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!  

Things you MUST say to your kids

What a great list. From the website, GODSRADIOGIRL.COM


When you are with you children all day, sometimes you can forget to let your words accurately represent your heart. I wish I knew who wrote this list so I could thank them.

When you get stressed and busy and you remember that you've forgotten to be a kind, human being to your kids, come here again and read these words...

1.I love you! There is nothing that will make me stop loving you. Nothing you could do or say or think will ever change that.
2.You are amazing! I look at you with wonder! Not just at what you can do, but who you are. There is no one like you. No one!
3.It's all right to cry. People cry for all kinds of reasons: when they are hurt, sad, glad, or worried; when they are angry, afraid, or lonely. Big people cry too. I do.
4.You've made a mistake. That was wrong. People make mistakes. I do. Is it something we can fix? What can we do? It's all over. You can start fresh. I know you are sorry. I forgive you.
5.You did the right thing. That was scary or hard. Even though it wasn't easy, you did it. I am proud of you; you should be too.
6.I'm sorry. Forgive me. I made a mistake.
7.You can change your mind. It's good to decide, but it is also fine to change.
8.What a great idea! You were really thinking! How did you come up with that? Tell me more. Your mind is clever!
9.That was kind. You did something helpful and thoughtful for that person. That must make you feel good inside. Thank you!
10.I have a surprise for you. It's not your birthday. It's for no reason at all. Just a surprise, a little one, but a surprise.
11.I can wait. We have time. You don't have to hurry this time.
12.What would you like to do? It's your turn to pick. You have great ideas. It's important to follow your special interests.
13.Tell me about it. I'd like to hear more. And then what happened? I'll listen.
14.I'm right here. I won't leave without saying good-bye. I am watching you. I am listening to you.
15.Please and Thank You. These are important words. If I forget to use them, will you remind me?
16.I missed you. I think about you when we are not together!
17.Just try. A little bit. One taste, one step. You might like it. Let's see. I'll help you if you need it. I think you can do it.
18.I'll help you. I heard you call me, here I am. How can I help you? If we both work together, we can get this done. I know you can do it by yourself, but I'm glad to help since you asked.
19.What do you wish for? Even if it's not yet time for birthday candles and we don't have a wishbone, it's still fun to hear about what you wish for, hope for, and dream about.

When Christmas specials air

Here is the complete guide to when your favorite Christmas TV shows will air. s
http://m.washfm.com/articles/happy-holidays-444238/holiday-tv-guide-2013-9483051

Duck Dynasty testimonies

If you are a fan of the show Duck Dynasty, you'll love their testimonies.
Here they are, being filmed by I am Second.
http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/the-robertsons

Shoe Box drop-off locations

>We're big fans of Operation Christmas Child. (You can have your
>kids help you with this.) Put together a shoe box filled with
>items for a child. Drop your shoe box (gift) off at one of these locations!
><http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations>http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations
>

Operation Christmas Child will take these shoe boxes all over the
world and give the Christmas gift to needy children.

Jesus spotted at NYC marathon

It’s true, see the story here.

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2013/11/04/tsr-pkg-moos-jesus-nyc-marathon.cnn.html

Cheap date night ideas

There are some really good cheap date night ideas found here!
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/daily_living/date-night-tips/date-night-ideas.aspx

Share Jesus in 3 minutes

Rev Billy Graham has probably shared the gospel with more people than
any other person that has ever lived. So, it makes sense to check
this out. Here is Billy Graham's 3 minute plan for sharing Jesus
with someone:

30 seconds Tell what your life was like before you met Jesus
30 seconds Explain what caused you to turn to God
60 seconds Share the circumstances of how your received Him into your life
30 seconds Repeat the prayer you said
30 seconds Explain how your life has changed since then.

email invite someone to church

This Sunday, September 15, 2013 is National Back to Church Sunday.  Here is an easy thing to do… go to this link and fill out this form to send an email invite to some of your friends.  

http://backtochurch.com/emailafriend/friends

 

 

Mandisa-how i pray for my future husband

>Love this article written by singer Mandisa.


How I Pray for My Future Husband

If we've been friends on Facebook or Twitter long
enough, you know that I refer to myself as "Super
Single". Until recently I would often employ the
Twitter hashtags #SingleAwarenessMoment and
#SingleAwarenessDay for that special February
holiday. Can I be honest? I was bitter; often mad
at God for taking so long to introduce me to my
husband. Sometimes I would cry at night in
loneliness and ask God if there was something
wrong with me. Then I realized that there's
something wrong with everyone, so that's not why
I'm still single! God knows what He's doing and I trust Him.

There have been rare moments when some
"Extra-Grace-Required" person learns that I'm
single and before they think asks, "What's wrong
with you?" At those times I have often thought to
myself, "The same thing that's wrong with
everyone else in this world! We're human,
imperfect, and prone to sin...just like
YOU...sucka!" (See? That last little phrase is a
perfect indication of how easily I can wander
into flesh! God is still working on me!)

