Afternoons with Sonny: Recent Episodes
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Together we hope to encourage you, laugh with you, celebrate with you the goodness of God in our lives. And be daily reminded of God's grace!
Real Life. Real Grace. Afternoons on KCBI.
LIVE Monday-Friday from 3p-7p at 90.9 KCBI in Dallas, Texas
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How do you do with waiting?
Whether it's expectant or anxious, waiting can be challenging. In this episode, Sonny talks with Josh about waiting for the birth of his son and where we can all be encouraged in whatever we're waiting on.
It's almost baby time for New Dad Josh!
In this most recent edition of Old Dad / New Dad, Josh shares what he's praying for his soon-to-be born son and what's different the second go around.
Third Day's Mac Powell recently dropped by the KCBI studio to spend some time with Sonny and has an important message for YOU, dad!
If you think it’s a small world, this story will only confirm it! Danny Blanton is a rideshare driver who has picked up hundreds of passengers in Dallas, all strangers.
But then one day a passenger asked “What’s your name again? Blanton replied, “My name is Danny.” The passenger then said, “I know you.”
Danny glanced in the rearview mirror and mumbled, “You don’t know me.” But then turned around and suddenly recognized his former coworker, John Johnson a man Danny hadn’t seen in 24-years!
The reunion was so special to Danny that he posted a video of the encounter, his first social media video ever. It went viral, racking up 10 million views so far, and counting.
Danny said that he’s happy that the video has had such a great response and that he and John plan on posting more videos soon.
Many people continue to pray for First Baptist Dallas after the church lost its Historic Sanctuary in a fire Friday, July 19th. The church plans on rebuilding.
Let’s share those prayers for Pleasant Vally Baptist Church that also caught fire last Friday, July 26th.
Paul David Taylor has served as pastor there for 48-years and was inside the church when he noticed something wasn’t right. He could smell smoke.
The pastor called 911 and then called his wife and asked her to pray. The fire destroyed the churches offices and library, but the sanctuary and hundreds of old books and the pastor’s Bible were all saved.
When asked what’s next, the pastor said, "Where do we go from here? We rest in him, trust him and pray to him. Meet and worship and lift him high because of what he did and is going to do," Taylor said. "God is going to give us a building to be in."
America’s oldest person is a Texan who turned 115 years old last week, and she offered a single tip on how to live a long, happy life: “Speak your mind and don’t hold your tongue.” She added, “I just thank the good Lord that I’m here.’”
Ms. Elizabeth Francis of Houston — who has lived through everything from World War I to the sinking of the Titanic — celebrated her birthday last Thursday with two slices of vanilla cake.
Ms. Francis was born in Louisiana in 1909 and raised her now-95-year-old daughter as a single mother, ran a coffee shop in Houston and preferred walking over driving. The spunky supercentenarian was alive during the Great Depression, the first airplane flight across the Atlantic and 20 presidents from William Howard Taft to Joe Biden.
Ms. Francis is the fourth-oldest person in the world, according to LongeviQuest. https://longeviquest.com/atlas/living
Happy Birthday Ms. Francis!
How can you be the dad your children need? That's what we talk about in this special Father's Day episode of Old Dad / New Dad! Sonny & Josh are joined by Author, Pastor, and Host of Living on the Edge, Chip Ingram, to discuss the most crucial roles we play as dads and how they shape our kids into loved children and followers of Christ!
You can hear Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram every Monday-Friday at 5:30pm on KCBI's All Teaching Channel!
In this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh have a big annoucement about a new addition to the Old Dad / New Dad family!
In this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh are joined by Chris Kinsel, a co-worker and former member of the Mormon Church. Chris shares his powerful testimony of how Jesus used his mom's faith to transform his heart and how we can share Jesus with our non-believing loved ones.
Even in the face of the toughest of battles, you have hope everlasting.
That is the heart of this episode of Old Dad / New Dad as Sonny gives up the most recent update in his cancer journey and talks with Josh about the importance of God given community.
Sonny and Josh sit down with retired judge turned author Roy Sparkman about his newest award-winning book "The Kid's Pit". Judge Roy shares a message about God's unstoppable love for you and what your response should be if your child finds themselves in their own pit. We also delve into how a judge becomes an award-winning author and maybe his favorite title of all: Grandpa.
My name is Sonny and I’ve had a few people say that I live up to my name, which is an honor, but I come from a family of prayer warriors. My mom, my aunts, my cousins would lift me in prayer in my knucklehead days asking God to protect me as I was living a very wayward lifestyle. Then God sent me a woman who was truly filled with grace, a woman who I believe was sent the calm the savage beast inside of me, my best friend and wife of 25 years. I share all of this to say, if you have a loved one who has veered away from God, keep praying for them, don’t give up. It doesn’t matter how far they, or you, have run. Once God’s grace gets into your heart, a transformation of the best kind happens, and to that you can only say, “To God be the glory!”
If you love mysteries, you have to hear this story about a 25-year-old message in bottle that traveled it's way across the Atlantic Ocean!
Studies show that many people say something negative about themselves four times a day. That "stinkin' thinkin'" can really beat you up.
I'm praying you're able to listen to the voice of truth: that you are forgiven, you are loved, and you are His.
-Sonny
To celebrate World Kindness Day, the children of Interfaith Family Services are spreading a whole lot of kindness to law enforcement all across Dallas-Fort Worth!
If you've been in DFW for sometime, you know the name Pete Delkus. Depending on the time of year and news he brings, he may be the most loved or loathed man in North Texas. But no matter the news, we believe we've got the best weatherman in the United States. According to a new title from Broadcasting & Cable, America agrees!
Congradulations, Pete!
Rome couldn't convict Him.
The cross couldn't conquer Him.
The grave couldn't contain Him.
Satan could not defeat Him.
Why?
He is victory!
I think we've all experienced the power of a hug at just the right time. But did you know a hug is powerful enough to stop a robbery right in it's tracks??
Our first responders are there for us whenever we're in need, even when that need is... a hug
"Will God forgive me this time?"
If you're like me, you've asked this question. And the answer will always be the same: Yes, thanks be to Jesus!
Looking for more kindness in this world? Look no further than kids right here in Dallas-Fort Worth!
If you were to look at Annabelle Grace, you would think she was just an ordinary 8th grader. But once you hear her story, you'll see there's nothing ordinary about her journey or the her will to live.
Prayer is powerful, Prayer works, Prayer is a real conversation between you and God.
Today, I'm praying for YOU!
-Sonny
Sonny (Old Dad) is back! In this episode, Sonny and Josh catch us up on Sonny's cancer journey and delve into their experiences of God providing peace that surpasses understanding.
If you've prayed for Sonny during this time, THANK YOU. And if you're going through your own battle and feel like you could use some prayer, we've got a community of people who would love to pray for you at the KCBI Prayer Center.
See a further health update of Sonny here
Each and every day, our local educators go above and beyond to teach, shephard, and care for our children. That even goes for our bus drivers, too!
If you've ever been through a cancer battle, it can feel like cancer can do just about anything to rob you of your happiness. But after receiving a touching letter of encouragement from a friend as I'm facing my own battle, they reminded me of all the things cancer CAN'T do!
There's a lot of things I love about working at KCBI, but maybe above all else, I love that we pray. We really pray. It's not something we just talk about. It's part of our day to day here.
And with so much going on in our world, I'd like to take a second and pray with you now.
In Jesus name.
-Sonny
Keller ISD Teacher Amy Hall is a lifelong Texas Rangers fan who got hit in the head by a home run ball during Game 6 of the American League Championship Series in Houston on Sunday. Turns out, Amy actually had a lifelong fear of being hit by a baseball.
Way to take one for the team, Amy! And GO RANGERS!
Some people believe there's nothing they can do to change the world around them, but if you have been hurt by others you can make a big difference by breaking the cycle.
Peace be with you!
-Sonny
The State Fair of Texas wrapped up on Sunday and if you're anything like me, you might wonder: What do they do with all that left over food?
A Texas-sized amount of good!
If you're wondering if it's possible to be thankful for the scars that you gathered, I sure am.
If you’ve been praying for me as I take my healing journey through cancer, thank you! The Spirit of the Lord was with me in such a beautiful way, before, during, and after my procedure on Tuesday, October 3rd. Every time fear popped up, faith just washed over it time and again. God has been so present.
You ever grab a flashlight and it’s not working? You don't throw it away, right? Of course not. You make sure to open it and put some new batteries in it. Well, when a friend finds themselves in a dark place, you don't throw them away either. Sometimes, all they need are some new batteries.
If you have been waiting on prayers to be answered, hold on. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
God is with you, He is for you, and He will see you through!
-Sonny
I learned a great lesson when I was younger. Someone was being difficult and I said something ugly about them to another person.
That other person was a dear friend who pulled me aside and said, "You really don't know what they're going through do you? I would tell you but it's not my story to tell, so instead I encourage you to read Romans 2:1-3 the next time you want to judge someone."
OUCH! And double ouch after I read it, "Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?"
That correction helped change my world view.
-Sonny
If you've ever looked at someone and asked God "Look how good they're doing. Look at what you've done for them. Why not me?" I think we've all done that (I know I have.)
If that's you, too, the latest Gifts in the Garden Podcast from Caryn Cruise is for you.
I remember when I overheard someone saying to a friend of mine, “Oh my goodness! You are always a ray of sunshine, smiling, and just a joy to be around!!”
My friend gave her patented smile and a hug, and after a brief chat they both went their separate ways.
It almost brought a tear to my eyes because I knew more…
When life is hurting, you can find the peace your're searching for in the Father's arms. Trust me on this. Better yet, trust him.
Many people are beyond stressed right now, but today, we're celebrating that the Lord brought a group of students and staff from Dallas Baptist University home safely from their trip to Israel.
I don't know about you, but when all seems good, it's easy to say I'm trust Jesus with it all. But what about when everything isn't so good? Will I trust my circumstances? or the God who Lords over my circumstances?
What does it look like to be the hands and feet of Jesus? Sometimes, it's just doing your job, and in some cases, that could be life changing!
In 1986, 9-year-old Desireé Rodriguez was rescued from the Pacific Ocean by two fishermen after a shipwreck claimed the lives of her father, mother, aunt, uncle and sister.
Thirty-five years later the good Samaritans, Paul Strasser and Mark Pisano, wondered whatever happened to the little girl and where asked to explain it to a Spanish translator... except that wasn't just a translator. It was the surprise of a lifetime, it was Desireé!
Some people believe their past disqualifies them from moving forward, but I'm here to dispell that lie with a GOOD, GOOD NEWS story!
Someone asked me why I talk about teachers so much. My family is filled with them! My wife, my daughter, my brother & sister in-law. What can I say, we're edu-ma-cated!
But seriously, the impact teachers can have is unbelievable. Just ask Miss Ramos!
If you find yourself in some dark moments right now, I'm so sorry. I know those moments well.
But as big as what you're facing right now may feel, I want to encourage you: it's not who you are.
Hey there, 'New Dad' Josh here. Just me today. Sonny recently shared an update regarding some health news and, in case you missed it, we'd love for you to hear it.
See a video and message from Sonny here
If you want to a relationship with Jesus but don't know how, I'm praying this for you today.
Eleven-year-old Treyson Pierce, of Frisco was keeping a big secret from his mother Crystal Sanders. He started a GoFundMe account. When she found out she demanded that he take it down! But then she read what he was trying to raise. It wasn't so much a GoFundMe, but a GoFundThem! Treyson was raising money for the homeless of DFW!
If you or a loved one have received one of those health diagnoses, I know what you’re going through. I've just found out I have cancer.
After hearing the prognosis, I turned to God, asking Him to help me genuinely believe what I say I believe: that He is with me and will guide me every step of the way. That, and constant prayer have allowed me to sleep well at night. Well, most nights.
There have been times where fear has kept me awake, worried, angry, and hurt… why me? I allow myself to sit in that hurt for a bit, because it’s okay to not be okay. In those moments, I lean on God's word, believing that "weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning." I believe our faith is like a muscle: the more you pray, listen to praise music, and read your Bible, the stronger your faith is. Growing that faith helps you to believe what you say you believe: that God is with you, He is for you, and He will see you through.
So, if you are struggling with your health, I pray: may God, the Great Physician, bring healing to us both as we walk through this journey.
-Sonny
When Gentry and Ron King returned to their Fort Worth home, almost everything was gone. Lost in a fire that gutted their house.
But out of those ashes an answered prayer. After a nine-hour search through the debris, a neighbor found their 5-year old dog Ruby, without a scratch. That miracle, combined with the crosses that survived when almost nothing else did, strengthened the Kings' faith. They hope their story might strengthen someone else’s too.
Last Friday night Caddo Mills played Bullard in a high school football game. Everything was going fine until a Caddo Mills player was injured and had to be Care Flighted to the hospital. Then another Caddo Mills player had to be flown to the hospital!
That's when fans stood and recited The Lord's Prayer together, as both teams joined in praying with each other and for each other!
Prayer Works!
-Sonny
Demario Davis took to the podium after his New Orleans Saints won their game Sunday, but he didn't want to talk about the game. He wanted the press to hear about his God, and how the Lord not only saved his daughter after her seizure, but made her better!
Back in the spring, we introduced this first-of-its-kind initative of starting radio stations inside Texas prisons, run by inmates.
Recently, folks from our team headed to one of those prisions for a day of training with the ladies who would actually be running this radio station. That's when we met Sherry and got to hear her story of the peace that truly surpasses understanding.
Elizabeth Francis of Houston, Texas is part of a very exclusive club. The Supercentenarians. It's for people who has lived to be 110 years old. But this is nothing new. Elizabeth has been a member for 4 years now since she just celebrated her 114th birthday, making her the oldest living person in Texas history.
What's Elizabeth's secret? God.
Many people have been encouraged by best-selling author Dr. Meg Meeker. In fact, she’s been called “America’s Mom” because of her 7 books that equip parents (especially dads) for the big challenges their kids face today.
Dr. Meeker sits down with Sonny and Josh for the latest “Old Dad/New Dad” podcast to chat about her book, turned Devotional, turned movie “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters” in this interview.
You can find more on Dr. Meeker at https://meekerparenting.com
God will put people in just the right place at just the right time, sometimes, to save a life. Dennis Brown lives in Dallas and happen to be paralyzed from the waist down. He noticed something was wrong with his rental car and next thing he knew, the front of the car was on fire. That when Tammi Arrington, who was visiting from out of town, swooped in.
Nearly four months after suffering a cardiac arrest during a half marathon, Jaimee Kirby, along with her family, got to show their gratitude to the first responders who not only did their job flawlessly, but saved Jaimee's life.
Some people are finding it increasingly hard to be happy. In fact, in a recent study, over 80% of people said they proactively avoid negative stories on social media and TV due to it leaving them feeling ‘emotionally drained’.
How about some good news?
I was out at a store this weekend making a return when I saw a security guard in yelling at the young lady, “You don’t have any shoes on!” and a customer added, “She stinks and she’s talking to herself, too!”, but what happened next is something I had to share with you.
If you've ever been faced with the decision to donate an organ, you know how big it is. Now imagine you're an 18 year old about to start your senior year high school and that organ is for your ailing mom. Huge.
That was Brooke Lyle's sitatuion and she said it was an easy choice to give up a kidney to the person who brought her into this world.
If you are a server in DFW, lookout! You just might have a very generous mystery dinner stop by and leave a big blessing!That's what happened in Rowlett last week, three times. First at the Dalrock Diner, then across the street at Senaida's Mexican Kitchen where this 'Tipping Angel' left $2,000 tips on bills less than $25!
I was blessed to hear Dr. Deron Biles read a poem from the late Nora Eason. This Terrell, Texas native's poem had everyone a Sunnyvale First Baptist Church applauding with shouts of Amen! May it bless and encourage you too!
Word of the wise: always remind yourself where your cash is when you go shopping. Otherwise, you might end up like my friend, Jennifer. But in this case, that might not be the worst thing!
When you are overwhelmed, sometimes it's simply because you're "Hangry!" (That's hungry and angry together.) Other times that stress can be overcome by taking a deep breath in for 4 seconds, holding it 4 seconds, and exhaling it slowly for 4 seconds.
After you've done all of that, turn to God and trust Him in prayer.
May His peace be with you.
Maybe you're like my friend who thinks there's nothing happy happening in the world. But if you take a look a little deeper, you'll find good all over Dallas/Fort Worth!
If find yourself knocked down by life, I hope Melissa's story can be an encouagement to you of not to allow your circumstances to define your future.
Valentina Dominguez is a 9-year-old who thought she'd lost her "best friend" forever when she accidentally left her on a plane in Tokyo. Valentina, whose family lives in Plano, was devastated. Her best friend happens to be an American Girl doll named Beatrice.
Lost forever? Nope! Because after their story was passed around, James Danen of Richardson saw it. He just happens to be a First Officer with American Airlines!
If you've built up walls in your life to keep from getting hurt again, I understand. But try not to build them so high that the joy gets blocked out with the pain.
If your heart is hurting from grief today, I know what you might be going through. I'm there, too.
If life is really tough for you right now, please allow the encouragement that the Lord gave to Joshua be YOUR encouragement as well.
He said, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Whatever you're struggling with, God can help!
A Desoto teenager went to a store parking lot hoping to find work in hopes that he could buy school clothes. He didn't expect to run into an angel!
Some people just walk by the Walmart greeters and go about their business. But that's nearly impossible to do when that greeter is 86-year-old Mary Ruth Robinson. She hopes to be the reason you forget about your shopping stress.
If, right now, you find yourself at the end of your rope, I pray you can find comfort in knowing that all you need to hang is one thread: the one from the robe of Jesus.
The Lord says that you can do all things through Him who gives you strength, so please... don't give up!
It's back to school time for many North Texas school districts, and what happened in Forney is pretty neat!
Young people, you're not in it by yourself. You don't have to handle everything by yourself. Your success is something we all want to see!
Many of us have kids going back to school. Some as students, or for my family, as teachers and administrators. The Lord says where two or more gather in His name, so let's gather and storm the Heavens with this prayer.
-Sonny
There's a parent out there who must be pretty proud of their son for standing up for himself and refusing to go along with the crowd that was playing pranks on the neighbors. Instead, he took their game of ding-dong ditch and turned it into something that has gone viral in the most positive way!
When I saw this feature on Good Morning America, I knew I had to check to see how far it was from our studios in downtown Dallas.
See, the place is Cafe' Momentum, a Dallas restaurant that doubles as a nonprofit professional training facility for kids impacted by the juvenile justice system. The restaurant is a living example of its motto, "Eat, drink, change lives."
I am always looking for good news to share with you and I didn't have to look very far to find the heroic act of two police officers from White Settlement, Texas as they rescued a man from the front seat of a burning car!
July 20th is one big party for the Clark family as three sisters celebrate the same birthday -- and no, they're not triplets. They're all 6 years apart!
At you job, you may accumulate PTO: personal time off. But have you heard about the new PTO? Parenting time off?
If you need time off to be effective at work, does the same follow for being a parent? Without getting some downtime, parents are at risk of crashing and burning. To read about warning signs and solutions, click this link: case of burnout.
That's why Matt Ragland, an expert in productivity, agrees. Now he’s taken his professional know-how and carried it over to his life as a father. In a viral tweet he sent on July 23, Ragland explains how he and his wife will start giving each other PTO or PARENTS time off.
THANK YOU to everyone who came out to KCBI's Faith Hope Love Celebration at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano. We had an amazing time and God's goodness was on display all over the place.
One of those moments of God's goodness was with one of our supporters Clarence who's grief journey came full circle as the Afters took the stage last Saturday. Take a listen for yourself!
"Everyone deserves a swing at bat," said Dr. Michael George of Tylock-George Eye Care in Irving. "Everyone deserves the opportunity to have a better life."
So Dr. George created the George Foundation for sight restoration, and doing by gifting eye vision back to his elegible patients for free!
If you've got a child heading back to school in just a couple of weeks, this might just be the most important thing you can equip you child with as they make their way back to the classroom.
With the kind of heat we're having right now, you may think there's no good news for anyone who has to work in it, right?
Not if Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban has anything to say about it!
In an effort to bring awareness to homeless veterans in Texas, a team from Baylor University in Waco sought to provide a tremendous service to warriors in need of a blessing and ended up breaking a world record in the process!
Has anyone ever told you that you spend too much time on your cell phone? How about the inventor of the cell phone?
Mr. Martin Cooper pioneered and placed the very first call from a handheld cell phone back in 1973 and you'd think he want you to spend as much time as possible on the thing he invented, right? Not quite!
Sometimes, we take for granted just how powerful prayer is!
Four men wearing masks and carrying guns entered a church in Ferguson, Missouri during a Sunday morning service, and the pastor of the church, Marquaello Futrell, also a former member of law enforcement, noticed something was off about the four men immediately. He quickly spotted their weapons, remained calm but still took decisive action. Pastor Futrell, not wanting to cause alarm, told his staff to lock the church's doors and call officers. Then the pastor stops the gunmen by approaching the four of them during the service, asking them why they attended that morning's service.
Next, the pastor asked all four of the men if it was OK to pray for them. All four of them agreed and then members of the congregation can be seen gathered around them, praying for the four young men.
If you’re a dad of a daughter who has ever tried to figure out how to connect with your daughter at a deeper level, this is the podcast for you. Sonny and Josh sat down for a great conversation with speaker, author, licensed professional counselor Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield, maybe better known as "The Dad Whisperer"!
Thanks so much for listening to Old Dad / New Dad, brought to you by the KCBI Podcast Network. We'd love for you to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcast that way more people can join in on the encouraging conversation!
Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield: https://www.drmichellewatson.com/
The Dad Whisperer Podcast: https://www.drmichellewatson.com/podcast
Let's Talk: Conversation Starters for Dads and Daughters: https://www.drmichellewatson.com/books
The Abba Project: https://www.drmichellewatson.com/theabbaproject
KCBI Podcasting Network: https://kcbi.org/podcasts
Afternoons with Sonny: https://kcbi.org/on-air/afternoons-with-sonny
If you're a dog person like I am, then you know sometimes our dogs may know something is wrong even when we don't. Like Tucker.
Ron and Cindy Ecklund were enjoying a Saturday afternoon in their backyard when their dog, a chocolate Labrador mix named Tucker, began barking. And good thing he did because he came face to face with an escaped prisoner!
We are just days away for KCBI's Faith Hope Love Celebration which is going to be an unforgettable evening of worship and fun with KCBI artists Meredith Andrews and The Afters. To get ready, I talked with The Afters Lead Singer Josh Havens!
"Insecurity wants you to keep a log of your failures. Grace doesn't even write them down."
I don't know about you, but when all seems good, it's easy to say I'm trust Jesus with it all. But what about when everything isn't so good? Will I trust my circumstances? or the God who Lords over my circumstances?
I was coming into work yesterday when I saw something really bizarre in the parking garage. A man flew by me headed in the wrong direction and it didn't look like he cared to change his course. He was met with some shocked looks, a few horn beeps to try and catch his attention. No luck.
But then there was this one guy who took a different approach: He turned off the engine, got out of his car and went up to one headed the wrong way to see if he could help. The man behind the wheel was pretty upset but after a couple minutes, he agreed to enter in the right way.
Honestly, it made me think of me. How many time have I been upset and headed in the wrong direction when God lovingly shows me the way to go.
Inspired by the movie "Jesus Revolution", thousands of people came from all across America and the world this month to take part in a "Jesus Revolution Baptism" at the now-famous Pirates Cove in Newport Beach, California.
Harvest Christian Fellowship Sr. Pastor Greg Laurie held the massive baptism event following last week's SoCal Harvest Crusade, where 32,500 people gathered and 6,794 made decisions to dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ and a record 4,500 people were baptized.
Praise God!
Karina Courtmanche has a dying wish, to be reunited with her horse Bella, who lives on a small farm in Bethany, Connecticut.
The 79-year-old has owned 30-year-old Bella since the horse was a foal.Karina is in hospice care with not much time left, her caretakers said. So they arranged to have an ambulance take Karina to Bittersweet Farms to see her beloved Bella one last time...
Jenny Pearson of Dallas was driving on I-20 while taking her daughter to summer camp when a near tragedy struck. A tire crashed through her car window sending glass all over her.
Jenny was obviously shaken up. Caleb Smalling and his wife Maria saw Jenny crying on the side of the road and pulled over to help. Oh, they "just happened" to own a glass repair shop and replaced Jenny's window for free! Talk about RIGHT people at the RIGHT place at the RIGHT time!
Maybe you've heard the saying "Love what do and you won't work a day in your life."
Well, 90 year old Melba Mebane must have really loved her job at Dillard's because she finally retiring after 74 YEARS!
Happy Retirement, Melba! Hopefully you got more than a pizza party...
Figuring out what's for dinner is always an exhausting thought but a new study shows that many Americans have something called “menu anxiety.”
The research Conducted by OnePoll found that younger generations were far more likely to have anxiety while ordering. 41% of Gen Z and millennials, aged 18–43, had menu anxiety, compared with only 15% of Gen X and baby boomers, aged 44–77.
How about you?
Refrigerate or Room Temp? That is the question.
Ketchup manufacturer Heinz attempted to settle the debate about where customers should keep their ketchup by tweeting the company’s thoughts on the matter, causing social media users to chime in.
Be honest, if you found an envelope with $2,000 cash in it, would you turn it in?
That happened to a man in Ohio and he told WSAZ that he did not hesitate for a second to do the right thing. “I’d like to think that if something like that ever happened to me, someone would do the same thing for me,” Robert Sneed said.
One of the last surviving Tuskeegee Airman, Homer Hogues, passed away this past week. Only 2 days after his wife.
Rest in peace, sir. And thank you for your service.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or discouraged by the cultural trends around you, and if you’re looking for a biblical perspective on how to respond with faith and hope, we have a brand-new ebook that can show you how!
If you feel knocked down by life, you're not out. In Christ, defeat is a lie. You are loved, redeemed, a conquerer of fear.
You may love the heat, but it doesn't love us back. Your body shouldn’t be too hot for too long, as too much heat can harm your brain and other organs.
Please click this link for some great tips: National Institutes of Health.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of worship and fun with KCBI artists Meredith Andrews and The Afters – AND bless a child in need! The KCBI Faith Hope Love Celebration is at 6:00pm, Saturday, July 29, at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano!
Reserve Your Tickets Today!
A man and his dog.
When Bubba Nulisch was hospitalized with a bacterial infection, doctors had to put him in a coma to save his life. While he was in the hospital, Bubba learned that his dog, 4-year-old Bullet, had run away from his home in Grand Prairie. “I knew he was out there, and I couldn’t see him or touch him or find him,” he said. “It was heartbreaking...I didn’t want to be woke up if he wasn’t there."
In a desperate plea, Bubba posted on Facebook. After many prayers and an angel in the form of Kim Joppie, Bubba and Bullet were reunited!
You may have someone in your life that you feel could never change. Let me say from experience, never say never!
The next time you feel like going the extra mile feels a bit inconvient, "make the chili!"
Someone once said "Don't worry about the size of your platform. Focus on your impact."
One school bus driver took that to heart and as a result, one child's life is forever changed!
Some competitors will look to take advantage when the other falls on hard times, but not in Waxahachie where Creations Baking Company and Bittersweet Bakery are going a different route.
What comes to mind when you think about God? It might be the most important thing about you!
I wanted to take the time to congratulate Pat Sajak, The longtime Wheel of Fortune host, announced that he is retiring from the syndicated game show after 41 seasons. What a run (one that I got to be apart of!)
Though our fatherhood experiences fall on a wide spectrum, we all have one thing in common: we have a perfect Heavenly Father and He wants a relationship with you!
In this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh sit down with Passion City Church Pastor and bestselling author Louie Giglio to discuss how we can grasp the significance of the fatherhood of God through his newest book, Seeing God as a Perfect Father: and Seeing You as Loved, Pursued, and Secure.
Thanks so much for listening to Old Dad / New Dad, brought to you by the KCBI Podcast Network. We'd love for you to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcast that way more people can join in on the encouraging conversation!
KCBI Podcasting Network: https://kcbi.org/podcasts
Seeing God As A Perfect Father: https://louiegiglio.com/book/seeing-god-as-a-perfect-father/
Louie Giglio: https://louiegiglio.com/
Afternoons with Sonny: https://kcbi.org/on-air/afternoons-with-sonny
I know many people have their hardcore allegiance to their schools here in Texas, but I think any Longhorn, Horned Frog, Bear, or any other college fan can cheer for these Sooners and their love of Jesus!
A high school senior in South Carolina is going viral for the faith-based speech she gave to her graduating class during their commencement.
"My worth—and your worth—is found in Jesus because he is the only one who will ever satisfy us.” - Lydia Owens
Amen Lydia! Amen and congratulations!
It’s graduation season and a lot of people are talking about Xavier Jones who wanted to make sure he could cross the stage for his 8th grade graduation. He had a ride, but his grandfather’s car broke down. So, with holes in his shoes, Xavier, his brother and another friend walked the 6 ½ miles!
Maybe there's something or someone you've been praying for recently and it just feels like the line between you and God got disconnected. Wow have I been there!
When that happens I sometimes wonder if I did something wrong. I remember feeling that way with my mom. Was my prayer not good enough? God, are you mad at me? Can you even hear me?
Well, I recently came across this post on Facebook that brought my heart some much needed comfort, maybe it'll do the same for you.
We all want the best for our children. So how do you raise your children to be successful adults?
Failure might just be the answer.
I remember back to the last years of my mom's life. She battled with dementia until she was received into glory and I just remember fights we would have. I wish I knew then what I know now: I wasn't fighting with my mom, I was fighting the disease.
I came across this video of Scott who's been diagnosed with early onset dementia and how his daughter, Bailey, handled this conversation brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.
If it feels like your life teeters on the ups and downs, I hope this message from my dear friend Randi can bring some ease to your worry today!
Can anything ever separate you from the love of God? Not in my experience. But don't take my word for it, check out Romans 8:38-39!
I think we've all experienced the power of a hug at just the right time. But did you know a hug is powerful enough to stop a robbery right in it's tracks??
Eighteen years after she was born in the Galveston County Jail, Aurora Sky Castner graduated third in her class at Conroe High School last Thursday night. Now, she headed to Harvard University to study law!
Wow, way to go, Aurora!
Many times we toss and turn at night with worry because we haven't fully trusted God. At least that was my issue. Then I saw this poem that made so much sense.
If you've ever had an overdue library book, then the first thing that comes to mind is how much the dreaded fee is going to be.
But can you imagine the fee on book that's been overdue for almost a 100 years?!
Some people have a love that others just don’t understand, like this story a nurse friend of mine recently shared with me.
Today my mother celebrates another birthday in Heaven. It's her 3rd to celebrate with Jesus.
As I’ve done often I prayed the Lord would give her a hug as I kissed her Bible and smelled her perfume… still lingering through the pages, and giving me a bittersweet smile.
Happy Heavenly Birthday Ma.
-Sonny
Doodle for Google is a competition where contestants draw the search engine home page following a theme. This year’s theme was “I am grateful for...” and students from kindergarten through 12th grade were invited to compete.
Google selected 55 state and territory winners from tens of thousands of submissions, and Haley Ma` from Grand Prairie won the Texas nomination!
It's offically graduation season (shout out class of 2023!) and no matter how old you are, graduating from school is always good, good news!
Maybe somewhere along the line, you started believing that God's goodness was tied to your faithfulness. I want to share with you the story of a guy named Jonah that proved no matter how far we run, we'll never be outside of God's coverage.
Many of us may think we know who is and who isn't going to Heaven, I think this poem says it all.
Stacy Gooden-Crandle was eight days from turning 27 when her son Derick unexpectedly made his appearance, four months early! She says, “I had a normal pregnancy with Derick. Nothing was abnormal, and there were no complications prior to the date he was born.”
Derick was born at just 2 lbs., 9 oz. without a heartbeat and was hospitalized at the Memorial Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for nearly five months. Doctors said that Derick only had a 1% chance of survival, but Stacy said she wanted everything done to try to save her son.
I don't think even Stacy would have imagined the future God has for her baby boy.
Some people believe their past disqualifies them from moving forward, but I'm here to dispell that lie with a GOOD, GOOD NEWS story!
To celebrate Mother's Day, I thought I'd share a story you can only classify as a Mother's Day Miracle.
Lisa Wright never expected to meet the woman who gave birth to her, but a genetic test helped reunite the two after more than 50 years apart in an incredible story fit for Hollywood.
After just wrapping up a job interview, Ron Nessman witnessed the unthinkable: A runaway stroller headed towards a busy road. Without thinking, he leaped into to save the day. The icing on top? He got the job!
It's the week of Mother's Day and today Sonny and Josh are joined by one half of KCBI's Married Morning Show, Caryn Cruise!
Thanks so much for listening to Old Dad / New Dad, brought to you by the KCBI Podcast Network. We'd love for you to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcast that way more people can join in on the encouraging conversation!
KCBI Podcasting Network: https://kcbi.org/podcasts
Caryn & Jeremy in the Morning: https://kcbi.org/on-air/caryn-jeremy-in-the-morning
Gifts In The Garden with Caryn Cruise: https://kcbi.org/podcasts/gifts-in-the-garden
Afternoons with Sonny: https://kcbi.org/on-air/afternoons-with-sonny
If you haven't heard about Dennis Barnes, listen up. The Louisiana teenager is already breaking multi-million-dollar records and attracting attention from colleges and universities around the country.
Now that's some good, good news!
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
One mom wanted to make sure that her child with special needs could go to the prom just like all of the other high school students. Then when she asked her community to help all kids with special needs to attend too, the outpouring of love was overwhelming.
Way to go!
If life seems unfair right now, I hope this will help.
Before working in Christian radio I had my so-called dream job in Los Angeles where I worked with an actress comedian on a show heard nationwide. I was also supposed to be her co-host on her upcoming television show, and I was making the most money in my life! On the outside, life looked perfect, but I was miserable! She didn’t believe in Jesus and her husband would always mock my faith. The saying, “all that glitters is not gold” applied here. So I asked God to take it away if He didn’t want me there, and believe or not, they fired me the very next day. I walked to my car and I started to cry, but I stopped immediately when I remembered my prayer and knew that God would take care of us. Now I’ll be honest, we struggled for a few years living from paycheck to paycheck, but our needs were always met and the Lord eventually led me to my real dream job, as your afternoon host on 90.9 KCBI!
So if life is tough for you at the moment, please remember to keep the faith, God’s got you, and better days are coming.
Dillon Reeves was on his school bus on the way home when he noticed the school bus driver pass out. So he runs to the front and stops the bus before it could hit anything. By-the-way, Dillon is only 13-years-old! Way to go young man!
If you or a loved one is batting an illness, I pray what my dear friend Sarah is going through will speak to your heart.
If your life has been anything like mine, May snuck up on you! But that doesn't mean we can't this new month to God in prayer.
I want to introduce you to James Harrison, maybe better known as "The Man With The Golden Arm"
We've all been there. You've got a big life decision on your hands and you don't want to mess it up. You don't want to try and fail. But why? Failure is progress, it isn't worth fearing.
Are you crying out to God for help but for some reason, he feels silent?
Friend, please allow me to encourage you: God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, God is there. If you’re kicked in the gut, He will help you catch your breath. God didn’t say you wouldn't go through hard times, but He did say that He will help you through them.
Can I ask you a tough question? If you had to guess how many times a day do you talk down to yourself? I know firsthand what takes place during my meeting with the mirror. If I’m honest, it’s rarely pretty.
I came across a new poll that found the average person does so more than three times a day. That includes both insulting things you say, and insulting thoughts. Even if you don’t say it, it still counts. Unfortunately, women do it more than men. The average guy insults himself three times a day, nearly 1,100 times a year but for women, that number is four times a day, which is almost 1,500 times a year.
Friend, whether you believe it to be true or not, you are perfectly and wonderfully made. God’s love for you is constant because He is constant. Let’s remember that during our next meeting with the mirror.
-Sonny
Despite what your today looks liike, you can count of these 3 things:
-God is.
-God knows.
-God has a plan.
Amen!
-Sonny
Did you mess up again? Boy, do I understand. Let say this together:
Yes, I make mistakes.
Yes, I fail.
Yes, I struggle.
Yes, I'm a mess.
But I'm God's mess.
And God can take my mess and make a masterpiece.
People are quitting social media for a number of reasons, and honestly, I get it. A lot of days, my timeline is filled with anger and negativity but then sometimes, you come across a story like Sage's.
Sammy Berko is a 16-year-old from Missouri City, Texas who went rock climbing. But after reaching the top and ringing the bell, his body went lip. Sammy had just suffered cardiac arrest. After doctors attempted to revive him for two hours, they told his mother Jennifer, "We are sorry. He's gone."
"I started talking to him, just telling him how much I love him and sorry that we didn't know how to save him. Suddenly, as I started praying, my husband said, 'Oh my gosh, he's moving!'
Doctors ran into the room and to their surprise, Sammy WAS alive, but then they worried that he may have a major brain injury due to a lack of oxygen. Well, not only can Sammy talk, he plays instruments and is on his road to recovery. Click here to see more of his miraculous story!
If you believe in the power of prayer can you pray with me for my friend Brian and the other 115 members of the singing men of North Texas?
They and their wives are all flying to Poland to sing the gospel for Poles and Ukrainians who have fled the war, and what’s cool, in a country of over 40 million people, their interpreter just happens Pastor Mateusz, the same man who helped us when I flew with the Texas Baptist Men last year to setup shelters for Ukrainian women and children fleeing the war!
Small world? Maybe. Big God? Absolutely.
If you find yourself in some dark moments right now, I'm so sorry. I know those moments well.
But as big as what you're facing right now may feel, I want to encourage you: it's not who you are.
Have you wondered "When is the right time to pray about (fill in the blank)?" The Apostle Paul has your answer!
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
If life feels heavy, like you’re being covered by a wet, heavy blanket, please allow me to share something with you that a friend shared with me.
Taylor Hash was going up in just her third solo flight when something happened. Her landing gear fell off of her plane!
Fortunately Chris Yates was flying nearby and jumped on the radio to calm her nerves, but first he had to calm his own when he found our her name was Taylor because that's also his daughter's name.
Both were able to get their emotions together to talk Taylor down into a safe "crash" landing.
If you’re struggling today. I am so sorry. I’m sure this isn’t your first tough time and just like you made it through before, God will help you through this tough time.
Isaiah 41:10 “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.”
Peace be with you.
-Sonny
In 1986, 9-year-old Desireé Rodriguez was rescued from the Pacific Ocean by two fishermen after a shipwreck claimed the lives of her father, mother, aunt, uncle and sister.
Thirty-five years later the good Samaritans, Paul Strasser and Mark Pisano, wondered whatever happened to the little girl and where asked to explain it to a Spanish translator... except that wasn't just a translator. It was the surprise of a lifetime, it was Desireé!
On Good Friday, they crucified Jesus, so what's good about it? Pastor S.M. Lockridge answered that with the powerful sermon, "It's Friday! But Sunday's Coming!" and Sonny reads it for you in this podcast! HAPPY Easter! He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!
On this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh are discussing the multitude of ways that sacrifice impacts us both as fathers and as Christians this Holy Week.
Thanks so much for listening to Old Dad / New Dad, brought to you by the KCBI Podcast Network. We'd love if you'd subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcast that way we can grow the show and more people can join in on the encouraging conversation!
In Rockland, Maine a 3-year-old and his mom stopped at the store. The little boy left his Spiderman bike outside and when they returned, it was gone!
When the police made the story public, another superhero showed up to help out!
It's been a week since lives were lost in the shooting in Nashville, TN and stories continue to be shared in their memory.
Mike Hill, better known as "Mr. Mike" to the students Covenant School, was the custodian and made an impact on so many including Nikki who shared how he came to her rescue.
Looking to find a little rest this weekend? God has got just the thing for you: Himself.
If you haven't heard how God grabbed Anne Wilson's heart, I think you'll love her testimony.
She shares how a Sunday school teacher's love for Jesus helped her to accept Him as her Lord and Savior. How God used a tragic accident to encourage her to sing. Anne also shares thoughts on how you can get through a tough time and so much more.
My friend Doug from Middays here at KCBI shared something on our Facebook page yesterday that I don't want you to miss.
His daughter is a teacher and mom of 3 in the Nashville area. She is holding her little ones at home and in the classroom a little tighter today.
We continue to pray for God's mercy and comfort.
As we continue praying for the tragedy that struck earlier this week at Covenant Christian School in Nashville, we shouldn't be surprised that children lead the way in providing hope in the midst of the darkest of situations.
Going through hardship is not only hard, it's pretty inevitable. But it doesn't come without a purpose.
Many people want to be apart of our Faith Hope Love Expiriment at KCBI, but some aren't sure what to do...
Just take a listen to what I saw happen in Garland yesterday and I think you'll have a better idea!
If you have ever felt guilty for not giving money to someone who asks on the streets, I am right there with you.
A man kindly asked if I'd like to give a donation for a copy of Streetzine, a paper that offers financial opportunities to homeless and economically disadvantaged individuals. I told him that I didn't have any money, and he said, "That's okay, may God bless you in all you do anyway."
Problem is, I did have some extra money, and then God spoke to my heart...
I remember when I overheard someone saying to a friend of mine, “Oh my goodness! You are always a ray of sunshine, smiling, and just a joy to be around!!”
My friend gave her patented smile and a hug, and after a brief chat they both went their separate ways.
It almost brought a tear to my eyes because I knew more…
Living any amount of life means you've probably picked up a few bumps and bruises along with the way. Maybe even a couple scars. If you're ashamed of you scars, you don't have to be. They're just a reminder of where God has brought you from!
This week marks the start of Spring, so how about some spring cleaning?
Just like we clean our homes, our souls could use the same type of refresher. Here are 3 things you can do to spring clean your soul.
The experience of heartbreak after the loss of a loved one is universal. God knows what it is to experience the sting of loss. He will always understand.
If you're feeling unloved today, I'm here to tell you that God has loved, loves you now, and will love forever and ever. Amen.
-Sonny
Help! There’s a big debate our 90.9 KCBI Facebook Page on how often you should wash some of your clothing. Some people only wash their pajamas once a month, and when I tell people that I wash my jeans after every wear, they tell me that’s too much!
How about you?
-Sonny
Brenda sent a text of encouragement with a Bible verse to a friend, or so she thought. It was actually sent to a person she didn't know named Isaiah, but when she apologized for the wrong number he responded that it made his day and asked if he could call her.
