantly, I don’t feel I should decide the day she Shouldn’t I let God decide when she has used up her last breath?
What would you do?
"Some people are so heavenly-minded that they are no earthly good." —Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
You are envisioning an unlikely future.
You are missing out on countless precious moments.
You are rejecting God’s gift of today. You have no guarantee that you’ll get another day.
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It's no secret that many of us struggle with managing finances in our lives either because of comparison, lack of knowledge, or simply an apathy for tracking spending. However, in reality, it's important that as Christians we don't find ourselves in the position of having more month left than money.
I have stopped myself no less than five times from going on Amazon.com and ordering soap and hand sanitizer. I'll be honest with you, it's not because I need it, it's because I'm afraid of what the coronavirus is doing around the world.
I think if we're being honest, it has all of us reeling at some point or another. If you watch the news, you've been watching the coronavirus spread and panic rise and as I was thinking about this and praying about it this morning, I remembered the story of Job. If you look at Job 38:1, it says this, "Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm." When trials come, we tend to equate the presence of pain or fear with the absence of God, but nothing could be further from the truth. I'm asking the Lord what he wants me to hear in the middle of this storm and the sentence that keeps interrupting my thoughts is this: "His Word is still true." That's it. His Word is still true.
You see, his promises don't require a good report from the CDC and the strongest of storms do not nullify His provision. Psalm 139:5 says, "You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me." Is His hand removed because Kroger is out of hand sanitizer? Is His arm too short to pull us out of murky waters? God's word reminds us that he perceives us and follows us. He passes through every moment before we get there and He deposits sufficient grace for every trial. Even the really bad ones, the horrific ones, and even the ones that caused us to groan inwardly and more outwardly as we cry out for relief. But remember this, His Word is still true.
You know the Bible boldly and audaciously commands us not to fear not once, not twice, but over 365 times. "Do not fear", "fear not", and "do not be afraid" appear all throughout the Old & New Testament and for good reason. Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
The last time I checked, anything includes everything, "but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding" including all viruses, all tornadoes, floods, explosions, power outages, soap shortages, and everything else that life can throw us will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. His Word is still true. He is still speaking order out of chaos. He is still:
Comforter
Counselor
Helper
Healer
Storm Stopper
Water Walker
Waymaker
Pain Taker,
Sight Giver
Crowd Feeder
Thought Leader
Ear Opener
Sin Forgiver
Blessed Redeemer
Giant Killer
Mountain Mover
Shame Eraser
Death Slayer
Inheritance Sharer
He is still the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings and His word is still true. The coronavirus is nothing in the face of God.
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
My wife has always struggled with her weight. I love her just the way she is, by the way. She is trying a new diet and I want to support her in this, but here's the problem. She wants me to do it with her and I don't need to lose weight. What should I do?
If you are a fan of traveling and also like the benefit of living RENT-FREE in one of the most expensive cities in the world, look no further! New York City has a job opening in which many are claiming it to be the perfect job.
When we think about forgiveness, it is very hard to look past what we are doing for someone else to see how it really benefits us. It sounds like we're setting somebody free of conviction when in reality, the process of forgiveness has more to do with what it does inside of us.
Teenagers can be a massive blessing but can also be the source of some of our toughest parenting years. Regardless of where you are at with your kids, Parenting Expert Josh Shipp has some encouraging words for you if you are in midst of struggling with your teenager.
In a world where we have so many different languages, we often forget about the people who simply can't speak for themselves. Sign language is used by over 30 million people on this planet but the roadblock is that many of us are not familiar with sign language which prevents communication from occurring. With the new Sign I-O Smart Gloves though, that problem goes away completely!
Dear Rebecca & Burns,
I am graduating from college in May, and the University I go to has offered me a full-time job after graduation. However, one of my former professors (who no longer works for the University) has advised me “not to settle, don’t take the job just because there is nothing else out there RIGHT NOW – keep your options open.” My dilemma is, I admire this professor and value his opinion greatly BUT I think this job would be a good fit for me. What should I do?
If you'd like to submit a Daily Dilemma to us, you can email mornings@kcbi.org and in the subject line, put 'Daily Dilemma."
Psalm 84: 1-2 says, "How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God."
I woke up yesterday morning and these verses came to mind because I had a massive mountaintop experience this past weekend at the HeartStrong Faith Women's Bible Conference. After another year of it had passed by, I woke up feeling depressed on Sunday morning because, on one hand, I had just had such a big mountaintop experience. However, on the other hand, everything I have ever looked forward to in my life like I look forward to at the HeartStrong Faith Women's Bible Conference, It comes and goes but it doesn't quite get you there. Does that make sense?
We want the women to leave with a longing for more and I always leave with longing with more. The reason is verse two of Psalm 84 nails it, "my soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. That reminds me that what I really need is not a conference. It's not another speaking engagement. It's to live in the presence of the Lord for all eternity. That's what I was created to do. That's what you were created to do. So today, I want you to think about the thing that you're longing for because God has made us with a longing and we can be comforted that we are never without a longing. We are never without a yearning in our soul because we were marked for it.
The thing that you're longing for is really only pointing you to the thing that you're really longing for. That's why the new phone, the new boyfriend, the new job, or the bigger paycheck will never quite meet that need. Sometimes when you get it, you find yourself even a little let down because that thing you thought would make you okay failed to make you okay. It's because you weren't designed to be saved by that same or fulfilled by that thing. Your soul yearns, even faints for the presence of the Lord. That's what your heart and your flesh are really crying out for. The good news is that we love and serve a God who gives his spirit without measure until we can finally, fully, freely, forever rejoice in his presence.
In a powerful episode of the Honest Conversations podcast, author and speaker Sharon Hodde Miller sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod (Rodriguez) to talk about the problem of "niceness" and why the Church needs to reconsider how they interact with the world.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
- God saved you because he wanted to.
Ephesians 1:5 – "In love He predestined us to adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will."
No one twisted His arm. He is not obligated to you because you walked an aisle and prayed a prayer. Your salvation was His idea. This is something He wanted to do and He’s not sorry He did it.
- You have a role in God’s epic plan of redemption and reconciliation.
Acts 1:8 – "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Maybe you’ve been to Christian conferences and heard that God has big plans for your life and that you have this destiny and that you just need to step into and God will do great and mighty things through you.
That is not what Scripture promises and that’s a good thing. You are never commanded to step into a destiny or do great and mighty things. You are commanded to obey where you are. In several of his parables, Jesus teaches that we are to be faithful with little.
So what does Scripture promise? Jesus said to his followers in Acts chapter 1 that they would receive power from the Holy Spirit. That applies to you, too.
And then Jesus told them what they would be, not what they would do. He said, “You will BE my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” And so the Christian life is less about prioritizing what you DO and far more about prioritizing who you ARE as you do what you do.
- Everything you could ever need you already have in Jesus Christ.
Because what you really want is to fill that hole in your soul. That’s what’s behind your drive to succeed, your drive to acquire, your drive to have more influence or make more money.
God has marked every person created with a longing. We are a people marked by longing and that is a gift God gives each one of us to cause us to look for him.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 – "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Acts 17:26–27 – "From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us."
You have been reborn into the family of God, and love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are your birthrights.
- God is not a carrot-dangler.
God has not given you a passion or a fire to frustrate you. Nothing could be further from the truth.