Thankfully, like the "Come Thou Fount" hymn
writer expressed, God can bind my wandering heart
to Him. I am thankful that our merciful Savior is
patient. If He were not, He'd have given up on me
long ago. But when He looks at me, He sees His
holy Son, and lavishes His blessings on me. While
my righteousness is like filthy rags (see Isaiah
64:6), I am clothed in the righteousness of
Christ (see Philippians 3:9) and pray to look more like Him each day.

James 5:16 tells us that God hears the prayers of
the righteous and that those prayers are powerful
and effective. So because my future husband falls
under the category of "human, imperfect, and
prone to sin", like me, I have made the choice to
pray for him regularly. I may not know who he is, but our Father does!

One of the most important ways I have learned to
pray is with scripture. I've heard Max Lucado say
that his wife prays Psalm 112 over him regularly,
so I decided to do the same for my future
husband. Here's an example of how I turn a few of
those verses from The Voice translation into prayers:

(From verse 1)
I praise You, Eternal God, for how You work in
the lives of Your children, including my future
husband. I pray that as You teach him how to
revere You, he will be blessed. Make him a man
who turns from evil and takes great pleasure in Your commandments.

(From verses 4 & 7)
Holy Spirit, when life is dark and difficult,
please shine a light and lead him to live
rightly­cultivate mercy, compassion and a pursuit
for justice in his heart. I pray that You would
build his faith; that he will not be afraid when
the news is bad because he has resolved to trust in You.

(From verses 8 & 10)
Create a confident and fearless heart in my
future husband, Eternal God. Make him Satan's
worst enemy and give him an expectation to see
the Enemy defeated! Strengthen him to resist the
devil and his wicked desires. May the demons
clench their teeth and dissolve to nothing as
they and their evil temptations flee from his
life because of the authority he wears in You, Lord!

In Jesus' Name...And all my single peeps said, AMEN!

After you share today's song and devotional for a
chance to with the prize pack below, drop back by
my FB post and leave me a comment. If you are
single, share how you turn verses 2, 3, 5, 6 or 9
into prayers for your future spouse. If you're
married, I'd love to hear what Bible verses and
other things you pray over your husband or wife.
And if you're a big, Black, Born-Again Believer
with a Bald-Head and a goatee...call me!
Hehehehehe...just kiddin'...sort of. ;-)
- See more at:
https://raincontest.com/mandisa/shareandwin/#sthash.5OP6vMHU.dpuf

>

Sidewalk Prophets go to the fair

Here is a funny video of the Sidewalk Prophets created when they went to the county fair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inEp4eCyDZ0

Secret Keeper Girl – What is this Crazy Hair Tour?

 As parents of little ones, we quickly learn how to protect our kids from the dangers of the world around them. We start teaching them early not to touch the hot stove and to hold on tight to the hand rail on the stairs. As they get a little older, life gets a little trickier! How do you deal with a 5 year old who has 5 boyfriends at a time? How do you protect your little girls from the sexy fashion trends pushed at them at an early age? How do you teach your little princess what true beauty really is all about?

Meet Dannah Gresh, a mom on mission from State College, PA. She’s a best selling author, speaker and creator of Secret Keeper Girl Live events. It all started as she tried to make Bible studies and God’s principles relevant to her young daughters and their friends. When asked how things are different for girls growing up today Dannah explained, “Today’s little girls face peer pressure that we didn’t know until we were in high school. Research indicates that a little girl who does what is becoming “normal” — wearing clothes that make her look older, succumbing to boy-craziness, and obsessing about her appearance — will be at greater risk of body image issues, eating disorders and depression when she is a teen. These things can also increase the risk of an early sexual debut.” 

Dannah went on to explain what moms can do to help prevent those negative experiences. “Start early by teaching your daughter that being special in God’s eyes is so much better than being normal! Help her to become a God-Crazy girl who understands modesty, purity and true beauty.” And if you’re a mom like me, you’re thinking, “Oh great, and how exactly do I teach all of that?” Welcome your new best friend....Secret Keeper Girl – The Crazy Hair Tour! There are 8 stops in Michigan this September and October. You and your daughter have got to be there!

At the SKG Crazy Hair Tour – Moms and Tween girls, usually between the ages of 8 and 12 years old, will have the most fun ever digging into God’s word to find out what it has to say about beauty, modesty and purity and even crazy hair?!?! To make the night one to remember, they’ll pull out the big guns, oh wait, we mean confetti cannons, balloons, fashion shows and more! Plus you’ll be ecstatic about the crazy hair machine! You and your daughter will fall in love with 1 Girl Nation, a new girl band who will start off with a mini concert and lead worship throughout the night. Find out more about SKG’s Crazy Hair Tour coming to Michigan: 

If You Seek A Pleasant Peninsula...

