99.9 FM is on the air in Grand Rapids!

Can you hear us now? 99.9 FM is on the air in Grand Rapids! As you're out and about this week, we would like to know where the new 99.9 signal goes in both the home and the car. The tech team is always working improve Smile FM's signal and your report can help them out! Email signal reports to 411 @ smile.fm

97.1 FM On The Air In Traverse City!

Can you hear us now? 97.1 FM is on the air in Traverse City! As you're out and about this week, we would like to know where the new 97.1 signal goes in both the home and the car. The tech team is always working improve Smile FM's signal and your report can help them out! Email signal reports to 411 @ smile.fm

Blessings we take for granted

As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, I
encourage you to make a list of blessings you may
take for granted. My list for 2014 might help you think of others:

1. Do you have religious freedom? The majority of
the world's population­75 percent­live in areas
with severe religious restrictions. And
Christians in more than 60 countries face
persecution simply because of their belief in
Jesus Christ. About 1.6 billion people in the
world live in repressive societies where they
have no say in how they are governed.

2. Do you make your own decisions? There are 29.8
million people living as slaves today, according
to the Walk Free Foundation. These people live as
forced laborers, forced prostitutes, child
soldiers and child brides in forced marriages.
Walk Free investigated 162 countries and found slaves in every one.

3. Do you have money in a bank? More than 2.5
billion adults around the world are unbanked,
according to data based on Gallup polling in 148
countries. Two-thirds of people without accounts
said they simply don't have enough money to use a bank.

4. Do you own shoes? About 300 million children
around the world don't own a pair of shoes. It is
estimated that two billion people worldwide are
currently plagued with parasitic diseases that
could be prevented simply by wearing proper footwear.

5. Do you drink clean water? About 1.1 billion
people in the world don't have access to clean
drinking water. Because of that, about 9 million
people will die this year because of
water-related illnesses. The next time you open a
bottle of Dasani or drink from your tap, remember
that millions of women around the world spend an
average of four hours daily walking to get water.

6. Did your mother survive when you were born?
Approximately 800 women die every day from
complications during pregnancy and childbirth.
This is equivalent to 33 women an hour. Almost
all these deaths occurred in developing
countries, and most could have been prevented.

7. Did you live past age 5? Some 21,000 children
die every day around the world because of poverty
and preventable diseases. That is equivalent to
one child dying every four seconds. The annual
death toll is 7.6 million children a year.

8. Do you eat three meals a day? The World Health
Organization estimates that one-third of the
world's population is overfed, one-third is
underfed and one-third is starving. Approximately
925 million people in the developing world are chronically undernourished.

9. Do you enjoy reliable electricity? About 1.5
billion people in this world have no access to
electrical power. Do you enjoy that oven in your
kitchen? The next time you prepare a meal,
remember that 2.5 billion people in the world
still use wood or charcoal to cook their food. Do
you enjoy your washing machine? About 5 billion
people in the world still wash their clothes by hand.

10. Do you have a roof over your head? The U.N.
Commission on Human Rights says there are 100
million homeless people in the world. One in
three children in the world live without adequate
shelter. And today there are about 42 million
people who are living as refugees. Most were
displaced by war and live in crude camps.

11. Do you own a car? The United States still has
the highest number of motor vehicles in the
world. Globally, only 1 out of every 8 people has
access to a car. Many of the others either walk,
take crowded buses or public vans or ride on
bicycles, rickshaws or animals. Did you fly
somewhere in the past year? You are blessed. Only
5 to 7 percent of people in the world have ever flown in an airplane.

12. Do you have a flushable toilet? The United
Nations Development Program reports that 2.6
billion people do not have access to any toilet
facilities. India has the largest percentage of
people who lack adequate sanitation. About 638
million Indians must go outdoors.

13. Can you read? Nearly a billion people entered
the 21st century unable to read a book or sign
their names. There are 72 million children who
should be in school but are not enrolled. And if
you have a college degree, you are in a
privileged minority; only 6.7 percent of people
in the world have a college diploma.

