Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!as host Scott McCausey interviews author and cinematographerMax Elliot Anderson.

Max Elliot Anderson literally grew up in the film production business. His father, Ken Anderson, was the founder of Gospel Films in Muskegon, Michigan, and later, Ken Anderson Films. Mr. Anderson won Best Cinematographer for his work on the feature film, Pilgrim's Progress. This was also the first feature film for actor Liam Neeson, known for his work in Schindler's List, Star Wars, and other films. Max has also won national Telly awards for his productions of Youth Haven, a Safe Place for Kids, and Tracy's Choices. Tracy's Choices was also awarded Best Christian Documentary. Other programs he has produced have won numerous local, regional, state, and national awards.

Mr. Anderson was a producer on the nationally televised PBS special, Gospel at the Symphony that was nominated for an Emmy, and won a Grammy for the double album soundtrack. He has produced, directed, or shot over 500 national television commercials for True Value Hardware Stores.  

In addition to his film and production work, Max Elliot Anderson has written thirty-five action-adventure and mystery manuscripts for readers eight and up, especially boys. Seven of these books, Newspaper Caper, Terror at Wolf Lake, North Woods Poachers, Mountain Cabin Mystery, Big Rig Rustlers, Secret of Abbott's Cave, and Legend of the White Wolf have been published. In the next few months, they will be republished. Those are expected to be followed by many more.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions Speak UP! as host Scott McCausey interviews up-and-coming Christian musician Laura Kaczor.

"Music is such a huge part of our world, and it is one of the most effective mediums for communicating a message. I’ve always felt that songs that speak to the human condition and offer hope, purpose, and beauty, should not be limited to the church. I want my music to communicate God’s love to a broken world…and an amazingly diverse world it is! It’s awesome to see how music can bridge generational and cultural barriers, and touch the heart of a person. That is what excites me the most, and keeps me singing every day.”– Laura 

Most 10-year-olds can’t fathom the physical and emotional impact of a life-threatening disease like cancer. Yet, for 10-year-old Laura Kaczor, she used the cancer diagnosis of a close friend and neighbor to inspire her very first song. Her neighbor was touched by the gift—a cassette tape dubbed on her karaoke machine. The song struck a chord, the lyric matching her friend’s fervent prayers. For Laura, it was a turning point and an affirmation of her gift as a budding songwriter. 

Her music is already proving to resonate with listeners as her song “Alive in You” peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard charts—an unheard of feat for an independent artist. The song is found on Kaczor’s third studio album, Love Enough. Her musical discography reveals a diverse line-up with everything from pop to worship to Americana. While her versatility is rare, Love Enough finds Kaczor comfortable in her own skin as a pop songstress. Discover more about Laura at www.laurakaczor.com.

Join us this week on Speak UP! as host Scott McCausey interviews musicians Andrew Peterson and Jason Gray about the upcoming Behold the Lamb of God Tour.

One of the most highly anticipated Christmas concerts of the holiday season, Andrew Peterson’s Behold The Lamb Of God Tour, will launch December 1st, marking its twelfth successful year. Joining Peterson onstage will be his featured guests, singer/songwriters Jason Gray, Jill Phillips, Andy Gullahorn, Ben Shive, and Andrew Osenga. The 15-city tour kicks-off in Huntsville, AL and concludes December 18th at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. A complete listing of the tour dates is available below and at www.andrew-peterson.com.

Peterson launched the Christmas tour in 1999 to present a musical rendition of the Christmas story and to reinforce the true meaning of the season. It was immediately embraced by fans nationwide because of the powerful performances, entertaining stories, and the sense of community between Peterson and his guest artists. The result was multiple sold-out venues and yearly return engagements. In 2004, fan support led Peterson to record the album, Behold The Lamb Of God: The True Tall Tale Of The Coming Of Christ, and the project won the 2004 Best Album of the Year, World Christian Music Editor’s Award and was named by Rhapsody.com as one of the ten best Christian albums of the decade. In 2009, Peterson released a 2-disc 10th Anniversary Edition of the project that includes a re-mastered version of the original CD and a live recording of the Christmas concert from 2008.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!as host Scott McCausey interviews author and psychotherapist, Judith Rolfs.

Twenty-five years ago, professional marriage and family counselor, Judith Rolfs' colleagues urged her to send her written ideas on family life to a publisher. Weeks later, one of the largest Christian book publishers in the world sent her a contract for her first book.

Fourteen books have followed in every genre: children's fantasy novels, how-to books for husbands and wives, moms and dads, devotionals, and adult mystery thrillers.

Judith describes herself as "intrigued by ideas and fascinated by wholesome family life." She's appeared on television and radio programs across the United States. Her books have sold internationally; she's even been published in Nigeria, Africa. Judith blogs at www.judithrolfs.blogspot.com.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!as host Scott McCausey interviews children’s author, Kathryn Nixon.

Kathryn, former associate producer for ESPN, graduated from Peace College and North Carolina State University with a BA in communications and minor in journalism. She is married to Trot Nixon, Professional Baseball player and 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series Champion, and is the proud mother of Chase and Luke. Kathryn and Trot both have a desire to touch the lives of children with the knowledge and experience of Christ’s love. Kathryn has an intense passion to gather children into the kingdom of God by planting His Word in their hearts at an early age. Discover more about Kathryn, her family, and her books on Christian Devotions Speak UP!

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!as host Scott McCausey interviews New York Times best selling author Eric Wilson.

