Kenn Kington is a renowned comedian who has been entertaining audiences for over 30 years. He is a versatile performer who is well-versed in comedy shows, corporate shows, and non-profit shows. Kenn has a unique ability to connect with his audience and make them laugh out loud. He is a great storyteller and his performances are always full of energy and humor.
Being a dad isn't easy, but it sure is funny. "The Life of Dad," Kenn Kington breaks down the daily struggles of modern fatherhood—dealing with bizarre fashion dress codes, accepting the minivan lifestyle, and surviving family vacations with the kids. It’s wholesome, relatable, and 100% clean stand-up comedy perfect for the whole family.
Church Friends is a group that you have probably not heard about, but I think that will soon change.
Church Friends is a family band from Georgia formed in 2023. They are creating gospel rock music to glorify God, encourage the Church, and share the hope of Jesus with the world. Made up of siblings Anna Kate and Taylor alongside our close friend Kieana, our shared love for worship and community is at the core of everything we do. What began as simple moments of singing around a piano at home has grown into a calling — from hometown open mics to performing on Season 20 of America's Got Talent.
They have some great songs like "Walk On", "Take Me Home", and I really like the song "Heaven Ain't Quiet" that they released a few months ago...
Their most recent song, "Run River Run" was just released...
You probably heard the news that Music Icon Bonnie Tyler passed away last week at age 75. The Welsh singer-songwriter, best known for "Total eclipse of the heart", died in hospital in Portugal last Wednesday after complications following emergency intestinal surgery.
Tributes have been paid to Grammy Award-winning singer Bonnie Tyler following her death at the age of 75, with friends remembering her as a woman of deep Christian faith, extraordinary generosity and remarkable humility despite her global success.
Before Bonnie Tyler became one of the most recognizable voices in rock music, she was a young girl growing up in a Protestant home in Wales, attending church multiple times on Sundays and learning lessons about faith that would remain with her throughout her life.
The legendary Welsh singer, best known for timeless hits including “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” died at age 75 following complications from a prolonged illness, according to People magazine. Her family announced that she died in a hospital in Portugal after battling serious health issues in recent months.
Although audiences around the world celebrated Tyler’s unmistakable voice, she said the deepest influences on her life were formed long before the concert stages, platinum records and international acclaim.
In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, Tyler reflected on her childhood in Skewen, Wales, saying, “We were brought up Protestant, and I went to church three times a day on a Sunday. My parents weren’t Bible-bashers, but we all have a strong belief in God and a strong faith.”
Tyler spoke warmly of growing up in a large family where faith, perseverance and gratitude were woven into everyday life. She credited her parents with instilling values that remained constant even after worldwide success found her. She also recalled one piece of wisdom from her mother that stayed with her throughout her career: “Believe in yourself because no one else is going to do it for you,” according to The Guardian.
Her grounded perspective carried into her remarkable career. As The Scotsman noted in a collection of Tyler’s reflections, she repeatedly said she never entered the music business to become famous. Performing was her passion, and she expressed genuine appreciation that audiences continued embracing her music decades after her biggest commercial successes.
One of the defining characteristics of Tyler’s career was never part of the original plan. After vocal cord surgery permanently altered her singing voice early in her career, the unexpected rasp became the unmistakable sound that distinguished her from nearly every other artist of her generation. Rather than allowing the setback to derail her future, Tyler embraced the voice she had been given.
Welsh broadcaster, musician and Premier Christian Radio presenter Mal Pope, who knew Tyler for decades, described her as one of the most generous people he had ever met. Beyond her music, Pope said Tyler's Christian faith was central to her life.
He shared a message from Tyler's sister, Avis which said: "She loved the Lord Jesus, brought up to love Him by our mum and dad. Now she sees Jesus face to face and looks into His beautiful face as He welcomes her back into His loving arms and says, 'Well done, my child.'"
David Ring is a Christian evangelist and motivational speaker who has cerebral palsy. He was born with cerebral palsy in Jonesboro, Arkansas, in the eastern part of the state. His father was Baptist pastor Oscar Newton Ring. Ring's father died in 1964. Cancer took his mother four years later. Ring was hence an orphan at the age of fourteen.
Depressed from the combination of losing his parents and the difficulties of his disability, Ring dropped out of high school. Ring specifically struggled with losing his mother, the only woman he believed would love him. He attempted to commit suicide many times over the course of the following two years due to his depression. With the encouragement of his sister, however, he gave his life to Jesus in 1970. Ring earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976. His signature message is "I have cerebral palsy, but cerebral palsy don't have me." His now famous catch phrase (concerning Christians who make excuses regarding their faith) is: "I have cerebral palsy, and I serve the Lord with all that is within me. What's your excuse?"
David Ring's testimony details his life challenges, including being born dead for 18 minutes, developing cerebral palsy, and facing public humiliation and orphanhood at age 14. His personal transformation through faith showcases his journey from depression to self-respect and acceptance.
