Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!

Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! August 10 – Pat Verbal 6:00 p.m. EST Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews the Manager of Curriculum Development at Joni and Friends Christian Institute on Disability, Pat Verbal. Joni and Friends is built on Biblical truth and the foundation of Jesus Christ. They are committed to the advancing disability ministry and changing the church and communities around the world. The Joni and Friends International Disability Center (IDC) serves as the administrative center for ministries which provide outreach to thousands of families affected by disability around the globe. Pat is a featured speaker in churches, conferences, and in the media, sharing from her 25 years of experience as a Christian education pastor, teacher, school administrator, and consultant. She is a writer, editor, and contributor to twelve books and numerous articles on Christian education, including Special Needs Special Ministry and Special Needs Smart Pages by Joni and Friends. In her work with the National Day of Prayer Task Force, Pat co-authored the bestselling My Family’s Prayer Calendar with Shirley Dobson. She has been a featured guest on Pastor to Pastor from Focus on the Family, Trinity Broadcast Network, and a teacher for the Billy Graham School of Evangelism. She is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University with an M.A. in Pastoral Studies from the C. P. Haggard School of Theology, where she served on the Council of Church Leaders. Pat and her husband, Stan, have two grown sons and live in Dallas. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! August 3 – Gene Fehler 6:00 p.m. EST Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews author and poet, Gene Fehler. Gene Fehler, a widely published and anthologized poet, is the author of over eighteen hundred published poems, stories, and articles. His work has been anthologized in college textbooks and in books published by Boyds Mill Press, Addison Wesley Longman, Hyperion Books for Children, Doubleday, St. Martin’s Press, Houghton Mifflin, Meadowbrook Press, Avon Books, Pocket Books, and others. Gene's tenth book, Never Blame the Umpire, a middle-grade novel, was published by Zonderkidz on March 1, 2010. In addition to continuing work on a broad assortment of writing projects, Gene spends several weeks a year with students as a visiting poet in South Carolina’s Artist-in-Education Program. Gene's hobbies include playing tennis, golf, basketball, baseball and softball; and reading and collecting books. His collection includes more than 600 children's poetry books and more than 3,200 sports books. Gene grew up in Thomson, IL, a small Mississippi River town (population 500) in Northwestern Illinois. Much of his writing has been influenced by his small-town experiences and by his love of baseball. He has lived, written, and taught in Illinois, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina. He and his wife Polly now live in Seneca, South Carolina, where he continues writing, teaching, and participating in sports. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! July 27 – Ed Flaherty 6:00 p.m. EST Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews author and businessman, Ed Flaherty. Ed graduated from the University of Wyoming and received a Masters Degree from George Washington University. The consummate entrepreneur, he has started or purchased approximately three dozen companies in his career whose combined annual sales approach one billion dollars. He’s been an active member of the corporate and non-profit community in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN and serves as Board of Director for numerous organizations. Find out more about Ed and his new book, Coached for Life, at www.coachedforlife.net. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! July 20 – Cindy Valenti-Scinto 6:00 p.m. EST Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews author, Cindy Scinto. Cindy was a healthy 40-year-old woman living in Spokane, Washington. Not overweight, no high cholesterol, no high blood pressure, non-smoker, organic, mostly vegetarian diet, no family history of heart disease—the doctors saw no reason to be concerned about her heart. Yet after that first heart attack, she endured 32 heart catheterizations, 11 stents, two open-heart surgeries, and a thoracotomy that was part of an experimental program to grow new vessels around Cindy’s heart. All this occurred in only three years. In May of 2005, she was placed on the heart transplant list after surviving cardiac arrest two times. With 70 people here in the Northwest waiting for a heart, the transplant surgeon estimated it would be nine months to a year before one became available. Her time was short. The very next morning, the doctor entered Cindy’s hospital room with a consent form for a heart transplant. He had a heart for her. "How?" Cindy asked in amazement. A donor heart was taken off the transplant list because it needed too much repair to be suitable for a recipient and Cindy’s surgeon was willing to repair it and bring it back for transplant. She asked him, "Why do you think it will work for me?" His answer: "Because this is the one God has for you!" Don’t miss the rest of this exciting, inspirational story and discover how Cindy is doing today. She has written A Heart Like Mine, Finding God’s Will For Your Life, and you can read more about her at www.cindyscinto.com. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews President of Baseball Chapel, Vince Nauss. Vince started his work in Major League Baseball in 1983 as the Philadelphia Phillies Publicity Director. He discovered Baseball Chapel services through an invitation from player Glenn Wilson before moving on to work in sales and marketing for the baseball card company, Leaf/Donruss in Chicago. While in Chicago, Vince began serving God as team chaplain of the Cubs. His involvement as team chaplain led him to a board position at Baseball Chapel and he was later named President of this organization in 1995. Since then, he has overseen the direction of the overall ministry. Baseball Chapel is an international ministry recognized by major and minor league baseball and is responsible for the appointment and oversight of all team chapel leaders (over 500 throughout professional baseball). The ministry is directed toward players, coaches, managers and their wives, umpires, front office and ballpark staff. You can find out more about Baseball Chapel at www.baseballchapel.org. Joining us as well will be former All-Star Glenn Wilson. Glenn was named to the team in 1985 while playing for the Philadelphia Phillies. This will be the 25-year anniversary of his association with this elite team. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews author and preacher’s wife, Lisa McKay. Lisa never wanted to be anyone’s wife—let alone a preacher’s. What she wanted was to go to college, find a corporate job in a big city, and live the life of a successful, independent woman in an adorable brownstone. Those were the plans until she met Luke—a non-Christian and definitely not a preacher. A chance conversation in Lisa’s workplace parking lot began a relationship that found them married a little more than a year later. Unfortunately, the fairy dust evaporated and within a relatively short time, divorce had been filed. However, through the power of prayer and the intervention of God, both became born again believers in Jesus Christ. Little did they know that was just the beginning because the following year, Luke was called to vocational ministry. That was almost 17 years ago. In that span of time, Lisa and Luke birthed four children. They attended Bible college in Kentucky, served a missions term in Mississippi, simultaneously pastored a church, attended seminary in North Carolina, and co-pastored a church in Georgia—and those are just the high spots. Currently, Luke and Lisa are happily serving a thriving Southern Baptist Church in north Alabama. In addition to supporting Luke in his role as a shepherd, the Lord has called Lisa to a teaching and writing ministry. Her first book, You Can Still Wear Cute Shoes…And Other Great Advice from an Unlikely Preacher’s Wife, was be released by David C. Cook on February 1, 2010. Check out Lisa’s blog and her work at www.apreacherswife.com. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! June 29 – Pat Patterson 6:00 p.m. EST Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews Author, Pat Patterson. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” The First Responders in your community do just that. They sacrifice comfort and safety to protect the lives of others, always waiting, and always wondering when they will find themselves answering the next call. Pat’s book, Answering the Call is a collection of inspirational stories based on his experiences as a street paramedic in Durham, North Carolina. Each unique story is written as a devotional with an insightful application section that offers the reader a glimpse into God's Word. Use it for your daily devotions, as a guide for your small group study, or simply to share Pat’s experiences and better understand the lives of paramedics and other first responders. Pat is a writer, a photographer, a paramedic, a volunteer chaplain, and an instructor of Emergency Medical Science. His stories are true, based on real experiences from the streets of Durham, North Carolina where he served as a street paramedic for seventeen years. Find out more about his ministry at www.answeringthecall.us. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! June 22 – Marla Stewart Konrad & Sally Lloyd-Jones 6:00 p.m. EST Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews children’s book authors, Marla Stewart Konrad and Sally Lloyd-Jones. Marla is keenly interested in global issues and has a special concern for the well-being of children. Her career as a speechwriter and communications professional has taken her to numerous countries in Asia and Africa. She lives with her family near Toronto, Canada and is the author of several books for children. She has several years of experience working for World Vision. Sally is a leading writer of inspirational books for children, with expertise in conveying Biblical truth to young children. She is the author of three bestselling children’s Bibles, including the Gold Book Award-winning Baby’s First Bible and, most recently, Moonbeam Award Winner, The Jesus Storybook Bible. She has written many books for children, including the critically acclaimed New York Times Bestseller and Notable Book of the Year, How to be a Baby: By Me, the Big Sister. A native of England, Sally now lives in New York City. For more information, visit www.sallylloyd-jones.com. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! June 15 – Burgess Jenkins 6:00 p.m. EST Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews famous actor, Burgess Jenkins. Burgess is a native of North Carolina and veteran "method actor.” He has had leading roles in studio films from Warner Bros., Universal, Disney, Lionsgate, New Line and more. Some of his credits include: "Remember the Titans," where he portrayed the lead antagonist, Ray Budds, opposite Academy Award winner Denzel Washington; "The Reaping," playing two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank's husband. Burgess has had major recurring roles on two hit TV shows: WB's "One Tree Hill" and Lifetime's "Army Wives." In addition, he has portrayed the historical figure John Wesley in the self-titled "Wesley" with Golden Globe winner Kevin McCarthy; the starring role of Joe Finn in the upcoming "One Good Man;" the lead in the true story "Unshackled" with Stacy Keach; and the racing legend Bill Blair in "Red Dirt Rising." He won rave reviews and nominations for his leading turn as Bruce Snow in the award winning "In/significant Others;" depicted the down and out Harry O'Ryan in "The Trial" opposite Mathew Modine; guest starred on JAG, Good Morning Miami, Dawson's Creek and many more. To check out Burgess’s work, go to www.burgessjenkins.com. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! June 8 – Ane Mulligan 6:00 p.m. EST Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews writer and editor, Ane Mulligan. “I’ve been a voracious reader since my mother instilled within me her own love of reading at an early age. Together we’d escape into worlds otherwise unknown to us through the pages of books.” After leaving college with an associates degree in hand, she and her husband moved to upstate New York where Ane got a job as Legislative Affairs Director (a fancy name for a lobbyist) for Christian Coalition of New York, and began writing and publishing position papers for distribution in the State House and Senate. She lobbied in New York State and in Washington DC and began to receive invitations for TV appearances and speaking at women's conferences. No longer working for Legislative Affairs, Ane has published over four-dozen scripts, written five novels and is an editor for the popular literary blog, Novel Journey. Check out more of her work at www.anemulligan.com. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! June 1 – Gina Holmes6:00 p.m. EST Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews author, Gina Holmes. In 1998, Gina Holmes began her career penning articles and short stories. In 2005 she founded the influential literary blog, Novel Journey. She holds degrees in science and nursing and currently resides with her husband and children in Southern Virginia. Her debut novel, Crossing Oceans released April/May 2010 with Tyndale House Publishers. To learn more about her, visit: www.ginaholmes.com or www.noveljourney.blogspot.com. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Great Lakes Christian College, Phil Beavers. Phil began his journey into ministry shortly after graduating from Great Lakes Christian College. He moved to Indiana and took a role as youth minister for four years before returning to mid-Michigan to serve as Pastor of the Duplain Church of Christ for thirteen years. When a job became open at his alma mater, he took it without hesitation and has been part of GLCC ever since. He and his wife, Judy, live in Dewitt, Michigan and both are leaders at the college. In addition to working at GLCC, Phil helps families establish Living Trust estate plans. To discover more about the college, visit www.glcc.edu/main/index.php. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey airs guests live at the Blue Ridge Mountains Writers’ Conference. This conference is the premier training and networking event for both seasoned and aspiring writers and speakers. This Sunday-Thursday event allows participants the ideal opportunity to interact with editors, agents, professional writers and readers, offering outstanding workshops and continuing classes in a wide array of creative categories. Whether you are a professional writer expanding your skills and networking contacts, or a brand new writer just beginning to chase your dream, this Christian Writers’ Conference is the ideal opportunity to take your creative goals to a higher level. Allow the quiet serenity of the Blue Ridge Mountains at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, North Carolina, to provide you with freshness and inspiration as you discover unique ways to sharpen and improve your writing abilities. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey talks with Marybeth and Curt Whalen. Marybeth is a speaker and contributing writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries. The author of “For the Write Reason” and “The Reason We Speak,” Marybeth has also written for Parent Life, Money Matters newsletter, The Old Schoolhouse, Hearts at Home magazine, and Homeschooling Today. She and Curt are the parents of six children (which has taught them much about how to stretch a dollar!) Visit her website at www.marybethwhalen.com. Curt Whalen is a trained financial counselor through Crown Financial Concepts and helps couples learn to create budgets, solve financial problems, and communicate more effectively about money. He has written articles for TEACH Magazine, Money Matters Newsletter, and has contributed to books by authors Lysa TerKeurst and Melanie Chitwood. Visit their website at www.marybethandcurt.blogspot.com.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when host Scott McCausey interviews book agent, Sandra Bishop. Sandra began her career in the industry in the eighties, when a friend noticed her abilities with words and encouraged her to attend a writers' conference. That's where she first realized writing could be more than a dream, but a real — and respectable — profession worth pursuing. After a few years learning the craft, pitching article ideas to magazine editors, and meeting deadlines, Sandra began to map out a career in publishing. It wasn't long before a door opened at Multnomah Press, and Sandra landed a job in the marketing department, where she participated in publishing meetings and assisted with contracts, budgets, and marketing plans for a respectable list of nonfiction authors including: Brennan Manning, Max Lucado, Gigi Graham, and Chuck Swindoll. At the time, Christian fiction titles were just beginning to emerge; in fact, Sandra remembers when the Christian fiction section fit on one shelf of the local Christian bookstore. Obviously, much has changed in the industry since then, but over the years, Sandra has continued to make her living as a writer, navigate the ever-changing tides of publishing, and keep her eye open for opportunities. Sandra has been working with Chip MacGregor since 2007, helping with contracts and office details, and getting to know the business. Christian Devotions Radio is a live call-in show. Call-in Number: (347) 884-9367