The Stearns celebrate their 13-year anniversary this June along with their six children.
Now that's a "Meet-Cute!"
-Sonny
If life has been especially tough and you just don't know where to turn, I've got encouragement for you.
"God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I cleaned up my act, he gave me a fresh start." 2 Samuel 22:21-25 (MSG)
On this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh talk about the importance of prioritzing family even when our hobbies come calling (spoiler alert: they learned the hard way.)
Thanks so much for listening to Old Dad / New Dad, brought to you by the KCBI Podcast Network. We'd love if you'd subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcast that way we can grow the show and more people can join in on the encouraging conversation!
As you probably know, it's time "spring forward" this weekend! You may be prepared to turn those clocks forward and change out the batteries in your smoke detector, but what about preparing yourself? The experts say it's important!
If you we're in attendance at First Baptist Sunnyvale for the Jesus People Tour, you know how special of a night it was. Amazing music, people lost in worship, but the thing I'll never forget from that night didn't take place on that stage, it was an interaction between two complete strangers sitting right in front of me.
What does it look like to be the hands and feet of Jesus? Sometimes, it's just doing your job, and in some cases, that could be life changing!
-Sonny
Eight-year-old Kayzen Hunter has a regular ritual: breakfast at his local Waffle House in Little Rock, Arkansas with his family. Over time, he struck up a friendship with his now favorite server, Devonte Garner.
One day, Kayzen learned that Gardner was in a dire living situation. After learning this, Kayzen decided he wanted to help his friend. What came next turned this unique friendship into a blessing of lifetime!
Ask any parent you know: parenting a toddler is not for the faint of heart. Trying to eat with a toddler? nearly impossible.
But I came across this story from a mom in Fort Worth who shared one waitress's act of kindness that warmed my heart today!
If other people anger you easily, hold on to this verse from the Book of James:
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." - James 1:19
May God's peace be with you.
-Sonny
One year ago today, millions of women and children fled as the war in Ukraine began. KCBI listeners provided funds so these refugees could have a place to get out of the cold, sleep, eat and shower.
But due to the generosity of 90.9 KCBI FM listeners, we were able to send $40,000 to Texas Baptist Men to further its ministry to Ukrainian refugees fleeing to the Polish border and I had the chance to witness it first hand! I love my job and I love the KCBI family.
Many time we want to hear from God, but the noise of the world around can feel too loud.
When that happens, turn to him in prayer, ask for a moment of silence, and tell him what's on your heart!
If you're going through a tough time, Jonathan Evans understands. He was injured, cut and traded during his five-year NFL career. He wondered why he was going through all of the pain and suffering, and then a phone call. The Dallas Cowboys wanted him to become the team Chaplain. Now he's able to encourage NFL players to play for a higher purpose... God!
-Sonny
Maybe you've wondered if connecting with God is worth your while. I can only speak from my experience.
When I've taken the time to talk with God, not a single breath was lost.
When I've made the choice to walk with God, my strength has never been lost. He's sustained me.
And when I've trusted in God in prayer, I've never been lost.
You wouldn't think that losing everything would be a major gain, but for Inass Barnes, a stroke "was God’s plan to get me back to where I need to be.”
It's Faith, Hope, Love in action on Random Act of Kindness day!
Ashley Manning was back at it on Valentine's Day, surprising 400 widows with a bouquet of flowers, and a gift bag with gifts and gift cards from local businesses who have donated their goods. Keep shining Ashley!
-Sonny
If it hasn't been a good day for you, I hope you know you're not alone. Here are 3 simple, yet profound truths that you can cling to today!
What happened the other night at the Dallas Mavericks game gave a whole new meaning to "Love & Basketball"!
During the NFL Honors Ceremony, God was given the glory! Damar Hamlin won the Alan Page Community Award where, standing in front of the medical team that saved his life, he thanked God for His blessings.
Hi, it's Sonny.
I am a dog lover, specifically German Shepherds. We lost our beloved Mimi three years ago after 15-years of her protection, companionship, and love, so when I saw this story of Kaya, I instantly prayed for her human Cole Lyle. I know that heartache. So sorry for your loss brother.
Thank you for your service, Kaya.
What's that saying? It's never the wrong time to do the right thing? Well, Michigan resident Diane Gordon made the choice to do the right thing when she found a plastic bag full of money and didn't think twice before turning it in.
In less than a weeks time, Diane is reaping the benefits five fold!
Earlier this week in Turkey and Syria, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck that has now taken the lives of over 12,000 people and has injured nearly 60,000 others.
Would you join me in prayer?
In this epsiode of Old Dad / New Dad, Old Dad (Sonny) and New Dad (Josh) hang out with Chef Dad (Tim Mozell) to celebrate Valentine's Day with a delicious risotto recipe, and discuss how cooking can be a great bonding experience for you and your children!
Bon Appetite!
Have you been calling on Jesus but yet you're still stressed out? Boy, I've been there!
That usually happens when I'm trying to do everything by myself. But I've found when I take it to him in prayer and trust, I find peace also!
Question for you: Have you found yourself overwhelmed recently? Feeling frazzled. It's actually not much of a surprise. Our brains weren't designed for all that comes at us.
I pray you find some time to restore rest into your routine. I know I need it, too.
A lot of crazy things happen during sporting events: close finishes, amazing athletic feats. But I can truly say I've never seen this happen at a sporting event!
Friend, if you feel all alone, please know God is with you.
"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 46:4
If you have not seen the story of JamieLynn and AmieLynn, it is simply amazing. These twins were conjoined until a medical team of 50 successfully separated them at Cook's Children Hospital in Fort Worth, the first such surgery ever attempted in Cook's more than 100-year existence.
But God!!
Dylan went diving with friends in Florida when he drifted more than a mile away. They couldn't see him and left. The Coast Guard started a search, but his mother Tabitha lead the charge to find him saying, “It definitely had to be a miracle,” she said. “It had to be God protecting him the whole time, our angels above, because for us to land right on him, you could see it’s a needle in a haystack out there."
Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, Light in the darkness, my God that is who You are!
It's a cop caper in Wyandotte, Michigan where this police officer has been accused of stealing!
But on the other hand, this might be cutest criminal ever haha
If you we're given too much change while paying for something, would you say something?
One man was faced with that scenario in a massive way. Take a listen to see how he responds!
Many people struggle with negative thoughts. I have been there. Someone shared this with me and it's really caused me to think.
"Your mind is a garden, your thoughts are the seeds. Are you growing flowers? Or are you growing weeds?"
Many of us allow the opinions of others to bring us down. I have been there. But the quote “Your opinion of me is none of MY business” helped change my perspective. I hope this reminder will help you too!
According to a new poll, the average American has kept 20 toys from their childhood.
Where do you fall on that spectrum? More? Less?
As believers, people are watching us whether we know it or not (but not in like a weird, stalker way.)
We have this new security guard in our building and anyone who knows me knows that I make it a point to welcome anyone new. He saw me the other day carrying a book that we're currently reading a staff and what he said was equal parts encouraging and convicting to me.
Could a bad mood actually be a good thing? One recent study says being a grouch has it's benefits!
Flying soon? Listen to what this flight attendant has to say about the unspoken rules of the sky and what you can do to ensure that receive the best service possible where you may be headed!
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds." - Psalm 9:1
If you've sat in rush hour in Dallas, you may have thought "It can't any worse than this. Right?" Actually, it does (by quite a bit!)
Have you ever had days where God has placed a loved one who has passed away on your heart? Today is that day for me. I can't help but thank God for my mom, Susie.
I probably won't know this side of heaven just how many times my mom's prayers helped save my life, but I know they did.
If you still have your parents, give them a call today. Let them know just how much you love them. I'd love for one more of those calls. Miss you, mom.
Frank Steele is the owner Frankenson's, a Las Vegas-based restuarant that had been his dream to open for 30 years. But Frank admitted that his 4-month-old restuarant had some trouble getting off the ground and that he was “lucky if I did $400 a day.”
Enter TikTok Food Review sensation Keith Lee.
Some people are haunted by their past. Some people believe their struggles stop God from loving them. Friend, if that's you, I've got some good news for you.
When Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field last Monday night, his prognosis looked bleak. Less than 2 weeks later, all you can say is "But God..."
On this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh talk through New Year's Resolutions and how there's grace in our efforts to grow!
Thanks so much for listening to Old Dad / New Dad, brought to you by the KCBI Podcast Network. We'd love if you'd subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcast that way we can grow the show and more people can join in on the encouraging conversation!
Imagine this: you and your spouse are on a road trip and you stop off to fill up on gas. Your spouse runs inside to get a few snacks and use the restroom. You get back in the car and start driving only to realize you left your spouse behind. How far would you get? How much trouble would you be in?
What if I told you that distance was 100 miles and your spouse walked 13 miles to nearest police station? True story!
Today, I'm celebrating my friend Ruth's divorce decree. It's a little different than you might think!
Welcome to Flight #2023!
My name is Sonny and I'll be attendant on this flight.
As we prepared to take off into this New Year, I have just a couple of instructions. Please make sure your Attitude and Blessings are secured and locked in an upright position. All self-destructive devices should be turned off at this time. All negativity, hurt and discouragement should also be put away.
Should we lose Altitude under pressure, during the flight, reach up and pull down a Prayer. Prayers will automatically be activated by Faith. Once your Faith is activated, you can assist other passengers.
Lastly, there will be NO BAGGAGE allowed on this flight. The Captain (GOD) has cleared us for takeoff.
Destination JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, LOVE.
Enjoy your flight!
People all across the nation came together last night in prayer for Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, who collapsed suddenly during last night's Monday Night Football game. Though Damar's health is still up in the air, something pretty incredible has come out of it.
When you really think about it, the reality of the Christmas story is breath taking.
Jesus was created of a mother who He created, He was carried by hands that he formed, He cried in the manger in wordless infancy. All by design.
Because of that baby, we have hope.
What J. I. Packer said about the beauty of Jesus in human form really resets my gaze on the beauty of Christ this Christmas and I hope it might do the same for you!
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
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Merry Christmas!
This Christmas, what will Christ find in you? Will he find a warm heart?
Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving others with God's own love and concern
Feeling stressed with Christmas coming up this weekend? I understand.
But I'm not going to try and provide any counsel. Nope, I'll just defer to this 5-year-old who's got just the right words.
Word of advice: if you feel like the Lord placed someone on your heart to reach out to, do it. I was gonna call, but now, it's too late.
Do you remember the first time you saw "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Special? Can you believe it came out in 1965??
There's a lot to love about it but there's this part in the movie where Linus tells the other characters about the true meaning of Christmas by reciting the story of Jesus' birth from Luke 2. If you know anything about Charlie Brown and specifically the character Linus, he always carries around a blanket for security. About 40 seconds into his speech, he gets to the part where he says "..Fear Not...", he drops the blanket. He let go of it.
The message is simple, yet brilliant. The birth of Jesus separates us from our fears. So this Christmas season, you no longer have to cling to the metaphorical blanket you carry to deal with your insecurities because through Christ, you can walk in strength.
The Christmas season can be stressful and if you're feeling the weight of that stress as you head into this weekend, you may be reaching your limit.
What if I told you the remedy is simpler than you think?
On this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh discuss their most memorable Christmas stories and reflect of the most memorable Christmas of all!
Thanks so much for listening to Old Dad / New Dad, brought to you by the KCBI Podcast Network. We'd love if you'd subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcast that way we can grow the show and more people can join in on the encouraging conversation!
If your parents yelled at you and you find you do the same with your children, you can break that chain.
If you fear you've written to many "IOU's" to God that you can't cash, don't worry friend. There's grace for that!
God is the mender on your broken heart. But to do that, he first needs all of the broken pieces.
Friend, if you're struggling right now to believe that you've could experience God's grace, I've got some good news for you.
God's grace is like any present: It's not earned, it's given out of love.
If you can just feel it in your chest, the stress in your world right now. Maybe you're on the verge of taking it out on someone. I think we all have been there. I came across something that really helped me and I hope it might help you too.
If you’re struggling to feel that Christmas Spirit, we've got a brand new Devotional called "Christmas Through Their Eyes: Lessons from 12 Men and Women in the Christmas Story" like Mary, the Mother of Jesus...
When do you decorate your Christmas tree?
In a recent study, 25% of people said they did this past weekend (the first weekend of December), another 25% will this weekend (the second weekend of December, and 5% said wait until Christmas Eve.
How about you?
Though the world may seem like it's full of senseless violence, hate will lose every time.
If you we're in the presence of someone going into labor? I don't think I would, but one 10-year-old lived up to her name through this "miracle" delivery!
If you find yourself really struggling to find things to be thankful for this time of year, I get it. I've been down some pretty dark roads, but I just want you to know: Life is better because your in it.
If you need a little encouragement today, I've actually got a letter with your name on it!
If you or someone you know is battling addiction, I pray this testimony can be an encouragement.
I recently got to chat with for King & Country's Luke Smallbone and he's got a really interesting outlook on suffering that I think may bless you today!
As humans, we make snap judgements everyday. Some of those judgements are fair and some, if we're honest, are unfair and leave us feeling not so great in the aftermath. Myself included. The good news is, grace is new each and every morning.
On this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh discuss what it looks like to have gratitude this holiday season even if you find yourself in the middle of a challenging time.
Thanks so much for listening to Old Dad / New Dad, brought to you by the KCBI Podcast Network. We'd love if you'd subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to podcast that way we can grow the show and more people can join in on the encouraging conversation!
Thanksgiving is this week which is an exciting time for many, but according to a recent, that might not be the case for your Gen Z relatives.
I can't help but smile when I see how you have shown love through Faith Hope Love. The last we looked, there are over 16,000 cards out there circulating in DFW right now and I just heard a story from one of our listeners that might be my new favorite! is one of my favorite acts, she said whenever I see a cashier having a tough day I always look at the candy selection by the register and ask, “excuse me, I can’t decide. What’s your favorite?” Then I buy whatever they say and hand it to them after the sale and tell them they’re doing a great job and I hope this candy and card makes your day even better. That’s FHL at kcbi.org
for KING & COUNTRY's A Drummer Boy Christmas is coming to the American Airlines Center Thanksgiving Weekend, Sunday November 27th, and I had the opportunity to chat with one half of the sibling duo, Luke Smallbone (the tall one haha!)
We talked about the upcoming show, why he's currently on the set of a movie, and Luke has a special message for those who feel like they're without hope.
We are T-minus 7 days and counting till thanksgiving, and its never too late to look around and see what you can be thankful for.
On a recent drive into work, we had a uncharacteristically foggy morning. Luckily I had a GPS to get me where I was going.
Then I started thinking: In life, when I can't see where I'm going, when I don't know what the path holds up ahead, when I don't know the right steps to take. I have to rely on different type of GPS to help me find my way.
For some reason as of recent, I’ve found myself tossing and turning at night. My mind just won’t quiet and I’m left with heavy eyes and a heart full of anxiety. I hope not, but maybe that sounds all too familiar.
If so, will you meditate on this truth with me?
If it feels like your life teeters on the ups and downs, I hope this message from my dear friend Randi can bring some ease to your worry today!
This past weekend, I experienced something a little out of the norm for me. For some reason, on a couple different occasions, I got bit by the comparison bug. I looked at other's joy and felt less than joyful. If you've felt those feelings too, can I say a prayer for us?
If you're from the south, then you've probably familiar with the statement "Bless Your Heart!"
What took place at this BBQ Joint in North Carolina might be most appropriate "Bless Your Heart" ever!
I remember back to the last years of my mom's life. She battled with dementia until she was received into glory and I just remember fights we would have. I wish I knew then what I know now: I wasn't fighting with my mom, I was fighting the disease.
I came across this video of Scott who's been diagnosed with early onset dementia and how his daughter, Bailey, handled this conversation brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye.
If you got up to see the Beaver Blood Moon yesterday morning, you’re my type of peeps. The reason woke up early to see it wasn't because I'm just crazy enough to be up at that hour (though I might be!) It was so I could pray.
On this election day, Americans across the country are making their voices heard as they exercise their right to vote. Today, I'm reminded of these beautiful lyrics from "America The Beautiful"
"O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties, Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee.
And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!"
Folks all across our KCBI family are praying right now for our nation, let's pray together at kcbi.org.
As we all scramble to burn those final days off before the end of the year (guilty!), maybe you're wondering "How can I get the most out of my days off in 2023?"
I've got your answer!
Are you sick and tired of being "sick and tired?"
I have some encouragement for you today.
This upcoming Saturday, Daylight Savings Time is coming to an ends and we will "fall back" an hour so allow this to be your PSA to make sure to set your clocks back an hour before going to bed on Saturday.
But will this be the last time?
We all want the best for our children. How do you raise your children to be successful adults? Failure might just be the answer.
If you or a loved one is batting an illness, I pray what my dear friend Sarah is going through will speak to your heart.
Some people don't think about God's presence in their lives until the "close calls." What about the times we don't even know he's protecting us?
Have you ever felt like your child doesn't love you? You're not alone. Sonny and Josh discuss that and more of the hard stuff of parenting in this episode of Old Dad / New Dad.
If you like what you hear, we'd love for you subscribe, download, or even leave a review wherever you get your podcasts!
I wonder if you're experiencing something where it feel like God is running late or worse just forgot to show up all together. The late Billy Graham has an encouragement for you today.
"Never forget that God isn’t bound by time the way we are. We see only the present moment; God sees everything. We see only part of what He is doing; He sees it all." - Billy Graham
Believe it or not, faith and fear actually have something in common: they both ask us to believe in something we can't see.
What will your choice be today?
The month of October is Pastor Appreciation Month and I want to take a second to shine some light on a pastor from back home in New York who's generosity and kindness has left a permeant impact on my life
I have a rescue story for you that hits close to home.
It about this guy. He used to hang out with people who would always gossip, and found that their unhappiness, fear and negativity was contagious. It caused him to be angry, anger to the verge of outburst. That was until he met wife. Through that gift from God, this guy found out her happiness, optimism and love was even more contagious, and now… that guy is your afternoon host on 90.9 KCBI
Are you overdue for a goodnight's sleep? Experts say if it works for a toddler, it'll work for you!
Are you crying out to God for help but for some reason, he feels silent?
Friend, please allow me to encourage you: God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, God is there. If you’re kicked in the gut, He will help you catch your breath. God didn’t say you wouldn't go through hard times, but He did say that He will help you through them.
People are quitting social media for a number of reasons, and honestly, I get it. A lot of days, my timeline is filled with anger and negativity but then sometimes, you come across a story like Sage's.
Planning on doing some traveling during the holidays this year? Take the advice of someone who's paying the price, literally: Don't. Wait. Get your tickets NOW.
Friend, even if it doesn't feel like it, God is on your side! He always has been, always will be.
Some of us get so busy in life, we may miss the big picture with our children. There’s a social media post from a trauma counselor who shared what some of her youngest patients said to her and after reading the responses, I feel a renewed sense of motivation as a dad.
I want to introduce you to James Harrison, maybe better known as "The Man With The Golden Arm"
This woman was nervous to go to work everyday because she had to take the bus and the only bus that could pick her up left at 5 in the morning. On top of that, she was pregnant with her second child and would carry her son with her to that bus stop with her everyday.
One day, a man started showing up and would wait at that bus stop until her bus came, it made her even more nervous.
What happened next might have you in tears..
In our latest episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Producer Josh and I talk about what it looks like to be peacemakers in our homes. In a vulnerable moment, Josh brought up something and it really made me miss my mom...
Indiana Police Officer Seara Burton was killed in the line of duty last month. Many have given in support, but no gift was more valuable than the one given in a tattered, dirty white envelope.
Have you wondered "When is the right time to pray about (fill in the blank)?" The Apostle Paul has your answer!
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Sometimes we look at other's successes and think "Why not me?"
The answer might just be hidden on other side of an HVAC system!
In this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh discuss why being a peacemaker in your has a chance to make all the difference in your relationships with your children.
The scars of this life can make it hard to forgive and have peace. Especially when it comes to forgiving yourself.
Planning on visiting the State Fair of Texas this weekend? Here's what you need to know!
Nothing about Aaron Judge's story is ordinary. Adopted at birth. Grew to be 6'7, 282lbs. Just broke a 61 year old record. Plays for an audience of One.
There nothing quite like barbershop talk, but I heard something the other day that really caught my attention.
I was getting my haircut when I overheard these two men talking about their lives. One of the guys was talking about how he wanted everything now and was tired of having to wait. The other, a younger man, responded with a question. "Brother, can I tell something about patience?"
Begrudgingly, the older man nodded his head with a look of skepticism on his face.
"When you have patience with your family, that's love.
When you have patience with me and other people, that's respect.
When you have patience with yourself, that's grace.
When you have patience with God, that's faith."
There are stories of hope I will never forget from the 90.9 KCBI Fall Fundraiser, like Betty and Brandle.
Timothy Keller, a well-known pastor and author, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer over 2 years ago and despite a grim diagnosis, the Lord has given him more time. He has some words for you in your time of uncertainty.
Have you ever had a conversation with someone who just wouldn't stop talking and took no time to listen to what you have to say? That's not much of a conversation.
I think about that when I spend time with God in prayer...
Maybe there's something or someone you've been praying for recently and it just feels like the line between you and God got disconnected. Wow have I been there!
When that happens I sometimes wonder if I did something wrong. I remember feeling that way with my mom. Was my prayer not good enough? God, are you mad at me? Can you even hear me?
Well, I recently came across this post on Facebook that brought my heart some much needed comfort, maybe it'll do the same for you.
"Wait what? God doesn't always heal? I disagree! Prayers for healing are the safest prayers we can pray because God always says 'yes'. Now...let's define 'yes'. If he heals you here, your healing is temporary. It's still good and amazing, but it will not last forever. You will get sick again. You will die. I've never met a 2,000 year old Christian! But if he releases you from your mortal body, and heals you in THAT way, then, you are healed forever! No more sickness, no more pain, no more tears. The problem isn't, sometimes God heals and sometimes he doesn't, the problem is, we've begun to cherish 'temporary healing' over 'eternal healing' so much so, we now dismiss eternal healing as any type of healing at all."
You may feel like no matter what you do, life is doing everything it can to erase your good work. My advice? Do it anyway.
I was out a the store the other day when I got a compliment from the man in front of me in line and I'll be honest, I didn't know how to respond...
In this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh discuss how they came to have a relationship with Jesus and what it looks like to live out their faith with their daughters.
Did you mess up again? Boy, do I understand. Let say this together:
Yes, I make mistakes.
Yes, I fail.
Yes, I struggle.
Yes, I'm a mess.
But I'm God's mess.
And God can take my mess and make a masterpiece.
Depression is a very real thing for those right here in our KCBI community, maybe it’s your reality. I have a friend, Julie, who has battled depression for close to 40 years and she shared something recently that I wanted you to read.
Hurt in life is not an "if", but a "when." Typically, when I experience hurt, I just want to find the quickest route from point A to point B to get rid of those feelings as quick as I possibly can.
I say this from experience: Take the time to heal. You and I don't have control over our hurt so why try and rush through it? Allow God to work out your hurt and your healing on his timeline even when it doesn't match your timeline. You can trust him with this.
The Friday Night Lights are back on across the state of Texas and you might be headed out tonight to watch a loved one play! The cheering will be loud, the emotions will almost certainly run high, I get it, football is serious business in Texas but please… it’s not THAT serious. Now before you report me for heresy, hear me out.
Simone Edmond has been a Dallas ISD bus driver for 22 years but she was faced with a situation that no one could be prepared for and her response is nothing short of heroic!
We've all been there. You've got a big life decision on your hands and you don't want to mess it up. You don't want to try and fail. But why? Failure is progress, it isn't worth fearing.
This school teacher started the "I Do Too!" movement to get her 1st grade students to socialize and I may just have to join in!
She had every student stand up and one at a time they would say what the favorite color was, or their favorite food, or their favorite animal and if there was another student who had that thing in common, they'd yell out "I Do Too!" and would run over to the student who just shared. What ensued was pure joy: laughing, running around, talking with one another, friendships being formed.
Don't you just love it? I do too!
We have moved 3 times in the last 3 weeks (I can hear the audible groans of sympathy) but during that time, I received a much needed encouragement from the unlikeliest of places.
I was out this weekend at a store making a return when I saw a security guard in yelling at the young lady, “You don’t have any shoes on!” and a customer added, “She stinks and she’s talking to herself, too!”, but what happened next is something I had to share with you.
2-year-old Ethan was outside with his mom playing with bubbles: laughing, smiling. But what he did next is something out of a movie scene!
One of my favorite quotes is "Always preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words."
I used to get together with a group of friends to play cards and we had a blast together. We'd talk, we'd swap stories as we played, and we all happened to be Christians except for one of our friends, Jerry. Every time we got together, he would just sit there and soak up everything we said and eventually, Jerry started asking us questions about our faith. He said he loved that we didn’t preach at him or hang out with him just to try to convert him. He said he wanted to know more about this faith thing.
Well yesterday, out of the blue, I got a message from Jerry. He reached out to say that God had called him to not only to the faith, but ministry and that he got his degree as a Christian counselor🙌
-Sonny
If you're ready to break up with getting mad, yelling at people, and then feeling bad about it afterwards for days on end...welcome to my world.
What are the chances you would lose your wedding ring 1300 miles from home only for it to be found by a complete stranger who happens to live 25 miles from you? Who says miracles don't still happen!
I'm about to tell you something that might get me in trouble with my wife, but I have to fill you in.
If you've gone to an event that required a nice dress, than you have to make sure your man looks the part as well. And that's exactly what I thought I was doing! I bought a shirt I loved, I thought it looked great, but it wasn't wifey approved.
"It doesn't go with my dress. You know what let's go buy you a shirt." I'm good with it. Happy wife, happy life. We found a shirt that matched here dress. Good to go, right?
"You know what? I think we should get some new pants to go with your new shirt that will match my dress!" We found the perfect pair of pants. Surely we'll be good to go.
"Oh, but look at these shoes! Hon, it'll tie it all together!" A full matching outfit.
Needless to say, I think I'm going to look the part just fine!
-Sonny
Friend, please hear this: God loves you because he chooses to do so. God's love for you isn't an obligation and it isn't hard for him to do so even if that's the way it feels sometimes. I don't know about you, but I'm so glad God's love isn't dependent on my feelings at all. My feelings change all the time, but his love never does because of Jesus.
In this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh get you ready to head back to school with some tips and learned wisdom to make it a great year for your kids!
As teachers are making their way back to school in preparation for the school year ahead, I want to take a second to celebrate the educators in our lives.
If you've ever lost a loved one, then you know how grief can just come in waves. This morning, out of nowhere, I was overcome by a feeling of grief. I was crying and I had no idea why, then a Facebook memory popped up and it all made sense. It was two years ago that my mother took her last breath on earth and had her first sight of Heaven.
Thank you for all of your sacrifices for me, Thank you for loving me, thank you for being my mother. Love you forever, Susie. Lord, please give her a hug for me.
-Son
Can you believe it is already August??
I am praying for you as we head into this new month. Heavenly Father, go before my friend with your guidance, your protection, and your peace. Please allow this month to be filled with your blessings (and some cooler weather wouldn't hurt either.)
In Jesus name, Amen!
In my experience, clarity just starts with a willingness to listen. The same holds true with a conversation I recently had with a friend.
The next time you get the urge to blow your horn at the person in front of you, just try an have some patience. It might save you some embarrassment!
I went to go grab some lunch at a fast food spot and the line was 7 cars deep. I knew it was going to take a while but it took longer because the car directly in front of me wasn't paying attention. 1 car length. 2 car lengths. Still no movement. I wanted to give the horn a little tap but I decided against it and luckily he looked up and moved forward.
Less than a minute later, same thing. The cars in front of him we're moving but he just sat there. Patience Sonny, patience. Don't tap your horn. He eventually moved and we all caught up.
Then I get a text and decided to check it and respond, by the time I looked up, that car that was in front me? 3 car lengths ahead! I couldn't help but blow the horn at myself. I see what you did there, God.
I don’t know if you saw pictures of the Balch Springs fire that destroyed 9 homes and damaged 26 others. Of all the images I saw, I think one picture summed it all up. It was of a man on his knees, slouched over, devastated. Gotta say, that picture brought me to tears, and when I’m brought to tears, I’m also brought to prayer.
Father, comfort those who are grieving, we grieve with them. Be their peace, be their comfort. In Jesus name. Amen.
If you're anything like me, then you play the comparison game way too often. Friend, I want to encourage you with a piece of wisdom that was shared with me recently.
The next phase of our KCBI Summer of Service, DFW Shoe Drive, is starting soon and I gotta be honest, this hits differently for me.
Our goal with the DFW Shoe drive is to make sure no child has to worry about what they're going to have on their feet for the beginning of the school year and I understand this because I was one of those kids. Growing up in a single parent home in West Virginia, I know my mom did the best she could but we just didn't have money for new shoes. I remember my shoes had holes in the sole so I would put newspaper and cardboard in them to keep the bottom of my feet from getting torn up. I know how that feels.
But I thank God for bringing me from that to where I am today to encourage you to help children right here in DFW focus on just being kids.
So my wife and I are a month away from celebrating our 26th anniversary, and a lot of the credit goes to something Mrs. Delfyette taught me early in our marriage called "Active Responsibility".
"Hey hon all the dishes are dirty…" then wash them. "Hon, I’m hungry..." then cook. For a long time I practiced "passive responsibility." That’s when you wait for your mate to tell you what to do and, according to a marriage therapist, it's one of the most frequent complaints she gets from wives about their husbands.
Husbands, be your wife's partner. Serve her. Be an active responder.
As we continue to monitor the Chalk Mountain fires taking place about 45 miles from Fort Worth in Somervell County, I came across a post from one of our KCBI volunteers who happens to live near the area affected and I wanted to pass it along to you.
"Please join me in praying for our community. Several active fires right now. Hearing reports that they lost two fire trucks and two squad cars to one of them. There is ash falling outside. If you have the capability to move livestock and are in the area, that is greatly needed as well."
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers for calm winds, rain, and protection of those battling to contain the fire damage And for those who call this area home, Lord, please help them to safely evacuate and keep your hand of protection over their homes. Amen.
-Sonny
There's no doubt about it, our nation has it's troubles. But there's no other place I'd rather be.
I remember meeting English speakers during my trip to Poland with Texas Baptist Men and each time I told them where I was from, their eyes lit up. Some asked me questions of what it was like to live in America and some expressed their desire to become a citizen one day. It may seem simple, but even where we live is worth celebrating.
Do you have a friend or family member you've been meaning to catch up with but just haven't had the time?
A recent study shows even a 5 minute phone call creates a stronger reconnection that sending a text. I decided to put it to the test.
"One person can make a difference. You don't have to be a big shot. You don't have to have a lot of influence. You just have to have faith in your power to change things." - Norman Vincent Peale
Maybe you're new to North Texas and you're wondering "What are these rolling blackouts I'm hearing about?"
First things first, you probably need to know who ERCOT is. ERCOT stands for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and they operate the state's electric grid. When they see how much energy they have and how much is demand and that number is near the same, they start these things called Rolling Blackouts.
This means cutting power in one part of the state to allow for the rest of the state to keep its own. After one city or region may have their power cut for a few hours, the power company will shift where the power has been limited to another city or region—hence the term “rolling.”
Can I ask you a tough question? If you had to guess how many times a day do you talk down to yourself? I know firsthand what takes place during my meeting with the mirror. If I’m honest, it’s rarely pretty.
I came across a new poll that found the average person does so more than three times a day. That includes both insulting things you say, and insulting thoughts. Even if you don’t say it, it still counts. Unfortunately, women do it more than men. The average guy insults himself three times a day, nearly 1,100 times a year but for women, that number is four times a day, which is almost 1,500 times a year.
Friend, whether you believe it to be true or not, you are perfectly and wonderfully made. God’s love for you is constant because He is constant. Let’s remember that during our next meeting with the mirror.
-Sonny
It's amazing what can happen when we choose kindness when we face adversity. Sometimes, it change the dynamic of a relationship marked by years of toxic behavior!
In this episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh discuss having daughters and hear from some ladies from the office on their experience with their dads.
Well friend, I officially feel old after hearing this conversation between a mother and daughter as they cleaning out the house.
I have a cousin who was a prisoner to drugs, but today, she’s thankful for her scars.
I remember when I saw this cousin in person after she had started using, it just broke my heart. Drugs had ravaged her body: Her eyes were sunken, she was missing teeth, she had lost weight, and just about everyone in her life had turned their backs on her. But God never did… Instead, he used our Aunties as prayer warriors on her behalf. Day after day, they continued lifting her up in prayer and let her know she wasn’t fighting alone. Then it happened. She gave her addiction to God and asked Jesus back into her life.
Nowadays she’s not only clean, she’s thriving! She’s managing a company and better yet, she’s now helping other women who were in her position to break those same chains of addiction.
Please never stop praying for that person in your life, friend. God is able.
-Sonny
When I was a boy growing up, all I wanted to be was a professional football player, but God had other plans. For Khari Willis, that dream became a reality. But God still had other plans and Khari is answering that call!
If you're anything like me, then you may have said that this at some point: "Gosh, I wish I could pray like THAT!" There is probably someone you know who just has these beautiful, eloquent prayers. Someone who doesn't stumble over their words or get nervous when asked to pray. Must be nice haha.
But then I was reminded of this: "The power of your prayer isn't in the words you speak, but in the power of He who hears your prayer." Friend, you have God's ear. He just wants to hear from you!
In the pilot episode of Old Dad / New Dad, Sonny and Josh introduce themselves, their families, and their paths to fatherhood.
A quick shout out to you if when a light turns green and the car in front of you doesn’t move, you blow the horn.
This morning on my way to work, I was about to turn at a green light but I noticed the car in the left lane stopped abruptly, the car behind it slammed on its brakes and starts blowing its horn, the cars behind them followed suit. Then an SUV rips through the intersection from our left a good 3 seconds after the light turned green.
Thankful God sees the bigger picture.
Are you a duck or an eagle? That’s what Wasu asked himself.
Wasu owns a cab in India, one that is the cleanest on the inside and out as he awaits for passengers at the train station. He hands every customer a business card and offers coffee, water, and soda as part of the fair. Wasu said “It’s only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard about power of choice one day.’
‘Power of choice is that you can be a duck or an eagle. If you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you’ll rarely disappoint yourself. Stop complaining! Don’t be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.’
‘That hit me right,’ said Wasu, ‘It is about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more…My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year, I’ll probably quadruple it. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on it.’
So friend, you’ve got a choice. Will you be a duck or an eagle today?
If life seems unfair right now, I hope this will help.
Before working in Christian radio I had my so-called dream job in Los Angeles where I worked with an actress comedian on a show heard nationwide. I was also supposed to be her co-host on her upcoming television show, and I was making the most money in my life! On the outside, life looked perfect, but I was miserable! She didn’t believe in Jesus and her husband would always mock my faith. The saying, “all that glitters is not gold” applied here. So I asked God to take it away if He didn’t want me there, and believe or not, they fired me the very next day. I walked to my car and I started to cry, but I stopped immediately when I remembered my prayer and knew that God would take care of us. Now I’ll be honest, we struggled for a few years living from paycheck to paycheck, but our needs were always met and the Lord eventually led me to my real dream job, as your afternoon host on 90.9 KCBI!
So if life is tough for you at the moment, please remember to keep the faith, God’s got you, and better days are coming.
Imagine you are a bottle. Are you filled with soda or water? What's inside is your emotions and reactions. Some people may try to shake and rattle your "bottle" from time to time and if you're filled with emotions like soda you will explode! But if they shake your "bottle" filled with water, self assurance and peace, no matter how hard they try, your response will be calm like still water. Remember friend, no one can "make you mad" unless you give them that power.
May His peace be with you.
As pool season begins throughout North Texas, here’s something for parents with young children.
When shopping for suits this year think BRIGHT yellows, reds, pinks, and neons! Where black, green and blues will disappear in the water, bright colors stand out. In fact one mom posted, “thank you! My 2 year old wore neon orange to swim class and ran and jumped into the deep end while I was grabbing a pool chair. When I turned to look for him, he was gone and all I could see was his orange suit 3 feet under water. Thank God we pulled him out quickly, and besides some choking on the water, he was okay. I don’t know if I would have seen him so quickly in a regular color.”
And remember no life jacket, flotation device, # of swim lessons, type of lesson, or color of suit should ever replace adult supervision of children around water. Let’s be pool safe Dallas-Fort Worth!
All of us probably have that person you know that constantly has their social media boxing gloves on just ready for an argument. One of my friends fits that bill, but he shared something that hit differently this morning. He posted:
"My son and his friends were caught in an undertow at the beach this weekend, his friend could not swim at all so Eric took it upon himself to try to save this kid's life, he told me "Dad, I never knew how hard it is for these lifeguards or anyone to save someone that can't swim, I had him trying to pull him by his shoulders and neck and he fought me and then he was pushing me underwater to try to get above and he was forcing me down and then I couldn't breathe" he then said out of nowhere they were both lifted out of the water, and when he looked up there was no one there. The lifeguards were in a boat and they were still 25 to 30 ft. away to come rescue them...." he added, "You can be atheist, you can have no faith but my faith will always be my guide as I do believe in angels and our Lord!"
Hallelujah.
She was lost but now she’s found and I wanted to share her story of Amazing Grace with you!
There will be a day that the hatred of this world will not be the top news story, unfortunately, today is not that day. Please pray for the city of Uvalde, those at Robb Elementary, and for the families who have experienced loss today. Lord be with them.
The power of your prayer isn't in the words you speak, but in the power of He who hears your prayer!
Sometimes we try to speak life when we have friends who are hurting but despite our best intentions, we can actually end up doing more harm than good with our words. Our words matter. I came across this post about how better be there for those who are hurting:
If your friend tells you her dad’s cancer has metastasized, don’t say, “I’m sure he’ll beat it.” Be sincere, say, “I’m really sorry. I know that’s not the news you were hoping for. I’m here for you.”
When your family pet dies, instead of telling your kids, “Be glad we had her for as long as we did,” say, “This is really hard. I’m grateful that we have each other. How are you feeling?”
When your husband gets passed over for a promotion, swap “everything happens for a reason” with “sometimes we don’t get what we want and it stinks.” Then ask, “How can I support you through this?”
When you feel like you’re failing as a mom, instead of “just stay positive,” tell yourself, “My feelings are valid. Parenting is hard.”
And sometimes when a friend is telling you how much they hurt, say nothing. Just be there for them and listen. Sometimes the best encouragement you can give is two ears.
How do you surrender? What does that even mean? Well, I hope this illustration might help.
I want you to picture yourself driving your car and you notice that you are on E. So, you go to the gas station and do what? Do you sit there, and your car is magically filled with gas? Not unless you live in New Jersey where they pump your gas for you, no you’re a North Texan! You get out, open your gas cap, and fill your car up! The same way you get filled with God. You don’t just sit there; you open your heart, ask for forgiveness, and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. You stop trusting in yourself and you trust Him to help in your life. And here's the best news: the price of God's fuel is free.
There will be a day that the hatred of this world will not be the top news story, unfortunately, today is not that day.
I've got to be honest, the horror that happened in Buffalo over the course of the weekend hit me hard. That’s where I used to broadcast to for 13 years. My cousin’s boyfriend was heading there to that very shop but stopped to help someone else. I’m receiving messages from former listeners who knew people whose lives were taken, so I ask you to join me in this prayer.
Maybe you've heard of the our Faith Hope Love Experiment that is making its way through DFW. We'd like you to meet Ashley who was on the receiving end of a KCBI listener's Act of Kindness.
The heat is real here in North Teat with temps in the mid to upper 90’s for the next 10 days, so here's some tips to beat the heat:
Pre-hydrate. Drink plenty of fluids; drink about 16 ounces before starting and 5 to 7 ounces every 15 or 20 minutes.
Avoid dehydrating liquids. Coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks can hurt more than help.
Eat smaller meals. Eat fruits high in fiber and natural juice. Avoid high protein foods.
After a long week, you may be looking forward to sleeping in, but is there such a thing as too much sleep?
I came across a post from a Mom here on Facebook that I thought you might like to hear from. Sometimes in parenting, tough love is necessary, and honestly, that's okay.
If there is one thing I've learned in my almost 60 years of life, it's that perspective is everything.
Am I a good neighbor? 92% of Americans would say yes, but what makes a good neighbor? A friendly wave in the morning? Accepting deliveries while their away?
I would say a better first question is "Do I even know my neighbor?" and go from there.
Maybe you went all out on celebrating your mom this Mother's Day, but according to this poll, what Mom may really want can't be bought!
Today is National Teachers Appreciation Day and I want to take a second to celebrate the teachers in our lives. Think about it, no matter where we are in life, a teacher influenced us. When we meet new employees with a wealth of skills and abilities, a teacher helped shaped them. Every new business owner, doctor, engineer, or nurse can name a teacher who inspired them. Every one of us has at least one teacher in mind who encouraged and motivated us during our education and beyond, and if you have the chance, say thank you!
I’d like to say a special shout out to my favorite teacher, and my baby-girl Simone who teaches Pre-K, and my in-laws Jeff and Angela who are also educators here in DFW!
Lord, protect them, give them Your patience, give them Your heart to care, and encourage them to know how important their profession is! In Jesus name! Amen! ✏️📚🍎
An Oklahoma couple were on their way to Las Vegas for a wedding chapel elopement from DFW when their connecting flight was canceled. Pam and Jeremy hopped on another flight across town from Love Field and had a change of plans when discovering a fellow passenger happened to be an ordained minister!
Maybe for one reason or another, you haven't been to church in a while. Maybe you’re hesitant to go because you feel out of place, that it's just been too long, or that church is only for those Christians who don’t sin. I hope these words of encouragement can ease your mind.
“The church is not an institution for perfect people. It is a sanctuary for sinners saved by grace, a nursery for God’s sweet children to be nurtured and grow strong. It is the fold for Christ’s sheep, the home for Christ’s family. The church is the dearest place on earth.” - Charles Spurgeon
Just like a flicker of light in a dark room, even a small amount of hope can go a long way in this dark world!
Sign up to receive your Faith Hope Love cards today!
I don't know what's in the water over in Highland Park, with alumnus Clayton Kershaw winning a world series, Matthew Stafford winning the super bowl, and now Scottie Sheffler winning this year's Masters, but I need some ASAP! As impressive as winning the Masters was, it's what Scottie said after his win yesterday I wanted to share with you here on 90.9 KCBI!