14. Can you see? Over 285 million people in the
world are visually impaired. About 39 million of
these are blind and 246 million have moderate to
severe visual impairment. India is home to the
world's largest number of blind people, due to
the country's acute shortage of optometrists.

15. Do you have health care? Here in the United
States, we are debating the pros and cons of
Obamacare­and griping about the reliability of
the government's health care website. But did you
know that 1 billion people in the world have no
access to any form of health systems­and their
children cannot receive childhood immunizations.

King David wrote: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and
forget none of His benefits" (Ps. 103:2, NASB).
Thanksgiving is not an optional virtue. Without
it, our pride swells and our selfishness consumes
us. Thanksgiving is an important exercise because
it adjusts our attitude. It calibrates our hearts
so that we stop complaining and instead remember
how we are blessed and Who deserves the credit
for our blessings. Happy Thanksgiving!

J. Lee Grady is the former editor of Charisma.
You can follow him on Twitter at leegrady. His
newest book is The Truth Sets Women Free from
Charisma House. You can learn more about his
ministry, The Mordecai Project, at
<http://www.charismamag.com/themordecaiproject.org>themordecaiproject.org.
Unless otherwise specified, the opinions
expressed are solely the author's and do not
necessarily reflect the views of Charisma Media.

Woody Allen interviews Billy Graham

This is a fascinating interview that the Diceman ran across that was in sold old archives. 

 

It features Woody Allen interviewing (a very young) Rev Billy Graham

http://www.rogerebert.com/balder-and-dash/woody-allen-interviews-billy-graham

 

What do you think?

What I don't want for Christmas

In the spirit of Christmas, I have made my list of things I don't want
for Christmas:

I don't want to make excuses.

I don't want to live with regret.

I don't want to carry resentment.

I don't want to hold grudges against someone who has no idea what I
think they've done to me.

I don't want to have conversations in my head that I will never have in
person.

I don't want to lose sleep (or time) thinking about what could have been.

I don't want "stuff" from the past to rob me of how I live today and
plan for tomorrow.

I don't want to miss a moment to tell someone I appreciate them.

I don't want to wish I had "done something differently."

Francesca Battistelli w/Shaun Groves

 

Go here for more information:

http://smile.fm/francesca/

Hometown Tour Stop - Gaylord, MI (Dec 12)

Morning Espresso Hometown Tour Stop 

Clare, MI

Friday,December 12 - 7 to 10 AM 

Come meet Jenn & Brian from Smile FM's Morning Espresso at Gaylord Area Convention and Tourism Bureau. You can watch them do the show and pick up a free Morning Espresso Coffee Mug while supplies last.

319 West Main Street.
Gaylord, Michigan.

http://smile.fm/hometowntour/ 

888-887-7139

 

Smile FM 80% Funded - we still need your support

Smile FM is just over 80% funded. We still need your support this fall.  Your donation helps make a difference not only for you and your family, but also for others who listen to us for daily encouragement. 

We also ask that existing donors update their information when changes occur with new credit/debit cards, physical address, and email address by calling 888-887-7139 x1 during business hours or emailing 411 (at) smile.fm

Also please check that you are still actually donating to Smile FM by checking your monthly statements.  Many donors have been surprised to learn their monthly donation has stopped due to a new debit.credit card being issued.

http://www.smile.fm/donate/  

Christmas Cookie Contest

FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI CHRISTMAS COOKIE CONTEST

• Make and decorate your favorite Christmas cookies, take a photo with them and upload it with the official entry below
• Photos must be original and include a person with the cookies (no stock photos or images copied from the internet)
• Entries are judged on appearance only. This is a "decorating" contest, not a baking/tasting contest. Please do not send cookies to the radio station.
• Prizes include concert tickets, CD's and a KitchenAid mixer autographed by Francesca

Enter Now!

Michigan Election Results

   
www.Smile.fm/news/

Dannah Gresh - Get Lost (for teens)

Go here for more information:
http://smile.fm/getlost/

Which Bible verse describes you right now?