1 Corinthians 12: 7 talks about the Spiritual gifts that we receive when we become believers. It says, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
Romans 12:6 –8 – "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."
Here’s the coolest thing about this – your joy is intertwined with your purpose and your purpose is found in your gifts. The more you use your gifts for God’s glory, the deeper your joy. People ask me how I balance what I do: I’m a wife and mom; I work at KCBI full time, I have a pretty busy speaking and events calendar, and I am also a student at Dallas Theological Seminary. That actually sounds like more than it is, but here’s the truth. God gives me the grace for it because this is what he’s wired gifted me to do.
This is where my joy is. This is what my purpose is.
He has wired and gifted you, too, and he didn’t do it to frustrate you, he did fulfill you and build up the Church.
- You can trust God with tomorrow.
All of your worries and fears have one thing in common: they take place in the future. They all involve a “what if” component.
But Scripture assures us that the future is in God’s hands.
"Jesus said to his followers, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Mt. 6:31–34).
And almost 1,000 years before that, Isaiah told the Jews, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please’ (Isa. 46:10).
The future is not something God knows about; it’s a place where he already is. He has already passed through every moment you will ever live through and established the grace and strength you will need to get through it.
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Today on Instagram, Tenth Avenue North announced some heartbreaking and unforeseen news – after 20 years, Tenth Avenue North will be calling it quits.
A lot of things in our world are getting the word 'smart' put in front of them and for good reason! Smart TVs, Smart Speakers, Smart Appliances, Smart Phones, and now another thing has been added to the list: the Smart Cane! In a world where over 250 million people are visually impaired with over 36 million people being diagnosed with blindness, it's never been more important to see how we can make the world more disability-friendly.
That's why a non-profit company called 'WeWalk' is looking to change that with their invention: the Smart Cane.
If you ask anyone with the shortest Bible verse in the Bible is, they will probably tell you John 11:35, which of course is, "Jesus wept." I want you to think about this in those two little words because there is a great deal of good theology and good truth in this tiny verse. Think less about what that verse says and more about what it implies. Jesus wept because Lazarus had died. When Mary & Martha were mourning, he didn't offer them an Old Testament scripture or say, 'cheer up.'
If you're familiar with the story, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead later on but even though He knew exactly what He was about to do, he still entered into Mary & Martha's pain. He sat in it for a spell even though He knew that Lazarus wouldn't be dead for long. What a great model for us!
Don't place platitudes on pain, enter it, sit with it, and weep with it. It just reminds me that the Creator of the Universe, the one that created those billions of galaxies and stars out there cares enough to weep because He loves you. He desires that relationship and closeness with you.
I've heard people say, "my grandmother gave me 50 cents every time I memorized the bible verse, so I memorized 'Jesus wept' and usually we laugh about that. But goodness, there's so much packed into the notion that even though he knew what he was about to do, He deliberately entered into their grief and experienced it.
No matter how insignificant or unimportant you feel, the God of the Universe sees you. What does that mean and why does it matter? Kristen Brewer, who is leading worship at the HeartStrong Faith Women's Bible Conference, sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about the God who sees you.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Whether it's a breakup from a friend or within a romantic relationship, we often experience the symptoms of a broken heart. So where do we go from there when we are dealing with those circumstances first-hand? Here are some great tips that we discussed this morning about how to move forward after experiencing a broken heart.
Well, this is a little awkward. We were told yesterday that the Leaning Tower of Dallas would be knocked down as originally intended and let's just the saw that the process has been a little grueling to watch.
KCBI Artist Big Daddy Weave has released a new album called, 'When The Light Comes' and one of the songs on that new album has really gained some traction as it speaks to a lot of people in their own struggles. Here is what the band had to say to TheChristianBeat.com about their song, "I Know":
“When we were working on songs for this new record,” shares lead singer Mike Weaver, “they were all written from a place of processing grief and sorrow. We were in a season of serious hurting.” The list of trials the band was going through, especially over the past three years, was nearly overwhelming. Instead of avoiding the painful truth of their struggles, the band pushed themselves to put it all into the songs and an underlying current of rejoicing broke through. As bassist Jay Weaver puts it, “Only Jesus can turn sorrow into joy.”
Dear Rebecca and Burns,
I have a dilemma. I’ve been best friends with a guy in my small group for years. Recently I’ve started to have strong romantic feelings for him. Half of my girlfriends say I should tell him, the other half say I shouldn’t. Would you ask your listeners to weigh in? I don’t want to ruin our friendship but it’s killing me to just sit on this.
So what do you think?
Something has recently come up in Don's family that has really been affecting everybody. Recently, Don's son-in-law, Will went to the hospital because of some gallbladder issues and now it's left their daughter Kayla and their son Judah worried as doctors look to diagnose what the next steps are. If you can, please keep them in your prayers and if you find yourself needing prayer as well, go here to access an entire community of prayer at KCBI: https://www.kcbi.org/prayer-requests/
Prayer is such an integral part of any Christian's life as it not only causes us to continually submit ourselves to God's sovereignty, but it also is a consistent way for us to boldly approach God about what He is doing in our lives now and what He will do next. However, for many of us, we face seasons where prayer is the last thing on our minds and frankly, we don't do it because we just don't know what to say. This is exactly why we wanted to spend each day this week talking about what things we can do when we find ourselves in that pit of despair.
The Leaning Tower of Dallas has been getting national attention as many people in the area want Dallas to keep the leaning tower up considering the tourist craze that it has become. What do you think should happen? Should they keep it up or knock it down and finish the job?
You can vote on our KCBI Facebook page!
Psalm 94:19 says, "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."
I love this verse for so many reasons. Number one: it tells us that anxiety is normal. You don't have to feel guilty. Anxiety is normal in a broken world, but God has an answer for the anxiety and that is His consolation. One of the titles given to the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is 'comforter' and the word that comes from His paráklētos which is a Greek word that means to call to one's side or to walk beside and to comfort.
One of the primary ministries of the Holy Spirit is to comfort you in the midst of your anxiety. Scripture also says "cast all your cares upon Him because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7)." I just love the notion that even your little anxieties which must look so small to the creator of the universe still being cared for deeply by Him because He sends His Spirit to guide you and lead you but also to comfort you and pull you close to His side.
I know that this isn't necessarily an app but it should be! I've heard of this service and have used this myself and I can tell you that if you live in Texas, you DEFINITELY need to know about Energy Ogre. They provide comprehensive electricity management services. We handle the selection of your electricity provider, choose and enroll you in the correct plan, and we even handle the renewal activity for your account. These benefits are designed to allow us to select the most appropriate and best overall rate for your situation. The average Energy Ogre member saves over 40% on their electricity bills all for the low cost of $10 a month or $120 a year.
Whether you're looking for a job or not, you're going to want to listen to this! 8 companies have come out recently saying that they are paying out big amounts for signing bonuses just to come work for them! No this isn't your salary, it's your bonus! Here are the 8 companies.
We do the HeartStrong Faith Women's Bible Conference each and every year because we want to get you excited about the Bible! It's all about heart change. It's so that you would grow closer to the heart of God through the faithful study of the Word of God. And all of the speakers are going to give you tools and tricks and things that we do that have helped us in our own Bible study. And so hopefully after this conference, you'll walk away feeling more equipped to handle the scriptures on your own.