From an early age, Eric wanted to be a writer. Although he was born in California and raised in Oregon, his more enduring memories start in Europe where his parents took Bibles behind the Iron Curtain. Life was an adventure, full of exotic cultures and people.

After high school in the states,Eric traveled in Eastern Europe and China. He later returned to his parents’ crumbling marriage, moved to LA, and began college. During his junior year, a childhood friend showed up as a freshman. Within months they were married and are now going into their twentieth year, with two daughters to keep them on their toes. They admit to being imperfect but refuse to stop fighting for their family, and for their faith in Jesus, who is bigger than self-centeredness.

Eric’s book, One Step Away, is first and foremost a suburban suspense story, but it is also a response to the works-oriented, prosperity gospel he sees in our culture. It is a modern twist on the biblical story of Job. One Step Away is now available in stores and online through print or e-books. Readers can also learn more at Eric’s website, www.WilsonWriter.com. He is already at work on the second in this series, titled Two Seconds Late. The books are stand-alone novels, but with overlapping characters and themes.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!as host Scott McCausey interviews “off-grid farmer” Angela Kuncaitis.

Matt and Angela Kuncaitis were your fairly typical homeschool family living on a hobby farm in the rural Midwest...but on October 15, 2008 all that changed. They sold their home and purchased a 40-acre Amish farm with 9+ outbuildings, a pond, and more. All 8 of them. At first glance, this may not seem out of the ordinary, but there is so much more to the story.  Their old farm is also “off-grid,” meaning they have no electricity. Imagine your life without all the modern day conveniences: no washing machine, no refrigerator, no running water for your sink or hot shower, NO TELEVISION! This is an amazing story of victory and reliance on Jesus Christ through all circumstances. Find out more about Maple Valley Farms at www.eclecticculturefarm.blogspot.com.

The combination of Jason Gray's onstage humor, self-disclosure, and genuine compassion, coupled with his technical artistry, has proved to have a highly magnetic effect. But his underlying secret lies in the fact that it's not a calculated act drummed up for the stage. The integrity and openness that transform his performances into something like large, personal conversations are really the logical outgrowth of his desire to live all of life under the jurisdiction of a gracious God. The gospel, the relationships, the art, and the acts of service are all part of an inseparable whole that communicates God's heart to the world. 

While his relationship with Centricity Music has broadened his audience, it isn't likely to alter his core message any. Gray seems to have set up a more-or-less permanent base camp somewhere between Christ's Sermon on the Mount and Paul's statement about boasting in our weaknesses. "I'm afraid most of us would prefer to be strong and impressive over being the kind of person that Jesus calls blessed." Jason offers in summation: "But for those of us who don't have it in us to be impressive or strong, who couldn't get our act together if our lives depended on it, the good news is that there is a preferred place as honored guest in God's Kingdom for us—that's what the beatitudes tell us—and that by his love, all the outsiders and losers are being made beautiful."

Jason’s new CD, A Way to See in the Dark already has breached our radio stations with the song Remind Me Who I Am.  Learn more about Jason and all he has going on at www.jasongraymusic.com.

Downhere was formed by Marc Martel and Jason Germain who were roommates at Briercrest Bible Collegein Caronport, Saskatchewan. Martel and Germain added fellow Canadians Jeremy Thiessen and Tyson Manning, along with American Corey Doak in 1999.  The two co-writers and lead singers reflect the others’ commitment as well as the entire band's resolution to take Downhere to a higher level in especially challenging times. Clearly they've been tempered by time, yet their resolution as believers, like their commitment to each other and to their mission, only endures and grows with time. And that sentiment is echoed by the band's drummer, Jeremy Thiessen. "It's been nearly nine years since Downhere was born back in Canada. The music industry has seen some pretty significant changes and challenges in that amount of time and so have we. But the one constant in our story is the sense of calling. Were it not for a deep conviction in each of us that this is the mission the Lord has for us in this season of our lives, I doubt very much that Downhere would still exist today. It is out of this conviction that we find the strength and determination to press on, pursuing excellence in all that we do until we feel this chapter is done.” 

Downhere is about to release their latest CD, Alter of Love. You’ve probably heard Let Me Rediscover You playing on your favorite Christian radio station. Find out more about the new hit CD as well as what makes Mark Martel tick, this Tuesday on Christian Devotions Speak UP!

It was April 16, 2000 – Palm Sunday. The Billy Sprague song, How Could You Say No? was to be performed by Tracie Daniel, accompanied by the live praise band at the Troy Baptist Church in Troy, Michigan (currently named Woodside Bible Church.) Molly McClelland was involved with drama at TBC and envisioned an illustration which would come to life during the song. She approached a church member, Marc Eckel, about creating this artwork. The combination of the music and visual aid were very well received. The first performance would become a pattern for what would become “The Sacrifice” – Splat Experience’s first presentation. 

Marc and his family moved to northern Indiana in 2001. The following year, George Paiva (pastor of The First Baptist Church of Pierceton) asked Marc to be on a planning committee for their Easter services. Marc offered to reproduce the performance done two years earlier for two services. On March 31, 2002, the small country church witnessed the emotional and dramatic worship presentations with an added twist. After the paintings were completed Marc raised red painted hands to symbolize the blood of Christ on the hands of all sinners. Within several weeks, George and Marc decided to pursue the potential of what was presented during these performances. Due to the technique of splattering paint, the name “SPLAT” was adopted. Since the performance was experiential, George suggested adding the word “EXPERIENCE.” Splat Experience was established in late April of 2002.