Your Day Brighter®

Latest Episodes:

You Can Finish Well Dec 14, 2021

Show notes

I’m convinced the best is yet to come, so I want to learn all I can from those who have gone before me.

In this episode, I share a story about King Asa from the Old Testament in the Bible. He’s a king we can learn a lot from about how to finish well...because he didn’t. What went wrong? How did he lose his way?

Pop in your earbuds and let’s look at how to finish well.

3:02- The timeframes we put on our life

4:04- King Asa 2 Chronicles 14 & 16

11:22- Trusting God over taking matters in your own hands

12:45- Losing the intimacy with God

13:26- Galatians 3:3

16:05- 2 Chronicles 16:10

17:39- How do we finish well

17:58- You have not inherited the same patterns as your family of origin

19:36- Praying to be refired not retired

22:18- Not trusting God with the small things

23:09- Becoming more God dependant

23:45- It’s not the results that matter but how you get there

24:32- When God answers your prayers call on Him again Psalm 116:12-13

If you love the podcast you'll love the radio show! We host BRIGHT-FM Mornings on BRIGHT-FM in Baltimore, Maryland. Join us every morning for the perfect blend of music, laughter, and positive vibes — because your mornings deserve a touch of brilliance! If you are in the Baltimore area, listen on your radio at 95.1. Live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland? Check out 103.1. And of course, listen wherever you are at brightfm.com.

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John Cooper of Skillet Is Awake and Alive Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

John Cooper of Skillet is refreshingly candid, unapologetically on fire for Jesus, and not afraid to stand out. He has the passion of a preacher and the heart of a shepherd.

We have a lively, engaging conversation about deconstruction, challenges young adults are facing, what faithfulness looks like over the long haul. If you want a deeper relationship with God, you’ll want to listen today.

2:05-What SKILLET did during the pandemic

5:54- What John discovered leading a young adults small group

10:30- Deconstruction

17:16- What does faithfulness to Jesus looks like and how John lives it out through his art and music

33:37- The new SKILLET album

36:10- This world belongs to God

40:55- What does John Cooper’s quiet time look like

42:12- John’s book “Awake & Alive To Truth”

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Steven Curtis Chapman and the Seasons of Life Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

Steven Curtis Chapman is one of contemporary Christian music’s most prolific artists. After 35 years of making music, he’s not nearly done.

In this new season emerging from the pandemic, Steven shares some of the joys of being empty nesters and the tension of learning how to rest while you’re still running hard after Jesus. Hang out with me and SCC for a fun conversation about the joys of every season of life - especially this one.

2:30- What the pandemic revealed to Steven Curtis Chapman

6:15- Hidden talents and projects that came about

9:50- Empty nest season and what Steven and his wife are learning

15:15- How do we finish well

17:48- How Steven Curtis Chapman writes all his songs

19:29- Telling a story through his songs

26:11-Cheering for Stevie Joy

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Stronger Together: Jesus' Heart for Unity with Maria Garriott Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

What does a middle-aged white woman have to contribute to the discussion on racism in America? Meet my brilliant friend Maria Garriott, an author, church planter, and educator who's been in urban ministry in Baltimore for 38 years.

Maria’s learned a lot about the beauty of diversity and the healing power of the Gospel to bring unity across the divides of culture, race, politics, and class. With much grace, humility, academic excellence, and wisdom, Maria shares her stories of building relationships, changing mindsets, and understanding our history.

2:27- How Maria got involved in diversity

6:03- Not letting shame keep you

11:19- Studying and learning

15:24- What gives Maria hope and strength

17:44- Culture shock and dissonance

19:13- Maria’s definition of racism and becoming a reconciler

22:29- Blind spots and being shaped by the world instead of the gospel

25:43- A moment Maria had the rug pulled out from under her

28:58- Exposure to other people

31:54- Key qualities of how to be a safe person for others

35:31- Hot button issues

38:39- ”Stronger Together” by Maria Garriott

39:13- For those who are weary

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Glory That I Couldn't See with Mike Donehey Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

Join me for a fascinating conversation with former Tenth Avenue North frontman, Mike Donehey who I believe, is one of this generation’s great thinkers.

We talk about the division in the world and a better way to disagree, our philosophies about social media, the sweetness of lingering, the incredible timing of God’s plans and so much more.

3:08- Mike’s book

3:40- What God has taught Mike

4:57- Having conversations

8:10- Simplify

10:38- Mary pondered and treasured

11:13- The importance of prayer

13:01- It’s never wasted

13:53- Letting Him hold you

16:09- Intimacy

19:16- Lingering and listening

21:49- Your calling

26:45- Songwriting and making music

27:50- How Mike picks the songs for recording in the studio

30:29- A life raft for others

31:17- How God uproots

33:44- The fruit in your life and effects

36:16- The Chinese church leaders

40:57- What Mike has learned about living in a house full of women

50:11- A song from Mike

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The God Who Sees Me with Dania Andraos Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

How do you hold onto hope when you don’t have the things you need or access to opportunities to thrive? And how do you stand firm in your faith when it costs you?