My biggest desire in life is that women would develop a hunger for God’s word and I hope that after this conference, your hunger for God's word increases as well.
Get your tickets for the conference here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/
Dear Don and Rebecca,
We are expecting our first child and my best friend is throwing us a baby shower. My grandmother took the liberty of inviting a cousin that my husband and I have intentionally distanced ourselves from. She brings drama everywhere she goes and always has to be at the center of attention.
We really don’t want her there. What should we do?
Psalm 91:1 says, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence."
I want to draw your attention to that word 'shadow' as it says we will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. You see, we live in an out-front world that tells you you have to build a platform. You have to be somebody, you have to do something, you've got to be excellent, and you've got to be the greatest. However, God says: No, your rest is in my shadow. I love that because I've found that to be true in my life and you probably have felt the same. John the Baptist said, "He must become greater, I must become less." (John 3:30) So we actually find our identity when we seek the shadow of God and because of that, the pressure is off.
You don't have to be somebody because God says you are somebody. You don't have to do something great because God is great and he is doing something in you when you submit to Him. So that soul rest that you're looking for isn't going to come from the spotlight, it's going to come from his shadow love. The world is always telling us we have to be the best, you've got to do the most, and you've got to do this. It says things like you need more letters behind your name, you need more of this and more of that, you need to read more books to do more of this. It's just exhausting and God says rest. Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Have you ever been betrayed by a dear friend, family member, or spouse? If you have, you know how difficult it can be to move past the hurt and move on toward healing. Author, pastor, and evangelist Phil Waldrep shares his betrayal story and invites you to take the first step toward moving beyond betrayal on this week's episode of Honest Conversations.
You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
If this happens in North Texas, it will truly change everything! Imagine being able to go from Dallas to Houston, San Antonio, Austin, or even Laredo all within 30 minutes! It's possible that with this proposed Virgin Hyperloop One that North Texas could be the site of the first Hyperloop in the United States!
It's Valentine's Day today and for a lot of people, they are very excited to get ready for a night out with their significant other or spouse, but for many others, they are left feeling alone, out of touch, and in many cases, they feel like something is wrong with them.
For all those who are single this Valentine's Day, I want to say this to you. I know how you feel. I was the last one of my friends to get married, I sang at all the weddings, bought all the bridesmaid dresses, and watched so many people pass me by on the love train. I know how it feels to wonder if you'll ever get married. I know how it feels to see everybody else's posts on social media and to just wonder if it's ever going to be you. I know what it feels like to feel like you have so much love in your heart. All you want to do is give it away and trust me, I've been there.
However, speaking from the perspective of somebody that eventually did get married at the age of 30, I want to tell you this: marriage didn't fix me. I spent the first week of my marriage not in marriage counseling, but in personal counseling because my marriage didn't do for me what I thought it would do for me. Now I want to say this, I absolutely love and adore my husband, but he does not complete me and he could not fix me either. I'm happily married to a wonderful man and I still get lonely and I still worry about the future. I still have the same anxieties that I did when I was single and I wish that someone would have sat me down when I was sing and said, " I know you want this and it's good. This is a good desire and marriage was God's idea, but don't put it on the throne." Do not ever do that because it doesn't deserve that spot.
Deuteronomy 10:15 says, "Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you." Isaiah 43:4 says "Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life."
I know it's hard but instead of pursuing and finding that one person you think will complete you, go after the one can actually fill you, fix you, complete you, soothe you, and then listen. Most people are not called to a life of singleness, however, some people are and it's a good enriched life. It really is! But chances are that you will meet someone and chances are that the way you feel today is not going to be the way you feel in five years.
For most of us, we often have to say no to certain things because we have other priorities with our money like bills, food, housing, clothing, and other basic necessities. However, did you know there are ways for you to live large while also being faithful and true to your budget? Check these out!
We've been talking about this all week as Rebecca has been highlighting ways that we can simply regain our sanity in a world where chaos surrounds us daily. Here are 5 simple steps that you can take to regain your sanity.
Rebecca's son Nick has a new obsession that she has joined onboard with and if you haven't seen it, you're missing out. However, there was something that Rebecca saw that really got her thinking about how we are in our relationship with God.
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We've all done it. We drive as long as possible until our car is below empty and we wonder how much further our car will be able to make it. Now if you're like Rebecca, you're hearing your father's voice in your head telling you to refill your tank around a quarter left, but if you're like Don, you're waiting until your car shakes to fill up. However, we recently saw something that showed just how far each car is really able to go once that gas light gets illuminated.
Considering that most people buy their spouse flowers and chocolates for Valentine's Day, it's shocking to see that in New York City, things are done a little differently. Apparently, the city's biggest sewage plant just announced tours for Valentine's Day and sold out in less than 20 minutes. Anyone else absolutely clueless on why people would want to do this on Valentine's Day?
Whether you want to believe it or not, the future is here and more things are going to continue to change as technology continues to innovate. It has already dramatically changed the way we buy things as the days of having human cashiers at stores are coming closer and closer to an end. Recently, a new 7-Eleven store has opened up in our area (Irving), but there is something different about this one: it doesn't have a human cashier!
Thinking about 1 Jn 1:9 this morning. When we confess our sins he is faithful & just to forgive us. Faithful and just. In other words, because Christ received the justice due to us, God would be unjust not to forgive & cleanse us. Wow. Thank you, Lord Jesus. That’s huge.
God has given us an entire book of the Bible that teaches us how to navigate the valley of sorrow and loss. The book of Lamentations is a house for sorrow and a school for compassion. Studying this book will help you better understand what it means to grieve and hope at the same time. It will help you be better equipped to live and serve in a suffering world, and it will encourage you to meet Christ on the path of sorrow. That's why we decided to have Pastor Colin Smith from KCBI's Unlocking The Bible to share with us about his latest book, "For All Who Grieve: Navigating The Valley Of Sorrow and Loss".
You can get his latest book here: https://unlockingthebible.org/
It has been ALL over the Internet over the last 24 hours as the #broomchallenge has encouraged people all over the world to stand their broom up on it's head because it will stand on it's own. The problem is that Jay Allen says it's all a hoax and that there is nothing special about it. Listen to hear how it went!
She felt the bottom drop out as the ultrasound technician paused over her unborn baby and then said, "Let me get the doctor." Recording artist, author, and HeartStrong Faith 2020 speaker Laura Story sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod (Rodriguez) to discuss surrender in the midst of life's greatest storms on this episode of Honest Conversations.
Be sure to join us in downtown Dallas February 28-29 to hear more from Laura Story herself as well as Lysa TerKeurst, Liz Rodriguez, and Rebecca Carrell. Get your tickets here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/
As a Father or Mother of a boy on his journey to manhood, it's important for us as parents to be intentional in not only what we teach our sons, but also what we leave behind for them. Here are four specific things that you need to be thinking about in terms of what you leave behind as a legacy for your son as he enters adulthood.
We all want our friendships to be deep and full but what does that look like? Also, while we expect others to be good friends to us, how can we know if we are being a good friend to others? Listen to hear the traits of healthy Godly friendships.
The DoNotPay app is the home of the world's first robot lawyer. Fight corporations, beat bureaucracy and take people to court at the press of a button.