For over 50 years, David has been speaking across the globe, reaching over 100,000 people annually. He has appeared frequently on nationally televised programs, sharing his message of hope and transformation and at 72 years of age continues to spread the Word of God.
I'm not sure where you may be located, but if you are in the upper Midwest (like here in Minnesota), it is HOT. The news keeps talking about the term "heat dome", but what is that? I found an excellent explanation from The Pour Over, a news highlight magazine with a Biblical perspective.
I highly recommend subscribing to The Pour Over. Now, about "heat domes"...
What even is a heat dome?
It’s a large area of high pressure in the atmosphere that parks above a region (rude) and traps heat beneath it for days at a time. Think: putting a lid on a pot of boiling water. The lid pushes the heat down and as it sinks, it compresses, gets even hotter, and has nowhere to go.
Heat domes also keep rain clouds from forming, since moist air has to rise high enough to condense, and nothing is rising on the dome’s watch. In already dry places, that means a higher wildfire risk on top of the sweat.
Is it the same thing as a heat wave?
Yes, and also no.
A heat wave is a broader term for an extended period of hotter-than-normal temps in an area. A heat dome is one specific way to get a heat wave. Once it’s parked, it becomes a feedback loop of sinking hot air, sunny days, no rain, and… well, we all get real sweaty.
In other words, every heat dome is a heat wave but not every heat wave is a heat dome, capiche?
They usually flow in unproblematic wavy lines, but sometimes they grow into big, slow loops and stall out. That stall allows high pressure to build, and the sinking-heating cycle takes it from there.
How do you get rid of a heat dome?
You can’t… you just wait it out.
Eventually, the jet streams will correct themselves or another weather system will overpower them, but until then, be sure to stock up on ice cream and stay in the shade.
CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
When we face major weather events like heat domes or severe storms, we’re reminded of our weakness. But our God is the creator of the weather, and He holds us by the hand. He will protect us and keep us.
“This is what God, the LORD, says—who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it—‘I am the LORD. I have called you for a righteous purpose, and I will hold you by your hand. I will watch over you, and I will appoint you to be a covenant for the people and a light to the nations,’”
Isaiah 42:5-6
Stay cool... The Bible describes hot weather as a natural, cyclical provision from God, but frequently uses the scorching heat to illustrate spiritual truths. Heat symbolizes life's harsh trials and hardships, while the shade represents divine protection. God's shelter and shade provide relief from the scorching sun and the heat of the day, as promised in Isaiah 49:10.
Josh Sneed is a nationally touring comedian who’s had appearances on Comedy Central, including his own comedy special. He’s been seen on Last Comic Standing and is one of the most played comedians on Sirius/XM radio. Josh is a headliner in standup comedy clubs around the country and has performed at numerous private and corporate events. He is a 25-year veteran in the world of stand-up comedy. He has performed in 48 of the 50 states and has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the business including Dave Chappelle, Jim Gaffigan, Mitch Hedberg, and others.
In this special, Josh shares humorous anecdotes about Midwest family vacations, people-watching in tourist traps, and the peculiarities of fast food dining. Through relatable observations, they explore the joys and frustrations of everyday life, from garage sale encounters to the struggle of starting new health routines.
Early last year, Forrest Frank song, "Your Way's Better" started a viral dance craze took off across social media. The 2025 release featured a popular, easy-to-follow choreography that caught fire as a massive trend on TikTok. It often involves simple hand gestures and swaying to the lyrics: "Oh Lord, I need you now more than ever, would you put my heart back together... would you find out Your way's better." This viral dance brought a huge amount of attention across both Christian and secular groups.
Well, shockingly, it is happening again. Last month, Forrest Frank also released "OKAY!", which spawned another popular praise and dance trend on social media with the lyrics: "Lord, I'm just grateful that I got to wake up today...".
Forrest Frank's response:
“When I was growing up, I didn’t necessarily have cool Christian music to listen to,” Frank previously explained. “If I was going to the gym or if I was at the beach, it seemed like there weren’t really any Christian songs that would fit those facets of life, but there was great Christian music within the church and for worship. That actually kind of broke my heart; I would cry about it, and I’m not the most emotional guy.”
“So, I aspired to make Christian music that I think is cool,” he continued. “Not everyone’s going to like it, but I think it does serve a role in the sense of it being music that kids think is cool and want to have as their baseball walk-up song when they go up to the plate and listen to when they hang out with their friends.”
Going viral on TikTok proves that he is achieving his goal as Christians and non-Christians alike enjoy his songs. As he continues to find more and more success, Frank stays rooted in the Lord and turns all the glory back to God.
As he continues his rise through the ranks of Christian music, it is encouraging to see Frank keep his focus on Christ, knowing that everything he has comes from the Lord. At the same time, his music draws in new audiences and exposes them to the biblical truths.