It’s a quick quiz.  You can find out which Bible verse best describes you right now

Click here.  

http://bitecharge.com/play/bibleverse?sess=q1#q1

Keeping our kids from becoming leaders

>Check out these 7 things we parents do, that keep our kids from
>growing into leaders.
>
><http://thesnapmom.com/7-crippling-parenting-behaviors-keep-children-growing-leaders/>http://thesnapmom.com/7-crippling-parenting-behaviors-keep-children-growing-leaders/
>
>
>Faron

Watch this video! Invite someone to church

Sunday, Sept 21, 2014 is “Back to Church Sunday.”  Watch this hilarious video about inviting someone to church!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilcsk992MQI

 

You will crack up!

 

Which of the 12 Disciples are you?

It’s easy… take the quiz here.

http://www.crosswalk.com/resources/humor/infographics/quiz-which-of-the-12-disciples-are-you.html

Which Bible mom are you?

Are you more like Mary (Jesus Mother) or Naomi?

Take the quiz at this link, and find out!

http://www.crosswalk.com/resources/humor/infographics/quiz-which-bible-mom-are-you.html

Hometown Tour Stop - Traverse City (8-14)

Morning Espresso Hometown Tour Stop 

Traverse City, MI

Thursday, August 14 - 7 to 10 AM 

Come meet Jenn & Brian from Smile FM's Morning Espresso at Cuppa Joe. You can watch them do the show and pick up a free Morning Espresso Coffee Mug while supplies last.

1200 W. 11th St. (very west end of 11th St.), Traverse City, MI 49684

http://smile.fm/hometowntour/ 

888-887-7139

 

Hometown Tour Stop - Alpena (8-15)

Morning Espresso Hometown Tour Stop 

Alpena, MI

Friday, August 15 - 7 to 10 AM

 

Come meet Jenn & Brian from Smile FM's Morning Espresso at Cabin Creek. You can watch them do the show and pick up a free Morning Espresso Coffee Mug while supplies last.

201 N. 2nd Ave., Alpena, MI 49707

http://smile.fm/hometowntour/ 

888-887-7139

 

August 5 Election Results

Ballot Proposals:
Proposal 1 passed

See more State Races here:
http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/results/14PRI/

Local results here:
http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1633_8722-103241--,00.html

Watch the trailer for Left Behind

Did you know there is going to be a “Left Behind” movie, based on the books. 

It’s coming out in October, and starring Nicholas Cage!  Watch the trailer here.

http://www.leftbehindmovie.com/

 

ELECTION INFORMATION - AUG 5, 2014 PRIMARY

- polls open August 5, 7:00 am – 8:00 pm. ID is required.
- Requests for absentee ballots must be received by 2:00 pm August 2



 Check registration, see sample ballot and where to vote:
http://www.michigan.gov/sos

Which Bible verse describes me?

>This is a short a simple quiz to find out which Bible verse best
>describes me?

>Check it out here.
><http://bitecharge.com/play/bibleverse/h5>http://bitecharge.com/play/bibleverse/h5
>

Thank you, Hollywood.

My fellow church-goers, and I have criticized you a lot on the
past. We've had a holy-than-thou attitude towards you. Some of our
best preachers have preached against you, and even accused you of
being "godless" and going straight to hell. WOW. In hindsight now,
I wouldn't blame you if had decided that you didn't want anything to
do with us. Still, it seems that you didn't take it
personally. While we were putting you down, you turned the other
cheek and have now brought us some amazing movies in 2014. Movies
that we can go and see, and not complain about. Like Son of God,
Heaven is for Real, and now Moms Night Out. (Even Noah wasn't all
that bad.) I just wanted to say "thanks." You didn't have to do it
but you did. You didn't have to learn our special Christian nuances
and standards, but you did. Maybe you aren't so evil after all? So
again I say, thanks! And keep 'em coming!