Christians face relentless attacks from an ungodly culture, a formidable adversary, and our own fallen natures. Yet we cannot afford to surrender to these very real enemies. Just as survivalists use 10 specific strategies to overcome threatening situations, Dr. Jeffress' new book, "Courageous" explains 10 biblical strategies for surviving--and thriving--in a world that is hostile to our faith. As A.W. Tozer said, "A scared world needs a fearless church." His new book, "Courageous" is a clarion call for Christians to boldly live out their faith.
The landscape of our world has changed dramatically over the last couple of decades and parenting seems like a more daunting task than ever before. Author Sarah Blount sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod to talk about the one thing we all need to navigate today's parenting pitfalls.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Rebecca recently saw this meme on Facebook the other day and it is just absolutely powerful.
For many of us, whether we have kids at home still or we have kids that are out of the house, it's never too late to learn this valuable lesson. The one thing that we should get right as parents is this: just show up.
Now, this is based on neuroscience because there are two big issues that come up for parents. One is the driver for hyper-parenting as we all know that mom or dad that has to show up for everything their kids do or provide every opportunity for their kids, or even be the parents that races to school when the kids forget their lunch or a science project because that is the one thing in life that drives them. On the other end of the spectrum is the checked-out parent who is too overwhelmed and distracted with their own lives to really give much thought for their children.
So overall, you want to aim for the middle ground between these two sides because that will ensure that you are still there for your child in a healthy capacity while also maintaining your sanity. This adjustment is more about being present and having the availability for your child. It's more about being aware, receptive to moments to connect with your child with the ability to stay with them at the moment when they are feeling distressed, sad, and anxious.
When you can make the effort to really be in that moment and emphasize that problem going on in your kid's life is the biggest thing in their life right now, even if it seems really small to us, then you are able to really connect with your child like never before. It's your presence that does more to build healthy competent children more than anything else you could ever do.
Doctors say the best way to prevent the spread of flu is to stay at home and there’s a unique approach people are using to fight the flu without having to leave their home. Of course, the main way to prevent the spreading of flu is to stay home and rest/medicate until you are well again. However, did you know there is a resource out there that can help you get rid of the flu faster than ever before? It’s literally as simple as dialing a number on your phone: 1-866-FLU CREW (358-2739)
Rebecca just tried something recently that has her super excited and searching for more, ASMR. Of course, Jay Allen has been suggesting this for years so naturally, he was thrilled to hear that she finally gave it a shot. If you don't know what that is, you're not alone so here is what it is:
ASMR, which stands for autonomous sensory meridian response, is still a relatively new creation. It describes a feeling of euphoric tingling and relaxation that can come over someone when he or she watches certain videos or hears certain sounds. (Sleep.org)
Now one thing you should also know is that there are TONS of different types of ASMR videos ranging from video to audio stimulation that has helped millions upon millions of people relax and be able to sleep. For instance, one of Jay Allen's favorites to view in terms of ASMR is listening and watching Barber Shop videos where you can watch the focus of someone giving a haircut while hearing the small sounds of electric razors, scissors cutting, and even squirt bottles releasing water for wet the hair. For Rebecca, she loves listening to Bible ASMR!
For those who watched the Superbowl for the game, you're either really happy that the Kansas City Chiefs won 31-20 or you're very sad. But for a lot of other people who aren't interested in the football game, the commercials are your favorite part. That's why we decided to revisit what the United States has voted for being the top 3 commercials for yesterday's Superbowl Game broadcast.
Don Burns shared this morning a story that will really warm your heart as KCBI Artist Austin French responded to a need that Don put before him and because of his heart for his fans, Austin and Don were able to encourage a woman going through a really difficult time.
You can listen to his new song, "Why God" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv_Pf7bDZj4
The way we travel is about to change forever as a company called CPI has created something that many think is a thing you'd see in sci-fi movies: a windowless plane.
Now I know what you're thinking, "but I like the windows!" But what if I told you the whole plane was going to be full of windows? Well, not necessarily windows, but high-definition OLED screens that allow anyone to have a window seat! Listen to hear what we're talking about!
One of my little hobbies is that I skim Pinterest or Instagram and I look for Bible quotes or inspirational quotes to microblog about on my social media accounts. Recently, I found something that is just really speaking to me:
"Your mind will always feast whatever you feed it. Feed it hope. Feed it God's truth and promises. Feed it things that uplift, encourage, inspire, and bring peace."
Another way to put that is you become what you behold and that is straight from the Bible. What that means is that you start to imitate whatever it is you're paying the most attention to and whatever you are giving your thoughts over to because your thoughts are actually under your control. They are under your dominion and you can say to yourself, "I will not allow my mind to go down that path" and then you can feed it something else.
For me, the only thing that has ever been able to give me a measure of peace or freedom in this capacity because I am an over-thinker is to read Scripture. If you look at 2 Corinthians 3:18, it says:
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Think about the word contemplate which means to ponder deeply and begin to think about the Lord's glory, meditate on the Lord's glory, rehearse the Lord's glory in our mind, and practice the notion that God is glorious. We are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory which comes from the Lord whose spirit that good. That's good stuff!
So if you are anything like me today and you find yourself fighting racing thoughts and imagining scenarios or rehashing things that happened in your past, you have a choice. Your mind will feast on whatever you feed it, feed it the good stuff.
It's another edition of "Welcome To The Future with Jay Allen" and today he highlighted an invention that will truly be life-changing as well as life-saving in the medical field. According to their website, The Kidney Project is a national research project with a goal to create a small, surgically implanted, and free-standing bioartificial kidney to treat end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
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We tend to think that when we are depressed, lonely, or anxious, we need to add something to our lives to fix us. God's economy works differently. As we pour out, God fills us. As we refresh others, God refreshes us. As we strengthen others, God strengthens us.
Are you down? Chat with someone you don't know. Pop by someone's Facebook page and pay them a sweet compliment for all to see. Buy the person's coffee behind you in line. Pray and see whom God would have you encourage. One simple act of kindness can turn your whole day around.
Don Burns and Jay Allen are making fun of Rebecca this morning because of where she got her pants. Can you relate?
When things get really stressful and you have things pressing in on you or it just seems like one thing after another is going wrong, what tends to happen is it's almost like our field of vision shrinks. At that point, all we can see are the circumstances surrounding us. I want to give you three things to remember when the bottom falls out of your life and they are really easy to remember.
God is good. (He IS GOOD!)
God does good. (It is impossible for God not to do good. God never does bad, He only does good.)
God loves you. (He loves you more than you could ever comprehend!)
If those three things are true (and they ARE), then anything that happens to you has already been pre-screened by a God who is good, who does good and who loves you. That means that God is well able to take the bad stuff in your life and bring good out of it because God is good, God does good, and God loves you.
I don't know if you're going through a difficult time right now but no matter what remember: God is good, God does good and God loves you.
Applying for a job is already complicated enough as the job interview process continually seems to be changing, but when was the last time you looked at your résumé? It turns out a lot of us could be including things on our résumé that could be hindering our success at landing that next job!
What do we do with Bible verses that seem to promote slavery? Or the oppression of women? Is God cruel in the Old Testament but merciful in the New? Dallas Theological Seminary's Dr. Gordon Johnstone joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod (Rodriguez) to set the record straight.
To listen to the full episode with Dr. Gordon Johnston, click here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Whether it's holding the door open for an elderly person as they are walking out of the restaurant or it's filling up someone's car whenever you borrow it, there are some rules in life that are simply implied and unwritten. Let's go over some of them!
