GirlfriendIT

We are joined on Girlfriendit Radio by Terri Blackstock who is a New York Times best-selling author of titles such as Intervention, Vicious Cycle and Downfall and her new release, If I Run.

In her 30-year career as a novelist, she has sold seven million copies worldwide. She is the winner of three Carol Awards, a Christian Retailers’ Choice Award and a Romantic Times Book Reviews Career Achievement Award, among others.

In 1994, Terri was writing secular romance novels under two pseudonyms when a spiritual awakening prompted her to switch gears. Her newly awakened faith wove its way into the tapestry of her popular suspense novels, offering hope instead of despair.

Her goal is to entertain with page-turning plots, while challenging her readers to think and grow. “I wanted to see if I could incorporate a suspenseful plot with faith-based elements that pointed people to Christ rather than giving them stumbling blocks,” Terri explains. She has told her personal testimony on a number of national television programs as well as numerous radio programs across the country.

Terri was vulnerable and shared great insights into her life and her writing. Patty and Lisa also shared some effective leadership tips when leading small groups.

It was an honor to have actor, PAUL KWO join this special edition of Girlfriendit Radio!

Not only is Paul one of the supporting lead actors of the feature film franchise "God's Not Dead" and “God's Not Dead 2” which released April 1, he is also a singer, musician, entrepreneur and beyond!

Paul is also known for his work on Thor: The Dark World and Pacific Rim and 2012 and other TV hit series.

Paul plays his signature role of Martin Yip in this sequel, to the 60 million dollar blockbuster hit God's Not Dead.

Here's just a few of the questions we asked Paul:

How did you get the role in God’s Not Dead?

How has playing a role in these movies influenced or impacted your own personal faith?

Is there a particular scene that has resonated or stuck with you?

Why are you personally drawn to God’s Not Dead 2 and what do you want our listeners to know about this film?

We encourage our listeners to step into your role as a voice not only for this movie but to help others realize God is Not Dead but fully alive and active and how that changes everything!!!

The stakes couldn’t be higher today for parents who want (and need) to navigate effectively through critical conversations with their kids, especially teens. Just thinking about the words, critical and conversation can cause one to break out in a rash! So, how do we have those needed critical conversations? Dare we even put our big toe in the discussion pool on the topic of homosexuality? It is a landmine buried with pain ready to ignite? Does it have to be that way?

Is there a conversation you are avoiding? Is there a conversation you hesitate having with your child or teen? You are not alone.

We invite you to join in on our conversation on Girlfriendit Radio with author, Tom Gilson. Tom has written Critical Conversations: A Christian Parents' Guide to Discussing Homosexuality with Teens. You will gain a better understanding for having this critical conversation as well as a new set of tools for those difficult conversations you are facing with a spouse, friend, co-worker or neighbor. We all need to get better at how we communicate.

What challenges do you face in living your story?

We experience different seasons throughout our lives. When we find ourselves in the midst of a season of pain, how do we see beyond? Great conversation about putting your story in perspective and in light of God's larger narrative. There is hope and joy.

Sherri Burgess is the wife of nationally syndicated radio host Rick Burgess of “The Rick and Bubba Show.” They are both sought-after ministry speakers and marriage conference hosts.

A former news anchor turned author, Sherri is also mother to two teenage sons at home and two adult children.

Her prayer is that the loss of her youngest son, Bronner, will continue to produce fruit for God for many years to come.

Stephanie Wilkerson is a leader with the ministry of Bloom is under the umbrella of Stadia which transforms lives and communities through church planting and plants churches that intentionally care for children.

She and her husband Michael moved from Atlanta to Memphis two years ago to plant a multi-ethnic church in Memphis, TN. They have three boys and have been married almost 19 years and says that church planting is probably the hardest thing they’ve ever done.

They are intentionally multi-ethnic in a city that still struggles with racial harmony.

“The best stories enlarge our understanding of the world, excite our imagination, and make us think of THE story sung by angels in heaven.” Jack Klumpenhower

What makes a great story for you?

We all know that stories stick and have the potential and power to change us.

Our special guest this week is Jennifer Myhre who serves as a doctor in East Africa where she has worked alongside her husband, Dr. Scott Myhre, for more than two decades.

