Verse Of The Day

 John 16:33 (New International Version)

 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Verse Of The Day

 Isaiah 9:6 (New International Version)

 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Verse Of The Day

 Luke 1:68-70 (New International Version)

''Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),

Verse Of The Day

 Matthew 2:4-6 (New International Version)

When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Verse Of The Day

 Hebrews 1:1-2 (New International Version)

 

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

Verse Of The Day

Psalm 136:1,26 (New International Version)

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

We all need this reminder daily.

Verse Of The Day

 Psalm 95:1-2 (King James Version)

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Verse Of The Day

Joshua 24:15 (King James Version)

 

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Let this be an encouragement for you today.

Inspirational Quotes

 Happiness can be found in the darkest of times when only one remembers to turn on the light.

Dream it

Believe it

Achieve it

When you feel like quitting, think about why you started

A heart without dreams is like a bird without feathers

Don't doubt yourself, you can achieve big things

Happiness is an inside job

You can do anything you set your mind to do

Believe in yourself, push your limits, conquer your goals, and be happy

Sometimes you don't realize your own strength until you come face to face with your weakness

8 things to remember when going through tough times: 

1. Everything can- and will change

2. You've overcome challenges before

3. It's a learning experience

4. Not getting what you want can be a blessing

5. Allow yourself to have some fun

6. Being kind to yourself is the best medicine

7. Other people's negativity isn't worth worrying about

8. And there is always, always, always something to be thankful for

You're stronger than you know

Strength doesn't come from what you can't do, it comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't 

To heal a wound you need to stop touching it

Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that's very important for good health.

Be someone's strength. Be someone's inspiration. Be someone's reason to never give up.

There is a difference between giving up and knowing when you had enough

Give God your weakness and He will give you His strength

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world will emerge into the light

God hears every unspoken words, sees every unseen wound, mend every unbearable pain. Have faith and be strong.

God is good and all the time God is good.

A Young Girl's Adventure and Story

 In a time of knowing what is lost, a time of knowing will I be found is what is making me feel worried. It all started last weekend when I was going on a walk and I was just looking at the magnificent things that God has created and taking in the beauty of it all. I pray that I'm found. I don't know exactly where I am. I know that I'm a little far from home. There are many trees around me and I don't see any things by me. I think I'm in the woods but I don't remember why I would come to the woods that are a little further from my house. I spot a cave, it's not big but I go towards it and it looks like no one has taken care of it in so long. I try to see if there are other things that might point me towards home, bur all I can see is that it could get dark soon. I decided to take my lantern and go in the cave. I start a fire outside of the cave so that I can stay warm. I find different things to make so I don't go hungry and that I can stay warm, in case I have to sleep in the cave tonight. I've been here for I don't know how long but I know it's been since last weekend. I really hope and pray my family is looking for me and will have organized a search and rescue team. I don't mean to ever take long walks and then end up to where I know I shouldn't probably be but I know when things are scary, I don't have to be afraid because I know that God is with me always. It's getting dark, so it looks like I'm going to be spending the night out here till morning. It was never my intention to spend the night out here, but what am I to do? I don't know my way back and I certainly won't know it until tomorrow morning. Then just as I was about to go and drift off to sleep I heard a voice. It was a familiar voice. It was familiar because it was my mom's voice. I know it anywhere. Then I heard a second voice, and that was my dad's voice. I then see two lanterns, and them coming towards me. They hug me, and are crying tears of joy. One of our park rangers is with them, and has a lantern too. This time they blow out the fire and and help me out of the woods with what I had from the cave and outside of it. The park ranger escorts us back safely to our house, and my parents tell me how worried they were. My parents also told me that they thought they were going to lose me forever, but are so glad they knew where to look, and I'm glad they found me because I didn't think that I would be found at first. I thought it be months before someone found me. I told my parents that I was sorry for scaring them and I know it was wrong of me to go further than I should. They told me that they were glad I was safe and nothing bad happened and that I was grounded for going to where I shouldn't have gone to begin with. The punishment was fair because I did in a way disobey them. I knew that I shouldn't have, but I love to explore, only I shouldn't have gone to the woods that I was at. A few weeks and months had passed and me being grounded was over, but I learned a lesson from this. The lesson that I learned from all of this was to never do things like that again, if someone says no because I never did go back to where my parents, and the park ranger found me. My name is Kara and I'm 19 years old and this was a story of what happened with me and how I got reunited with my parents.

Finding You Movie Review

 I don't even know where to begin. I was so excited when a friend of mine sent me the trailer for this movie that as I watched the trailer, I couldn't help but wait to watch it. I preordered the film on Fandango Now's website and waited till it was available for me to watch. I was able to finally do just that today. It's a new film that was in theaters this year and now it's available to watch. I would watch this film again because it was that good. I know that I've told people I know and sometimes in general that I can usually figure out why the movie is called what it is by the time that it is done. I figured that out earlier but I don't want to spoil the movie because it is one that I think people are going to instantly love. The movie made me smile and it made me laugh. I would rate a million stars for this movie because I think that is what it deserves. The beginning all the way to the very end was just really great. I can't even begin to describe what I watched because the film told a great impactful story. The two characters are so different yet they both find what they have been searching for. I loved the story line and I loved everything that happened. There may be a sad part but a lot of the time we know that God can bring happiness into our lives, and turn a situation around that may be sad. For the Joy of the Lord is my strength. That for me, is what I felt the movie did for me, because it gave me that reminder in knowing that when we're sad, we can trust and know that with Joy, happiness, and trusting in what God shows us that we can do all things through Him that gives the strength we need. I don't know what else to say, except that this film is a must see. I liked how one of the characters was described as a warrior because for me that reminded me of how no matter how much I or anyone else goes through, we're never alone because in the song called In The Hands Of God, we know and we trust that everything will work out in God's Timing and we know that the plans He has for each of us are something that will be greater than what we can imagine. Our God isn't done with us yet because He has amazing plans for our lives and He is still working to show us that we can continue to help spread the love He wants us to share with those who are lost, with those who are hurting, and with those who may not even know Him but would like to know Him. God is good and all the time God is good. I hope that can remind you that in any situation, God's in control and He's got the world in His Hands and He will never ever let you go.

