San Antonio Beacon May 2017 by The Beacon

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Special ways they have been remembered as mothers and ways they’ve honored their own moms on Mothers’ Day. PG 3

Mark Hall Defeating Suicide

GRAMMY AWARD WINNER, CANCER SURVIVOR, AND BEACON

Interview Pg 2

What ways might break through the dark night of hopelessness? Let’s jump in on this together. PG 7

The Alexander House Out of 2,500 couples that Greg and Julie have worked with directly, only thirty-two couples have not been able to help come back to a happy, healthy, whole marriage. PG 9

Keeping a Healthy Home With Pets People who live with pets report they are happier and healthier than those who don’t. PG 12

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May 2017

The Easter story is the most important story in the history of the world. And it does not belong only to Christians; it is for everyone.

Ten Ways to Honor Mom

Special Gift for Father’s Day! Pg 16 VOL.17 — NO. 5

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ENTERTAINMENT

GRAMMY AWARD WINNING CASTING CROWNS BEACON RADIO INTERVIEW EXCERPTS

Grammy Award this: Being in a band that sold ten million winning Casting albums and its members remain in youth Crowns has been the ministry at churches? Which is more rare? number one selling MARK HALL: In the current climate, the Christian band the past trip to North Korea might be a little more ten years. Though they rare than even it was at the time (laughing). Host Steve Teel have sold over ten milST: You’ve lived a life. North Korea twice! Steve@saBeacon.com lions albums and tour Would you go back if they invited you now? the world, the band members still work in MH: For the sake of the gospel, I would. ministry at their churches in the Atlanta I’d go in a heartbeat. It was such a surreal area. Beacon Radio host Steve Teel recently trip like stepping into a movie. As crazy as it interviewed Crowns’ front man Mark Hall is right now and all the threats that you hear and talked about the band playing in North from them right now I can tell you beyond a Korea, Mark being in youth ministry for 20 shadow of a doubt that the majority of the plus years, and his recent cancer. Here are a people that are trapped living in that country few edited excerpts. Beacon Radio airs Satur- right now under that leadership probably days noon to 1pm on AM630 The Word and have no idea this is even happening. They’ve AM630TheWord.com. got one channel on television. They’ve got STEVE TEEL: I want to play a game written history books telling them what the with you and our listeners: What is more leader wants them to know and all they rare? Being invited as one of the only Ameri- know is what they’re told. There’s no telling can bands to play in North Korea--now if I what they think. For all they know--we’re Advertisement for September 2016 was invited I mayProposed not go. You guys went. Not attacking them. It’s really scary to see what once. But twice. Okay is that more rare than happens when there’s control on media.

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ST: Did you get to sing your Christian songs there or were there constraints? MH: Oh there were constraints. That big festival you heard about for his birthday is what we went for about six or seven years ago. They have artists and musicians from all over the world come, just never usually from America. Usually from Russia and different places like that. So the way Global Resources got us there was by saying to them, “How would you like to have a Grammy Award winning band from the United States come and be a part?” So for all this time I’ve always wondered what’s the use of the Grammys and AMAs and all that stuff was, but that’s what got our feet in the door with North Korea. They wanted to hear traditional folk songs of America so I thought: Amazing Grace is a perfect traditional American folk song (laughing). But we got to do our songs: Who Am I? Voice of Truth, Praise You In This Storm, and I was just praying Acts chapter 2 every time I sang: Lord, let the ones who need to understand what I’m singing, understand it. We had some pretty cool other moments happen that I probably shouldn’t talk about but we had some really good Jesus moments that happened with an individual there. ST: We want you to be able to go back a third time so we’ll hold off on that. Mark, I love youth ministry. I love kids. I love students. I mean, I loved it. But I did not last 25 years, my brother. How have you done that? (both laughing) MH: I think the key is the middle school. I think most youth pastors make friends with the cool high school kids. And then the cool high school kids graduate and then the youth leader graduates ‘cause he doesn’t know anybody else. So as long as you stay connected to the middle school and get to know them and spend time with them as they are coming up. I do a lot of one-on-one discipleship with our students and it’s the relationships that keep you there. ‘Cause I’m definitely not cool anymore. Through relationship you earn the right to speak truth. You don’t lead by a position, you lead by relationships. It doesn’t really matter how old you are if you they know that you love them. ST: Casting Crowns must take up a ton of your time, but what a blessing to remain in youth ministry. Walk us through the cancer experience. One of the songs off your incred-

