Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! with award-winning author and speaker Eva Marie Everson. From the time she was a little girl, Eva Marie Everson wanted to be a writer. It wasn't an easy aspiration to have; her friends told her she couldn't be a writer—girls from their town just didn't do that. They grew up to be teachers or nurses or secretaries—or wives and mothers, which is just what Eva Marie did. She went to school and became a nurse; she worked, got married, and raised children. Eva Marie Everson is an award-winning author of both fiction and nonfiction, as well as an award-winning national and international speaker. She has worked closely with Israel Ministry of Tourism to bring Christian pilgrims and journalists to The Land of the Bible. She teaches at writers conferences across the US and, in 2011, served as a adjunct professor at Taylor University in Upland, IN. Eva Marie is the president of Word Weavers International, Inc., made up of face-to-face critique chapters in the US and Canada. She is the director of Florida Christian Writers Conference, a role she shares with Mark Hancock. Eva Marie has worked with a number of publishers—and not because she is difficult to get along with. Among those she has been honored to work with are: Barbour, David C. Cook, NavPress, Baker Publishing Group, Broadman Holman, and Thomas Nelson. In 2012, B&H, along with Harbinger Media, honored Eva Marie by asking her to novelize the movie Unconditional. Eva Marie has been chosen to be a part of the Spirit of Naples Storytellers Conference, 2013. Find out more at: www.EvaMarieEversonAuthor.com. 

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! for a very innovative speaker and defender of family values. Tim Shoemaker speaks at churches, and para-church organizations such as: Focus on the Family, Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences, International Network of Children’s Ministry, and the Moody Pastors Conference. He also speaks at men’s retreats, women’s groups, couples’ retreats, youth worker conventions, and homeschool conventions. He conducts Family Devotion Workshops all across the country. Tim is the author of eight books, including: Smashed Tomatoes, Bottle Rockets and Other Outdoor Devotionals You Can Do With Your Kids, Dangerous Devotions for Guys, Reboot Your Brain: Byte Sized Devotions for Boys, and Code of Silence. He’s been happily married to his wife Cheryl for over thirty years and is blessed with three grown sons and two daughters-in-law. 

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! for a very innovative speaker and defender of family values. Tim Shoemaker speaks at churches, and para-church organizations such as: Focus on the Family, Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conferences, International Network of Children’s Ministry, and the Moody Pastors Conference. He also speaks at men’s retreats, women’s groups, couples’ retreats, youth worker conventions, and homeschool conventions. He conducts Family Devotion Workshops all across the country. Tim is the author of eight books, including: Smashed Tomatoes, Bottle Rockets and Other Outdoor Devotionals You Can Do With Your Kids, Dangerous Devotions for Guys, Reboot Your Brain: Byte Sized Devotions for Boys, and Code of Silence. He’s been happily married to his wife Cheryl for over thirty years and is blessed with three grown sons and two daughters-in-law. 

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! for the All-Star game special with guest Tony Graffanino. Tony Graffanino was born in New York on Long Island and grew up in East Islip. He graduated from high school in 1990 and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves. Tony made it to the big leagues with the Braves in 1996. He played in parts of 13 Major League seasons, 11 full seasons with Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City, Boston, Milwaukee, and Cleveland. Tony has been involved with UPI outreaches and Bible studies since his Atlanta days. Tony came on staff with UPI full time on July 1st of 2011 and moved his family to Arizona. He currently resides on the northwest side of Phoenix, in Peoria, and leads Bible studies for current and former players in the Peoria, Glendale, and Scottsdale areas. Tony also does UPI international trips in Italy, Germany, Mexico, and soon to the Dominican Republic. He assists Brian Hommel in ministering to the tremendous amount of players, current and former, who call Phoenix home, or to those who have Spring Training, Extended Spring, Summer League, Instructional League, and/or Fall League in Phoenix. Tony is married to Nicole (1995) and they have two sons, A.J. and Nick.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! for the All-Star game special with guest Tony Graffanino. Tony Graffanino was born in New York on Long Island and grew up in East Islip. He graduated from high school in 1990 and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves. Tony made it to the big leagues with the Braves in 1996. He played in parts of 13 Major League seasons, 11 full seasons with Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City, Boston, Milwaukee, and Cleveland. Tony has been involved with UPI outreaches and Bible studies since his Atlanta days. Tony came on staff with UPI full time on July 1st of 2011 and moved his family to Arizona. He currently resides on the northwest side of Phoenix, in Peoria, and leads Bible studies for current and former players in the Peoria, Glendale, and Scottsdale areas. Tony also does UPI international trips in Italy, Germany, Mexico, and soon to the Dominican Republic. He assists Brian Hommel in ministering to the tremendous amount of players, current and former, who call Phoenix home, or to those who have Spring Training, Extended Spring, Summer League, Instructional League, and/or Fall League in Phoenix. Tony is married to Nicole (1995) and they have two sons, A.J. and Nick.

