It's always good to hear from our listeners and find out what is on their minds and hearts. Here is an email I picked up today. Ronnie is concerned about the movie The Golden Compass and gave me permission to share his thoughts with you all.
Lorri,
I am a longtime listener and occasional caller into your show and felt moved to send you this link after doing a lesson with my Bible study Class this morning and finding out that no one in my class knew of the negative message of this movie. My group, which ranges from 15 to 30 years in age, wanted to see the movie. Now, they have changed their tune and will be telling their friends to avoid it at all costs. I would also like to ask you to visit our myspace page and join it if you feel moved to do so.
WWW.MySpace.com/WinstonBaptistChurch
Thanks,
Ronnie Youngblood
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
A Longhorn Photo
We asked our listeners to send photos today, so that we could post them here on the blog. When Duane from Georgia told me he was sending a Longhorn photo, I was expecting a picture of a four-legged steer. Duane owns a farm, so I figured he'd seen the animal out on his morning drive. Instead, imagine my surprise when I clicked on the jpeg and saw this handsome young man! His name is Mitchell, and he is Duane's grandson. He has great taste in universities, or at least, clothing.
He's Pro-Adoption
Frequent caller to Mornings Rob Cross sent in an article that he posted on another website.
I am against abortion; my opinion of abortion is biased. I am not biased on the topic because I am a man, I am biased because I was adopted. My younger sister was an adopted child as well, and she is very pro-life. I know it had to a very difficult choice for our birth mothers to have made that decision to put us up for adoption. In their decison everybody benefited. My mother and Father were not able to have children the old fashioned way, so adoption provided them the joy and frustration every parent experiences. My sister and I really benefited the most, because we had parents that really wanted us, and the fact they were a little bit older we learned from their wealth of life experience growing up. Having well balanced parents that had life experiences aided my sister and I to excel in school, and to be successful in our careers. The parental model that mom and dad provided, has helped us greatly in raising our own children.
They say most adopted children have unresolved issues about being put up for adoption. My sister and I never felt the need to find our birth mothers. Our mom and dad always reinforced in us that our birth mothers made a selfless choice, to make sure we had a good chance in life.
In conclusion, to anybody reading this, who may be faced with the difficult choice of an abortion or adoption, I would encourage adoption. There are many couples out there that would love a child of their own. I have spoken to women who have had abortions, and the vast majoritory are very regretful and sorrowful for their choice. All I ask is that you consider adoption.
I am against abortion; my opinion of abortion is biased. I am not biased on the topic because I am a man, I am biased because I was adopted. My younger sister was an adopted child as well, and she is very pro-life. I know it had to a very difficult choice for our birth mothers to have made that decision to put us up for adoption. In their decison everybody benefited. My mother and Father were not able to have children the old fashioned way, so adoption provided them the joy and frustration every parent experiences. My sister and I really benefited the most, because we had parents that really wanted us, and the fact they were a little bit older we learned from their wealth of life experience growing up. Having well balanced parents that had life experiences aided my sister and I to excel in school, and to be successful in our careers. The parental model that mom and dad provided, has helped us greatly in raising our own children.
They say most adopted children have unresolved issues about being put up for adoption. My sister and I never felt the need to find our birth mothers. Our mom and dad always reinforced in us that our birth mothers made a selfless choice, to make sure we had a good chance in life.
In conclusion, to anybody reading this, who may be faced with the difficult choice of an abortion or adoption, I would encourage adoption. There are many couples out there that would love a child of their own. I have spoken to women who have had abortions, and the vast majoritory are very regretful and sorrowful for their choice. All I ask is that you consider adoption.
Randy Singer's Christmas Poem with Apologies to Dr. Seuss
HOW THE JUDGE STOLE CHRISTMAS
By Randy Singer (with thanks to Dr. Seuss) ©
Every member of Trinity liked Christmas a lot…
But the judge who lived way down in Pungo did NOT!
The judge hated Christmas! He ranted and railed.
Now please don’t ask why. He might throw you in jail.
It could be the lawyers that drove him to drinking.
It could be, perhaps, too much high judgely thinking.
But I think the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
But whatever the cause, whatever the reason,
This time of the year was his least favorite season.
