WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

Did the violent crime rate fall in 2025? Did the homicide rate fall in 2025?

What has contributed to the decline in violent crime and homicide rates?

Do many large, BLUE cities NOT report their crime rates?

PLUS: What drives the US economy? Is the current state of our economy really as good as the reports claim?

Biblical Literacy: Mark Lanier continues in the series on Romans with a close look at Romans 9. Today: examining Paul’s grief for the people.

From the Pulpit of Champion Forest: Pastor Jarrett Stephens: Before anything else: Pray like Jesus

Closing Prayer:
Father God,
Thank you for hearing and accepting my plea for forgiveness.
I am now part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed. 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.

ARE CRIME RATES ACROSS THE US REALLY DOWN?

Discussed by Zach Smith
with The Heritage Foundation (www.Heritage.org)

Crime is one of the top issues on the minds of many voters. Is there reason for concern or is this a time to quietly celebrate?

Today, Zach Smith explains the crime rate numbers and how the information could effect the Mid-Term Elections.

Zack is a Senior Legal Fellow in The Heritage Foundation’s Legal Policy Center, where he focuses on courts, the Constitution, crime, and justice issues.

Click here to learn more The Heritage Foundation.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Did the violent crime rate fall in 2025? Did the homicide rate fall in 2025? What has contributed to the decline in violent crime and homicide rates?

What must policymakers do to sustain these reductions in violent crime and homicide rates? Zach discusses solid support of law enforcement and District Attorneys who follow the law.

Many major cities across the US are not reporting their crime data to the FBI. Has this failure distorted the actual crime rate? What is the consequence to local and city police departments who do not report their true numbers to the FBI?

The Heritage Foundation is a non-partisan organization. But – is it imperative that voters elect leaders from the top to the bottom of the ballot who will uphold the law and protect citizens above all else?

Click here to help support The Heritage Foundation.

THAT'S WHAT CHRISTRIANS DO NOW

Discussed by Sara Tracey
with The What's UP Radio Program

What will you do to help right what’s wrong in America?


Christians, we must not sit idly back anymore and cheer - or cry - from the sidelines.

JOBS REPORT: TRUE OR MISLEADING?

Discussed by Dr. Allen Mendenhall
with The Heritage Foundation (www.Heritage.org)

What drives the US economy? Is the current state of our economy really as good as the reports claim?

Dr. Allen Mendenhall, PhD. is a Research Fellow in the Roe Institute and a Senior Advisor for the Free Enterprise Initiative at The Heritage Foundation. Today, Allen discusses the economy, job/unemployment rates, and why Republicans must change their message to win votes.

Click here to learn more The Heritage Foundation.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Why do Americans remain pessimistic when many economic indicators remain strong?

What does a 4.1% unemployment rate tell us about the true health of the labor market?

Are private-sectors hiring and manufacturing companies still adding jobs despite softer headline numbers?

Do Republicans have an economic messaging problem rather than an economic performance problem? Dr. Mendenhall believes that it is much easier to rip policies and policymakers, but it is much, much harder to build them up.

Does the broader economy remain more resilient than many Americans realize?

Click here to help support The Heritage Foundation.

ROMANS 9

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 1

Mark Lanier continues in the series on Romans with a close look at Romans 9, examining Paul’s grief for the people, the gifts (promises) given to Israel, and the glory of who Jesus is.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

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

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Mark’s good friend and Biblical scholar, N.T. Wright, has written extensively on the Apostle Paul. Therefore, Mark called him for some advice concerning this week’s lesson. How does N.T. Wright’s view of Romans 9-11 differ from Mark’s?

Why must witnesses in a court trial swear to tell the truth? Is it the judge or jury’s responsibility to determine if the witness is being honest or not?

Why was Paul so meticulous in his letter to the Romans? Mark does a review of Romans 1-8…

Can we ever do enough to earn God’s favor and merit?

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, simply 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.

BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE

Discussed by Pastor Jarrett Stephens
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 1

Pastor Jarrett Stephens begins a new sermon series this week entitled: Pray Like Jesus. In this series, everyone can learn something new about the prayer life of Jesus: his pattern of daily dependence, his prayers for others, his surrender in suffering, and his unwavering trust in the Father. After all, if we're going to grow in our relationship with the Lord, who better to learn from and who better to emulate than Jesus Himself?

Scripture References: Mark 1:35; Luke 3:21-22; Hebrews 5:7; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12-13; Mark 6:46; John 15

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon here.

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon notes here.

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

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Why does Pastor Jarrett believe that we should all be in a “school of prayer”? What does this even mean?

Book Reference: “With Christ in the School of Prayer”

What kind of prayers did Jesus pray? Do we have a record of every prayer Jesus ever prayed?

Why did Jesus pray? Pastor Jarrett says this: “For Jesus, prayer wasn't a box to check. It was a life to share.”

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, simply 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

Father God,

Thank you for hearing and accepting my plea for forgiveness. I am now part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.

Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit. No weapon formed against me shall prevail.

You are the potter and I am the clay. Mold me into a soldier for the Kingdom.

My past has been redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

As I step forward into your service, may I be determined not to look away, let up, back down, or be still.

I am done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I stand and shout: “Hallelujah! I am a child of the King!”

Now, let’s go forth and assault the gates of hell.

All for the cause of Christ, in whose name I pray,

Amen