When you don't know what to pray, what do you do? I don't know if you've ever been in a situation where you have just felt utterly hopeless to the point where just can't see how God is using the circumstances in your life. I know that I've gone through periods in my life where I just cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel and I just felt so incredibly alone. Of course, we know from scripture that God says we are never alone but in reality, it leaves us in a position where we don't know what to pray or even what to say.
One of the verses that come to mind in my own life is from Romans 8:26 where it says:
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."
The next time you find yourself in a situation where you are so weighed down by your circumstances that you don't know what to pray, I want you to know that you can just say the name of Jesus, you can just say his name. God's Holy Spirit knows your heart so intimately that he takes your wordless groans, your heart cries, and he carries them up to the throne room and places them before the Father and translates them into prayer. God's Spirit is praying for you and it doesn't matter if you don't have the words because you have someone interceding on your behalf and the Father already knows what you need.
It is with deep sadness that we see Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, and all 7 other passengers, died tragically in a helicopter crash this past Sunday on his way to coach at his daughter's basketball camp.
Of course, this news has millions upon millions of fans left completely in shock as they reflect on their memories of watching Kobe Bryant play for the Lakers for his entire 20-year career. If you are unfamiliar with his impact in the NBA, Kobe Bryant is considered to be one of the great basketball players of all time as he was also the youngest player to enter the NBA in 1996 at the age of 17 right out of high school.
He retired in 2016 after earning such accolades as league MVP, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, five-time NBA Champion, 18-time All-Star. and even won an Oscar. To put his career into an even deeper perspective, teams usually retire the numbers of legendary players to honor them and with Kobe, he had two numbers retired by the Lakers.
Even the Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban announced this past Sunday evening that no player in the Dallas Mavericks organization will ever wear the No. 24 jersey again.
He will be deeply missed, but as a strong believer in God and a man of faith, we know that Kobe is reunited with his Heavenly Father. Rest In Peace Kobe Bryant (Aug. 23, 1978 - Jan. 26, 2020).
Last Friday, someone came into our studios and said that they wanted to take Jay Allen's job! Listen for yourself!
If you've ever heard of the "Winter Blues" then you know what we're talking about. More specifically, we're referring to Seasonal Affective Disorder which is described as:
"A mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year." (Oxford Dictionary)
Seasonal Affective Disorder often starts in the fall and may continue into the winter months. Symptoms include fatigue, depression, hopelessness, and social withdrawal. This probably has to do with you not getting as much sunlight and therefore not being exposed to enough essential vitamins and minerals. That's why we wanted to highlight some foods that have been highly recommended when it comes to battle depression and anxiety during this time of the year.
We were so glad to have Pastor Robert Morris from Gateway Church on the Morning Show with Rebecca & Burns as he shared about his latest book, "Take the Day Off: Receiving God's Gift of Rest".
We also loved hearing an update on Gateway Church's amazing prison ministry as we've partnered with them in providing Bibles to inmates all over the state of Texas.
This all started with Jay Allen's most recent App of the Week: Scribd. He was sharing how Audiobooks were the future of reading and it was at that point that Rebecca disagreed. Of course, this started a huge discussion on the benefits and differences of reading and listening while also allowing listeners to chime in as well. Enjoy!
It's about that time of the year where a lot of us are getting ready to file our taxes as the April 15th deadline slowly inches closer; but what if I told you that there was a free way to file your taxes? There actually is! If you (or your total household taxable income) make under $69,000 a year, you qualify through this program through the IRS. So far, roughly about 10 tax preparation companies offer this service to their clients but sadly, some of them hide this feature making it next to impossible for someone to find the proper link.
Overall, this program has saved Americans over $1.7 billion dollars in tax preparation costs
That's why we had our own millennial/financial guru Jay Allen investigate this to help you to see how you can file your taxes for free! If you're interested in accessing the IRS: Free File service, you can click here: https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
Moses knew the truth: it is far better to be with God in the wilderness than without him in the land of plenty. That thing you’ve set your heart on won’t fix you or fill you. Only Jesus can do that.
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If you're a parent of older children, you've been there and for Rebecca, it's just hit her out of nowhere. As the Spring semester of school comes to an end this June, Rebecca will be attending a meeting about transitioning her daughter into High School. HIGH SCHOOL! It just seems like yesterday that both her kids were tiny babies barely learning to walk. Now her daughter is starting high school and it has left Rebecca reminiscing about that part of her life.
It's a new feature at KCBI that we're calling "Welcome To The Future with Jay Allen" where we ask our tech expert/millennial Jay Allen to highlight something going on in our world that is just shockingly futuristic. Today's edition focuses on a company called Mojo Vision that displayed a really cool invention at this year's CES 2020 (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas and that was the AR Contact Lense!
We all would like to improve our habits, right? Whether it's our mindset or it's making ourselves more disciplined when it comes to incorporating new activities into our lives, habits always have to start small. It's in very rare circumstances where things are accomplished by not easing into them. This morning, Rebecca wanted to highlight a few habits that we can ALL do to ensure that we are better people by this time next year!
Maybe you lost a child. You can’t make ends meet. You lost your job. The doctor just said “cancer". Conflict has reared its head and you find you’re being run out from your church. Your spouse is gone.
You‘re just worn out. Darkness is all that you can see.
But you have hope.
As society continues to blur the gender lines, what does it mean to be a man in the 21st century? Licensed Professional Counselor Dan Kail sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod (Liz Rodriguez) to talk about the challenges Christian men face today and what women need to know.
Marriage is one of the most difficult things that we can go through in our life, but it can also be one of the most worthwhile things we can invest in as a person if done right. That's why we at KCBI wanted to take some time to focus on encouragement and specifically about how we can stand out in the mix to really showcase our appreciation for our husbands.
Over the last week, we at KCBI have really wanted to highlight ways that we can encourage the people closest to us in the best way possible which is why we've loved getting to dive into how we can encourage our kids, our husbands, and of course, our wives! As we were doing some research on this topic, a list from AllProDad.com came up and we wanted to give men some practical ways that we can love on our wives and let them know how appreciative we are of them!
If you haven't been keeping up with the news on the Australian brushfires, it is absolutely heartbreaking. At least 24 people have been killed, over 2,000 homes have been destroyed, almost a billion animals have died, and not to mention, the overall burning encompasses an area larger than the country of Denmark.
I think as citizens of America, it can be easy to be desensitized to things happening across the world but in reality, we should definitely be doing everything in our power to help out. That's why we decided to get an inside look at what Australians are feeling as they deal with this horrible tragedy. This morning, Rebecca talked with a friend of hers, Becci Johnstone, who is a Co-Host/Producer for the Vision Radio Breakfast Show "Rise & Shine, with Robbo & Becci", which is broadcasted on over 650 frequencies nationwide across Australia.
It's a new year and 2020 is an exciting time for a lot of us as this will be the year that we accomplish what we've been putting off for a while now like: paying off debt, losing weight, exercising, reading our Bibles, or whatever fill in the blank goal you have before you. However, did you know that Psychologists say that there is a way that we can trick ourselves into achieving our goals?
It's no secret that kids love to be complimented, especially by their parents. If you are a parent, you definitely understand how much weight it carries when you take the time to genuinely encourage your child. That's why we decided to highlight the best compliments that you can give your kids!
