WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

The Empty-Desk Syndrome…

AMERICAN’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE AN EMPTY-DESK PROBLEM

Chronic absenteeism in Texas hovers around 20-25%.

Chronic absenteeism will lock students into a living standard well below what we have today.

PLUS: WHAT DO SOLAR-POWER MEDIA PLAYERS, CONCRETE BLOCKS, AND SEWING MACHINES ALL HAVE IN COMMON?

Jesus didn’t just minister to the spiritual needs of those around him.

How can we serve the Kingdom?

Mark Lanier concludes this week’s lesson in Romans. (This is a repeat from last week, due to sound quality.)

From the Pulpit at Champion Forest: PASTOR JARRETT STEPHENS - THE SPIRIT-LED PRAYER

The closing prayer:
Father God,
My tongue is a mighty force – for good and for evil. My words will either build up or tear down. 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.

AMERICAN’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE AN EMPTY-DESK PROBLEM

Discussed by Corey DeAngelis
with

Educational Freedom Institute (www.efinstitute.org/)

SAD FACT: Chronic absenteeism in Texas hovered around 20-25% in the first three post-pandemic school years with fully in-person classes, roughly in line with national averages and double pre-pandemic rates.

Corey DeAngelis is the Executive Director at Educational Freedom Institute and a visiting fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research. Today, Corey discusses this serious problem and how Educational Freedom can help. He has been labeled the “school choice evangelist” and called “the most effective school choice advocate since Milton Friedman.”

Click here to read Corey’s important op-ed on this topic. And make sure you share it on social media.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Do America’s public schools have an empty-desk problem? Corey reveals some startling statistics, along with some hope for Texas kids who will be able to take advantage of the new Education Savings Account program.

Must we combat the causes of chronic absenteeism before 20% of the student population is locked into lives well below the standards which we live?

Has it been demonstrated across the country that school choice is better for all students? Corey explains how expanding education freedom really can change lives and spends a few minutes explaining the purpose and mission of the Educational Freedom Institute.

Click here to help support the Educational Freedom Institute.

SHARING GOD’S WORD THROUGH SOLAR-POWER MEDIA PLAYERS, CONCRETE BLOCKS, AND SEWING MACHINES

Discussed by Don Shenk
with The Tide (www.thetide.org/)

Jesus didn’t just minister to the spiritual needs of those around him on a day-to-day basis. He ministered everywhere the Holy Spirit led. Are you?

Don Shenk is the Executive Director of The Tide. For over 80 years The Tide Ministry has been telling people about Jeus in their heart language. Through radio broadcasts in over 20 heart languages, thousands of lost people are coming to know Christ.

Click here  to read the latest updates from The Tide. Make sure you subscribe  to receive updates.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What are the risks in Pakistan for believers who express their Christian faith? Don explains that, while Pakistanis have freedom of religion, the risks come from extremists and those who hate Christianity.

How effective are solar-powered media players?

Why is The Tide providing concrete blocks in Cameroon?

How is The Tide using sewing training centers to reach women in India?

If a husband dies or abandons the family, what safety nets are in place to help the wife and/or the children in India? Don reveals the sad, sad reality for these women and children in India.

Click here to help support The Tide Ministry.

ROMANS 9 - PART 3

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

Day 5

Mark Lanier continues in the series on Romans with another look at Romans 9 and the age-old question: IS GOD UNJUST?

To view Mark Lanier’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:

OBJECTION: IS GOD UNJUST? (Romans 9:14-18)

Is hate a 4-letter word? (Genesis 29:31; Luke 14:26)

Where did Paul get the idea that God is just? (Exodus 33:19; Exodus 9:16; Exodus 8:15)

POINTS FOR HOME

God is a promise keeper.

Praise God from whom all mercy flow.

It’s okay to have questions, but mind your posture.

EXTRA TOPIC QUESTION

Are you Team Jacob or Team Esau? Were they born to be elected to historical roles as nations or to bring salvation – or both?

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

SPIRIT-LED PRAYER

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

Day 5

Pastor Jarrett Stephens began a new sermon series last 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.

This week, Pastor Jarrett continues to break down The Lord’s Prayer with four more petitions from Jesus to his Father. He went over the first three last week, so if you missed one of those segments – check out the archives on our home page.

Scripture Passage: Matthew 6:9-13

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:


BIG PICTURE: Thanking the Father for How He Works

Was Jesus thankful for God working in and through his life and the lives of others?

Why did Jesus rejoice in the “up-side down Kingdom”? (Isaiah 55:8-9)


BIG PICTURE: Lord, Let Your Holy Spirit Shape Me

Can spirit-led prayer slow us down?

Can spirit-led prayer help us acknowledge God for who He is and how He works?

Can spirit-led prayer help us to be thankful?

What can we do when/if we don’t have joy like Jesus? What can we do when/if we don’t have a heart of gratitude like Jesus? (Luke 11-9-13)


FINAL THOUGHTS:

When is the last time you asked for more of the Holy Spirit in your life? Keep praying the 10-minute prayer challenge, but add this final statement to your prayer: "Lord, let your Holy Spirit shape me more and more."


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,

My tongue is a mighty force – for good and for evil. My words will either build up or tear down.

May I choose words of praise and adoration to you, O Lord, and never words of cursing or maliciousness.

In today’s world, we are always connected. Help me to pause more often and not say or post in haste or anger.

May all I say and do – whether in person or online – be pleasing in your sight, O Lord.

Through the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, I will set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips.

And, Father, if I am granted tomorrow, help me to repeat.

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

Amen and Amen