LaDonna Gatlin knows firsthand that we can’t live someone else’s dream … that in order to be our absolute best, we must find our own voice and “sing our own song.” She has spent her entire career empowering people to “sing their own song” as well—from the inside out—through their words, their deeds, and their actions. An active member of the National Speakers Association, LaDonna has earned its highest professional designation, the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). In 2005, LaDonna was one of five new inductees into the Speakers Hall of Fame, receiving the prestigious Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE), a lifetime award for speaking excellence and professionalism. LaDonna is a contributing writer to the best-selling book series Chicken Soup for the Soul. In her own book titled, The Song in You, Finding Your Voice, Redefining Your Life, LaDonna shares her personal story in a very transparent (often hilarious) way to craft an uplifting message. This you-can-do-it guide offers practical, emotional, and spiritual insights gleaned from her experiences as part of a famous musical family and as a woman whose faith compelled her to walk away from untold riches and fame to “sing a different song” apart from her brothers, Country Music’s legendary Gatlin Brothers. With a finely tuned voice, sharp wit, and engaging communication style crafted over a lifetime of performing, LaDonna ignites audiences to boldly discover their passion, connect with their voice, and embrace a life of purpose and meaning.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when Scott chats with Gatlin Girl LaDonna as she shares how God brought her from singing fame to family fame. LaDonna Gatlin knows firsthand that we can’t live someone else’s dream … that in order to be our absolute best, we must find our own voice and “sing our own song.” She has spent her entire career empowering people to “sing their own song” as well—from the inside out—through their words, their deeds, and their actions. An active member of the National Speakers Association, LaDonna has earned its highest professional designation, the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). In 2005, LaDonna was one of five new inductees into the Speakers Hall of Fame, receiving the prestigious Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE), a lifetime award for speaking excellence and professionalism. LaDonna is a contributing writer to the best-selling book series Chicken Soup for the Soul. In her own book titled, The Song in You, Finding Your Voice, Redefining Your Life, LaDonna shares her personal story in a very transparent (often hilarious) way to craft an uplifting message. This you-can-do-it guide offers practical, emotional, and spiritual insights gleaned from her experiences as part of a famous musical family and as a woman whose faith compelled her to walk away from untold riches and fame to “sing a different song” apart from her brothers, Country Music’s legendary Gatlin Brothers.  

Cheryl Ariaz Wicker is a multi-faceted media professional of sixteen years—an award-winning film producer, media personality, and publicity expert. She recently produced the film, Flag of My Father, starring John Schneider, Gigi Erneta, and William Devane. The film garnered the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2011 GI Film Festival and is available on DVD. It has previously aired on Trinity Broadcast Network. Wicker’s previous film, Desires of the Heart, is also on DVD. Her film and television career includes credits in a variety of roles for CBS, ESPN, BET, PAX, and Disney. Wicker is also an award-winning video producer. In addition to producing commercials and promotional videos, she also produced her own Christian music video show for four years and a thirty-minute TV special entitled, Abortion: Why the Controversy? which has aired regionally and on SkyAngel. Her first media job was as a TV news reporter, which later opened the door to working in publicity. As a publicist, she covered the gamut of Christian entertainment, including the arenas of publishing, music, and film—Howard Publishing (now Howard Books with Simon & Schuster), Here to Him Music, and R-Squared Productions. She now owns a Christian entertainment marketing company, Premier1 Studios, which specializes in branding, publicity, and social media. Wicker writes for Examiner.com as the National Christian Movies Examiner and is the producer and host of Christian Movie Connect, a video podcast about Christian movies. The broadcast quality podcast features interviews with top Christian filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. As a media personality over the past ten years, she has interviewed countless national celebrities.