Has there ever been something that you dreaded saying yes to but found out later on that it was one of the best decisions you've ever made? That happened to Don years ago as he became part of a Supper Club. If you don't know what a Supper Club is, it's a group of people (often strangers) who get together periodically (probably once a month) and just do life together. Here are some reasons why Don thinks every marriage needs a Supper Club.
It’s the start of something BIG! We’re kicking off 2020 – the Year of 20,000 Bibles – on Saturday, Jan. 18, with KCBI’s Day of 1,000 Bibles! We’ll be at area Salvation Army Stores from 10:00 am-2:00 pm, and we’d love to give you, your church or your ministry new Bibles to share with those who need them most in the New Year. With your help, we plan to give away 20,000 Bibles by the end of 2020. Sponsored by Buckner International – Hope Shines Here! At KCBI, the Bible is the center of all we do.
Find more information here: https://www.kcbi.org/day-of-1000-bibles/
Happy Color™ is a color by number game for adults. There are so many colorful, outstanding pictures to color!
God's Spirit inhabits God's Word. He beckons you to sit in his presence and listen. Breathe. Remember that nothing hinges on you and God's purposes cannot be thwarted. Search out his promises as you seek His face and set your heart on his statutes. Tuck them in your heart and see how your Father works in your life.
Perhaps you've heard these words: "A woman's highest calling is in the home raising her children and managing the household." But what does that mean for single women, or women unable to bear children? Author and Dallas Theological Seminary Professor Dr. Sandra Glahn joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about worth, purpose, and calling, and why it's so important to have different men, women, and ethnicities interpreting the tricky verses of Scripture related to women.
You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Whether you're in a good financial position or not, we are all trying to save money put ourselves in a better place. However, did you know that there are certain things that you might be doing that is costing you money and even leaving free money on the table?
Check out these 5 ways that Financial Expert Suze Orman says we are losing money:
- Don't lease a car. It's the most expensive way to operate a vehicle and you don't ever own the car.
- Don't miss out on match money. If you have a 401(k) or 403(b) at your workplace and they offer a match, take it! If not, you are losing out on free money and the potential growth on it as well.
- Don't take a tax refund. Now we're not saying to accept your tax return if you get one, we're more so here to say that a tax refund is a result of the government taking too much out of your check that should stay there!
- Don't let your wallet get sloppy. Your wallet is a picture of your life and if you let things get sloppy because it represents how you think about money and managing finances.
- Don't become a landlord. House flipping is a dangerous game and if done wrong, it can leave you bankrupt. Not to mention that being a landlord often creates stress that outweighs the value of income that you're receiving from the property.
It appears that as technology has progressed over the years that our habits in relating to other people have gone along with it. However, a new term has been coined describing our behavior when it comes to interactions over digital forms of communication and it is netiquette.
Now while this list may have some valid points, Rebecca, Don & Jay find a lot of faults with what is considered rude when it comes to email, phones, and electronic messaging.
Former Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson had a surprise visitor on the set of the Fox halftime show during Sunday’s playoffs. Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker walked onto the set to officially inform Johnson that we would be the 328th member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
KCBI Family, we have a new family member! Don Burns actually used to work for KCBI/KCRN back in the late 1990's and has been all around the country during his radio career. His latest stop was at Shine.FM in Illinois and we're so glad to welcome him to the team! Don's life experience and testimony will certainly bring a new element to the Morning Show and we're super excited to see how God uses him to speak life into you.
We hope and pray as you continue to listen to the Rebecca & Burns Morning Show that you would be encouraged and inspired to pursue God like never before and that you would come to know that a life in Christ is the greatest thing you could ever ask for!
For many of us, it is an all-too-familiar sensation: feeling fit to burst after a big meal but somehow finding room for dessert.
For those struggling to shift the pounds, there is at least some solace: it's not just greed, it's the way we have been hardwired.
In fact, 'dessert stomach' is a scientific fact, and it's all because of something called sensory-specific satiety.
Put simply, it means that the more you eat of something, the less you like it, which gives you the impression that you are full. You are, however, only sated with that particular taste, texture or flavor.
Many decades ago, the year 2020 sounded like a far-off futuristic time that would see humans zipping around in jetpacks and maybe even living in colonies on the moon. And while that might not be our exact reality (yet), there are plenty of exciting reasons to look forward to the year ahead. From trendy tech developments and stellar space-based events to the release of must-see movies and highly anticipated albums, here are 5 things that will happen in 2020.
Lois Evans, the founder of Pastors’ Wives Ministry and wife of famed pastor and author Tony Evans, died on Dec. 30, 2019.
On Jan. 6, 2020, her family held a celebration of Lois Evans’ life and legacy, at which her son Jonathan delivered a sermon eulogizing his mother and expressing how he “wrestled with God” over her death.
A clip of the sermon went viral on social media and let's just say that this audio is PURE GOLD!
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Parenting is hard.
Newsflash, right? While nobody who has ever had a child is surprised by that statement, what has been consistently surprising to my wife and I is that raising kids seems to get harder rather than easier. We thought it was hard when we had a kid in diapers who needed constant monitoring. Then we thought it was harder when our kids started going to school and we were worried about everything they would encounter out there in the big, wide world. Then we thought it was harder when our kids began to move into the teenage years as we tried to help them navigate the social and societal issues they found in middle and high school. At every stage, we have looked at each other, sometimes in exasperation, and said, “I thought this would get easier.” But it hasn’t. And I suppose it doesn’t.
That can be discouraging. I know it has been for us at times. So as I sit and write this morning, I’m thinking about some things that might have been encouraging for us to remember during those moments of fear, anxiety, and apprehension. What might be encouraging to the discouraged parent this morning? Here are four, if that’s you:
I have found myself feeling rather "blah" this year. Not bad, just blah. Perhaps it's because this was the first Christmas without my grandmother. 2019 was a year of massive change, so maybe that has something to do with it. But as I meditated on Psalm 42 this morning, I realized that my issue goes far deeper than that. The psalmist wrote, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
If you’re a hungry student at the University of Texas at Dallas, a good meal can seem so far away. Especially when it is so far away.
“I work on the north side [of campus] and have to walk all the way across campus just to get food,” said one staff member.
It used to be that getting lunch could take more than an hour. Not anymore.
There are now 30 fully autonomous robots delivering food all over campus.
“UT Dallas has always been on the cutting edge of excitement,” said VP of Facilities and Economic Development Dr. Calvin Jamison. “So anything that’s exciting and new, this is the place to try it.”
The robots were developed by a company called Starship, and UT Dallas is only the seventh college campus in America to utilize them.
Here's a wonderful surprise: kindness has a boomerang effect.
Yes, of course you should be thoughtful and considerate because it's the right thing to do. But being helpful at work has an added benefit, according to Orly Wahba, author of Kindness Boomerang.
"When kindness is shared, it grows," she writes. "And every bit of kindness we put out into the world comes back in some way."
Here's another reason to help out your colleagues: Being kind has the power to make you more successful. Especially in today's elbows-out, cyber-bullying society, kindness gives you a competitive advantage over your uncivil colleagues.