Forrest Frank is clearly onto something—making music that sounds like it belongs on today’s top charts but boldly points people back to Jesus.
This is the kind of energy we love to see—fun, faith-filled, and bringing believers together. While I am not likely to be doing the dance anytime soon, it is encouraging to see Christian music being enjoyed and touch so many people's lives.
Leanna Crawford grew up in Stanwood, Washington. She and her two sisters and brother were homeschooled by her mother, a former teacher. No matter who you are, finding solace and comfort in music is a prerequisite rite of passage for countless teenagers. But for Leanna Crawford, playing guitar and writing poetry in the bedroom of her family home in Washington State was never just a pastime. It became her way of navigating faith, relationships, and life’s difficulties.
In 2012, Crawford went on a mission trip, where she says that God spoke to her, calling her into music ministry. Soon after moving to Nashville, Crawford was signed as the first female artist to Story House Collective's roster by Matthew West. She became more well know after the release of her 2020 hit "Truth I'm Standing On".
No longer just another teen playing guitar and writing poetry in her bedroom, Leanna now finds herself, a happily married woman in her twenties (she is married to former NBA player Cody Zeller), and she released her first full length album, Still Waters, in 2024. She has released a number of hit songs including "How Can You Not", "Still Waters", and "Honest".
Towards the end of July, Leanna will be releasing her third album titled Thank God. You can go behind the music in an all-new documentary series exploring Leanna, her faith, and her journey—from her home-town roots and family life to the relationships and experiences that shaped the artist, sister, wife, and follower of Christ that she is today. Across multiple episodes, you'll get an intimate look at the making of her brand new sophomore album coming July 24, 2026.
Episode 1 released on Wednesday, June 24, with new episodes every Monday, beginning June 29. Subscribe and follow along as Leanna opens up like never before and invites you into the moments behind the music. Here is the first episode...
HERE is episode 2. HERE is episode 3. Check HERE for more episodes as they become available.
Listen to the title track "Thank God" from the new album...
Going to add something new... on Tuesdays I am going to highlight some testimonials that have impressed me. I am going to start this out with Dave Roever. Years ago, I met Dave a couple times at different events (I even have an autographed copy of his book, "Scarred".) and his testimony is incredible.
Dave Roever grew up in a minister’s family in South Texas. At the height of the Vietnam War, Dave received his draft notice. Rather than serving in the infantry, he joined the U.S. Navy and served as a riverboat gunner in the elite Brown Water Black Beret in Vietnam.
Eight months into his tour of duty in Vietnam, Roever was burned beyond recognition when a phosphorous grenade he was poised to throw exploded in his hand. The ordeal left him hospitalized for fourteen months, where he underwent numerous major surgeries. His survival and life are miraculous.
Today with his humorous style, Roever is enthusiastically received both nationally and internationally as a public speaker. He is a superb communicator and speaks in a variety of settings including churches, public schools; business, men’s and youth conventions; and military installations around the world. Roever has also been a frequent guest on national television talk shows. He established compassionate, ongoing missions work in Vietnam and is involved in other nations.
In every setting, Roever’s message is one of truth and hope. Using his life as an example, he addresses issues relevant to his audience and presents concrete solutions to life’s problems. Often drawing upon his war experiences of loneliness, peer pressure, disfigurement, and pain, as well as life’s triumphs, Roever weaves together a message of courage, commitment, and survival that touches and transforms those who hear him.
Thirty-four years after his injuries, the U. S. Department of the Navy corrected its oversight by awarding Roever his Purple Heart, along with several other service medals. Because of his wartime experience of service, injury, and recovery, he is uniquely qualified to speak to the needs of military personnel. He is called upon regularly to address troops on domestic military bases as well as those deployed around the globe. Roever is no stranger to the War on Terror, having done multiple tours in the Middle East.
In May 2005, Dave was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in recognition of his remarkable life and service. In April 2012, he was awarded The Outstanding Civilian Service Medal by the U.S. Department of the Army. In 2019, Dave celebrated 50 years of full-time ministry.
Roever is the founder and president of three non-profit corporations: Roever Evangelistic Association, Roever Foundation, and REAP International, based in Fort Worth, Texas. Dave is the founder of Eagles Summit Ranch in Colorado, as well as Eagles Summit Ranch in Texas, where they help physically and emotionally injured servicemen and women “find their way home.”
Thriving in Christ means moving beyond simply surviving difficult circumstances by actively growing in faith, purpose, and spiritual fruitfulness. It involves remaining deeply rooted in God’s Word, relying on the Holy Spirit, and finding strength in community rather than depending solely on external success.
Thriving in Christ requires intentional practices and a daily reliance on God. Key steps include:
Staying Rooted in Scripture: Regularly reading and meditating on God's Word nourishes the soul and provides wisdom for daily challenges.
Active Community: Growing alongside other believers provides essential encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to serve.