Encouragement with song titles and scripture

 How Great Is Our God to know that What If our Living Hope continued to shine through our hearts in knowing that Your Love Awakens Me. I Will Follow and I Can Only Imagine that It Is Well because My Savior My God is Mighty To Save. Our Good Good Father is A Chain Breaker and He is Everlasting God so I will give 10,000 reasons to sing and to pray to Him. Ancient Words in the Bible will never ever fail. I Will Rise, so Lead Me and let me know that I am Redeemed. In Christ Alone we see that the Goodness Of God is WayMaker and Healer that will show that Broken Things can be Mended. We don't have to be afraid when we have God to help us face our fears, the fears that are a liar and when we know that Fear Is A Liar, we realize that with our trust and our hope and our faith in God we can do all things through Him that gives us strength. For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not to harm you, but to give you a hope and a future. Truth Be Told What If The Power Of A Prayer could show the broken hearted that God cares for them and comforts them too? I am writing this post today because I feel somewhere right now that someone will need this encouragement. I feel God can help us to see that when we love one another and be there for each other, that we can have the calmness and peace in knowing that things will be okay as long we keep believing in Him and knowing that He has great plans and great things for us. I hope that as you read this, you'll feel inspired but blessed by the song titles I used to create a message of hope, a message of encouragement and a message of letting you know that you're never alone in this world. God's got the whole world in His Hands. He's never going to leave us and He's always with us in our Hearts and wherever we go. He shows that Mercy Is A Song and that our Family Tree is important. God loves all of us as His Children. He loves us so much that He placed on this earth for a purpose. He created us to be Wonderfully Made and He shows us that Grace Wins and that nothing is too big or too small for Him. With God all things are possible and with God nothing is impossible for Him because He is there for us.

The Girl Who Believes In Miracles Movie Review

 I don't know how to begin or where to begin but the movie of The Girl Who Believes In Miracles is a very powerful film. It reminds me of the movie Miracles From Heaven. Both girls in both movies believe in God and have Faith in Him. Although both movies are very different, they both have a great message. Now I don't want to give too much away but I will say that this is a movie that needs to be watched. It is a wonderful movie and I highly recommend it. I would give this movie ten stars and would watch it again. I may not watch it right away but it is a movie I would definitely watch again. When you see movies like this, you can't help but think how it can relate to you. What I mean is, you can't help but think what is it that God is wanting us to do? What is it that we can do to help those who don't Christ, want to know him? As I write this, I think of how I can continue to encourage others and how I can help them know who God is. What I loved is how they used the character Kevin Sorbo plays because it reminds me of his role in the first God's Not Dead movie series. If you remember that movie, then you know Kevin Sorbo had to play the role of someone who didn't believe. Now I can't tell you everything but I can tell you will love it. We know that God watches over us and so we know that no matter what, He will continue to reveal His Plan. I hope that you will be able to watch the movie and feel impacted and blessed by it. 

Prayer Never Fails Movie Review

 We often talk about how Love Never Fails, how God's love can never fail because He loves us with unconditional love that is so strong it can never break. Well today I want to share about a movie that I watched and finished, called Prayer Never Fails. In this movie a basketball coach was fired because he prayed. He lost his job because he was praying with a student and with the kids he coached. We all remember the movie War Room and we've heard how prayer is a powerful weapon. In that movie war room, there is prayer. The movie I finished watching was so powerful that it is a movie that needs to be watched and you can watch it on Amazon Prime Video. In part of the movie when the principal is saying the pledge of allegiance he leaves one of the most important and always important when saying it, which is One Nation Under God. He leaves it out because he doesn't believe that God's name should be mentioned and he says that prayer goes against their policy. When I think of the movie I just watched, I think of other movies like the God's Not Dead Films and how there is a song by the newsboys that says, when did it become breaking a rule to say your name out loud in school, when your life gave us all eternity. When we see that lyric and we see all of these different Christian Films we have to remind ourselves and we have to remember that they all have something in common with one another. We have to remember that they're all giving a message of hope, encouragement, an understanding that when we come together to pray, to encourage, stand up for what's right when others feel like giving up, that we have God  to help us through any storm or struggle. We remember that these films teach us lessons that can help us in our faith and relationship with God. We remember that no matter what happens, God is always with us and that His love for us never fails and because His love doesn't fail, we can remember that when we pray to Him that the power of prayer and the power to believe in what we know which is God is the way the truth and the life. We also remember that prayer doesn't fail because even when there are times when someone may feel like God isn't hearing your prayers, trust me when I say that He hears what you say in your heart when you pray to Him. He will answer in unexpected ways because He has a purpose and plan for all of us. This movie is more than just an ordinary movie, it's a movie that can and what I like to believe can help you grow in your faith and help you to grow stronger in your walk with God. If you would've told me before I watched this film from the beginning to the very end, I would say I wouldn't know what I was going to expect. I now looking at this film after finishing it, will continue to share what is on my heart, share what I know God is helping me to say, along with praying with those who ask me to keep them in prayer. There are a lot of topics in this film that are very difficult but we have to remember that with God all things are possible and that nothing is impossible for Him. If there is anything I will take away from this film, it was the message at the end and we have seen this in our Bibles over and over again, but the message towards the very end was Be Fishers Of Men. When we see a message like that come across in a film like this, then we know that we need to keep on giving the hope and encouragement to those who need it even more. We need to make sure that we pray for those who are hurting, lost, dealing with loss, and those who may not believe right now but want to have a relationship with God like we do. Yesterday, I was asked if I felt God has given me the gift to encourage, and I would say that yes I do believe that God wants me to help encourage others and continue to speak freely about my faith with them too. I believe that we're all called for a purpose and that no matter what we will be helping each other to know that while love never fails, prayer never fails us either. Prayer and love, hope and trust, faith and courage, are all things that God continues to help us with and He has a greater purpose for all of us. We may not always understand that, but He does and so with that, I just want to say if you're going through a struggle just remember that prayer works and that prayer is a powerful thing when we continue to put trust and our faith in Him, so that He can continue to help us fight our battles when we can't do it on our own and no matter what we know that it's important to have faith. Which now brings me to my last thing I want to say, there is a song by an artist named Glendil Griffin and a lot of what I just mentioned towards the end of this, is what I want to share of the title of the song called We Can't Make It On Our Own. That song isn't released but I wanted to share the title because when we can't make things on our own, when we can't handle things that are difficult, that is when we need to remember God can do all things and that prayer, love, trust, hope, faith, and joy and peace can help us through the difficult times.