Need some ideas for how to start your own kindness boomerang? Here are 20:
Our need to "belong" drives much of what we do--our decisions, how we present ourselves to the world, and the things we chase. In a culture that values individualism, independence, and autonomy over all else, how do we break down the walls that isolate us? Nika Spaulding, Resident Theologian at St. Jude Church of Oak Cliff joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rod-on-the-Pod to talk about the beauty of belonging in a fractured, fragmented world.
You can listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
Many see smiling simply as an involuntary response to things that bring you joy or laughter. While this observation is certainly true, what most people overlook is that smiling can be just as much a voluntary response as a conscious and powerful choice.
What if I told you that if you're suppressing conflict, you're actually weakening your relationships? Research finds that engaging in non-blaming open conflict brings people closer and that people who engage in healthy conflict have greater well-being, are more popular, and have less depression, anxiety, and loneliness. And when people avoid conflict, they often choose to distance themselves instead, which damages relationships.
If you’re like most people, each January goes something like this: You choose a problematic behavior that has plagued you for years and vow to reverse it. In fact, you can probably think of two or three undesirable habits—make that four or five.
Thus begins the litany of imperfections to be perfected commonly known as “New Year’s Resolutions.” All of which are typically off your radar by February.
“My One Word” is an experiment designed to move you beyond this cycle. The challenge is simple: lose the long list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick ONE WORD.
This process provides clarity by taking all your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single focus. Just one word that centers on your character and creates a vision for your future.
Do you ever feel like you're working hard but not getting anywhere? Maybe you see little improvement in your skills or achievements when you reflect on the last five or 10 years. Or perhaps you struggle to see how you'll fulfill your ambitions during the next few years.
Many people spend their lives drifting from one job to another or rushing around trying to get more done while actually accomplishing very little. Setting SMART goals means you can clarify your ideas, focus your efforts, use your time and resources productively, and increase your chances of achieving what you want in life.
SMART is an acronym that you can use to guide your goal setting.
To make sure your goals are clear and reachable, each one should be:
Specific (simple, sensible, significant).
Measurable (meaningful, motivating).
Achievable (agreed, attainable).
Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based).
Time-bound (time-based, time-limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive).
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The Bible tells us that we are in the midst of a cosmic war. What does that mean for you and me? We know that Christ, through the cross, won the final victory, but are still commanded to get up, suit up, and fight. This week on the Honest Conversations podcast Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez (Liz Rod-on-the-Pod) talk about the enemy, his schemes, and how we can live victoriously in the shadow of the cross.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
If social media reveals anything, it reveals that we are a people who want to be seen and heard. In short, we are searching for significance. Carol McLeod joins Rebecca Carrell and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod (Liz Rodriguez) to discuss how the world's idea of significance is destined to fail us, and how true affirmation and validation can only be found in one place.
What do you think of when you look up at the sky? Jay Allen says that space particularly fascinates him because it's a reminder that the God who created all of the Universe still deeply cares for us. For him, it's more than a beautiful sight, it's an opportunity for worship.
Say “Please and thank you.” It’s one of the first lessons we learn as children. Usually eager to please, we do as we’re told. Then the surly teen years hit and all bets are off.
Most of us do come back to some semblance of civility. (Granted, some more than others.) As we grow into adulthood the amount of appreciation we express, and our ability to sincerely say “Thank you” has a dramatic impact on how we relate to others.
Recently, I came across a passage in the book of Luke that has really got me thinking. Luke 8 talks about the healing of a bleeding woman and this is how it goes:
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
She had been "subject" to bleeding. That means the bleeding determined what she could and couldn't do; where she could and couldn't go. That got me thinking about the things in my life that I have been or am subject to.
Food
Approval
Affirmation and validation
Excercise
The appearance of knowing more than I do
What I think other people think of me
When one lives in a kingdom, they are subject to the king. The king determines what is allowed and what is not; what is required and what is not. The things that I have been and still am subject to are cruel, demanding rulers. They insist that I strive and strain and push and twist in order to attain the fill-in-the-blank.
So what is your life subject to?
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We all have things in our past we wish we could erase. And you've heard people say, "Don't let your past define you!" But what if that is exactly what it's supposed to do? Author and speaker Kasey Van Norman sits down with Rebecca and Liz-Rod-on-the-Pod to talk about the power in using your past to propel you in your purpose.
Listen to the full episode here: https://www.heartstrongfaith.com/podcasts/
After suffering a spinal cord injury in his teenage years during a football game, Ronnie dealt with paralysis problems for a long time after that and even to this day faces a lot of nerve pain because of that injury. His mother Cathy decided to nominate him because, despite this life-altering injury, Ronnie still decides to pour into his community and be a voice of wisdom to young kids as they participate in athletic events.
That's why we decided to Make Ronnie's Christmas!
When my kids were younger, even now at 12 and 13 years old, let me tell you a few of the expectations I have for their life. Expectation #1: I expect that they will fall. Expectation #2, I expect that they will fail. Expectation #3, I expect that there are some big fat juicy mistakes ahead of us coming down the pipeline. Because those are my expectations, the grace is already in place and you may be saying to yourself, "you can't expect that of your kids! You have to expect great things from them!" Well, I do expect good things from them but I also expect to see their humanity.
Following in my footsteps, I fully expect failure and big mistakes and so when they fail and they make mistakes, I am freed from being angry, disappointed, or frustrated because they are simply doing what I had already expected they would do. Now, this doesn't mean that there are no consequences because they are there for sure. But the anger, the disappointment, and the frustration; that is completely absent.
It is the same way with you and God. In order for someone to be disappointed in someone else, there has to To be unmet expectations and let me tell you what God expects from you. God expects you to fall. God expects you to fail. God expects you to make mistakes. In fact, he already knows what and when those failures are and when they'll take place. He already knows! Why does He already know? Well, Isaiah 46:10 says, "I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'" You see, God is outside of time and therefore sees the end from the beginning.
As a friend of mine always says: "the future is not something God knows about, it's a place where he already is." That means when you fall and when you fail, and when you make that mistake, God is not disappointed with you. You are disappointed with you. God is not frustrated with you, you are frustrated with you. If you live in that cycle of just wearing the shame, the disappointment, and the frustration all the time, what you are doing is you are rejecting the grace of God. So I just want to come to you very lovingly and tell you to stop because He loves you with an everlasting love and He knows where those mistakes are and the grace is already there! Yeah, you blew it. He knew it. Get up and receive that grace and keep going!
So you may not know that between the time that the Apostle Paul, who was formerly known as Saul, was converted by Jesus and the time that he wrote his first letter was approximately 14 years. I wonder how many of those 14 years were spent struggling to overcome who he had been and what he had done because Paul during this time period was the greatest persecutor of the church immediately following the start of the new church.
If you don't know the story, he was on his way to the city called Damascus. He was traveling with a group of people and he had written permission to persecute and imprison the Christians and the story says as he was going, he was breathing threats and murder. I mean, he was furious! Then, essentially Jesus shows up, knocks him off his high horse as he goes face down and becomes a believer in Jesus. But 14 years go by before he is prepared to begin his preaching and traveling ministry and he wrote this to the church.
To the Corinthians, he wrote: "for I am the least of the Apostles, and do not even deserve to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God, but by the grace of God, I am what I am. And his grace to me was not without effect." (1 Corinthians 15:9-11) Paul allowed himself to just sit in his shame in the same way that we sit and say "woe is me and I, God can't use me because I'm too much of a mess" and so on. However, this is a word to people like you and me who have a past that we're not necessarily proud of. You can either continue to agonize over it and replay it for the rest of your life or you can allow God's grace to take effect.
