Interrupting Life...

Have you or your teens seen or heard the TV and radio commercials for Groundwire?

From MTV to Popular Hip Hop Stations, Groundwire Interrupts Teens with Answers to Life

Teens today can be overwhelmed searching for meaning amidst depressing hopelessness, negative self-image, and the pressure to be perfect. To meet the needs of hurting teenagers across the country, Groundwire, a current and innovative outreach, has become a ministry where teens find comfort, guidance, and answers delivered through multi-media communication.

Groundwire leverages media and technology to meet teens exactly where they are — viewing, listening, texting, or chatting — and to invite them to voice their questions and struggles so they can find answers in the message of the Gospel. With a raw and real approach, the ministry builds its burgeoning impact through broadcasting that strategically places television and radio spots on secular stations. Teens listening to popular radio broadcasts or viewing favorite shows on networks like MTV, VH1, Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim programming, and Comedy Central are interrupted by direct spots. These spots catch their attention, resonating with where they are today. Groundwire’s targeted, authentic, and well-produced commercials are grabbing the attention of teens by the millions. Teens responding to the broadcast messages are invited to visit Groundwire’s website where they can chat with a live spiritual coach available day and night, as well as find a collection of resources such as podcasts by Groundwire’s founder and executive director, Sean Dunn, and daily devotionals.

Relevant topics, cutting-edge communication, the dynamic speaking and content of founder Sean Dunn, and powerful truths have made Groundwire a growing ministry. “Eighty-six percent of teens today believe in God, but don’t believe God is loving,” explains Dunn. “Even fewer believe that they are lovable. What would happen if those teens truly understood God’s purpose for their lives and the hope and meaning he offers each one?”

What began on radio over seven years ago has now expanded to also include television broadcasts in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, San Diego, Phoenix, Tampa, Denver, Little Rock, and Spokane. Groundwire is experiencing growth as the ministry cuts right to the heart of the issues teens are wrestling with today and invites them to a safe and honest conversation where they can find answers in the truths of God’s word and in his love. Life-changing stories are received from teens of different backgrounds across the nation.

“I was struggling with a lot of things—cutting, not eating, depression, and suicidal attempts. I was angry and wanted to talk to someone. I felt that I would be judged or shunned if I talked to anyone I knew about such sensitive subjects. I heard an ad on the radio for Groundwire and decided to check it out. I logged on one evening, and since that night my life has changed in a lot of ways. The people at Groundwire chatted, prayed, and encouraged me. I could log on at pretty much anytime of the day and there would be someone to chat and/or pray with me. Since then, I’ve come a long way with their help, and most of all, God’s.”

“We are committed to expanding our reach even further in the coming year. We plan to grow our radio reach from 14 to 20 million listeners each week and our television audience from 20% to 40% of households in the US, and to even replicate our message into other languages,” says Sean Dunn. Groundwire has captured a unique opportunity to use mainstream media to “go into all the world” and reach an entire generation right where they are with the hope of the Gospel.

There are several ways you can help Groundwire reach their goals for 2011!
Post about Groundwire and spread the word about what they are doing.
(check out their website below to get the HTML to post a video)
Pray for them!
Learn how to become a coach.
Let your church know about Groundwire.
They are looking for partner churches to point young people to.
Financial support to aid in getting the spots to air in your area.

For more information, visit http://www.groundwire.net/ and http://www.broadcasthope.com/

My Debut as a Band Mom

Hannah had her first band concert the other night. Here's an excerpt. Unfortunately, you can't see her most of the time because the director is in the way. But if you get a glimpse of half a head with a big bow...that's her!!!

(PS - my dad, the criminal defense attorney, posted this to YouTube. His username is Mr. Soddi, which stands for "some other dude did it". Hee hee. Guess he hears that alot.) :]

What Does It Mean To Be Healthy?

The health care system may be a mess—

but you don’t have to be

Your health and wellness belong to you—and you alone. While it’s true that doctors and the health care system play a role in your care, they’re only one part of true wellness. If you’re ready to venture into real health, read this book.

Dr. Scott Morris, founder of the church Health Center in Memphis, TN—the largest faith-based clinic of its kind in the United States—shows how your physical health is being affected by your spiritual well being.