Cheryl Ariaz Wicker is a multi-faceted media professional of sixteen years—an award-winning film producer, media personality, and publicity expert. She recently produced the film, Flag of My Father, starring John Schneider, Gigi Erneta, and William Devane. The film garnered the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2011 GI Film Festival and is available on DVD. It has previously aired on Trinity Broadcast Network. Wicker’s previous film, Desires of the Heart, is also on DVD. Her film and television career includes credits in a variety of roles for CBS, ESPN, BET, PAX, and Disney. Wicker is also an award-winning video producer. In addition to producing commercials and promotional videos, she also produced her own Christian music video show for four years and a thirty-minute TV special entitled, Abortion: Why the Controversy? which has aired regionally and on SkyAngel. Her first media job was as a TV news reporter, which later opened the door to working in publicity. As a publicist, she covered the gamut of Christian entertainment, including the arenas of publishing, music, and film—Howard Publishing (now Howard Books with Simon & Schuster), Here to Him Music, and R-Squared Productions. She now owns a Christian entertainment marketing company, Premier1 Studios, which specializes in branding, publicity, and social media. Wicker writes for Examiner.com as the National Christian Movies Examiner and is the producer and host of Christian Movie Connect, a video podcast about Christian movies. The broadcast quality podcast features interviews with top Christian filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. As a media personality over the past ten years, she has interviewed countless national celebrities.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott brings back Aaron Shust to talk about making music for God through family trials and miracles. Hardships generally produce sorrow and heartache, but sometimes there's unexpected joy in life’s trials for those who are willing to look. Just ask Aaron Shust. The past few years have been an emotional rollercoaster for the father of three young sons, yet amongst the challenges, there have been miracles with each trial and tribulation. Each crisis led the Centricity Music recording artist to lean more firmly into his faith and the result is Aaron’s new album, Morning Rises, a potent collection of songs that are worshipful, life-affirming, and absolutely celebratory. Aaron has built a successful career on such songs. The Pennsylvania native earned the Gospel Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year and New Artist Dove Awards in 2007 and his song, My Savior, My God was named Song of the Year. Aaron has developed a reputation as a songwriter of considerable depth and substance, and a worship leader with a passionate heart for serving God and bolstering community. Those qualities reverberate throughout his fifth album, Morning Rises. On Cornerstone, first recorded by Hillsong, Aaron sings: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Framed within a glorious melody and brought to life by Aaron’s evocative voice, Cornerstone is a powerful statement of faith and celebration of God’s sovereignty that has become a favorite at Aaron’s home church in Pennsylvania where he leads worship. 

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott brings back Aaron Shust to talk about making music for God through family trials and miracles. Hardships generally produce sorrow and heartache, but sometimes there's unexpected joy in life’s trials for those who are willing to look. Just ask Aaron Shust. The past few years have been an emotional rollercoaster for the father of three young sons, yet amongst the challenges, there have been miracles with each trial and tribulation. Each crisis led the Centricity Music recording artist to lean more firmly into his faith and the result is Aaron’s new album, Morning Rises, a potent collection of songs that are worshipful, life-affirming, and absolutely celebratory. Aaron has built a successful career on such songs. The Pennsylvania native earned the Gospel Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year and New Artist Dove Awards in 2007 and his song, My Savior, My God was named Song of the Year. Aaron has developed a reputation as a songwriter of considerable depth and substance, and a worship leader with a passionate heart for serving God and bolstering community. Those qualities reverberate throughout his fifth album, Morning Rises. On Cornerstone, first recorded by Hillsong, Aaron sings: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Framed within a glorious melody and brought to life by Aaron’s evocative voice, Cornerstone is a powerful statement of faith and celebration of God’s sovereignty that has become a favorite at Aaron’s home church in Pennsylvania where he leads worship. 