ible new album (The Very Next Thing) is “O My Soul.” Talk to us about that experience. MH: With O My Soul, I found out about cancer on a Wednesday and Wednesday is youth group day. My doctor is a close friend of mine and he knows my schedule and he knows I’m only in town Sunday to Wednesday. Monday to Wednesday is a whirlwind for me with so many families and hundreds of teenagers, so he’ll see me whenever I can run in and run out. So I have acid reflux and went in to see if it was an ulcer and do a quick scan. I went in for acid reflux and came out with a mass in my kidney. Within an hour we’re saying this kidney’s going to have to come out and that’s likely cancer. That was all in one day. It really took me off guard. I’m a youth pastor. I’m the guy who’s always there for everyone else’s bad news. I’ve walked through this hundreds of times in twenty something years of student ministry but I wasn’t ready for it to be for me. When it hit me, it really rocked me. I felt myself closing up. Thinking, I don’t want people to know this. I don’t want my kids to know this, to be scared, or my youth group to know this. I remember going to youth group that night and I came out and it was a blur that night and my mind was a million places ‘cause no one else knows, just my wife. So I walk out of the church and I remember looking up at the sky in the parking lot and Scripture started coming out in my thoughts. Scriptures that I had read all my life. The first verse that came to my mind was when David was talking to himself, and he said, ‘Why so downcast, o my soul? Why are you so downcast?’ (Psalm 42:5). Put your hope in God. You know who God is. He didn’t stop being who He is just because you don’t understand what’s going on. It was like the fear that I was facing was suddenly having to face the God that I know. From that point on, I couldn’t be afraid and ignore truth. I could be afraid but I had to face truth. I walked right up to my office and I sat down at the piano, a little keyboard in my office, and that song started being birthed that night, the day I found out. ST: That is incredible. It encourages me today. Mark Hall, Casting Crowns, thank you so much.

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FAMILY

Ten Ways to Honor Mom on Mother’s Day BYMARY MAY LARMOYEUX

Not too long ago my mother gave me a copy of a poem that I had written as a child. For some reason, she kept it tucked inside her dresser drawer for decades: MOTHERS Mothers are young and old, Kind of mean and sweet. My mother’s the best of all, lovely and sweet. Her gentle hands, her soft touch, everything about her. She seems to be the only mother in the world for me! She is not like a neighbor or a close friend, but like a mother! When, oh when, there was a mother as sweet and lovely as mine, I do not know! But mine’s a real good one! —by Mary Lucile May (at age 10) Today, as a mother and grandmother myself, I understand why my scribblings meant so much to Mom … why she saved

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my poem for so many years. I now understand that in my childish way, I had called my mother blessed (Proverbs 31:28). I asked some friends about special ways they have been remembered as mothers and ways they’ve honored their own moms on Mothers’ Day. The scope and creativity of their ideas were amazing! I trust that the following ideas will help you honor the special moms in your life: 1. Make a one-of-a-kind booklet for Mom, filled with family photos and handwritten notes. Or, shoot a video capturing how much you appreciate Mom. You might want to film the children in various areas of the house, thanking Mom for the impact she has on their lives in particular rooms. You could also record some original songs or even a family skit. (Contributed by Aileen Ostendorff) 2. Make a recipe book for Mom. Kids can put one together, even if they are very young and don’t know the real recipes. “Anything from my kids like that touched me because you could tell they were so proud because they had made it themselves.” (Contributed by Sharon Hill) Adults or older children may want to add some special things to Mom’s recipe book such as her favorite sayings, Scriptures, tales from Mom’s childhood, copies of her handwritten recipes, some family history, etc. (Contributed by Fran Taylor) 3. After creating a restaurant atmosphere somewhere in the house, children of any age can cook a meal for Mom and serve it to her. “When my kids did this it taught them to give to someone else and also gave them a cooking lesson!” (Contributed by Arlene Kirk)

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With The Help Of This PSA You Will See What Someone With Autism Goes Through BY ANDRE VARTY

4. Give Mom the gift of time—a day to go antiquing, have lunch, or enjoy dessert and coffee later in the day. Reminisce about how she has contributed to your life. Younger kids in the home could give Mom a day at the spa while they clean the house. (Contributed by Betty Rogers) 5. Make a corsage or arrangement out of silk flowers that are similar to the ones that were in her bridal bouquet. (Contributed by Vickie Burnett) 6. Remember Mom with roses or a rose bush. “I try to send Mom yellow roses because that’s her favorite flower.” (Contributed by Mari Peters) 7. Write a poem or heartfelt letter expressing your love and appreciation to Mom. You may want to thank her for her Christian example. A nice touch would be framing the poem/letter with a picture of her holding you as a newborn. Dennis Rainey’s book The Forgotten Commandment

gives step-by-step ideas for writing tributes. (Contributed by Mary Carol Pederson) 8. Make ceramic impressions or plaster imprints of the kids’ hands. “Although our boys are now grown, I can still touch the shape of each finger and thumb. As wonderful as pictures are, they can’t replace those little hands.” (Contributed by Fran Taylor) 9. Give a gift that involves creativity, such as needlework or a craft. “My mother still displays things I made for her 30 years ago as a college student, so I think she liked them!” (Contributed by Carol Scarborough) 10. Host a tea party. “My daughters invited 10 of my close friends to high tea at a local hotel. It was elegant. I felt esteemed. I felt like a little girl who was playing tea party once again.” (Contributed by Betty Rogers) Copyright © 2007 by FamilyLife. All rights reserved.

It can be hard to understand what a person with autism goes through on a daily basis. Thankfully, now you can. To honour Autism Acceptance Day on April 2, the National Autistic Society released a PSA video titled “Make it Stop.” The video follows a 12-year-old girl with autism over the course of her day and demonstrates the struggles she faces. One of the main struggles she has to deal with is the ability to process information. Throughout the video, the girl encounters several people who don’t understand her situation and continuously feed her information without giving her sufficient time.

