New Year's Resolutions

We got emails today on 2008 New Year's Resolutions that you kept! We received some great feedback including losing weight, getting a private pilot's license, quitting dipping tobacco, and spending more time with God and in His Word.

As you look ahead to 2009 and making some resolutions, tune into Breakfast Radio for "4 Weeks to a New You". Beginning Monday and each weekday at 7:20 listen for tips from the experts in Finances, The Bible, Nutrition and Physical Fitness. More details at www.wcqr.org

Blessings...brian

Best Christmas Presents

We took calls this morning about your best Christmas presents. It wasn't stuff, but people and relationships that meant the most. One retired EMT got a Christmas card from a man who's life he helped save. A dad got a visit from a daughter in college and another lady spent over 50 hours ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. Let me share an email I received this morning.

This morning, the breakfast radio was asking what was your best Christmas present. My best present is also a praise report. Two weeks ago, my 18 year old daughter drove her car over a 20' embankment and flipped it a couple of times, she landed the car against a house. She completely totaled the car. She walked away with nothing more than a cut on her pinky finger. Every morning before my husband leaves for work, he prays for protection over me and the children. God does answer prayers.

YES HE does!

Blessings...brian

A Visit from Santa

Ed Butchart, the Stone Mountain Park "Santa" joined us on Breakfast Radio this morning. Ed has written 2 books, the latest is called "MORE PAGES FROM the RED SUIT diaries". Here's more info on Ed and his ministry.

http://realthingsanta.com/

http://www.revellbooks.com (type in Ed Butchart)

http://www.fodac.org/

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/holidayguide/stories/2007/11/24/butchart_1125.html

Have a Blessed CHRISTmas...brian

Upside of a Downsized Christmas/Santa Visit

I shared part of a story from a magazine I got at church on Sunday. Here's the link to the complete story:

http://tpe.ag.org/Articles2008/4937_Upside.cfm

Join us in the morning at 8:10 for a visit from Santa!!!

Blessings...brian

Mike Huckabee's Christmas Comments

Here's the closing comments from Mike Huckabee on his Fox show over the weekend. I think it's AWESOME!!!

Christmas Reminds Us That God Cares
Saturday, December 20, 2008
By Mike Huckabee


We think of Christmas as a time of year when people have places to go and are surrounded by good friends and loving family. I hope it's that way for you. But the first Christmas wasn't like that at all.

It is the story of a lonely, scared, unmarried and pregnant teenage girl about the age of 14, who on a long trip from home with a slightly older teenager she barely knew was forced to give birth to her child in a barn without the comfort and assistance of any medical personnel or even family members.

She must have felt totally abandoned and hopelessly forgotten. It was in this incredibly unlikely, unconventional and humble setting that God chose to deliver his message of love and he decided to do it by becoming a person.

If people feel abandoned and forgotten, they should be of good cheer. They are not alone and the one who identifies most with them is the one who can be of most help to them now.
Far better than a government bailout is a God bailout.

His doesn't mean that he removes the consequences of our actions from us or takes us out of all our circumstances. In fact, His approach isn't a bailout at all — it's a "bail in."

He doesn't always change the circumstances we face, but he bails right in the midst of us and promises that we will not be alone or abandoned.

Christmas is not so much our doing something for God, but his doing something for us: Coming to us and doing it in person.

I realize you might be Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or have no particular faith. It's not my intention to offend, but simply to explain why Christmas really means so much to those of us who are followers of Christ. It is a reminder that God does care and he comes to us and does it in person.
So accept from me a sincere and heartfelt Merry Christmas.

Ditto Huck...Blessings...brian

Gloria Concert

Shaun Groves joined us this morning to talk about the Gloria Christmas concert this Sunday night at First Baptist in Kingsport. The concert also features Travis Cottrell and Cindy Morgan. For more info check out this link:

http://www.fbckpt.org/templates/cusfbckingsport/default.asp?id=34133

Blessings...brian

Stocking Stuffer Thursday and Shaun Groves

Listen for Mike Riddles to play "Merry Christmas Baby" by Nicole C. Mullen between 5:30 and 6 today. Caller 8 wins the FINAL Stocking Stuffer Thursday prize pack, courtesy of Word Label Group.

Shaun Groves joins us in the morning at 8:10 to talk about the Gloria concert at First Baptist in Kingsport this Sunday.

Blessings...brian

Stocking Stuffer Thursday

Listen in the morning at 7:20 for us to announce the Christmas Winning Song! We'll even give you a 30 minute time frame of when Mike Riddles will play it back. Caller 8 wins all this:

BarlowGirl - Home For Christmas

Point of Grace - Tennessee Christmas: A Holiday Collection

Faith Hill - Joy To The World

pureNRG - A pureNRG Christmas

Nicole C. Mullen - Christmas in Black & White

Sandi Patty - The Voice of Christmas

Various Artists - Absolute Favorite Christmas

Various Artists - Absolute Favorite Christmas For Kids

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir - Christmas At The Brooklyn Tabernacle

George Huff - My Christmas EP!

Jaci Velasquez - Christmas

David Phelps - O Holy Night

Diamond Rio - The Star Still Shines

Josh Groban - Noel

Randy Travis - Songs of the Season

David Phelps - One Wintry Night

Merry Little Christmas Box Set (Kids)

Various Artists - Wow Christmas (Red)

Various Artists - Wow Christmas (Green)

Various Artists - Mary Did You Know?

