Today’s Guests

Justin Giboney – The And Campaign

This past Sunday was the anniversary of Bloody Sunday and 2/23/21 was the 1st anniversary of Ahmaud Arbrey’s murder. Yesterday a jury selection for the trial of Derek Chauvin who is charged with murdering George Floyd took place. Justin helps us analyze what it means to have an anniversary (and miss certain anniversaries) and also leads us through how he would characterize the death of George Floyd at the hands of Derek Chauvin.

Mindy Belz – World Magazine

Mindy wrote WORLD Magazine’s first cover story in 1986 and went on to serve as international editor, editor, and now senior editor. She has covered wars in Syria, Afghanistan, Africa, and the Balkans, and she recounts some of her experiences in They Say We Are Infidels: On the Run from ISIS with Persecuted Christians in the Middle East. Today, Mindy leads us through headlines from around the world including those surrounding China, Afghanistan, Iran, Portugal, Iraq and Nigeria. 

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210309115007-03-09-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

 

On The Reconnect, we seek to engage the culture in a way that honors Jesus and brings Him back into the conversation.

Where in the Word are you today?

Kindness Always!

Proverbs 21:21 says “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”

So, do we hunger and thirst for righteousness? Do we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness? Are we a people marked by the loving kindness of God and extending the same to the world that He so loves? 

The authentic Christian life is a life marked by kindness. Not counterfeit sappy do-goodism, but genuine loving kindness. 

Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit in the list Paul offers in Galatians 5 and kindness is one of the marks in Micah 6:8 in answer to the question “What does the Lord require of you?” To do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God.

Today’s Guests

Nicole Phillips – Kindness Advocate and Author of “The Negativity Remedy & Kindness is Contagious”

Carmen and Nicole discuss stories and ideas for kindness in light of Faith Radio’s Kindness Awareness Initiative. For more information visit myfaithradio.com/kindness.

Gregory Jantz – Author of “The Anxiety Reset”

“The Anxiety Reset: A Life-Changing Approach to Overcoming Fear, Stress, Worry, Panic Attacks, OCD and More”  is for you or someone you care for who struggles with occasional, consistent, or overwhelming anxiety. It has plans to help you overcome your fears and help you reset yourself into a world that is not held back by fear. For more information on the book, click here.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210308104007-03-08-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

 

Today’s Guests

Zach Jenkins – Cedarville University

Zach gives us a general Covid-19 update while also discussing the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, Antibodies from South African variant, vaccines for kids, long haulers and vaccines, blood types and finally athletes after Covid.

Adam Carrington – Hillsdale College

Stimulus package (American Rescue Plan) is on the docket for today’s discussion as are topics associated with the Democrats pushing items through without Republican support, Election reform, police reform (Policing Act of 2021), and the International Women’s Day.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210308101008-03-08-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3

 

I Peter 3:13-17

The context here of “always being prepared” is the expectation of suffering:

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

Today’s Guests

Adam Holz – PluggedIn

Movie and TV reviews for the day are:

* Raya and the Last Dragon

* Spongebob: Kamp Coral

* Punky Brewster

* Lois & Clark

He and Carmen also discuss the Joker as Jesus, Star Trek, Amazon’s cancelled Justice Thomas documentary.

Christopher Ash – Author of “The Heart of Anger”

In “The Heart of Anger: How the Bible Transforms Anger in Our Understanding and Experience” Christopher Ash and Steve Midgley help us to understand anger, evaluate and respond to anger for good. They acknowledge that we all struggle with anger at times for various reasons and desire to get to the heart of our anger in order to transform it through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210305110010-03-05-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

 

Derek Chauvin Trial

Some of our listeners have a rising anxiety about the upcoming trial of Derek Chauvin for his part in the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year. The trial begins Monday and we should all pray for truth to be told, justice to prevail, and God willing the possibility of peace based on people seeing one another as mutual image bearers of the living God and worthy of mutual respect. The social order is best established and kept on justice – not on law enforcement.

While we can learn the secret of being content no matter the circumstances, we live in a nation of discontent – poverty, mental illness, drug abuse, underlying health issues, criminal behavior, and racial profiling will all be publicly discussed. Let us be found prepared to listen, prayerfully and carefully engage, and recognize the particularities of our view and vantage point as this particular part of our national story unfolds.

Today’s Guests

Jonathan Butcher – Heritage Foundation

Jonathan joins us to discuss the education reform that may take place post Covid-19. He helps us understand how we get kids back in schools while stopping teacher union bullying as well as the importance of in-person learning and how parents should be able to continue that even during school shutdowns.