As the video states, its goal is to make people “understand autism, the person, and the change you can make.” The young girl, Holly, who stars in the video was not only chosen because she can act, but also because she experiences the same thing. For the first time, she was able to speak about her autism and show this video to her classmates so that they too can hopefully understand, according to Mashable. Last year, the National Autistic Society and Don’t Panic, an advertising company, launched a campaign called “Too Much Information” to “change perception of continued on page 6

Program Guide

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Christian Teaching & Talk Seven Days a Week

From our newest program... W E E K D AY S AT 1 2 : 0 0 P M ON AM 630 THE WORD

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And one of our longest running... W E E K D AY S AT 1 1 : 3 0 A M ON AM 630 THE WORD

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Hope For The Heart is a ministry providing biblical hope and practical help for everyday problems. Our desire at Hope For The Heart is to equip you with the help and hope you need so that you can then equip and encourage others.

HOPE FOR THE HEART IS OUR MAY MINISTRY OF THE MONTH

View all our programs at AM630TheWord.com

SUNDAY

At Know The TRUTH, the centerpiece of our ministry is the proclamation of God’s Word... with boldness, clarity and conviction...so that you are free to be the follower of Jesus Christ you are meant to be.

6:00am 6:30am 7:00am 7:30am 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 11:00am 11:30am 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 1:15pm 1:30pm 2:00pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 6:15pm 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 9:00pm 10:30pm 11:00pm

Thru The Bible Real Life Radio Truth For Life Focus On The Family Insight For Living Leading The Way Family Life Today Grace To You Turning Point Pathway To Victory Jay Sekulow Live Hope For The Heart Know The Truth Somebody Loves You Messianic Perspectives Key Life Real Life Radio Chris Brown’s True Stewardship Living God Ministries The Eric Metexas Show The Word to Stand of for Life Maranatha Bible Church John Haggee Today Grace Revealed Messianic Perspectives Calvary Current Focus On The Family The Word On Investing Turning Point Pentecostes Sigue su Marcha Hope in the Night

J. Vernon McGee Sean Azzaro, River City Community Church Alistair Begg Jim Daly Chuck Swindoll Michael Youssef Dennis Rainey John MacArthur David Jeremiah Robert Jeffress Jay Sekulow June Hunt Philip De Courcy Raul Ries Gary Hedrick Steve Brown Sean Azzaro - River City Chris Brown Aaron Budjen Eric Metaxas Ron Arbaugh - Calvary Chapel Rander Draper - Maranatha Bible Church John Haggee - Cornerstone Church J.D. Link - Abundant Grace Gary Hedrick Bunjee Garrett- Calvary South Austin Jim Daly David Mitchell David Jeremiah George Weber - Templo Pentecostal June Hunt

7:00am 7:30am 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 10:00am 10:30am 11:00am 12:00pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 1:45pm 2:30pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 4:30pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 7:30pm 8:00pm 9:00pm

Paws And Tails Adventures in Odyssey Parenting Unchained Kathleen Whitten Ministries Learn to Buy and Sell Cars nextTalk The Cross At Kerrville Hill Country Institute Live Beacon Radio High Resolution Believers In Business Believing the Bible Real Life Radio The Word On Investing Church of the Week Rehoboth Voice Prophetic Voice Of Our Time RCCG Salvation Center Focus On the Family Weekend Parenting Unchained Maranatha Bible Church The Christian Outlook His Life Revealed

Insight For Living Focus On The Family Jim Dempsey Kathleen Whitten Randy Adams Mandy Majors & Kim Elerick Max Greiner Larry Linenschmidt Steve Teel Kurt Hudspeth KSLR Scott Lane & Terry Read Sean Azzaro - River City David Mitchell Baron Wiley Johnson Varkey Mike & Cris Sosso - Freedom Fellowship Koye Sanni - RCCG Salvation Center John Fuller Jim Dempsey Rander Draper - Maranatha Bible Church Don Kroah Todd Grainger - His Life Ministries

7:00am 7:30am 8:00am 8:30am 9:00am 9:30am 10:00am 10:30am 12:00pm 12:30pm 1:00pm 1:30pm 2:00pm

Calvary Current Road To Reality Peace By Believing Living Your Best Life Bible Baptist Hour Doctrinal Bible Studies Revival Ministry Grace To You - Weekend Kathleen Whitten Ministries High Resolution KSLR’s Church Of The Week Leading the Way - Weekend His Life Revealed

Bunjee Garrett - Calvary South Austin K.P. Yohannan Jon Redmond Les Hollon - Trinity Baptist Lasserre Bradley Jr. Pastor R.B. Thieme Jr. GD Coppedge John MacArthur Kathleen Whitten Kurt Hudspeth - Four Winds Baron Wiley Michael Youssef Todd Grainger - His Life Ministries

2:30pm

Hope for the Heart

June Hunt

3:00pm

Turning Point Weekend

David Jeremiah

3:30pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 5:30pm 6:00pm 7:00pm 8:00pm