A quote about Wisdom

Albert Einstein said this: Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.

Fearless Faith Movie Review

If I had to describe the movie I just watched, words couldn't begin to describe it. This is a powerful film that people need to see. I wouldn't recommend this to kids but I would recommend it to anyone else that will be able to understand and help those who watch it with their parents understand. This movie is something that can't be explained. There's so many twists and turns to the film that words don't even begin to tell you how much a film like this one can make an impact. If there's anything I took away from it, it's we shouldn't take anything for granted. It's how we can impact others and how we can show God cares for them. This movie, if I had to rate it. I would rate it by giving it a thousand stars because I feel that's what it deserves. I'm writing this and I think of different things but as I think of those things, I think of how God has helped me in my faith walk and relationship with Him. I think of how I encourage by saying something to someone over the phone that might need to hear it. I think of how God is an awesome God. I think of how He sent His One and Only Son to die on the cross to forgive us of our sins. Finally, I think of how God has a plan for all of us even when we may not understand it but we know that God does understand it and He will help us everyday because He is with us always. So, if you're looking to watch a movie you haven't seen before, I would recommend watching this one on Amazon Prime.

Faithful Journey

 I saw the most gorgeous sunset, nothing I could ever capture. God showing me that no matter where I go, He's there for me. I came to realize in summer of 2003 that God was revealing His great plan for me. I know what some of you maybe thinking but trust me I know that God was revealing His plan for my life. I didn't know growing up until the summer of 2003 when God wanted me to go into leading a children's camp for those who have felt lost with no direction. I first thought this was crazy, I had no camp experience but it was something that God was  wanting me to do and so in the summer of 2004 I opened up my first camp to those who were struggling in their faith, in their own relationship but also for those with learning disabilities. It was in 2005 that the camp got it's own plaque that read Come Seek The Lord And Trust In Him For I Can Do All Things Through Christ That Gives Me Strength And Trust In The Lord With All Your Heart And Lean Not On Your Own Understanding. I know that's a little long for a plaque but that is what became a camp motto for all of those who came to camp. They learned songs, they did devotions, they even wrote a song for it to be our theme and it went something like this, I will trust I will trust, I will give my heart to you, give me strength, give me strength to show me all that I can do, help me now, help me now show me all things are possible, help me grow, help me grow, let my love for you remain the same, and shine your light to me shine your light through me, help me to know that no matter where you're, your in my heart and you never ever leave me, so help me to seek you every day and help me to know that nothing is impossible because you will give us the strength to keep holding on to hope and no matter what we say or do, as long as you're here we know we'll be okay because you provide and you remain faithful and your glory never fails and as we put our trust in you, we have faith to overcome the obstacles that we face, so show us your mercy and your grace and show us how you lead the way to you and for us because nothing is impossible for you. That song has been the theme song and the anthem song for every new camper and I'm proud to say over the years that nothing has changed. The motto and song remain the same, and God's love for us never fails. I am now proud to say that the camp God called me to lead and to run, has grown ever since and it is also my honor to say that it's won the best faith and hope for all generations of kindness award, and the ceremony is being held tonight, and the kids will be singing the song I just mentioned at the ceremony. We will also be saying the motto to close the ceremony out as we hope it encourages someone out there. My name is Melissa Ann Rodriquez and I'm 29 years old and I'm grateful and thankful to be the owner of my camp called, Motivation Encourage Respect Compassion Youth otherwise know as Mercy for short. We believe that Mercy is a name that fit for our camp because God shows us mercy every single day and He never let's us go and He is still working in our lives no matter where we are or what our goals are, He shows us those plans and the verse if you haven't read it yet, look  up Jeremiah 29:11 and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about and what I'm saying because God has a purpose for us all. I just want to say thank you all, for taking the time to read my story and my testimony that I shared with you, and I hope that one day, if you feel nervous to share your testimony, then don't be, because God created you in His Image and He will help you even if you're nervous. This is my tenth time sharing how God called me into be an owner and leader for a camp that I didn't think I would be good to start, but God showed me that His plan was different and that I could do it as long as I put my trust in Him.

Hav Faith Movie Review

 I want to start out with how amazing it is to know that there are films out in our world that can inspire us. I just finished a movie on Pureflix called Hav Faith. It is a wonderful film that everyone should see. I can't describe it but I loved the scripture before it got to the movie's storyline. In this world we always fear over things that make us afraid, but God shows us that we don't have to be. Yesterday was Easter and we remember that God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins so that we could be forgiven. Matthew West has a song about Forgiveness and one of the lines talks about letting us have God show us how to love the unloveable and how to reach the unreachable. Those two lines in that song are what we should want to do by reaching out to them and letting them know that no matter what we will forgive them just like God sent His Son to die on the cross to forgive our sins. I can't explain the movie I saw because it is a powerful movie and I will say that when you watch it, it shows how we should continue to be who God created us to be. It shows us that no matter the trials we face, God shows us that there is still good in this world because if there wasn't, we be in trouble. When you watch this movie I would recommend it to teens and young adults, and parents but not younger kids because they may not understand everything that happens. I figured out why the movie is called Hav Faith but if you would like to know why it's called that then you'll need to watch it to find out. I also realized that the message at the very end of the movie shows what we need to remember and what we should always let others know. This movie is a film told from the perspective of who Joseph was in the Bible because it's a modern day story of it in the Bible. If you have Pureflix and you're looking for a movie to watch either this week or over the weekend then please watch this one. It's one of those films that I would watch again because there is another film that I'll review for another time but I wanted to talk about this film for a second because I wanted to talk about how God gives us second chances for when we make a mistake, and we think what we did was right but it wasn't, that's when we see how God shows us that with mercy, grace, hope, trust, and all the qualities He gives us, we can be forgiven and we can see that the second chance He gives us is great because we need to remember that even though we may not be perfect, we know that God's love for us never ever changes and it's a wonderful and amazing thing. I can't begin to tell you how much this movie can make a difference from when you begin to watch it till the time you finish it. I know that I could write so much more but for now I want to leave you with this. I hope that this photo is a reminder for you that no matter what happens in our lives God still loves us.