Staring down from his perch with a sour, judge’s look
He’d send jaywalkers to jail as if they were crooks.
For he knew every Christian in Virginia Beach
Was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath.
“And they’re hanging their stockings!” he snarled with a sneer.
“Tomorrow is Christmas! It’s practically here!”
Then he growled, with his judge fingers nervously drumming
“I MUST find a way to keep Christmas from coming.”
For tomorrow he knew…all the Beach girls and boys
Would wake bright and early they’d rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the Noise! Noise! Noise! NOISE!
His gavel was useless to silence the NOISE!
The noise drove him crazy but one thing was worse…
The Christmas Eve service at Trinity Church.
One started at 4 and the other at 9
They’d sing and light candles and get out on time.
Communion and preaching and acting so kind
“It’s cheesy,” he snarled. “And a waste of good wine.”
When what to his beady gray eyes should appear?
No, it wasn’t St. Nick and his tiny reindeer.
Far better it seemed; this might be his break!
An ACLU lawyer with a motion to make!
“We separate church and state for a reason,”
The lawyer declared. “We must ban the whole season!”
“I’m no Grinch” said the lawyer “but it just seems to me
That each aspect of Christmas from the songs to the tree
From the gifts to the candles and lights on the wreath
It’s religious in nature—you can ask any priest.”
Then the judge had a thought!
An awful idea!
The judge had a wonderful, awful idea!
“I’ll issue a Christ-out-of-Christmas injunction!
I’ll stop all the gimmicks that make Christmas function.
No more carols or gifts or that candy-striped candy
No more long Christmas sermons from that preacher named Randy
No singing at all, except the twelve days of Christmas
What’s the harm in a partridge and ten lords a-leapin’?
“I’ll just call it X-mas; I’ll change the whole branding.”
“That’s great!” said the lawyer. “That’s simply outstanding.”
The judge banged his gavel and the next case was called
But the judge couldn’t stop smiling, it was after all
An amazing event, a ruling so stunning,
No one else had been able to stop Christmas from coming,
Not the Grinch or the Puritans or even old Scrooge
But the judge had just done it. Then he went for a cruise.
He drove down the interstate straight toward the church
He turned left on Holly and pulled up with a lurch.
It was only eight-fifty but the parking was packed
He slunk into church and sat down in the back.
The altar was empty, the candles were gone,
No wreaths or poinsettias or sing-along songs.
Not a present in sight, not a ribbon or bow
Not a tree or a fruitcake or candle to glow.
And the judge watched their faces, but they didn’t seem sad
Not angry, discouraged and surely not mad.
He stared at this bunch! The judge popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every member of Trinity, the tall and the small,
Were praying and smiling in spite of it all.
He hadn’t stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the judge with his buns on the last wooden pew
Sat puzzling and puzzling, How could this be true?
It came without presents! It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes or bags!
And he puzzled an hour, till his puzzler was aching,
And then during communion which the judge wasn’t taking,
He thought of an answer that might worth making.
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
And what happened then…?
Well, in Trinity they say
That the judge’s small heart grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart didn’t feel quite so tight,
He discovered the reason for Christmas that night.
Then he rushed to the front of the church with a smile
And he, THE JUDGE HIMSELF, led the singing a while.
By Randy Singer (with thanks to Dr. Seuss) ©
Every member of Trinity liked Christmas a lot…
But the judge who lived way down in Pungo did NOT!
The judge hated Christmas! He ranted and railed.
Now please don’t ask why. He might throw you in jail.
It could be the lawyers that drove him to drinking.
It could be, perhaps, too much high judgely thinking.
But I think the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
But whatever the cause, whatever the reason,
This time of the year was his least favorite season.
Staring down from his perch with a sour, judge’s look
He’d send jaywalkers to jail as if they were crooks.
For he knew every Christian in Virginia Beach
Was busy now, hanging a mistletoe wreath.
“And they’re hanging their stockings!” he snarled with a sneer.
“Tomorrow is Christmas! It’s practically here!”
Then he growled, with his judge fingers nervously drumming
“I MUST find a way to keep Christmas from coming.”
For tomorrow he knew…all the Beach girls and boys
Would wake bright and early they’d rush for their toys!
And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the Noise! Noise! Noise! NOISE!
His gavel was useless to silence the NOISE!