The Word On Investing The Cross at Kerrville Phophetic Voice Of Our Time RCCG Salvation Center Focus on the Family Abortion Hurts God Heals You Are A Dad

David Mitchell Max Greiner Mike & Cris Sosso - Freedom Fellowship Koye Sanni - RCCG Salvation Center John Fuller Saundra Decker & Virginia Lange Brad Cornell

9:00pm

The Bible Live Quiz Show

Soapy Dollar

11:00pm Steve Brown ETC

Steve Brown

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Calorie Craze: How College Made Me Think Twice About Cutting Calories BY LAUREN ROBERTSON, Beacon Intern

Calories seem to have a negative connotation in today’s health nut craze. Nutrition is key and at the foundational source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals is calories. Our bodies crave calories in the form of carbs, proteins, and fats to operate properly. Supermarkets stock shelves with low calorie, low carb, fat-free, and other health “improvements” on products we love. With some many variations it can be hard to sift through the overwhelming amount of products. Health.com reports an estimated 59% of consumers have difficulty deciphering the true health value of provided nutrition labels. Protein bars, low-calorie snacks, and pre-packaged food are practical for a student on the go like me. As my lifestyle has changed and quickened pace, I have become more conscientious about what I put into my body. A favorite afternoon snack of mine is the classic apple and peanut butter pairing. Just like “choosy moms”, I am a fan of Jiff

Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter. With 190 calo- unnatural fillers and preservatives that regries per serving, 16 grams of fat, and 7 ular consumers like you and me cannot recgrams of protein, peanut butter is healthy ognize on labels such as: Monosodium Glubut must be consumed in moderation. One tamate (MSG), Butylated hydroxyanisole grocery trip, a neatly presented green(BHA), and butylated hydrozyttoluene labeled Jiff Pea(BHT) to name a nut Butter jar offenders. Overall, a simple rule of thumb is the few Overall, boasting 25% a less ingredients and more words you simple rule of less fat caught my attention. is the less know in the ingredients list, the more thumb Trying to cut a ingredients and few calories, I wholesome and natural the product is more words you gave it a try and know in the for your body. could taste little ingredients list, difference. Howthe more wholeever, upon closer examination, I realized by some and natural the product is for your sacrificing 25% less fat I had nearly doubled body. my sodium consumption per serving (200 Wholesome foods high in protein and mg in fat reduced Jiff verses 105 mg in regu- fiber will keep your body in shape. Likely lar). the most important nutrient for young After this, I began to notice a trend adults is protein. According to Memory among products labeled as “fat reduced”, Foundation, “Protein is brain-food at its fin“half the sodium”, or “light”. When one est!” The Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciingredient decreased, another had to be ences further affirms, “Protein energy maladded in order to fill the product container nutrition, led to poor student performance, which was now void of the original ingrediand was also a cause of lethargy, and chilent. Often companies do this by adding dren becoming passive and withdrawn”. No matter how active you are, protein is critical for full cognitive capacity. My biology professor even encourages her students to bring coffee and granolas into class to kick our brains into gear in

order to focus better in class. My intro-business professor claimed the leading distraction for students (with the exception of social media) was hunger. And throughout my experimentation as a student, they have been right. I quickly found often a study snack did more for me than drinking caffeine. With such a grand opportunity to study at a private university such as Baylor, I prioritize proper care and nourishment so I can capitalize on the opportunity God has granted me. After all, the Creator gave us food as a means to enrich and enhance our lives. All in all, calories are not the bad guys. They provide us with fuel for day to day activities whether it be mental or physical. So next time you are drawn in my the “lowcalorie, no carb, zero sugar” labels, think twice about what other critical nutrients you are depriving yourself of. Resource Links: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2805706/#!po=3.75723 http://memory.foundation/2012/02/14/ why-your-brain-needs-protein/ http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20599288,00.html http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/30/worst-food-ingredients.aspx

6 BEST MOVIES FOCUSED ON SENIORS BY JAN BOLDER

Movies about seniors aren’t exactly a hot point in Hollywood, even though seniors comprise 12.4% of the country’s population. The rise in baby boomers has meant that seniors will soon be the overwhelmingly dominant demographic, and Hollywood has done little in the way to acknowledge this. However, of the movies made about seniors, there are a number of excellent ones, and we take a look at the ones that have made this list.