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott shares Rosemary Hines’ testimony of God leading her away from the New Age faith to a faith in Jesus Christ. Rosemary was involved in the New Age movement as a teen and young adult. At age thirty, a family tragedy sparked her search for another spiritual path, leading her to a newfound faith in Jesus Christ. She was a school teacher for twenty years, teaching at a variety of levels including preschool, elementary, and junior high. Most of her teaching career was at middle school level as an English teacher for 7th and 8th graders, where she developed a heart for at-risk students and committed to helping them move toward productive and happy lives. Rosemary is the author of the Sandy Cove series, contemporary faith-based novels entitled Out of a Dream, Through the Tears, and Into Magnolia. She has been published in a variety of magazines and has served as a women's Bible study leader and teacher. She and her husband of thirty-seven years are the proud parents of two grown children and two adorable little granddaughters. Her website is www.rosemaryhines.com and she has an author page on Facebook at Rosemary Wesley Hines Author.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott shares Rosemary Hines’ testimony of God leading her away from the New Age faith to a faith in Jesus Christ. Rosemary was involved in the New Age movement as a teen and young adult. At age thirty, a family tragedy sparked her search for another spiritual path, leading her to a newfound faith in Jesus Christ. She was a school teacher for twenty years, teaching at a variety of levels including preschool, elementary, and junior high. Most of her teaching career was at middle school level as an English teacher for 7th and 8th graders, where she developed a heart for at-risk students and committed to helping them move toward productive and happy lives. Rosemary is the author of the Sandy Cove series, contemporary faith-based novels entitled Out of a Dream, Through the Tears, and Into Magnolia. She has been published in a variety of magazines and has served as a women's Bible study leader and teacher. She and her husband of thirty-seven years are the proud parents of two grown children and two adorable little granddaughters. Her website is www.rosemaryhines.com and she has an author page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RosemaryHinesAuthorPage.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott shares the life of Skeet Savage and discusses home education as a model to train children. Skeet Savage is the Founder of Wisdom’s Gate Ministries, Editor of Home School Digest, An Encouraging Word, and Brush Arbor Revival Quarterly magazines. She is the author of numerous books including, Choose Wisdom, Homeschooling for Eternity, and Letters to Grandma (volumes 1 & 2). A powerful inspirational/motivational speaker, Skeet makes occasional guest appearances with various internet media, radio, newspaper, TV, and magazines, including a feature in TIME magazine. A fervent prayer warrior with the burden of a prophet and the heart of an evangelist, she is a trusted mentor and dedicated discipler of people around the world. Skeet is the mother of six grown children, and is now a grandmother many times over. Above all, Skeet Savage is simply: The Lord’s Servant.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! as Scott shares the life of Skeet Savage and discusses home education as a model to train children. Skeet Savage is the Founder of Wisdom’s Gate Ministries, Editor of Home School Digest, An Encouraging Word, and Brush Arbor Revival Quarterly magazines. She is the author of numerous books including, Choose Wisdom, Homeschooling for Eternity, and Letters to Grandma (volumes 1 & 2). A powerful inspirational/motivational speaker, Skeet makes occasional guest appearances with various internet media, radio, newspaper, TV, and magazines, including a feature in TIME magazine. A fervent prayer warrior with the burden of a prophet and the heart of an evangelist, she is a trusted mentor and dedicated discipler of people around the world. Skeet is the mother of six grown children, and is now a grandmother many times over. Above all, Skeet Savage is simply: The Lord’s Servant.