The noise drove him crazy but one thing was worse…
The Christmas Eve service at Trinity Church.
One started at 4 and the other at 9
They’d sing and light candles and get out on time.
Communion and preaching and acting so kind
“It’s cheesy,” he snarled. “And a waste of good wine.”
When what to his beady gray eyes should appear?
No, it wasn’t St. Nick and his tiny reindeer.
Far better it seemed; this might be his break!
An ACLU lawyer with a motion to make!
“We separate church and state for a reason,”
The lawyer declared. “We must ban the whole season!”
“I’m no Grinch” said the lawyer “but it just seems to me
That each aspect of Christmas from the songs to the tree
From the gifts to the candles and lights on the wreath
It’s religious in nature—you can ask any priest.”
Then the judge had a thought!
An awful idea!
The judge had a wonderful, awful idea!
“I’ll issue a Christ-out-of-Christmas injunction!
I’ll stop all the gimmicks that make Christmas function.
No more carols or gifts or that candy-striped candy
No more long Christmas sermons from that preacher named Randy
No singing at all, except the twelve days of Christmas
What’s the harm in a partridge and ten lords a-leapin’?
“I’ll just call it X-mas; I’ll change the whole branding.”
“That’s great!” said the lawyer. “That’s simply outstanding.”
The judge banged his gavel and the next case was called
But the judge couldn’t stop smiling, it was after all
An amazing event, a ruling so stunning,
No one else had been able to stop Christmas from coming,
Not the Grinch or the Puritans or even old Scrooge
But the judge had just done it. Then he went for a cruise.
He drove down the interstate straight toward the church
He turned left on Holly and pulled up with a lurch.
It was only eight-fifty but the parking was packed
He slunk into church and sat down in the back.
The altar was empty, the candles were gone,
No wreaths or poinsettias or sing-along songs.
Not a present in sight, not a ribbon or bow
Not a tree or a fruitcake or candle to glow.
And the judge watched their faces, but they didn’t seem sad
Not angry, discouraged and surely not mad.
He stared at this bunch! The judge popped his eyes!
Then he shook! What he saw was a shocking surprise!
Every member of Trinity, the tall and the small,
Were praying and smiling in spite of it all.
He hadn’t stopped Christmas from coming! IT CAME!
Somehow or other, it came just the same!
And the judge with his buns on the last wooden pew
Sat puzzling and puzzling, How could this be true?
It came without presents! It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes or bags!
And he puzzled an hour, till his puzzler was aching,
And then during communion which the judge wasn’t taking,
He thought of an answer that might worth making.
“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!”
And what happened then…?
Well, in Trinity they say
That the judge’s small heart grew three sizes that day!
And the minute his heart didn’t feel quite so tight,
He discovered the reason for Christmas that night.
Then he rushed to the front of the church with a smile
And he, THE JUDGE HIMSELF, led the singing a while.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Emile's Boys
If you feel like you're watching these little ones grow up, you may be right! Aren't they handsome?Friday, December 14, 2007
Sweet!
Our listeners must have realized --was it something I said? -- that I have a sweet tooth. Charlie sent Tasty Kakes and Gertrude Hawk chocolates (yum yum), and today I got a chocolate bar in the mail from Matt for Christmas.
Duane welcomed Larry and me to Georgia with a big box of pecan goodies--the brittle was especially decadent!
And some listeners send money to support our ministry. Others send prayers.
Thank you all. Every gesture, every cent, every prayer encourages... and the goodies.... well, I better go run another marathon!
Duane welcomed Larry and me to Georgia with a big box of pecan goodies--the brittle was especially decadent!
And some listeners send money to support our ministry. Others send prayers.
Thank you all. Every gesture, every cent, every prayer encourages... and the goodies.... well, I better go run another marathon!
Celebrations
This post originally appeared on February 28, 2007
Wow—did we have fun on the show yesterday! It was our one-year anniversary and my birthday. I knew Martin Coleman and Scott Miller were coming in to make a big announcement. But I had no idea that Ray Raley, our VP over Engineering and Technology, and Alex Skoglund, our Human Resources Director, were also coming in at 6 a.m.! It was the most people we’d ever had in the studio on the air at one time. The energy was palpable.