Amour This heartbreaking tale looks at a French couple, both of whom are former music teachers. One day, Georges arrives at the frightening realization that his wife, Anne, is slipping away from him and he makes the tough choice to keep her in their home as long as possible. At his age, it’s no easy task, especially when Anne continues to get worse and worse. By the end, the effect of Anne’s decline — and demise — has a powerful effect on Georges and an even stronger one on the viewer. Away from Her In 2001, Canadian short story writer Alice Munro published a book called Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage, with one particular title sticking continued on page 14

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DEFEATING SUICIDE by KIRK FREEMAN, Pastor CrossBridge Community Church

Even without citing statistics, we all instead, to seem them as having intrinsic have a sense that suicide is on the rise. value. This involves caring for people even Teens bully other teens toward suicide on when we don’t see how it will benefit us. It social media...Netflix is capitalizing on our means prioritizing people above tasks and teens’ fascination with suicide by creating a things. It means engaging them, talking to new series based on the book, “13 Reasons them, caring for them. Why”....23 veterans commit suicide each One of the most practical things I can do day. to put this idea into action is to put my Hopelessness and loneliness almost iPhone down. It’s easy for it to be in my face always precede suicide. Our culture is ripe every spare moment...in the doctor’s waiting with this because we so value individualism room...in the bleachers before a game... and independence. People can be inundated standing in line for something. When I do with shallow relationships via texting and this, I take myself out of action. I make social media, yet myself unavailstill be unknown Part of the answer to the problem of able for spontaat the level where neous interachopelessness and suicide is for us to look at people differ- tions with others. loneliness reside. ently, to look past their value in market- A person can live It’s that lonelyin a virtual world place or their ability to bring value or and yet feel isobut-never-alone thing. in the real our lives and, instead, to seem them as lated Part of our world. problem as a cul- having intrinsic value. Another powture is that we erful idea is to often value other people only to the degree intentional encourage others. My calendar that they’re able to help us achieve our reminds me regularly to text or call certain goals. We can fall into a routine of viewing people to build them up. (This is a great use others as “machine people,” assigning value of an iPhone.) When my reminder alerts me, to them based upon how they serve or help it cause me to stop and think about what I us. Sometimes we look at others as “landlove or admire about that person and then I scape people,” they’re just part of our surshoot them a text. It’s really affirming when roundings, simply people we have to deal they let me know how my word of encourwith or work around to get where we want agement impacted them. to go. What else could you do to break down Part of the answer to the problem of sui- walls? What could you do to build others up cide is for us to look at people differently, to and diminish loneliness? What other ways look past their value in marketplace or their might break through the dark night of hopeability to bring value or our lives and, lessness? Let’s jump in on this together.

WHAT SOMEONE WITH AUTISM GOES THROUGH continued from page 4

autism forever.” The launch of the campaign included a video called “Can you make it to the end?” which gave viewers a first-person perspective of the struggles that a young boy with autism faces. Their latest “Make it Stop” video is a continuation of this campaign. According to Don’t Panic, the campaign achieved great success in the U.K. and was able to bring in over 25,000 signatures for a petition calling for the Parliamentary in the U.K. to “close the autism employment gap and get more autistic people into work.” In an article published by the Chicago Tribune in 2012, they reported on a study

that revealed that “more than one-third of young adults with an autism spectrum disorder had not gotten a job or gone into higher education since high school.” They estimated that about one in 88 kids in the U.S. have autism spectrum disorder. At least one per cent of the world’s population has autism, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, yet many people still don’t understand the disorder, or have misconceptions of it. Hopefully now, with the help of NAS’s new PSA video and campaign, more people will be able to understand and be aware of the difficulties faced by people with autism everywhere.

Student Writers Program The Beacon has an exciting new program to watch out for… Our Student Writers Initiative. The young people in the community are getting out in the community and sharing their stories of service, as well as spotlighting different ministries and organizations in San Antonio and the surrounding areas.

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ENTERTAINMENT

the alexander house BEACON RADIO INTERVIEW EXCERPTS Greg and Julie Alexander lead a marriage ministry called The Alexander House and have impacted thousands of couple Host Steve Teel with workshops, Steve@saBeacon.com coaching, and their book, “Marriage 911: How God Saved Our Marriage (and Can Save Yours Too!).” Out of 2,500 couples that Greg and Julie have worked with directly, only thirty-two couples have not been able to help come back to a happy, healthy, whole marriage. Beacon Radio Host Steve Teel recently interviewed Greg and Julie and talked about their story, God’s design for marriage, and several other miracles. Here are a few edited excerpts. STEVE TEEL: We’ve got some hope, inspiration, and maybe some change too today. My guests are Greg and Julie Alexander. Let’s talk about what you guys are doing. Tell us about the ministry. GREG ALEXANDER: I’ll tell you how the ministry got started, Steve. After about ten years of marriage Julie and I had concluded that the only way for us to rediscover happiness was to get a divorce. I say that now, at that point in time living our lives based on what the world had to say about marriage. Everything for us was all about the job, about the money, and the things you did with that money. By society’s standards we were very successful, but unfortunately at the sacrifice of our marriage and family life. After no longer finding happiness in the stuff we were acquiring, unfortunately we both started looking for that happiness in other people. When those secrets were discovered we just simply concluded that, “hey, if we need to resort to this kind of behavior, then it’s really not much of a marriage here, and we need to divorce and move on and maybe find somebody else to do it all over again.” STEVE: So often I hear about relationships that are breaking or broken and I hear about one spouse that is cheating or committing adultery but it so happens in this case that you both were. You guys are very open about this in your book, “Marriage 911,” correct? JULIE ALEXANDER: Yes, we were very open. We’re an open book. It was very difficult when we started our ministry we just