Thoughts from Faron Dice

Citizen's Way - Concert

Citizens Way in concert immediately after the Ball Game (Ball Game starts at 2 PM on 7/20/14). The concert is free after the Lugnuts ball game - sponsored by Great Lakes Christian College.
http://www.smile.fm/calendar?Region1=|#33604

Modern Day Cure @ Rock The Island

Congratulations to Smile FM's Michigan Made Music contest winner MODERN DAY CURE! Look for them at Rock The Island, July 19th in Saginaw.
http://www.rocktheisland.net/ 

Smart Goal Setting --Striving For Success

By Brian Dumont

 

Welcome to 2014.  It’s a brand new year with a clean slate just waiting for you make some resolutions.  And while technically anyone can resolve to change anytime of the year, for some reason it seems a little easier to make a fresh start when the calendar page turns.  Smile FM DJ’s are no different.  Here are some of the resolutions they have pledged for 2014:

My new year’s resolution is to continue my journey to health and become my healthiest self ever in terms of physical fitness and healthy eating. I’m finally learning to take care of my body before it falls apart. – Jenn

I want to start a weekly blog this year with a working title of “Music To Live By.”  Each entry will be about a specific song and how it has impacted me on a personal level. – Brian

My Goal is to eat healthier and be more consistently active. – Amanda

I want to see EVERY relative on all sides of my family who live in Michigan at least once, which means treks between Detroit, Lansing, Kalamazoo, and Traverse City… and a lot of money in Speedway's pockets. – Mike

Okay, mine is weird. You probably know that Notre Dame football players always touch a sign before they go on the football field.  I have this plaque at my house that I often forget. I've decided in the new year that I'm going to touch it every time I walk by it, to help me remember it more, and live it out more. – Faron

Making resolutions and setting goals for positive change is a good thing, however there are a few tips that might help you achieve your goals more effectively.  Several leadership experts offered their opinion in this area.  One theory some use for goal setting is the SMART method.  SMART is an acronym that stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound.  If a goal is set and it meets all of these criteria there’s a higher chance the goal will be met with success. 

Specific – It’s important to be specific when setting a goal.  If you’re not specific, how will you know when you’ve achieved it?  How will you know how to achieve it?  For example, you can say you want to lose weight this year and leave it at that, but then what are you going to do?  Where do you start?  How do you know when you’ve finished?  But if instead you say you want to lose 30 lbs. in the next 3 months and you’re going to do it by eating smaller portions, eliminating sugar from your diet, drinking at least 8 glasses of water each day and exercising at least 5 times week for 30 minutes, then you have something to work with and you can tell whether or not you’re actually meeting your goal.

Measurable – If your goal is specific then it should be easy to measure.  Continuing with our weight loss example, if you know your starting weight than you can easily measure your progress.  Just step on the scale and you’ll be able to tell right away if you’re headed in the right direction.  However, if your goal lacks definition how will you know if it has been met?  If you were to say you want to eat healthier, what does that actually mean?  Is “healthier” based on calories?  Ingredients?  Portion size?  If you don’t specify, you can’t measure.

Attainable – You’re goal has to be within reason otherwise it’s not worth setting in the first place.  For example, if your goal is to loose 100 lbs. in one month, that would be unrealistic, if not impossible (and if it were possible it probably wouldn’t be healthy).  An attainable goal might stretch you a bit, but not to the extreme that it will likely result in failure.

Relevant – Your goal should also pertain to your situation.  You can set a goal of weight loss, but if you’re already at or under the ideal body weight for your height and age, then doesn’t make sense to shed any additional pounds.

Time-Bound – It’s helpful to give your goal a deadline, again so you’ll know if you’ve accomplished what you set out to do.  If the goal is indefinite and ongoing, then it’s more difficult to measure your progress.  You can say your goal is to loose 30 lbs. but if you don’t specify by when, it could go on and on forever and you may never get around to accomplishing your goal.

One additional consideration when using this theory of goal setting is to understand it will hold you accountable and there is a risk that you won’t meet your goals.  If this happens, it’s okay.  Part of the process is evaluating the original goal and setting a new goal if necessary.  If you don’t loose 30 lbs. in 3 months, maybe you need to change your approach.  Maybe you need to exercise more or change your diet or seek assistance from a professional.  The point is, don’t give up.  The fact that you’re setting goals in the first place proves you’re on the pathway to success.

