WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

GOV. ABBOTT CALLS SPECIAL SESSION FOR SCHOOL CHOICE.

OTHER STATES HAVE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

PUBLIC EDUCATION HAS NOT BEEN DESTROYED BY E.S.A.S.

REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT PARENTS OVERWHELMING WANT SCHOOL CHOICE.

BLACKS, HISPANICS, ASIANS, AND WHITES ALL WANT SCHOOL CHOICE.

HAS THE TIPPING POINT BEEN REACHED FOR SCHOOL CHOICE IN TEXAS?

PLUS: BRING YOUR BIBLE TO SCHOOL DAY.

AND: WHAT ARE THE MOST PRODUCTIVE YEARS?

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.

PARENTAL EMPOWERMENT IN TEXAS

Discussed by Jermey “JD” Newman
with Texas Homeschool Coalition (www.thsc.org)

Parental empowerment through School Choice and Education Savings Accounts have been accomplished in several states.

Today, Jeremy “JD” Newman discusses details about School Choice and Education Savings Accounts, how tax payers and public school are affected, and what choices parents should have for their children’s education. Jeremy is the VP of Policy and Engagement at the Texas Home School Coalition.

Click here for all the information you need to know about homeschooling in Texas.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What is “parental empowerment”?

Will parental empowerment cause an increase in property taxes?

What is an Education Savings Account?

Have public schools in states with School Choice/Education Savings Accounts been decimated because of a loss of funds?

In Texas, how much money is allocated for each student enrolled in public school?

If Texas passes parental empowerment, how much money will each family receive for their child’s education?

Are elected officials in Austin trying to help parents be empowered with their children’s education? How many bills were filed during the last Legislative Session?

Governor Abbott has to called a Special Session to begin October 9th to address School Choice and Education Savings Account. What does Jeremy expect to happen?

Why are educators against parental empowerment? Why are some homeschoolers against parental empowerment?

Click here to help support the Texas Home School Coalition.

OCTOBER 5, 2023: BRING YOUR BIBLE TO SCHOOL DAY

Discussed by Emerson Collins
with Bring Your Bible to School Day (www.BringYourBible.org)

We should all carry kindness, compassion, love, and an unfailing commitment to share God’s Truth with others – even students in public school.

Emerson Collins has all the details about the 9th Annual Bring Your Bible to School Day on Thursday, October 5, 2023.

Click here to register.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is Bring Your Bible to School Day an effective witnessing tool?

Does Bring Your Bible to School Day highlight two of the most important freedoms that we have in this life?

Why should students register for Bring Your Bible to School Day? Click the link above to register.

Are there personal testimonies from students about their experience participating in Bring Your Bible to School Day? Emerson shares several touching stories…

Is our culture searching and hurting for truth? The theme verse for the 9th Annual Bring Your Bible to School Day is John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your Word is truth.”

Why should churches become involved in Bring Your Bible to School Day?

What other resources are available at the website for Bring Your Bible to School Day?

Click here to help support Bring Your Bible to School Day, a division of Focus on the Family.

THE PRODUCTIVE YEARS

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

What are the most productive years of a persons’ life? It’s probably not what you think! Listen as Terry Lowry, host of the What’s UP Radio Program, offers inspiration and encouragement.

SOURCE: N.Engl.J .Med. 70,389 (2018)

GENESIS: INTERVIEW WITH DR. MICHAEL LOYD

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

Day 3

This week, Mark Lanier interviews Dr. Michael Loyd, the Principal of Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University, discussing Dr. Loyd’s newest book, “Image Bearers: Restoring Our Identity and Living Out Our Calling”, which centers on the book of Genesis and human beings created in the image of God.

Click here for all the information about Dr. Michael Loyd.

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

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Is God interested in art and beauty? Dr. Michael Loyd shares about his personal struggle with depression…

Why did God create us to be relational beings? How does this reflect the image of God?

Why did God create males and females to be so different, yet both are made in His own image?

We are all made to be unique human beings. How can our differences be connected together to bring non-believers to the Kingdom of God?

What happened to the image of God that is in humanity after the fall?

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

TAMING THE UNTAMABLE

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

Day 3

Do your words reflect a faith in Jesus Christ?

Pastor Scott Riling continues the sermon series on the book of James. Their desire during this series is for you to grow in a sincere and genuine faith, firmly knowing what you believe and why, and then living out that belief in your daily interactions with those in your home and community.

Scripture Passage: James 3:1-12

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:

THE RUDDER (James 3:4-5a)
How big is a rudder on a boat? How can it possibly help steer and guide a gigantic boat?
How can the tongue (your words) change the entire course of your life? (Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 12:25)
Are your words helping or hurting others? Are you constantly speaking negative words about yourself and others? Pastor Jarrett shares a tweet and video by football player Deion Sanders…

THE FIRE (James 3:5b-6)
How can one little word spark a fire? Think of slander, lying, gossip, complaining, bragging, whining, and criticizing…
Remember the Garden of Eden? How did the first sin (lying and trying to deceive God) set fire to our relationship with God? Think about it!

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

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your faithfulness, your forgiving kindness, and your compassion.

Sometimes life can be rough.

We cry out in pain, discomfort, sadness, loneliness, fear, and bewilderment.

Hold us close to your heart.

Whisper in our ears that everything will be okay.

May we choose to walk the narrow path between your guardrails.

May we cry out for your forgiveness, your guidance, and your protection.

Father, you are the potter and we are the clay.

You are the maker and we are your handiwork.

You have made each of us a masterpiece.

You do not make mistakes.

Father, create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within our hearts.

Fill us with an outpouring of your Holy Spirit.

May your light shine through us.

Speak through our words and our action as we share the good news.

The harvest is vast and the laborers are few.

May we cry out: “Here I am, Lord. Use me here and now.”

Father, as we go throughout our day, hear our pleas, dry our tears, and collect them in your bottle.

May we walk in a manner worthy of the LORD Jesus.

May we all bear fruit in every good work and increase in the knowledge of our GOD.

May your saints shout: “Hallelujah! I am saved. Heaven is my destination and I am just a pilgrim passing through.”

Praying by and through the name of Jesus Christ,

Amen