let people know that we had a few problems. And then, some couple would come to us and we’d say, “Okay, we had a little bit more than just some problems.” We had every problem you could ever have in a marriage. And then it got to the point, we were writing the book and it was difficult, to literally take our life and be an open book and put our sins in black and white and it’s going to be there forever? That’s hard to do. And I didn’t want to do it. I kept saying this is ridiculous, people don’t need to know everything. Mainly I didn’t want my mom and dad to read it. But I heard a small voice in my head and it said, ‘Literally, if one couple, if one person, one soul, comes closer to Christ because of what you put in this book, then why are you holding back?’ So we had to write the book. But, Steve, on a daily basis, we are in awe and wonderment of what God does through our mess. He is restoring people’s hearts and couples and marriages all over the world just through our sharing the story. THREE QUESTIONS GREG AND JULIE ASK COUPLES SEEKING HELP FOR THEIR MARRIAGE: First question is: Is your marriage relationship something you want and are you willing to do the things that we ask of you in our time together? Second one is: Do you have the faith in Jesus Christ that he can redeem your marriage? It’s not just hinged on his ability but also on the faith and actions of the individuals. Third is: Does God have your permission to come into your marriage to allow for these changes to take place? God has given us free will and he will not impede on us. See GregAndJulie.online for more information and to learn about their new online Marriage 411 courses. If your marriage needs immediate 911 help, get Greg and Julie’s book or if you know of a marriage that is off track or just needs some encouragement, give “Marriage 911: How God Saved Our Marriage (and Can Save Yours Too!),” as a gift. Beacon Radio’s Steve Teel interviews difference makers like Greg and Julie Alexander every Saturday noon to 1pm on AM630 The Word and AM630TheWord.com See saBeacon.com for the entire audio interview.

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FAMILY

Three Practical Ways to Unify through Leadership BY DARRYL LYONS

The beauty of a church choir is unison of voice. There is a collective coordination of pace, volume, and passion. The final product of music is a result of countless hours of practice by all participants. The only way to develop this unison is by someone stepping up as a leader to ensure that there isn’t a deviation from the methodology and common purpose. This requires effort and focus. It is the leader’s responsibility to get everyone in the organization to sing from the same sheet of music. This task requires three carefully crafted strategies that must be executed with excellence. 1. Establish a common language. There are many ways to establish a common language. The idea behind establishing a common language is that when decisions are made and you are not present, the team members can reference a universal principle that you established to make a decision. For example, one of our company principles that I often remind my team is, “Robust conversation surfaces reality.” When a disagreement erupts and nerves get rattled, this principle guides the dialogue to a healthy place inde1/4 page ad pendent of personal attacks. By establishing

company principles, values, and even a mission statement you are setting up common language. To take this a step further, consider collectively gathering at a motivational seminar or workshop to get the team to participate in the establishment of common language. An excellent forum to do this is coming up in August of 2017. It is called The Global Leadership Summit, and you can learn more at www.willowcreek.com/summit. 2. Set the pace. There is an old saying that the “speed of the leader is the speed of the pack.” As I write this, our company is closed for the day and I made a point to come in and get caught up on work. I could have done my catch up work on a different day and time, but I was intentional. My team is noticing the extra effort and rallies around all leaders and their commitment. Get to the office early. Focus on the little things. I know that my team is watching my pace

and they will recognize that the pace is set and it’s their job to keep up. John Maxwell in his book, Becoming a Person of Influence says that the first stepping stone of leadership is modeling. Before we can motivate, mentor, or multiply, we have to model the pace at which our organization runs. 3. Consistent Reminding. Don’t cuss and fuss over a mission statement, stick on the website and walk away. This authentic identification is a tool to encourage and inspire. The leader’s job is to become the CRO (Chief Reminding Officer). The leader must consistently remind the team of the mission and vision of the organization. If there is not a reminder, then the team will revert to the pain of remedial tasks and drudgery of something called “work.” Take note of a Bloomberg publication (below) recognizing that Millennials want two things: (1) an ability to innovate, and (2) purpose. Even though this particular genera-

It is the leader’s responsibility to get everyone in the organization to sing from the same sheet of music.

tion is more articulate in their desire for purpose, I would suggest to you that all of your team members have an innate desire to participate in a cause. Even if you are a charitable nonprofit organization, do not forget to remind your team consistently of the impact and the change that your organization is making in the world. Leaders have to be focused on unifying in both the organization and the body of Christ. In Acts 20:28(NIV) we are reminded to, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” The Christian leader’s role is different from the secular in the fact that execution of excellence comes as a result of our dependence upon God. With an attitude of dependence, we will receive a supernatural common language, pace, and consistency that can only come from our creator. Then, our collective choir voices will not be out of tune. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-06-24/the-companies-where-millennials-want-to-work-the-most