PLUS a pureNRG cinch bag

Group 1 Crew "Forgive Me" t-shirt - size XL

Point of Grace "Live Love Give" t-shirt - size L

Listen and win...brian

Christmas Traditions and Peanut Butter Balls

This morning you shared some of your family's Christmas traditions. We heard everything from sleeping under the tree to 50 cent parties, baking a birthday cake for Jesus and lighting candles for lost loved ones. If you have a unique Christmas tradition, drop us an email at breakfastradio@wcqr.org

I got to thank my landlord Kim! She heard us talking about Peanut Butter Balls and brought me some by yesterday. Thanks Kim and yes I'll share with Mike.

Blessings...brian

Stacy's Ticket!

This morning Mike revealed that his wife Stacy got a speeding ticket Friday. She decided the safest place to let Mike know was in Sunday School yesterday! I don;t know about you, but I'm going to their Sunday School next week to find out what happens next!!!

I also saw a movie Saturday that really disturbed and troubled me, but in a good way, if that makes sense. "Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is set during the Holocaust and probably the last time a theater was that quiet after a movie I saw was the "Passion of the Christ". This is a very powerful movie, but NOT for young kids, it is rated PG-13. Check out the Plugged in Review on the Breakfast Radio page, but watch out, it does have some spoiler alerts.

Blessings...brian

Fruitcake

Asking the age old question, fruitcake...dessert or doorstop? We got calls split on the topic this morning. About half were fruitcake fans, while the other half fruitcake can't stand! Here's a link to Wikipedia on fruitcake. I'll eat a lot of things, but I say NO to fruitcake!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit_cake

Blessings...brian

Stocking Stuffer Thursday!

Listen between 3:30 and 4 this afternoon for Third Day's "Away In A Manger". When you hear Mike Riddles play it, be caller 8 to win a Third Day prize pack to help stuff your stockings fro Christmas!!!

Tomorrow we'll tackle the mystery of fruitcake!

Blessings...brian

Coalition For Kids

The Season of Love campaign is underway, check out the details at www.wcqr.org

One of the ministries we've partnered with is Coalition For Kids. Last Friday my wife Lorren and I went shopping with 12 year old Tobi. It was part of their Shopping 4 Others event at Walmart. We had a blast, it's been the highlight of my first TN Christmas!

Blessings...brian

Mike is BACK!

I saw something awesome this morning after Breakfast Radio, Mike Perry in his office! Mike is back from Arkansas after his dad's funeral. Thanks for your prayers for the Perry's and please keep them in your prayers!

Blessings...brian

The Senior

This morning I talked to Mike Flynt, the 59 year old College Football Linebacker. Mike has written a new book about his experience. I'm thinking, sounds like a GREAT movie idea! Find out more at www.mikeflynt.com

Blessings...brian

MERCYME AND The Bull

This morning I talked with Mike Scheuchzer, guitarist with MercyMe. Check out this link for the Cover Tune Grab Bag videos!

http://mercyme.org/blog/category/cover-tunes-grab-bag/

Also John "The Bull" Bramlett stopped by with Steve McAuley of the FCA. 10 kids have made commitments to Christ since "Bull" has been in town! He's demonstrating (on me) how a minor league player he played with grabbed a manager and bit part of his ear off, decades before Mike Tyson did the same thing...lol!

Blessings...brian

Mike Perry

If you were wondering where Mike was this morning, his father passed away last night. Here's a part of an email he sent us.

My dad passed away a little before midnight last night. Stacy and I are on our way to Arkansas this morning. We’ll be gone for about a week.
Please pray for my family during this time.
My dad was sick for along time and is in much better shape today than he was yesterday. I’m sure he’s getting a tour of heaven today. How cool is that!

Please Mike and his family in your prayers...brian

Christmas Trees

This morning we talked about Christmas trees...real or artificial. We took an informal WCQR poll and by 60 to 40 percent you prefer artificial trees. We also gave some pros and cons of each.

Real Christmas Trees:

Pros:
Fresh scent
Many different varieties to choose from
The "traditional" choice
Real trees are renewable and recyclable
Absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen
Christmas Tree farms support the economy and provide jobs

Cons:
Require continual maintenance
Can become a fire hazard if not properly maintained
Shed needles
Can only be left up for a limited time
Less economical (it's a yearly expense)
Transporting the tree and disposing of it later

Artificial Christmas Trees:

Pros:
More economical (usually a one time cost)
Flame retardant
No maintenance required
Can be left up as long as you want
No mess from needles
Large variety to choose from

Cons:
Can look fake and plastic
Made from nonrenewable petroleum
Artificial trees are not recyclable or biodegradable
Many artificial trees are made overseas, so there is no benefit to the local economy
Time needed to assemble the tree
Requires storage space in the home
If not packed-up correctly, creepy crawlies may get into the box while it is stored

From the website:http://www.christmaslightsanddecorations.com/real-V-artificial-trees.aspx

Blessings...brian

Christmas Movies and Shows

This morning we asked about your favorite Christmas movies and shows. Your answers included:

It's A Wonderful Life

Charlie Brown Christmas

Santa Claus The Movie

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

The Christmas Story

Christmas Vacation

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (pictured)

Blessings...brian