Relying on the Spirit: Shifting the focus from self-reliance to co-creating with God, allowing His peace to anchor you during high-stress moments
Thriving goes beyond performance and success. We lose joy when we focus on performance. Instead, thriving involves pursuing purpose, which involves asking ourselves why we do what we do. Purpose gets us out of the trap of perfectionism. Purpose helps us to pursue meaningful goals, relationships, and values, enabling us to contribute to the greater good.
Have you ever wondered if you ever stop growing in your walk with God? Whether or not we stop growing is probably debatable, but we will stop thriving (growing without hindrance) when we are stagnant. What I mean by stagnant is feeling stuck in our walk with God. Sometimes we are stagnant, stuck, whatever, because we create our own problems. Some examples that cause spiritual stagnancy are apathy toward the God, continuing in secret sin, not dealing with hurt, or being distrustful of God.
Here is a short devotion about thriving in Christ...
Who wants to acknowledge what’s dead and unproductive in their lives? Who wants to trim back what’s already blooming—leaving you smaller, awkward, and feeling extra weak?
But pruning is exactly what we need to keep producing fruit.
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”
John 15:2 NIV
Jesus mentions two separate actions in this process—cutting off what’s dead and pruning fruit.
Cutting out what’s dead makes sense. It’s extra weight, it’s unproductive, it’s blocking sunlight, and it’s stealing good energy from branches that could thrive. But without proper context, pruning fruit feels backwards.
However, the purpose of pruning isn’t to disable something, but to revitalize it.
If a branch is weak or diseased, it could not only damage itself, but the surrounding trees as well. Without pruning, both the tree and the life surrounding it can never reach full potential.
Pruning creates room for more growth.
Pruning stimulates production.
Pruning keeps the plant or person strong.
God is a good Gardener. He wouldn’t be a good Gardener if He left you to yourself—overgrown, ineffective, and full of dysfunction. But He cares for those He loves. He cuts off what’s dead for your benefit. He lovingly trims back ineffective things in your life to make way for more fruit.
You can trust God with your life because He cares about who you are and who you can become.
So what “dead branches” are you dragging around? Is it possible that God is pruning you for future growth? Take a few moments and talk to God about any areas in your life that you recognize need to change.
Today, July 4th, we celebrate our county's independence, our freedom. It seems that many of our celebrations center around freedom... today is about freedom for our country, Juneteenth celebrates freedom from slavery, Memorial Day and Veteran's Day celebrates those who fought for our freedom, and of course Easter celebrates our freedom from sin.
Everyone thinks about freedom differently. Most people would say freedom is a virtue that should be sought, but that idea changes depending on how it’s defined.
A lot of people think freedom is the absence of restraints. We are truly free when we are free from things that hold us back. Others define freedom by our human will—if we can choose what we want, then we can be free.
These ideas are a bit different from what we find in Scripture. According to God’s Word, freedom is found wherever God is found. Freedom is found when we live according to God’s original design for our life.
When we begin our life with Jesus, He gives us a new heart and way to live. He also sends the Spirit of God to live within us and as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 3:17, wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is true freedom. That means all of us who believe in Jesus have access to this freedom.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom," 2 Corinthians 3:17
Freedom doesn’t come from doing whatever we want, but from living according to the Spirit of God who lives within us.
Paul goes on to say that those of us who belong to the Lord should spend time in God’s presence. It’s only when we sit with God daily that we are transformed by Him. Through God’s Word and talking with Him, we have access to true life transformation and true freedom.
Can you identify one or two things that are holding you back from living this way? It may be an unresolved conflict or a recurring sin. Whatever it is, spend some time with God today—asking for forgiveness and seeking out your next steps. Spend time in His presence through prayer and reading Scripture. Your life will be transformed if you continue to spend time with the One who can thoroughly change you.
Chad Thornsberry is a highly sought-after, clean, and corporate stand-up comedian. Hailing from Missouri, he draws heavily on his past as a public school teacher, his upbringing in a trailer park, his classic storytelling, and his struggles with marriage and parenting to deliver sharp, relatable humor.
Before transitioning to comedy full-time, Chad worked as a public school teacher. His stand-up act is defined by a slow-paced, conversational style and classic storytelling, offering a refreshing and family-friendly contrast to the high-energy, in-your-face comedy often seen on stage. His sharp writing and natural likeability quickly made him a standout in the clean comedy circuit.
Everything around us—the world, the culture, the people—tends to applaud power and strength, independence and intelligence, boldness and superiority.
But in the third beatitude, a series of promises Jesus made about God’s Kingdom, Jesus highlighted something different, saying:
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 NIV
The English word "meek" comes from the Greek word "praeis." It means gentle, humble, or submissive; modest, mild, or unpretentious. In fact, when Paul describes the “fruits of the Spirit” (traits developed in His people by His Spirit), the words "meekness" and "gentleness" are often used interchangeably.