Today is National Pet Day and I truly believe the only reason I'm here talking to you is because God used my late German Shephard, Mimi, to save my life!
Should you buy or rent? This is a question most of us will likely face in our lives and one you may be facing right now. I’m not telling you anything new when I say the housing market is crazy, but just how crazy?
The Lord tells us that as we do for the least of these, we do for Him, but I’m kinda struggling with something that I hope you can help me with.
I live in downtown Dallas and pretty much every day I come across someone panhandling, and I do my best to help when I can. But even then I have people like the man yesterday who snatched the dollar I was handing him and, I’ll be honest, my heart hasn’t always been kind … how can I best be a reflection of God in those circumstances? What do you do?
-Sonny
Attention Coffee Drinkers: Prepare to be judged.
Apparently according to a recent study, what you order from your favorite coffee shop actually says a lot about your personality! Do you fit your order?
A cyber security firm figured out how secure every type of password is. They say ANY password that's six characters or less can be cracked instantly now, even if it's got special characters. Ten characters can be cracked in three days . . . at 11, it's five months . . . and at 12, it would take 24 YEARS to crack. Even if you add numbers and special characters to that, it still needs to be at least 11 characters long…. The more you know!
Do phones belong in classrooms? No, says Mary Garza, a teacher who conducted an experiment to see just how distracted kids are in the classroom. For one class period, she had her students turn their phones on loud, and every time they received a notification they went up and put a tally mark under the correct category of phone apps. This was one class, one period. Every one of these tally marks is an interruption in a student’s education. There were 100 Facebook notifications, 65 from snapchat, 150 emails, Instagram? 250 notifications, and we won’t even bother counting the text messages, I’ll need a calculator, let me pull out my phone…
My friend September posted this on Facebook and I felt like I needed to share with you if you have children!
“Dear Moms, This is for all of you. Never feel justified in covering up your child’s problems. Casting blame on others or excusing your child’s behavior because it must be someone else’s fault. Our children need us to see their problems before someone else does. And when they do something wrong or struggle with the cares of the world… don’t blame the world. Don’t blame “the thing.” Don't even blame Help your kids own their life, their mistakes and their sin. We all sin. We all make mistakes. But, there will be and always are consequences. It’s one of the hardest parental lessons ever. Because, we are their protector and it’s exhausting. But, ownership begins with us. All small hidden things lead to something big and exposed. Stay current and help them own their lives. Some day, we won’t be there to “go to battle for them.” If it we're me, I’d rather go to battle with and for an experienced and humbled sinful person willing to face the battle, than a fool who cannot see his own folly.”
Have you been stressed out as of lately? How about we try something together. I just came across this 5-4-3-2-1 stress buster. Doing all of them is supposed to shift your attention to your senses, helping you feel more focused on the present and less focus on your stressor.
Ready?
Sonny sat down to have a conversation with an old friend recently, and we think you'd be encouraged to hear what they talked about!
This weekend marks the start of Spring, so how about some spring cleaning?
Just like we clean our homes, our souls could use the same type of refresher. Here are 3 things you can do to spring clean your soul.
Remember the old song "They will know we are Christians by our love"?
Well you can be a good neighbor by show faith, hope, AND love! The KCBI Faith Hope Love Experiment is a kindness movement, and you get to play a part! Buy someone’s coffee… pay for a meal… help a neighbor with a chore… or just pass along a note of encouragement to a friend and include the card! It will tell them why you care, why you have hope, and invite them to call KCBI to share about the kindness they experienced because of you. You’ll receive joy in offering kindness, your kindness will impact their day, and who knows… maybe they’ll continue the movement.
As some of you may know, I had the opportunity to spend a week in Poland as a result of our KCBI Day Of Hope with my new friends, Texas Baptist Men. I am pleased to let you know that I am home safe and I can’t wait to continue to share the stories I’ve experienced of the brave souls who have been God’s hands and feet in action for the Ukrainian refugees. They brought carloads of people into Poland, they offered a warm bed, hot meal, a shower, and protection to those who left everything behind. May God continue to bless their efforts. Thank you my KCBI & Texas Baptist Men for this experience I will never forget!
As some of you may know as a result of the KCBI Day of Hope, our own Sonny Delfyette joined the Texas Baptist Men this week in Poland for 90.9 KCBI FM supplying shelters for Ukrainians fleeing the war.
Today, Sonny and the Texas Baptist Men had the chance to sit down with the President of the Polish Baptist Union and pray with him for the needs of those affected by this situation.
Today marks the first day of Lent but maybe you're wondering what does that mean for me?
Lent is the beginning of 40 days of prayer, fasting, and generosity that ends on the Thursday, known as Holy Thursday, leading up to Easter. And it’s more than just giving up sweets or meat. It’s to go without something that you’d miss, something you need to rely on God to fill the void for. I have an idea: What if we gave up some things, together?
During Lent this year, how about we both give up resentment and become more forgiving? Let's give up hatred and when we face evil, let's give back good. Let's give up complaining and each day focus on what we have to be grateful for. Let's give up pessimism and become more hopeful. Let's give up anger and become more patient with our loved ones.
I guess what I'm saying is, let's give up us and let's pick up God.
Let's do this together.
After 2 full months of long distance living, my wife and I are finally all moved in to our home in Dallas!! Lesson learned: always get a truck that’s too big rather than too small. If not, you might have to sell and giveaway a bunch of your stuff that just wouldn't fit. But in middle of having to say goodbye to some of our belongings, there actually ended up being a few blessings, like Amber.
Amber bought our bedroom set of a dresser, nightstand, and queen mattress, frame and headboard for under $150 and we used the moving truck to deliver it to her house (talk about a deal!). Once we were there, Amber wanted to show off the home she would be moving into, and honestly it looked as if no one had lived there in years. I started to feel bad for her, but from room to room Amber showed off her house with joy and finally turned, looked at us with the biggest smile and said, "and it’s all mine." Suddenly my wife and I looked at each other and just smiled because in that moment, we could see the beauty in Amber’s home too. It's funny what happens when you get a different perspective.
“If you see a problem, fix it.”
That’s the simplicity with which Orion Jean speaks about his work, Race to Kindness, from his home in Mansfield, TX. Just 11 years old, Jean has been selected from a field of thousands of nominees as TIME’s Kid of the Year for 2021 for .
Whether it’s collecting and donating 100,000 meals to food insecure families across the country, or getting 500,000 books to kids with none at home, Orion is making an impact one life at a time!
If you remember one thing from today, I hope it's a balloon. Random, I know. But I have a story.
There's a teacher who wanted to make a point to her students. So she went out, bought a bunch of balloons, and distributed them to every student in the entire school. From there, he asked each student to blow up their balloons, write their name on them, and throw it into a hallway. Teachers then went in and mixed up the balloons. After they were done, the students were given 5 minutes to go out and retrieve the balloon with their name on it. Despite a impassioned search, not a single student was able to find their own balloon. But what happens next is absolutely mind-blowing.
The teachers then told their students to pick up the balloon closest to them and give it to the person it belonged to. Given the same amount of time, 5 minutes, every student in the school had the balloon with their name on it back in hand! Isn't that crazy?
The point of the experiment was this: The balloons were supposed to signify happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own, but if we care about other people's happiness, we'll find ours too.
Thanks for the company on 90.9 KCBI! I am honored to be married to my best friend for 25 years now, she’s still my crush, the mother of our child, in fact I flirt with her too much she said. She told me “if you never complimented me another day in my life I already know how you feel,” and when I saw another brother in-Christ share his love for his wife and how he compliments her daily I had to share it with you.
He said, “as men we often take for granted the sacrifice women have to make during the 9-month pregnancy process. Her body goes through unbelievable change. She will be at risk of several different health issues, her eating habits may increase, her moods may swing, her sleeping patterns may adjust, her self-esteem may even take a hit, and most importantly her life may be at risk as she gives birth. We men unfairly expect her body to snap back in place, she may be left with battle marks and scars. She may try to hide them; she may struggle with feeling attractive. But the reality is, her body brought life into the world, brought your child into the world. So cherish her, compliment her daily, and let her know that she is even more beautiful now than before.”
-Sonny
Big Daddy Weave will be in the DFW next Friday February 11th for their concert at Sunnyvale Baptist Church and today I had to the opportunity to talk on the phone with Mike Weaver, the lead singer of Big Daddy Weave. We talked about life, Jesus, music, and the legacy of his late brother and band member, Jay Weaver. Praise God. I hope this conversation is as big of blessing to as it was to me.
-Sonny
Temperatures tonight are expected to drop into the low 20’s with a chance for freezing rain, sleet and snow. Roads could be icy, and there may be some power issues, so plan ahead and get your essentials just in case!
To prepare, we've brought in WFAA's Weather Expert Pete Delkus to prepare us for the next couple of days
-Sonny
Good Afternoon from your friend in the Afternoons, Sonny, a man on DFW’s own 90.9 KCBI, who is about to tell you the 3 things that a woman should stop wearing after the age of 40. Oh boy, okay here we go.
The #3 thing a woman over 40 should stop wearing is….The weight of other people’s expectations and judgements
Ladies, the #2 thing to stop wearing is….The weight of other people’s expectations and judgements
And just to change it up here, just keeping it real, the #1 thing a woman should stop wearing after the age of 40 is…you guessed it: The weight of other people’s expectations and judgements.
My name is Sonny and I’ve had a few people say that I live up to my name, which is an honor, but I come from a family of prayer warriors. My mom, my aunts, my cousins would lift me in prayer in my knucklehead days asking God to protect me as I was living a very wayward lifestyle. Then God sent me a woman who was truly filled with grace, a woman who I believe was sent the calm the savage beast inside of me, my best friend and wife of 25 years. I share all of this to say, if you have a loved one who has veered away from God, keep praying for them, don’t give up. It doesn’t matter how far they, or you, have run. Once God’s grace gets into your heart, a transformation of the best kind happens, and to that you can only say, “To God be the glory!”
Thankful to get to do life with you on 90.9 KCBI!
Sonny has been here a month. And you know what that means!
Well, maybe you don’t. But it means it’s time to make sure he is on track to becoming a true Texan! Let’s see what he has learned…
Does life hurt?
I saw this post from a Daniell Koepke that I believe someone needs to hear this afternoon. She said, “Your trauma is valid. Even if other people have experienced “worse”. Even if someone else who went through the same experience doesn’t feel debilitated by it. Even if it ‘could have been avoided’. Even if it happened a long time ago. Even if no one knows. Your trauma is real and valid, and you deserve a space to talk about it. It isn’t desperate or pathetic or attention-seeking. It’s self-care. It’s inconceivably brave. And regardless of the magnitude of your struggle, you’re allowed to take care of yourself by processing and unloading some of the pain you carry. Your pain matters. Your experience matters. And your healing matters. Nothing and no one can take that away.”
Remember, if life hurts, we pray with you and for you at KCBI.org, click the Prayer Center, and let’s pray together
I have a story for you.
A college professor walks in his classroom started off his lecture by holding up a $100.00 bill. In the room of 200 students, he asked, “Who would like this $100 bill?” Hands flew up in the air. He said, “I am going to give this $100 to one of you but first, let me do this.”
He proceeded to crumple up the $100 dollar bill. He then asked, “Who still wants it…?” Still the hands were up in the air. He replied, “What if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. “Now, who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air.
The professor responds, “No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $100. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We may feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.”
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who know you and love you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHOSE WE ARE. We belong to the King of Kings and he calls you priceless.
"Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. And the reward of faith? Is that you shall have everlasting life." - Corrie ten Boom
Merry Christmas from your friends here at 90.9 KCBI!
My name is Sonny Delfyette and I am the new Afternoon Show host here at KCBI!
So a little something about me, I have been trying to join the KCBI family now for 9 YEARS! When I first applied 9 years ago, God said it wasn't the right timing. Then I tried applying the next year, God still said, "not yet." But here I am 9 years later and I can't wait to get to hang out with you each day in the Afternoons!
My encouragement to you is this: If you've had a prayer that you've let go for one reason or another, don't stop. Keep praying, keep believing. God hears you and will answer perfectly. In HIS time, not yours.
God is seriously the best insurance policy out there. There's not a single incident that God can't and won't cover.
This past weekend, I was with some friends of mine who have 3 small children under the age of 3. I knew that the middle one, who is almost 2, wasn't feeling well. Sweet little boy walks up to his dad with his arms stretched out and in the matter of what seemed like a half a second, he did this combination of a sneeze, cough, and got sick down the front of his shirt followed by telling his dad that he needed a hug.
Without hesitation the dad gave his boy a big hug and I'll be honest, I was kind of shocked. This little boy was a mess! Later I asked him why he did and this was his answer: "I embraced him because I want him to remember when he's older that no matter how messy he is, he's got a father in heaven with his arms wide open ready to hold him exactly how he is."
The same goes for you.
You may feel out of place a lot of the time, but I'm here to tell you that exactly how you should feel.
Over the past 7 years since my husband passed away, I've moved around quite a bit. After a few stops, I got to Texas as fast as I could and as much as I love it, I have to admit I always feel a little out of place. But I think that's exactly where we should land as believers. We aren't residents of earth just trying to make our way to heaven, you and I are are residents of heaven just trying to navigate this temporary home called earth.
You've probably heard the saying that kids are like sponges, and it's true. They consume information and learn things so quickly. But it's not because of something they have, it's actually something they lack: The fear of failing.
Over time, we just develop this fear of looking silly or being bad at something, and in turn, we miss out on so many cool new opportunities. I think we'd be wise to recapture some of that child-like wonder. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. You probably still can't fly.
Gratitude is good for us. Actually, that’s not strong enough. Gratitude is GREAT for us. But did you know that being grateful can literally change you mind?
Research shows gratitude benefits us psychologically, physically, and interpersonally. In this study, one group of people were to keep a journal where daily they would jot down thing they we're grateful for and the other group didn't. After the study, everyone involved had an MRI done and those who kept the gratitude journals showed literal growth in certain areas of their brains.
Robert Emmons, a professor at the University of California, Davis, is one of the leading experts on gratitude and he had this to say “People are 25 percent happier and more energetic if they keep gratitude journals, have 20 percent less envy and resentment, sleep 10 percent longer each night and wake up 15 percent more refreshed, exercise 33 percent more, and show a 10 percent drop in blood pressure compared to persons who are not keeping these journals.”
You may have heard me mention something call "The 5 O'Clock Refresh" and you may just be thinking, what is it? That's a great question!
It happens every weekday at 5pm and it's an hour full of worship music, encouragement, and refreshment. At the end of a long day, it helps to just set aside the stress and refresh your mind and attitude before you make your way to whatever is next! For me it's been a chance to reframe the day's problems and watch them become really small in the light of God.
If you've got just a moment this afternoon, I hope you'll join me today for the 5 O'Clock Refresh!
Whatever you are doing in this moment, whether you are at home or at work or somewhere else, is incredibly important. Whatever you're doing is a key piece in the big puzzle that God is putting together using us to get stuff done.
Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Words are very important. I think we would all agree with that. God SPOKE the world into existence so we know that words can be powerful. Chances are, our words will never have that much power but what we say matters especially when we have to have those tough conversations. Our words have the power to lift someone up or break them down. When my kids were little, we had this 3 question rule that we would run our words through:
-Is it true?
-Is it helpful?
-Is it my place to say?
Typically, it's that third one that catches me because maybe I don't have the relationship with them to be able to speak those words into them or maybe it would be better received from someone else.
I know you know this, but forgiveness is a choice and when you make the choice to forgive that person in your life, the relief is almost instant.
Adding this thing into your routine 3 times a week can reduce your risk of dementia in a drastic way. Listen to find out how!
You are probably in change of packing something up in the morning, whether that school lunches for the kids or maybe your bag that help you get out the door on time. For me now that my kids are grown, it's the backpack I take to work with me. Well this morning I noticed that for some reason, my backpack felt so incredibly heavy. Not only was I carrying the things I knew I needed for today, but besides my backpack, I was shouldering the thought of a big meeting later this week and the worry of a tough conversation I've got to have next weekend. I'm carrying more weight then what is needed for today.
In case you need this today too, from Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
If there is one thing I can tell you with confidence right now, it's that our control is an illusion.
This past weekend, I got caught up in that travel mess over the weekend that took me an extra day and several flights to get back home. I tried to do everything in my power to make it home on time, but it just wasn't in my control. So today, I encourage you to join me in leaning heavily on Proverbs 16:9,
"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
"I need you now."
Those are the words the Holy Spirit can take and interpret for your good even if you don't have the strength to get them out. He knows exactly what you mean.
There was this big survey that went out that asked kids what class they wished was being taught right now in school and one answer blew me away with how it stood out from the rest. The #1 class that kids wish they could take is how to be a YouTube/Social Media influencer.
I may be alone in this, but I don't this it's because they want instantaneous fame. I think it ultimately boils down to them wanting to be known, loved and accepted. No matter how old you are, I think the gap in understand truly shrinks when we consider our sole purpose: to be known by God and to make his name famous.
When we lift our hands or open our hands in worship, there's something really beautiful that happens inside of us.
I remember back to walking with my late husband through his cancer battle and just holding onto a lot stress over things I couldn't control. One day I met with an old friend who could tell that stress was really weighing on me, not just by my demeanor, but by the way my hands were. My hands we're literally clinched by just trying to figure out how to hang on instead of surrendering those worries to God. That friend commanded me to open my hands and use my open-faced hands a visual reminder that God is ready to take that burden and replace it with his presence. We just have let him in.
God made us to love others but for all of us, there is probably one person who we struggle to love most: ourselves.
I was just talking to a friend about this exact topic this morning and she made a really valid point: For a lot of us, most days, we have a hard time even liking ourselves so it's pretty hard to wrap our brains around the idea of the creator of the universe, who know all things beautiful, loving us without boundaries or conditions. Our love isn't like God's and I don't know about you, but I'm thankful for that today!
You may not feel alright right now, and you know what? That's okay.
Back in 2015, I had a couple of personal losses back to back: my husband passed away in January and then a couple months later, I lost my dad. As you can imagine there were some really low moments in the following months. Moments of just clinging on as time continued to pass. But now looking back on the other side of those moments, I can see clearly where God tenderly carried me through. He showed strength when I couldn't and protected me when I could see his presence in that moment. I am alright and you will be, too.
You may be looking for evidence of just a little bit of good amongst the chaos. I want you to take a listen to this 3 minute story from a man named Neil that might just restore your faith in people.
There are obviously so many prayers needs at this moment so today we are focusing on a different prayer need each hour. Pathway To Victory's Dr. Robert Jeffress leads us in praying for situations that, in one way or another, seem to be affecting all of us including COVID, what's taking place in Afghanistan, the destruction as a result of the earthquake in Haiti and more. This is an opportunity to collectively lift our voices and hearts to God!
A story from pastor Andy Stanley that really lifted my spirits today.
"Sometimes I just want it to stop. Talk of COVID, looting, brutality. I lose my way. I become convinced that this "new normal" is real life. Then I meet an 87-year-old who talks of living through polio, diphtheria, Vietnam protests and yet is still enchanted with life.
He seemed surprised when I said that 2020 must be especially challenging for him. "No," he said slowly, looking me straight in the eyes. "I learned a long time ago to not see the world through the printed headlines, I see the world through the people that surround me. I see the world with the realization that we love big. Therefore, I just choose to write my own headlines:
"Husband loves wife today." "Family drops everything to come to Grandma’s bedside." He patted my hand. "Old man makes new friend."
His words collide with my worries, freeing them from the tether I had been holding tight. They float away. I am left with a renewed spirit and a new way to write my own headlines."
As a dad of now 4 grown children I can totally relate to the feeling of missing hearing from your kids since they now have lives of their own. Maybe you have grown children of your own who you haven't heard from in a while, I think I've got a quick fix for you.
Change the Netflix password. Guarantee you they call soon. Maybe immediately.
I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but so often as I'm going about my day, I forget God. Though the ebbs and flows of every day life I'd be lying if I said I was always thinking about God. Maybe I'm not alone in this.
But here's what I'm totally humbled and encouraged by: because Jesus died on the cross for you and me, God will never forget us.
Have you ever wondered how valuable your soul is?
The answer lies within this quote from Charles Spurgeon: "Consider how precious a soul must be, when both God and the devil are after it."
A huge part of KCBI Artist Big Daddy Weave is Jay Weaver and people around the world have been praying for Jay as he spent some time in the ICU this past week. Good news, Jay Weaver is back home! Jay was admitted to the ICU last week due to some complications with his dialysis treatments.
The band and their families are thanking everyone for praying through a statement from Jay's wife, Emily:
Big Daddy Weave has released this statement through Jay Weaver’s wife, Emily:
"JAY IS HOME!!!!! Thank you for all of your prayers! God has been so gracious and kind during these past few days. Yesterday when I left the hospital, we didn’t know when Jay would come home. The doctors and nurses were concerned about all the things we asked for you to lift up in prayer. The Lord heard all your requests and surpassed them! We still have a journey. Jay did not have to have another finger amputated at this time. We have follow-ups with doctors these next two weeks. There may be changes in medical treatments. We are trusting completely in His plan. Thank you, thank you, thank you again for your prayers and sweet words."
We're so glad to hear that good news and will continue to #PrayForJay in the days ahead!
I have to own something I do in my life, maybe I'm not alone in this. When God shows up in a situation in my life, I'll just assume that he's going to fix my problems. It doesn't take much life being lived to figure out that's not really how it works. We always have God has never promised to just show up and take away all the hard stuff from our circumstances. But here's what God will do: instead of busting down the door and fixing all our problems, God will use his presence to fix our perspective. Instead of taking that problems away, he changes the way we view those problems. At the end of the day, that gift might be better. Whether the problems are there or not, we're seeing the God that always is.
There's a wonderful article on the 1517.org today from a pastor named Scott Davis.
He says, "We are all familiar with the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” In this famous tale from Aesop’s Fables, a shepherd boy repeatedly lies to the townspeople. He tells them that a wolf is attacking the village sheep. But when the townspeople investigate, they learn that there never was a wolf. The boy was “sounding the alarm” dishonestly and whipping the people into a false panic when there was no wolf and the sheep weren’t really in danger. After a few rounds of this ruse, a real wolf does appear. The boy cries, “Wolf!” But, the townspeople no longer believe the boy. He’s ruined his credibility with them. This time they don’t take his cry seriously. The sheep are slaughtered and even the boy is eaten by the wolf. The moral of the story is simple: tell the truth. If you lie too often, eventually people won’t listen to you. They won’t believe you when you are honest.
Is God like the townspeople in this fable? Does he eventually grow tired of hearing you confess the same old thing? Does he have a “three strikes and you’re out” policy? Surely he does. Wouldn’t you if you were him?
Here’s what Satan whispers in my ear: God isn’t buying your confession this time. He’s tired of your crap. He forgave you the first time. He forgave you the second and third time. But, at some point he gave up on you. You’ve cried “wolf” one too many times. Even if this time you’re really genuine, it is too late.
But, the truth is God isn’t like the townspeople in the fable. We are. It isn’t that God struggles to believe our repeated cries of “wolf.” Rather, we struggle to believe God when he repeatedly comes to us with forgiveness and mercy on his lips. We believed him when he cried “forgiven and absolved” the first time. We believed him when he cried “justified and adopted” the second time. But, eventually we struggle to believe that His mercy and grace are sufficient.
But, he doesn’t give up. He doesn’t stop shouting."
Today I thought I'd go straight to scripture to pass along encouragement to you today!
Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” His love, his word, his mercy. God is forever.
I've been reading this book from one of my absolute favorite bible scholars Chad Bird and he created this really awesome mental picture about God's grace in one quote.
He said "List all of the things that you think can separate you from the love of God and then add them all up as if they had numerical value. Take that number and multiply it by God's merciful zero. Here's what you get: All of your sins X God's merciful 0 = 0."
That is the math of mercy.
In case you we're believing otherwise, you won't find a single place in the Bible where Jesus is disappointed with you. Doubts may comes, failure will happen, but none of that results in Jesus being disappointed in you or him deciding to take his presence away from you. That just won't happen. His love is unconditional.
You might already know this, but "do not be afraid" is the most repeated command in the Bible. The reason that is such an encouragement is not because it's a command to get over an emotion. At the heart of it, it's truly an invitation to see Jesus and know that his presence and his love shrink our fears.
I'm not sure what's lurking around the corner in your life that has you worried today, but this much I do know for certain. God will fulfill every promise that he has made to you.
You may be asking, "How do you know for certain?" I know because God is a promise keeper. If he's said he'll do it, you can believe it. God doesn't break promises, he's not us.
The failure and disappointment of today has a chance to ruin our tomorrow if we're not proactive about realizing it. Tomorrow truly is a gift and it's given to us by a God of endless possibility. Why allow a bad today to ruin what could be an amazing tomorrow?
Everyday, we have the choice to focus our attention the purpose and the power and the promise and the plan of our mighty God. Let's make that choice today.
There's this part of the Bible where Jesus talks about the "narrow path". In my life, I've always taken that to mean that fewer will choose the narrow, more difficult path while most of the world will choose the easier, wider path. While all of that may be true, when Jesus talks about the narrow path, he's telling us that the path is only wide enough for one: him.
This is what Jesus meant in John 14:6 when he says “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is the only one worthy enough to walk that narrow path to righteousness, but good news for us, God has gifted us the way to eternal life through Jesus.
At one point or another, we've all found ourselves in a frustrating time of waiting, and that's about as frustrating of a time as it can get. We talk ourselves into the idea that it would just be easier if we could rip off the proverbial band-aid and just get the outcome now, even if the outcome isn't what we're hoping for, at least we'd have some clarity.
I've learned over time and painful waiting that even when I don't see God working and think that God is on his lunch break, he's always working behind the scenes on our behalf to accomplish his greater purpose.
Probably a lot of us, maybe you, could recite the Lord's Prayer if we had to. There's the line in there "Give us this day, our daily bread."
That's not for next week, next year, or even tomorrow. Just enough for today. God is enough for us every single day. He's the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He will take care of you each day. He is our daily bread.
Not sure if you need to hear this today, but if you need to rest, it's okay. Whether that physically or spiritually, you can rest. God will handle the rest.
What is it that you need today?
Do you need:
-significance?
-love?
-acceptance?
-purpose?
-peace?
-satisfaction?
-calm in the storm?
-a friend that sticks close?
Well, Jesus fulfills all of those needs and more. If you've got Jesus, you've got it all.
There are times in our lives when we're faced with what feels like a mountain of a problem, and by God's grace, he moves it for us. But there are other times where God chooses not to move that obstacle. This doesn't mean that God is somehow no longer good, quite the opposite actually. God joins you right where you are to climb over that problem, no matter how long it takes. God is with us in our struggles. His goodness isn't based on our circumstance, he is always good.
The reach of God's grace is as deep and as far reaching as sin. There is no sin and no shame that God's grace hasn't already erased.
Here's the truth: We will never learn so much and become so mature in our faith that we'll no longer need to rely upon the grace and wisdom of God. It's just not possible. We're not that smart. We're not that wise. We're not that independent. We will never not need God and I don't know about you, but I'm thankful for that today.
If you're hearing an old piece of advice, it's probably because it withstands the test of time. This one from Saint Francis De Sales.
“Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself...do not be disheartened by your imperfections, there's no better way of growing in the spiritual life than to be always starting over again.”
Lean on God today. If you've fallen, don't worry. He's always there to pick you back up.
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the Dallas shooting that resulted in the death of 5 Dallas police officers. If you we're in Dallas-Fort Worth 5 years ago, you will probably never forget what took place on July 7th, 2016.
At a memorial earlier today, Chief Garcia said that: "Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid." Today we remember the 5 fallen officers who gave their lives for our community and stand with the men and women who serve to protect it on a daily basis.
I'm hoping that it has not been one of those days, but every once in a while, one of those days comes along.
Since they do, I want to offer this reminder: God will not be sleeping tonight. Nope, he just doesn't need it. But we do and since God won't be sleeping, we can.
Maybe you find yourself walking through a child who is giving you a handful. If you are, you're not alone. We're currently experiencing this with our youngest child and I was recently given some encouragement from a pastor friend of mine that I think would be of encouragement to you as well. It isn't easy, but with God's strength, stand with your child during the tough times. Kids just want to know that their parents are there. If necessary, hold them in the sad times and carry them in the unbearable times. We're learning that a little bit more day by day and we're being reminded that God loves and cares for our children more than we do.
Back on September 23, 1857, a man named Jerimiah Lanphier started a noon prayer meeting right in the heart of New York City. About 6 people were in attendance. A couple of weeks later, the largest financial crisis in United States History to date occurred and in the days following, more than 3,000 people gathered for noon time prayer. This prayer movement spread and as a result, over a million people came to know Christ in a years time.
I hope and praying nothing like this financial crisis happens again, but my takeaway is this: In the middle of hardship, it's not our need for God increases, it's our awareness for our need for God that does.
I'm no Hebrew scholar but in talking to people who are, I found out something really interesting. In the Hebrew language, which is the language of the Old Testament, there is no Hebrew word for "coincidence". A word that means a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection. Just my humble opinion, but maybe we should stop chalking things up to "coincidence", and start crediting God's very real provision.
We have to face the facts: We can't go back and get a brand new start. We just can't. There's no rewinding the clock, there's no time machine. But thanks to God's grace and mercy, we can start today and get a brand new ending.
Here is a piece of encouragement I heard from Pastor Matt Chandler that I wanted to share with you
"If God has eternally loved me, then his love for me can't be based on my past. Because he loved me before I ever had one."
I wonder if you've ever thought of God as watching over us with this God notepad and pencil just keeping record of all the mistakes we make throughout the day. That may be a daunting mental picture but that couldn't be farther from the truth.
Just think about it: If that we're the case, why would we need Jesus? Remember 1 Corinthians 13, "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. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
Worry no more, because God IS Love.
The story of David & Goliath is pretty well known and it's an awesome story, but sometimes I worry that it's gets written off in our minds as a great story to tell to kids in Sunday school. I'd agree it's a great story for kids to know, but by no means is a children's story. There's so much there for each and everyone of us to unpack.
The Philistines we're feeling pretty confident as David stepped forward to take on the challenge of facing Goliath. Why wouldn't they be? Everyone with eyes could see that Goliath was big. But there was only one person that knew how big God was. That was David, and as the saying goes, the rest is history.
So today, want to ask you that question: Do you know how big your God is? Do you know, in the Goliath-sized situation you're up against, what your situation is up against with God as it's opponent? I think you can have confidence in that battle.
I don't know what you may be facing today, but I'm realistic enough to know you may be dealing with some problems that are causing you feel a little jumbled up. Unfortunately, I don't have any fixes for you. But what I do have some experience and what I've learned is when I spend just a little more the truths and promises we have in Christ, it seems to put those problems back into perspective. When we look at our problems in the context of God's promises, it not only lessens our worry, but it increases God greatness in our eyes.
It's not uncommon for us to have a thought and immediately pick up our phone and share it with our friends on Facebook or Twitter. And there's nothing inherently wrong with it.
Here's just a thought the next time we have this urge: instead of casting your anxieties on the internet, which cares for no one, let's cast our anxieties on God. The one who cares for us.
A little nugget of wisdom from the always awesome Bob Goff
"When God doesn't give us all of the answers we want, that's when we get to decide whether just having him is going to be enough for us." That hits deep.
Maybe you can relate to this: I've had this belief in the back of my head that because God saved me and Jesus paid for my sins on the cross, I owed him. How that manifested itself is I felt like I needed to do my best to pay him back. As Christians, we all kind of know that it's just not possible to fully pay him back for his sacrifice, but that didn't mean I shouldn't try.
But as I've gotten older, I'm just not sure that reflects the gospel. Jesus isn't asking us to repay the graces that has been poured out on us. We can't. And it's not the point. The point is for us to enjoy the grace has been lavished on us and in return, just share that grace with others and tell them where it comes from.
I am a grateful grandpa today as I announce that baby Katherine is finally here! After lots and lots of prayer, my 3rd grandbaby made her way into this world yesterday at 5:05pm! She's healthy, happy (most of the time), and mom is doing well! Thank you for again for all of your prayer leading up to this time.
We probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about this, but how much do you think the enemy is lying to you today? My guess: a lot.
Have you ever tried to figure out what God's will for your life is? You are not alone in wonder.
Chad Bird, one of my favorite Old Testament scholars, has a perspective on this important question that I think could help steer you in the right direction. He says, "Look around you and see those people in your life, love them. Care for them. Pray for them."
I can't say for certain what God has in store for you, but I think exactly where you are is a great place to start.
Maybe you're feeling like you need to wait till you've got ducks in row before you can really do what God has called you to, but can I just say from experience, don't wait. Life doesn't get less messy and there won't be a perfect time. God doesn't wait to love us till we look like how we want to look, God loves us exact how we are. Messy and all. So don't wait till you feel like your ready, step out in faith. Your heart will catch up.
To anybody that is somehow believing the lie that you're too broken for God to choose you, I'm here to tell you that you are chosen and you're never too broken for God to make something beautiful out of your life. I know this because God has done it with me. We have a God who loves to breath life and make life out of the shattered and the broken. He can take your mess and make a masterpiece, all you need to do is believe.
Texas Pride is unlike any other and in true Texas form, the Lone Star State has an official fungus.
For anyone who has a loved one who has seemed to wander from God, I have encouragement for you today: God loves our loved ones more than we could ever imagine. He want to see them find peace and freedom even more than we do, which can be hard to wrap our brains around but it's true! God is inviting you today to entrust them to him, not only because he wants to but because he's capable of loving them better than we can.
As you are celebrating this Father's Day weekend, here is how you can be praying for Doug and his family!
I'm more and more grateful each and everyday that our identity, our security is found in the love and kindness of the Lord. Always has been true, always will be true.
Life can be the best teacher and our lesson is either learning for others or our own mess ups. That's why I'm here.
The thing that has taken me a long time to learn due to my knuckle-headedness is that God can infinitely more with our surrender than we could ever do with our control.
Are you believing a lie today? I bet you a lot of us are.
One of the most common lies I think we tend to believe is that everyone else has is better than we do. We think we're somehow missing out on something that everyone else is getting to be apart of and it's simply not true! God is a good and faithful father to you, to me, to everyone that calls him savior. Even when things aren't going as we expected them to, God is good and he provides. No good thing does he withhold from us.
If you're a parent, I want you to take a moment to think about your kiddos. Your kids will probably never fully know all the things you have done for them to care for them, to protect them, to provide for them.
As you think about your kids, how much more do you think your heavenly father is doing to protect you and your kids? Like our children, we can't even to begin to grasp all the ways he working on our behalf. God really is the ultimate parent.
There are multiple studies that shows that 4 to 5 cups of an 8 oz. coffee each day is associated with reduced death rates.
Coffee drinkers are in agreement that this is true: daily coffee will indeed make them less likely to kill someone.
You may have read this or heard this before: "The Lord is near to the broken-hearted." It comes from the Psalms and it's true. God isn't in the business of recruiting strictly those with a background of winning. Actually, God's heart is drawn to those who have nothing to offer but need, regret, shame, fear. You name it, God wants it. If that's you, may the Lord be yours today because he's there for the taking.
It's kind of stunning to think about it, but your prayers don't have an expiration date. Our prayers don't spoil or go bad. There's no "best if used by" date to your prayers. God can and most likely will use the prayers we offer to him to impact our lives for years to come!
The older I get, I look back on my life and realize I only have one regret: I should have trusted God more. We spend too much of our lives worried about situations that aren't ours to worry about. God has always been faithful and he'll always be faithful. It's like the old saying goes, "Worry is just interest paid on trouble before it's due."
Everything in the world today is filled with hype: commercials, movies, social media. It's almost a sure bet that what you experience has been doctored and curated. We're kind of used to being lied to. But that's why God's approach is refreshing.
Not a single one of his words is distorted by flattery or fake hype. So you can be encouraged that when God tells us about our salvation and gives us his promises, we can trust the his word will never return void. That's pretty refreshing.
I don't know if you've heard this verse or not, but I've found that it's never not been true to my life.
It's Isaiah14:24 "The Lord Almighty has sworn, "Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen."" That's never not true. It's true for you and it's true for me. God is always making plans and when he makes those plans, he keeps them. That's something we can count on in a world that is pretty unsure. God's plan, even when we don't understand it, is good. We can place our whole trust in him.
Do you think it's wrong to question God? The Psalmist in Psalm 13 doesn't seem to think so. We have a lot of questions for God that we'd like an answered, but what good would it do if we had all the answers? God know what we need: Not more information, but more love. Not a timetable, but his presence. Not all the answers, but all the grace.
Just a word of advice from experience: If a child happens to ask you how old you are, you may want to think long and hard before you just answer "guess!" Because chances are, you're not going to like their answer.
Generally speaking, we feel like when we're praying for someone, we're doing them a favor. Though that may be true, praying for others not only benefits the person we're praying for, but it can bless us too!
Are you a fan of pie like me? Then I might just see you at the Texas Pie Fest. Yes it's actually a thing and it's happening this Saturday from 10-4 in Rockwall at Tate Farms.
There will Pie Eating Contests, A Car Show, and you might even be able to snag yourself a Fletcher's Corn Dog!
I hate to brag, but today for lunch I ate Chick-Fil-A in the parking lot of a Hobby Lobby. If that doesn't scream "Not Today Satan", I don't know what does.
Some good news after last year's cancellation: The State Fair of Texas is back!
Gates open September 24th and the fair will run through October 17th.
Maybe you have child or grandchild who's walked away. Walked away from God, walked away from you, maybe both. It's heartbreaking. I know this feeling well. Here's what I have learned: I don't have answers, but I understand that God understands. He hears my cries and my prayers and he hears yours just the same. I believe in God's faithfulness in my children's lives and you can too.
I can say this with confidence. Somewhere along the way, we've all failed. But it doesn't make you failure. We've all made mistakes, sometimes some pretty big ones. But that doesn't make you a mistake.
Sometimes the greatest act of faith looks like us remaining faithful exactly where we are!
If this is happening in your life, today is a great day to ask God to help you break this habit. Nothing good comes from the comparison game, for better or for worse, neither honor God and neither will make you happy!
Could there be anything more wonderful than being called a friend of God? We are, it says so in Psalm 25:14 "The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant." YOU are known as a friend of God today!
I've been walking though a pretty tough time with a close friend right now who's experienced a loss and I've come to the understanding that I need to trust God with other people. God loves our friends more than we do and will care for them better than we think we can. Let's not forget Jesus is the savior, not us.
My friend, Rebecca, from Morning's with Rebecca and Burns is a legit bible scholar. She knows the language and the translations but I think there's something I know that Rebecca doesn't!
For those of you who have been following along with Doug's family updates, The Hannah's are expecting a new grand baby. In the latest update, baby Claire may be making here arrival sooner than expected!
Some call it our inner critic, others say it's the enemy trying to gain a foothold. Regardless, that inner voice isn't a healthy one and doesn't speak truth. That voice says all the work is up to us and if we fall short, we've failed and our worth is lost. But I'm here to tell you today the one true God has done all the work. There's nothing to be earned and even when we do fall short, there's grace.
Here's the thing about prayer. Sometimes prayer changes our current situation, sometimes it doesn't right away. Our prayer may or may not change other people, but God always uses it to change us. Prayer is always worth our while.
We did our goodbyes on Friday, but it didn't really hit me till yesterday that my friend Lauree has moved on to her next radio chapter. I missing her today and you know what? That's okay.
There's nothing like getting a parenting tip from someone who isn't a parent, but Lauree may be on to something here!
These days, there's not always something we'd recommend you watch on TV, but I think we found something that will absolutely be down your alley if your a fan of Billy Graham.
Lauree is in her last week at KCBI and as the time winds down, there has been a lot of emotion is preparing to say goodbye. Some of that emotion has come in the form of crying over a bookcase but after you hear the reason, it's not as crazy as it sounds.
The bible is filled with parables, but there is only one that mentions someone by name: The Rich Man and Lazarus. At the time, society only knew of the rich man and Lazarus was considered a nobody. But today, we know the name of Lazarus and know nothing of the rich man.
Jesus loves to humanize the overlooked and dignify the disadvantaged. Maybe you feel unseen but take heart. Jesus knows you. You are famous in your father's eyes.
If looking in the mirror makes you feel embarrassed or ashamed of choices that you've made, we've got some good news for you.
Sometimes life and the choices that we make out of fleshly desires lead us to those places where we look at ourselves in the mirror and we start believing about ourselves and our worth. About how ashamed we should be, about how God could never love us. I'm here to tell you right now that is a big, fat LIE.
Here is the truth: the enemy wants to define you by your wounds. But Jesus wants to define you by his wounds. That difference changes everything. That's good news.
I don't know if this has been your experience, but in my experience, the idea of being someone who wears their "heart on their sleeve" has been perceived as a negative thing. But I want to let you know today that it's okay to vulnerable and that God loves you the way that you are, not the way the ought to be. Lets be patient with each other. No one extends grace better than God, so let give it shot and extend grace.
Just want to let you know today that you're not inconveniencing God when you ask him for forgiveness. You're not a bother, you're not pest, you're not annoying God. You're just asking him what he already desires to do. God is forgiveness and grace. The next time you wonder if you've messed up one too many times to be forgiven by God, just know the grace that God lavishes is in unending supply.
Whatever you have ahead of you right now that might be worrying you, I want you to remember this: God's word is a light to our feet and a lamp to our path.
When we spend time in God's word, we come to know him more. We see his light more. A Lamp doesn't provide us with miles worth of light, but it gives you just enough light to know where to step next. Focus on God, trust him to guide your steps.
In honor of it being hump day, here are 3 things you should start doing on Wednesdays to help maximize your week!
Were seeing all kinds of shortages here in 2021 but I think we've just seen the worst offense of all...Chick-Fil-A Sauce.
The song "Amazing Grace" comes to mind when we hear this latest celebration. God took a life of drug addiction, abuse, and prostitution and turned it into a life of praise and redemption! What a testimony.
If you have something to celebrate, join us during the 5 o'clock hour for Lauree and Doug's Celebration Hour!
We know it's only May, but this man is a strong early candidate for husband of the year!
You go out to check your mailbox and you find a dryer sheet when you open it. Believe it or not, it's there for a reason.
There's so many good books, podcasts, and commentaries for us to consume, but the best advice stands the test of time.
A.W. Tozier said this nugget of wisdom: "Anything God has ever done...he can do now. Anything God has ever done anywhere...he can do here. And anything God has ever done for anyone...he can do for you."