Encouragement

I know that a lot of you saw me post about an interview I did with Heather Rae who is a Christian Artist. Well she has a talk show called Interruption Hug. She, alongside her parents have guests come on their show to talk about what they're doing for God. I, like many others have been blessed to be interviewed by Heather. Heather is a person I've gotten to know through another Christian program called Christian Media Spotlight, where host Joe Neal helps encourage others with music hangouts that sometimes have a cohost, along with putting a Night Of Hope Special together. Heather has been on the show, along with being on Night Of Hope. I've seen a lot of the interviews Heather has done in the past and each time I've tuned in, I know that what she does for God is great and I know that God has a plan for her life. If you want to learn more about what they do, along with looking at some of the guests and learning more about each person from when they have been on I encourage you to check out their website. If the link to their site doesn't work, you can always look it up and find it that way. I have been blessed to know so many people through Christian Media Spotlight that it's great to know I've built friendships because of it. Heather's show interruption hug is always on Friday mornings at 9 am. So if you need to hear about God's Word or you just need something to encourage you, you can tune in on Friday mornings to Heather's show and I also recommend checking out Christian Media Spotlight and seeing how the music, and people like Heather who have been apart of it, have come together to worship, pray for another, and have conversation. You can not go wrong with tuning in to both because neither are ones you want to miss. The link to the ministry that Heather and her family do, is below and I hope that you will take a look at it to find out and see what they do, so you can be encouraged as well.

https://www.interruptionhugministries.org/

Inspirational Quote

 I want to talk about a quote I found yesterday on Google. The quote I found, after searching inspirational quotes said, ''Nothing Is Impossible, The Word Itself says I'm Possible. You see God, shows us that Nothing Is Impossible for Him and that with Him all things are Possible. He shows us that we don't have to be afraid and we can do all things through Him because He gives us strength. No matter what we go through in life, whether it be a struggle or something that we can't explain, God knows and He will help us. God does the Impossible and He shows us what is Possible. God shows us that when we take things that are possible we can do the impossible. A lot of what I am saying, is what we probably have heard in the Bible, from a family member, a friend, youth group leader, our pastor, an artist, an author, and a motivational speaker. No matter how we heard it, and no matter where we heard it, we heard it from somewhere. We know that God's Word never fails, We know that He forgives us. We know He loves and cares for us. So, with that being said I would like to share one song today that hopefully helps you today.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ncJ04n3hPw

Let this song be an encouragement in your life and the title of this song is called So Loved and it's by Matthew West.

We all need the reminder as God's children that we are loved by Him and that He will never ever give up on any of us because He has a plan for us.

If the link in this post doesn't work, you can find it on YouTube and listen to it there.

Another song I reccomend you listen to by Matthew West is Take Heart, because we need to do that too in our lives, just like the line in that song says, In this world you will have trouble but I have overcome the world. That line right there, is something we see in God's Word when we read His Word.                             

interview with Joe Neal Host Of Christian Media Spotlight

 Here is our in-depth interview with Christian Media Spotlight creator, showrunner and executive producer Joseph Neal as he shares a bit with Contributing Writer Elizabeth Holthouse about this history of Christian Media Spotlight as Night of Hope is on the verge of its one year anniversary. Enjoy the read!

Q. I would like to know; how did the show first start and is there a story on how CMS got its name?

A. The show first got its start in 2007 out of necessity in part really. I was producing a ministry show that was an hour in length and the content that edition ran only 45 minutes - so I was scrambling to figure out how to fill time since in TV you can’t leave the air that early - so that’s where CMSTV was born. I emailed a few publicist managers to see if any artists could be featured half expecting them to say no - but the next day Brandon Heaths manager said he would do it! We did the interview via phone and it ended up being a success / more interviews followed from there! The name came pretty quickly - wanted it to really depict what the segment was about to me which was spotlighting the stories and testimonies of artists in Christian music - it was there that Christian Music Spotlight (renamed Christian Media Spotlight in 2015) and the slogan was born! The rest after that as they say is history!

Q. When would you say you first started to interview people?

A. That first interview believe it or not was the first exposure really to interviewing people in Christian media. I had taken journalism and studied broadcast media at a radio station but this was my first leap head first into something like this on a regular basis hosting and interviewing. Started with phone interviews and eventually morphed into in person interviews, and now thanks to technology - Skype and Facebook Live interviews too!

Q. How has the show developed and grown from the time you first started it to now?

A. It has grown so much in the last number of years. When I first started it was a segment on another television show and included it where time allowed - we mixed in our first festival broadcast in 2009 by a move of the Lord too. In late 2011, I quickly realized the show needed to grow wings on its own - so on New Year's Day 2012, we launched its own half hour show of its own! In 2015, we started getting enough authors and actors in the mix to where the name was tweaked slightly to Christian Media Spotlight to reflect the broadened scope. In about 2018ish is when we started taping the interviews as they happen over Facebook Live which really opened things up to a national audience more so than in our history. All that ground work prepared me and this ministry for the craziest year in its history. When the pandemic started and festivals were lost, Night of Hope was born and set into motion a lot of the growth that’s exploding now - from the music hangouts that now happen twice a week, to the personalized concerts, and even now the launch of the new audio podcast on Spotify and other platforms and articles like what people are reading now - that coupled with our TV stations expanding us to a full hour at the start of 2020 - and it’s been a wild ride! So, while we’ve grown - it’s still about the stories and testimonies and cultivating community at its core - that will never change.

