Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!

It's a new season for Jimmy Needham. The nearly decade-long career and six record releases of the twenty-eight-year-old Texas native have put him on the map as much more than a soulful crooner. Needham has built a reputation for himself as a thinker, a challenger, and a wordsmith. After his release of Clear the Stage (2012), Needham parted ways with long-time label, Inpop Records, and set out on his own to brave the waters of an independent record release. Now an indie with big vision for the future, years of experience under his belt, and a loyal fan base to boot, Needham is excited to debut his new album, The Hymns Sessions – Vol. 1. As far as new seasons go, this will be Needham's first release to be completely self-produced, a long time dream of the industry almost-veteran. "Truth be told," says Needham, "The Hymns Sessions was not originally meant for the public at all. I produced this album as a 'thank you' to my Kickstarter supporters (kickstarter.com is an online project fundraiser). We had a shoestring budget and a short amount of time to finish it. I was so encouraged when I followed up with everyone later that year. They couldn't stop talking about how much they were enjoying these ten hymns I sent them! The idea to take these songs public seemed like a good next move."  Fans and critics have always agreed there's something special about what Jimmy Needham says in his songs. It's no wonder, then, he chose to do business with the rich lyrical tradition of the ancient hymns for his first specialty project. "The poetic clarity these writers had highlighted showed not only their theological prowess, but their passion for making great art.  I'm very excited to be exposing more folks my age to something so timeless."

It's a new season for Jimmy Needham. The nearly decade-long career and six record releases of the twenty-eight-year-old Texas native have put him on the map as much more than a soulful crooner. Needham has built a reputation for himself as a thinker, a challenger, and a wordsmith. After his release of Clear the Stage (2012), Needham parted ways with long-time label, Inpop Records, and set out on his own to brave the waters of an independent record release. Now an indie with big vision for the future, years of experience under his belt, and a loyal fan base to boot, Needham is excited to debut his new album, The Hymns Sessions – Vol. 1. As far as new seasons go, this will be Needham's first release to be completely self-produced, a long time dream of the industry almost-veteran. "Truth be told," says Needham, "The Hymns Sessions was not originally meant for the public at all. I produced this album as a 'thank you' to my Kickstarter supporters (kickstarter.com is an online project fundraiser). We had a shoestring budget and a short amount of time to finish it. I was so encouraged when I followed up with everyone later that year. They couldn't stop talking about how much they were enjoying these ten hymns I sent them! The idea to take these songs public seemed like a good next move."  Fans and critics have always agreed there's something special about what Jimmy Needham says in his songs. It's no wonder, then, he chose to do business with the rich lyrical tradition of the ancient hymns for his first specialty project. "The poetic clarity these writers had highlighted showed not only their theological prowess, but their passion for making great art.  I'm very excited to be exposing more folks my age to something so timeless."

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott makes sense of science and how it’s all used through writing. Richard and his wife have backgrounds in electrical engineering and have written twelve award-winning science books together. They also ran a science supply company for several years. After a publishing company picked up their books, they shut down the business and decided to pursue a new journey—writing fiction. Richard’s new book, Fatal Transaction, combines his unique talents in the tech field to bring his thriller to life.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott McCausey interviews author David Hampton David is lifelong musician. He grew up in Evansville, IN, and has toured with numerous Nashville musical artists and worked with a variety of music publishing groups as a staff songwriter. A prolific and award-winning songwriter, David has been published in a variety of recorded and printed formats including hymnals and worship compilations. His story of redemption, restoration, and recovery has afforded him the opportunity to speak to a wide variety of groups, including full-time ministry professionals and addiction therapy professionals. David has also spoken at men’s conferences, recovery conferences, national hospice professionals’ conferences, and a variety of worship and arts-related events, sharing his story with candor and wit. David’s new book is called, Our Authentic Selves: Reflections on What We Believe & What We Wish We Believed.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott makes sense of music, science and how it’s all used through writing. Up first is lifelong musician David Hampton. David grew up in Evansville, IN, and has toured with numerous Nashville musical artists and worked with a variety of music publishing groups as a staff songwriter. A prolific and award-winning songwriter, David has been published in a variety of recorded and printed formats including hymnals and worship compilations. His story of redemption, restoration, and recovery has afforded him the opportunity to speak to a wide variety of groups, including full-time ministry professionals and addiction therapy professionals. David has also spoken at men’s conferences, recovery conferences, national hospice professionals conferences, and a variety of worship and arts-related events, sharing his story with candor and wit. David’s new book is called, Our Authentic Selves: Reflections on What We Believe & What We Wish We Believed. Second up is Richard Lawrence. He and his wife have backgrounds in electrical engineering and have written 12 award winning science books together. They also ran a science supply company for several years. After a publishing company picked up their books they shut down the business and decided pursuit of a new journey, writing fiction. Richard’s new book, Fatal Transaction, combines his unique talents in the tech field to bring his thriller to life.