Japan has created a position with the title "Minister of Loneliness" and I think it applies to all of us.
Depending how long you've been in Texas, you know we're kicking off BBQ Season and Lauree has a brand new side dish idea that is sure to please if you're a pickle lover!
Starbucks has really outdone themselves with their latest over-the -top creation that should be formally named "Diabetes in a cup"
Mattel has come up with this brand new program that helps put valuable materials back into play and out of landfills so that the fun comes full circle and we think this is awesome way to declutter while also giving back!
Here's a true story: A man walks into his minister's office for counseling looking completely dejected. When the minister asked him what was wrong, he replied "I've lost everything. I have nothing left." The minister said to the man, "Gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that you've lost your faith." The man looked confused and replied, "No. I haven't lost my faith." So the minister said "Well I'm really sad to hear that you've lost your character." "I didn't say that! I've still got my character" the man said. The minister then said "I'm so sorry to hear that you've lost your salvation." At the point, the man is visibly frustrated that the minister is lacking empathy. But the minister responded one last time, "So let me get this right: you have your faith, you have your character, you have your salvation. It seems to me you haven't lost anything of eternal value."
Even when it feels like life couldn't possibly take anymore from you, we can rest well know we're still winners.
Have you ever been to Disney World? And if you have, did you ever wonder why, despite the tropical climate, you never got bit by a mosquito? Disney's attention to detail is ON POINT and the more I thought about it, it reminded of the love and provision of God.
Can something like a corn dog have spiritual power? Outside of the Texas State Fair, you wouldn't think so but one woman says otherwise!
Whether you’re working from home, or in an office, the environment could be killing your productivity. Here’s how to get your workspace to work for you!
God not only wants us to bring our mistakes we've made in the past to him, but also the ones we're currently making and he wants us to leave them at the foot of the cross.
If you're on the job hunt, you may have noticed that a lot of job listings have this certain lingo. But what do these buzz words really mean? We're here to help!
If you find yourself in the middle of trial that make's you feel like you'll never get to the other side, we're here to let you know that you will get through this.
Have you ever been a social situation where you thought, "if they only knew the truth, there's no way they'd want anything to do with me."?
There was a season of my life that I knew this feeling all too well and that inner voice almost caused me to miss out on one of the most impactful experiences of my life! I'm guessing I'm not the only one who's ever felt this way. The feeling of knowing that because of the sin in my life, I wanted to run away from community instead of running towards it, running away from church instead of being apart of it, running away from God instead of running to him.
My encouragement to you is this: 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." God doesn't carry around the burdens of our sin and view us for that. We're seen as forgiven when we come to him. It's good news.
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15
It felt easier when we were in-person to share the gospel but how do we flex with these changing times to utilize the digital space to share with people in our communities about the love of Jesus? The research group Barna found what worked best in this digital space. If you are interested in finding some direction how to capitalize on forming and finding community check out the full article The Five Changing Contexts for Digital Evangelism
George Matheson started losing his sight as a teenager, but the lesson in love he gained gave him a perspective that was far greater!
We're not experts, but our friends over at Focus On The Family have 3 tips to help single moms survive!
We have something called the Prayer Center over at KCBI.org where you can leave a prayer request or you can pray for others in this KCBI community and that's exactly what this podcast is about!
Today, Lauree prays a familiar prayer for one of our friends who been single for sometime and has a big date coming up this next week.
We hear it all the time, "Choose Joy". But can we actually choose joy? Pastor Josh Howerton says there's two ways to choose joy, but only one will be everlasting.
A Cat? Sure. A Dog? Maybe. A massive croissant that got mistaken for Iguana? Seriously?? You have got to hear this entire story!
If you've felt overwhelmed as of recent, take heart in the encouragement of this story God's bigger plan.
Some days, you can't escape the tired feeling. You may even feel like waving the white flag on the day completely, but what if instead of quitting, we chose rest?
Doug was at home the other night, dozing off to sleep on the couch...till this happened.
I know this is a little off the wall, but I truly believe I can hear God better when my room is clean.
Has there ever been a moment you've tried to teach God something?
I know you probably think this question is silly and you'd be right, it is. God is the creator of the universe, what could I ever teach him? Well let me share with you my moment of immaturity where I tried to do just that.
I was 17 years old and was with my youth group teaching English to kids from the Czech Republic and the first night of camp I noticed a girl started praying in her native language of Czech. I remember thinking it was beautiful, but I got worried thinking God wouldn't understand this girl because I couldn't understand her. So in my ignorance, I took a shot at translating her prayer so God could understand her when in reality I made God out to be too small. God understood her perfectly, not because God excelled in some foreign language class (lets be clear, he would), but because God was and will always be so much bigger than whatever expectations we could have of him. I'm so thankful for that.
You may have heard the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has been halted for the moment due to some unforeseen side effects. Maybe you've received the one time vaccine and you're wondering what you should be looking out for. Here is the latest insight!
Big Blue, better known as the University of Kentucky, had a BIG ooops moment that left some student heartbroken and others downright confused!
It's kinda vulnerable to admit that you struggle with anger. I did that today. Because it's been a struggle for me. And I believe that as a community when we share areas of our own weakness we can encourage and exhort others to pursue more Christlikeness together. So I admitted that I've struggled with anger this past year.
A friend once told me that anger is a secondary response. When we are offended, betrayed, hurt, or sad that's the initial feeling and then it goes to anger. It's been going there pretty quick lately. I'm not proud of that. Here’s what angers gets us, it damages trust. It causes anxiety, it leads to loneliness and it damages self-esteem.
You won't have to look far in the book of Proverbs to find so many examples of instruction what to do with our anger. But it was the encouragement of Ecclesiastes 7:9 today that gave me a challenge and rebuke:
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger resides in the lap of fools.
I don't want to be a fool. I certainly don't want to be an angry fool. Anger isn't just a momentary second response. I believe that we leave it unchecked, not submitted it to the Spirit, it does reside with us, it becomes easier and easier to respond with anger.
So today my prayer is simple.
Father God, you have given us the perfect example ".. you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." help me to be more like you. Amen.
If you're a procrastinator like Lauree, than tax season typically makes you a little nervous. If you fall under that umbrella, fear not, because the tax deadline has been pushed back!
You've probably heard of Beethoven, the classic composer and pianist. In his older years, he used to play this broken harpsicord until tears would stream down his face. It wasn't from this music sounding bad, though it did. You see, Beethoven couldn't hear how out of tune the instrument was because he was deaf. He cried because he could hear how to the music was supposed to sound.
Maybe you feel like that broken instrument: worthless, inadequate, insignificant. But what does the master, God, do when the instrument is broken? Does he just replace it with a new one? The master musician fixes what we can't and hears the music the way it's supposed to be played. He hears a masterpiece.
When you hear the word "doubting", what is the first thing you associate it with? Probably the Bible character, Thomas. But here is why we think Thomas should be remember for more than his doubt and why that would be good news for you and me!
We bet there is no chance you can predict how this story ends! Take a listen for yourself!
Have you ever heard of the idea of 'Reverse Shopping'? If not, it may just help you rid your closets of the clutter you've been meaning to get rid of!
This might not be as "BREAKING NEWS" as it is for Lauree but here's why you should be excited:
You are no longer limited to only the 3 fl. oz. of liquid to carry on to the flight in your purse or bag. In the case of sunscreen it's not considered a medically important treatment that can go with you on-board. Which means the next time you are going through security and that giant tub of sunscreen is pulled out of your purse and plopped onto the conveyor belt...the TSA needs to let it pass!
And if that's not exciting enough, let's get excited for protecting our skin!! Three Cheers for sunscreen!! Hip Hip Hooray!
Lauree doesn't even care that she's really going hard letting her Dork flag fly...she's been dosing up with all sorts of sunscreens, even has a new bottle next to her driver seat in her car to put on your hands when she's driving home in the Texas sunshine. She's had one too many risks of skin cancer, plus your skin will thank you for caring for it -so get out there, take some trips and don't forget that Giant Tub'o'SunScreen that can on go in your purse!
We think you'll be encouraged by this 16-year-old's act of bravery to speak up in moment of fear and anxiety!
I know this is kind of strange, but the act of looking at yourself in the mirror makes me sad. I know firsthand and through conversations with friends the dialogue that takes place in that meeting with the mirror and, a lot of the time, that inner conversation is pretty ugly and harsh.
Here is a story of a woman who struggled with her own negative inner voice and how she was able to break that cycle with the power of a rubber band.
We've all experienced closed doors in our lives. Dreams that remained dreams. Hopes that never came to fruition. But how can we view those closed doors in our lives as a blessing despite the heartache we may feel?
"The world send us garbage and we send back music." A poverty-ridden community in Panama are creating a masterpiece from literal trash and it's a beautiful reflection what God is doing with us each and everyday.
If you've spent a good amount of money this past year on supplies to combat and fight off COVID-19, we've got some good news for you!
If you find yourself in a sobriety journey of any kind right now, I want you to know that your family here at KCBI is rooting for you!
There's something that I've noticed a lot as of lately that affecting us in one major common thread: we're losing sleep.
Here's the truth: you don't have to fight your critics.
God created you for a very specific purpose and an important assignment and there will surely be naysayers along your path. I hope you'll take encouragement from a character in scripture named Nehemiah.
Nehemiah wasn't a priest or a pastor, he was a business man. Israel has been taken captive by the Babylonians and had been in exile for 70 years before they we're let go. Jerusalem, though, was destroyed and defenseless and Nehemiah had decided he was going to rebuild his city and started with a wall to protect it. Nehemiah's opposition was instantaneous as Israel's enemies didn't want to see the city rebuilt and did all sorts of things to stop him. Nehemiah responded with the same message of perseverance 4 different times to those that wanted to stop his progress.
The moral of this story is that with every opportunity comes opposition, but that doesn't mean you have to fight your critics at every turn. Keep your eyes fixed on God and his great plan for you.
There is something happening to a surprising number of us each and every month without us knowing, and it's not good!
Hacks, shortcuts, tips and tricks...who doesn't appreciate something that will make your life better?! Doug comin in hot with 3 tips to help clean those pesky pots and pans with crusted food in your sink!
Nothing worse than seeing the headlines that "[INSERT COMPANY NAME] was hacked and data breached" the drop in your stomach is real. But beyond feeling like your most precious information is out there on the open market, it's equally hard to not know what to do about it. Doug found this site that helps you answer that questions: "Was my information released?"
In a moment of pulling back the curtain, Doug shares that he hasn't been apart of a local church for the past 2 years for a couple of reason. If you can relate to Doug story, you'll be encouraged by what led him to seek for a church home again.
When you we're a kid, did you ever dream of being rich? You probably did, but I wonder if you tied generosity in with that wealth.
After 50 years of wondering and searching, a mother is celebrating that she will soon be reunited with her son after giving him up for adoption when she was just 16 years old!
If you have something to celebrate, make sure to join us each weekday during the 5 pm hour for Lauree's Celebration Hour!
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, but freedom from what exactly?
Well let me put it this way, If your view of God sounds a lot like that critical voice you've got inside of you, what we're doing is projecting our inner pain onto God and we're seeing God through our own self-made view: demanding, relentless, impossible to please. In that light, all the work is on you. But the gospel tells us that Jesus already finished that on our behalf and gives us freedom. Even when our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts.
Alleluia! That stone has been rolled back from Jesus' tomb. But what about ours?
Though were post Easter in 2021, the resurrection of Jesus never stops being something worth celebrating which bears asking the question, what strone is blocking us in? Are we imprisoned by some sin that keeps us in it's clutches? Are we enslaved by resentment towards someone we just can't seem to shake? There's a lot of darkness we may be facing, but the moment Jesus died for us and resurrected, he literally destroyed death's hold on us forever and ever.
So it's time to step out of your tomb, you're free. Jesus has rolled back your stone as well.
A survey was recently conducted and the results show 55% of people feel judged if they do this thing in public post-COVID
There are 3 lies that we fall for over, and over, and over again. Here they are and here's how to finally stop!
On Good Friday, the day we remember the torture and death of Jesus, we're tempted to look away. It'd be easy to. It's brutal, it's ugly, it hurts. But what if we stared that torture in the eye and we gave ourselves over to lament and mourn? I think it would make Easter Sunday all the more celebratory.
When we can respond to anxiety with these two words, we have the ability to steal it's power.
It say's in scripture "The Lord is near to the broken-hearted" and it's time we start taking that a little more seriously.
"Go Outside and Play!" The phrase we've all heard at one point or another in our childhood, but how much time should we really be spending out in the sun? We have your answer.
Whataburger is just one of the many reasons we love living in Texas and our friends in Orange & White are at it again with an amazing surprise for all their employees. Maybe we should say What-A-Gesture
Pop quizzes were never my favorite while I was in school, but Jesus has a pop quiz with some good news to follow.
This pop quiz is a question that Jesus asked the Pharisees the night before his arrest in the last week of his life. The question is this: "What do you think about the Messiah? Who's son is he?"
That question still stands the test of time, what we think about Jesus changes everything. Who is that you think Jesus is? The answer of the changes whose son or daughter we are, forever.
Easter is just days away and we we're so excited to talk with KCBI Artist Steven Curtis Chapman about Easter and the hope that we have in the resurrection!
It doesn't take you long to see the negative in humanity, but we're always on the lookout for the good in people and we think one particular situation brings out the best in each of us.
I know this is random, but have you ever let a loved one come towards your face with a razor? I let my sister do just that this weekend, and honestly, I'm pretty thankful I did!
The most popular answers to the question "What Do Want To Be When You Grow Up?" look a lot different than they did when you we're growing up and there's one thing to blame: social media.
If you own a cell phone, you may be familiar with the scam calls that tell you that your car warranty is expiring. The calls can definitely be annoying, but the the scammers have gone TOO FAR with this latest ploy.
With the rise of social media, we follow people and become connected with people that we've never met. Today, I mourn the loss of one of those people.
The truth is there is no glorious "Christ Is Risen!" without the preamble of Christ's death.
Today is Good Friday, and to be able to experience and celebrate the joy of Easter Sunday, we first have to remember the brutality and torture that took place 2000 years ago that led to Jesus' death on a cross. It's hard to be able to read the account of what the suffering that Jesus experienced, but the miracle is that the God of all creation, the God who is all powerful and all knowing, submitted and took this tortuous death upon himself. Why? Because he loves you that much. He did it for you.
Good Friday is a day of mourning, but take heart because Easter is coming. Happy Holy Week.
You're used to getting Encouraging Music and Words of Hope at KCBI, but a fashion tip that'll help you avoid a shark attack? That's a new level!
Before you solve the problem you're having with the first solution, maybe there's a better second solution that could be just the right fix
Pop Quiz: What do you think is greatest attack on the gospel in today's time? The answer might surprise you!
We all have fears, some more unique than others, but we all have them. But it's 1 simple, yet profound truth that can silence any fear under the sun. God is on our side.
Maybe you're looking for a new job for whatever reason and as we know when we're in the hunt, networking is key. Though it's tough to network in the traditional sense at the moment, LinkedIn is the place to go and here a few tips to help you maximize chances of getting hired!
You may have recently screwed up big time, but how can we learn a lesson from a game of T-Ball?
Having an issue with a neighbor, but are nervous because you hate conflict? We think we may have just the idea that will get your point across!
Easter is just around the corner and you may have your lawn decorated with pastel colors and the Easter bunny, but what about the cross and where does it play into the Easter story?
I love yard decorations as much as the next homeowner, but as I've been out driving, I've noticed more and more crosses being put out in front lawns this Easter season. Maybe you've stumbled across this post and you're wondering, "What does a cross have to do with Easter?" Great question.
The answer is the the cross is the center point of why we celebrate Easter. It even feels weird to say the word "celebrate" because that cross is where Jesus, the Son of God, would die an unimaginable and excruciating death. But that cross was the goal of Jesus from the very beginning. His birth, his life, his entire ministry was all leading up to his death. Jesus was born to die so we might live and when he accomplished that purpose that he came to fulfill he uttered 3 words "It Is Finished."
Finished. Mission Accomplished. Done. End of Story. The question that comes from that is, what was finished? Satan's stronghold on humanity. Jesus came to deliver an decisive blow to the Devil at the Cross.
Hebrews 2:14 says, "Only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who held the power of death."
This means that when we celebrate Easter, you no longer are held under the power and shame of sin because Jesus and what his did. It's already been paid for. It is finished.
Texas just announced a big update for adults over the age of 18 in the fight against COVID-19.
7-year-old Carver from Hopkinton, Massachusetts has had quite the last couple years. Due to COVID-19 and the quarantine that we've had to endure, Carver has been forced to miss out on celebrating his last 2 birthdays. When Officer Rob Ekross got word of this, he knew he had to step into action.
"Ekross, on his own, purchased a couple of gifts for this future police officer and delivered them on his birthday," the department wrote in a Facebook post.
The whole department wished Carver a happy birthday and said they look forward to serving with him as an officer in 2035!
As much as we want to deny it, sometimes we make some pretty stupid mistakes. Good news is, neither us nor our mistakes can derail the plans that God has for us.
Believe it or not, the online dating game is competitive and kind of like a resume, people are looking for a way to stick out. Well, one of the big dating sites have said that just by adding this one word, you can DOUBLE the amount of interest you get on your profile! Talk about an advantage!
We know you listen to KCBI for the encouraging music, but we've also got words of hope for you.
Lauree sat down to have a conversation with an old friend recently, and we think you'd be encouraged to hear what they talked about!
Springtime brings some crazy weather to the Metroplex and last night was just another example of that. Rain, lightning, heavy winds, hail. But we're here to let you know that you don't have to fear the storms in your life, literal or hypothetical.
It says in Isaiah 41:10, "So 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."
No matter what storm you may be facing, you can take heart knowing God has you covered and will provide you peace through his promise!
"Better one handful of quietness than two handfuls of toil and chasing after the wind." No this isn't a riddle or Shakespeare, It's actually Ecclesiastes 4:6 and when we break it down, it can give us a lot of peace.
What that mean is there's a lot of us who striving: riches, envy, keeping up with the Jones'. I think as Christians we kind of know that this isn't a way to fulfillment, but it doesn't keep us from doing it. The writer says it's better to peace and quiet internally, so how do we get there?
The Apostle Paul nails it in Philippians 4, "The Lord is near. 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."
If you feel like you're striving to keep up with somebody in any form, rest is the answer. And where do we find rest? Christ Jesus.
Pandemic Brain Fog is a real thing and comes along with the following symptoms: Inability to focus, trouble sleeping, feelings of apathy. Can you relate? We've got some solutions for you to try!
Scientists have concluded that one hobby stands out above the rest in maintaining your brain health, and it's good news to ears of crafters.
Research at the Mayo Clinic shows that people who regularly do crafty things to get their creative juices flowing are less likely to suffer from age-related memory or thinking problems. Not the best at crafting? Good news, it's about quantity over quality. The repetition is what's key in seeing the benefits from doing crafting activities.
Though it may be a while before we visit a theme park, we're sure glad we live in Texas after hearing one strange, COVID-related guideline a certain state has in place.
Doug had a medical test done this week and his results are the perfect example of why a proactive approach is the best approach when it comes to your health.
Over the course of being married, you learn a few things and Doug, who has been married 31 years, shares a couple of his favorite lessons he's picked up along the way!
Today is National Awkward Day and to celebrate, Lauree shares a cringe-worthy public speaking moment that is sure to boost your self-confidence!
KCBI is kind of like toilet paper and we want to say thank you.
Today is national awkward day so this fits right in line with that theme, but the thing that KCBI and toilet paper have in common is that they're both essential. Last year at this time, you couldn't find toilet paper anywhere. We were all scrambling to find it and we found out, not only toilet paper, but a lot of things are essential to us. So many times over the last year we heard from people how KCBI is in that same category and unlike store bought goods, it's never sold out. KCBI has been that place you could turn for peace and rest, it's been that place that God has reminded you of his love and sovereignty through the music.
We share that with you to say this: Thank You. Thank you to everyone who partners with our ministry. Whether that's through financial support or prayer or just listening along, you're such a key part of this community that provides an essential message of encourage, hope, and the love that's found in Jesus. God has gone before us, he is with us, and will surely be waiting for us in the days ahead, come what may!
You may celebrate St. Patrick's Day by wearing green or eating your lucky charms for breakfast, but for Lauree, she memorializes this day for a very different reason because of anniversary that takes place on this day each year.
Happy St. Patrick's Day, friends!
If you ask people who Saint Patrick was, you're likely to hear that he was an Irishman who chased the snakes out of Ireland. But here's the real story behind Saint Patrick and how his faith did change Ireland forever.
It may surprise you to learn the real Saint Patrick wasn't actually Irish, but he came to Ireland as a teenager marauding Irish raiders when they attacked his home. They took Saint Patrick to Ireland and sold him to an Irish king who put him to work as a shepherd. He was raised in a Christian home but didn't really believe in God till he had an encounter with God in a dream. In the dream, God told Saint Patrick, "Your hungers are rewarded. Your ship is ready, you are going home." Eventually, he came to have a relationship with God and began his walk of 200 miles to the Irish coast and began to share the hope that's found in God to warrior people of Ireland. He pleaded them to lay down their swords of battle, fling away the knives of sacrifice, and cast away the chains of slavery.
Saint Patrick led a lot of people to the one true God and today we celebrate God's goodness and faithfulness. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Even a pandemic couldn't keep love from happening and one of the adjustments people had to make to date may be sticking around for the long haul!
You don't have to love golf to get the message behind this story!
Arnold Palmer isn't only the name of beverage, he was an actual guy and was a professional golfer. At one time, he played a series of exhibition matches in Saudi Arabia and when he finished, the King of the country wanted to present Arnold Palmer with a gift because of how impressed he was with expertise. Out of humility, Palmer said a gift wasn't necessary and just expressed how much he enjoyed getting to play in Saudi Arabia and getting to meet the people. The King indicated his extreme displeasure in not being able to give the famous golfer a gift, so wisely, Palmer reconsidered and told the king a golf club would be an amazing piece of memorabilia to remember his trip by.
So the next day, a messenger delivered to Palmer's hotel room... a title to an entire golf club. A LITERAL golf club. 36 holes, trees, lakes, buildings.
Moral of the story is this: When in the presence of a king, don't ask for small gifts.
Calling also true Texans! Lauree is in need of your lone star brain as she is hosting family from California for Easter!
Lauree and Doug love to recognized heroes all over, but when we've got one in our metroplex, they can't help but celebrate them!
This Big Hero come from Little Elm, Texas!
It says in Roman 3:23 "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." This is true, but that doesn't stop us from comparing distances.
Author Paul Zahl said this and it hits close to home because it's exact what a lot of us Christians do. We affirm the truth of the gospel. None of us have what it takes to be saved based on our own merits, that's why we need Jesus. But where we miss the mark is when we begin to compare distances how much we've sinned or how much forgiveness we're in need of. But the truth is, we've all fallen short and no matter who you are or what you past contains, the ground is level at the foot of the cross. Stop comparing distances and start looking towards the cross.
The Celebration Hour where we celebrate with you about what God is doing in your life or something he has done, and today with celebrate with a man who 37 years ago, was faced with a tough decision.
He and his girlfriend we're in high school and we're set to be teen parents. At the time, they were told the best decision for them and their future would be to terminate the pregnancy. Because of the Lord's working in their hearts, this couple chose life and today they celebrate their son's 37th birthday!
We can't wait to celebrate with you during Lauree and Doug's Celebration Hour here at 90.9 KCBI!
If you've ever heard this phrase, it may be a clear indication it's time to end the conversation!
You've probably heard the phrase, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."
Well one man has taken that to heart by trying something 189 times over the course of 17 years, and he's still yet to succeed!
We have arrived once again at Monday and we thought you could use a little bit of encouragement because...Well, just because.
Here it is: You are worth loving. You don't need to bring or become your best self to be worth it. You don't need financial stability to be worth it. You don't need a clean past to be worth it. You are worth loving right now, just the way you are.
There's no contingency to God's love. There no "if you clean up your past..." or "if you do...than God will love you/will have sent his son" That's already been done. The love is already there for the taking. Our job is just to move forward and believe in him. That's it.
If you don't make time for your wellness, you'll be forced to make time for your illness.
As we look back at this last year it wasn't just that we were ignoring our wellness, I mean we we're in quarantine. But the result has been a larger number of people experiencing unhealthy weight gain and there have been low-level conditions that have turned into something more all because we chose to skip out on seeing the doctor.
Health is a wholistic approach. Even though our focus has been to avoid Covid-19, we have to make sure to show attention to the other parts of us that need to be checked up on, as well.
If you've ever borrowed someone Netflix login to binge watch your favorite show (and lets be honest, who hasn't?) we've got some bad news for you.
We love our furry companions but there are things we do out of love that may actually do more harm than good in the long haul.
Depending on your outlook, this could be good news: God can use your pain to help others struggling with the same pain.
Rick Warren writes this in one of his devotionals, "When we're in pain the person we're thinking of the most is us because we're humans and we see things from our own perspective. But God says if we're going to learn to see like he does, we've got to try to see other people's pain, even when you're in pain."
It's hard to think of others when we're dealing with our own stuff, but how do we do it? This is what it says in 1 Peter 4:1, "Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude he did. You must be ready to suffer too. For remember, when your body suffers, sin loses it's power."
When we look past our pain, by his grace, we start to look more like Jesus and when we become more like Jesus, we start helping other people. That's the key.
Not sure who needs to hear this, but therapy is normal and it's good.
Despite the progress we've made as a culture in the attention that has been paid towards mental health, there is still a stigma that remains that therapy is something to be ashamed of and that it's solely for the broken. We go to doctor not only when we're sick, but also to prevent getting sick. Why can't the same steps be taken with our mental healthcare?
Tomorrow, March 10th, marks the end of the of the mask mandate here in Texas, but Lauree and Doug want to tell you why you want to hold on to those masks just in case.
I think we would all secretly love to have the moment where we make a historic speech that everyone remembers, but on second thought, it's may not always be the best thing.
Danny Gokey, one of artists here at KCBI, shared this idea: "Speak when you're angry and you'll give the greatest speech you'll ever regret."
When we speak while we're angry, we have the opportunity to etch a moment in time on someone's heart: our kids, our friends, even a stranger. But the great thing is God believed this was an important lesson because the Bible has so much to say on how to navigate these moments.
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - Proverbs 15:1
"Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them." - Proverbs 29:20
Bottom line: Be slow to speak and quick to think. There's wisdom in that.
A lot of us are working from home and it has a number of benefits, but it's breaking up some helpful routines in our schedules.
Have you ever seen some one mess up or fall down and someone responds with "That's karma"?
We call out karma when we think somebody gets something they had coming to them, but if we really think about, karma is LITERALLY the exact opposite of the gospel.
Karma says what comes around goes around and that we get what we deserve, but the Gospel says Jesus took what was supposed to be ours and paid it in full. This isn't to say there isn't consequences to our actions but when it comes to what the Gospel says against what karma says, we have to make a choice.
Psalm 103:8 "God does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities."
If you feel like you've screwed up/messed up/faceplanted in life and you're bearing the weight of that responsibility, we have something to tell you.
As people who have been there too, we want to let you know you're not defined by your worst moment. You're not defined by your greatest moments. You're not defined by what others think about you. You're not defined by what you think about yourself. You're not defined by what you do. You're not defined by what you don't do. The only thing, and I mean THE ONLY THING you're defined by is by what God has done for you.
Remember these 2 words: In. Christ.
You're not defined by who you think you are, you're defined by who God says you are.
America's Favorite Candy is making a pretty big change to their lineup and here's a hint: peanut butter lovers are rejoicing.
I got called out by my husband for spreading fake news the other night and I'm actually so glad I did.
Mental health is something we're talking about a lot more as of recent and here's a piece of good advice: run the dishwasher twice.
Doesn't make sense? Here's some context
Sin is a major issue. It's what separates us from God when we don't know Jesus. But what if we told you it was the shame that follows sin that's truly keeping us from living a life worthy of the calling we've received?
After nearly a year of spending the majority of our time with just family, we can fall into a routine and our conversations may get...stale.
Here are 3 simple questions that you can use to rejuvenate you conversations and add some life back into your interactions!
You may have heard the news that starting March 10th, you are no longer required to wear a mask in public in Texas due to Gov. Greg Abbott lifting the current mask mandate. But just a reminder: mask or no mask, choose kindness and respect.
Stress is something we all deal with as humans, but it's important we deal with in the right way. Otherwise, it may do some weird things to you.
There are a lot benefits to being able to work from home, but there's a hidden financial drawback you might not have known about.
On March 2, 1836, Texas Independence Day, historians believe the original and five copies of the declaration were made and signed by 59 men at Washington-on-the-Brazos. With the creation of the revolutionary document, settlers broke away from Mexico to create the Republic of Texas.
To celebrate, Lauree and Doug bring in their resident Texan, Producer Josh, to channel his inner public schooler and recite the Texas Pledge!
Our intention with this heads up isn't to scare parents, but just to remind you that it's always good to be prepared.
On the Today Show, they covered this story of a family from Lubbock who lost their 17-month-old daughter, Reese Hamsmith, after she swallowed a button battery, one of those you may find in a watch or a remote control.
As tragic as this is, Reese's mom has decided to use this opportunity to spread awareness and reminding parents that this type of accident is more common than you might realize. It's always good to just refresh yourself on the different safety precautions and we hope that this can serve as that reminder.
Our prayers are with the Hamsmith family during this difficult time.
Believe it or not, dropping out of college ISNT always a recipe for failure.
Before you change it, just hear us out!
We love to celebrate with you what God is doing in your life and today we celebrate with a friend who went out to eat after the HeartStrong Faith Women's Bible Conference last weekend. Through boldness and kindness, she had the opportunity to pray with her waitress to accept Christ as her Lord and Savior!
We can't wait to hear what you have to celebrate!
Every night for the last 3 weeks, Matthew McConaughey has put me to bed. And get this, my husband is "alright alright alright" with it!
The way you hear this verse says a lot about how you view God. It's 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
That last sentence "The one who fears is not made perfect in love" is interpreted by many of us as a criticism to ourselves and others as we question if we are made in love due to the fear that we express. That criticism, nowadays, is defined as "legalism". Kind of an inner critic that if we listen to it too much, it can result in us projecting our pain onto God as if God is responsible for that view. We all know the voice of that inner critic: demanding, relentless, impossible to please.
But the singular, true voice of God says All the work has been done, there's nothing left for us to satisfy. There's no earn left to acquire. We're free to relax in that love today. That's the gospel.
If you haven't gotten a piece of great news yet on this Monday, look no further!
This past weekend was the HeartStrong Faith Women's Bible Conference and one of our awesome sponsors for the event was Pre-Born Ministries. If you have hung around KCBI for any amount of time, then you're probably familiar with that name. What Pre-Born does is put ultrasound machines in crisis pregnancy centers across the country. We love partnering with Pre-Born, but I heard a statistic this weekend that shocked me. Because of the work of Pre-Born and their ministry, 6,300 moms who went into these pregnancy centers ended up making the decision to accept Christ just in 2020 alone.
As incredible as that statistic is, this is actually the good news I was referring to: Because of the generosity of the women that attended the HeartStrong Faith Women's Bible Conference this weekend, 1,000 babies lives will be saved through the ultrasound machines provided by Pre-Born!
Thank you to everyone who attended this conference in-person or virtually! It truly was an incredible weekend.
There are 3 ancient guys with some funny sounding names who have a great lesson for us about what it looks like to trust.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are pretty well known, but we want to share their story with you in case you're not familiar with them. They are characters in the Old Testament that can be found in chapter 3 of the book of Daniel. They were essentially commanded to worship an image of gold that was set up by King Nebuchadnezzar or were to be thrown in a blazing furnace if they refused, which they refused. When asked by the King if this was true, this is what Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego said:
"If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Did you catch that phrase of trust? "But even if he does not"? Should he deliver them, awesome. If he doesn't deliver them, then so be it because their trust was not in the outcome, it was in their God. We don't always get what we want from God, but we will always get the God who loves us.
Baby blankets can bring comfort, but so can coffee mugs.
Random I know but I was thinking about those things that bring us comfort after a photo came up in my memories of an old coffee mug that has been to me in my adult years what a baby blanket is to a child. This polish pottery coffee mug was given to me a long time ago from a friend and since I was given it, I've moved 9 different times. I've moved across oceans, I've restarted my life, I moved in and out of people's homes and now I've moved into my own home! But no matter where I've been and how much transition I've experienced, this coffee mug has been with me in my purse. It's been an item of comfort in my life.
I bet that equivalent to a baby blanket looks very different for all of us. What is that thing for you that brings you comfort?
It's always fun when we can have friends drop by and today that friend is Luke Smallbone but you may know him better as 1/2 of the FOR KING & COUNTRY. Today, Luke is celebrating the small joys in life that we may miss if we don't take time to stop and appreciate them.
What are you celebrating today?
I don't like it when my kids mess up. None of us do. But should we as parents be judged for those mess up's?
There will always be people that will judge us as parents if and when our kids mess up and that doesn't feel right. We do our best with our kids, but ultimately our kids are responsible for the choices they make. But the more I thought about it and came to the conclusion that it's unfair, why do we do it with God? Why do we make conclusions about God's character based on imperfect actions of his children?
Lets be careful about drawing conclusions about who God is as a result of our experiences with broken individuals. People mess up, God doesn't.
You may have heard of these community drop-off libraries where people can pick up or leave a book, but what about a similar concept for dogs?
That's the idea that 10-year-old Jerimiah Carter had as he began thinking of ways he could help his 4-legged friends in his home of Saskatchewan, Canada. But instead of books or household items, Jerimiah decided to make a stick library with the help of his dad, David. So as dad built the library, Jerimiah collected the sticks so now everyone in his community can head to the brand new stick library and play fetch with their dogs! I'm telling you, acts of kindness can come in all shapes and sizes. This one just happens to be in the shape of stick!
"A friend should treat a troubled person kindly, even if he abandons the fear of the almighty." This heavy statement comes straight from the mouth of Job and it's a statement that proves how crucial friendship is in hard situations.
So the beloved Chick-Fil-A is making some changes to their menu and are saying goodbye to a couple current items!
Will you miss them?
With everything else we've just been through, it feels a little cruel to remind you tax season is almost here. But we come with some good news for you!
Whether it's a literal storm like the one we just faced or a storm that you're currently facing in your life, here are 5 things that you should absolutely do to help you weather the storm.
1) Have courage. You are not alone, Jesus is with you.
2) Don't argue with the fear, just tell it where to go. (Go to Jesus)
3) Take a risk in faith. Don't ask God to bless what you're doing, instead do what God is already blessing.
4) Stay focused on Jesus. When you're starting to sink, just like Peter did, keep you eyes on him instead of the storm.
5) Don't doubt. That's easier said than done, but even a little bit of faith in Jesus is all you need to keep hanging on.
Bonus Praise God. Even when you're sinking, even when you're scared you won't make it through, praise him and thank him the whole way through.
Our buddy Darren Mulligan, lead singer of We Are Messengers, dropped by the show today to take part in our Celebration Hour!
What are you celebrating today?
Now being on the other side of the Texas Freeze, here a couple things we'll take away from the frigid week
Looking for ways to improve your odds of getting hired? Data shows that a certain day of the week may be your best shot at scoring your next employer.
Research shows that Tuesdays are actually the best day to apply for a job! Tuesday is not only the best day out of the week for job seekers to apply for a job, but it's also the day most people are hired.
A study by hiring platform SmartRecruiters looked at more than 270,000 job postings and found that Tuesday is the most popular day for companies to post jobs and although nearly 58 percent of jobs are posted from Monday through Wednesday, Tuesday is where most of the action happens. To increase your odds of getting that first interview, apply to a job within the first week that it's posted. According to data, 11 a.m. is the most popular time for companies to post new job listings during the week, while the majority of candidates apply for jobs around 2 p.m.
Now get out there and apply away!
Do you have any skeptics in your life? Probably so, and maybe you're even one at times! Here is a message and a story of hope from a couple of skeptics that should have you encouraged today.
What do you do when life feels like it's coming apart at the seams? It's not a stretch to say that things have gone haywire over the last couple of years, but believe it or not, we're not the first people to go through crazy. King David experienced crazy. Just read Psalm 3.
So whatever it may be that causing your stress to rise: job stuff, weather, covid, whatever it is that's caused your life to feel like it's falling to pieces doesn't define you. Who you are is secured forever in the tender, loving care of Jesus. Remember what Jesus said, "I am with you, always. Even to the end of the world."
Do you have any experience with debt collectors in real life? The job of a debt collector is someone who paid to collect a certain debt in anyway that is legally possible and when I look at a job like this, I know that the key to success is persistence. As unpleasant as this experience can be, I think there's still hope from the perspective of the debt collector that the debt will be paid. I believe a lot of us will spend, in some cases, years trying to collect an emotion debt that will never be paid. I believe many of us could be classified as emotional debt collectors as we seek emotional repayment from someone were mad at, someone who hurt us, someone we hold a grudge against. There is almost zero hope in search of collecting that debt.
So we have to ask ourselves "Is there a better way?" We don't have all the answers, but from experience we can say sometimes it's just better to cut ties with that baggage you're carrying and allow yourself to move on.
Here's the truth: people fail, but God doesn't.
I read the same headlines you do and it's disheartening to see people who we recognize fall and see their name be tarnished by their actions. Sometimes we lose that perspective that it's in our nature as humans to fail. There have been moments in our lives where we have been influenced by pastors and leaders and theologians, we've read their books, we've soaked up their ideology. They've helped come to know God more, but it doesn't mean they can't fail. They live in the same sinful, broken world that we do.
We must be reminded of what it says in Genesis 4:7, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Take heart: people are going to fail, but God never does.
Lauree found a reality show on TV that doesn't involve roses and she think's it breath of fresh air!
With Valentine's Day just a couple days away, we thought it'd be fun to share with you how we met our spouses and celebrate the love that God has given us through our marriages. Here is Producer Josh's story of how he met his wife, Meagan.
With Valentine's Day just a couple days away, we thought it'd be fun to share with you how we met our spouses and celebrate the love that God has given us through our marriages. Here is Doug's story of how he met his wife of 33 years, Julie.
With Valentine's Day just a couple days away, we thought it'd be fun to share with you how we met our spouses and celebrate the love that God has given us through our marriages. Here is Lauree's story of how she met her husband, Brian.
I was out for a walk the other day and something I heard from a pastor stopped me in my tracks... literally.
I was listening to a podcast from Pastor Timothy Keller and he had this quote that just blew my mind. He said "God will either give you what you asked for in prayer or he'll give you what you would have asked for if you knew everything that God knows." That's the type of goodness that will blow you off your feet.
We may not know what is best, but God does and either way, he is going to give us what is best from his perfect perspective. More of you, God. Less of us. That is our prayer.
As a community and family here at KCBI, we just wanted to take a moment to pray for those affected by this morning's crash that took place this morning in Fort Worth. We empathize with the families who are experiencing waves of emotion as they're walking the journey of unexpected loss. We pray that the Lord will make his presence felt when we don't have the words to say and that he would give comfort and strength to those in need of it today and in the days ahead. Would you join us in prayer?
We're stuck with Zoom meetings for the foreseeable future so we dug up some tips on how to make them more bearable for everyone involved.
Zoom (or video conferencing in general) has become a permanent fixture in our lives and if were being dragged into video meetings, might as well do it with a little etiquette. Experts have come up with 4 housekeeping tips that will make your Zoom experience more bearable for everyone involved.
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Be on time. This one is pretty obvious and a tech columnist for the Wall Street Journal said that some bigger businesses are putting some pretty strict rules on their video calls like denying access to anyone who is more than 5 minutes late!
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Always Activate Your Camera. Whether it was a bad hair day or your secretly getting other stuff done around the house, we've all been guilty of having our camera off. But your co-workers and bosses will take you more seriously if they can see your face.
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Don't Pick Up Your Device And Move Around. It's downright distracting.
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If You Have A Question, Ask It. Even If It Means You Interrupt Someone. Generally speaking, interrupting someone is rude but on Zoom meetings, you kind of have to get people's attention.
Rebecca Carrell from Mornings with Rebecca & Burns joins Lauree and Doug to let you know what you can expect at this year's Heart Strong Faith Women's Bible Conference!
Our awesome producer here in the Afternoons, Josh, has done something pretty radical for him: He's vowed to give up sports for an entire year, but it's probably not for the reason you think!
Here's what he had to say when he took to his social media:
"So this is crazy for me, but I’m just going to go for it.
Starting February 1st, I’m quitting sports for 1 whole year in search of a more intentional life.
From February 1st, 2021 to February 1st 2022, I’m avoiding sports all together. A sabbatical of sorts.
This includes the NBA (Mavericks), MLB (Rangers), NFL (Cowboys), NHL (Stars), and my new found love of the WNBA (Wings). Also the NFL, NBA, and MLB draft. contemplates this decision as I’m writing this Really trying to go cold turkey. For anyone who knows me, you know sports is one of the biggest things in my life and has been for as long as I can remember. Sports has the unique ability to allow us to escape from real life for a while and be unified in our favorite teams, but I need to prove to myself that I don’t NEED sports to be happy. I’m excited/scared/nervous for the days ahead. My hope is that you’ll join me in prayer that the Lord will honor this time and provide sweet opportunities to be more intentional and present in what is around me.
But in the meantime, my plan is to pursue deepened relationships with not only my friends, but to be more present at home with my wife and my little girl. I’ve been able to feel myself missing memories being made because I was so wrapped up in being mad at the Mavericks😂 "
Best of luck, Producer Josh! This choice has inspired us and we pray the Lord will use this time to allow you to make sweet memories with your little family!
Maybe you're new to KCBI and the Afternoon Show and you're wondering "what is this celebration hour thing?" Well, here is the heart and origin behind this hour of time where we celebrate with you what God is doing in your life!
Today, February 9th, is National Pizza Day which is a glorious but we've got one problem: Lauree and Doug disagree on which frozen pizza is best.
What we have for you are 2 words that will make for a happier marriage, backed up by research.
"Thank you." Simply remember to show gratitude when you spouse says or does something that you appreciate and you take notice. It's that simple. Don't believe us? The journal "Personal Relationships" said the more that we show gratitude in our marriages, the more happy we'll be and the more valued our spouse will feel."
I know, this sound like total common sense but let's put it into action and reap the benefits!
We have a lot reasons to be proud to from Texas, but there's a couple things we're bragging about that we may need to slow our roll with.