Q. Did you have any mentors or people in your life, growing up that helped you in your faith walk with God and if so, how has it helped you?

A. I came to the Lord really in high school by a guy named LT - who friended me when I was finding my way and showed me the love of Christ - him and Mitch and Jamie - a lot of those guys in high school laid the foundation of my faith walk - and I won’t forget them for that. My late aunt and cousins are devout followers and so their love and kindness has been really cool over the years. Even though we see things differently now / I learned a lot of things from the first church I went to and produced tv for. My immediate family and relatives have all been pretty supportive of the work I do and never give them enough credit over the years for that. Beyond that I’ve been privileged to work with and network with so many musicians, venue owners, media personnel and others in the community who have been like a second family who continue to inspire me to keep being who I am in my faith and no matter what - hopefully I never lose that ability to love people and serve where God places me. I learned long ago that we are all imperfect people serving a perfect God and it reminds me and humbles me to show grace and kindness to people and just be a support and cheerleader where I can - and it helps in the tough stretches knowing that it’s not a war with flesh and blood - powers and principalities - and it helps me not to take a lot of things personal anymore and know that no matter what God is still here - life happens and you get through it one day at a time and with the Lord enjoy the journey a little bit along the way!

Q. Is there a Bible verse or passage of scripture either growing up or now that you go to when things are a struggle or are difficult for you?

A. There are several depending on the season - a few that come to mind : “My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:26‬ - God has to be the strength of my heart bottom line and the reason why I do what I do and why I am who I try to be and emulate.

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things, I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through He who strengthens me”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭- this scripture helps me to roll with the punches and no matter what happens He is with me and I can endure.

Jeremiah 29:11 - he has plans to prosper us and give us a future. This helps me to realize that I don’t have to worry about the future because He has it all taken care of in front of me and helps me to focus on what’s in front of me in the present. (There’s a few more scriptures for sure / but there’s a good three to start with for ya!

Q. What would you say, looking back from when the show first started to now, has been your favorite moment on CMSTV?

A. Wow. What a question. There’s almost been too many to narrow to just one - I’ve got stories for days. I’ll give a quick couple. In studio when Jenny from Addison Road performed in our studio was an amazing landmark episode I won’t forget on the show at that point in its history. A number of the festival shows were fun - MercyMe was only supposed to go 7-8 minutes and when our production timer/stage manager stopped us it was 22 minutes (and Bart came up with a liner I won’t forget ever). That year we did Chris August and Tenth Avenue North which was off the rails hilarious from the start! - In a video interview maybe, I’ll go into more detail on a few of these. Recently the shows with Carrollton, Sam Day and Collington were absolutely fun interviews. I loved my recent trips back to do TV in New England were very memorable because it opened up my eyes to how nationwide reaching, we are now and to just do television with a huge support around that week was a blast. I’ve been extremely fortunate producing this the last number of years to have met so many people and to have so many heartwarming, side splitting funny moments that I won’t forget that it’s so hard to pick one because I’ve been blessed with so many of those type moments over the years. I have probably so many production stories I could write a book.. lol

Q. If you had to go back to a moment from when this show first started, was there a time that something happened and you had to try and fix it really fast or not really?

A. If you mean like tech things going wrong - yes! Usually that happens not so much in the studio but when we have a large amount of production equipment onsite at a festival where things tend to go wrong. Whether it be memory cards, microphone issues, etc. - you fix it as fast as you can when you are on site and having multiple cameras helps - the biggest headaches sometimes is when it’s all done and you find those issues with a clip in post-production and that’s where many a headache has been spent.. lol! Lately it’s more connection and software glitches producing the show lately via remote setups that could go wrong. I was always taught old school in broadcasting by a mentor that things happen - you just have to roll with it and not draw too much attention to those mistakes - and no matter what the show must go on. You just try to mold and be flexible and adapt the best you can in any situation and that’s why I run a fairly loose production set because if something happens last minute, I want the production to be able to quickly adapt to a fluid situation and not be so stuck that if something changes / it’s ruined if that makes sense. I try to just keep pressing forward producing the best show i can - try not to dwell too hard on the mistakes and just enjoy the whole process along the way

Q. Do you remember the first time you started out with production and building a team of people who would later on help you create what this show has become today?

A. Yea certainly. For the first few years I primarily did the work load for CMS on my own all the way down to the editing. For the first year, I had a freelance producer Jim who did camera work and on road shoots, and a camera guy named John in the early years who has since passed away. About 2012-13 I realized at least with festivals I needed freelance crew and also studio crew for the studio shows we started to do. So, between my church connections, family, and television station personnel-built crews that helped me out in different scenarios. There was a crew that primarily assisted in studio, and a crew that primarily assisted with roadshows. My prerequisite for anyone that joined the team was simple - have a heart for the Lord and of service, strive for excellence while having a ton of fun along the way, be teachable and adaptable to production techniques and changes and all move forward keeping the core mission of CMSTV at the center of what we do - plain and simple. In 2013, Bob, Dan, Gwen, Rachell, Regan, Tim, Tom were just some of the studio folks that helped us out. Regan, Chris, Jim, DJ, Madesyn, Rachell, Regan were some of our freelance road crew along with other media friends/outlets that assisted along the way like Rich, Thomas, Lizzy, Sam, and Lydia come to mind along with festival staff like Angee, Phil, Victor, Maria, and others who make this what it is building the foundation over the years. (Not to mention the network personnel who keep us on the air). In addition to all of these folks over the years, countless Spotlighters like you in the community have been huge help and ambassadors contributing gifts and talents making this thing go forward. I lead and carry the mantle yes - but there have been a lot of people along the way who have had a hand in its history or continue to have in this ministry pushing and propelling it forward. I am very blessed to work with a tremendous freelance crew over the years - and while I’ve gone back to producing a lot of it myself remotely during the pandemic like old school again - hopefully when things open up there will be a need for more production crews again someday soon!