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FAITH

JOY COMES BECAUSE JESUS COMES BY MAX LUCADO

Maybe it was the way he said her name. 18 NKJV). The inflection. The tone. The Galilean To her! Of all the people to whom he accent. Maybe it was the memory associcould have spoken, he went first to her. He’d ated with it, the moment she first heard just ripped the gates off of the hinges of hell. someone say her name without demons He’d just yanked the fangs out of Satan’s screaming it in her mind. mouth. He’d just turned BC into AD. Jesus “Mary.” was the undisputed King of the universe. She’d come to the tomb early that morn- Ten thousand angels stood in rapt attention ing. Before the sun was up. Before anyone ready to serve. And what was his first act? knew the Son was up. She found the tomb To whom did he go? To Mary; the weeping, to be empty except for some angels she mis- heartbroken woman who once had seven took for grave robbers. She told them that demons. she would retrieve the body if they would Why? Why her? As far as we know, she disclose the location. didn’t become a missionary. No epistle bears That’s when Jesus spoke her name. her name. No New Testament story “Mary.” describes her When she Your name is not buried in some heav- work. Why did heard the voice Jesus create this enly file. God needs no nametag to jog moment for she knew the source. “She Mary Magdahis memory about you. Your name is turned and said lene? I can’t help tattooed, engraved on his hand. He has but think it was to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is to prove this more thoughts about you than the to say, Teacher)” promise: “Weep(John 20: 16 ing may last Pacific coast has grains of sand. NKJV). In a secthrough the ond. In a pivot of the neck. In the amount of night, but joy comes with the morning” time it took to rotate her head from this (Psalm 30:5 NLT). Joy comes because Jesus way to that, her world went from dead Jesus comes. If we don’t recognize his face, he will to a living one. call our names. “See, I have engraved you on She threw her arms around him. We the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:16 NIV). know this to be true because of the next Your name is not buried in some heavwords Jesus said: “Don’t hold on to me, enly file. God needs no nametag to jog his because I have not yet gone up to the memory about you. Your name is tattooed, Father” (John 20: 17 NCV). engraved on his hand. He has more Maybe she fell at his feet and held his thoughts about you than the Pacific coast ankles. has grains of sand. Maybe she threw her arms around his You are everything to God. shoulders and held him close. Do you find this hard to believe? You We don’t know how she held him. We think I’m talking to someone else? Someone just know, for a moment, she did. who is holier, better, nicer? Someone who And Jesus let her do so. How wonderful didn’t screw up their marriage or mess up a that he did! That the resurrected Lord was career? Someone who didn’t get hooked on not too holy, too otherly, too divine, and pills or porn or popularity? You think I’m supernatural to be hugged. talking to someone else. Someone should paint this scene. CapI’m not. I’m talking directly to you. ture it in oil and frame it on canvas. The I’m saying that the greatest news in the brilliant golden sunrise. The open tomb. world is not that God made the world, but Angels watching from a distance. The that God loves the world. He loves you. You white-robed Messiah. The joy-filled Mary. did not earn this love. His love for you will Her arms around him. His eyes upon her. If not end if you lose your temper. His love for you are the one to paint this scene, be sure you will not fade if you lose your way. His to include the reflection of the sunrise in love for you will not diminish if your discithe tears of Mary. And, by all means, paint a pline does. broad smile on the face of Jesus. You have never lived one unloved day. “Mary Magdalene came and told the disSomeone told you that God loves good ciples that she had seen the Lord, and that people. Wrong. There are no good people. he had spoken these things to her” (John 20: Someone told continued on page 14

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PETS

Keeping a Healthy Home With Pets BY MICHELE BLOOMQUIST

There’s no doubt about it — pets add joy and contentment to a home. In fact, numerous studies have shown that people who live with pets report they are happier and healthier than those who don’t. And yet there are health factors those who keep furry friends inside should heed — such as managing the shedding, fleas and ticks, accidents, and other issues indoor pets can bring. And with 70 percent of U.S. households home to a dog or cat, according to American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, that includes just about everyone. Approximately 10 to 15% of people are allergic to pets. Cat allergies outnumber dog allergies two-to-one. “There really is no allergy-free pet,” says Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America spokesperson Angel Waldron. “There are just pets with less dander.” Dander, a common source of pet allergies, is dead skin shed by pets on a daily basis. Urine and saliva are other typical sources of pet allergies. Still, about one-third of Americans allergic to cats decide the benefits of animal companionship outweigh the downside of allergy symptoms and decide to keep cats anyway. In such cases, there are steps one can take to

Keeping a petfriendly and easyto-clean home is beneficial to your health — allergies or not.

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minimize the reactions, says Waldron. And allergies aren’t the only reason to think about your pet’s affect on your environment. Keeping a pet-friendly and easy-toclean home is beneficial to your health — allergies or not. Keep the following tips in mind to make your home a haven for yourself and your furry friends: Limit Access: Your spend a lot of your time in your bedroom. Therefore, limiting a pet’s access to sleeping quarters is key for people with allergies, says Waldron. Keep the door shut, set up sleeping quarters for Fido or Fifi elsewhere, and make the bedroom a dander-free zone. If allergies are severe, limiting the pet’s access to other shared areas may also be needed. Have someone without allergies handle tasks such as grooming, maintaining the pet’s bedding, and cleaning the litter box. Because dander can linger, it may take weeks or even months to see results. Think Hardscaping: Wall-to-wall carpeting may be comforting underfoot, but it can also provide a haven for dander, fleas or ticks, and be difficult to clean if the pet has an accident. “Hard flooring is the best option for pet owners,” Waldron says. Think tile, linoleum, vinyl, hardwood, laminate, or concrete when choosing flooring options. Renters or those who can’t replace flooring can still keep pets out of carpeted areas. Area rugs over hard flooring — vacuumed weekly and steam-cleaned monthly — are a better solution for those who can’t stand the thought of bare floors, Waldron says. Be Wash and Wear: Pet owners are wise

