Healing IS Possible

Are you dealing with the aftermath of an abusive, painful past?

We're talking physical, emotional, or even spiritual abuse here.

Or maybe you're in an abusive situation right now.

Two things you need to know:

1. As a follower of Christ, you are NOT alone

2. There is hope in the moment and hope for healing because God is on your side.

With God all things are possible.

And He loves you more than you know.

Just look at the Cross.

Jesus Himself... the Son of God... took more abuse than any of us ever will. He understands.

Me... I'm no expert.

Not a pastor.

Not a counselor.

Not really an abuse survivor.

But I recently spoke with someone who is all of those things.

Her name is Linda Newton.

I've used some quotes from her book"12 Ways To Turn Your Pain Into Praise" both here on the blog as well as on the air.

Every time I do, someone lets me know how Linda's words have blessed them.

Linda is our guest for Total Impact tonight and tomorrow night, 6:10pm Pacific.

You can listen online: http://www.sosradio.net/mainIndex.html

Just click "Listen Live".

But as a bonus for checking out the blog.... and because I really feel like her message is so important... I'm posting the segments for you today.

You can listen when you get time.

And one very neat thing about Linda's thoughts: they apply to those who are struggling with ANY kind of challenge right now.

That's because they're so Biblical.

Set aside some time... and listen.

Maybe God will use Linda's words to help you resist the temptation to give into despair.

Turning Your Pain Into Praise Part 1: http://www.box.net/shared/qyo26frljk

Turning Your Pain Into Praise Part 2: http://www.box.net/shared/hbab9bzf9e

Be blessed!

Kurt

God's Grace: A Witch's Story

On this October 31st, a reminder that we can never outrun the grace of God.

Consider the story of gospel singer Annie Meadows.

You see... she was once a practicing witch.

Her story is a powerful one.

Annie dropped by the studio recently to chat with me about her journey from darkness to light.

We featured that conversation on our Total Impact segment on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

But since today is Halloween, and because you may have missed the segments, I thought I would post them here so you can listen when you have time.

Annie's suggestions to Christian parents regarding how to handle kids who may be dabbling in the occult is super valuable.

As is the story of her parents and their prayers for her even when she was so far away from God.

Isn't it amazing that our God actually pursues US?!

Reason to give thanks today, for sure.

Here are the segments:

Annie Meadows on Total Impact Part 1: http://www.box.net/shared/t9q9l6rr4x

Annie Meadows on Total Impact Part 2: http://www.box.net/shared/3u9a074xe1

Blessings your way today,

Kurt

Harvest Festivals: Are You Ready?

Just a reminder: we've added a whole bunch of Harvest Festivals to our website.

Just click here:

http://www.sosradio.net/holiday/harvestFestavalEvents.html

Most will be happening at churches tomorrow.

REAL ALTERNATIVES for Halloween night!

What fun!

Just one of many is Kingsfaire.

It's happening at Canyon Ridge Christian Church here in Las Vegas.

Here's a link to the official website:

http://www.canyonridge.org/kingsfaire/index.html

Earlier this week on the show Craig Ruff, one of the pastors at Canyon Ridge, gave us a heads up on what to expect.

You'll really get a feel for the event if you listen to some of the highlights.

Just click: http://www.box.net/shared/gfekymtesp

See ya on the radio,

Kurt

The Need For Speed

Life is like a computer.

Sometimes it moves slower than you want it to.

God has his own timing when it comes to our life.

We trust Him.

Or.. if you're like me... you're trying to trust Him more today than you did yesterday.

If we knew what God knows, we wouldn't want to speed things up.

Now the computer is a whole different story.

You could say God wants to develop our patience through a slow moving PC.

And maybe you would be right.

If you're of that mind, may God bless you.

If you're like me today, check out this article from PC World:

http://tech.msn.com/howto/articlespecialslt.aspx?cp-documentid=10651515

It features some tools to make our computers work faster.

Most of them are free.

Very interesting.

Disclosure: I haven't tried any just yet.

I want to read the fine print first.

Too bad it takes so long.

When The Joke Is On You

Beware of what you find the the dark.

It could come back to haunt you.

Early this morning I jump out of bed and head for the closet.