After Martin made the announcement that the show will go from 30 minutes to one hour on Monday, March 5, listeners started calling. I think they agreed with Scott, Paul and me that this was a miracle and an answer to prayer. We were so touched when John from South Carolina called to say he had been praying about the program just the night before. He got a little emotional and said something to the effect of, “I just love you guys.”
I got emotional myself when Emile called. We were talking about memories of the past year, and one of my happiest moments concerned this Canadian listener. He had called on a Thursday to ask us to pray for his pregnant wife. There were concerns about the baby. Later that morning, Emile sent me an e-mail saying the tests came back fine, and baby Josh would be all right. What an answer to prayer! I printed out the e-mail and taped it to our office door and showed it to people for weeks, saying, “See God answers prayers! Emile’s baby is going to be healthy.”
When Alex came in, she brought goodies to eat! So it became a real party in the studio. It was funny: all of our studio guests were eating, leaving Scott and me to talk! But that is something we have learned how to do in the past year. In fact, sometimes it’s hard to shut us up!
Another big surprise happened: Karen and Santiago Lopez SENT FLOWERS to congratulate us. Thank you! They are beautiful. The flowers and the Lopezes!
If I had to sum up the whole morning of happiness and celebrations, I would choose John’s words: I just love you guys. Thank you all for being our family and our community. You make a difference with your prayers, your lives and your words.
Here’s to another year of creating special memories and answered prayers!
Wow—did we have fun on the show yesterday! It was our one-year anniversary and my birthday. I knew Martin Coleman and Scott Miller were coming in to make a big announcement. But I had no idea that Ray Raley, our VP over Engineering and Technology, and Alex Skoglund, our Human Resources Director, were also coming in at 6 a.m.! It was the most people we’d ever had in the studio on the air at one time. The energy was palpable.
After Martin made the announcement that the show will go from 30 minutes to one hour on Monday, March 5, listeners started calling. I think they agreed with Scott, Paul and me that this was a miracle and an answer to prayer. We were so touched when John from South Carolina called to say he had been praying about the program just the night before. He got a little emotional and said something to the effect of, “I just love you guys.”
I got emotional myself when Emile called. We were talking about memories of the past year, and one of my happiest moments concerned this Canadian listener. He had called on a Thursday to ask us to pray for his pregnant wife. There were concerns about the baby. Later that morning, Emile sent me an e-mail saying the tests came back fine, and baby Josh would be all right. What an answer to prayer! I printed out the e-mail and taped it to our office door and showed it to people for weeks, saying, “See God answers prayers! Emile’s baby is going to be healthy.”
When Alex came in, she brought goodies to eat! So it became a real party in the studio. It was funny: all of our studio guests were eating, leaving Scott and me to talk! But that is something we have learned how to do in the past year. In fact, sometimes it’s hard to shut us up!
Another big surprise happened: Karen and Santiago Lopez SENT FLOWERS to congratulate us. Thank you! They are beautiful. The flowers and the Lopezes!
If I had to sum up the whole morning of happiness and celebrations, I would choose John’s words: I just love you guys. Thank you all for being our family and our community. You make a difference with your prayers, your lives and your words.
Here’s to another year of creating special memories and answered prayers!
So Much to be Thankful For
This blog originally posted March 29, 2007
Thursdays are so much fun… and so touching. Today, we set two records! We got 25 callers on the air during the hour, and we had ten first-time callers. And it didn’t feel like we were rushing–it seemed like we got to learn a little bit about each caller.
Also exciting–a couple of callers who have been up on our prayer wall called to say that the prayers have been answered! Isn’t that great? God is good.
I thought it might encourage you to see how people are counting their blessings, so here is a list of what our callers were thankful for today:
1. Howard - the “invigorating” and “jubilant” Mornings show–of course, I really liked to hear that!
2. Kevin - the power of prayer
3. Ernest - John 3:16
4. Dave - his 35th wedding anniversary
5. Heather - God’s patience
6. Ron- the Lord and Savior, the Word of God, his wife and kids
7. Chuck - his recovered phone
8. Dennis - answered prayer about his son and a new church home
9. Michael - Jesus Christ and the trials we are put through
10. John - his wife of 43 years
11. Joe - knowledge from the Lord
12. Donald - God’s beauty
13. Marion - Sirius Channel 161
14. Chris - his wife
15. Jerome - everything the Lord provides
16. Robin - God’s love and patience and her church family
17. Ben - his health
18. Mike - caller Michael’s testimony and good news about recent medical challenges
19. Michael - his marriage is growing in Christ
20. John - the Lord’s grace and mercy
21. Chris - salvation, the Lord’s favor and genuine Christians
22. Mark - his wife and God’s help in overcoming alcoholism
23. Robin - Sirius Channel 161 and Jesus
24. Todd - answered prayer for the Lord’s encouragement
25. Brad - his new job
And in what is the miracle of technology, look at all the places people are calling from:
Pennsylvania, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Ontario, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, California, Florida, Colorado, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Saskatchewan, Arkansas and Indiana!
The Bible tells us to be thankful, after today, I think I know why–it makes you feel so good!
What are you thankful for today?
Thursdays are so much fun… and so touching. Today, we set two records! We got 25 callers on the air during the hour, and we had ten first-time callers. And it didn’t feel like we were rushing–it seemed like we got to learn a little bit about each caller.
Also exciting–a couple of callers who have been up on our prayer wall called to say that the prayers have been answered! Isn’t that great? God is good.
I thought it might encourage you to see how people are counting their blessings, so here is a list of what our callers were thankful for today:
1. Howard - the “invigorating” and “jubilant” Mornings show–of course, I really liked to hear that!
2. Kevin - the power of prayer
3. Ernest - John 3:16
4. Dave - his 35th wedding anniversary
5. Heather - God’s patience
6. Ron- the Lord and Savior, the Word of God, his wife and kids
7. Chuck - his recovered phone
8. Dennis - answered prayer about his son and a new church home
9. Michael - Jesus Christ and the trials we are put through
10. John - his wife of 43 years
11. Joe - knowledge from the Lord
12. Donald - God’s beauty
13. Marion - Sirius Channel 161
14. Chris - his wife
15. Jerome - everything the Lord provides
16. Robin - God’s love and patience and her church family
17. Ben - his health
18. Mike - caller Michael’s testimony and good news about recent medical challenges
19. Michael - his marriage is growing in Christ
20. John - the Lord’s grace and mercy
21. Chris - salvation, the Lord’s favor and genuine Christians
22. Mark - his wife and God’s help in overcoming alcoholism
23. Robin - Sirius Channel 161 and Jesus
24. Todd - answered prayer for the Lord’s encouragement
25. Brad - his new job
And in what is the miracle of technology, look at all the places people are calling from:
Pennsylvania, Iowa, North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Ontario, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, California, Florida, Colorado, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Saskatchewan, Arkansas and Indiana!
The Bible tells us to be thankful, after today, I think I know why–it makes you feel so good!
What are you thankful for today?
Update on Daybreak
We joyfully left Daybreak in Texas as a birthday and going-away gift to Paul Phillips. Producer Paul came up with the rooster crow that began every program.
Some of you have commented that in just one week, you miss Daybreak. So we have good news! Some little chickens are being hatched in South Georgia, so soon Daybreak's cousin will join the show!
Watch out -- we may have a new naming contest!
Glen Denning
This blog originally posted in the summer of 2007
Today was a very special day in the history of “Mornings.” We had our first truck driver in studio! Not only was he in the studio–he was guest for “Trucker Tuesday.” Not only was he a guest, he is from Canada! He got his company to schedule a load into Dallas so he could be live in our studio. Glen Denning isn’t just a truck driver, he is a singer and song-writer. He and his wife Shirley have recorded a CD full of original country-gospel songs. I think the CD is just great. Glen generously provided many copies to send to our callers. But if you didn’t win one, please consider ordering one from Glen and Shirley–because ALL of the proceeds go to Compassion to help children in Africa. To order What a Friend, call Shirley at 778-571-0302 or send Glen an email (and I’m putting this in human language so spammers won’t grab it), Glen underscore Denning at sign hotmail dot com.
Glen showed Scott, Paul and me the inside of his cab and taught us a lot about the trucking industry. Glen has a lot of funny stories about the open road. And his boss sent replicas of his rig to give away, too! Thanks for coming to Cowtown, Glen! May God continue to keep you safe!