What is something that is from Texas that you're proud of?
Recently I read a story of a car hijacking that took place in Hot Springs, Arkansas and my reaction wasn't what I thought it would be.
This woman is just out running errands in Hot Springs when she sees two men running towards her car after what was a failed attempted robbery. They jump in, put a gun to her head, and just tell her to start driving. As she's driving them to the ATM, she starts talking to her hijackers about Jesus and turned on Christian radio which started playing the same songs as you'd hear on KCBI. Good news is this woman is safe and as she shared her experience with the news station she shared this line, "I just started to sing these songs and I was telling them about Jesus and I turned to this man in the back and told him 'Whatever it is that you're into, you can't outrun the love of Jesus.'"
The reason my reaction to this story surprised me is because I found myself identifying more with with the man in the back than the woman driving. But I began thinking how this man's life is messy just like my life can be messy on any given day and God would, in the midst of my mess,
use somebody else to speak a word of encouragement into my life to help guide me back. That is such a loving God. Thank you, Lord, for reaching us even in the midst of our mess.
I know this is out of the blue, being the middle of day and all, but God will outlast every destroyer of your happiness.
"God is faithful..." it says in 1 Corinthians 1:9 and the one who's arms wrap around all of this mess in our lives, he's not moody or erratic or tired. But rather, he's steady, confident, trustworthy, patient, and determined. What ever it is that's making you weary because you're using all your energy trying to solve it, let God keep watch as we find rest today.
I once saw a woman curled up in a corner in a ball of worry and anxiety. The solution? A 3 letter word that changed everything.
Years ago, I was going through an accreditation to become a coach, someone that helps people move from point A to point B in their lives. In these classes, they would ask for volunteers to sit in front of the class to help with demonstrations and one particular night this lady decided to volunteer with some very real urgency. Turns out, this woman was an empty-nester and her husband was quick becoming disabled, so there were some things she was wanting to work through. What she quickly learned was this wasn't counseling and no one was going to be giving her answers to her problems. Instead, the instructor began asking her questions which led to series of "I don't know's" each one more frantic then the last. You could physically see the anxiety setting in, not only in her voice, but in her overall demeanor. The instructor then stopped and asked the woman if he could make a suggestion of one change she could make, which to her response was an immediate "Absolutely!"
And his suggestion was this "Will you add 'yet' to the end of each one of those responses? I hear you answer with I don't know, but I want you to say 'I don't know yet'." In that moment, one small change that consists of a single word changed everything for this woman. You could see the fear start to melt away as she was becoming more and more convinced to that it's okay not to know the answer yet.
For us, in our lives, we all have things that make us feel tense and stressed and we just don't have the answers to solve those problems. But I think the beauty of having God in our lives is he is able to say to us "It's okay not to know yet, but we're going to walk this journey together and I know this road."
You sure wouldn't think you'd find mercy in a book called "Judges", but that's exactly what you'll get!
If you've read the Old Testament, then you're familiar with the theme of the people of Israel ending up in bondage and time after time, God will offer them a way out, but they wanted to do things there way. There's this beautiful part in Judges 10 where the Israelites pleaded to God to do with them what he pleases as they got rid of the idols and foreign gods among them and chose to serve the Lord. Here's the mercy: it says that he could bear Israel's misery no longer.
God can't bear our misery even when we're the cause of our misery and if we're honest, a lot of the time, we're the creators of our own misery. God loves you with a tender, everlasting love that I hope you'll allow yourself to believe today.
We love to celebrate what the Lord is doing in your life and today we celebrate with a friend who has been through some hardship. After 5 years of financial burden, job and personal loss, the Lord has blessed this friend with the ability to move into a brand new home!!
Make sure to join us each weekday at 5pm for the Celebration Hour with Lauree & Doug here at 90.9 KCBI! And if you have something to celebrate, give us a call at 214-787-1909 or download the KCBI App and leave us a voicemail telling us how the Lord is working in your life!
Doug has never been to the Heartstrong Faith Women's Bible Conference because.. well he's not a woman. But if you're a woman and you also have never been to the Heartstrong Faith Conference, Lauree fills you in on what you can expect from this amazing weekend!
You've probably heard this verse before, but I hope when you hear it today it falls on you in a new way of encouragement.
Psalm 119:105 says this: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
In the midst of world, it's hard to feel like there's clarity of what is straight ahead. It feels like we're zigging one moment and zagging the next. More than ever, my prayer to God is just for clarity.
As I pondered on this verse the visual that came to my head is if you've ever been camping the lamp for our feet is the equivalent of lighter. It doesn't give off a lot of light, but it's step by step and you're constantly checking back into that light to make sure you're able to take that next step in the way that God's word is to us. Yet the juxtaposition for the light of the path of like daybreak, a flood light pouring in.
So in a world that is confusing and everchanging, God's word guides us step by step as it walks with us in an intimate manner; At the same time, it's giving us the big picture of God's kingdom here on earth and what we should be focusing our eyes on.
Man-made religion is something God wants no part of and that includes our own track record.
God isn't sitting around with a little notebook keeping track of all our sins to know just how many times we've messed up. That's what religion does, but not God. Here's what the gospel says: when you trust in Christ, God has cancelled the record of your sins and he remembers your sins no more. God is a lover and a forgiver, not a keeper of wrongs.
I got a call from my daughter yesterday saying, " DO NOT BUY THIS FOR THE GRANDKIDS"
Listen to find out what it is!
What do you suppose happens when we drop the facade and we start getting real with God?
Maybe you're scared of what he may think if he could see the real you and see your sin for what it is. If that's you, don't ever be afraid to reveal what's behind the curtain to God. I have 2 reasons why.
1) He already knows. He's God.
2) His grace is always going to be deeper and bigger than whatever it is that we're bringing to him.
Remember 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
At the end of the day, it's about his faithfulness not ours.
All of us at some point in our lives have been affected or will be affected by knowing someone who is facing a cancer battle. What if over the next 30 days, we prayed specifically for those are fighting cancer?
Right now through March 1st, there is a nationwide effort that is encouraging people to battle cancer one prayer at a time over at 30dayscancerprayer.com! One of the people leading the charge is KCBI Artist Matthew West and he joined the show today to lead us in a prayer to help kick off this 30-day pledge!
Do you know what Jesus does with those who squander his mercy? Someone isn't going to like the answer and that's okay.
When Jesus sees us squandering his mercy, he pours out more mercy. I'll say that again: when Jesus sees us squandering his mercy, his response to that isn't condemnation, it's not shaming the squanderer, it's not punishment. It's more mercy.
The Apostle Paul has the perfect example in the book of Romans. He says, "The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
That's not just good news. That's the good news.
If you love shopping at Hobby Lobby (and let's be real, who doesn't?) you're going to want to hear this!
There's always a coupon that you can find for Hobby Lobby and even one up to 40% off! Well, that's no more. Hobby Lobby has announced that after the end of February, they will no longer be accepting the 40% off coupon. But to make up for this tragic news, the customer-focused company will be offering more discounts on everyday items. So if you've got that 40 percenter tucked in that back of that junk drawer, break that puppy out and use it before it's too late!
This weekend, I listened to a dead man talk to me and I know just how strange that sounds but maybe many of us had a similar experience: going to a virtual funeral.
This weekend, I found myself sitting at my kitchen table all dressed up in front of my computer to celebrate the life of a long time friend. For the last 7 years, he had been battling cancer so to a certain extent, this day was expected. As apart of the funeral, he had made a video before he passed away and I just began thinking, what do you say when you're staring down a camera knowing that people are watching the video because you're gone? What is the one point that you want to share with your loved ones because you've gained the perspective of knowing you're dying?
Here's what he shared: "Don't waste time. Whatever stops you in your life, the obstacles that are stopping you from giving your heart to God and living your life and pursuing him, stop wasting time."
It's such a gift to have those people speak love and truth into our lives and I want to encourage you with this. Don't chase time, chase Jesus.
Are you setting goals, but not meeting them? Here is why you can still be proud of what you accomplished.
Many of us at the beginning of the year kicked off 2021 by making big plans and setting big goals but if you're anything like me, you got to the end of the month and there a lot of boxes left unchecked. I know that feeling and I know that there can be a sense of shame and failure that begins to set in our heart, but I stand here with a piece of encouragement to you if you find yourself in the same boat. Even though we may not have been able to accomplish everything on our list, I'm proud that we set goals and have got the momentum going in our favor! With goals, we're aiming towards something. With goals, we got more accomplished than we would have if we didn't have a direction to go. I'm proud of us!
Are you bored in any way right now? And if that answer is yes, is it really a problem?
Some people say that boredom is actually good for kids and their brains and that actually true! But what if I told you I believe that boredom is a result of our sin nature? Author G.K. Chesterton has this beautiful quote in his book "Orthodoxy" that talks about our tendency to get bored. He says, "Because children has abounding vitality, because they're in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say "do it again!" and the grown-up person does it again until they're nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exalt in monotony, but perhaps God is strong enough to exalt in monotony. It's possible that God says every morning "do it again" to the sun and every evening "do it again" to the moon. It may not be like we assume automatic necessity that makes all the daisies alike. It may be that God makes every daisy separately and has never gotten tired of making them. It may be that he has the eternal apatite of infancy for we have sinned and grown old and our Father is younger than we."
There's beauty in knowing that God isn't doing any of this by accident. Hope it encourages you today.
In this first month of 2021, it felt like somewhat of an outer-body experience. It feels like I've just been standing back and watching insurrections, inaugurations, and indoctrination of ideologies. All the talking head are just screaming at each other and it feels like the noise level gets louder and the arguing gets more vile to the point that I can't take it anymore. But then, it just goes silent.
And I hear this voice from over my shoulder say, "Hey kid, how are you doing?" All of a sudden, I'm home and that voice I hear is from our father God.
Our world might be falling off it's hinges but God tells us that he has overcome this troubled world. The good news is we don't have sign up for a trial run or a pay a membership fee or clean up all that is messy in our lives to ask God the tough questions. All we need to do is take the time.
I looked at the calendar and COULDNT BELIEVE we are already at the last friday and the last weekend of the first month of 2021. Time has just flown by!
So how are you doing? What are you proud that you've accomplished over the course of this month?
I think we've all had this experience at least once during this pandemic. You are going about your day and you get a notification on your phone or look at a calendar and realize "Today, I was supposed to go on vacation/go to a birthday party/celebrate this thing/etc."
I'm experiencing that today and I have to be honest, it really stinks. I'm sad, I'm disappointed, but like we say here at KCBI all the time, we have a choice. Do we stay in the mindset an continue to be upset or do we choose to move on? So right here, right now, I'm choosing gratitude. What are you choosing today?
No one is going to judge you for your answer to this question, but do you think this pandemic has made you lazy? More specifically, has this pandemic made you a lazy parent?
I know this a bit of an sensitive question for me to ask as someone who hasn't yet been blessed yet to be a parent myself, but I have to say watching the parents around me adjust and be flexible to fit this new normal, I have to say that I think you're a hero. The ways you've had to adapt and the thing you've had to address with you kids, that is a hard job. I have so much respect for you.
But maybe you're the person who read my question and internally nodded your head. Maybe you feel like this pandemic has gotten the best as of you and all you want to do is put it on auto-pilot and check out into a world that isn't dominated by social distancing and a dumpster fire of a political climate. If that's you and you just need a life line today, would you allow me to pray for you?
Father God, I am asking that you would remind my friend right now, in their exhaustion and their anxiety, to come to you. That they would fall at your feet, God. That they would bring their weary mind, their exhausted heart, and their empty tank straight to you. The temptation to be able to power through on their own or the fear that fills their mind of what others will think if they just knew the thought that race through their head, God, would you just remove that? I pray that they would come to you to find rest for their weary souls. And I pray that my friend would have a refreshed vision of what you would have in store for them during this season. We have no idea how long this way of life will last but you do. God, you know them. You their children and their needs so would you give them direction where to focus during this time so the next time those hard moments arise, you've given them the way forward and you've given them that next step to take in faith. God, we thank you for them and for knowing exactly where they are. In your name we pray, Amen.
If you have ever believed that God can't reach you in your pit, I have two sisters that have a word to speak over that lie.
Those two sisters are Corrie and Betsy Ten Boom and the reason that I share this with you is because today is a very special day. Today is the International Holocaust Remembrance Day as it marks 76 years since the infamous death camp in Auschwitz was liberated. Corrie and Betsy were prisoners of a different concentration camp, but they knew and lived through the unthinkable evil that existed. As they got out of their camp, Betsy said to her sister, "Corrie, we must tell people what we have learned here. We must tell them that there is no pit that is so deep that God is deeper still. They'll listen to us, Corrie, because we have been here."
Wherever you find yourself, God is with you there. Isaiah 59:1 assures of that. "Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call." So today as you remember and honor the live that were lost during the Holocaust, may we also remember our God who will rescue us because we are never out of his reach.
Hate to break it to you, but your work is never done.
It's universal. You may be a parent, a spouse, a wife, a mom, a co-worker. No matter what your title is the list goes on with thing you have to accomplish. By the end of the day, we always come up short on the to-do list of life. But that's not the nature of the Christian Life.
So many of us look at Christian experience with this to-do list mentality for God. We know that isn't what saves us, but if we can get stuff done for him, he'll be happy with us. Doing your devotions, doing your quiet time, making sure you're praying enough. It's the thought a lot of us have when it comes to God, but the thing is that isn't how God works. God doesn't measure his love for us or his value of us by how much we can accomplish because the work he's done on our behalf is already finished.
So the next time you look at you to-do list, remember this: on one level our work is never finished, but on the other level you can rest knowing the work's been done and always has been. You're not paying rent to live in the house of grace.
"Marriage doesn't complete you, Jesus completes you." The interesting thing is that was shared from a happily married couple that you may be familiar with.
KCBI Artist Jeremy Camp and his wife, Adrienne, have been married for 17 years and if you seen or heard of his story through the book and the movie, "I Still Believe" then you know the story of how he lost his first wife, Melissa, and how he and Adrienne have built their life together. Jeremy says the key is putting Christ at the center of your marriage. When asked, he said, "I think that people have this idea when they are stepping into marriage that, 'I'm going to find the person that's going to fulfill me.' When you go into marriage with that mindset, ‘I found this person that's going to fulfill my heart,’ you're setting yourself up for failure."
And the truth is this goes for anything in life. If you're looking for something that is of this world to complete you, you're setting yourself up for failure. It's not about finding something to fulfill you, rather it's about finding the one who made you for himself.
Are you struggling with worry? I have an idea: Let's rename it.
One of the things that happens when you're in quarantine like I have been is you have a lot of time on your hands. So I decided to read quite a bit. An author I've really enjoyed reading is a lady named Gretchen Ronnevik. Here's what she has to say about worry: "Maybe worrying is better understood as a lack of patience. Patience is the willingness to suffer, and for me, worrying is proving to be my unwillingness to suffer."
Maybe that stings a little bit but if we can learn look at worry through this lens, we can ask God to give us the perseverance to make it through the suffering because we know we're not alone in it. God is with us always and I truly believe this could be a game changer in the way we view worry in our lives.
The last time we talked, I told you that I'd be flying solo for a little bit of time here in the Afternoons after we found out that our buddy, Doug, tested positive for COVID.
Well turns out it was just a short flight because I'm so glad to announce that Doug is back with us! Though we're having to do the show remotely with Doug still being quarantined, I'm so happy that the break away was just a short one. Now back to the fun!
I have a big favor to ask of you today and it involves our friend, Doug.
Doug, my co-host here in the Afternoons, tested positive for COVID so for a little bit, I'm just going to flying solo. But here is my request of you:
-Go ahead and download the KCBI App if you haven't already done so.
-When you open it up, you'll see 3 little bars in the top left corner that will open drop down menu and find the option that says "Send a voice message."
-If you'd like to, leave a message for Doug wishing him a quick recovery or share a scripture that
would be an encouragement to him!
Doug is such an important part of our KCBI family and if you love Doug as much as I do, I know this small gesture will mean so much to him! He would love to hear from you!
We can all talk about God's redemption and forgiveness in our lives, but like the saying goes, "You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?"
Yesterday, I met and talked with a woman who is a former prostitute that inspired me to think about the limitation I put on God's power and redemption in my life. Her testimony is a radical example of what it looks like to believe that God will be God and will show up in ways that only God can. I hope you are encouraged and inspired by her story the same way that I was and that it may even cause you to do some thinking about the ways that you've put a box around God and what you believe he can do!
You know when you hear something that makes you tilt your head to the side, scrunch up your face, and say "That makes no sense to me"? Same.
The NBA, like many sports leagues right now, are doing their best to make sure that everyone stays healthy by taking different precautions. One of those new rules being put in effect is that post game, the referees will form a line at center court to prevent players from the opposite teams from hugging and shaking hands after the game.
Does that make sense to anybody else? Just second before, these guys are going full speed up and down the court and are making contact like crazy. How is not saying good game after the buzzer has sounded going to be the difference maker here?
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for finding a solution. But this one makes me tilt my head, scrunch my face, and say this makes no sense to me!
As Jesus was on the cross, he said "It is finished." But here's what he didn't say, and it should be an encouragement for each of us.
Lauree did something this past weekend that she was pretty proud of, but she didn't take to social media to post it. Millennials collectively gasp
But she says there was something about it that felt freeing!
Being the President of the United States is a big job, and as we welcome in a brand new president, we have a job of our own on Inauguration Day.
President Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris have a big job with big expectations out in front of them, but they're not the only ones with a job to do. You and me, we have a job too. It's to be prayer warriors.
1 Timothy 2 says this to us: "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our savior."
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, my hope is not in any president. My hope and joy are found in our father, God, as he leads us in our march forward.
You ever laugh at God. Like one of those laughs when you’re hanging out with your friends and someone says something so crazy, all you can do is laugh. Lauree shares the story of Sarah in Genesis when she laughed at the absurd thing God promised. It didn't end well.
Words have power. Life and Death. Encouragement, Comfort, Belief. Doug wanted to share this word with you today about the power of God's ways.
Don't get us wrong, we are also super inspired by the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr! Today is the day that we commemorate his work and life - and we see the quotes and ideas shared all over the news cycle and social media feeds. But if it's anything like Christmas...we may have a problem to solve!
It's something a lot of us say to each other and to ourselves these days, but quite honestly, it's not very helpful and it may shock your system to hear this.
It's not especially helpful, it's marginally helpful, when we say during tough times, "The Lord is still on the throne" or "The Lord is still in control."
Now I'm not saying it's not true. It's definitely true and can be helpful as we try to deal with these macro-level, worldwide issues to give a sense of peace. But if I'm hurting on personal level and dealing with a tragedy, the most comforting thing to be told may not be "The Lord is in control." This isn't because God isn't in control, but because there's an even deeper truth about who God is. It may be a little helpful to know that he's in control, but it's even more powerful to realize that he personally knows that suffering as he was on that cross.
There is no suffering that we go through that God can't identify with. There was cosmic grief on the cross when he was literally separated from his father God for the first and only time in the history of his continued existence.
So know that you are not alone because the God that sits on throne is same the God that hung on that cross and knew suffering so that we could know true freedom.
The Most Important Thing You Will Do Today Is...
Coming Home! Author and speaker Brené Brown suggests that the first moments we walk into our home and engage with our loved ones are the most important moments of our day. Smile!
Imagine for a moment that you get together with a friend, you choose a cafe to grab a cup of coffee and as soon as you slide into the booth opposite your friend you begin,
"Wow, how long has it been since you've got a haircut?"
" Those pants are looking a bit tight, are you sure you want to eat that muffin you just ordered?"
"Gosh! You look tired, is your marriage hard? what are you doing about it?"
If I was that friend sitting across from you, I would feel the tears of pain, shame, embarrassment and betrayal fall down my face. But I wouldn't stay there for long and listen to more. I would get up and away from that barrage of hurt.
I don't think that my reaction would be unique, we can sit here to day and say, "No I would never do that to my friend!" And that is probably true. So here is the question...
Why do we have that dialogue with ourselves?! Why do our words hit so hard and deep with ourselves? It might not be a booth but when we look in the mirror getting ready in the morning, the cruel dialogue begins.
What if we could change that?
Today we celebrate with a woman, who through the grace of God, has truly forgiven the person that killed her 28-year-old son. This incredible testimony is one filled with forgiveness, liberation, and the healing power that can only come from Jesus.
If you'd like to be apart of the Celebration Hour here at KCBI, just give us a call at 214-787-1909 or text in your celebration through the KCBI App! We'll see tomorrow at 5pm for Lauree and Doug's Celebration Hour!
God. Is. Love. Could it get any better than that?
It isn't that he has love, although he does. It isn't that he demonstrates love, although he did. He literally IS love. Therefore, because of God, we know what love is: patient, kind, trustworthy, forgiving, it keeps no record of wrongs. That's who God is.
Have you ever thought to yourself, "Why is it so easy for everyone to read their bible?" You're not alone. Here are 3 tips for you that can help make reading your bible a little easier.
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Listen to the bible while you read. We all learn and process things in different ways and maybe being able to read along as someone is reading scripture to you will help bridge some of that information for you.
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Find a podcast or daily devotional that helps summarize what you've just read. If I may recommend one, check out Tara-Leigh Cobble's The Bible Recap or The God Shot here at kcbi.org!
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Set a Time Limit. I know this sounds a little antithetical since our goal is to spend as much time as possible with the Lord, but what this does is gives you a blocked off amount of time that you know you can fully focus on God if you know that to much time flexibility allows you to get distracted
The bottom line is to pray and ask God for the diligence and the discipline so you can know God more and the beautiful thing is God is chomping at the bit to respond to that prayer of yours. He loves you.
You have 3 options: Sleep, Exercise, Or Diet. 1 of these is linked to most improved mental health. Which one do you think?
Mental Health has been on of the biggest topics of conversation over the last year and the conversation of how to protect and improve our mental health and those 3 things, Sleep, Exercise, and Diet have been described as the 3 pillar of improved health. So where do you focus most of your attention if you want to start seeing improvements in your mental health? If you guessed sleep, you would be correct!
The key is the quality of sleep that you're getting and a big way to get better quality sleep is to set good habits in your "sleep hygiene." No, this doesn't have anything to do with your cleanliness, it's about the environment that you're setting when it comes time to go to bed. Clean sheets, a made bed, and screens outside the sleeping space are just a few of the things that they recommend to improve upon your quality of sleep.
Of course exercise and a healthy diet are huge steps into a better overall mental health but if you're looking for a great place to start today, let start with our "sleep hygiene!"
You know what to expect when you go through the drive-thru, but I'm sure we would both be shocked if we got what this lady was serving!
DiDonna's Drive Thru Difference - not what you'd expect!
Without knowing your name, where you live, or what your story is, we probably have something in common: We probably both have jobs, which means you can relate to this topic.
These days, we're probably a lot more grateful for our jobs than we've been in the past but no matter how grateful we are, those jobs can still be a grind. When we are having tough days, why we are doing the work becomes really significant and because of that, we have a story.
There we're 3 laborers who all did the same job but each we're asked what they did. When the 1st laborer was asked, he said "I'm making a living." That's all he said. When the 2nd laborer was asked, he said "Well, I drag heavy stones for a living." But when the 3rd laborer was asked what he did, he said "I'm building a cathedral."
You see, they all have the same job, but when asked what they do, each had a different response with a different purpose. The meaning of our work is a whole lot less about what we do and more about why we do it and who we're doing it for. If you're a Christian, no matter what you're doing, you're doing it for him and you're literally building a cathedral.
Maybe you're like us here at the beginning of the year and you're wondering what kind of changes you can make to set yourself up for a year full of health and wellness. But if you're also like us, then those changes may be gradual. So what is the bare minimum amount of exercise you need each day to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
The answer is just 11 minutes a day! The Norwegian Medical Board concluded from their research that 11 minutes spent exercising is the minimum amount of time that can produce statistical impact and change. That could be a walk around the block, a circuit workout, or you could turn on KCBI for 3 songs and have yourself a dance party!
Sure, God is in the business of doing big things, but let's not overlook the small things he's doing in our lives.
Sometimes, we've just got to stand up in confidence for something we believe in...like mac n' cheese for breakfast?
What's something you wish was more socially acceptable?
You've probably heard of the Serenity Prayer. But have you heard the WHOLE thing? Lauree hadn't till today!
Forget the redecorated kitchen or the new patio, if you want to sell your home fast, you need to add a "Zoom Room!"
Studies show that in the last year, people found that if they were able to put down a home office in their listing, then they'd move to the top of searches. Really, what the study shows is people are looking for a designated space to find privacy for conference calls and online schooling, which is no surprise in our new normal!
Bottom Line: out with Man Cave, in with the Zoom Room and you've got yourself a deal!
Here's the truth we think you need to hear today: God has cast your sins somewhere you can't reach them, so don't go looking.
There's a single verse in Isaiah, it's Isaiah 38:17 "in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back."
Try something for me: go ahead and try and reach something behind you back from off the ground. I'll save the from falling down, you can't do it. There's this beautiful image of God reaching down to pick up our sins and then with the flick of a wrist, he tosses them over his shoulder like we would a wadded up piece paper into the trash and he doesn't look back. From his memory, they're gone. From his sight, they're hidden. From his heart, believe it or not, they never even existed. God has cast all your sins behind his back because Jesus paid the price for every. Last. One.
I am praying today that you would believe that. If the God of this universe won't go digging for your sins, why should we?
This one change in your vocabulary could transform your perspective with your kids and with God. Really.
It comes from a tweet from author Chad Bird. For those of you who have children, you pray for your children feverishly and Chad has 2 adult-aged children. He says this: "As I pray for my son and daughter, one little change makes a difference in my outlook. I switch from speak to God about "MY son" and "MY daughter" and instead call them "OUR son" and "OUR daughter," for God is their Father, too... When I take my concerns, fears, and anxieties about my children to the Lord, that slight change from "my" to "our" makes all the difference. It reminds me that, no matter how much I love them, they have a Father who loves them even more."
Seriously. One word can make all the difference.
Don't know where to get rid of your Christmas tree? Don't worry, just serve it up for dinner!
Purpose in life is a big deal. Without it, we find ourselves wandering. Maybe here at the start of 2021, you're looking to accomplish some big goals and purpose is a big part of that. Here are 4 questions you can ask that can help point you towards your purpose.
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What are naturally good at?
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What energizes you?
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What are you drawn to?
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Who are you drawn to?
The answer to these 4 questions might help you to clarify if you're headed in the right direction or if it could be a great time change course.
Here's an idea: Bring up these 4 questions around the dinner table tonight, it'll make for a really engaging conversation!
You might be guilty of this if you ever said the phrase "I don't want to pray out loud, I'm not really good at that."
Prayer is such an intimate medium of communication and can be pretty intimidating if you have to do it in public. Author and Pastor Max Lucado encouraged us today with a thought he shared that says "The power of prayer lies not with the one saying it, but with the one hearing it."
I was thinking about you and me and anyone who's ever muttered a similar lack of confidence in prayer. The power of our prayer doesn't come from any fancy words that we can speak because God already knows our words and when we pray, we can't get it wrong before God because he hears them and honors them.
A little bit of a tip for you if this applies: If you had a baby in 2020, you may be able to get free money!
This is no joke! Eligible parents who welcomed a new baby in 2020 and haven’t received an economic impact payment for their child as a dependent could qualify for up to $1,100 of extra stimulus money, according to an MSN report.
Children born between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of 2020 qualify for both stimulus payments if their parents meet income limits: $500 from the first check and $600 from the second round.
The reason why some stimulus check recipients may have missed out on the extra cash is that the Treasury and IRS used 2019 tax returns to calculate the automatic payments, which would not have included babies born in 2020.
To get the extra stimulus money for your baby (if you haven’t already received the dependent stimulus cash), you will need to file a tax return and get the money the IRS owes you as a recovery rebate credit.
The credit is made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Any eligible person who did not receive their stimulus checks can claim the recovery rebate credit on a 2020 Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR.
If you had a baby in 2020, this little surprise may make for a great start to 2021!
Let us clarify: This isn't an anti-mask rant.
As you know if you go pretty much anywhere in public right now, you're required to wear a mask. That includes airports, and a story from Rev. John Bombaro tells of one gentleman who ran into a little bit of conflict with a ticketing agent because some non-verbal cues got lost in translation due to wearing a mask.
As we mentioned, this isn't us saying we're anti-mask, but it is a reminder that when we are dealing with our father in heaven, there is nothing that concealed about his love for us. I want to encourage you today that God is maskless before you and his real face before you is marked by grace and truth!
BIG NEWS that may change the way you travel if you are in need of an emotional support animal!
The Department of Transportation just announced they are no longer going to allow emotional support animals on flights. This doesn't mean you can't bring your animal with you, but all animals will now be classified as pets. Meaning, when you fly, they will fly underneath in cargo.
Lauree just got back from vacation and she has big plans for 2021!
You wouldn't believe what a little rest and reinvigorated motivation can do for your ability to plan!
A 7-year-old girl here in DFW has a heart the size of Texas!
Right before Christmas, 7-year-old Evan came up with an idea to spread the spirit of Christmas by putting together a toy drive to benefit the Hope Center for Autism over in Fort Worth. The Hope Center provides services for families who have children with autism here in the Metroplex. With the help of her parents and a few local businesses, Evan was able to collect about 150 toys and $1400 all to benefit the Hope Center. She set out to fulfill some wishes and that she did!
Anxiety is a normal feeling, but some days, those anxious feelings can make getting through the day really tough. If you can relate to that statement or know someone you can, I have a single word for you that has the power to release anxiety.
Maybe it's not even as much about being relaxed as it is about being aware.
Here's how to relax.
1) Relax your shoulders. Just let them fall loose. Maybe it's been days, weeks, maybe months since you've been able to just take the load off your shoulders.
2) Now unclench your jaw. How many times have you just been grinding your teeth due to a tight jaw this year? Probably more than you remember.
Here's my point in doing this: your body has a way of carrying the burdens that you have, whether or not we give it permission. Are we going to be aware of it and try and manage it usefully? Or are we going to be unaware and continue to allow our bodies to bear that burden?
Remember this: God is right here. Right now. Present. In this moment. And everything is going to be okay because he'll gladly carry those burdens.
When we look back on 2020, the first thing that will come to mind will probably be the chaos that comes with living in the middle of a pandemic.
But despite all the negative, I want to remember the good things that came out of this year, as well.
Chances are, we won't be showing up at your house for Christmas! (you never know), but we wanted to take a second right here to share a special moment with you. From our family here at KCBI to yours, we wish you a very, Merry Christmas.
Things in life aren't always easy. In fact, as Christians, Jesus promised us that we'd experience seasons of trial.
But no matter how rough the waters get in the midst of the storms we face, Jesus is in the boat with us.
We know we're a week away from Christmas where the holiday spirit and kindness are in full effect, but that doesn't stop us pinning our good friends Lauree and Doug head-to-head in a little friendly competition! Our Afternoon Show here at KCBI take turns answering different Christmas related questions, and at the end, we will crown the 2020 KCBI Christmas Champion!
Opening presents doesn't take much thought. You just rip the paper, but it's what happens after that may need a little practice with your kids.
Here in a week or so, your kiddos are going to be tearing into some presents and the hope is they're going crazy for all of them, but maybe you're a little nervous at how they may react if they open a present from someone that they didn't ask for. A conversation you might consider having with your kids in the coming days is "How we should respond when somebody gives us a gift?"
A mom I know passed along something to me and it consisted of 5 words. Here are the 5 words you can teach your kids about how to respond when they open a gift:
"Thank You For Your Thoughtfulness."
It doesn't matter the gift or who the gift is from. These 5 words are the perfect "thank you" for your kiddos to perfect this Christmas season.
These games made LoLo's List of the best games to give for a Christmas gift!
-Utter Nonsense! If you hear about this game the next day, you know you've missed out on a night of laughs with your friends!
-Ubongo. If you love Tetris, you'll love Ubongo!
- Ticket To Ride. It's a little bit strategy, a little bit of vacation, and a whole lot of fun!
Giving a game to a family or a couple means that there is going to be a time down the road that everyone is able to gather together having fun and making memories. Merry Christmas!
You got stuck with a gift card that you don't really want? We've got you covered.
If you didn't know, like me, you can actually sell your gift cards! There are websites that are safe and secure to sell your unwanted gift cards and you can trade them for cash or other gift cards. There is one big caveat to keep in mind if you're thinking about selling your gift card: You're not going to get 100% of the gift card's value. Most of these websites will give you 60-85% of their value. But if the gift card is just going to sit in the drawer, it may be worth your while!
Here are just a couple of websites you can check out if this is the situation you find yourself in:
-Cardpool
-GiftCardGranny
Or you can always be like Lauree and re-gift them at the last minute and win some brownie points with a friend or family member!
We all have the things we can expect every Christmas, some good.....some not so good.
Here are 3 things we've come up with that we believe are universally true in each family:
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Every family has that one Christmas movie you can't watch till you get closer to Christmas. Little suggestion for you: DON"T suggest it too early like I did yesterday when I asked my wife if she wanted to watch "A Christmas Story". It wasn't pretty.
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The Advent Chocolate Calander. Based on my current chocolate consumption, I'm just a liiiiitle ahead of schedule.
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When guys try to wrap presents they end up looking like, at best, a festive head of lettuce. We all know that one person who should probably just stick with a bag.
Everyone in life should get a second chance, right?
That's what the folks say at Well Grounded Coffee Community, a faith-based coffee shop that is opening this week in far east Dallas. The idea behind this coffee shop is they will employ formerly incarcerated moms who are in need of a new start. This idea should be an inspiration to anyone who's in need of a second chance, which means all of us!
As I try to help out Doug gain a deeper understanding of women, I came across a crucial statement that men should always steer clear of saying to women!
Not trying to be the debbie-downer here, but I can guarantee that whatever you bought for Christmas this year, it's not better than this.
As we're looking ahead to Christmas next week, there's a joy that comes from giving presents to your loved ones. Our hearts swell as we see the smile on our children's faces when they open that present they so desperately wanted. But no matter how good the gift may be, who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that he gave his only son. The only requirement of us is to believe in him and the ultimate reward from that gift is that we will have everlasting life.
I share that with you today because the perfect gift has already been given, so let go of all that nervous energy you might be harboring because we can't add to what's already the perfect gift and it under the tree for you and for me.
When it comes to Christmas, the term 'BOGO' is music to a shopper's ears. But instead of 'Buy 1, Get 1' this Christmas season, what if we 'Buy 1, Give 1'? By giving, we mean give your business to a local small business!
There's no greater gift you can your favorite local business than your support during this difficult season. We're not saying down with Amazon, we love the convenience too. But this Christmas shopping season, let's share the wealth!
If you remember one thing from today, I hope it's a balloon. Random, I know but I have a story.
There's a professor who wanted to make a point. So he went out, bought a bunch of balloons, and distributed them to every student in the entire school. From there, he asked each student to blow up their balloons, write their name on them, and throw it into a hallway. Teachers then went in and mixed up the balloons. After they were done, the students were given 5 minutes to go out and retrieve the balloon with their name on it. Despite a chaotic and impassioned search, not a single student was able to find their own balloon. What happens next is absolutely mind-blowing.
The teachers then told their students to pick up the balloon closest to them and give it to the person it belonged to. Given the same amount of time, 5 minutes, every student in the school had the balloon with their name on it back in hand! Isn't that crazy?
The point of the experiment was this: the balloons signified our happiness. We will never find it if everyone is looking for their own, but if we care about other people's happiness, we'll find ours too.
What if I told you that the dirty dishes in your sin might have more impact than the trophies on your shelves?
As I look back at my life and things that made an impression on me, I think back to the mentors that have allowed me to see their failures. Failure is something we try to cover up because we're ashamed of it. When we have people over, the last thing we want people to see is the dirty dishes in the sink or the unkempt bedroom. But why?
Kirk Franklin, a well-known gospel artist, shared in a conversation recently that he can have a greater impact through the failures in his life than with the trophies he may have earned. It's because we can relate. We've all fallen short. What happens when we let people see those failures in our life is we have the opportunity to shine a light on the way that God has walked with us through those failures and forgiven us and God's love will shine so much brighter than where we've stumbled and gotten scraped up.
If a friend is able to climb their way out of their valley of despair and follow Jesus because of his perfect forgiveness, then forget the trophies. You can see my dirty dishes as we walk towards Jesus together.
One of the things I've learned since becoming a homeowner is when we have company over, I get intimidated being in the kitchen. Maybe you're with me in this struggle. If you're feeling the heat but don't have a choice of staying out of the kitchen, here are 3 tips I found from a line of tweets that went viral from chefs of their favorite kitchen hacks to help you impress your guests.
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If you're working off of a recipe that you found online or in a cookbook, double the spices. Yes, double them! I tried this one out on a baking recipe and oh. my. goodness. It made all the difference in the flavor!
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This one is for all you garlic lovers like me. When you add the garlic makes a bigger difference than how much you actually put in. If you looking for just a hint of garlic, add it towards the beginning. But if you know you've got a garlic lover and you really want to pack a punch, go ahead and add it in the end, that flavor will really pop.
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Before serving the meal, pop your plates in the microwave or the oven for a fresh, hot plate. A hot plate always add for a nice touch when serving up a meal!
This would never happen in DFW, but it did happen and I think it's a pretty great reminder to us this Christmas.
A friend of mine is a pastor in a small town in southeast Michigan and a couple of Christmas's ago, they received almost a foot of snow. As he was driving through the town square he looked over to the nativity scene that was set up and he noticed something: because they got so much snow, the baby Jesus was totally covered up. So he got out of his car and brushed off the snow so Jesus could be seen.
Something about that story is symbolic to me. Don't get me wrong, I love the Christmas season. The fun songs, the Christmas cookies, the gifts. But at the heart of Christmas is Jesus and I believe this is a lesson that we can take with us into the coming days in our own lives: uncover Jesus in every situation. If you ever find a moment that Jesus obscured, make room for him.
As Christmas approaches, we're probably all familiar with the Christmas story in Luke 2 but here's a reminder for you with an added point of emphasis that you may have not thought of before!
As many time's as I've heard this story, something new jumped out at me. It's really interesting when God sent an angel to deliver the most monumental news to ever grace this earth, it was delivered to the shepherds. Not to the king or the high priest, not to someone who was obviously holy and was going to keep the law. No, it was delivered to the shepherds. In biblical times, a shepherd was a dirty, lowly profession. It was by no means a prestigious job and I think that actually highlights the point of the story of Christ. When God delivered the news, he went straight to the lowest because God created all people and is for all people. The Good News is for each and every one of us.
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions? Or what is a Christmas tradition that you can start this year?
Sometimes it feels like we need to wait for someone to give us the green light to start something new or maybe you feel like you need to wait till you're in a different life stage, but I'm here to tell you no! You have the ability where you're at, no matter what life looks like, to start a tradition that you'll be able to look back on and say "I started something beautiful and important in a year that was, otherwise, full of chaos!"
If you love the Christmas classic Elf (and I mean, who doesn't?) then you love this story of a man from Boston who created a moment right out of the film itself!
It's an age-old question: Who are better drivers, men or women?
Today we settle the score once and for all, thanks to a recent survey done by AAA. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety said data shows men tend to speed, tailgate, and make rude gestures at other drivers. Meanwhile, women are more likely to run redlights. The survey found 79% of Americans drive aggressively- regardless of gender. Speeding is the most common behavior, followed by tailgating, making rude gestures or honking at other drivers, and running red lights.
“Speeding, red-light running, and cutting other drivers off can kill you, your passengers, and others sharing the road,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy. “Driving aggressively isn’t worth the risk. When you get behind the wheel, be patient, be kind, and obey traffic laws so everyone gets home safely.”
So whether you're a man or a woman, drive kindly!
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to forgive somebody for something that did some real damage to you? Chances are, it's happened to all of us somewhere along the way. Knowing you have to forgive is one thing, but doing is a different ballgame.
If you find yourself there right now, we've got a piece of encouragement from Pastor Andy Stanley that may help get you across that finish line of forgiveness. He said, " In the shadow of my hurt, forgiveness feels like a decision to reward my enemy. But in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is merely a gift from one undeserving soul to another."
I know it doesn't make it any less painful or difficult to do, but because we have been given so much on the cross, we are called to extend that gift to others. Though it's tough, forgiveness really is freedom.
One of our favorite Christmas traditions each year is to watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'. And this year, I noticed something new that I want to point out to you that filled my heart with hope.
Spoiler Alert
There's the part in the movie where Linus tells the other characters about the true meaning of Christmas by reciting the story of Jesus' birth from Luke 2. If you know anything about Charlie Brown and specifically the character Linus, he always carries around a blanket for security. About 40 seconds into his speech, he gets to the part where he says "..Fear Not...", he drops the blanket. He let go of it.
The message is simple, yet brilliant. The birth of Jesus separates us from our fears. So this Christmas season, you no longer have to cling to the metaphorical blanket you carry to deal with your insecurities because through Christ, you can walk in strength.
When we're shopping for Christmas presents for money we don't really have, for people who are going to love you regardless of the present you give them, maybe we're doing it wrong.
I'm looking in the mirror on this one. I know I've felt the pressure to go out and get the perfect gift for someone so I can "win" Christmas with an impressive gift. I think one of the things that this year has gifted us is a little more freedom when it comes to gift-giving. Here is my suggestion: Be honest with those you love if exchanging gifts isn't in the budget, but the gift is quality time being spent well.
And isn't that the heart of Christmas anyway? It's not about the gift-giving, but more so about celebrating with your family and friends the gift that we have in Christ.
If you are looking for special Christmas events for your family this season, I want to recommend the Festival of Lights at the Dallas Arboretum. Over 1 million lights sparkle and dazzle and are a perfect setting with a hot cup of cocoa to wander through the 12 Nights of Christmas gorgeous displays. Can you name all 12 Days of Christmas...beyond 3 French Hens I get them all mixed up! But great scavenger hunts for kids to keep them engaged and plenty of photo opportunities to capture your loved ones and the pretty new scarf you've been wanting to show off!
Don't miss the super realistic and charming Euro Christmas market that is modeled off of the Christmas markets in Europe. Plenty to see and do and the group rates make it affordable for you and your family!
When your loved ones are going through a stressful time, your first instinct may be to drop what you're doing and be there for them. Sometimes, that just not possible but you still want to be able to show them you love and support them. Here are 3 creative texts you send right now to that person in your life that may make a world of difference to them.