Michigan offers endless opportunities for summer activities in state.
By Brian Dumont

Summer is quickly waning. Kids will be back to school before you know it and with the little time we have left you may be thinking, “I need a vacation!” But before you pack you bags and head out of state for one last hurrah, I would encourage you to consider Michigan’s state motto: “Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice.” Or in the common tongue, “ If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.”

Staying in state not only saves you money on your fuel budget, but also boots the local economy, which is good for all of us. Those factors aside, there are a lot of cool things you can do right here in Michigan. There are too many to list in this article, but here are a few ideas worth considering. 

GEOCACHING 

With the advent of smart phones and GPS navigation systems, geocaching provides a fun, free avenue to modern day treasure hunting anyone can try. The process involves some basic compass and map reading skills and often times will relay something of educational or historical significance. Other times it’s just fun. A quick internet search from my home computer turned up dozens of caches within a few miles of my house including some titled “R2-D2 Is Lost.” How cool is it that somewhere out there is a lost little Star Wars action figure who needs my help. And he’s been right under my nose this whole time! I’m ready to go find him right now. Start Geocaching! 

MADE IN MICHIGAN
.
 A lot of consumer products are made right here in Michigan, from cars to food to hundreds of other items we use everyday. But what you may not know is that many Michigan producers offer tours of their facilities so you can actually see how it’s made. Again, there are too many list, but a few I found interesting include Morley Candy Makers in Clinton Township, Michigan’s largest candy maker. They create Sanders Candy Pecan Torties and Coconut Clusters among other treats. The tour explains how chocolate is made and how the company got their start in Detroit. And of course there are free samples! http://www.sanderscandy.com/factory-tours-a/250.htm

Chelsea Teddy Bear Co. offers free tours of their 35,000 sq./ft. warehouse/production facility and Toy Museum located in the historic Clock Tower Complex in downtown Chelsea. The display features over 100,000 teddy bears, including the World’s largest Teddy Bear. For more information visit http://www.chelseateddybear.com/home

And while you’re in Chelsea, you can also check out Chelsea Milling Company, home of Jiffy Mix. They’ve been in operation for over 120 years. Tours include a video presentation, a walk through the packaging plant and product samples. Can you say, “blueberry muffins?” Tours are free but reservations are required.
http://www.jiffymix.com/

It’s no secret that Michigan has its share of agriculture bragging rights. But we also have a few farms you may not be familiar with. Centennial Cranberry Farm in Paradise is Michigan's only historic cranberry farm. http://www.centennialcranberry.com/ . Groeb Farms in Onsted is the world’s largest processor of honey. http://www.groebfarms.com/ . And Crosby Mint Farm in St. Johns is the oldest, continuously family operated mint farm in the United States. http://peppermintjim.com/ . And of course they all offer tours. One last tour suggestion I have to mention is Michigan State University Dairy Complex located in Anthony Hall on the campus of MSU in East Lansing. The Dairy Store is not only an educational and outreach center, they also make, package and sell delicious ice creams and cheeses. And if you go at the right time, you can pick up a container of ice cream that was made during the switch over of their product lines, resulting in some unique flavor combinations you won’t find anywhere else. For more information visit http://dairystore.msu.edu/

WATER WONDERLAND 

Finally, any discussion of things to do in our state has to include Michigan’s water features. After all, the Great Lakes are the largest fresh water lakes in the world and no matter where you are in Michigan, you’re never more than 85 miles away from one of them. There are numerous beaches and lighthouses to explore. My suggestion, however, has to do with one of our inland bodies of water... the river! If you have not done so before, you absolutely must take a canoe or kayak trip down a Michigan river. There are several options to choose from. I have a certain affinity for the Au Sable River.

Growing up in Michigan we used to gather in Grayling for family reunions. Many of my extended relatives lived on or near the river and one of the big highlights of the weekend was hopping in a canoe and letting the current take us downstream. Often we would ditch the canoes in favor of inner tubes, splashing and playing for hours in the crisp, cold water. We haven’t had a reunion with extended relatives in those parts for some time, but occasionally I will make my way north to relive that part of the experience with my immediate family.

A canoe trip of that nature can be as brief or involved as you want with trips ranging from a couple of hours to several days. Many businesses rent canoes and kayaks and there are options for camping along the river as well. It’s a great opportunity to see wildlife like never before and enjoy a peace that only comes from knowing God’s grace through His creation. That is, if you don’t tip over! One of the best benefits of a canoe trip is the element of built-in marriage/family counseling. You might think I’m joking at this point, but I kid you not. Steering a canoe, while not difficult, does require some degree of effort and communication with the person at the other end of the boat. The first time my wife and I shared a canoe it was a good hour into the trip before we both stopped yelling and settled down. But once we figured out how to work together we enjoyed the rest of the trip and it has become one of our favorite shared experiences. Since then we have both agreed, a canoe trip should be a requirement of pre-marital counseling. If you can survive the river and each other, you can get married.