Today was a very special day in the history of “Mornings.” We had our first truck driver in studio! Not only was he in the studio–he was guest for “Trucker Tuesday.” Not only was he a guest, he is from Canada! He got his company to schedule a load into Dallas so he could be live in our studio. Glen Denning isn’t just a truck driver, he is a singer and song-writer. He and his wife Shirley have recorded a CD full of original country-gospel songs. I think the CD is just great. Glen generously provided many copies to send to our callers. But if you didn’t win one, please consider ordering one from Glen and Shirley–because ALL of the proceeds go to Compassion to help children in Africa. To order What a Friend, call Shirley at 778-571-0302 or send Glen an email (and I’m putting this in human language so spammers won’t grab it), Glen underscore Denning at sign hotmail dot com.
Glen showed Scott, Paul and me the inside of his cab and taught us a lot about the trucking industry. Glen has a lot of funny stories about the open road. And his boss sent replicas of his rig to give away, too! Thanks for coming to Cowtown, Glen! May God continue to keep you safe!
A Friday to Remember
This blog originally posted August 3, 2007
Today was a day when the callers stole the show, and God orchestrated every moment.
Michael from Illinois brought happy tears to my eyes when he called about answered prayer requests. Then a new caller, David, said he’d been listening to the program for a year, but had been addicted to cocaine most of that time. He has been clean and sober for twelve days now. Sometimes brave confessions like that leave me speechless, but not King. He had words of encouragement rolling off his tongue just as the muscles roll off his biceps. We asked people to pray for David as seeks the joy he had in the Lord before his abuse started.
Then Michael from Maryland called and blessed us for more than five minutes of praise. I am convinced he will preach in a church one of these days. It turns out Michael was addicted to crack cocaine for 15 years! So he knows what David is facing and what he will face. But Michael had good news for us all… no matter what our trials or addictions are… with Jesus, we can do anything!
David, not only are we rooting for you, but I can envision a whole host of angels watching over you!
Today was a day when the callers stole the show, and God orchestrated every moment.
Michael from Illinois brought happy tears to my eyes when he called about answered prayer requests. Then a new caller, David, said he’d been listening to the program for a year, but had been addicted to cocaine most of that time. He has been clean and sober for twelve days now. Sometimes brave confessions like that leave me speechless, but not King. He had words of encouragement rolling off his tongue just as the muscles roll off his biceps. We asked people to pray for David as seeks the joy he had in the Lord before his abuse started.
Then Michael from Maryland called and blessed us for more than five minutes of praise. I am convinced he will preach in a church one of these days. It turns out Michael was addicted to crack cocaine for 15 years! So he knows what David is facing and what he will face. But Michael had good news for us all… no matter what our trials or addictions are… with Jesus, we can do anything!
David, not only are we rooting for you, but I can envision a whole host of angels watching over you!
Magic Tricks
This blog originally posted September 1, 2007
As we reviewed the effects of Hurricane Katrina two years after landfall, we interviewed Pastor Fred Luter of New Orleans. After the update on the ministries of recovery, I asked the pastor about his son, who is studying to be a pastor just like his dad. Here is an approximation of part of the conversation…
Lorri: Pastor Luter, is it true Chip lettered in Magic in high school?
Pastor: Yes, he thought that was fun.
Lorri: That will make his sermons interesting to include a few tricks. ‘Sinner-disappear!’
Pastor: I’d like to make a few deacons disappear.
Randy Singer and I got a big laugh out of that. And I suspect that there was a grain of truth in Pastor Luter’s words. In Pastor Luter’s bag of tricks, a quick sense of humor helps when you face the Category 5 storms of life. What’s in your bag of tricks?
As we reviewed the effects of Hurricane Katrina two years after landfall, we interviewed Pastor Fred Luter of New Orleans. After the update on the ministries of recovery, I asked the pastor about his son, who is studying to be a pastor just like his dad. Here is an approximation of part of the conversation…
Lorri: Pastor Luter, is it true Chip lettered in Magic in high school?
Pastor: Yes, he thought that was fun.
Lorri: That will make his sermons interesting to include a few tricks. ‘Sinner-disappear!’
Pastor: I’d like to make a few deacons disappear.
