WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

Children do overhear bad news.

How to help children process bad news, tragedies and grief.

Should we consciously minimize our children’s exposure to news – especially bad news?

Does praying with kids really help them to cope?

And: the holidays are really tough for many.

How to prepare for ‘those’ memories during the holidays.

How to help others who may be grieving.

Second Segment: Biblical-Literacy Lesson with guest David Fleming -
  Part Two: Biblical approach to relational conflict.

Second Segment: Pastor Emory Cothen, Champion Forest -
  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Today’s closing prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your many blessings.
Life is like a box a chocolates: some days are good, .... More below …

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Host Terry Lowry interviews influential and knowledgeable guests on relevant topics for today.

HELPING CHILDREN PROCESS GRIEF AND TRAGEDIES

Discussed by Dr. Joannie DeBrito
with Alive to Thrive (Learn.AliveToThrive.com)

How can we help children process tragedy without fear?

Today, Dr. Joannie DeBrito offers help and guidance to parents and grandparents when tragedy strikes. Dr. DeBrito is the former Director of Parenting and Youth at Focus on the Family and helped design the content for Alive to Thrive, a FREE online resource for families. She also served on the Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Team for over a decade.

Click here to read more on this topic from Focus on the Family.

Click here for more information about Alive to Thrive.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Should we consciously minimize our children’s exposure to news – especially bad news?

How can we comfort our children after they hear about horrific tragedies like the Texas Flood?

Does praying with kids really help them to cope?

Click here for resources from Focus on the Family on helping children cope with tragedies. You can also call 1.855.771.HELP (4357) for a free consultation with a licensed counselor with Focus on the Family.

HOW TO SURVIVE THE HOLIDAYS WHILE GRIEVING FROM LOSS

Discussed by Rob Jackson
with Focus on the Family www.Family.org

Many of us have suffered pain from the loss of a loved one – whether that’s from dying, estrangement of a child, divorce, or just separation from family and friends due to moving away.

Today, Rob Jackson gives some hope and encouragement to those who may be grieving in some way. Rob is a licensed counselor with Focus on the Family.

Click here to help support Focus on the Family.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are there different types of grieving? Rob calls them “stages”, explaining why he actually doesn’t like to put a label on grieving at all.

The holidays can be tough. How can we prepare for an onslaught of emotions?

How can those who are not grieving help those who are? Rob says a great question to ask is: “How can I serve you during this loss?”

Can changes send some people, especially children, into a downward spiral?

Should parents tend to their own grief first before addressing their children’s grief? Rob explains why this is so important – even if it sounds wrong.

Is it important to acknowledge our pain?

While honoring old traditions, can we create and begin new traditions?

Click here for more information about mental health awareness and free resources from Focus on the Family. You can also call 1.800.AFAMILY

EVERY BODY, SOME BODY, ANY BODY, AND NO BODY

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

If everybody expects somebody to do something, nobody will to it and it will not get done.

Terry Lowry, host of The What’s Up Radio Program encourages everyone to pick one thing and do it. Pray, encourage, promote, volunteer..... anything, just pick something and do it.

PART 2 - A BIBLICAL APPROACH TO RELATIONAL CONFLICT

Discussed by David Fleming
with Lanier Theological Library (www.LanierTheologicalLibrary.org)

Day 2

HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED CONFLICT IN A RELATIONSHIP? I THINK WE ALL HAVE – SOME MORE THAN OTHERS!

Last week, former CFBC Pastor David Fleming subbed in for Mark, teaching on the Biblical approach to relational conflict. This week, he completes that lesson with more fantastic Biblical solutions for every type of relationship – marriage, friendship, church, and work.

To view David Fleming’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Do relational conflicts oftentimes begin with underlying assumptions? David reminds us that:
Status quo resists motion.
Motion causes friction.
Friction causes heat.
Heat causes fire.
This can either be productive or destructive.

When, how, and why do relational conflicts begin? Do they often catch us by surprise?

What are some ways we try to solve relational conflict? Are some good and some bad? Click on the link above and fast-forward to the 35-minute mark to see David’s fantastic illustration.

Are you allowing your emotions to dictate your reasoning? How can we stop doing that? What are the benefits of not allowing our emotions to control us?


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Discussed by Pastor Emory Cothen
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 2

Why is it so hard for us to wait – to be patient? What are we missing in the waiting period?

This week, CFBC Young Adults Pastor Emory Cothen encourages us to wait on the Lord patiently using the words of David from Psalm 62.

Find Pastor Emory Cothen’s sermon here.

Find Pastor Emory Cothen’s sermon notes here.

If you have questions about a sermon, please contact Champion Forest at questions@cfbc.org

Questions/Issues Discussed:

WAIT ON GOD IN PRAISE (vs 1-2)

What can you praise God for today? What encouragement do you need to praise God through your pain? Pastor Emory urges us to be silent and listen!

Do you feel shaky? Do you feel unsure? REMEMBER: God is our refuge and He always keeps His promises.

WAIT ON GOD IN YOUR PROBLEMS (vs 3-4)

Why was David so desperate for a break? Why did he cry out in pain to God?

Have you experienced a desperately, seemingly impossible situation? Pastor Emory recalls tough situations he faced after Hurricane Beryl.


If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, text the word JESUS to 77069 and a pastor or counselor from CFBC will call you back.

For more details about Champion Forest Baptist Church click here.

PRAYER

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your many blessings.

Life is like a box a chocolates: some days are good, some days are great, and some days we can’t wait for them to be over.

But Father, you hold us in the palm of your hand.

May we never forget to thank you for each day.

So many need a new touch from you.

They cry out in pain, frustration, fear, anguish, and anger.

Hear their pleas. Dry their tears.

Whisper in each ear that everything will be okay.

As we prepare for a new year, may we be still and ask you for direction and purpose.

May we eagerly serve you each day.

We lift up lost family members and friends to you now.

Father, call out to them and keep calling.

The harvest is vast. Use each saint to further your Kingdom.

May each be used for your honor and glory.

Fill us with your presence and let the light of your son shine through our words and our actions.

For it is in the name of Jesus Christ we pray,

Amen