Listen, you are perfectly equipped and trained to minister to the people who are doing what you did that you're so ashamed of. There's no one better or more qualified for that than you. So don't let God's grace in your life be without effect, and allow your point of greatest pain or your point of greatest shame, to become your point of greatest influence.
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Many times, others have “burdens” that are too big to bear. They do not have enough strength, resources, or knowledge to carry the load, and they need help. Denying ourselves to do for others what they cannot do for themselves is showing the sacrificial love of Christ. This is what Christ did for us. He did what we could not do for ourselves; he saved us. This is being responsible “to.”
On the other hand, Galatians 6:5 says that “each one should carry his own load.” Everyone has responsibilities that only he or she can carry. These things are our own particular “load” that we need to take daily responsibility for and work out. No one can do certain things for us. We have to take ownership of certain aspects of life that are our own “load.”
This week's Make Somebody's Christmas was very sweet considering that Kerry is dealing with a lot right now. She was nominated by her friends Sue & Mike who have helped her tremendously as she navigates a difficult divorce with 3 children. Unfortunately because of the nature of the divorce, it's going on longer than she was hoping for and has been draining her financially which leaves her in a tough position especially during the holidays.
Not to mention that her family is in New York so she doesn't have that support close by which makes friends like Sue & Mike a God-send. After hearing about her situation, we wanted to see if we could bless Kerry this Christmas with a blindside blessing!
If you've heard of Proverbs 31 Ministries then you have definitely heard of Lysa TerKeurst who is one of our HeartStrong Faith 2020 speakers! To get you excited about the conference we wanted to share a clip of her speaking on how we are prone to steer where we stare and get fixated on things other than Christ.
In a #metoo #churchtoo world, how can we ensure our boys will grow up with a Christ-centered worldview? Dave Willis didn't hold back when he sat down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodgriguez, covering everything from pornography to marriage to gender and everything in between. Listen to the podcast and find out how you can win a copy of Dave's book, called "Raising Boys who Respect Girls."
Going through a breakup is never easy and with it being the holidays, it can feel a lot worse if it has happened to you around this time. That's why Rebecca (a board-certified Psychologist-hobbyist) is going to share some good tips on what it takes to overcome a painful break-up and some of the best ways to handle it.
Today you may be praying for healing, freedom from unhealthy thought patterns or a wayward loved one. Can I share something with you out of my advent reading that I shared with some dear friends yesterday?
Luke 1:37 says, “Nothing is impossible for God.” I trust you know I'm not a prosperity girl and neither do I lean charismatic. But what a timely reminder as we pray for our parents, our children, and our friends.
Nothing is impossible which means everything is possible. Healing is easy for the one who wove the body together. Ordering thoughts and providing direction is child's play to the personification of wisdom. Jesus wept over the wayward ones in Israel and Paul's life testifies that God has a way of reaching the most antagonistic to the faith, even if it means knocking them off their high horse and knocking some heavenly sense into them.
Nothing is impossible for God and Jesus encourages us to ask and keep asking. I'm so grateful that we serve this kind of savior! So if you are reading this, know that I am seeking, knocking, and asking on your behalf today. Thank you for visiting my page every now and then. I am so grateful for you and praying that you feel God’s love for you.
Good news for those of us that beat ourselves up over and over again when we do something wrong: When you run to God and repent, He never condemns. He parties! 🙌🎉👍
Can I say that again? He celebrates (Luke 15: 7, 10, 24).
Isn’t food amazing?! When we eat the good stuff (whole, fresh, natural), there’s no stopping all the benefits it can bring our health.
There are even foods that can burn fat!
That's why we decided to bring our Health & Wellness expert Casey Sollock in to share with us her favorites!
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If you're already thinking about watching every Star Wars film before "Rise of Skywalker" is released on December 20, you should ask yourself, "how incredible would it be to get paid for your ultimate Star Wars binge?" Weirdly, that's possible.
CableTV.com is going to pay some fortunate youngling to binge all 10 movies -- if you want to add in The Mandalorian or Rebels, et al, that's your call. Should you be picked for the gig, they'll pay you $1,000 to eat popcorn and enjoy the full 22 hours and 25 minutes of the Star Wars saga.
The gloriously lucky couch potato will receive every movie on Blu-Ray and a bunch of Star Wars gear to make sure they're as geeked out as necessary for the undertaking. That pack o' goodies will include a Nerf Han Solo Blaster, a Chewbacca onesie, and an R2-D2 popcorn popper.
To be the one you'll need to fill out this application: https://www.cabletv.com/blog/star-wars-movie-marathon
It asks for 200 words or less on why you're the Luke Skywalker of the site's search. You don't have to make a video explaining why you deserve the gig, but you can, and it'll probably help your case. You have until December 11 at 7 pm EST to get the application passed along.
By and large, the world shies away from honest conversations about dying, death, and grieving. Even in Christian circles much of what we say is wrong. Dr. Glenn Kreider of Dallas Theological Seminary sits down with Rebecca Carrell and Liz Rodriguez to talk about the damage we do when we approach death incorrectly, and how the good news is so much better than we thought.
Many believers have stuffed a shoebox full of goodies for Operation Christmas Child, a project to bless children around the world run by Samaritan’s Purse. But for one seven-year-old boy in Idaho, it led to a surprising outcome many years later.
John recently reached out to us at the Morning Show to tell us about his friend John who has had a rough life for the last few years. He's been out of work for the last 18 months only getting part-time or seasonal work here and there, but unfortunately, that has led to him having to sleep in a different place every day whether that's a car or a mission. He has previous work experience in IT Security but because of his neuropathy problem, he has a hard time maintaining work because of the disability. That's why we decided we wanted to Make John's Christmas!
Don't let Christmas become more about created stuff than the incarnation of the Creator. Pastor and Author Paul David Tripp shares his thoughts on why we should slow down this Christmas.
A new business in North Smithfield is spreading awareness of the importance of hiring people with disabilities.
The coffee shop Red, White & Brew is run by Michael Coyne, who has autism. He started the business after he struggled to find a job.
Most people know toxic relationships hurt us, but is it possible for good relationships to hurt us too? Sometimes good relationships aren’t the right relationships, so finding people who spiritually encourage us and stick it out through good times and bad is one of life’s most valuable pursuits. Because, yes, it is possible for people with the best of intentions to hurt us.
If you will join us in prayer as we lift up Tony Evans during this difficult time in his life. Early this morning, his father, Arthur S. Evans went to be with Jesus and we just want to shower the Evans family with love and prayer during this period of grief.
Prayer can be intimidating for a lot of us and even feel like a chore when we just aren't feeling God in our lives. But this morning, we had author & speaker, Julia Jeffress Sadler, LPC to discuss her latest book called, "Pray Big Things" and how our mindsets need to change when it comes to how we approach God with prayer.
Stellarium Mobile Sky Map is a planetarium app that shows exactly what you see when you look up at the stars.
This award-winning astronomy application will let you explore the sky and identify stars, constellations, planets, comets, satellites such as the ISS, and other deep sky objects in real-time in the sky above you in just a few seconds, just by pointing the phone at the sky!