Randy Singer and I got a big laugh out of that. And I suspect that there was a grain of truth in Pastor Luter’s words. In Pastor Luter’s bag of tricks, a quick sense of humor helps when you face the Category 5 storms of life. What’s in your bag of tricks?
Twins
The blog originally posted October 5, 2007
More than a year ago, Stacy called to ask us to pray for her twin boys. They were entering public school after being home schooled and a bully was making their lives miserable.
Yesterday, on Thankful Thursday, Stacy called to say the boys were happy and the bully was now a friend. We moved her from the Prayer Wall to the Praise Wall! Yay, God!
Then, Stacy put the teenagers on the line and we all got to talk with them! What nice young men. Thanks for letting us know how the Lord worked in your life, Stacy!
More than a year ago, Stacy called to ask us to pray for her twin boys. They were entering public school after being home schooled and a bully was making their lives miserable.
Yesterday, on Thankful Thursday, Stacy called to say the boys were happy and the bully was now a friend. We moved her from the Prayer Wall to the Praise Wall! Yay, God!
Then, Stacy put the teenagers on the line and we all got to talk with them! What nice young men. Thanks for letting us know how the Lord worked in your life, Stacy!
Beautiful Places
This blog originally posted November 7, 2007
We asked our truck drivers to share places that are beautiful but not known to the world. So, we weren’t looking for the Grand Canyon or Niagra Falls. Here’s the list we got… maybe you can visit some of these places!
I-5 in Oregon
Provo, Utah
Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia in the fall
100 miles from Pittsburgh, a place called “Gravity Hill”
Boone, North Carolina
Route 340–Lancaster, PA
I-84 in Oregon toward Portland–the Columbia River
Highway 2 in Washington
I-90 in Montana–see the canyon
US 12 in Idaho–see the clear mountain stream
Are there any spots you’d like to add?
We asked our truck drivers to share places that are beautiful but not known to the world. So, we weren’t looking for the Grand Canyon or Niagra Falls. Here’s the list we got… maybe you can visit some of these places!
I-5 in Oregon
Provo, Utah
Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia in the fall
100 miles from Pittsburgh, a place called “Gravity Hill”
Boone, North Carolina
Route 340–Lancaster, PA
I-84 in Oregon toward Portland–the Columbia River
Highway 2 in Washington
I-90 in Montana–see the canyon
US 12 in Idaho–see the clear mountain stream
Are there any spots you’d like to add?
We're Here!
I cannot believe we have been broadcasting out of Atlanta for a whole week now! The studios here at the intersection of I-85 and 285 are lovely and spacious. Our new colleagues are nice and so helpful. It seems as though everyone here at InTouch/FamilyNet loves the Lord and views his or her job as a mission.
It is so great to work with Larry Estepa again! I could go on and on about how talented he is, so I will save that for another posting.
You will be hearing the voice of Chris Larson when you call in. He's our producer and a Georgia native. He's got a good sense of humor, so I know it will be fun working with him.
Eric Engle works the board, and you may talk with him from time to time on the phone, too. Eric is nearly seven feet tall and we've named him the official pray-er of "Mornings."
One of the nicest perks about working here is we get free lunch! And the food is great--there's always a salad bar and two choices of entrees, plus healthy veggies.
Thank you for all the prayers that got us here. When Scott JuVette, Paul Phillips and I were getting laid off this time last year, I had no idea what God had planned for my life. But I had faith He did have a plan. If you are going through a sad time, remember God loves you and has a plan for your life.
It is so great to work with Larry Estepa again! I could go on and on about how talented he is, so I will save that for another posting.
You will be hearing the voice of Chris Larson when you call in. He's our producer and a Georgia native. He's got a good sense of humor, so I know it will be fun working with him.
Eric Engle works the board, and you may talk with him from time to time on the phone, too. Eric is nearly seven feet tall and we've named him the official pray-er of "Mornings."
One of the nicest perks about working here is we get free lunch! And the food is great--there's always a salad bar and two choices of entrees, plus healthy veggies.
Thank you for all the prayers that got us here. When Scott JuVette, Paul Phillips and I were getting laid off this time last year, I had no idea what God had planned for my life. But I had faith He did have a plan. If you are going through a sad time, remember God loves you and has a plan for your life.
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