But, let’s be clear: If such descriptions paint a frail and feeble picture in your mind, you can be certain that meekness isn’t weakness.
In today’s world, meekness isn’t exactly trending. We’re told to be bold, assertive, and never back down. Confidence is equated with volume. The idea of meekness can sound like weakness—being timid, passive, or easily walked over.
But biblical meekness is nothing like that. It’s strength under control. It’s the ability to assert power, but choosing restraint for the sake of others.
Meekness is the quality of being gentle, mild-tempered, and patient. Far from being a sign of weakness, true meekness represents strength under control. It is the deliberate choice to restrain one's power and temper to benefit others rather than reacting with anger, arrogance, or a desire for revenge
Meekness is strength under control. It's power submitted to God’s authority.
There are three key characteristics of meekness.
Self-Restraint: The ability to endure hardships, offenses, and injuries without retaliation or bitterness.
Humility: A willingness to put oneself in second place and submit to higher causes without boasting.
Empowerment: Using one's strength and influence to lift, serve, and protect others rather than dominating them.
While meekness and humility are often used interchangeably, they are slightly different. Humility is a state of being that defines your attitude toward yourself (knowing your own limitations and keeping a modest opinion of your abilities). Meekness is an active behavior that defines your treatment toward others (how you interact with people and respond to provocation).
A powerful example of meekness is found in the film 42, the story of baseball legend Jackie Robinson. When Brooklyn Dodgers owner Branch Rickey tells Robinson that he doesn’t want a player who fights back, Robinson replies, “You want a player who doesn’t have the guts to fight back?” Rickey responds, “No, I want a player who’s got the guts not to fight back.” Robinson endured verbal abuse, threats, and discrimination without retaliating—not because he was weak, but because his strength was channeled through meekness. He chose a higher road for the sake of a greater cause. That’s what meekness looks like.
Now, if “meek” isn’t a word that you’d use to currently describe yourself, that’s okay. Jesus wasn’t speaking to those who had it all together—and He isn’t expecting a perfect version of us, either. Instead, He’s extending a blessing on who His people were (and are) becoming.
God is continually developing these beatitude traits inside of His followers. He's refining, sanctifying, and transforming us to be more and more like Him.
In Scripture, Jesus Himself is called “meek.” But as you probably know, He was far from passive, apathetic, or a pushover. Instead of relying on His own power—like summoning legions of angels to avoid hanging on that cross—He leaned into God’s strength and restrained His limitless power.
Jesus’ upside-down kingdom will be packed with those who harness their strength for God’s glory and who humble themselves at His feet.
Meekness isn’t about being soft—it’s about being strong enough to stay soft when the world pushes you to harden. Colossians 3 doesn’t just suggest meekness—it commands it as part of our identity in Christ. And when we wear meekness, we look more like Jesus.
Today I'm featuring a band that you will probably never hear on Christian radio. They are not technically a CCM group. The Red Clay Strays are not an explicitly religious or Christian band, but they are a band composed of Christians. While they infuse their Southern rock and country sound with themes of faith, redemption, and gospel-inspired lyrics, they prefer to be seen as a band making honest, relatable music.
Faith has been a driving force behind Alabama band the Red Clay Strays, both in their music and in their journey to stardom. The quintet leans into that foundation even further, giving listeners a look into their walk with God and road to redemption — all of which has helped them become one of country music's most exciting breakout acts.
Despite the divine influence, lead singer Brandon Coleman insists they're not a Christian band. And their music proves that: The Strays' sound delves as much into high-flying Southern rock and gritty delta blues as it does country, sounding like Waylon Jennings or Johnny Cash one minute, then Lynyrd Skynyrd or Elvis Presley the next. As Coleman insists, what's most important to the group is making music that resonates.
"Most of the time we're not setting out to write a worship song… or anything like that," he tells GRAMMY.com. "We don't want to be a Christian band or even a country band — we just want to make music, plain and simple."
As they explain in a recent interview:
You guys haven't shied away from making your faith a focal point of your music. Mind telling me about the roots of that influence?
I mean, God's really the driving force in all of it. He's why we do this. Everyone's wondering why they were put here on Earth and what their purpose is. Once you're able to get an idea for what that is, that's often what you end up doing. Our music is about our lives and living on the road, and God is a big part of all of it.
When God gives you a gift you have to use it or it's wasted, right? The biblical things we talk about in our music are lessons that we've learned growing up. It's such complex and simple truths all wrapped into one, which makes it really easy to write about. There's victory and strife and everything else you go through in life. It leaves us thanking God at the end of each and every day for giving us another one.
The Red Clay Strays recently released new album, Grateful. Their 3rd album features some great songs like "Demons In Your Choir", "If I Didn't Know You", and the title track "Grateful"...
I think my favorite from the new album might be "Revival"...
Here is another Bible resource for you to consider... BibleFix is an online resource out of the Philippines that claims to be a quick and simple guide to overcoming everyday Christian struggles through God’s Word.