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott reminisces about the past and shares special memories with former host Marianne Jordan and her husband Bill. Bill and Marianne, have been married 32 years.  They met when he was interviewing for a job in Roanoke. Bill retired from the radio business earlier this year following 40-years behind the microphone. It has been through this trek that he’s talked to thousands of on-line callers, guests from all walks of life and done some pretty remarkable feats, such as sky-diving and raising money for the Duke Children’s Hospital. Marianne Jordan is the former host for Christian Devotions Speak UP! She interviewed guests such as Nicholas Sparks and motion picture director and producer Will Bigham. She has her degree in broadcasting and communications and served as a morning co-host with her husband. Marianne is the author of several small plays and her book The First Christmas Carol is about to be released. She and they have one adult daughter and a beautiful grandson.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott reminisces about the past and shares special memories with former host Marianne Jordan and her husband Bill. Bill and Marianne have been married for thirty-two years. They met when he was interviewing for a job in Roanoke. Bill retired from the radio business earlier this year following forty years behind the microphone. It has been through this trek that he’s talked to thousands of online callers, had guests from all walks of life, and has done some pretty remarkable feats—such as sky-diving and raising money for the Duke Children’s Hospital. Marianne Jordan is the former host for Christian Devotions Speak UP! She interviewed guests such as Nicholas Sparks and motion picture director and producer Will Bigham. She has her degree in broadcasting and communications and served as a morning co-host with her husband. Marianne is the author of several small plays and her book, The First Christmas Carol, is about to be released. She and Bill have one adult daughter and a beautiful grandson.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! for Joan Brock’s inspiring and encouraging story. As a speaker for more than two decades, Joan has been encouraging her audiences by sharing her story of loss, choices, and courage. Her poignant presentation of life experiences and insights into coping, has remarkably and unbelievably taken her around the world. At age thirty-two, Joan suddenly lost her eyesight and then lost her first husband to cancer. As a speaker and author, Joan shares how she overcame adversity and inspires others who've experienced losses to "get on with it." Today Joan lives in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband, Jim, the “butterfly-man.” Her daughter, Joy, son-in-law, Brian, and grandson, Skyler, are nearby which blesses her each and every day. Her autobiography, More Than Meets the Eye, was published in 1994 by HarperCollins. It was translated into ten languages and was a Readers Digest Condensed Book. In 2003, her story was transformed into a made-for-television Lifetime Network film starring Ms. Carey Lowell. It continues to be replayed nationally as well as internationally. In her newest book, Come to Your Senses, Joan again takes the reader on a journey by sharing moments of her life and how they relate to the insights of the reader's senses. This book will give food for thought, captivate, inspire, and encourage the reader to evaluate their own walk with life and living it to the fullest by using all of the senses.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! for Joan Brock’s inspiring and encouraging story. As a speaker for more than two decades, Joan has been encouraging her audiences by sharing her story of loss, choices, and courage. Her poignant presentation of life experiences and insights into coping, has remarkably and unbelievably taken her around the world. At age thirty-two, Joan suddenly lost her eyesight and then lost her first husband to cancer. As a speaker and author, Joan shares how she overcame adversity and inspires others who've experienced losses to "get on with it." Today Joan lives in Tucson, Arizona, with her husband, Jim, the “butterfly-man.” Her daughter, Joy, son-in-law, Brian, and grandson, Skyler, are nearby which blesses her each and every day. Her autobiography, More Than Meets the Eye, was published in 1994 by HarperCollins. It was translated into ten languages and was a Readers Digest Condensed Book. In 2003, her story was transformed into a made-for-television Lifetime Network film starring Ms. Carey Lowell. It continues to be replayed nationally as well as internationally. In her newest book, Come to Your Senses, Joan again takes the reader on a journey by sharing moments of her life and how they relate to the insights of the reader's senses. This book will give food for thought, captivate, inspire, and encourage the reader to evaluate their own walk with life and living it to the fullest by using all of the senses. If you know someone who would be a great guest on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! contact Scott@christiandevotions.us. 