Q. Has there been a time from when you first did the Night Of Hope Specials that you thought there was going to be more or did you think there was going to be no more after the first special aired on the show?

A. When the pandemic first hit when festivals were cancelling and not many people were doing regular livestream music shows year, the Lord gave me the idea upon prayer for this show, and the name came rather quickly - what do I want this night to embody during this strange time - Night of Hope was conceived. I reached out to 10-12 different artists about submitting a song to air on the show. I was producing this night going all out with-it having fun thinking at the time that this was going to be the only one - even on show night I thought this was a one night special - the Night of Hope show logo wasn't created yet until Night 2 because I didn't see a need with a one off special.. lol. I remember saying at the end of the first broadcast "Let me know if you wish to see more of these" - not knowing the morning after we aired the first night that a half a dozen artists flooded my inbox saying they wanted in on the next one. I greenlit production on the second one for Memorial Day with a show logo. I didn't think even then what the Lord was about to do with this series. It wasn't until Night of Hope 3 in the summer that some of our consultants said we needed to go big with this night like a summer festival and I wanted a tagline for the show developed by our viewers and that's where "Sharing Hope Through Worship" was born. One of our viewers said "50 artists" to which at first, I got excited but thought was half crazy thinking we wouldn't reach that. Well.. we booked 50 artists and aired 46. It was then that I realized and made a decision that Night of Hope was here to stay and it became a monthly series from that point forward. I am continually awestruck and humbled how God is using this Night of Hope vehicle and taking it to new heights way more than ever thought possible. If you would have told me a year ago that the show at this point would feature over 85 artists, aired nearly 250 songs over 10 editions, I would've thought someone was crazy. It's just a testament of how God can take a little dream/vision He births inside of you, and in his timing when its ready to take off, can take that dream and turn it into a gigantic reality better than anything you thought possible. I'm grateful every day for this series and it's as much of our foundation as anything we do here at CMSTV and just proud of how people have reacted to the show and support and supported it and the artists and viewers we've been able to uplift and encourage along the way and the artists who have trusted this platform to showcase their gifts and talents.

Q. Do you have a memorable moment from someone you interviewed when the show first started or when you went to travel to interview artists that first started making music and releasing it?

A. There was a number of memorable names the first year the show was on the air, we had Matt Maher, Sonic flood, and Jars of Clay via phone interviews during the first year that were pretty cool. Matt Maher's phone interview was pretty fun and poignant one to do in the early going. Interviewing Duncan Phillips and Peter Furler from Newsboys a number of years ago via phone was an absolute joy as well! Those early conversations that first year really helped me develop the flow of the show, the tone of the show, and how stylistically I wanted to do interviews - it was a fun learning experience the first year on the air. As far as musicians starting out.- one I vividly remember is interviewing Ryan Stevenson who was playing the small stages and was just starting to branch out musically. We interviewed him 2 years in a row when he was a indie artist. I look back fondly at that as one example of playing a small role in helping artists achieve their dreams - because now Ryan is as much of a household name in the male artist realm with TobyMac's label and all - as anyone with his radio hits right now.

Q. If you could go back to traveling and doing interviews, where would you want to travel and who would you like to be the first person that you interview if given the chance to go back out on the road?

A. I had the pleasure of doing an interview episode with April Kane, Kat Stewart and Matthew Jones in October for the first time the show was on the road in about a year and a half and I had so much fun with that show that I realized how much I missed it - the energy of the in person shows. I am making preliminary plans to look at different festivals, like Soul fest in the N.E., Nehemiah Fest in the Midwest, and others to partner with to determine where to travel for roadshows this summer and how many I want to do. Would love to do more roadshows in the Northeast, but would love to do shows from places we haven't been yet that have great viewers, like a few places in the Midwest like Kansas or Ohio, places like that - would love to do more roadshows if we feasibly can - scheduling/production logistics and financial requirement aside. As far as a who - there are a few names that I haven't interviewed yet that would love to (list is getting smaller by the year) - but I just love chatting with people - from big household names down to chatting with indie musicians just getting their start - I love fellowshipping and chatting and having great conversations with a variety of artists

Q. Any advice that you would give to those who have felt lost in their faith walk with God, if so what would it be and why would you give it?

A. I would say to never give up as hard as circumstances may seem and keep pressing forward. Another piece of advice is not to sweat the small stuff and enjoy the journey. In this life you will have trouble, hard things will happen - being a Christian doesn't stop that. Our faith is there to help us get through those hard times - find someone - a good friend perhaps to talk to in those times of trouble so you don't get stuck in isolation - which is what the enemy wants. I would also say be excellent in where you are, don't worry so much about pleasing people but please God, and allow God to work through your imperfections. I spent a lot of time being a fixer and pleasing people and ready to receive criticism that I didn't know how to receive a compliment when it came. I had to realize it's not about perfection - and that if I focus on the things that please the Lord - ultimately the people who are moving with a like heart will be blessed and glean from that. By allowing God to work through that - God never wants to remove the best parts of you - he always wants to refine them and make you an even better version of you. I still have a heart to love and serve people, but I allowed God to make me a stronger person that is less trapped up by fear and setting unrealistic goals - where I can be free to enjoy each day as a gift the best i can. I've learned through good times and in tribulation over the last year that my last piece of advice I would give is this - be present in your relationships, and in life for what's in front of you. God wants to use you right now - and we can't if we are always looking so far back or so far forward, we are ineffective and stuck for today. God has a plan for all of us - we just all need to pay attention to what He is doing around us today. If we take it, one day at a time - hopefully we can weather the storms a little better when they come our way.

