‘Tis the season of giving. This podcast is available because of the generous support from people like you who want to share hope with the world. Would you give to support the work of HopeNet Radio?
Everybody’s getting into the festive Christmas spirit, it seems. Well… everyone except a lot of people. Christmastime is different for many people. For many, it is a time of joy surrounded by the warmth of the love shared with those around them. It can also be a sharp reminder of incredible pain. The empty chairs at Christmastime is our way of talking about the things that bring the most pain around this year’s Christmas dinner table and how we can walk through the pain to reach the joy and hope that seems most foreign.
‘Tis the season of giving. This podcast is available because of the generous support from people like you who want to share hope with the world. Would you give to support the work of HopeNet Radio?
This almost goes without saying – we have way too much fun on this show sometimes. Our entire goal in this week’s episode is to make you smile. Finals, long lines, mean drivers, impatient coworkers, political and depressing Facebook statuses and tweets… we’ve got tons of signs that this is anything but a merry time of year out there. And reading the headlines doesn’t help. So, we’re quitting the negativity this week and having fun with you.
Jeff Hollenbeck shares about the Perspectives Class coming to Green Bay in January. Dave and Jason square off in our “Know Your Christmas Carols” game. It’s crazy fun this week.
Steve Harvey’s recent interview with Rich & Dawnchere Wilkerson about love languages as based on Gary Chapman’s book
I don’t know how we got on this topic, initially, but the whole idea of showing love to someone at Christmas time might mean different things to different people. So, naturally, my mind went to a great book that talks about how people show love in a way that’s practical. Gary Chapman’s book “The 5 Love Languages” is really a great, simple read on this topic.
Holidays are hard enough to handle when a loved one isn’t a part of the traditions. This week, we’re continuing our discussion on the topic of refugees, but in a little different way. Refugees are guests in our country. How do we treat guests? How do we talk around guests? Does anybody actually care about how they’re perceiving what’s become abundantly clear from the headlines that “we’re not sure that we like you?”
Let’s move from behind the politics and look to the people who we allow at our family table around the holidays. And if there’s an empty chair around your table this year, take that sense of loss and sadness symbolized by the empty chair and include someone who needs joy and peace this Christmas season.
[typography font=”Asap” size=”12″ size_format=”px”](Note: We are not advocating that everyone invite a refugee or complete stranger over to your house as that doesn’t work for everyone. But do look for ways to reach out to people who may live near you and do something small that communicates hope and joy and peace.)[/typography]
While the issue has been highly politicized lately, refugees continue to be among the most vulnerable people in our society. They may not celebrate Christmas or quite understand why we have certain customs. That’s OK. Refugees are guests in our country. How do we treat guests? How do we talk around guests? Does anybody actually care about how they’re perceiving what’s become abundantly clear from the headlines that “we’re not sure that we like you?”
A Georgia man thanked a Tyrone Police Officer for arresting him in July.
According to the police report, the man was driving on Highway 74 and while in a turn lane, instead of making a right onto the street, the driver went straight running off the road. Sgt. Jacob Collins arrested the man for DUI.
Monday, Tyrone Police Chief Brandon Perkins received a letter from the man, thanking Sgt. Collins for arresting him. The letter reads “I was severely intoxicated. He saved my life and the lives of others and I truly appreciate his actions and his efforts.”
[Tweet “As a Christian, two of our greatest tensions to wrestle with is mercy and grace. #HNRTB”]
As a Christian, two of our greatest tensions to wrestle with is mercy and grace. Mercy in that we don’t get what we deserve (hell) and grace in that we’ve been given something we don’t deserve (Jesus & eternal life in heaven). Don’t forget to show the most vulnerable ones mercy and grace this Christmas.
Merry Christmas from Jeff, DW, Jason and the crew of HopeNet Radio! At the core of Christmas is this thing called joy. Yet, why do so many people act joyless during Christmastime? This week’s episode is all about experiencing true joy this year. Joy is an attitude that constantly needs maintenance.
Unilateral listening is all about hearing what you want to hear without actually listening to the other person. We’ve all done it. Someone is talking to you about something and all you can think of is what you’re going to say next. You’re not actually listening. You’re just thinking…
It’s All About Me
Self-explanatory. The truth is that it’s not all about you. But you already knew that…
The Rules Don’t Apply
Nothing frustrates leaders more than having someone under them acting in a way in which they think they can do or say what they want when they want. This generally doesn’t end well for the person who is stuck in this mindset.
Turning Concerns into Criticisms
This one can be tricky. See if you can catch the difference between the two:
Concerns are statements that focus on the qualities which are arising in the relationship which we don’t like or find harmful. “When you promise to take out the trash and then don’t do so, it makes it hard for me to trust you and I don’t feel supported in caring for this household.”
Criticisms are statements that focus on the choices the other is making which we don’t like. “When you don’t take out the trash as you said you would you are being immature, selfish, and lazy.”
Blaming Outcomes on Anyone Other Than You
The other is like it…
Blaming Others for How I Feel
Until you begin to take responsibility for your shortcomings and mistakes, you will constantly be miserable. Blame-shifting is not fair to yourself or to others.
Each of these attitudes robs us of our joy. It’s so, so, so easy to fall into them because by nature we’re selfish. You and I want it to be about us all the time. Joy comes when we take focus off of me and puts it on God.
Next week, we’ll spend more time on the adjustments we must make to be joyful.
Check this out!
With all the negative news about police officers lately, we thought this was a great story that will warm your heart. This is truly what living joyfully is all about.
Around here, it’s Christmastime. The most generous time of the year. Or so it would seem. Americans, on average, will spend over 750 dollars this Christmas on gifts. So much time and energy exerted for this one moment. We hope it’s all worth it in the end. But what happens when the shine wears off of those new toys, gadgets and whatchamacallits? Something needs to replace it.
What if you already had every gift you needed in life? Tonight’s show is all about the ways that God has given us gifts that won’t lose their shine. Let’s discover them together. Jeff, DW, Jason & Mike sit down for a lively conversation. Share about your favorite gift ever on the Tweetback!
Let’s choose not to settle for mediocrity. You and I were made with purpose. The gifts you have are evidence of this! Are we settling for mediocre? Share on the Tweetback!
Tonight’s episode of HopeNet Radio is all about moms! Happy Mother’s Day to moms out there. Jeff, Dave, Kyle and Todd welcome Sandy Hartman to the show tonight to talk to a real-life mom about real-life challenges being a mom.
She picked out her husband in a yearbook.
She has officially played Flappy Bird.
She always has a smile and her laugh is infectious.
She is a mom to kids of her own and is hosting a foreign exchange student.
Farewell, Kyle
Tonight is Kyle’s last episode with us. Recently engaged, Kyle will be moving back home to Illinois. It has been well-established that Kyle is a Bears fan, but regardless, we’re going to miss him on the show. Keep your ears peeled, he may make a cameo in future episodes. Gonna miss you, bro!