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"Just about to drop off cookies at your door" Doesn't matter if you bought them or baked them, a sweet treat can always brighten someone's day and it's the thought that counts.
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"Hey, I'm at the store. Can I pick up something for you?" The question "Can I do anything for you?" can be overwhelming when someone's mind is already being pulled in a thousand different directions. This text could be a variation of things, but the point to be specific in your act of service.
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"I'm proud of you." Coping with stress takes up a ton of energy for any of us, so letting your loved ones know that you're well aware of what they're facing and that you're proud of them could be just the encouragement they need to keep pushing through.
What if we told you the answer to one question would make today a success? Would you want to know the answer? Of course, you would! Here the thing, you already hold the answer.
Dr. Henry Cloud, one of the writers of the book 'Boundaries', proposes this statement: Ask yourself what is one thing I can do today that when I go to bed tonight, I can look back and say "I'm so glad I did that"?
And then do it! It's that simple.
What an amazing Christmas tradition idea! As we celebrate an Advent season like never before, let's be reminded that as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we also await excitedly for his return as our Warrior King to our rescue!
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” - Revelation 22:12
What's something we all have in common? Neighbors. You have good ones, bad ones, maybe ones you don't know at all. But would you go as far as saying you have the BEST neighbors? I would!
We are 4 months into living in our new house and I truly believe our next-door neighbors are the best neighbors ever. They have been so incredibly welcoming to both Brian and me, but their most recent act of generosity won my heart (and my stomach!)
I was sharing with my neighbor that I would be hosting Thanksgiving at our house for the very first time, which included my in-laws, so this was a big deal! The next day I got home and my husband told me that our neighbors had brought over something. It was this little box of delicious butter biscuit cookies with a note on the side that read as follows:
"Happy Thanksgiving! For the moment this weekend when you need to be alone in a closet and eat secret cookies."
Isn't that the sweetest? It not only filled my heart with joy knowing that I live in a community that cares for one another, but it inspired me to be that neighbor for someone else.
One of the things we try to do here at KCBI is pop into your life from time to time and remind you of good things.
We all need that reminder because it's really easy for all of us to lose perspective of what is good, especially when hard times come. Sometimes we get discouraged by thinking that if you follow God, then your life will be relieved from all troubles but if you've spent any time as Christ-follower, then you know that's just not the truth. Author Watchman Nee has this quote "Good is not always God's will, but God's will is always good." When we are walking through those difficult things, God doesn't waste those seasons in our life. They are for a purpose and more times than not, they're used to draw us closer to him.
So when we face difficulty and the waves of life are crashing down around us, let's keep our focus on God. When we're so locked in and singularly focused on him, we have the opportunity to walk across the water instead of sinking in the waves below.
From our family to yours, we want to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
It's been a challenging year for all of us in 2020, and that's been no different for Doug Hannah and the Hannah family. Both Doug's wife and mother were in the hospital for some serious circumstances in 2020, but they're both here to celebrate this Thanksgiving and for that, we show thanks to God for his grace.
We know that today may look different than you hoped and you be celebrating in a distanced or virtual way with your family, but our hope is that today you are able to reflect on the things that God has done and that your heart is filled with gratitude. We're so thankful you are apart of our KCBI family and that we get to serve our community right alongside you. Happy Thanksgiving!
We're days away from Thanksgiving which means you've surely seen someone on social media asking if it's too early to put up their Christmas decorations or listen to Christmas music. It commences the holiday season! Maybe you're the person who has asked and allows your friends here at KCBI to give you green (white and red) light on kicking off your decorating!
Self-Talk is something we all do, and for most of us, we can be pretty critical towards ourselves.
Doug has a challenge for you: With God's grace, speak to yourself as if you were speaking to a child. I know this may sound weird or you may not think it would be effective, but hear us out. Ask yourself the next time you hear that inner voice of yours, "This verbiage I'm using, would I say that to a kid? Would I say that to a kid I care about?"
The reason we bring this up is that there are so many people that get derailed by their own inner critic. As Christians, the way we talk should be edifying and uplifting. So if you wouldn't say something to someone you care deeply about, why would you say that thing to yourself? As God's child, it's just something to think about today!
Since we love to celebrate here on Afternoons with Lauree & Doug, we decided to recap everyone we featured during the 5 o'clock Celebration Hour this week! From people accepting Jesus as their savior to beating traffic, we're celebrating everything that God is doing in your life!
If you'd like to be apart of the Celebration Hour here at KCBI, just give us a call at 214-787-1909 or text in your celebration through the KCBI App!
Lauree has a Texas-sized problem and she needs some advice on how to handle it!
This morning she was at her house enjoying a cup of coffee when her husband walks in and just yells out "honey, there's a coyote in our front yard!" WHAT? In residential Dallas Country? Well, she goes out in her "Trophy Wife" robe and slippers. Sure enough, there's a coyote.
That's where you come in. How should Lauree handle a coyote or bobcat if walking on the trail by her house? What is her best course of action.
Doug is always good for tidbits of wisdom, and today he has a piece of wisdom that comes from Pastor Ray Ortlund.
"With Jesus, there is more to you than you."
God has given himself to you and writing your story into his story with his grace as the truth of it all. So that means even if your story is one you're not proud of claiming, God is still writing his story through your story meaning it's not finished yet. I hope that is an encouragement to you today!
Right now, we are living in a season where there is a lot to look at and a lot to be distracted by. And I think Doug has a wise reminder concerning times when things are fighting for our attention. "Where you stare, you steer."
Where are we staring right now? Are we staring at the things of this world? Or are we staring at the things of eternity? The things that God desires us to keep our gaze transfixed on? Just something to think about today.
As Christians, I think we buy into a colossal lie. The lie is that "God loves us, but what he really loves is our ability to get better." Somewhere along the way, we believed that God would somehow love us more if we were the cleaned up, less messy, presentable version of ourselves. And the truth is God loves the current day, exactly how you are, 1.0 version of you.
Maybe you'll get better, maybe you won't. But God's love won't be conditioned upon that. "God will love us better if..." is a lie. Because 1) God's love is already perfect and 2) God doesn't see you through your lens, he sees you through Jesus's.
I think more than any other meal we make during the year, the Thanksgiving turkey comes with the most pressure attached. I believe the reason is that it's probably the meal we make the least so, for most of us, we're not super confident going in. And if you mess up the turkey on Thanksgiving, you're going to have quite a few hangry family members on your hands.
But I've got some good news for you fellow Thanksgiving chefs out there: worry not, we've got "Turkey Insurance". Yes, I realize how silly that sounds but it's 2020 so all bets are off.
If you buy your turkey this year from Whole Foods, Whole Foods and Progressive Insurance have teamed up to provide you a safety net in case that Thanksgiving turkey gets butchered in the process (no pun intended) you can head back into Whole Foods and they'll provide you with a $35 gift card to help cover the damages. I'm speaking it into existence that we're all going to have delicious turkeys for Thanksgiving, but just in case you don't, Whole Foods has you covered.
Of all the veterans out there, my favorite veteran is my mom. She severed in the United States Army for 24 years and was honorably discharged back in the 90s. She is my hero and to celebrate her this Veterans Day, I wanted to get her on the phone so she could share her story with you. Happy Veterans Day, Mom!
-Doug
I have got a 'stinker' of a Veterans Day story because my grandfather was a 'stinker'!
I remember back to my freshman year of high school, I had to write a paper for my English class talking about someone who has been a hero in our lives and I knew just the person: My grandpa! Growing up he told all these stories of his time in the service and this was my time to tell the world about how my grandpa was a war hero! So that afternoon I went home and wrote a paper I was incredibly proud of, but I took it to my dad (my grandpa's son) to proofread it just to make sure the grammar was accurate.
After reading it, he looks at me and says "Okay Lauree, is this supposed to be a fiction paper?" Turns out, Grandpa Erv may have embellished his story a little bit. Instead of being born in Germany under the nazi regime, he was born in Fresno, CA.
Told you he was a "stinker"!
As are most places across the world, COVID's impact has been felt and it's no different in Serbia. There is a group called "Josiah Venture" in Serbia that I spent about 5 years with while I was living in Europe and there is a good new story I knew I needed to share with you. In 2 Timothy, when Paul sent out letters of his hardship during his imprisonment, he said "God's word is not chained." I think this story a testament to that truth.
One of the ways Serbia has been impacted is through ministry and there has been a worry of how they would be able to spread the gospel if they couldn't do so in person. Well a man named Nicholas, who had just accepted Christ as a young man when I had met him, decided to take to social media in his outreach efforts and created a Facebook group to share daily thoughts and devotionals. What started as a couple hundred people who were following along with Nicholas has now grown to over 25,000 Serbians who are hungry for the word of God.
PRAISE GOD! Sometimes, all it takes is a small act of faithfulness for God to do a giant work.
Can you believe Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away?
And can you believe 74% Americans are dreading it? Well maybe that's a little strong, but 74% of Americans say if they could they'd pay someone to come and wash the dishes after the Thanksgiving Meal. Maybe you're look for some extra Christmas cash or a side hustle, I think that may be a wide open lane for you to explore!
A message for my fellow "over-50's": If you haven't grown, check your pulse.
A friend/mentor of mine said something to me when I turned 50 that really stuck with me. He shared a quote that said "One can't live the afternoon of life according to the program of life's morning. For what was great in the morning will be of little importance in the evening. And what in the morning was true, will in the evening become a lie."
Lauree had the opportunity to sit down with Zach Williams recently. He is the singer of songs that play here at KCBI like "Old Church Choir" and "There Was Jesus". With Christmas time just around the corner and Zach recently releasing his version of "Go Tell It On The Mountain", I decided to ask how he feels about Christmas music and his answer might surprise you as much as it did us!
We got the news over the weekend that our friend and former KCBI colleague, Jeff Taylor, passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack on Saturday.
For so many years, you probably woke up to Jeff and Rebecca in the Mornings here at KCBI as you made to work and as you know, Jeff had such a gift of being to touch people through encouragement and transparency through his struggles. When we think about Jeff legacy, we think about that quote that says "See your struggles, but stare at your Savior." That's what Jeff was all about.
We 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 son, Tommy, and his daughter, Kate.
We hear so much about the uncertain times we are in and thank God we have the leadership we do in our local churches who continue to love us and pray with us through this season. But we're not the only ones facing this uncertainty. Our pastors, our sunday school teachers, our lay leaders are facing the same issues we are and they're the ones we turn to when we need encouragement. So the next time you see you church leaders, make sure to ask they "How are you doing? How can I be praying for you?"
The things about you that make you cringe the most make God hug you the hardest. The parts of yourself that you'd love to change are the same things God looks at and says "That's MY child." He doesn't just want to shoot you a side hug, no, he want to wrap you up in a warm embrace and hold you like only a loving father can. So remember that the next time you look in the mirror. Those things that you can't stand about you are things God loves about you.
As a radio station during this election, we could take go to 2 extremes in how we handle the election. We could break down the latest news and tell you what's going on in the swing states, or we could pretend like it's not happening. Just like you, we agree it'd be silly to fall under either of those extremes. So we've decided on the role we'll take when it comes to this season and it's the same role we'll take in any season. 90.9 KCBI is and will continue to be a place that you will find transparency, encouragement, and ultimate hope through the music that we play and the conversations we have. We know there are so many places you can go to get election info and hot takes, so we're going to continue to be here for you and with you as we might shine a light on Jesus together.
Have you ever heard of doomscrolling? Maybe you haven't heard of it but chances are you've done it! It's the endless scrolling on your phone through negative news that leads to negative thoughts and opinions. Sound familiar?
It's really easy to do right now are we're trying to stay in the know about election results, but instead of more doomscrolling, maybe give some of these things a try to give you brain a much-needed break!
-Get out and go workout. It doesn't have to be intense, it's just as simple as a 10-minute walk around the block or the building that will allow you to get some fresh air.
-Go do something kind for someone else. Truly, the fastest way to get out of the blues is to go do something for someone else.
-Treat Yourself. Be kind to yourself. Maybe that looks like taking a 30-minute break and calling a friend or family member who always fills up your cup when you talk with them or watching an episode of a show that makes you laugh out loud.
The point is we can't do anything about the election results right now so instead of sitting there refreshing your browser, get out there and do something constructive!
Lauree's phone is blowing up in the studio because of a brand new addition to their family!
No matter who wins this election tonight and takes the seat in the oval office as president, our role is to continue to be the body of believers as it says in 1 Peter 2:17 that we would "Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." That is our prayer, that is our hope. By God's grace, that KCBI would continue to be a radio ministry that serves this community well through encouraging music and words of hope that points back to the love that we find in Christ Jesus. Thank you for being apart of this ministry.
I may be the only one, but I've always wondered in my spiritual journey what the point is of all these spiritual disciplines we have to practice. Someone told me a story that gave me a lot of clarity. It's about a student and a teacher.
One day, the student asks "Teacher, how can I grow spiritually? What are the things I can do to make that happen?"
The teacher responds, "You have about as much control of that as you do in making the sun rise in the morning."
The student looks at the teacher confused and asked, "Well if that's the case, then what's the point?"
The teacher wisely replied, "The reason you do those disciplines is to make sure you're not asleep when the sun begins to rise." That's the moment it all clicked.
Disciplines aren't about me earning points with God and getting some good grade, it's so I have more of an awareness of who he is. If we spend time with those who we love, we grow in our fondness and awareness of them. The same thing goes for God. The more time we spend with Him in prayer and devotion, the better we get to know Him.
As an older guy, I reminisce about the things I used to enjoy when I was younger that just aren't around anymore. One of those things has made a bit of a resurgence in popularity, and its record players. Something about a record player, though, is it has its limitations. It's not a multitasking device. It only does one thing at a time and something about that reminded me of our faith. Just like a record, we can only choose one side at a time. So what will we choose? Worry or Worship? One displaces the other everytime. So what will we choose today?
"I've held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God's hands, that, I still possess." - Martin Luther
Whatever you value, whatever you possess, whatever it is that you're currently white-knuckling, give it up. Give it all to God.
Friends, Church, Countrymen: What will be the words we have to offer on November 4th?
As we know, November 3th is the more notable date with this little thing called the Presidential Election happening that day, but I believe November 4th may actually hold just as much significance. With the amount of emotion heading into this election, it feels like there will be a tone of "Winners" and "Losers". But instead of buying into whatever the result, how will we use our words and our actions to best reflect the image of God? Remember something come November 4th. There's only one thing greater than being right: It's love.
These days, especially, our identity can get tied up in the judgement of others because of what we see on social media. Social media get a bad rep but the truth is it's apart of everyday lives. I came across this article from 1517.org that really stuck out to me. The author's name is Luke and he says this:
"It's 7 am, I'm still in bed and I've already passed judgment on at least fifty people. I've looked at them, I've examined them, and I've found them wanting. Some are friends. Some are family. Some are people I've never met. Yet I've judged them, one and all. Through the power of the almighty swipe, I've pounded down the gavel and dismissed them from my courtroom. But it's OK. I've got a full docket today. And as new photos and stories fill my feed I continually render judgment, deciding who is and who is not worthy of my time, and upon whom I will deign to reach down and bestow the power of the holy grail: The elusive LIKE. Many are called but the chosen are few, and if you want validation from me then you better wow me. Otherwise, I'll simply reach down, and with a flick of the finger make my determination: Not good enough. Next.
Approval.
We all crave it. We all seek it like crazy. Deeply-woven into the fabric of every human being is a desire to be appraised and valued by our peers. This quest is exhausting. And when your identity and worth as a human being is tied up in the judgment of others—you're in deep, deep trouble.
But what if there was another way? A way that didn't require the approval of others at all?
The Apostle Paul says this:
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10)."
It is impossible to please everybody. Not just hard, literally impossible. The truth is, we're not supposed to. You can't be a people pleaser and a God pleaser. What we have to remember is though social media is apart of the fabric of lives, ultimately, it's God approval of us that matters not the number of likes or shares we get on a post. And even better, is we already have the approval of God. It's not something he makes us chase through a cool picture or witty caption.
He loves you.
I consider myself a visual learner. Maybe you're like me, so when I see a picture in my head, things connect in a deeper way. Last night, Tauren Wells led a conversation online and he said something that drew me closer to God. He said, "God whispers because he is close."
If you think about someone whispering to you, they have to lean in close to do so. Maybe today, you feel like God is distant from you and that you can't feel his presence. But take heart because the God of all creation is the same God that draws near to you so he can whisper to you his love for you.
I love this quote from CS Lewis, it reminds me of that freshman year of college or the first Sunday at a new church where you sat next to someone and in a single moment you think, “Whaaaa?! We are going to be best friends!”
But I think there is something more here to think on, Jesus is our friend too. Jesus came to earth, became a man and walked this same earth as you and me.
It says in 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.
You can turn to Him, he knows you, He can empathize with you! Jesus is your friend.
What is something that you enjoy to create?
During 2020, I think it's become so valuable to have something you can do as a creative outlet. For me, it's photography. For my daughter, it's art. For Lauree, it cooking. What do you love to create?
When we can stand back and gain perspective, oftentimes we realize how far we've come!
Logan Ray certainly had a long way to go, he was born 1.5 pounds at only 23 weeks, he was smaller than a 12 inch Superman doll. That may seem kind of random but that is the doll that Logan's mom placed next to him to give some scale to how small and fragile her new son was. And it's been that same Superman doll that she has continued to include in photos of Logan Ray. That little boy is another example of Superman, he is 4 years old, running around, tall, stronger, and that superman reminds her of how far he has come.
Loneliness is difficult. Two out of three Americans are saying that they are lonely and feeling isolated. Astronaut Scott Kelly spent 360 days at the International Space Station - by👏🏼him👏🏼self👏🏼!!
He learned some things that helped Him manage that loneliness and isolation that might help you today.
Since we love to celebrate here on Afternoons with Lauree & Doug, we decided to recap everyone we featured during the 5 o'clock Celebration Hour this week! From saving lives through organ donation to free Chick-Fil-A, we're celebrating everything that God is doing in your life!
If you'd like to be apart of the Celebration Hour here at KCBI, just give us a call at 214-787-1909 or text in your celebration through the KCBI App!
So I'm sure you've probably heard the story in the bible of Jesus' trial where the crowd was given a choice of who to release: Jesus or Barabbas the thief. As the story goes, the crowd chants "Give us Barabbas! Give us Barabbas!"
Anytime I've heard this story, my first thought is how unjust it was for this crowd to want Jesus dead so badly they were willing to free Barabbas. It's a fair takeaway. But it's what I heard from a preacher the other day that has changed the meaning of this story for me.
As unfair as this trial was and knowing the pain he was about to endure, if Jesus was given the choice, Jesus would have chosen Barabbas, too. That's mercy. None of us are better than Barabbas. Not a one. None of us will get into heaven based on our own good track record. Only through Christ's mercy.
I got to sit down with Tara Leigh Cobble from the "The Bible Recap" and "The God Shot" here at KCBI, and she lays it all out for us in talking about the 3 mistakes we often make when we're reading the bible.
1) We go into scripture with a "me" attitude. Tara said she often goes to scripture wanting to see how she can get what she wants from God and how to please God instead of going into her time in the Word looking for God.
2) We don't regard the context of what we're reading as important. We have this habit of trying to pull things out of their intended context to try and make it fit into our life circumstances. We need to start looking at scripture for what it really is and learning from the reality of the words that Jesus spoke.
3) We're impatient. Sometimes, we make the mistake of reading scripture as an application list and when we do read through scripture and things don't make sense, we desire immediate answers. It's like going into your first conversation with someone and demanding answers about their deepest experiences when we haven't even gotten to know them. We first have to get to know God and find patience in that relationship.
Have you been guilty of any of these? I sure have. If you want to hear my full sit down with Tara Leigh Cobble, you can find it wherever you get your podcasts!
It's been a sincere privilege to have been able to meet and talk with a lot of the artists we play here at KCBI over the years, but one that will always stick out to me is the time I spent with Amy Grant. She truly is one of the kindest, most insightful people I've ever met.
One time, she shared with me a prayer that she got from her mother-in-law and it is something I want to pass along to you. It goes something like this, "Lord, lead me today to those I need and to those that need me. And let something I do have eternal significance."
Let that be our prayer. That the Lord would lead us and guide our steps in a way that would be of eternal significance.
Parents with kids are in the middle of the juggling act. Some have kids at school, some have kids doing virtual school from home, some have a hybrid of both. On top of it, parents still need to get work done and for some, that still looks like doing it from home. It’s certainly a big transition to make and many of us may not feel equipped. While there is no perfect or easy solution for all, here are 3 tips from Indeed.com on how to balance caring for your kids during this time meanwhile maintaining productivity at work.
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Over-communicate and set expectations. Work with your manager to set and reset expectations throughout your work from home period as it pertains to your goals and commitments. Many employers are understanding of the difficulty of the situation and may be supportive of your need to adjust your schedule or goals as a result. Also, make sure to have those conversations with your family by communicating honestly your challenges with your schedule.
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Practice time management and set a schedule. Block off time as needed for caregiving activities, knowing that not all planned time works out with the unpredictability of little ones. As a parent, it's important to preserve times throughout the day when you need to be a caregiver. It can also help both you and your kids to come up with a basic (and flexible) schedule, perhaps one that mimics a regular school day to maintain consistency. Their schools may even provide an online curriculum. Even try color-coding things to give times a clear differentiation and it makes your schedule look more lively!
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Set boundaries with both work and your kids. This all boils down to expectations.
-For your work, Communicate your availability including when you’ll be shutting down for the day, when you’re taking time off and when you need to be away from your computer throughout the week.
-For your children, Communicate your daily family schedule explaining when you will be present and when you will be unavailable or “at work.
We know how tough this juggling act can be and things are easier said than done, but we hope these tips can be helpful to you in the days ahead!
Right now is a tough time to be a Cowboys fan. They've stumbled out of the gate, lost their starting QB for the year due to injury, and just got embarrassed on national TV last night.
Maybe you know a little something about feeling like you can't catch a break and your circumstances feel piled against you. If that's you, I'm going to give you the same advice I'd give to every player in that Cowboys' locker room. My grandpa used to have this saying, "You may have lost the battle, but now we get after the war." Even if today felt like a failure, today is just today. You've got a whole bunch of today's coming up that are in need of seizing. So get up, dust yourself off, and keep going because even if you lost the battle today there's a war to be fought tomorrow!
Do you always get a little bit nervous about having to go to the dentist? Lauree is with you.
During her time overseas, Lauree had an experience at the dentist that's right out of a scary movie!
Doug, on the other hand, just went to the dentist for the first time in 20 years and got some news he didn't expect!
There are so many people right now praying for the end of this COVID-19 madness and a big step in that becoming a reality is happening right here in North Texas!
14-year-old Anika Chebrolu of Frisco, Texas was the winner of the 2020 3M Young Scientist Challenge - and a $25,000 prize -- for a discovery that could provide a potential therapy to COVID-19. Anika's winning invention included discovering a molecule that can selectively bind to the protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. I don't know what you were doing at 14, but I surely was helping to cure a deadly virus. In her spare time, she is classically trained in traditional Indian dancing and is developing her art skills.
Way to go, Anika! We're so encouraged by your gifts and are praying for your continued research.
Would you be interested in a better night's sleep? Wouldnt we all?
According to the journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, a strong faith could be the key to good night sleep. Researchers found that those who believe in salvation and have a true relationship with God tend to sleep longer, fall asleep faster, and wake up feeling more rested. In fact, after the research, those on the research team said they really couldn't ignore the results.
As believers, how awesome it is that as we get ready for bed we can leave our anxieties and worries with God as it says in Philippans 4 and we can focus on sleep. Rest well, friends.
Right now, we're all involved with Zoom in some capacity: work meetings, small groups at church, maybe schooling.
At Florida State University, an Ancient Mythology class of 180 students was meeting for their weekly zoom call, and as the professor signs off to end the class, a student with their mic unmuted says, "I Love You!" Awkward silence. right?? Wrong!
Without missing a beat, the professor responds back with an "I Love You Too!"
This is so 2020 in the best way, I only wish the pizza guy would have said it back when I accidentally did this while ordering a To-Go order a couple months back. Now THAT was awkward.
To CELEBRATE the first week of Afternoons with Lauree & Doug, we decided to put together a clip of everyone we featured during the 5 o'clock Celebration Hour! From surviving cancer to a much overdue hair appointment, we're celebrating everything that God is doing in your life!
If you'd like to be apart of the Celebration Hour here at KCBI, just give us a call at 214-787-1909 or text in your celebration through the KCBI App!
So I don't know if you saw, but Lauren Daigle was on tv the other night on the Billboard Music Awards. She picked the award for Top Christian Artist and she mentioned in her acceptance speech that 5 years ago to the day was when she wrote the song "You Say" which has been heard and shared across genres as a message of hope. Speaking of hope, Lauren finished her speech by addressing everyone out there who needs hope, that God has it abundantly and he wants to give it to you!
And if you want to see Lauren's awesome outfit from the Billboard Music Awards, check out our brand new Afternoons with Lauree & Doug Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/afternoonswithlaureeanddoug/
"Eat the danish," says a woman who's in her last days of living. What does she mean?
Stacy Oliver, a woman dealing with a rare disorder, decided before she passed away that she was going to write her own obituary. One of the things she shared before her death earlier this month was this
“I'm not telling you what to do, but I am telling you what to do. Stop worrying about your weight, go live, be, do. Smile, people don't get to feel them enough. Enjoy the moment, it might not come again. “If you want to give something a try, try it, taste it, go there. Take it from me, I'm dead. Eat the Danish, go to the show, laugh out loud. Love one another and you'll never know what you'll find.”
Reading this took me back to the verse John 10:10 that tells us the thief has come to kill and to destroy, but he has come that we may have life and life abundantly. Where the thief would tell you to put down that danish or not to stay up late and watch a movie because you have work, God has come so that we may have life more fully. So get out there, enjoy this beautiful weather and have somebody bask in the shine of your smile this weekend!
The other night, I was driving home from work and turned my radio to KCBI. Even though I was off work, I was in need of the same encouragement that you get from KCBI. You see, I found myself under this cloud of anger as I was praying through some things and thinking about this upcoming election and I just felt this anger well up inside of me. Have you felt that over the past couple of months? If so, where should we turn?
As I praying through tears that night I was reminded of 2 Corinthians 10 where it talks about taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ. As were processing through anger, let us ask God where it is in our lives we can seek kindness, gentleness, and self-control. I was reminded of that because of the music here at KCBI. Maybe you may think of us as the ones behind the microphone but just like you, we are blessed by this ministry and this faithful community. Thank you so much for being apart of it.
Voting is a privilege. And voting also requires a fair bit of knowing 'what or who' exactly you are voting for. After you've made a plan for the day and time you want to go and vote, prepare to stand in line for a significant amount of time - snacks and water bottles would be recommended!
But before you ever get to that day if you are looking to know the candidates or issues check out this website 'BALLOT READY' to help you read through each candidate's profile. This might be something great to pass along for those first-time voters!
"Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant."
I have a beautiful truth for you. You could have served God for your whole life or you could realize your need for him at the very end and trust in Jesus for salvation. Either way, you'll hear "Well done, My good and faithful servant" all because it's about what has Christ did for us. So take your trust out of your own track record and place it on Christ. That's the Gospel.
Maybe you can relate to what I experienced if you're an "empty nester" parent.
I have four kids all ranging in the 20s and 30s and my youngest son just moved out of the house about a month ago. As boys do when they're young, he left his mark in his room. There were pockmarks on the walls of his bedroom from where he would shoot his airsoft gun. Since he's gone we decided to bring in a painter to paint the room because he left it kind of a mess. The painter finished the room and it looks great! I went up there yesterday to see the finished product after the show and something happened that I wasn't expecting.
I looked at the walls where the painter had smoothed over those pockmarks. And he got rid of all the fingerprints. And he got rid of all the things that my son had left behind. And then it hit me...that it. He's gone. I'm a slow learner so it took a month to really set in that my last child is moved out and don't get me wrong, it's a good thing. I love him and he should be moved out but it definitely brought some emotions I wasn't expecting. So to my parents who are maybe newly empty nesters like me or have been for some time, I know how it feels.
-Doug
Are you looking for a way to get rid of some stress? Hug a cow.
Seriously! Cow hugging, known as "koe knuffelen" in Dutch, is based around the healing properties of being close to animals, specifically cows. It typically involves resting on and hugging cows for several hours, taking advantage of the animals’ warm body temperature, slower heartbeat, and large size, according to a report from the BBC.
Though the practice originated in the Netherlands, farms from Switzerland to the United States are starting to pick up on the trend. One farm owner in the Netherlands said she has been welcoming visitors for cow hugging for about 14 years.
So the next time you start feeling anxious or stressed, go find a Cow to hug. Or maybe just drink some milk.
As you continue to get familiar with the new afternoon show at 90.9 KCBI, Producer Josh asked Lauree and Doug what they believed their co-host's dream vacation would be!
Hint: Lauree's been there for a very special occasion and Doug goes there every day!
You may be familiar with the old tv game show, "The Newlywed Game", that tests contestants' knowledge of their new spouse with a series of questions. We thought, since we've got a brand new Afternoon show here at KCBI, let's throw Lauree and Doug through the wringer to see how well they know each other in "The Newly-Hosts Game"!
When was the last time something happened that transported you back to feeling like an insecure high schooler?
On Saturday I went to go sell some clothes that I've been meaning to get rid of and I walked in and a young lady behind the counter greeted me in a way that made me feel looked down upon. At that moment, I was taken back to my sophomore year of high school: big bangs, even bigger insecurities. I avoided eye contact and immediately started to wonder what she thought of me. It sounds weird but this lady had this kind of power over me at that moment.
God reminded me of his truth through the image in Hebrews where he instructs us to stop fingerpainting and get on to the grand masterpiece of life. When you have that in focus, it doesn't matter how people treat you. You can bless them and move on our way towards the masterpiece that God has in store for all of us.
Doug here. Just a dad talking to other dads. Just imagine you head to a park where there's a baseball field and you notice a bucket of baseballs just sitting there. And then you see a note, you pick up the note and it says,
"FREE. Hope someone can use some of these baseballs. I found them cleaning out my garage. I pitched them to my son and grandson for countless rounds of batting practice. My son is now 46 and my grandson is 23. I'm 72 now and what I wouldn't give to throw one more bucket of balls to them, they've both moved away. If you're a father, cherish these times. You won't believe how quickly they'll be gone.
P.S. Give them a hug and tell them you them every chance you get."
Lauree hasn't hidden the fact that she isn't a fan of the Dallas Cowboys but that doesn't mean she can't sympathize with Quarterback Dak Prescott.
During the Cowboys game yesterday against the New York Giants, Dak Prescott suffered a gruesome leg injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the season. As he was being carted off the field, you could see the emotions on his face of sadness, disappointment, anger. Though none of us know what it's like to be a professional quarterback, I bet we all know what it is to experience those same emotions. I bet we can identify with the disappointment of wanting something so bad and then we have the door slammed shut on us.
But here's the beautiful truth: At that moment, we have a choice to trust God. The choice to trust that even in the moment where we feel like we got shut out, that God is in control and has a plan for down the road.
The good news, Dak was taken to a local hospital and the surgery to repair his injury was a success. We pray for Dak's healing and that we are reminded of God's goodness no matter what our circumstances may be.
After sitting on this news for some time now, I've finally got the green light to share it with you! I'm so excited to say that the Afternoon Show is getting a new addition because... I'm finally getting a co-host!! I know, I'm sorry this wasn't a pregnancy announcement (I promise I'll share that with you when the day comes.) But your buddy, Doug Hannah, from Middays here at 90.9 KCBI is moving a little bit later to join me for our new show, "Afternoons with Lauree & Doug"! We can't wait to continue doing life together with you as we bring some joy to your day and celebrate God's grace over and over again!
It would probably be disappointing to you if you said "I really want to find community" and my response was "no, it could never happen."
I know how disappointing that would feel because I've said that sentence! 3 years ago today, I moved to Dallas/Fort Worth with just a moving truck full of stuff and I didn't know a single person. I said it so much, "I really want to find community." But what if there was a better way to say that? What if instead of FINDING community, we said "I'm ready to BUILD community." Because community doesn't just happen, it's not the end all be all. You can meet an awesome group of people that you love the idea of doing life with, but that the building starts to take place. Just like any relationship, it takes effort from both sides. The transparency and humility that you appreciate from them, you have to be willing to bring that to the table as well. It also requires commitment. A lack of commitment to plans in hopes that something better may present itself is actually what can decay the structure of community.
When we build community, when we invest our time in building relationships on honesty and vulnerability, that when community happens. So instead of looking, let's get our hands dirty and start building something special.
Reputation. What does that word remind you of? Is it good? Bad?
For me, I'm reminded of what my parents drilled into me while I was growing up. "Be wary of your reputation with your actions" I can hear it now! But what does the Bible say about reputation?
Paul wrote in the book of Thessalonians to a new group of friends and he took time, not only to tell them what he thinks of them but to let them know what others are thinking as well. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul writes, "2 We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[a] mentioning you in our prayers, 3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers[b] loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere"
Reading that inspires me to think about what our reputation might be as believers in our community, as a metroplex, as the American church. People are watching and want to know how we're navigating a season where there's so much divide culturally. How do we reflect Christ's love and his unity to the world around us watching?
I can only speak for me, but my hope is that we will shine as we walk through this time and that we would ask God to increase in us and that he would become the reputation that proceeds us. What a great reputation that would be, to point to Jesus wherever we find ourselves.
That person you've been thinking about a lot and you haven't spoken to in a long time, Pick up the phone. Send the text. Have the conversation.
I know it's so easy to drag our feet or allow life to be the excuse as to why we haven't made contact with that person but I can tell you from experience, it's so worth it. My sisters are my best friends and we haven't been able to talk as much as of recently but just today we were able to get face-to-face time over the phone and it filled my cup.
So don't delay. I know there may be awkwardness due to the time passed and distance created, but exchange that awkwardness for unity and time for friendship.
It is October which means it is "Pastor Appreciation Month"! As the daughter of a former Pastor, I saw a little bit behind the scenes of all that goes into serving a congregation. The preparation, the tending to the needs of the church body, pastors truly are never off the clock. We can always show our appreciation to our pastors, but this month in particular let's champion our pastors for all they bring to our lives. But just like anybody else, there's Do's and Dont's when it comes to gift buying. Let's start with things we should steer clear of when it comes to buying a thank you gift for your pastor.
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A Tie. I know it goes along with the church attire but they may be thinking, "how many times or how soon do I have to wear this to show enough gratitude?"
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A Leadership or Church Book. Know your pastor on this one. If he is super into reading and leadership, this may not be the worst gift you could give. But use discernment because it could leave your pastor wondering if you were trying to hint at any deficiencies as he's reading through it.
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A Bible. Trust me, they already own one. And if not, maybe think about switching churches haha.
Now on to the things that you can give your pastor for Pastor's Appreciation Month that will almost certainly be met with a heart of gratitude and may earn you an extra hug when we can get back to doing those things.
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A Hand-Written Thank You Note. It's heartfelt, meaningful, and free. I think sometimes we just assume that they hear or recieve these all the time, but they don't and your words of encouragement could mean the world to them.
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A gift certificate for their favorite local restaurant or coffee shop. It's an easy gift and food is a universal love language.
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Something to encourage them in their role as a parent or spouse. They spend so much time away from their home serving us in our needs and in the needs of the church but just like us, they face the same stresses that come with being a spouse and a parent.
If you have any suggestions on ways we can show appreciation to our pastors, send me a text in-studio through the KCBI App!
I want to share with you an experience that reminds me why Deadline Day is impactful to me. If you don't know what deadline day is, it's the final day that you are able to register to vote in the November election and it happens to be today, October 5th, and the deadline is at 5 pm. Okay back to that experience I mentioned.
A number of years ago, I took a trip to Southeast Asia. I visited a country that is under communist leadership and I remember that every place that I went during my visit, I was required to have a government representative with me. No, it's not because I was some important person that needed protection, but the representative was there to monitor the conversations I was having and to make sure I stayed in line in accordance with their government.
The reason I share this with you is that I think about the privilege we have in America to participate in an election and that we are able to vote for the issues that are important to us. It's an honor that our votes count! So this is just a reminder, in case life has gotten busy and you've been meaning to register, that you have until today at 5 pm to make your voice heard.
One pizzeria in Brooklyn, NY is offering a special add-on when you order a pizza from them. Not an extra topping or side of ranch, but words of encouragement for $1.
This reminds me of the beginning of the pandemic when I called a couple of BBQ joints in the DFW who were offing toilet paper as a menu item due to the shortage in stores (remember when that was a thing?
Don't get me wrong I'm a huge fan of encouraging words, but I feel like at a certain level it kind of diminishes the sentiment when I have to pay for it and I found out everyone gets the same encouragement from the delivery driver, "Everything's gonna be okay and you're doing the best you can." But, if you live in the Brooklyn area like my sister, it may just worth the dollar to see how well they deliver, the pizza and the line.
You may have heard your mom say "Show me your friends, I'll show you your future." Of course, our parents want us to keep good company and this story about some very naughty parrots at a zoo is the exact reason why!
As we find ourselves officially in October, it's time to address a hard topic. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and it's a topic that I felt strongly we need to talk about as hard as it is. I've been looking at the statistics and our own Fort Worth is making national news because of the increase in the rate of domestic violence. It's not hard to see the headlines and be absolutely sick to your stomach at the thought of what some children are having to experience at home.
Of course, I want to bring awareness to this issue but I also want to task you with two things that you can do to help stop the spread of domestic violence:
1) Pray. Pray for violence to be cast out, pray that the motivation that causes someone to choose violence to cease, and pray for protection for those who currently find themselves in a household where domestic violence is a reality.
2) Be Aware. As neighbors, as men and women in this community, let us be vigilant in our awareness of what is taking place around us. If you notice something that seems potentially harmful or dangerous, speak up. You may be saving a life.
Lastly, I just want to say thank you for being a part of this community and for caring for your community and for being friends who are trusting God in prayer
It is said that “Light is to darkness what love is to fear. In the presence of one the other disappears.” And in this day and culture, we could all use a little more of both. Enter Brenda and her friend Juanita.
Tonight is the first of 3 Presidential Debates happening between now and October 22nd. If you plan on watching tonight's presidential debate at 8 pm (it's totally okay if you aren't), here are 4 things you can do to maximize your viewing experience:
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Before it even starts, pray for wisdom in discerning your potential vote. Pray that God would shine his way through all of this conversation.
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When the debate is over, IMMEDIATELY turn off the TV. No matter which channel you're watching from, the spin and analysis will begin. Give yourself some time to draw your own conclusions.
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When the debate is over, do not get on social media until you have processed and prayed. So wise. Your friends and family may take to their social media profiles to spin and declare winners and sometimes it can be difficult to cut through all the heated emotions that events like this bring.
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Do not let the debate be the only deciding factor. Pray, let Jesus be your guide as you go about casting your vote.
Have you discovered something that's a great deal and you think you've beat everyone to the punch? I did this weekend then ended up looking like the fool.
I found a GPS coordinate for a clearance warehouse that had no markings. I walked in and was surrounded by all these brand new items and, let me tell you, I thought I hit the jackpot! Until I did a little research. We were on the search for some patio furniture and I found something that was missing the cushions and had a nice sale price on it so I decided to check on how much it would've been to get the cushions. Turns out, not a deal.
This got me thinking of the times in our lives where we thought we got a great deal only to find out we're just getting cheated. What may look good in the short term sometimes will cost us more in the long run. There so many enticing things this world has to offer, things that look really good in the here and now. But at the end of the day, it's pulling us farther away from God's promises, which are steady and true. There is no cheapening God's grace and God's truth.
Darkness can't exist once light enters the room. That's the truth for this couple who faced a major mountain in their marriage when God revealed that the husband had been stuck in adultery But through God's goodness and provision, the wife called in to celebrate that now 3 years later, they have the "best marriage ever!"
If you have something to celebrate, join us each weekday at 5 pm for Lauree's Celebration Hour on 90.0 KCBI!
“If our identity is in our work rather than in Christ, success will go to our heads and failure will go to our hearts.” – Tim Keller
I know, personally, what it is to be on both sides of this quote. I've had jobs that puffed me up with pride and I've experienced mess ups at work that made me believe I was a failure. Both sides were an effect of misplaced identity because more of my identity was in what I did rather than who I belonged to. Can you relate?
So what does it look like if we transferred that identity from our work to our creator?
Well, it's like it says in Ephesians 2:10, " For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God has enabled us to do work, not for our own glory, but to work for his kingdom. And like it says in 1 Peter 2:9, "you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
You may have seen a dust-up in the media surrounding Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. He recently opened up about his struggle with his mental health after the death of his older brother earlier this year and a national sports commentator made a comment about how Dak sharing this information didn't show good leadership.
The thought that I want to share with you from this is in my experience, I've learned the most from people who have gone before me and modeled humility and transparency when it came to their own struggles. Not only did it strengthen the relationship, but it allowed me to face my own struggles with confidence that I wasn't alone. For those pastors, leaders, and bosses I've had that have lead the way in showing what transparency looks like, I just want to say thank you.
So if you saw this dust-up and have second-guessed sharing what you're going through, I just want to encourage you that sometimes the things you share the way God has been able to strengthen you with others, it could be exactly the thing that someone needs to hear. In my opinion, I think that pretty good leadership.
It’s been a stressful summer. God’s Word says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
So we’d like to pray for YOU! Meet Rebecca & Burns, Lauree, and Jay as we offer Drive-Through Prayer Saturday, September 12 from 10:00am-Noon.
Come on out to the location nearest you!
Insight for Living’s Book Shoppe & Coffee
5330 Parkwood Blvd., Ste 100, Frisco, TX
Countryside Bible Church
250 Countryside Ct. #4317, Southlake, TX
Creekwood Church
260 N. Miller Rd., Mansfield, TX
Lake Pointe Church
701 E. Interstate 30, Rockwall, TX
Sometimes it takes a dog bite to get us looking in a new perspective at the wonder of God.
If you've got something to celebrate in your life, give us a call and join in each weekday at 5pm for Lauree's Celebration Hour!
Corona has turned a lot of things on its head, like imagine seeing a 300-pound football player out there running Cross Country!
In Michigan, a local high school postponed its football season until the spring. The Cross Country running coach expected to get a few calls from players but was shocked when Royce Daugherty was the first football player to reach out.