Dan DeWitt – Cedarville University & Theolatte

Your Weekend Worldview Reader is upon us and that means Dan DeWitt is back on running us through it! The headlines in this week’s reader are these:

* Rembrandt’s Three Witnesses

* Early Church Martyrs and Bible Translation

* How Your Wish List Points to God

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210305105008-03-05-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3

 

Today’s Guests

Peter Kapsner – 50 Shades of Truth

Men’s cosmetics purchases are being boosted by zoom use. Throuples (Three parent households) are back in the news. Peter and Carmen have a lot to unpack in this short time today!

Alfonso Espinosa – Author of “Faith That Engages Culture”

We have people in our lives virtually every day who need to hear God’s Word. They need to hear the gospel that we have–the good news about Jesus Christ. Reverend Dr. Espinosa helps us learn how to establish and connect with individuals who occupy many compartments in our lives ranging from our co-workers to bankers, children’s teacher and more! Through this guide he desires to help us help all know God’s love. For more information on his book, click here.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210304103007-03-04-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

 

Where and Whom

Where in the Word are you today?… and to whom or with whom are you reading it?

The entire Dr. Seuss debate is actually attached to an annual event called Read Across America. It was March 2 or, this week. But every day is a good day to read with the next generation. They are being catechized by someone – their minds, ideas, hearts and character are being shaped by what they hear and what they read. So let’s be the people who read to them, read with them, and supply them with genuinely good books – starting with the best book of all, The Good Book, the Bible. 

Today’s Guests

Ben Johnson – Acton Institute

Today there is a committee vote surrounding the nomination of Xavier Becerra to the position of Health and Human Services secretary. There is also a bill, the Do No Harm Act, introduced by U.S. House Democrats which attempts to ensure laws surrounding religious freedom cannot be used to discriminate people. Carmen and Ben discuss these topics and more today.

Kathy Branzell – The National Day of Prayer Taskforce

Praying for our cities are important. Kathy helps us think through creative ideas such as having our city map on a mug to help prompt us to pray for it! She and Carmen also discuss the ethical dilemma surrounding human brain research–a debate we are NOT prepared to have. Finally teenagers and mental health are more than just a talking point. Kathy has some experiences close to home as she remembers her teenage years.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210304101009-03-04-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3

 

Today’s Guests

John Brandon – Forbes Columnist and Digital Media Director for Northwestern Media

John leads us through how to reduce zoom fatigue. He also helps us understand one of John Eldridge’s messages in the book, “Get Your Life Back,” called”Benevolent Detachment,” which is the idea that we do not have to have 100% focus on all things and people at all times. John brings up 1 Peter 5:7 (MSG) saying, “Live carefree before God; He is most care-full with you.”

Don Everts – Co-Author of “The Hopeful Neighborhood Field Guide”

“The Hopeful Neighborhood Field Guide: Six Sessions on Pursuing the Common Good Right Where You Live” is meant to help equip the reader to help make their neighborhood flourish. In the book, Don Everts and Tony Cook lead us through six sessions related to discovering the gifts of, imagining the possibilities of, and pursuing the common good of our local community. They also provide exercises and assessments the help us make our neighborhood dreams into reality. For more information on the book, go to: https://www.ivpress.com/the-hopeful-neighborhood-field-guide

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210303105007-03-03-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR2.mp3

 

Treasure

It has been said that one man’s treasure is another man’s junk. Well, there’s a story out of Hartford, CT this morning that is worthy of our attention. 

https://www.wkrn.com/news/bowl-bought-for-35-at-yard-sale-turns-out-to-be-artifact-worth-up-to-500k/

Lessons? Get grandma to tell you the stories of the dishes in her china cabinet. 

Consider the treasures collecting dust that might be converted into cash to fund ministries you value. 

And what might Jesus say about a story like this?

Matthew 6:19-20

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Today’s Guests

Daryl Crouch – Green Hill Church & Cross Tied Blog/For Our City Blog

Pastor Daryl Crouch reflects on the tornado that hit middle Tennessee one year ago today, March 3, 2020. He also discusses a piece from his blog about how difficult issues are to be engaged by a local church, reminding us that there are healthy debates and harmful arguments and that we MUST do our best to bring the mind of Christ to all of these issues.

Jim Denison – Founder of the Denison Forum

A Dallas Church helped rebuild a Mosque; Bethany Christian Services changed their policy regarding LGBTQ parents; Dr. Seuss books are being critiqued by cancel culture. Jim helps us think through these topics as he has posted on the Denison Forum.

Today’s Episode

https://nwmedia-ondemand.streamguys1.com/mornings-with-carmen/20210303105008-03-03-2021-Mornings-with-Carmen-HR1.mp3