Dania Adraos grew up in the Middle East experiencing extreme poverty, persecution, and isolation, and yet, she is full of grace and has a faith that is next level. It’s a faith she shares through her work as a Full Circle Speaker with Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child.

I know you’ll be inspired as she shares her story of learning to trust God for literally EVERYTHING and how He shows up in the most specific way. He is indeed “El Roi,” the God Who Sees Us.

1:00-How Dania grew up and her early family life

2:19-How Dania’s family came to know Christ

4:15- Living in poverty

6:40- God cares

11:02- How Dania’s relationship with Jesus helped her through persecution

13:00- Dania receiving her box from Operation Christmas Child

18:20- What was inside her box

19:20- One more surprise

21:00- How the gifts impacted Dania

23:29- What Dania does now with passion and music

24:34- Dania’s favorite worship song

26:42- How people have treated Dania here

29:11-The first time Dania experienced worship in a group

30:40 - Dania’s hopes and dreams for the future

32:40- What Dania has observed with American culture

34:50- Dania giving out shoeboxes to children

39:40- Dania singing “How Great Is Our God”

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The Horrors of the Holocaust: A Legacy of Forgiveness with Alex Kor Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

Alex Kor is the child of two Holocaust survivors. His mother, Eva Mozes Kor, was taken to Auschwitz at the age of 10, survived horrific scientific experiments by Dr. Josef Mengele, and was liberated in 1945. One could understand if her heart became embittered and shattered beyond repair, but Eva stumbled upon something that gave her life purpose and brought her healing and peace: forgiveness.

If you’re struggling deeply to forgive, I hope you listen to this important conversation with Alex about the enduring work of his mother and the cost of forgiveness.

3:44- Alex’s mom Eva

9:49- When Eva met her husband

11:28- When Alex became aware of what Eva endured

18:20- How Eva forgave

26:24- Going back

28:50- What parts of Eva’s story inspires Alex to continue his work

33:31- How is Alex like his mom and dad

35:08- What Alex would like people to know

37:07- What gives Alex hope today

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The Enemy Within with Tracey Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

Has God ever spoken to you through a dream? We know He has done that many times in Scripture. I guess I was skeptical... until He communicated through a very vivid dream to me. It was a few years ago and it is still transforming my life.

If you battle with negative and destructive self-talk and thoughts, I want to share a message that could give you some real help. I’m going to unpack a passage of Scripture, John 5:1-15, and talk about a personal battle God revealed to me in this dream. It was a battle I didn’t even realize I was fighting.

And leading with perhaps the question that burns inside of all of us- Do you want to get well?

2:10- Be honest with yourself

8:58- Background on the chapter of John

12:06- John 5

15:48- Do you want to get well?

23:25- What if Jesus healed your thoughts?

32:42- Living in Jesus

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The Neighborhood of Our Dreams with Julie Heiliger Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

There was a time years ago when I wanted to engage with my neighbors, but I was simply too exhausted by my multiple jobs and a busy schedule. I started feeling isolated, and I noticed I was losing my confidence in connecting with people outside my regular circle. One day, new neighbors arrived, started loving on me, and pulled me back into connection. Through them, I learned community isn’t just a good idea, it’s God’s idea.

Julie Heiliger is a dear friend and author of “Finding Home - Exploring God’s Dream For Our Neighborhoods.” She gives us some beautiful ideas on how to love our neighbors well. And, who knows? With the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit, we just may be able to build the neighborhood of our dreams.

2:13- A Little bit of who Julie is

6:03- Home prior to COVID

7:47- What is perish

9:45- Julie’s journey learning what it means to love your neighbors

14:50- Knowing the person of Jesus

17:20- Being a faithful presence

20:51- Living “above your place”

23:56- Connection

30:35- Researching the community you live in

33:20- Pouring into the people of your community

35:08- How do you cut through the political issues and still lead with love

38:26- Creative ways Julie has demonstrated loving her neighbors

44:43- Examples of what God wants for community

52:10- Being sensitive to the Spirit of God

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What Mandisa Is Looking For In a Man Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

Mandisa is as genuine as it gets. She last appeared on Season 1 Episode 8 – Mrs. Almighty – and we’re now catching up. The pandemic had just begun when last talked, so we chat about life since the pandemic changed the world and how she’s dealt with this hard season.

We also talk about singleness and trusting God with the deepest desires of your heart. Can you relate? There’s hope, and Mandisa knows it...and I hope you come away knowing it, too.

3:17- Finally being back on tour

4:40- Kiya the pandemic puppy

5:10- What Mandisa learned during that difficult season

9:50- How Mandisa keeps her longings alive

13:29- What Mandisa is looking for in a man

14:20- The song Mandisa is looking forward to singing on the road

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