BibleFix makes spiritual growth, time management, confidence, and faith-building simple — with easy, biblical steps you can apply today.
New videos weekly to help you stay rooted in Christ and live with purpose.
Have you ever read your Bible and felt like you didn’t really get it? You’re not alone. In this video, we’ll walk step-by-step through the Inductive Bible Study Method — a simple, powerful way to read Scripture so you can actually understand what God is saying.
Whether you’re new to faith or have been studying for years, this guide will help you: ✅ Read the Bible with purpose and clarity ✅ Understand Scripture in its original context ✅ Apply God’s Word to your daily life ✅ Deepen your relationship with God through His truth
You’ll learn the 3 essential steps: 1️⃣ Observation – What does the text say? 2️⃣ Interpretation – What does it mean? 3️⃣ Application – How does it change my life?
This Friday we are featuring another of my favorite comedians, Jonnie W. Jonnie is a nationally touring comedian whose hilarious blend of storytelling, offbeat stand-up, and even music has made him a favorite in comedy clubs, churches, and conferences across the country.
His bio reads:
Once in a generation, someone comes along with the power and eloquence to inspire us all. Jonnie W will entertain us while we wait for that person. Combining music, off-beat standup, and a skewed view of the world, Jonnie crafts a comedy experience that you and your family will be quoting in the car on the way home. He’s brought the funny to stages in 48 states - from comedy clubs to Fortune 500 companies, churches and leadership conferences. Jonnie's award-winning comedy is played daily on Sirius XM Satellite Radio, and his latest Drybar Comedy special is a viral hit, garnering over 5 million views.
Jonnie lives with his lovely wife Curry in Nashville, because that's where all their stuff is.
Jonnie W. shares humorous observations on personal experiences, including challenging dietary shifts, parenting, and navigating life in the South. This stand-up routine blends relatable anecdotes about travel, church life, and daily annoyances into a witty performance that highlights the lighter side of navigating modern adulthood.
Jonnie has done a lot of touring with funny man Tim Hawkins. One of my favorite bits from Jonnie is a collaboration with Tim called the "Tweet Song"...
Most people that know me, know that I am a huge fan of the Petersens, a wholesome American family band from Branson, Missouri. Whenever I go to Branson I have to take in a couple of their shows.
The Petersens are an American roots music band known for taking the music of the Ozarks to the world and bringing the world to visit them in the Ozarks. They perform bluegrass, country, and Christian music, along with mainstream musical covers. They have toured throughout Ireland, Finland, Canada, The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, entertaining audiences with their tight harmonies and warm sibling humor.
The Petersens went viral online in 2019 when their YouTube videos gained international attention and have now reached more than 300 million views. The band consists of four siblings, Katie, Ellen, Matt, and Julianne, their mom, Karen, and honorary Petersen and dear friend, Emmett Franz.
The Petersens perform full-time in Branson, Missouri at the Little Opry Theater in the Branson and are the #1 show in Branson. They have released twelve music projects, including their newest gospel album, Father, A Moment With You, a collection of original songs and beloved hymns that encourages listeners to draw closer to God through faith, hope, and trust in every season of life. The week before the album was released, they invited a small group of friends and family to celebrate and wanted to share this special evening with everyone, so they recorded it!
Some great Christian songs in bluegrass, gospel style. Watch them share the stories behind the songs and perform the album live.
Staying connected is what Thred, LHM’s digital resource for life and faith at thred.org, is all about. And that’s the idea behind its recently launched weekly e-newsletter: a thought-provoking, easy-to-read message that wants to know what your take is on living as a Christian in an ever-changing, ever-challenging world.
“We want to deepen our relationship with Thred followers,” says Rachel Tichich, manager of digital strategy and development. “We’re using this email platform as a means of reaching our 22,000- plus (and growing!) subscriber base with content that’s Gospel rich, that nurtures a relationship with them, and that equips them for sharing their faith in this day and age.”
The latest e-news topics have addressed joy, sharing our faith, our connection to the “stuff” we own, being in charge, owning versus giving, and feeling sufficient. Tracking prior Thred email responses has shown that people are interested in faith empowerment; in establishing and maintaining trust with others; in getting to that elusive—but attainable—place where faith conversations aren’t so strange and difficult; and in better understanding how a Christian’s worth is tied completely to Christ.
In each e-news, there’s a feedback mechanism built in where users can answer a multiple-choice question, or they can add their own comments in an open-text format. This has led to some healthy exchanges.
These contacts lead to Thred sharing LHM resources, too. “Recently, we had someone chatting with Thred specifically about the topic of how to love your neighbors online in the midst of some pretty volatile digital conversations in our society. We learned that he’s a Christian and not only open to more resources on the topic but actively seeking them. We’re currently in communication with him, providing him with links to relevant Project Connect booklets and other LHM courses,” says Tichich.