It's pitch black outside.

Have to get my daily 30 minute walk in.

Don't want to.

But I've made it this far.

I grab a T-shirt, some socks, and a pair of old jeans.

Where is that baseball cap anyway?

Oh... there it is.

Didn't even have to turn on the light.

Awesome.

True to the routine, I wake up my teenager.

"Aleq, time to hit the shower and get ready for school."

"Okay... " he says without moving a muscle.

"I'm taking off for my walk... are you SURE you're going to get up? "

"Okay Dad. Yes. I'm sure".

He doesn't move a muscle.

I'm not so sure.

I get back from the stroll.

I hear the shower going.

He should be out of the shower by now.

He's 17.

He knows what time it is.

The clock ticks.

I wait in the car.

More ticks.

Too many ticks.

I'm ticked off.

He's going to be late.

Calm down Dad and let the consequences kick in.

He arrives and gets in the car.

I'm not all that calm.

Lecture mode kicks in.

You can imagine.

When we get to school we have to check in with the office for an "excused tardy".

We walk in.

The lady gives me a strange and mocking glance as I explain the situation.

An awkward moment.... but I don't know why.

He takes off for his class and I head for the car.

It's only then that I realize what T-shirt I'm wearing.

It's the..... "Yuck Yuck Comedy Barn Shirt" I got on a trip to Tennessee a few years ago.

The one I don't wear in public.

The silly one that sticks out like a sore thumb and begs for glances.

And smirks.

Perfect shirt for a comedy club.... yeah.

Not so funny for a mature man like me.

(If my wife reads this... she'll find that last comment TRULY funny.)

Here's a sweat shirt with the logo on it.... but keep in mind my shirt is bright white:

Moral of the story: don't reach for just any shirt in a dark closet on a dark morning.

Otherwise, the joke may be on you.

In The Game

Watching a game from the stands is one of the great pleasures of life.

Basketball.

Football.

Baseball.

Tennis? (I put that in there because my wife loves tennis.)

But as fun as it is, isn't it so much more fun playing in the game?

I think there are times when I make my Christian faith a spectator sport.

More times than I might want to admit, in fact.

Sit in the "audience" in church.

Watch others sing, pray, preach, and serve.

Listen to stories of faith in real life from people who have experienced it.

Read about God's work in the lives of the heroes of the Bible.

Also the great Christians down through the ages.

Don't get me wrong.

There's a lot of blessing in that.

I need that!

But I also need to see God move in my own life.

To hear His voice and experience His guidance for myself.

To get the plays straight from the coach.

And to remember how much fun it is to play with others who are on the same team.

Serving God together.

Honoring the coach.

That's when life is a whole new ball game.

Those Crazy Dachshunds!

It never fails.

When I mention the antics of our 3 dachshunds on the air, doxie lovers come out of the woodwork!

Once you own a dachshund... or should I say a dachshund owns YOU.. life is never the same.

As I write this, I have no doubt Kirby, Dudley, the Archie are working on a project in the backyard right now.

It could be digging holes in the grass I USED to try to keep perfectly manicured.

Or maybe it's ripping up a branch from one of the plants or shrubs.

In between all of this important work they bark.

I guess they buy into the idea of "I bark, therefore I am."

Watch out, neighbor dog over the backyard wall!

So.. for all of those who have emailed pictures of their doxies, thanks!!

And here are my guys:

Suspect Number 1: Archie.

He's getting gray so I call him the "Silver Bullet".
Even though he's 11, he's still quick out of the gate.
He has to be.

To survive.

Here's Suspect Number 2: Dudley.

Age: A year-and-a-half.

Don't let the smile fool you.

He's way too smart.

Way too athletic.

Way too much energy.

But he's still "Cuddly Dudley".

Finally, here's our big guy ...Suspect Number 3: Kirby.

He's Dudley's brother. They're from the same litter.

Age: A year-and-a half.

Laid back, with a sensitive spirit and a desire to please.
He's kindness and love in a black fur coat.

What a blessing these guys are!

Wait a minute.

Hold up.

I just realized something.

I'll need to re-read this blog entry one day when the latest

"project" is an underground tunnel to China.

Let's see.... I said... "What a blessing these guys are"....... right?