He had two choices: Soccer or Cross Country. After consulting with his parent, friends and others he called up the coach and asked to join the team. “I like to compete, and with soccer, I’d have to learn all the new rules and everything, and I didn’t think that would be the move for me,” he said. “I thought cross country would be good for footwork for football and give me that competitiveness that I won’t have without football this fall.” This kid is impressive, not choosing the easy way out but stepping into a challenge to make it hard for himself!
But I think that’s the point when we have a vision of what we want to accomplish, people on the sidelines don’t really matter, we have focused straight ahead on our goals. We’re not letting the hecklers determine our success! Well done Royce!
I watched a great documentary last night "The Weight of Gold" about Olympic Athletes and for those that know me, you know how much I love the Olympics! But the subject of this documentary wasn't to celebrate their accomplishments or highlight how incredibly athletic they are. No, this documentary was focusing on a subject that is pretty crucial to all of us right now: Mental Health.
All the athletes featured in the documentary share of the years and years of work they dedicated to succeed at the highest possible level of their sport but when the village closes and the glory has faded, they're left with very little real-life experience and how empty life is. As a fan of the Olympics, I typically stand in awe of these athletes and just expect that they have their lives together when in reality, they're fighting the same fight a lot of us are on a daily basis.
I was reminded that those friends of ours that look like they've got it all together need the support of friends just like you and more importantly, they need the reminder of the hope of Christ. The hope that we have in Christ is the steady confidence that every single promise God has made to us, he will fulfill.
You know some fools. I know some fools. Shoot! I've been the fool a time or two.
But, foolishness isn't aspirational... understanding is.
"A fool does not delight in understanding, but only wants to show off his opinions." - Proverbs 18:2
Nothing worse than mistaking a stranger for someone you know!
I was out at Mardel's for Feed a Family and this lady came up with a confused look on her face so I figured why not make her welcome by saying hi. After I did, she still had this blank look on her face and said, "Where's Greg Laurie? I was told I was going to have a chance to meet Greg Laurie here." I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve but making Greg Laurie appear isn't one. I felt so bad!
Has there ever been a time where you went up to someone you thought you knew only to find out it was a stranger? How did you react?
While we may be complaining about having to wear masks or that our favorite restaurant isn't open for dining in, there are children in America facing a bigger problem that is affecting their education.
Have you ever heard of the term Digital Divide? I hadn't until today. Maybe you are aware of it and are facing that reality with the amount of virtual schooling that is taking place due to the Coronavirus. Honestly, before this morning, I thought "okay, kids are doing school from home. That must be tough on the parents having to manage that." This is true, but where I made a big assumption is assuming that everyone has internet at home. So many don't.
Here's the reason I share this with you: When we know about issues in our community, we know how to serve a need. I believe we have people right here in the KCBI community that are solution finders. I hope we can find a way to serve our children and make education not a luxury, but a certainty.
Seems like a rhetorical question right now but, feeling overwhelmed? I get it, sometimes it feels like the world is burning down. Here's a quick tip: turn off the social media or the tv.
I was in a meeting with the crew here at KCBI and I was just saying how out of control things feel right now and how emotionally drained people seem at the moment. But it was something that my buddy Doug from Middays shared that's stuck with me and I feel the need to share it with you. He said to put down the phone and look around the next time I was out and I would probably be surprised by what I saw.
So I took him up on it. I stopped the scrolling, I turned off the tv and I paid attention to the people around me. What did I find? Neighbors waving and smiling. People showing kindness at the grocery store. Generosity. Love. Compassion. This is real life. Thanks for the tip, Doug.
Have you ever played the game where you drive into a tunnel and see if you can hold your breath till you get to the other side? In the United States, that's pretty easy to do because you can usually see the light as soon as you go in. But have you tried that in a tunnel with no end in sight? I think about one tunnel in particular that I drove through that started in Austria where it was dark and rainy and I came out in Slovenia to a completely different forecast.
The reason I telling you about tunnels is that Corrie ten Boom, a woman imprisoned in concentration camps during WWII, said that "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."
I know that we'll have moments in our lives that'll resemble the darkness of a tunnel and we'll be tempted to just jump off this train of uncertainty. But what if instead we sat still and trusted our God who is engineering this life. Just like the time I went into that tunnel facing dreary weather, I came out to a whole new outlook. Let's trust the engineer.
Has it always been your lifelong fantasy to be a spy? Me too! And the good news is the CIA is hiring!
They've posted on Twitter this coded puzzle and if you are able to solve the puzzle you can click on the career section for a job! Even if you haven't always dreamed of being a spy, give the puzzle a try anyways!
If you have looked in the mirror or looked at a photo of yourself and hated what you saw, you're not alone. That image can make us feel shame or embarrassed because if someone saw that photo and thought it looked ugly, it would only confirm our self-doubt.
I was recently interviewed for a podcast and shared a story I didn't intend to share how I hated how I looked in my senior photos my hair was fluffy, I wasn't in a pretty backdrop like the rest of the girls I went to school with. I was in a basement with a ladder wearing carpenter jeans and had braces. I not only hated those photos but for many years I hated the girl that I saw looking back at me. We can be pretty cruel to ourselves, can't we?
As much as I hated those photos, I've kept them for all these years for one reason: That one day I'd be able to look at those photos and show that girl kindness. I'm really proud to say that recently I was able to do just that. I felt freedom and I no longer allowed those lies to be my identity. If you can relate to this at all, I wish for you that same freedom from the lies and the negativity you allowed yourself to be defined by. I hope you take those lies to God in prayer and lay them at his feet. I hope that you can stop being your own biggest bully.
I don't think it's surprising for you to hear that people are struggling right now, you may be in that group. Struggling with discouragement, stress, anxiety. There's a lot on our plates right now. If you're one of those people, I want to share something with you.
Experts and psychologists have recommended for us to start setting Compassionate Goals, that a term I had never heard till today. Compassionate Goals help us to strive to focus on helping others. Though I would never try to act like I understand your specific situation, I can appreciate that when we're tempted to feel discouraged it can be a boost to our demeanor if we can take the focus off of ourselves and shift that focus to loving and serving others.
If this idea is something you can get behind and you're wondering how you can show compassion to someone, KCBI has an awesome opportunity for you to do just that. Right now you can help feed families in need right here in the DFW by partnering with us to Feed A Family. All the information of where you can go to help can be found right here at the KCBI website!
Believe it or not, there are actually some upsides to having to be socially distanced! Maybe you're missing friends right now and would give anything to have some company over. But let me remind you of one scenario. Remember when people would just pop by your house on super short notice and that immediate feeling of panic would set in knowing the house wasn't guest-ready? Yeah, me too. That's when you implemented the "throw all the clothes and toys in the bedroom and lock the door" technique and leave yourself just enough time to wipe the sweat of your brow and act like you we're prepared all along. Today, let's celebrate the small things.
Today's celebration is a testament that to the fact that there isn't a decision we make or circumstance we go through that puts out of range of God's redemption.
If you have something you'd like to celebrate join us at 5 pm every weekday for Lauree's Celebration Hour on 90.9 KCBI!
As we're praying for our neighbors to the south down in Houston who are gearing up for Hurricane Marco, I find myself saying "Only In Texas" once again after seeing the list of emergency guidelines for them to follow:
-Limit of 4 packs of water
-Limit of 2 brisket. BRISKET!
Like I said, only in Texas.
"In a world of despair, cultivating hope is a revolutionary act." These are not my words, but the words of Author/Pastor Jemar Tisby. I sat with these words this morning and was reminded that we know what despair looks like. My goodness, it's all around us. There so much right now that can cause us to be discouraged. So what does cultivating hope look like and why is it a revolutionary act?
It makes me think about how many people cultivate hope in things that are empty and hollow. Things that are said to people, promises are made just to give people...hope. It can leave people feeling broken.
But here's what I do know: Hope that is cultivated in Jesus Christ, that's everlasting. That hope that stands strong in the face of adversity. It doesn't disappoint as it says in Romans 5:1-5. We may boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only in the good times but also in the suffering because suffering produces perseverance which produces character; and character, hope.
So I'm not sure how revolutionary it is, but I know it's true. Any hope I try to build on things of this world will disappoint, they will fade away. But a hope built on the truth of Jesus, that is good.
As I was grocery shopping this week, I was hit with a revelation about our spiritual health.
I've been pretty open about how I didn't do the best job taking care of myself during the quarantine so now I'm in damage control mode trying to get back to eating healthy and shedding that corona weight.
I've been shopping for some fresh, colorful produce and have spent quite a bit of money in the process of doing it. But you know what? I'll do it again next week because I'm investing in my physical health by buying foods that are nourishment to me, not the processed stuff.
Here's my point: As I looked through all the produce, it hit me that we should be taking that same, thoughtful care with our spiritual health. We have a choice with what we put in our bodies spiritually. Do we pick the over-processed and fried sound bites that we get from social media or will we choose the bold, colorful, true riches of the word of God?
CALLING ALL PRINCESS BRIDE FANS: there is a new board game headed your way!
The makers of The Settlers of Catan and so many other board games that we love to play with our favorite people have come up with a new board game in celebration of one of our favorite classic movies, The Princess Bride! You have to work together to work through 6 different levels of the games, I’m sure there are some Rodents of Unusual Size, Shrieking Eels, Cliffs of Insanity, some smooches and of course the interrupting grandson (Fred Savage not included). I don't know about you, but I hope we can this whole social distancing under control by October so I can get some friends together for a game night!
Today's celebration is proof that God is bigger than any mountain that may stand in our way. This mother was told by 9 different doctors that the chances of her miscarrying was a "guarantee", but that didn't stop her and her husband from turning to the Lord in faith. Now a full year later, they are celebrating this miracle baby's 1st birthday with the KCBI community! Wow!
If you have something to celebrate, make sure to join us each weekday at 5 pm for Lauree & Doug's Celebration Hour!
No matter the celebration, we're all here to testify of the ways God has blessed us and been by our side. In this instance, God used a rat to open the lines of communication between this woman and her stubborn landlord. God can and will use the unlikeliest of things to bring light to his handy work in our lives!
When is a time in your life that God used something out of the ordinary as a blessing to you?
Is it possible for us to be generous if we're broke? My answer: Absolutely, because there's more to generosity than just money. Right now in our world, there are so many ways to show generosity to others.
Maybe you need some help with your list or just a refresher of ways we can show generosity
-Serve. Find a place to serve in your church or your small group (if your church is meeting in person)
-Words. When was the last time you someone you're thinking about them or that you care about them?
-Donating. This is a great way to show love to those in need and declutter your home in the process!
All I'm saying is don't the limit the impact you can make in your community just because you feel like you can't give enough because the truth is we can bring the riches of this world to others without ever spending a penny!
Celebrations aren't always pretty, but they're real. Today we celebrate with Greg, who after months of separation from his wife, attempted to kill himself but God had a bigger plan for Greg. Though his location on his phone was turned off, his wife found him in the nick of time. God pursues you the same way he pursues Greg and his pursuit never stops.
After 50 years of wondering and searching, a mother is celebrating that she will soon be reunited with her son after giving him up for adoption when she was just 16 years old!
If you have something to celebrate, make sure to join us each weekday during the 5 pm hour for Lauree's Celebration Hour!
What is so vital to our well being but we most likely take it for granted? A hug!
Today I'm thinking about those who may be alone in quarantine or those distanced from friends and family. I'm praying that you'd receive an embrace from your heavenly father today in the way that only he can provide!
Celebration comes in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes, even in form of surprises!
For one woman, God has radically transformed her life in a matter of a month and she even found a fellow KCBI listener in the unlikeliest of places.
If you have something you'd like to celebrate, join us every weekday at 5 pm for Lauree's Celebration Hour on 90.9 KCBI!
Let me run a scenario past you: You've just moved into your new home, your yard and flowers are inherited from the previous owner, and the head of the HOA pays you a visit to let you know that the previous owners had won 'Yard of the Month' multiple times and they always had a beautifully maintained yard. Which at that time you notice things are quickly wilting from this Texas heat. I'm asking for a friend (ME!)
What do you do? How do you keep things alive? I'm in full panic mode because I've killed any plant that I've ever owned. Any and all suggestions are welcome!
During Lauree's Celebration Hour, we celebrate your stories of hope and God's goodness!
Today, we're celebrating with 9-year-old Moses, who just accomplished something not many people can say they've done: He finished reading the entire bible! Way to go, Moses!
If you've got something to celebrate, make sure to join us each weekday during the 5 pm hour for Lauree's Celebration Hour! Give us a call at 214-787-1909!
If a girl suddenly comes up to you in public and acts like she knows you, consider going along with it. You may be saving a life.
I know this sounds like a dramatic ask, but I believe this is a great reminder and warning that this is a technique that trafficking victims will use to escape a dangerous or potentially fatal situation. Friends that I have that work for organizations that help girls escape human trafficking have advocated this type of reaction if you are approached. I know this can feel scary and you may be hesitant if confronted with this type of situation, I understand. But I'd want you to fathom if this was your daughter or niece, how would you want me to help?
I got fat in quarantine... and I've got plenty of feelings about it.
Honestly, it wasn't too hard. I mean we're in quarantine dealing with a pandemic, tasty treats we're at my disposal, and those stretchy pants didn't give the most accurate of measurement. All joking aside, I gained a lot of weight and found my comfort in food which isn't the most comfortable thing to share.
But the reason I do is this: it's so easy to heap judgment, anger, shame on ourselves and it's got to stop. It's only adding more reason to feel the need to escape and find comfort in things that don't benefit us. As frustrated as I am, what if I spoke to myself in the same way that Jesus gently beckons each of us?
I love the way that it's said in Song of Solomon. Yes, Song of Solomon. In verse 10, chapter 2 it says, "rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away with me." What if whatever stressful things that are in our lives that overwhelm us, what if in those moments we were to run to the beckoning of Jesus over the things we've chosen to find comfort in? When we're with Jesus, there's peace, there's protection, clarity. THAT is the ultimate comfort. Sorry Doritos, but Jesus is calling.
It's summer and you want to find a way to spend a day at the pool but want you to do so without having to battle a crowd. Enter Swimply! Think Airbnb, but for a pool!
Whether we feel like it or not, it's a great practice to find one thing each day to celebrate! This celebration has the energy that's sure to put a smile on your face! If you have something to celebrate, make sure to join us every weekday during the 5 pm hour for Lauree's Celebration Hour!
If you've been following the news then you know of the explosion that took place this week in the capital of Lebanon. Maybe you've heard us mention Heart For Lebanon here on KCBI. This ministry is serving the people of Lebanon and we reached out to them to ask what the state of the country is like and how we could be praying for them. We got ahold of co-founder Tom Atema and he has a message for you.
My husband I are not originally from Texas but we got here as fast as we could! And we are now Texas home owners and it only took us 4 days now to get locked into our garage! Are you laughing remembering your own home ownership moments yet?! Yeah?! Good! My husband said something that in the midst of the emergency that made me fall in love with him all over again!
Have you ever returned home from a vacation only to realize that you forgot something major before you left?
Jason Gray, an artist you may know from his music here on KCBI, posted on social media that he forgot to ask someone to mow his lawn before he left home for 6 weeks! As you can imagine his front lawn looked like a jungle. Maybe you weren't gone for six weeks, but what is that thing that you forgot to do or left while you went on vacation?
Life can be really tough when we're surrounded by complainers, right?
In the midst of moving this weekend, I was faced with plenty of them but even they couldn't overshadow the positivity and resiliency of our moving crew. It was a beautiful reminder that the only thing that can drive out darkness is light.
Every day during the celebration hour, we celebrate with YOU! Today, Lauree catches up with Kerri who had previously called in for prayer for her daughter and soon to be grandson. That prayer request had turned to a celebration as her grandson is now here and getting stronger every day after being born early.
If you have something to celebrate, make sure to join us tomorrow during the 5 o'clock hour for Lauree's Celebration Hour!
It's probably a pretty distinct memory when you learned that God was everything. For me, there was a summer when I was a kid that I remember my parents fighting all the time and that was pretty unfamiliar in our household. I would've never described my family as perfect, but it was always safe. But due to the fighting and yelling, there was this level of insecurity that was brand new. For the 2 people who introduced me to who Jesus was and modeled for me what it looked like to follow after him to behave in a way that was so unrecognizable. It was a hard summer and maybe you can relate.
But I also remember being alone in my room looking for answers. So I opened up my bible and read how God would never leave us nor forsake us so that we could boldly proclaim "What can man do to me?" Through this, I felt like God gave me this word so that in times of uncertainty I could stand on a faith that was my own and not hinged upon my parents. God is our protector and our father and there's nothing better than that truth.
It may feel a little bit selfish asking other people, "Will you pray for me?" But I know I encourage it and love to pray with people. So at this moment, I'm going to get over how I'm feeling and ask would you pray for me? Last night, I woke up with some really bad back pain and I'm not really sure of the cause. As well, this probably couldn't come at a worse time considering my husband and I are moving this weekend into our new home. So excited, but I'm asking God for healing and rest.
Know the door is always open for you and the prayer requests you may have. There's a place for you over at kcbi.org where you can leave your prayer requests and pray for others in our KCBI family!
As much as we're struggling to find anything to be thankful about the coronavirus, one couple was able to use this time of social distancing to surprise grandma and grandpa with not just one new grandbaby, but two! That's right, twins!
Not sure what dad needs to hear this, but give you kids a call. Earlier today I had a phone call with my dad. I'm a nearly 40-year-old woman, but I can tell you that call with my dad meant everything.
I have a friend who's a counselor whose ministry is to help dads connect with their daughters. She shared something with me that she learned early on in speaking with dads. She said dads would rather do nothing than do it wrong. I get it, but there's so many of us who appreciate it when dads lean in and pursue, even when the pursuit isn't perfect. So for all my dads, let me encourage you to do something. Just be a dad.
Do we pray with a fire in our belly? If not, should we start?
This question reminds me of being a 19-year-old bible student in Scotland and I was asked to pray before we dismissed for lunch. Before I could get more than 5 words in, my professor teacher literally grabbed me by my stomach and said in a loud, Scottish accent, "You are calling to the name of the almighty God, is it burning within you??" For as long as I live, I will never forget that moment. The truth is we have an audience with the creator of the heavens and the earth. It says in Hebrews 4:16 " Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." You may be praying for something big right now. Let me just encourage you, What a gift we have to be heard by God! So pray with confidence and let it burn.
Comparison robs us all of our joy and in this season, the last thing we need is more obstacles fighting to get in the way of our joy. Comparison can come in all shapes and forms: a newer car, a nicer house, the perfect vacation photo, even better-behaved children.
But a friend shared with me a quote that I wanted to pass along to you. It's from C.S. Lewis' book 'The Horse and His Boy'. One of the characters in the book is Aslan the lion, who represents God. A child comes to Aslan complaining about all that he has been through and Aslan replies that he has been with the child all along, which is true of God's love. But this wasn't good enough for the boy so he continues and asks of the plight of another child and the quote that struck my soul is when Aslan responds by saying "Child I'm telling you your story, not hers. No one is told any story but their own."
When my eyes are on Jesus and I'm solely focused on my story, I'm not looking around for anything to validate me except for my God. I don't need to worry about anybody else. I just need to tune my heart to him.
One conversation with a homeless man from Baltimore taught me something about thankfulness. We will always have something to complain about, but it was the pizza box that is the reminder to choose gratitude over complaint.
Think back to your high school yearbook and imagine the one person who was known for partying hard and their left-field lifestyle. Maybe in the back of your mind, you think, "there's no way that life could be turned around."
Well, my celebration story has me in tears of joy because the person that came to mind for me is now living their life for God and is preaching the gospel with his wife to young married couples. My heart is so full that God has the ability to change lives for his kingdom!
How would you feel if you were on a flight trying to get a little shut-eye only to be awoken by the pilot asking, "Can I get you anything to drink?"
Iceland Air just announced they're doing away with their flight attendants and that the pilots will now be taking over those duties. I don't know about you, but it sounds like a disaster waiting to happen to me!
BAM! Those disasters in life are exactly what got our attention and reminded us of God's truths and words of warning.
We received an email and it was made very clear that I had made a mistake... in the category of being a good Texan.
My husband and I have been shopping for a barbeque for the backyard and I was asked if I was from Texas because apparently no one from Texas calls it a barbeque, it's called a grill. Producer Josh and I discuss the difference between the two and head to the phone lines to get listener John's take on the matter at hand. Here's how I see it: I don't care if hamburgers & hot dogs or smoked brisket if it's good food, count me in!
Have you ever thought the songs your listen to here at KCBI help us 'Check Our Karen'?
You've heard the warning from those that have our best interest in mind, "check yourself before you wreck yourself." We have been hearing about the "Karen's", people having fits of anger out of frustration. And before we think that could never be us, the humble reality is we could all find ourselves in that place on the wrong day. We are all fallen people and when we humbly admit our need for Jesus, we check ourselves, and the songs here at 90.9 KCBI help us do that! Maybe you can think of a time that the right song at the right time has given you your peace back, not by anything anyone said, but because of what it says in Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That's the difference I believe this music and the goodness of Jesus can make!
If you have been feeling that temptation lately to be critical or find yourself dealing with a case of the cranks, me too. But this cool thing happens when we choose to celebrate instead: when we create room for thankfulness, we don't have room to be angry. A celebration is all about giving thanks to God and I just wanted to share with you a compilation of calls of celebration from people just like you in the KCBI family who are celebrating what God is doing in their lives. If you want to join in the celebration party, make sure to join us daily during the 5 o'clock hour for Lauree's Celebration Hour! If you have something to celebrate, give me a call at 214-787-1909 and we can do some high kicks together!
What are we feeding? Our faith or our fear? Whatever we focus on, we give power to.
Right now, I believe it's a matter of perspective and it's a choice God gives us each and every day. Will we choose to feed our fears and starve our faith? Or will we feed our faith and allow our fears to swallowed up by the things of God? And how do we feed our faith?
Hypothetically: When it takes you 11 months to complete a task do you A) celebrate the task being done, or B) do you shame yourself for taking so long?
Lauree’s was faced with this dilemma today at the dry cleaners,
We are constantly saying, "I don't know!" We don't know when we will go back to offices, back to school, to church. We just don't stinkin know. And it can be parlaying. But what if there was one word that spoke to that place of fear, of unknowns and spoke hope?
Tesla's are awesome. The new technology, the new design. Like I said, awesome. That's until you're stranded on the side of the road in the middle of the night because the car ran out of power. But isn't it funny how when loved ones are around, what might otherwise feel like a disaster, turns into the highlight of the weekend? That was my situation this weekend as I was in Los Angeles for a family wedding and though I found myself in a tough predicament, those tears that would have been from despair were tears of laughter because I was surrounded by friends. Do you have a memory where you found yourself in a similar situation?
I've been having a lot of conversations and my guess is that you have been too. Conversations around race, equality, things we're seeing on the headline news. I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine that left me feeling so unsettled, even awkward. This is a friend so near and dear to my heart, but for whatever reason, this conversation broke my heart because I never want there to be awkwardness between us.
But I came across this quote from Maya Angelou "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better." I'm taking that to heart right now when I leave these conversations feeling unsettled because I know that from every conversation, I learn. So in the meantime, I'm going to keep on having those tough conversations and I'm going to continue learning in the shadow of God's sufficient grace.
One thing it seems like we've all been doing a lot of during this Quarantine has been ordering take out. The question for today's Settle the Score is when you go to pick up your order, are you tipping? Lauree says "Yes, and even more so right now!" Producer Josh says "No, it's no different than going through a drive-thru." What side do you fall on? Tip or No Tip?
"Thank You!" It's such an easy thing to say and it makes such a difference.
One 11-year-old girl, Emerson, wrote a thank you note to a very interesting person: her mailman, Doug. Doug was so touched by the letter, he decided to share it with his boss. One share led to another and a couple of weeks later, Emerson received multiple boxes full of thank you notes in return from mail carriers across the country! I'm telling you, a little bit of kindness can go a long way!
Every day during the celebration hour, we celebrate with YOU! Today we celebrate with Diane who's Celebrate Recovery program has just passed their 2 year anniversary and shares vulnerably in her victory story of how God has lead her in her recovery journey! Way to go!
If you have something to celebrate, join us tomorrow in the 5 o'clock hour for Lauree's Celebration Hour!
It's a tale as old as time: the story of Good vs Evil. We see where evil entered into our world, in the garden. Sometimes it's hard to believe how good and evil can coexist in our world. On this day, known as Juneteenth, I'll be honest to say I feel the weight of both. The evil that is slavery grieves my soul. I've listened to stories of lives and generations that have been impacted by the weight of slavery. And yet today, we celebrate the good. We honor the 250,000 lives of people who were enslaved here in the state of Texas. They were informed June 19th, 1865 that they were finally free, 2 full years after the emancipation proclamation was put into effect.
As we honor this day of freedom, I focus on that good. Romans 12:21 says "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Happy Juneteenth.
For today's Thursday Think Tank, we're celebrating Father's Day by figuring out what the best gifts are for all our dads out there!
With Father's Day being this Sunday, I've been taking an inventory of my emotions leading up to Jozie's arrival! So today at 4:12 on 90.9 KCBI FM, I'm going to share my story of what Father's Day means to me as a new dad..without my own dad❤️
If you've ever been in a cross-cultural situation, you've probably had a translator to help bridge the language barrier. I'm embarrassed to admit that the first time I was in that situation, I actually thought I needed to translate for God.
I was 17 years old and was with my youth group teaching English to kids from the Czech Republic and the first night of camp I noticed a girl started praying in her native language of Czech. I remember thinking it was beautiful, but I got worried thinking God wouldn't understand. So in my ignorance, I took a shot at translating her prayer so God could understand her when in reality I made God out to be too small. God understood her perfectly, not because God excelled in some foreign language class, but because God was and will always be so much bigger than whatever expectations we could have of him. I'm so thankful for that.
Today we are going to Settle The Score with a topic that I think comes with some emotion! Is it right or rude for a friend to be posting on social media before they respond to your text message or call?
With the news that multiple Dallas Cowboys have tested positive for COVID-19, including running back Ezekiel Elliott, I figured who better to give some tips than the girl who beat corona herself: Lauree!
Raise your hand if you came out of this weekend feeling burdened, fatigued, exhausted. It makes sense, there's a lot of big things going on in our country, our culture, and our communities. These aren't things that can't be cured by a BBQ or sleeping in on Saturday morning. I get it, I'm there too.
Jennie Allen, the creator of the 'IF:Gathering', shared a really special moment on her social media the other day that really spoke to this place in me that I hope is an encouragement to you!
I came across a quote today that read "Hard Hearts Cause Ignorant Minds" and it immediately took me back to a time in my life that in my boldness, I thought I spoke justly. But in reality, I spoke out of ignorance.
Lauree and Producer Josh have a list for you parents out there looking for some creative ideas of how to keep your kiddos entertained this summer!
Something happened yesterday that had to do with you.
Yesterday we kicked off our Summer of Service initiative where we are Feeding Our Neighbors. We were out at the Mardel's Christian Store in Fort Worth standing outside as folks in the KCBI community pulled up and dropped off their non-perishable food items. One woman pulled up, and as the kids piled out of the car, you could just tell she was feeling the weight of life at that moment. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and just asked "Will You Just Please Pray?" As the KCBI crew gathered around to pray, I noticed she circled back in the parking lot to tell us how appreciative she was of this radio station and how much of a lifeline it is.
The reason I share this with you is that even though this mom has got a lot on her plate, she decided to show up and serve and if you partner with us here at KCBI, I want to say thank you in that very same way for continuing to show up and share the love and encouragement we have in Jesus through your support. So thankful for YOU.
I've got a hot take: yard signs and mums are huge and can be kind of unnecessary. I get for our graduating seniors, the yard signs and signs of congratulations are ways to celebrate them since they can't really do so in the traditional sense. But parents, what if I told you that those yards signs are a big invitation for con-men out there? Yes! Scammers are using the graduation signs in front yards to help gather the necessary information they need to do some real damage. Don't get me wrong I love to celebrate our graduates any chance I get, but maybe think twice before sticking a sign out in the front lawn!
Someone shared with me this past weekend "It's okay to be in a dark place. Just remember to invite Jesus into your dark place." That's where I found myself over the weekend. In a parking lot crying my eyes out (sorry to the man walking laps in the parking lot who had to witness that). As I thought about how even then God was still with me, I was reminded of Daniel who spent the night in a pit with a lion. All the dangers of being in proximity to a wild lion were present, but even then, God was with Daniel with that pit. Just remember, God is with you in your dark place.
In light of all of the current events, I thought I'd go with a totally random opinion today: Watermelon is a luxury item purchase. Why you may ask?
I know what you're thinking, $8 doesn't really qualify as a fancy purchase. But here's my reasoning: I used to live overseas as a missionary in the Czech Republic, and during my time there, I learned a lot about life in a different culture. I learned not everybody has a car, so when I needed groceries, that meant I had to walk. And if I had to walk there, it meant I had to walk back with the groceries I had just purchased so weight played a big factor in my decision making! So on the days I went to the grocery store for watermelon, I was laser-focused and boy was it worth the trip!
Maybe there's a food like that for you that's your specialty treat. What is that luxury purchase for you?
Amy Grant has been so influential to the music we listen to today on Christian radio, and we have some great news to share regarding her health!
Earlier today, Amy Grant had gone in for heart surgery to correct her PAPVR condition and in an update from her team, the surgery was a huge success! They had this to say: "Thank you for so many prayers today. Amy is out of surgery and the doctor said it could not have gone better. We would ask for continued prayers over the days, weeks and months to come as she makes a full recovery... xo"
Thank you so much for your prayers and celebrating this good news!
Yesterday was a deep breath in the midst of overwhelming, chaotic times. Yesterday I got to meet up with a friend for an afternoon at the park. This friend looks differently me, dresses differently than, speaks a different language than I do when she's talking to her daughters. But despite all the things that make us different, we're able to bond over topics of commonality: Mountains, Mommas, and Men!
Everyday during the celebration hour, we celebrate with YOU! Today we celebrate with a friend in the KCBI community whose wife has been through a battle with breast cancer and got the news she beat it! Praise God!
If you have something to celebrate, join us tomorrow in the 5 o'clock hour for Lauree's Celebration Hour!
It's the oldest (and most used) question in the book: What Are We Having For Dinner?
You may be thinking that it seems like you only have so many meal options due to picky eaters at home and that "go-to" meal you used to love has now lost its appeal. I totally get it. But I've got a meal for you to try that'll help you get rid of those leftovers and won't break the bank in the process!
Have you checked out the Prayer Wall over at KCBI.org? It's a place you can go to experience community, be reminded that you are not alone, and share the things that are weighing heavy on your heart. Today, I want to highlight Mia who texted in asking if we'd be praying that the Lord would represent them during a custody battle with grandkids. Not the lawyers, not the judge, but that God's will would be done in this custody battle.
Everyday during the celebration hour, we celebrate with YOU! Today we celebrate with Jessica who was in a car accident a little over a year ago that should have resulted in a lot of damage. But thanks to God's hand of protection, everyone involved walked away without a scratch.
If you have something to celebrate, join us tomorrow in the 5 o'clock hour for Lauree's Celebration Hour!
What was the first moment that this pandemic hit you? Mine was the first time I walked into a restaurant to pick up a to-go order. Chairs on tables with a line straight up to cash register. I remember leaving with tears in my eyes at how different this situation was. 2 months later, we picked up from the same restaurant and it felt totally normal.
Have you experienced anything similar? Does it speak to our ability to adapt to the circumstances we never thought we could or would have to?
With these questions, I'm reminded of Deuteronomy 31:6 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Take heart, my friend. Though that battle you're facing may feel impossible, the Lord your God is with you always.
I came across this hilarious story that I thought you would love as well! Tik Tok is all the craze nowadays. People make videos on this app for all sorts of reasons. After a failed engagement, a woman disposed of her ring in a moment of pure passion. So after seeing the video, a man drove 10 hours with a car loaded with scuba gear looks to cash in on a this woman's misfortune!
Lauree and her husband are in the market for a house and recent trip out looking at houses brought up the conversation: How far is too far when looking at a house? Lauree is all in! Peeking in windows, walking around the premises, even making her way into the backyard for a look. But Producer Josh says a drive-by will do just fine. If he wants a closer look, he'll call a realtor!
Your job is to settle the score! Which tactic do you side with? Lauree or Producer Josh?
This weekend we were able to celebrate all the moms in our lives and it reminded me of the wisdom that our moms have that maybe we didn't listen to the first time around. Can you relate?
I remember when my mom told me "Be careful with your words because once they've been said they can only be forgiven, not forgotten." Though it didn't sink in at that moment, it rings so true in the present. Happy Mother's Day!
There's a trend happening right now in Japan that has me feeling troubled: #CoronaDivorce. It all started with one man who was having relationship trouble during quarantine with his girlfriend and decided to start a business to facilitate an escape for people looking for time apart from their spouses. Seeing this has me hoping this trend doesn't find its way to America. My prayer for the marriages in our community is 1 Corinthians 13. We ask that God's love for us would continue to be patient and kind, that it would not boast, be jealous, or proud. But would be an example of the love we strive to show to our loved ones each day.
God can bless us in the most unlikely circumstances. In this case, he used cilantro (yes, the plant!) as a way to provide for Naomi and her family!
"EAT MORE CHEESE!" This is the request the country of France is making to its citizens as there is a surplus of the delicious dairy item. All I'm saying is if they are looking for volunteers outside the country, I will gladly partake!
We all have crazy stories from our childhood that make for great memories as the years pass. But for one Utah family, they'll have a story for the ages thanks to their 5-year-old son who threw a tantrum that led to stealing his parent's car!
Today is our first day back in the studio and we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than with you! Today's Celebration Hour is packed with getting out debt, graduation, and the beauty of Zoom!
As soon as this Corona pandemic hit, I was so impressed with the heart and unity that people were acting with. But as the saying goes, "All good things must come to an end!" I think the kumbaya of it all might be done after an experience I had on my latest trip to the grocery store with my husband!
At times like these, I wish I still lived at home with my parents! I need my mom to enforce some pantry rules for me because it's far too easy to raid the snack shelf dry!
One mom's list of pantry rules I saw is absolutely brilliant:
-No opening a new box of cereal if the other one isn't empty
-You better have eaten some fruit or vegetables before you come for the snacks
And my personal favorite
-If anyone tries to eat one of my Cadbury eggs, you're going to wish you had the Corona Virus
I've got some good news for all of you Hallmark Channel lovers! If you missed the headline, the Hallmark Channel is bringing back wall to wall Christmas movies to help you power through this CoronaVirus quarantine!
Celebration is such a beautiful thing, especially in times like this. It seems like when we focus our eyes on Jesus, we can really focus on showing gratitude for things he is doing!
I want to celebrate, that even in these circumstances, God allows us to build bridges relationally. For me, that looks like fostering a relationship with a cashier at my local Trader Joe's who I know is going through a tough time right now. She is a single mom with another on the way and currently is in a walking boot (which can't be easy considering her job requires her to be on her feet). As well, just loving on a refugee family that I've told you about in whatever way I can. Whether that looks like spending time or bringing them groceries. I'm just so thankful to God for allowing us to continue building bridges in a time of uncertainty and knowing when we come out the other side of this, relationships will be strengthened and more opportunities will be had to continue what God is growing right now.
With restaurants not able to house diners during the CoronaVirus, they're having to get creative. One pizza place in Wisconsin decided to start offering toilet paper a side item and others decided to follow suit. Since Dallas is such a big city, Lauree and Producer Josh decided to call a local BBQ joint to see if the headlines really hold up!
I sent out an email last night just talking about the temptation that we may be dealing with and that is Worry. I just want to take a moment to pray with you and for you during this time. Let it be made known that we serve a God of love and compassion and that he is here to bear that worry for us.
On today's True Crime (The Good Kind), we take you down to Houston where a mysterious diner entered into a local restaurant and left a mark that the works won't soon forget!
Today you gotta 🍀Settle the Score!🍀
Can you really say you have celebrated a holiday if you aren't eating the traditional food of the holiday?
Producer Josh says, "You can totally call it a celebration even without the food!"
Lauree says, "No way, you have to have the food to say you truly celebrated. Anything without the food is merely a nod towards the holiday!"
What do you say?
In the midst of all the CoronaVirus news and updates, the lead singer of the band I AM THEY, Matt, has a message of encouragement for you today!
Out of an abundance of caution, we may be considering doing a self-quarantine...so let's talk FOOD 🍎🥞!
If you were to have one meal and one meal only for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for an extended amount of time - What is your recommendation?
Recipes of course are requested and recommended!!
Lauree "LO" Austin says "Rice and Beans"
Producer Josh says, "Ramen noodles"
What do you say?
Our Second Episode in the 'LoLo You Should Know Know' series is Texas Sports! Here's just a taste of what you can expect to see in our video over on Facebook!
It's Time ⏰ to SETTLE THE SCORE‼️
Lauree "LO" Austin just tried buying toilet 🧻paper on Amazon and it was EMPTY! 🤯
So if you are in a store 🛒and you come upon the Toilet 🧻Paper aisle and there are only 2 PACKS LEFT... (first of all take a photo 🤳🏽to send to your friends to document the moment!) then answer this: what do you do to SURVIVE?
Do you take both packs of toilet 🧻 paper for you?
Lauree "LO" Austin says, "Oh yeah! only the strong survive and have toilet paper to use!"
Producer Josh says, "No way! I take one pack and leave a pack for the next person💞."
Now you! Settle the Score...what do you do?
Today we debut a brand new feature we're calling 'LoLo You Should Know Know'!
I'm not originally from Texas..." but she got here as fast as she could!" is what my Texas friends say!
But there have been some comments lately where KCBI listeners insist I should know certain things about Texas by now. So Producer Josh is going to put me through the paces and see if I can call myself a Texan by now!
You may have been born and raised here in DFW and Texas but how well do you know the geography or the pronunciations of towns? Can you get 100%?
Find out if LoLo Know Knows!
Today we're celebrating with a friend who is officially 1 year sober and 1 year into her relationship with God!
I love this week's True Crime, The Good Kind story for a couple of reasons!
1) It takes place in Portland, Oregon (WHERE IM FROM)
2) It's about somebody taking a risk to protect others
Think about the last movie you watched where someone was being bullied. Everything in you wanted to rescue that person and shelter them. I was thinking about those movies as I was reading through the scriptures of Jesus' crucifixion in preparation for the Easter season. There's something in me that desires to look away because of the cruelty and the harshness of the punishment Jesus endured. But today, I was challenged to keep my eyes focused on it, no matter how hard, because I know that sacrifice was made for you and me. That is love. A love that was paid for with a heavy price. I'm so thankful and humbled by the sacrifice that Jesus made for you and for me.
When we put together those lists of ideal characteristics and traits that we want in a spouse, probably a prepper was not high on the list. But can I tell you, it sure is paying off!
With Coronavirus rumors swirling, people are either acting cautious or crazy.
There's a lot of suggestions out there on how to best greet others while still staying germ-free, but I have yet to see an idea quite like mine that is equal parts cautious and creative!
Q: We throw away 92% of these without ever using them. What do you think it is? Any guesses?
Dallas Sports Fans - you gotta SETTLE THE SCORE!!
Producer Josh is furious about the new reality that his YouTube TV didn't come to terms with Sinclair media and the local Rangers, Mavs, and Stars games are NOT AVAILABLE after February 29th.
But Lauree "LO" Austin is looking at this situation as a great benefit to all the Servers at restaurants who need their tips to support their families PLUS, think of the community we get to experience when we have to go out to watch the game...
SETTLE THE SCORE - what do you think about this new arrangement?
Ladies and Gentlemen, I think we've had it wrong all along! At least according this new study.
Apparently, studies show that men are more afraid of Spiders than women. Who knew?? For all my single ladies out there still looking for their spider killer, you can do it. Data says so!
We tell ourselves a lie, "its too small, it doesn't matter to God." Or we even would think our prayers would be wasted on such a menial worry. A lie indeed. And what was the reminder that Lauree needed as she faced an uncertain conversation with her sister?
Nearly 50 years after Debra lost her boyfriend's class ring in a Maine department store, it turned up buried six inches deep in a forest in Finland! Listen to today's True Crime, The Good Kind episode of this mysterious journey of a class ring from 1973.
Until next time my True Crime Junkies, Watch Your Six (and Be Kind!)
This Saturday we're celebrating Leap Year!
In recognition of this extra day, I wanted to share with you a fun tradition from way back when that gives all ladies the opportunity to buck the trend on this one thing!
Every single reason to join team sports comes down to this one cross country team in New York.
It's crazy what a team can accomplish with a few bucks, a little bit of creative thinking, and a giant craving for Chick-Fil-A!
Being embarrassed in front of other people is just the worst and apparently how we respond to embarrassment says a lot about us!
Recently a study was done, and the top three reactions to embarrassment are as follows: Apologize, Try and Make a Joke, and Act Like Nothing Happened. This study is pretty spot on because I've reacted to different moments of embarrassment with all 3 of these!
I know that I'm planning ahead, but Mother's Day is right around the corner (76 days to be exact) and I saw what I thought would be the PERFECT gift for my mom: Costco Themed Pajamas!
I called my mom to gauge her interest and let's just say she was less than impressed..
You are never going to make it! You are in the very back of the plane!
You may have been on a flight before where you have a really tight connection and you know you're going to get stuck in the long de-boarding process and some angel of a flight attendant gets on the intercom to ask all the passengers to allow you to get off... but in my experience, it's a toss-up if people really do a good thing and wait for the passengers to go first. But for a father in North Carolina, he experienced the kindness of strangers both passengers and flight attendants to get him from the very back row, out the plane and on his way to a very special date!
There is a lack of snow at a ski resort in France that is causing some uproar due to their economy-friendly solution that locals fear will hurt the environment. Lauree and producer Josh discuss the situation and ask you how you would handle the dilemma at hand!
Did you know kissing can actually improve the health of your teeth? It's true! The anticipation of a kiss increases the flow of saliva to the mouth, giving the teeth a plaque-dispersing bath!
You know those moments that you come across a video on your social media feed or are sent to you by a friend? The videos that have the ability to bring a smile to your face or make you laugh. But then you come across videos that just break your heart for the things that break God's heart. That happened to me today in the studio when I saw a video of a 9-year-old boy who's come home broken down and in tears after being the victim of bullying. Maybe you know this road too well in your own life.
I don't yet have kids of my own, but I'm thinking of ways that we as a church and a culture can be advocates for the next generation and be examples of what it looks like to love God well and love each other well.