Thred’s new e-newsletter is just one of the many ways it makes online connections with its audience. At thred.org you’ll find dozens of Christ-centered, faith-enriching blogs in six different categories. FREE, downloadable resources like Thred courses, in-depth PDFs, and a sermon kit for pastors are available. And of course, you can follow Thred on social media.
We love him as a comedian... but a podcast? Real conversations, Real stories, and Real laughs. Join comedian Jeff Allen as he sits down with the people who inspire, challenge, and crack him up along the way.
“Who Gave Jeff Allen a Podcast?” is where legendary comedian Jeff Allen talks with guests who bring humor, heart, and honesty to every episode. From comedians, musicians, and pastors to authors, recovery leaders, and everyday folks with extraordinary stories, this show blends laughter with real-life depth. If you love clean humor, faith-filled conversations, and the kind of perspective that only comes from decades on the road, you’re in the right place.
This is a fun podcast with some interesting guests like Guy Penrod, Ben Fuller, Rebecca St. James, and more.
Here is the most recent podcast with Jeff joined by Andy Bannister this episode! Andy talks and teaches all across the UK, Canada, and America, and is the Director of Solas.. an evangelism and training organization based in Scotland. Andy is an author, he has produced curious religious books and also stays up on his blog. He holds a PhD in Islam and teaches at many universities about the religion and philosophy. Andy loves discussing faith, philosophy, culture and just general life questions.. Jeff and he discuss being able to ask God questions and not being scared to seek more knowledge.
Are you a soccer (football to most of the world) fan? Have you been following the FIFA World Cup? If so, you may see the "Jesus commercial".
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the current and 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men's soccer championship contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA. The tournament began on June 11 and is scheduled to conclude on July 19, 2026. It is jointly hosted by sixteen cities: eleven in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada. The tournament is the first FIFA World Cup to be hosted by three nations and the first to include 48 teams, an expansion from the previous 32-team format. It has been projected that the 2026 World Cup global audience numbers will reach 5 to 6 billion total viewers with the final match surpassing 1.5 billion viewers worldwide.
The "Jesus commercial" for the FIFA World Cup is a grassroots, faith-based advertising campaign created by the Christian athletic movement Faithful Champions (in collaboration with 6:11 Armor) to share the gospel during the tournament.
The commercial focuses on how soccer/football brings people together, but highlights that the sport and its championships cannot ultimately satisfy the soul. It transitions to a message about identity, pointing viewers to Jesus as the ultimate source of salvation and peace.
"What you are searching for has a name. Will you choose to follow Jesus?
Here is the commercial...
The first ever Jesus Commercial aired for the first time last Friday on the USA vs Australia game.
What do you get when you cross an Engineer with a stand-up comedian? You get Don McMillan. This former chip designer has been doing his one-of-a-kind, PowerPoint-Driven comedy show for audiences for over 20 years. In his show packed with graphs & charts, Don will show you the funny side of your world that has been sitting right in front of you - you are just too busy working to notice.
Don graduated from Stanford University with a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering. He then went to work at AT&T Bell Labs where he was part of the team that designed the world's first 32-bit microprocessor. He then moved to Silicon Valley where he helped launch the start-up company, VLSI Technology. Then after 15 years in the tech world, Don quit his job to become a stand-up comedian. That year he won $100,000 as the Comedy Grand Champion on "Star Search". Don's been seen on "The Tonight Show", "HBO", and the "Comedy Central". These days, Don spends most of his time writing and performing customized corporate comedy shows for companies like Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Ford Motors, and Exxon/Mobil. Don has performed more than 800 corporate shows in the last 20 years and he was named the #1 Corporate Comedian by the CBS Business Network.
In this special Don explains that the difference between a dork and a nerd is harder to spot than you might think. Whether you're someone who is a geek, or you're someone who is a nerd, or maybe you're even someone who is a dork this Dry Bar Comedy special is filled with hilarious power point comedy that is sure to have you laughing from start to finish.
Carly Ann Taylor is an emerging Christian soul-pop artist and songwriter based in Southern California. She is a talented, petite, soft spoken young lady with a big voice and a bigger faith. Carly has quickly made a name for herself in the contemporary Christian music scene with her breakthrough, anxiety-soothing single "Why Should I Worry?"
Known for her soulful, soaring vocals and raw vulnerability, she weaves themes of mental health, redemption, and trusting in God's faithfulness into her work. She actively serves as a youth worship leader at her home church in Encinitas, California.
Her breakout single 'Why Should I Worry,' was not just another debut release, it is the soundtrack to a life-changing moment. Written in the middle of post-college anxiety and a season of depression, the song was born after her mum reminded her of Matthew 6 and God’s promise to provide. What followed felt, in Carly’s words, like a “download from the Lord” at her piano.