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott McCausey chats with Doctor Reggie Anderson about the promise of life after death through Christ. When a patient first asked Dr. Reggie Anderson to sit at her bedside as she passed from this life, something miraculous happened. As he held her hand, the veil between this world and the next parted … and he received an astonishing glimpse of what awaits us in heaven. Little did he know this was just a foretaste of what was to come—a lifetime of God-given “appointments with heaven.” Join Reggie as he shares remarkable stories from his life and practice, including the personal tragedy that nearly drove him away from faith forever. As he reveals what he’s seen, heard, and experienced of the afterlife, we’ll learn how we can face the passing of our loved ones with the courage and confidence that we’ll: see them again, discover what might happen when we expect the miraculous, and prepare for our own appointment with heaven. Soul-stirring and hope-filled, Appointments with Heaven is a powerful journey into the questions at the very core of your being: Is there more to life than this? What is heaven like? And, most important: Do I believe it enough to let it change me? Dr. Anderson has practiced family medicine for over twenty-five years and recently was awarded The Frist Humanitarian Award by the Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. He serves as chief of staff of TriStar Ashland City Medical Center and is medical director of three nursing homes. Reggie and his wife, Karen, have four adult children and reside on a farm in Kingston Springs, Tennessee.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott McCausey chats with Doctor Reggie Anderson about the promise of life after death through Christ. When a patient first asked Dr. Reggie Anderson to sit at her bedside as she passed from this life, something miraculous happened. As he held her hand, the veil between this world and the next parted … and he received an astonishing glimpse of what awaits us in heaven. Little did he know this was just a foretaste of what was to come—a lifetime of God-given “appointments with heaven.” Join Reggie as he shares remarkable stories from his life and practice, including the personal tragedy that nearly drove him away from faith forever. As he reveals what he’s seen, heard, and experienced of the afterlife, we’ll learn how we can face the passing of our loved ones with the courage and confidence that we’ll: see them again, discover what might happen when we expect the miraculous, and prepare for our own appointment with heaven. Soul-stirring and hope-filled, Appointments with Heaven is a powerful journey into the questions at the very core of your being: Is there more to life than this? What is heaven like? And, most important: Do I believe it enough to let it change me? Dr. Anderson has practiced family medicine for over twenty-five years and recently was awarded The Frist Humanitarian Award by the Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. He serves as chief of staff of TriStar Ashland City Medical Center and is medical director of three nursing homes. Reggie and his wife, Karen, have four adult children and reside on a farm in Kingston Springs, Tennessee.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! and learn how one woman can endure so many trials and live to proclaim the Good News through it! Exchanging hurt for hope is Sheryl Giesbrecht's life focus. Author, speaker, radio personality, Sheryl's powerful messages impact thousands of radio listeners daily through sixty-second "Kindred Moments" and thirty-second "God Thoughts" on KAXL 88.3 FM Music for Life. Through more than twenty-five years of marriage to a pastor, parenting two children, overcoming addictions, beating cancer, and enduring losses, she has found life in Christ and chooses to live each day in abundant freedom and hope. Sheryl’s speaking and writing encourage women with practical presentations in growing toward wholeness. Her life-changing messages testify of God’s transforming power. A local columnist, Sheryl contributes to The Senior Citizen's Gazette, The Christian Edge, Tri-County Women News, Kern County Family Magazine, and the local newspaper, The Bakersfield Californian. A national columnist for over four years, her column, Ministry Moments for Pastor’s Wives, appeared regularly in Focus on the Family, Pastor’s Family Magazine and Bulletin. Her latest book, Get Back UP: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down, chronicles her journey and encourages readers. Discover more about her at http://fromashestobeauty.com.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! and learn how one woman can endure so many trials and live to proclaim the Good News through it! Exchanging hurt for hope is Sheryl Giesbrecht's life focus. Author, speaker, radio personality, Sheryl's powerful messages impact thousands of radio listeners daily through sixty-second "Kindred Moments" and thirty-second "God Thoughts" on KAXL 88.3 FM Music for Life. Through more than twenty-five years of marriage to a pastor, parenting two children, overcoming addictions, beating cancer, and enduring losses, she has found life in Christ and chooses to live each day in abundant freedom and hope. Sheryl’s speaking and writing encourage women with practical presentations in growing toward wholeness. Her life-changing messages testify of God’s transforming power. A local columnist, Sheryl contributes to The Senior Citizen's Gazette, The Christian Edge, Tri-County Women News, Kern County Family Magazine, and the local newspaper, The Bakersfield Californian. A national columnist for over four years, her column, Ministry Moments for Pastor’s Wives, appeared regularly in Focus on the Family, Pastor’s Family Magazine and Bulletin. Her latest book, Get Back UP: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down, chronicles her journey and encourages readers. Discover more about her at http://fromashestobeauty.com.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! and be thrilled with real-life adventure stories from Kent Kaiser. Kent Kaiser was born in Michigan, raised in Alaska, and has always enjoyed the outdoors. At a very young age, he learned to appreciate the vastness of Alaska’s wilderness through his love of exploring. Kent is passionate about his home state of Alaska and enjoys sharing it with others. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Kent has passionately dedicated the past twenty years of his career to his tourism/guide business. He travels the globe, offering custom trips in both New Zealand and Alaska. He enjoys this business as “no two trips are ever the same.” Many of Kent’s stories can be found in his autobiographical book, Hard Way Back. This book details a riveting account of Kent’s personal, business, and spiritual life, and he is willing to share his inspirational story at conferences, service organizations, churches, SCI clubs, schools, and other venues. Discover more during the show and visit www.alaskanquest.com.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! and be thrilled with real-life adventure stories from Kent Kaiser. Kent Kaiser was born in Michigan, raised in Alaska, and has always enjoyed the outdoors. At a very young age, he learned to appreciate the vastness of Alaska’s wilderness through his love of exploring. Kent is passionate about his home state of Alaska and enjoys sharing it with others. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Kent has passionately dedicated the past twenty years of his career to his tourism/guide business. He travels the globe, offering custom trips in both New Zealand and Alaska. He enjoys this business as “no two trips are ever the same.” Many of Kent’s stories can be found in his autobiographical book, Hard Way Back. This book details a riveting account of Kent’s personal, business, and spiritual life, and he is willing to share his inspirational story at conferences, service organizations, churches, SCI clubs, schools, and other venues. Discover more during the show and visit www.alaskanquest.com.