In Health Care You Can Live With, Dr. Morris explains how
• health care went wrong
• the church offers real answers
• you can take charge of your own wellness


Showing that healing—both physical and spiritual—is a key aspect of the Christian faith, Health Care You Can Live With provides an understandable framework for wellness and the encouraging real-life stories of those who found a better life within the overarching love of God.

With twenty years as a family practice physician serving a diverse population in Memphis, the nation’s poorest major city, Morris is uniquely experienced in the challenges of our health care system today and Health Care You Can Live With offers a surprising behind-the-scenes visit into the troubles we are currently facing around the issues of health care and health care reform. With a thoughtful yet candid approach, Morris invites the reader to question what we really know about health care. Who does our health care system serve, and what does it do or not do for others? Do we even know what medical research is really accomplishing? With clarity, Morris informs the reader, drawing from history, current research, and personal stories taken from the thousands of patients he has cared for, and equips the reader with both practical and valuable knowledge.

Health Care You Can Live With:

Discover Wholeness in Body and Spirit

by Dr. G. Scott Morris

Barbour Publishing/January 2011

ISBN: 978-1-61626-247-1

http://www.healthcareyoucanlivewith.com/

Listen to an interview with Dr. Morris on uReadBooks!

Would you like to review this book on your blog?

Email Audra at The B&B Media Group to find out how!

The Cabbage and the Cat (by Kaylie)

Here is a story Kaylie wrote in computer lab last week.  Not sure what the assignment was or how focused she was when she wrote it.  Thought you might find it interesting, though.  (If you know Kaylie, you can hear her telling you this story as you read it.) 

There was a cabbage and a cat in Arizona, on the rough desert sands.  The cabbage was rough too, in texture.  The chair they played on was sometimes pulled by the wind.  One day, the cat, whose name was Ashley, had a flag.  It was not a cute flag, but a crude one.  The rough cabbage didn't do anything, because, well, cabbages are not alive.  Ashley told the cabbage that the flag was from King Arthur's court!  Again the cabbage did not do anything,  Ashley and the cabbage, okay, the cabbage is called Rico, Ashley and Rico went off for King Arthur's court.  When they got there the cabbage finally did something!  He gave King Arthur the flag.  Then he started doing nothing again and they went home.  The End.

It's No Secret

(Tricia here:  I wasn't too sure about this book at first, but I am glad to say I was pleasantly surprised.  It was an enjoyable read, with some lovely nuggets to take away.  It would make a good group study, too.)

ARE YOU TIRED OF LIFE AS USUAL ?

Done with feeling exhausted—or worse, bored? Ready to trade your issues and hang-ups for greater intimacy and fulfillment? Then it’s time you did some digging for biblical “bling” and discovered the shining secrets to life in God’s kingdom. Rachel’s writing is lighthearted and fun, but she’s serious about helping you uncover biblical secrets that can make your life shine. This book will help you:

o Overcome the comparisons and competitive urges that leave you lonely
o Accept help from others
o Discover God’s surprising source of spiritual beauty and strength
o Embrace your need for rest
o Find adventure as you yield wholeheartedly to God

o Dig into the Bible for yourself and understand what you find there

Grab your Bible and a girlfriend, and come discover twelve secrets the world doesn’t know.

About the Author:
Rachel Olsen is a writer, editor, and speaker on staff with Proverbs 31 Ministries. She writes for and serves as senior editor of their popular online devotions, “Encouragement for Today,” with a readership of more than 300,000. She also writes for and serves on the editorial board of the P31 Woman magazine. Olsen is a national women’s speaker and enjoys interacting with audiences at women’s retreats and conferences from coast to coast.

Watch Your Words

This is what I posted on my SparkPeople blog today after having one conversation almost ruin the perfect day I'd been having.

Just want to remind everyone of the profound effect our words can have.


I have a big mouth (it has to be for my foot to fit in it so much), so I totally include myself in this. Our words have the power to do so much. They can encourage, comfort, enrich, inform, embrace, uplift, entertain. Or they can discourage, deter, tear down, crush, defeat.

What have your words done today? What have you done to counteract the negative words of those around you? What have you done to encourage yourself and those around you to use words in a positive way?

(I am making a choice not to let some discouraging words get me down today. Going out for a run to regroup and refresh and perk up a bit. Who would have thunk I'd be running to improve my mood instead of noshing on milkshakes??)

SMILE!!!

Hungry?

Check out this video tour of our three Ghyslain locations!