Taylor’s music is heavily rooted in her own life story. Here is her story as she tells it:
My name is Carly Ann Taylor and I am from San Diego, California. I was born on the Big Island of Hawai’i, but was adopted by my brother and his wife at 15 years old. My biological parents struggled with drug addiction, as did my older sister. The instability that came with the drug abuse made my life very a chaotic place. I was taken away by Child Protective Services when I was 7 years old and lived in complete dysfunction until I was brought out of that by my new family.
Music has always been a big deal in my family line with very big shoes to fill. Growing up, music was always first before anything else and that created a very toxic environment. There was a time in my life where I refused to pursue music because it became a nuisance. I was only treated kindly by my biological parents when they wanted me to sing and entertain their friends at parties. I was not raised in the church or had any association with church or religion of any kind. I was also never exposed to Christian music growing up.
My freshman year of high-school, my life started going downhill. I was hanging with the wrong crowd, getting into partying, ditching class, and my grades were tanking. I hit rock bottom. I contemplated suicide many times and lived miserably. My housing conditions were just as bad. I moved schools every single year of my life all around the island and never had any stability. The last place I lived was a broken down shack outside of my biological mother’s house. Whenever it rained, I got poured on, and there was no lock to my door, which in fact did not fit to the door frame. I was exposed to the elements and to danger. I had been living in disgusting conditions and had no idea it was not normal.
The summer after my freshman year of high school, in 2017, I got a random call from an older brother who I didn’t grow up with. I didn’t even have his number saved as a contact. We share only a biological father and are 16 years apart in age so naturally we were in different stages of life and never really connected much. That day he called me saying, “Hey Carly! It’s your brother Randy. You’ve been on my heart and I want you to come to California to visit.” Little did I know that conversation would be the beginning of my life completely changing forever. Randy flew me out to California almost immediately. They had a room and a clean bed for me in a house I thought, at the time, was a mansion. I felt like I was in a movie!
As time had gone on during that trip, I began telling Randy and his wife little pieces of things that were happening to me back in Hawai’i. I told them why my clothes smelled like mold and how I had never had a room and bed all to myself, along with other things that I now know made for dangerous living conditions. My life was in danger and I didn’t even realize it. I begged them to stay, and they knew they couldn’t send me back.
That was the trip that changed my life forever because they ended up taking me in as their own child, bringing me to church and I immediately accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Randy and his wife are now who I confidently and joyfully call MY MOM AND MY DAD! Throughout the years of lots of heartache, trials, healing, and recovery, I have been restored and have seen the Lord redeem my story! Immediately after accepting Jesus in 2017, I knew I was created solely to use my voice for Him! To lead others into a meaningful and deep relationship with the Father.
On top of all the blessings I’ve already received from the Lord, I got a scholarship and graduated from college in May 2024 with a degree in Commercial Music Production, with an emphasis in Vocal Performance. I released my first single called “Saved My Soul” in 2023 and have been on an amazing journey as a Worship Artist. I believe God wants me to share my story with others through song and I know He allowed me to go through all these things for a reason. I have only just scratched the surface of what God is going to do in my life.
Want to know more about Carly? Here is a great interview from a couple weeks ago:
Carly has a new song "Heavenly Father" just released this month. I predict that you are going to be hearing a lot more from Carly Ann Taylor in the future.
If you are a Contemporary Christian Music fan, here is a great podcast for you... 1 Degree of Andy Podcast with Andy Chrisman features conversations and behind-the-scenes stories from your favorite classic Christian artists.
From touring in the legendary group 4Him, to working as a Worship Pastor, to leading a radio show, Andy has been a leader and influencer in the Christian Music industry for the last four decades. Does anyone remember 4Him? They were one of my favorite groups when I first started listening to Contemporary Christian Music.
On this podcast, Andy sits down with the singers, songwriters, producers, managers, and leaders behind the music you love. Through candid conversations, you’ll hear untold stories, personal trials, faith journeys, and the heart behind the songs that have impacted the genre forever.
I think this is one of my favorite podcasts. It is very interesting to hear stories about the beginnings of Contemporary Christian Music from the 80's and 90's and how the genre has changed to what it is today.
Lots of great interviews, especially with some of the early CCM artists. Here is a recent one with Matthew West:
If you are a country music fan you know about Ella Langley. Ella is an American singer-songwriter from Alabama who blends outlaw country, modern rock, and traditional storytelling. Her music is known for its gritty Southern rock influences, emotionally charged lyrics, and honeyed vocals. Langley first gained attention through viral social media performances and songwriting collaborations and has become one of the biggest superstars in country music.
At a concert about a month ago Ella stopped her concert cold to deliver a powerful message about Jesus — and the moment left fans in tears. The rising country star paused mid-show to speak openly about her faith, telling the crowd exactly what Jesus means to her and why she refuses to stay quiet about it. Langley has been outspoken about being a Christian and her journey with mental health struggles, including depression.
It is always inspiring to see famous people use their forum to share the message of God.
Here is the song "Loving Life Again" that was discussed in the video.