Like I said, there are a lot of cool things you can do in Michigan, too many to list here. But if you stick to the state motto and “look about you,” I’m sure you’ll find the pleasant peninsula you seek. Until then, I have an R2-D2 geocache to find, a dairy store to tour and Michigan river that begs me to float in its gentle current until summer’s end. Enjoy!

Brian Dumont is co-host of the Morning Espresso with Jenn & Brian on Smile FM. He lives in Lansing with his wife Jennifer and their three children Daniel, B’Elanna and David. Brian and his family are active at Mount Hope Church where they are involved in creative arts ministry. When not on the radio or at church, Brian enjoys collecting Transformers action figures and 45 vinyl records for his jukebox. 

Making A Difference The Morning Espresso Takes To The Road

One of the biggest challenges that comes with operating a network of 22 radio stations is connecting with individuals on a meaningful level. It’s one thing for a single business to be plugged into a defined community, but when the audience Smile FM serves spans nearly the entire state of Michigan, it’s a whole different ballgame. That’s where the idea for the Morning Espresso Making A Difference Tour came from.

Jenn and I were talking one day about how much we enjoy connecting with people face- to-face. I said, “We should just pack up our families in a camper, take the show on the road for a week and meet as many people as we can.” The vision was born, but we wanted to make the experience more about the various communities we visit and less about promoting our show or the network. So we decided to get a sponsor, bring a band and give back to those who are making a difference, really getting in done where they live.

The 3 rd annual Morning Espresso Making A Difference tour is scheduled for August 13 – 18, 2013. Each morning of the tour we'll be broadcasting on location from a different community, and hosting a benefit concert each night with Smile FM artist Julian Drive. The tour itinerary is as follows:

Tuesday, August 13, 2013, 7:00 pm Supporting: KDR Challenge Dream Makers Theater, Sault Ste. Marie, MI The mission of KDR Challenge is to increase awareness to youth of the dangers of distracted driving, especially using a cell phone while driving. Bonnie Raffaele created the non-profit organization after the death of her daughter Kelsey Dawn Raffaele. She travels speaking to high school and college students throughout the state and country.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013, 7:00 pm Supporting: Big Brothers Big Sisters Bay Pointe Community Church, Traverse City, MI Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan is looking for mentors to invest as little as one hour a week and provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better.

Thursday, August 15, 2013, 6:00 pm Supporting: Habitat for Humanity Bayview Park Band Shell, Alpena, MI Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Michigan brings people together to build homes, community, and hope. They are looking for volunteers as well as home sites and potential new home owners needing assistance.

Friday, August 16, 2013, 7:00 pm Supporting: Ennis Center for Children Kensington Community Church, Lake Orion, MI Ennis Center works with children who have experienced abuse and neglect through Michigan’s Foster Care program. Their mission is to preserve families when possible and create new families when necessary. Ennis Center provides services to over 3,500 children and families each year with an emphasis on southeastern Michigan.

Saturday, August 17, 2013, 7:30 pm Supporting: The Refuge Lapeer Event Center, Lapeer, MI The Refuge is operated by churches throughout Lapeer County who take turns providing temporary overnight shelter on a weekly basis November through April. Their mission is to equip the congregations of Lapeer County to provide shelter for the homeless and promote the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are looking for volunteers as well as funds to purchase a permanent building.

Sunday, August 18, 2013, Approx. 5:00 pm (Following Lansing Lugnuts baseball game) Supporting: Lansing Teen Challenge Cooley Law School Stadium, Lansing, MI Lansing Teen Challenge is a 12-13 month live-in residential facility for men 18 years old and older. They are also affiliated with Sisters Maternity Home for pregnant young ladies that are 18 and over. Both organizations need donations of personal hygiene items.

We’re excited to have Julian Drive with us on the tour this year. You may have heard their songs “From His Hands,” “Always There” and “Move Mountains Again” on Smile FM. Each night of the tour they will be performing a free concert and an offering will be collected for the respective non-profit organizations. The final concert stop of the tour will include a charity auction featuring an electric guitar autographed by several Smile FM artists. All donations collected on the tour go directly to the non-profit organizations.

The reason we’re able to make this effort successful is due in large part to Great Lakes Christian College, the sponsor of the Morning Espresso Making a Difference Tour. Their support allows us to keep costs at a minimum and offer the concerts free of charge. Big thanks to GLCC for their involvement again this year.

We’re really looking forward to seeing you on the Morning Espresso Making A Difference Tour. If we’re coming to a town near you, or if you can make the drive to one of our stops, we would love to meet you in person. Please come out to visit and let us know how you’re making a difference!