Q. Going back to a memory of either when the show was just beginning, or when it was continuing to grow, how would you say it has helped you in your own faith walk with God growing up, and how has it blessed you, from when you first started, to continuing to do it now?

A. Doing this show in a lot of ways keeps me just as encouraged and uplifted through music and conversation/testimonies as hopefully it does for a lot of you. There are songs that play that I receive for the show, or a piece of advice I will hear a guest say that has an impact on my faith walk immensely at a time when I may need to hear it That coupled with stories of how this program helps people through their situation or their day in a way helps motivate me in my own faith walk to keep trucking forward. In the last number of years despite all the things that have changed and things that have stayed a constant in my life, this show and ministry has been a joyful respite and a labor of love networking and fellowshipping with so many people and providing so many good memories. I'm thankful for many things in my life, good health, a good steady day job, good family, and this show is one of those things I thank God every day for the chance I get to produce this show - and I will keep doing it as long as the Lord wants me to and as long as it's leaving the desired impact it's supposed to leave.

Q. Is there a time in your life where you thought the show was going to just be a few episodes, and not as big as it has become now?

A. Sure. I think when it first was a segment inside of a show, I didn't think then it was going to become a series and was content with it being a recurring thing - until I realized God had bigger plans for it than that. At various growing pains of its life, I sometimes wonder if it's reached the pinnacle or if it's going to grow any farther. I just was asking God at the beginning of 2020 when roadshows were cancelling if I should end CMSTV or keep going and just have it be a slow autopilot type of year and the Lord clearly told me then - no - I have bigger plans for this - even though I certainly didn't see it yet. The heights that the show is reaching now is something that I certainly was actively pushing towards years ago but realized it wasn't God's timing for it to take off yet - He was still building the foundation and strengthening me at that point. Now - where I sit, I have watched CMSTV mature in front of my very own eyes into the creation that I knew it could be - and God has done even more with it than I ever could've thought possible. God's timing is everything and I am humbled and blessed that God has provided for, blessed and grown exponentially a platform such as this for a time such as this. This past year just has me more excited with a renewed purpose for CMSTV and its promising future.

Q. Finally, did you ever think that you would be celebrating the one-year anniversary of the show and did you ever think it was going to leave an impact on so many people's lives?

A. The one-year anniversary of Night of Hope - no certainly not at the beginning. I am constantly humbled by the feedback that the Night of Hope series has brought from viewers that were impacted by certain songs that we have played at a time they needed it, and artists as well who are grateful that when other outlets were saying no - we came along and said yes - and were able to feature their talent and give them a place to showcase it. I never thought that when it was first conceived a year ago that it would reach the heights it continues to reach and hear stories of how this music series (and by extension the hangout shows, or Christian Media Spotlight main show) has impacted people's lives - I love hearing those stories and don't take those stories lightly. The whole reason for Night of Hope to exist is to give viewers and artists a time of hope, encouragement, worship, and a positive nurturing place where they feel welcomed and valued. As long as Night of Hope is doing that - than I think that it's doing its job and we will keep doing those as long as there is a need to feasibly fill with those. To feature over 85 different artists and nearly 250 songs over 10 shows in this last year is mind boggling to me and quite humbling and proud in the greatest sort of ways.