I stumbled upon Colossians 3:12 which says "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." If our kids roaming the playground and the school halls knowing full well who they are chosen by, I believe this kind of love has the ability to stop bullying right in its tracks.
Settle This Debate: Is it okay to send back food at a restaurant?
If you haven't already, head over to the KCBI Facebook page and vote for your answer!
Me, being the dateline fan that I am, felt the need to introduce a True Crime feature to the show but with a good news twist. Today's story is a typical business owner who couldn't help himself from getting involved in a dangerous situation after overhearing a shady phone call!
Q: About 30% of people remember this about their first car. What is it?
A: The license plate number!
One thing that I think is common to all of us is fear. Fear is something that none of us are exempt from, not even one of your favorite artists Danny Gokey. He feared that God would leave him and feared that God would refuse his prayers. All his life he battled with questioning if God could be trusted to remain faithful. When his wife later faced a losing battle with a congenital heart condition, all his childhood doubts came rushing back. While his worst fear became reality, he’d face the ultimate question: would he give in to his fear or give his trust to God even in death.
Through this struggle, God kept placing Psalms 46:10 in Danny's path. "Be still and know that I am God." And after he finally took that scripture to heart, he began to see God move through answered prayer and reinvigorate his soul with life again!
“I want to get a wedding ring tattoo please.”
There I stood in a tattoo parlor in Northern Ireland, very single, very determined, and willing my voice not to tremble as I made this request.
What lengths have you gone to in your life to never forget the love and promises of God?
Lauree shares her personal love story with raw and honest vulnerability.❤️
🎉 CELEBRATE WITH US! 🎉😍
Producer Josh is getting a promotion...PAPA‼️
Josh & Meagan are welcoming their 👶🏼daughter June 2020‼️
It's much harder than I anticipated to get a 4 year old to write you a Valentines Day poem. My nephew Charles couldn't do a poem but offered up a squirt gun...so there's that.
But if your child wants to share their talent and poetry give me a call to feature their poem in the Valentine's Day Poetry Slam!
You don't have to have kids of your own to be familiar with the commotion that takes place when you've got children on a plane. You feel for the parents as they're carrying around strollers and bags and car seats and a baby that has to get situated. This was the case for a couple named Dustin and Caren. They were flying with their child and I was just stunned by what ensued next thanks to flight attendants on board.
As Dustin gets up to change his new baby's diaper, he starts talking with one of the flight attendants. This flight attendant finds out that Dustin and Caren have just adopted their new daughter and are bringing her home for the first time. As they head back to their seats, Dustin and Caren are surprised to hear the flight attendants come over the intercom to introduce the rest of the passengers on board to their brand new child. Then, midair, they decided they were going to throw this family a baby shower by passing out napkins to write words of encouragement and advice for the new parents!
The thing I want to encourage you with is no matter what you may do for a living, you have the ability to step out and encourage someone whos walking into your world. What a beautiful blessing from God!
The day has finally arrived!
Survivor, the long-running CBS reality show, begins season 40 with all the past winners! The best of the best will see who will triumph!
Lauree talks with past Survivor Contestant Leslie Nease, to give us some background on what it's actually like as a Survivor contestant such as stomping snakes and what God taught her in the process!
What's some good advice you've gotten when you're going through a difficult time?
The best piece of advice that I ever got when I was in that place is...to go out and serve. Because when I'm serving, I think I'm reminded I still have something to give. So often, when we're in those places, it's so easy to believe that there's nothing we can bring to the world that's of value. So if you find yourself in a season of hurt right now, I urge you to get out and serve. Find someone who you can bless with the amazing things you bring to the table.
Have you ever dreamed of what it would be like to try to Survive? Do you think you would be strong enough to Outwit, OutPlay, Outlast your competition?
Survivor, the long-running CBS reality show, begins season 40 with all the past winners! The best of the best will see who will triumph!
Lauree talks with past Survivor Contestant Leslie Nease, to give us some background on what it's actually like as a Survivor contestant and what God taught her in the process!
Don't miss this exciting interview Tomorrow, February 12th at 5:40!
I have some good news that I've been so excited to share for some time with you!
You know those prayers that you've prayed for a long time that the Lord has said "just hold on" to and then finally he gives you the green light? Well, I got my green light to a prayer that has been in my heart for some time now that all started with a Ham flavored cheesecake I made while I was living in the Czech Republic. The cake was disgusting as you could have guessed, but I look back with such gratitude for the people that served as guides during my time overseas as a missionary. Since then, it's always been a desire of my heart to be that for someone else who may be new to America because I know much it made me feel at home when I was in a place that wasn't home.
With all that being said, God finally gave me my greenlight this past weekend as I got to meet a family who has just moved over to the states. They're still figuring everything out, but they've got the dessert department locked down because the sweets they made were delicious! I'm so looking forward to the days ahead as I can be in relationship with this sweet family and make memories with them. So if tonight you feel like God is telling you "just wait, hold on" in response to a prayer request, there will come a day that God say "GO!' It will be his perfect timing.
Travel fails: they're the thing stories are made of and what we write home about! Something went oh so wrong during my two-day work trip to Los Angeles that resulted in me having dinner with my in-laws with no deodorant on. Talk about EMBARRASSING.
Today I've been thinking about my friends who are in the season of waiting. Maybe you find yourself in that place as well. Waiting for that next job opportunity, waiting for a relationship to be mended, waiting for test results coming from the hospital. Whatever it is that you are waiting for, my prayer for you is that would continue to be faithful to the one who holds our future!
If you know me, you know I love to celebrate! So today we're celebrating with a 1st Grade teacher who got some surprise sweets from her friends today when she got to work!
I am proud to say there's a lot of moments in my life that are very dorky. I was apart of the debate team in high school and college, it doesn't get much nerdier than that. But I've got no shame in my game, especially since I just found out one of my favorite hobbies just took a right turn from geek to chic: Puzzles. I LOVE me some puzzles!
One man's interesting road to the Superbowl. When Rashad Fenton, the cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs was in high school he worked the concession stands at the Miami stadium. Hawking drinks, hotdogs, pizzas at all the fans cheering in the stands. Rashad would walk the 4 blocks from his home to his job. Fast forward to Superbowl 2020 at the same stadium... 22-year-old Rashad returns to his old workplace, not entering through the concession employee entrance but as a celebrated football player that is on the biggest stage possible for his sport. Talk about dreams come true!
It's such a shame. You spend all that money to go to the Superbowl - the ticket that is so coveted by football fans throughout the year. And you arrive, exhausted! There must be an interesting story behind this man's nap at the Superbowl. Lauree shares the uncomfortable location she fell asleep and paid a hefty ticket price!
With the big game just a couple of days away, I thought it'd be fun if Producer Josh and I got prepped for Super Bowl weekend by swapping some game day snacks (with a twist!)
Because I've never had a chicken wing in my life, Producer Josh decided today was the day to introduce me to the art of wing eating. He was kind by starting me off with boneless wings which he calls "glorified chicken nuggets" but didn't skimp on the heat with the hottest sauce on the menu. So in return, I thought I'd let him try my dad's famous crab dip but I took the liberty of adding some sardines into the mix just to let him really experience my coastal upbringing CUE EVIL LAUGH
If you've got any go-to recipes for your Super Bowl spread, don't be afraid to share!
There's something European moms are doing that, in America, would probably get CPS called. But would you believe it's actually really good for the baby's health?
In Europe, parents are bundling up their kids around nap time and head out to town for a stroll and coffee catch up with other mom friends. Totally normal right? Well here's the thing. They're leaving their babies in their strollers outside! On purpose! Don't believe me? I've seen this with my own two eyes! But the reasoning behind this actually has some real health benefits for the child. It helps build up the child's immune system, the sleep the baby gets is deep and replenishing due to the cooler weather.
I thought it was odd no one was worried about the baby being taken, but I guess I understand the benefits!
We've been talking lately about the power of music. Maybe you are a musically gifted person, I am not. At all. But I love it and I know the power of music in my life when prayer and worship come together in this glorious moment of song. Music is a beautiful thing.
Believe it or not, music has the power to stop road rage. Studies show that music puts us in a better mood and makes us calmer drivers when we have the radio on. And you can probably tell there's something different about KCBI. It's more than the songs and lyrics and musicianship. KCBI is all about truth that is inspired by the word of God. I'm so thankful that I get to do life with you on a daily basis and we rest in God's truth together. Plus, we get to calm down and stop that road rage!
91 year old Lloyd Black felt like he needed to get shape and so he started going to a local gym to work out. Not with fancy workout clothes, just work clothes. The gym is a place that I can feel intimidated sometimes, wondering if my outfit is coordinated enough, if my workout routine is impressing anyone, comparing my biceps to the person next to me in class. But I have a feeling (just by looking at this simple picture of Lloyd) that Lloyd would tell me to stop wasting my time worrying about any of that. It was a good pep talk today between me and this photo! Thanks Lloyd, I needed that!
Just a bit ago, I got to celebrate with my friend Rory who just over a month ago, attempted to commit suicide but in God's perfect timing, he stepped in and has radically changed Rory's life and outlook.
This conversation is so special, I wanted to share with y'all the full conversation we had and multiple ways God has worked in Rory's life by surrounding here with loving community! I hope you're as lifted up by this celebration as I was!
Pat Williams the VP of the Orlando Magic basketball team was recently on the Brian Kilmeade show to discuss the tragic death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Pat boldy proclaimed truth and issued a charge to us all, what are we doing about Jesus Christ while we live?
I found myself needing this reminder before I get cranky at this person or that...give them the benefit of the doubt, "They Are Doing the Best They Can!"
Something changes in my heart when I look at it like that, something softens, something wants to help instead of hurt them!
If you need to try this exercise today, Go for it! See if it changes your heart!
Sometime during our Celebration Hour, we'll celebrate things I've never seen before. Like today we're celebrating getting married on a Monday! Congratulations to Aaron and Esther, may God richly bless your marriage!
Tragedy is a funny thing. Your mind both slams to a halt and races down hundreds of paths at once. As Lauree watched the tragic headlines in the hours after the helicopter crash that claimed 9 lives...she started asking herself a very personal question that we may all want to ask..today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed!
With Super Bowl Sunday just over a week away, you might be getting your game day shopping list prepared to make sure you've got the perfect spread ready for the big game. But the question I have for you is "Should Super Bowl Sunday Be On Sunday?"
Frankie, a 16-year-old from upstate New York, has created a petition to move the Super Bowl from Sunday to Saturday and over 21,000 signatures have been accumulated! Producer Josh thinks tradition is tradition and Super Bowl Sunday should stay in its place but Frankie has some pretty valid points for the move. I'd love to know which side of the line you fall on!
True Crime can be addicting, at least Lauree and her husband Brian are addicted. So she wanted to do a little 'true crime' remix of a mystery from Ireland...who was leaving behind wads of cash on the sidewalk? Will the mystery be solved?
You or someone you know might be a professional hospital person. A professional hospital person is someone who knows when to squint their eyes when getting blood drawn, someone who knows how to get the urine samples on the first try. Someone who knows how to get all the paperwork done, who to talk to, knows where to park, knows the hospital like their own home. If that's you, today you are on my heart.
Producer Josh and I were just reminiscing about Day of 1,000 Bibles this past weekend and just how awesome of a day it was! We were spread out across the metroplex at 5 different Salvation Army Family Stores and boy, did y'all show up for God's word! Josh mentioned he got to the Arlington location to set up at about 9 on Saturday morning and people were already lining up to participate in Day of 1,000 Bibles. So awesome!
If you showed up on Saturday, we just want to thank you for helping us kick-off our year of 20,000 Bibles in a big way!
The recruiting frenzy has begun! Harry and Megan have had no shortage of job offers, even one from another royal family, a monarch, has made an offer: The Burger King!
Maybe you've had a horrible week at work, you're reconsidering everything. Don't worry, I've got a job for you! All you need to do is love coffee...and be willing to move to Ireland for a bit.
There's a job opening is for a seasonal management position for the Island's accommodation and coffee shop. The island is called the Great Blasket Island, which is approximately 4 miles long and 1 mile wide and offers the following features:
-Great views
-Lots of wildlife. There are no snakes, snakes don't live in Ireland (trust me, I've lived there)
-A handful of full-time island residents
-Thriving with Irish culture and history
So I'd say if you're a total introvert or just need a change of pace from April-October, this could be a good move!
Dad's have such a wonderful role in all of their children's lives! Teaching them, encouraging them, modeling for them a life of faith and obedience to God! Some great things on this list, but I couldn't get past #1...
What stands out on this list? What are the best things your father has taught you? Call me in studio to share, 214-787-1909
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It’s okay to cry when you’re hurt. But, wash your face, and get up off the floor when you’re done. You don’t belong down there.
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You are a woman, you do NOT need a man, but you can absolutely enjoy your life with a good one.
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Happiness is not a permanent state. Wholeness is. Don’t confuse these.
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Never walk through an alley alone.
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‘Can’t’ is a cop-out.
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Hold your heroes to a high standard. Be your own hero.
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If you can’t smile with your eyes, don’t smile. Insincerity is nothing to aspire to.
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Stay true to yourself always.
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Your body, your rules.
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If you have an opinion, you’d better know why.
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Practice your passions.
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Ask for what you want. The worst thing they can say is no.
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Wish on stars, and then get to work to make them happen.
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Stay as sweet as you are.
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Say Please, Thank You, and Pardon Me, whenever the situation warrants it.
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Reserve “I’m sorry” for when you truly are!
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Question everything... except your own intuition.
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You are amazing! Don't let anyone ever make you feel you are not. If someone does... walk away. You deserve better.
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No matter where you are, you can always come home.
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Be happy and remember your roots.
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Say what you mean and mean what you say.
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Be kind; treat others how you would like them to treat you.
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If in doubt, remember whose daughter you are and straighten your crown.
The Russians and the Houston Astros… they make strange bedfellows. But I think that there’s something here.
You know how big of an Olympics nerd I am, a fan girl to the max! I love the Olympics so much and I hate when something is compromised especially the purity of the competition and that's exactly what Russia has done. So, this summer, they’re going to be banned from the Olympics altogether. You may be thinking, how does the Houston Astros baseball team compare to the Russians who were banned because of a doping scandal? Well, the Astros were recently called out and penalized for cheating, they were stealing signs from the catcher via video feed that gave them a competitive advantage. And this didn’t just lead them to a couple more wins. No, they ended winning the World Series!
In my opinion, I think there needs to be a bigger punishment for this! All that’s known right now is the GM and the Manager of the Astros have been fired and are no longer with the team. But what about every single player that took part in the sign-stealing? Shouldn’t there be a penalty that goes along with that? My suggestion: they should sit out this upcoming year without pay. There needs to be a penalty for their actions. This may seem harsh, but if you are benefitting because of the platform that you are given, it is your character that should go hand in hand with your performance. Would love to know how you feel!
Lauree thought she was being adorable while pranking her husband during the National Championship Football Game. She successfully weaponized The Bachelor! Do you think she's an adorable newlywed or is she the obnoxious ball and chain?
I was out and about earlier today and the strangest thing happened: People waved at me.
I know, on the surface this probably doesn't seem all that strange considering we live in Texas and have southern hospitality, but it's never happened in the time I lived here. And then BOOM twice in one day! I was trying to think about why people would be waving at me. I was on my way to the gym so I had no makeup on, hair was up looking a mess. But then it hit me: I was wearing my one and only Dallas Cowboys shirt. My producer Josh and I took a trip down memory lane to revisit my criticism of the Cowboys, but heck if this is the reaction I'm going to get on a regular basis, I may have to go out grab some more Cowboys gear!
Experts have recommended something to help us get through our daily To-Do Lists and I am surprised!
I don't know how you tackle that list, for me, it's the easy stuff first. I love getting the momentum going of crossing off those menial tasks. But the experts say this may actually be the wrong way of going about it and we may be hurting ourselves in the process. When I read the explanation, it made a lot of sense. The experts say when we're knocking out those easy tasks early, we're kind of shortcutting ourselves out of learning the process and seeing growth through that accomplishment. So the next time you've got that To-Do List that needs checking off, mix some tough stuff in with those easy tasks. You'll thank yourself later!
You might have some goals set for 2020 and maybe a gym is going to help you achieve those goals! But the idea of a gym can be super intimidating for some of you. Trust me, I get it! But I want to be able to offer a couple of tips on how to push past that nervousness and own the gym!
1) Have a Game Plan!
There's nothing worse than walking into a gym full of equipment with no idea of what your plan is. You feel out of sorts! This doesn't need to cost you a lot of money, maybe 5-10 of research online for resources will go a long way!
2) Try a Class.
You don't even have to have a game plan. that person at the front has already got you covered!
Sub-Tip Be early so you can get any spot you want!
3)Pump It Up with Some Workout Tunes!
Download the KCBI App so you can have your favorite music and teaching programs with you to help you tackle that gym!
We hear a lot about fake news and sometimes there are these headlines that aren't anywhere in media, but in our minds. Maybe one of those lies you've told yourself is "If I'm not happy, then God must not love me." Have you ever told yourself this?
Here's the thing: God does not promise us happiness. Nowhere in scripture does it talk about rainbows and sunshine happily ever after. But Paul does have something to say about rejoicing through our suffering because our suffering today can't even compare to the majesty that awaits us in our eternity with God. There is some beautiful truth behind that ugly lie.
By now, you must know I am a HUGE fan of anything Olympics related and you can only imagine how excited I am that the Olympics are coming this summer!
But there's some news that has me intrigued. The Olympic committee in Tokyo, Japan just revealed the beds that athletes will be sleeping on in Olympic Village will be made out of cardboard! Also, the mattresses will be made out of plastic for sustainability purposes after the Olympics wrap up. From an environmental standpoint, I can totally get behind this but is this the best thing for these world-class athletes? Would love to know your thoughts!
Splashed all over the news, the headlines read 'Meagan and Harry Stepping Away From Their Senior Royal Duties.' And if we can learn anything from their move, I believe they're setting some boundaries and stepping back to focus on a healthy family dynamic. Maybe you've experienced a stepping back of sorts in your own family to set some healthy boundaries, maybe with inlaws or relatives. What advice would you give Harry and Megan from your experience?
If you've got a big life transition coming up in 2020, hot tip: Don't cut your hair off and dye it. With any big life transition, those kinds of impulsive moves are always the wisest in that moment. I remember back to being a senior in high school and going from blonde hair to short black hair and I was absolutely mortified with my rash decision. So the question is how do we find clarity in the midst of life's big transitions? The answer: Seek Wisdom.
It was a little bit surprising to me the other day when I was making dinner and my husband comes in the kitchen and turned up his nose at the fact that I put onion in my mashed potatoes. To me, this is totally normal. My parents put onions in practically everything!
But it got me thinking: What weird food combination do you love and totally swear by?
Thank you to everyone who has been sending texts through the KCBI App and calling the station regarding a prayer request I shared with you 2 days ago. This was a request I brought to you on behalf of a friend of mine who had it put on her heart and her husband's heart to adopt again. After lots of prayers, they believed that the Lord was opening the door for an opportunity to do so. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, that opportunity was taken away.
Though it breaks my heart to give you an update that we were all praying against, I need to remind myself in circumstances like this of the fact that God is God. God is love and God still loves this young woman.
Again, thank you to each of you who have reached out and offered your prayers and I know you will continue praying for everyone in this situation.
I have not stopped laughing at an article I read earlier today! I fear it may offend a few people but as someone who is merely delivering the news, I hope it gives a whole lot of laughter along the way. A study of 2000 people was conducted here in America and it shows that those who were cat owners, were less likely to attend Church on a regular basis BECAUSE OF THEIR CAT.
My cat owners: don't hate me. I'm merely the messenger. But I say let's break the stigma. Prove the naysayers wrong. Show them that cat owners love Jesus too!
There is a new resource for this next generation of movie watchers that answers the strange question "Does the Dog Die?" Yes, that's the name of the website and its very self-explanatory. It has a crowd-sourced selection of dog films that will spare you some heartache with a simple Yes or No answer to if the dog dies in a multitude of films, tv shows, and books. Though it may make the moment a little less unforseen, I'd still advise to have Klenex handy.
If you have children, the words "I Got a Job!" are usually music to your ears! This one job, in particular, that's available may not be the one you hope your child comes home with: Roller Coaster Tester.
But for all you thrill-seekers out there looking for some extra cash, apply away!
Doesn't it seem like just yesterday we were complaining that Christmas was SPEEDING towards us? We grumble and complain, we act faux offended over having to drink Pumpkin Spice Lattes so soon. Well, we've got the next holiday that's barreling down on us. My Christmas tree isn't even down and I'm already seeing Valentine's Day decoration lining the shelves at stores. Have you seen this yet? Are we okay with it?
Today, you're getting a sneak peek into something new I'm cooking up! In 2020, I'm debuting a new podcast entitled 'Left Field with Lo'! We are going to have your favorites artists sitting here in studio and I am going to come at them all sorts of directions! Well, just the direction of left field (hence the title). First up out of the gate, we've got Zach Williams!
I believe we would all agree that its a really sad world when even grandparents are being bullied. One grandma, in particular, posted an ad on Craigslist asking "Does anyone need a grandma for Christmas?" She stated that she'd be willing to cook and bring presents to the kids because she just didn't want to be alone. Sadly, she faced a lot of negativity and ugly messages which caused her to remove her ad completely.
I don't share this story to be a Debbie Downer, but to encourage you to keep an eye out for those in your life who could use some love and family this Christmas season.
I knew it was coming.
After my boasting last week about how the Rams were going to kick some Cowboys boo-tay, I knew I was going to get some grief from my producer Josh. But he had a plan of how he was gonna serve up a slice of humble pie and let me just say, it was served COLD.
I know what you're thinking....Fantasy Football on a Tuesday?? Yes!
There's breaking news in the world of football and the Cowboys are playing MY Los Angeles Rams this Sunday so I had to do a game preview!
I have been tasked with teaching Sunday School for a group of 3rd graders at my church and this past weekend, it was a MESS. Producer Josh and I dig into what went down and discuss whether or not my time is best served with this group of rambunctious kiddos.
Let's learn a new language, shall we?
We're going to learn one phrase, one that's super appropriate for the season. It's "Merry Christmas" in the language of Slovene. You can impress all your friends and maybe even Slovenian Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic.
Why am I bringing up any of this? I got spend close to an hour this morning talking to my best friend who lives in Slovenia as a missionary. I am so thankful and grateful for technology and the ability to merely press a button on a screen and talk to a friend on the other side of the world! She asked me to be praying for the church in Slovenia and I bet you know someone maybe from your church who is spending this Christmas season the other side of the globe spreading the love of Jesus. I was wondering, would you be praying as well?
After 3 straight losses, there are bad attitudes all over the place with this Cowboys team: fans, players, even Jerry Jones! I think what this team needs is a change in attitude to turn the ship around.
It's no secret I have a deep love for any and cooking/baking shows! There's something so therapeutic about them.
I'm joined by Producer Josh in the studio to discuss this brand new cooking show 'Dishmantled' which set to release in April 2020. The concept is equal parts bizarre and intriguing!
If you've already put up your Christmas decorations, then chances are you've come across your favorite ornament! One that you love putting on your tree, one that probably has a story behind it that involves a certain memory or smell.
For me, it's these 5 matchboxes covered in green felt. In each of these little matchboxes, my mom would write these little notes every Christmas that would give us clues to find little presents around the Christmas season. I still have them and cherish them dearly!
What ornament or decoration signifies Christmas to you?
You may have a friend who is going through a difficult season right now and instead of asking the same question "What can I do for you?", being more specific could go a long way in being a blessing to that friend!
Over the last couple of weeks, I've experienced a number of different losses that had me thinking about those who are walking through grief right now in a season that is filled with holiday spirit and celebration. What's the best way to walk through that?
The Cowboys fought valiantly against the best team in football, The New England Patriots. But despite their efforts, the Boys came up short in Foxborough. Producer Josh and I debrief the game in the latest installment of Afternoons with Lauree's Fantasy Football!
Have you ever been tempted at the thought of praying for something? Maybe you've thought, "HA! God doesn't care about my (fill in the blank)!" I definitely have. And then I was reminded of a story about Corrie Ten Boom and the answered prayer that came in the form of a handkerchief. No prayer or thing is too insignificant for our God!
Maybe you've got somebody in your world who is going to be moving or maybe you'll have some extra time on your hands this Thanksgiving (between the football games of course).
Maybe by not doing THIS thing, you're making yourself vulnerable to burglars. By this thing, I'm talking about replacing the screws in the plate of your doors.
Thanksgiving is this week and eating is definitely a big part of the tradition of Thanksgiving. Plans are coming together, turkeys are being defrosted, desserts are being made. that's a tradition. But also a tradition? stepping on that scale after the feast.
What are some traditions of yours to help us burn those post-Thanksgiving calories?
This is the season to be generous. We have so many different opportunites to give and to serve others. But what if you've got no money in the bank to help? You're not alone!
I've got a couple of suggestions for you that are ways you can serve others that aren't going to break the bank!
Maybe you've been in the same place as me, just in need of a hard pep talk!
Ever since I returned from my honeymoon, I've been baking up a storm and can't stop eating my creations. But with the help of my sisters (and my nephew Charles), they're giving me the kick in the pants I need to cut my new found bad habit!
Thanksgiving is well know for it's football games and LOTS of food, but I think it's known for a little bit of ego. Wouldn't you agree?
Between my 3 sisters, my mom, and me, there alot of cooking and baking taking place in preparation for that day. And whatever we bring to the table, we sure are proud of it, to the point of competition!
Is ego a part of your Thankgiving day spread?
As the Cowboys get a big win against the Motor City Kitties, I express concern for Dak Prescott's elbow with some personal experience from my glory days of high school softball!
As you went back to work this morning, it may have been an interesting conversation at the water cooler. Those coworkers who may not normally be interested in church may have been jumping in on the topic of Kanye West bringing his Sunday Service to Church. Over 45,000 people tuned in on YouTube alone.
As Kanye began to testify about how Jesus has gotten ahold of his heart, he made one point in particular that stood out to me and I wonder if it impacted you in a similar way!
Usually I'm not into those gimmicky days. World Donut Day? Pass. But today is World Kindness Day and I feel like I want to camp down here for a moment. Intially I thought kindness is something there needs to be more of in our society, and that's true. But I think there's a bigger challenge here that I wanted to share with you.
I don't know what you do when anxiety comes knocking. Maybe it retail therapy or numbing yourself with hours of TV and Netflix. For me? It's eating. Alot of eating. As I'm processing through this transition from singleness to married life, I find myself with a lot more time on my handles without the endless planning and spreadsheets. I found myself in this place of asking "what's next?" God's words in Philippians 4:6 answers that question and reminded me that he comes first before all the distractions!
If the stresses and anxiety of the upcoming holiday season are already flooding your brain, allow me to give you permission to take this holiday season off. If it goes anything like it did for my family, it may be the most memorable one yet!
After a week and half gone, I am back a married woman! But as I think, the word 'yet' seem to be the theme of my life. It wasn't until age 38 that I was able to walk down that aisle. I don't know what it is that you have prayed for and waited on that you haven't seen "yet", but let me encourage you today as a testament to God's perfect timing!
I love to celebrate and give honor to all the veterans that have served our American forces throughout the years. I am so thankful for the sacrifice they made. Veteran's Day always reminds me of my grandfather, who was a WWII Vet. There is one story in particular that he told me as a freshman in high school that still has me shaking my head.
Between getting married, going on my honeymoon, and having a serious case of jetlag, I've missed 3 weeks of Cowboys football. But with help of my producer Josh, we're getting you all caught up on the action!
Just like we do everyday in the 5 o'clock hour, we're celebrating! Today, I celebrated with my producer Josh as he and his wife just got a new car! And did I mention under budget?? Also celebrating with a friend who thought she was in for a nightmare at the salon after too much bleach, but her stylist worked a miracle!
This past weekend a new album was released called "Jesus is King."
It wasn't an artist that we play here on KCBI, in fact, it was from an artist that most of us would hear the name and laugh at the possibility of it all.
KANYE WEST.
I realize that name may mean absolutely nothing to you, probably because you don't hang around in the rap, hip hop, reality TV world. But for anyone familiar with pop culture, Kanye West is a rapper, a fashion designer, husband to celebrity reality star Kim Kardashian. He's been known for explicit music, fashion influence and his ego.
But he has recently been getting a lot of headlines for becoming a Christian. When late night TV host Jimmy Kimmel asked him if he was a Christian Music artist, Kanye's response, "I'm a Christian Everything."
To all the mommas and papas who stress at the very thought of preparing a Thanksgiving meal for the entire family, I have the solution for you!
Aldi has come out with the Turkey Cranberry Ravioli, and I think it's GENIUS! Swing through a chicken joint for some gravy, and Boom! Thanksgiving is covered!
If you're not familiar with name Andy Mineo, he is an Christian rapper. And I just found out Andy and I are on the same team!
for King & Country are coming to the DFW November 15th on their burn the ships World Tour! Joel and Luke are giving you a preview for what you can expect during this incredible evening!
There's nothing worse than when someone tells us "Just go in your socks!" when you're not prepared, right? Maybe you've got mismatched socks or a hole in the toe. For me, it was at the gym and my feet we're sweaty. But as my friend explained it was to have the ability to discern our balance that we lose with the padding of our shoes. This led to a beautiful analogy that I think applies to all of our spiritual lives!
Lauree shared a recent experience where she realized how spiritually thirsty she was...how do we stop our spiritual dehydration before it begins?
🌪 TORNADO RELIEF 🌪
If you know of any resources for people that are displaced, homeless, without food or clothing, would you leave the name of the church, organization, business below!
Praying for all the families affected by the Tornado 🌪Damage!!
You may have your head in the sand or must not care for the Royal Family not to know that Meghan Markle, the Dutchess of Sussex, has been heavily criticized for.....anything.
There has been a video of the Dutchess that has surfaced in response to how she handling the criticism where she responds with a level of vulnerability that caught my eye.
Though none of us are Dutchesses, I believe there's a lesson that we can all take from this clip.
I don't know if you've seen the picture gone viral of the bride who has her 3 grandmothers and 1 great-grandmother to be the flower girls in her wedding.
As precious of a moment as this was, looking at those photos made me really sad thinking I wouldn't have my grandmothers or aunts or uncles or cousins at my wedding due to relationship dynamics that would just make the day really hard. Though it was a hard decision, it was the right one because it honored my immediate family.
None of us have perfect families, but I hope today you and I would celebrate them!
Celebrating with 8-year-old Kaden after he scored 6 touchdowns in game! SO STINKING CUTE and the Cowboys could clearly use Kaden's help!
Have you ever been so deep in boredom blues, a questionable idea was the only cure?
Well, I came across a story of a security guard who's boredom got the cops called and my producer Josh has a story he's telling for the first time TO ANYONE!
This Halloween, a blue bucket may be ringing your door bell. I know this doesn't apply to everyone, and it might even be a controversial topic of opening up your door to Trick-or-Treaters. But if you do choose to do that, I thought it would be important for you to know what that blue bucket means!
A famous quote by Siegmund Warburg, "Some name it disappointment and become poorer, some name it experience and become richer." Offers us the opportunity to ask the question, "Are we going to Go or GROW through whatever it is we are facing today!"
Well somebody is just trying to exploit our love of all things Hallmark Christmas movies! They have created a board game for our obsession!
Instead of a thimble. find out what the games pieces are. Also, in place of the usual streets and business along the board, there's more quaint options like a pumpkin patch, and cottages!
Find out all the details by listening now!
I think we all have some level of experience when it comes to youth sports. Maybe you played or now have kids who play. And one youth sports story out of Philadelphia caught my eye.
A pee-wee football coach has been fined $500 for breaking the "Slaughter House Rule", which essentially keeps teams from being able to run up the score.
Do you think this type of rule is fair or foul in the youth sports realm?
Today is all about the facts on Lauree's Fantasy Football. We lost to the Jets. THE 0-4 JETS. Jason Garrett has got to do something to turn this ship around and I think I've got just the thing!
Not all heroes wear capes...some stuff 20 bags of flamin' hot cheetos into a carry-on bag for friends!
What food is SO good, you've smuggled it (or considered it) on to a flight??
If you've ever been through Pre-Marital Counseling, you know generallly what's covered in that space: Communication, Conflict Resolution, Relationship Roles, Spiritual Beliefs, etc.
Well I'm too cheap to pay for more counseling, so I'm crowd sourcing your wisdom! What was missing in your Pre-Marital Counseling?
I have got a question! I want to know, from you, what is bad enough to be considered a "deal breaker" the day before the wedding?
I came across a story that has me picking my jaw up off the ground!
So today, I was perusing though Airbnb Experiences looking for your next vacation and I come across Scotland. I'm in, I think you'll love it too. Tea in the countryside? Sounds lovely.
And then I see it.... Tea with a Naughty Sheep. What is that??
You know we're transparent here on Afternoons on KCBI. Today, we're celebrating a friend who chose life for herself and is now living for Christ!
Have you really been struggling lately with knowing your value or worth? I've got a story for you that can be an encouragement today!
From weight loss photos on Instagram to the "Big Reveal" on whatever home renovation show we are watching that stinking Before and After moment is pretty addicting. Lauree reveals her latest Before and After Addiction and suggests it has to do with the feeling of freedom, redemption, refreshment that comes with the After.
"Never Give Up!"
That is the week's theme for the Dallas Cowboys' football efforts. Bless their hearts, they played their best against those Big, Cheese Lovin' Green Bay Packers. But... their best just wasn't enough
We can't be good at everything, amen?? Maybe you're like me and your struggle is overdue library books. Well, if that's you and you live in the city of Chicago, you're in luck!
One time, my literary forgetfulness came back to bite me in a big way when I needed a loan for a car!
The time is here!
We're starting something new with Afternoons With Lauree's Fantasy Football. I figured that there needed to be some fresh, outside expertise when debriefing Dallas Cowboys games the day after. Considering I'm outside the bubble and I've got expertise!
With the help of my producer Josh, we're gonna dig into the action and I'm gonna provide a much needed non-biased look at where the Cowboys need some help!
There's a meme circling around the internet questioning the outrageous price of the new iPhone by comparing it with the cost of the Cracker Barrel menu. The entire menu. Though it may be more delicious and cheaper than a new iPhone, I've got an unpopular opinion!
Brian and I went to our first Pre-Marital Counseling session the other night at church and all the couple were asked to answer the question "What Are Activities You Like Doing Together?" Well y'all, some of these answers... surprised me.
Growing up, the word "boredom" was a no no. Off limits. But have you ever experienced boredom at work? The worst. But what if I told you boredom at work wasn't a bad thing, but rather an opportunity to spark creativity?
We've all got them, you know who I'm talking about. Those people at work who make having a relationship with them downright difficult. Well admit it or not, Jesus was talking about them too in Luke 6. Love the Unlovely in your world.
Today is the first day of Fall 2019....which means absolutely nothing in Texas ;) Actually it is kinda feelin like Fall with this overcast sky. So we'll take that as we enter into the new season.
So if Fall can teach us about letting things go (like trees lose their leaves) what would be the thing you can let go of today?
"Try it!" they said. "It's SUPER easy!" they said. I got a chemical peel last week in preparation for my wedding and the intial results have been...nightmare-ish. Why did no one warn me?!
One person dies by suicide every 40 seconds.
It's also the second leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds!*
You can call the lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or you can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
My friend Dennis called into celebrate life. Dennis is a school bus driver and encountered a young lady who chose life for her child while she was in high school. Thankful for people like him who show love and encouragement to kids right where they're at!
We've heard it said time and time again " Love thy neighbor" Matthew 22:38. But could you love them if they sued you for BBQ-ing YOUR OWN backyard?! What would you do in this circumstance to love your neighbor?
We've got to recognize the hustle in some people, like my girl Jessica! She went in for a job interview, didn't get the answer she hoped for, but she wasn't taking no an answer!
As Americans, we're defined by how we respond the tragedy. With the chaos ensuing with Hurricane Dorian, one 6-year-old boy is a shining example of what it looks like to respond with love and selflessness. The steady in the storm!
When you were in high school, would you have taken a class on "Adulting"?? Well, one high school in Round Rock is offering an Adulting 101 course to better prepare students for the real world with skills such as cooking, money management, and how to interview for a job. Thoughts?
We all know what Simon Says, but what about Science? What does Science Say about Decorating for Christmas?
Sometimes it's a simple piece of crumpled up paper that has the power to teach us that we are not alone. Our issues, our baggage isn't uncommon. One English teacher wanted to reinforce this message with her young students on the first day of school. There were tears, it was emotional but it was worth it because, " I firmly believe my kids will judge a little less, love a little more, and forgive a little faster."
Henry and his family moved from Oregon to California over the summer. Going back to school means everything is new for Henry, new kids, new teachers, new route to school, new hallways...a lot to navigate. It makes kids nervous and a bit anxious. And to top it off - he is the last one being picked at recess for baseball. His mama's heart is breaking for her son!
Lauree has a personal connection to this story and wanted to pray for Henry and for other kids and parents just like them.
This is a special edition of Afternoons with Lauree - I don’t always have guests like Greg Matthews come in to share their surreal stories. You are about to hear the true life story how he was attacked by a Grizzly Bear on a hunting trip to Alaska!
His book just released Wild Awakening: How a Raging Grizzly Healed My Wounded Heart and it’s truly about that wounded heart that I found so stinkin relatable and relevant for you and me.
Our battle won’t be a grizzly bear but it could be cancer, divorce, or shame. And sadly we battles with an incorrect truth about God! and God wants us all to have an awakening to His truth
Maybe God has a Wild Awakening in store for you as you listen today!
SHOW NOTES:
ANIMAL PLANET - I WAS PREY | Attacked in Alaska
https://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/i-was-prey/full-episodes/attacked-in-alaska
Darren, lead singer of We Are Messengers, joined Lauree in studio for a little chat off-air. Forgiveness? His wife taught him about that when he made a major confession that could have ruined their marriage. Lauree recommends Darren adopt a touring practice from Bono, leader singer of U2. And find out how Darren pronounces Amish...you might be surprised!
Two things are true. Everyone loves to save money and Disneyland is magical. Got some tips that may help you save money this year at Disney Parks.
Lauree concludes she would never want to go shoe shopping with a high school senior that is the definition of over achiever - find out why!
There's a big deadline coming up and Lauree wanted to remind you -
Plus a great celebration of the beautiful church community!
If you heard the news, you know why Lauree was so exited to call her mom and make the announcement LIVE On-Air...!
You are planning your Italian vacation you better pack something other than your Flip Flops otherwise this Italian village will make you fork over all your gelato money as a fine!
Is there a point where amazing customer service sets too high of an expectation? If you heard about the Pilots ordering Pizza for their planes, you'll understand why Lauree is worried about this trend setting itself up for failure!
Producer Josh joined Lauree in-studio to make the announcement about Jason Witten, the Dallas Cowboys football player returning from retirement. Lauree has refused to be a Dallas Cowboys fan, will this change her mind?
Recently a worship pastor, failed, flushed with embarrassment and then rallied and it was the most beautiful lesson about failure.
All of the employees at three fast food locations for a chain (which shall remain nameless) quit...this might be the reminder we needed to be a better leader!
How can you turn a distressing event on a flight into something Delightful? We're talking about Benoit the Boxer Man on a recent Air France Flight - Lauree will make a suggestion for you!
Don't freak out - but you may have installed Russian Spies in your home. That is only 50% true...find out which part and what you need to do to protect yourself!
New Hair ... do we need to say more?! That's worth Celebrating!
Tesla is a neverending source of interesting topics...have you heard about the new Dog Mode? All car companies should follow them!
One husband has a Valentine's Day gift "Boo Boo" but he made up for it. You may enjoy the story, glad it wasn't you!
One woman called in to celebrate her Singleness this Valentines Day!
One woman called in to Celebrate with Lauree today. She wanted to celebrate her husbands affair being discovered 3 years ago...you have to hear it to believe it!
Lauree learned recently of the nasty practice of donating stained underwear to homeless shelters and is suggesting a new way to celebrate Valentines Day for the Homeless this year!
Do you think you would be able to think on your feet with the 15 ridiculous job interview questions that Google recently banned from being asked because they are ...RI.DIC.U.LOUS!
Let's see if these listeners Bryan and Mike can think on their feet!
Single Life vs. KitchenAid Mixer. What stands in the way of fancy sheets, nice silverware and a KitchenAid Mixer...our partial life as a single! Only Old People Can Smoke in Hawaii. Proposed laws in Hawaii is DRAMATICALLY increasing the age to smoke in Paradise! Celebrating the Tires - what are the 'tires' in your life that seem like a stupid tire, but it's really a magnificent reminder of Gods love? Cockroach Texas Style. The rest of the country has it wrong. Saying I love you with a cockroach, nah! How 'bout saying "I'm Over You!"
This was the celebration that started them all! Greg called in to celebrate his failed suicide attempt...and left me speechless.
And you've thought of everything else to help you sleep accept this one tip that Lauree used the other night and slept like a baby!
What is the food that makes you feel something - Lauree has one food that makes her feel like a lady and our friend called in and shared the treat that her friend makes her feel like a queen!
Never heard the term "Sick Shaming" but the definition is clear. And you may be guilty of Sick Shaming your co-workers. But what is it about your office culture that promotes shaming the sick?
Misti called in to celebrate something so personal, so raw and real...a breakthrough!
Do you really have to ban crime? That's what the police department did during the Polar Vortex.
And if we all had the level of hustle of one girl scout/actress we would rule the world!
The new commercial from West Elm for dinner plates, isn't sparkin any joy, rather anger in Lauree!
Lauree shares vulnerably what stepping on the scale teachers us about Failing Forward.
Today's Celebration was from a real life rodeo star...
Jon and Tim Foreman, from Switchfoot, join Lauree in studio for a special celebration. What are they celebrating today?
Has Apple fixed that Bug...to stop the creepers from spying on you?
And if you have been feeling heavy hearted lately, so has Lauree. She gets raw and prays for you!
Did you know that Valentine's Day is at risk of being cancelled? Lauree suggests a Hero that could save the day of love for us all!
The best advice given when you my be feeling discouraged...would it motivate you or make you mad?
And Darren, lead singer from We Are Messengers chooses something to Celebrate with Lauree today. Find out why his 'Dad-jeans' make have effected his celebration! And do you know what Hillsong High Kicks are? Lauree didn't!