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to choose easy-to-clean furniture as well. Leather, wood, or plastic don’t stain as easily or trap dander or fur, and can be wiped down with a damp rag. Plain water works excellently, Waldron says, and won’t irritate those sensitive to chemicals like commercial cleaners. When fabric must be used, choose a smooth surface, such as microfiber. Another tip: For less lint-rolling choose furniture that complement the color of your pet’s fur, rather than contrasts with it. A beige couch is a better choice for a home with a golden retriever than a navy blue one, for instance. If someone in the home has pet allergies, keep pets off upholstered furnishings altogether. Suck It Up: Frequent vacuuming (at least once a week) of carpeted and hard flooring is key to eliminating shed hair and dander in the home, Waldron says. Look for a model with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter, which can trap over 99 percent of small particles, such as dust and dander. Empty canisters or change vacuum bags frequently, and make sure filters are clear as well, because a clogged vacuum can literally turn into a dander-spreading device, shooting clouds of dust and debris in its wake. If

someone in the home is especially allergic, consider purchasing a second vacuum for use in their bedroom only to prevent cross contamination from other areas. Seal it Off: Likewise, a home’s central air unit can become a mode of transportation for pet dander as well. Install HEPA filters and consider closing off vents to bedrooms where family members with allergies sleep or covering the vents with filter fabric to trap debris, Waldron recommends. A HEPA air filter unit in the bedroom itself adds another layer of protection against allergens. Be Slick: Finally, don’t forget dander, oils from the animal’s skin, and dirt can build up on walls, doors, and trim that pets rub against . Gloss or semi-gloss paints are easier to clean, and stand up to repeated wipedowns better than flat paint. Pet owners should avoid heavily textured wall coverings or heavy fabric drapery, as well. “Less is more,” says Waldron. By keeping these simple tactics in mind, pet owners and their companion animals can continue to share a happy and healthy home. And that’s good for everyone.

Northside Church of Christ

Seeking Children’s Ministry Associate Do you have a passionate heart for teaching and working with children and their parents? Do you communicate well with others and have a heart for Jesus? The Northside Children’s Ministry is seeking a person with excellent interpersonal and organizational skills to assist with our dynamic ministry for approximately 350 children, newborn through 5th grade. This is a full-time, paid position, which includes weekday clerical office hours in addition to being present on Sundays/Wednesdays to teach or supervise as our children are learning God’s word. Are you interested in coming alongside our Children’s Minister as our program continues to grow? If you would like to know more about this opportunity, you may email your questions, or submit your resume with references, to: childrenscommittee@nsoc.org.

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THE 10 MOST VISITED CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES BY FOREIGN TRAVELERS BY TRAVELER’S DIGEST

The 2013 year-end statistics are in from the National Travel and Tourism Office on the most popular cities in the United States with international visitors. Altogether, 32 million international travelers ventured to the United States in 2013 and almost all of them managed to make it to one of these 10 cities. While no city managed to change their 2012 position in the ranking, we can see from the spectacular and not-so-spectacular growth of some cities which cities are on the rise and which ones will soon be surpassed in 2014’s ranking of the most visited cities in the United States. It’s important to note that visitors from Mexico and Canada are excluded from these statistics, which is why we don’t see an abundance of border cities.

10. Boston, Massachusetts, with 1,282,000 visitors

visited city in the United States. Visitors to the city can enjoy learning about the American Revolution and strolling around the beautiful campus of Harvard. Boston also has some great seafood, like lobster rolls, and some great sports teams. 9. Chicago, Illinois, with 1,378,000 visitors Chicago’s growth stalled in 2013, as it only received 10,000 more visitors than in 2012. It’s not like Chicago doesn’t have a lot going for it – the deep-dish pizza, storied sports teams, stunning architecture and a host of new luxury hotels – but it clearly needs to increase its international visibility. 8. Washington DC with 1,698,000 visitors Though Washington DC is the 8th most visited city in the United States, it was also the only city in the top 10 to receive less visitors in 2013 than it did in 2012 – a 3% drop. Though it remains popular with American visitors, the museums of the Smithsonian can’t compete with the international draw of New York’s better known art museums and the city simply doesn’t have the international air connections of its bigger, Northeastern rival. 7. Honolulu, Hawaii, with 2,563,000 visitors

Honolulu saw a drastic 15% increase in visitors in 2013, as Hawaii continues to Boston has a healthy 500,000-visitor lead exceed expectations. Despite worries in the Advertisement for August 2016 over the number 11Proposed city, San Diego, and is sure local tourism industry that Japanese visitors to keep its position in 2014 as the 10th most are cooling on continued on page 14

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