A Girl's Journey To Julliard Part Eight

We arrived home and I talk with my mom about all that has happened since we visited everyone. She tells me that no matter what happens next that God is in control. Later on, we went to bed because we were tired. The next morning, we went to see my dad and our neighbor. The doctors told us that our neighbor and my dad were able to come home today. We were so happy and thrilled. The doctors told us how dad was going to have to take things easy for awhile, along with our neighbor. I call our friend we haven't seen in awhile and tell him the good news. When he answers the phone, I hear sobbing. I try to ask what is wrong but I continue to hear sobbing. I try to ask if things are okay but I hear sobbing and sobbing that I have to wonder if something happened with his parents or another relative that we don't too much about. He finally composes himself and tells me that he is crying happy tears because his parents are home now. I congratulate him and tell him I'll talk with him later. He says, I hope that you will enjoy going to Julliard in the fall. I tell him thank you and we hang up. I feel bad that I didn't invite him to see dad since dad and our neighbor were home. Although, I suppose everyone has had a very long day. I will see if there is anything that my dad needs for now. I'll talk with all of you later. My mom receives a phone call. It's from Mr. Carson. I don't understand. I just remain silent and dad is asleep in their room, so he won't hear this. My mom has this serious look and then it turns happy and then back to serious and then happy again. I'm so confused and I don't know what to do or what to say, or even what to think. I hope Mrs. Carson is alright. She finally says goodbye to Mr. Carson on the phone and mom doesn't say a word. She then calls Ally which is Mr. and Mrs. Carson's daughter and talks in some code about how Ally's mom is doing. I can't understand but why should I, mom probably doesn't want me to hear the news yet if it's bad. I just want to know that Mrs. Carson is healthy and okay. Dad wakes up and I help him to the couch. Mom, hangs up the phone and sees dad on the couch. I go outside, not because I want to go outside but mom has me go outside, so that she can tell the news. I really want to know Mrs. Carson is okay but I'm sure mom would tell me if anything is wrong. I really hope that things are okay before I leave for the fall to attend Julliard. My mom sends me a text. I come back inside and she tells me that Mrs. Carson is very well but that she has a long recovery and is unable to see her daughter Ally and would love to see her but can't right now. So that's why her husband had me call their daughter to come here. I sigh with relief and am happy that Mrs. Carson will be happy. The next day Ally Carson arrives and rings her parent's doorbell. Mr. Carson answers the door and gives his daughter a hug. He closes the door. The phone rings shortly after. This time on the phone it is Mrs. Carson. She is telling mom how happy she is to have her daughter that was named after her, home. She said, I can't talk long but I'm so thankful for family and for yours and have a great day. She hangs up the phone and dad and I are crying tears of happiness. A few weeks later, dad is able to do a lot of the things he was not able to when he came back home from the hospital. Mrs. Carson was fully recovered too and her and her husband even came over to celebrate. Their daughter left back home, as she had to go to work at the hospital my dad was transferred to when Mrs. Carson watched me. A few moments later and months later it was time for me to pack and head off to Julliard. I said goodbye to my friend I talked with on the phone, and to Mr. and Mrs. Carson. My parents and I traveled and they helped me unpack when I arrived. I got myself checked in and I said goodbye to my parents and told them that I loved them and thanked them for helping in my journey. They said goodbye and love you. I met my roommate and she is very nice and my age. She tells me she grew up in Kentucky. I asked her what that was like. She told me her story and how it has been an honor to have gotten a scholarship. Her parents couldn't afford, let alone pay for Julliard. She told me it was like a blessing in disguise that she was able to come here and learn. She told me she's wanted to be a dancer all her life and now that she's here, it's like she is in a dream and doesn't want to wake up. She told me how she wants to be on Broadway and then hopefully open up her own dance studio and teach students with disabilities. She hopes that we can remain friends throughout the four years we have together. I tell her that we will. She asks me, if she wants to explore campus and meet others that are here to learn just like them. I politely decline and tell her I'm a little tired from the trip here. She nods and closes the door behind her. I take a nap and then my roommate comes back in and wakes me up. She says you should go and meet others. I tell her, I'll have plenty of time to make friends. She says if I don't then our dorm advisor might be mad. I get up and she starts practicing dancing and I close the door behind me and go to meet others. I meet this one girl who has brunette hair, and blue eyes. She told me she is from Milwaukee and I ask her what that is like. She tells me her story and then tells me that I'll be rooming with her next month. I was shocked to hear that. I asked her what she meant by that. She tells me that next month everyone is put in with a different roommate. I didn't believe her but then our dorm advisors came by and said it was true. They told us every semester they just want others to get to know as many people as possible. I guess I understand that. I ask if I can make a phone call to my parents back home. They say yes. I call them and they're happy to hear my voice. I tell them what has gone on, since I have gotten here. They are proud. I tell them goodbye and they say that you're going to have a great first year. I really hope they're correct. My first year at Julliard has gone very well so far and then we went to orientation. We learned what is expected of us and what we need to do and not do. We went to our very first classes. Next we did workshops and we learned different things. We have supper and then we have time to reflect and do what we need. Sooner or later it was light's out and because tomorrow was a new day. I wake up, my roommate is not there. There is a note however, and I read it. She was letting me she got up early to go to the breakfast hall, to get a start to rehearse for her dance audition today. I can't believe they're having auditions. I didn't think that would happen the first year. She explains it's not a huge audition but a small one that could determine where she goes from there. I wonder if I would have a dance or acting audition today. I didn't, I just had some more workshops. A few months later we were in our second year, and my first year roommate well she roomed with another girl in the same dormitory as me. The girl from Milwaukee was my second year roommate and we grew close as our second year was beginning. I was thinking how hard it will be when our graduation comes. Although we had time. A little while later in the passing months again, my second year roommate from Milwaukee roomed with another girl in a different dormitory and not the same as my first year roommate. As for me I got another roommate who was shy and didn't say much but she seemed nice. When she finally talked, she decided to tell me where she was from and how she got a scholarship and how blessed she was.  I was happy and couldn't have been more proud to know what it's been like to meet these amazing people. I've learned so much in the three years and now that it's almost time for the fourth year to come, I just hope I get the audition this year by the time the fourth year rolls around the corner. I don't ever want to feel like my dream for being year was a mistake of some sort but I know it wasn't. I know it takes time. I finally get the audition I've been waiting for and who knows maybe this will lead me to Broadway. I've always wanted to do shows, and movies so maybe this is my chance to make a big impact. I go into my audition and they ask me to improv. I do and then they ask me to dance. So I dance to the music from the musical Wicked. Then they ask me to sing, so I sing a song my mother sang to me when I was a child. Finally they tell me I have potential to become a star and if I keep working in my fourth year I should get a job somewhere. I thank them for their time and go back to my dorm room and study. Around my fourth year of being here, most of everyone I've roomed with, have gone on to moving in other dorms with others or into housing. I however, have roomed by myself in my fourth year because well there wasn't anyone else to room with, except a first year student who just got here today. Her name is Sidney and she is wanting to study ballet and be a ballerina. She lives in Austin Texas but just like most of the people I've met and made friendships with, she too got a scholarship. We are in our last year and next month we graduate at the end of August. I can't believe it but I'm going to miss this place. I make a phone call to my parents and my parents are proud of me and they say they wouldn't miss it. By August, it came time for me to graduate from a very great preforming arts school. I see our neighbors, my friend who was at the hospital with his parents, and my parents getting ready to cheer. Once graduation was over I introduced everyone to all my friends I've met since I've been here and they're all pleased to have met my friends I've made. My friends give me their numbers and I thank them. My friend who I talked with at the hospital asks the courage to ask me out. I say yes. I also say now, I have to find a place to live and find a job and I show why I said that. My dorm advisor says, you've graduated and go have fun and don't worry about finding a job right away. I say thank you. My parents and everyone take me out to celebrate the next chapter of my life. I couldn't believe it my dream of acting was going to take off sooner or later and I had a whole bunch of people who love me. A few years later, my parents and our neighbors and the boy who was my boyfriend decided to move to New York. A few more years later the boy that was my boyfriend married me and I still got an acting job. I was an actress on Broadway, preforming every night and day. I was living my dream and so was my newly wed husband because he got a job as a stage manager at the theater I was doing shows at. We were together every night and day. My parents and Mr. and Mrs. Carson were so proud of who I've become and what once was a a girl's journey, my journey to Julliard had turned into a dream come true. Sequel: Eventually we all moved out of New York and moved back to where I grew up, so I could open up my own preforming arts center with my husband and live out a new dream of helping others.