Enjoy this article and many others on your tablet or smart phone with Smile FM's I Believe Digital Magazine.  Download it today!  

Live Life Better - 2014

Smile FM Challenges You To Shape Up in 2014

By Jenn Czelada & Brian Dumont

Sometimes it seems like New Year’s Resolutions get a bad rap, perhaps because more than 25% of people fail in the very first week.  The good news is people who do make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t.  As we start 2014, we’re excited to come alongside and help you reach your goals with the 2014 Smile FM Shape Up Challenge.  To help you “live life better,” we have created resources to help you grow in both physical and spiritual health.  

When it comes to physical health, one thing many misunderstand is that losing weight and becoming physically fit are two different goals.  While they compliment each other quite nicely and often support one another, they each take a substantial amount of effort on their own.  When a person eats healthy and follows a successful weight loss diet, their size changes.  When a person exercises, tones up and builds muscle, their shape changes.  

For exercise, fitness expert Bryan Beaune, owner of Building Your Temple Crossfit in Oxford, MI recommends High Intensity Interval Training like PX90 or Crossfit.  “HIIT training is the only proven way to exercise away stored body fat,” he explains.  It confuses your body to use the fat because it creates such a high demand for energy.”

Coach Bryan suggests, “Group classes are a great place to start.  They will help you push yourself and learn new skills.  It’s more affordable than hiring a personal trainer, although that’s a great option if you can afford one.  Often times people will go to the gym and do 20 minutes on the treadmill and think they’ve worked out.  However they aren’t going to see results from that, they will get defeated and possibly even hurt.  The goal with all fitness efforts should be to push your body to the next level, the more results you see the more you will enjoy what you are doing.”

For diet, Beaune explains one of the most common mistakes people make is trying to eat “healthy” food that is not really healthy.  “People use diet products or shakes thinking they are healthy, but they are really just increasing processed foods and chemical in their body,” he explains.  “They switch to low fat versions of products which really are just loaded with extra sugars.”

”Deprivation is another mistake people often make,” Beaune continues.  “They find a website that tells them if they eat 900 calories a day they’ll lose 30 lbs in a month.  Then they end up sending their body into starvation mode and become severely nutrient deficient.”

Beaune says cutting out processed foods is an excellent start.  “If you can pick it or kill it, then eat it,” he recommends.  If it is a plant, eat it.  If it comes from a (processing) plant, don’t eat it.”   You can eat meat, vegetables, fruit and simple carbs all day long without gaining weight.  If in one meal you eat no more than the size of two fists, you’ll lose weight.  By eating smaller meals more often you will keep your blood sugar consistent and keep your body using its fuel rather than storing fuel.

When it comes to spiritual health, the staples of Christian living include daily exercise through prayer and a healthy diet of reading the Bible. 

Smile FM has fostered daily Bible reading for several years with Brian’s Bible Brain Busters and 2014 is no exception.  Morning Espresso host Brian Dumont started the feature for personal reasons.  “I’ve always struggled with disciplining myself to read the Bible every day,” he explains.  “By incorporating a daily trivia question it forces me to be consistent, not only for myself, but for others as well.  And I know reading or hearing even one verse a day can make a difference.  As the prophet Isaiah states, ‘My word… shall not return to me void, but shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.’ (Isaiah 55:11).”

If you’d like to read through the entire Bible in a year, you can follow the daily reading schedule at www.facebook.com/briansbiblebrainbusters or visit another site like www.oneyearbibleonline.com for suggested passages.

Prayer is another essential component of one’s spiritual journey.  As with any relationship, communication is necessary for continued growth.  Prayer is how we communicate with God.  Whether it’s a prayer of petition or simple thanksgiving, regular prayer results in strengthening our relationship with Him.  In Matthew 6, Jesus provides an easy example of how we should pray.  This month Smile FM DJ’s are continuing that effort with the Shape Up Challenge.  When you register you will receive an email message from one of our on-air announcers each day with a brief devotional and a short prayer you can pray to get 2014 off to the right start.