She earned her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed her pediatric training at Northwestern University’s Children’s Memorial Hospital. She also received a Master’s in Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

She has given a special focus in her work to HIV prevention and nutrition and has invested heavily in training emerging indigenous leaders.

She is the author of A Chameleon, a Boy, and a Quest which educates and creates awareness of life in East Africa through a compelling story.

It’s a story that will stick with you and if you allow it, possibly change you???

When it comes to challenges and conflicts in relationships do you default to fight or flight?

On our show this week we talked about relationships we share in life, especially as married couples. What conversations should we be having? Which ones should we avoid? How do we create priorities for success?

Listen in as our guest, Dr Bob Green, shares wisdom and insights gleaned over many years of counciling experience. Bob serves on the council board of the Biblical Counseling Coalition and has authored a number of counseling mini books. We talk about his recent book, Tying The Knot.

Ila Taylor joins us from our ministry partner, Bloom. Bloom is a dynamic leadership network for church planting wives.

Look around you, you are the sum of the 5 closest people in your life. How are they affecting you? Listen in to our conversation about intentional leadership and mentoring. What does effective mentoring look like?

Suzanne Burden coauthored the book Reclaiming Eve: The Identity and Calling of Women in the Kingdom of God and the Reclaiming Eve Small Group DVD.

Natasha Robinson is the author of Mentor for Life: Finding Purpose through Intentional Discipleship. She is a gifted Bible teacher and writer, in addition to being an anti-human trafficking advocate, champion for education, and community organizer. With over 15 years of leadership and mentoring experience in the military, government, church, seminary, and nonprofit sectors, she is a sought after consultant and speaker.

What advice would you give to younger self?

Ever wish you could go back in time and change certain decisions?

What would you tell yourself in ten years?

We explore the realities of these and other questions in our conversation with author, James L. Rubart. James has a B.A. in broadcast journalism and for more than 20 years has also owned and operated his own marketing company.

Ever since he was a little boy, James dreamed of writing novels but didn't begin his journey as an author until 2002.

He just released his newest book, The Five Times I Met Myself. So, what would you tell your younger self?

Listen in . . .

Are the youth our leaders of tomorrow or today? Joining our show is an all star cast with authors and experts, Dr. Justin Holcomb, Dr Jim Burns and Jeremy Lee.

It’s perhaps a parent’s greatest fear — that at some point his or her child will become a victim of sexual abuse. The statistics are alarming: Approximately one in five children will become victims by his or her 18th birthday.

Justin Holcomb is a minister and a professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He has a PhD in theology, co-founded and serves on the boards of REST (Real Escape from the Sex Trade) and GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments). He has authored, co-authored or edited more than 10 books.

Justin and Lindsey Holcomb have responded to parents’ concerns by writing God Made All of Me a resource for moms and dads who want to protect and educate their children.

Why is it so important for parents to create a spiritual legacy for their children?

Jeremy Lee: Jeremy is the founder of ParentMinistry.net, a subscription-based service for children and youth ministry workers.

Dr Jim Burns: Jim is a renowned youth and family expert, acclaimed author and founder of the HomeWord radio program that reaches more than 1 million people across the country every day. He is president of HomeWord and executive director of the HomeWord Center for Youth and Family at Azusa Pacific University, a research and training institute offering biblically based resources for parents and youth. Under Burns, the center has become the largest provider of Christian parenting and youth seminars in the United States.

From listening to this show you will gain practical tools for communicating with your child and impacting your family legacy - starting now!

Two dynamic leaders who took the risks, dared to dream and made the sacrifices!

Rachel Hauck is USA Today best-selling and award-winning author of critically acclaimed novels such as The Wedding Dress, Love Starts with Elle and Once Upon A Prince.

She also wrote the Songbird Novels with multi-platinum recording artist Sara Evans. Booklist named their novel Softly and Tenderly one of their 2011 “Top Ten Inspirationals.”

Darryl Lyons is Co-Founder and CEO of PAX Financial Group, LLC where he leads a team of talented people who passionately helped others with their personal finances.

He is a successful small business entrepreneur and co-founder of the Radio Show “Financial Mythbusters”.

Darryl just released his newest book, Small Business Big Pressure which is a collision of wisdom and knowledge designed for the 20 year veteran or the soon-to-be entrepreneur. When the business owner aligns all facets of his company with God, something special happens.

Lots of golden nuggets of wisdom and for those who dare to step into their dreams!