To find out more about the Smile FM Shape Up Challenge and sign up to receive daily encouragement to help you live life better, both physically and spiritually, visit www.smile.fm/shapeup. Enjoy this article and many others on your tablet or smart phone with Smile FM's I Believe Digital Magazine.  Download it today!

Surfing with Switchfoot Offers Lessons For Life

 By Jenn Czelada

When I got a call asking if I'd like to come to Jacksonville and take some surfing lessons with Switchfoot, it didn't take a split second for me to accept and pack my bags. Learning to surf was something that has been on my bucket list for years.  Learning to surf with Switchfoot was nothing short of a dream come true.

I arrived in Jacksonville and surfing day began joining some colleagues the band for a delicious breakfast.  Then it was out to the beach to get fitted for our wet suits (and I thought Spanx were tough!).  What seemed like an hour later we waddled out of the changing room in our skin tight suits and headed for the beach. Our surf instructors met us there with a long line of surf boards.  First they demonstrated how to do a pop up. The idea is to do a push up on the board, swing your legs underneath yourself and pop up!  Then the trick was learning how to stay on the board once we caught our wave.  My pop ups were pretty awful, plus I had the added challenge that I couldn't bend my knees in that dreaded wet suit! 

"Oh well," I thought. “It will get easier once we get in the ocean.” We grabbed our boards and got into the water… the freezing cold water.  I was really beginning to appreciate my wet suit at that point.  I paddled with all my might, battling what seemed like 40 foot swells (really just 4 foot "starter" waves).  I finally reached our desired surfing spot, hopped on my board, got flipped off my board and dragged under water by my board and washed up and spit out on the beach!  I felt very close to God, kind of like I was going see Him any moment!  The ocean is a cruel teacher. As I began to assess the damage to my body and ego, l saw the face of Switchfoot's Tim Foreman hovering above me.  "Ready to try that again?" he asked.  How could I say no to an offer like that? 

Tim picked up my board, I picked up myself and we walked almost a mile down the beach. Tim taught me how to duck under the waves as I paddle out.  I was making great time, thinking I was getting the hang of it, until I realized he was he was pushing my board for me. We got to our perfect spot, he spun my board around and said, "Catch that wave."  I tried my fancy pop up move.  Nope, not any easier in the water!  I fell off the board was dragged hundreds of feet by the current.  We repeated that same series of events several more times. Finally on one last attempt, Tim suggested that I may just want to ride it in on my belly with a goal to stay on the board.  I caught the wave… or it caught me.  I slowly started raising myself up to a push up position, then I brought one knee forward and firmly planted my front foot on the board and before I knew it I was riding the wave all the way to the beach.  Success!  The feeling of riding the wave was exhilarating!  I was feeling one with nature, feeling so close to God, but not in the sense of coming to see Him in just a few minutes.  In that moment, I got it.  I understood why surfers do what surfers do…  the challenge, the passion, the thrill of the ride.  

Recently, the guys in Switchfoot took a camera crew along with them as they toured and surfed around the world.  The result of that effort is the "Fading West" documentary they have been showing at their concerts.  If you get a chance to see the movie, you will be treated by some of the most beautiful scenery and enormous waves in the world.  While they were on this world wide road trip they spent time writing the songs for the "Fading West" album, which releases January 14.

John Maxwell once said, "You can't do what I do, until you've done what I've done."  I think that is what makes Swichfoot's music so unique.  They create songs as they create experiences.  They write music while under the influence of the beauty and grandeur of God's creation from a level that few of us will ever see. I had a rare opportunity to surf with Swichfoot, check off an experience from my bucket list and see God's glory from a different angle.  It was all worth squeezing into that wet suit! 

Enjoy this article and many others on your tablet or smart phone with Smile FM's I Believe Digital Magazine.  Download it today!