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What do the Sahara Desert, a song from 1971,  our choices at Christmas, and a suffering lady all have in common?  They are all part of what made this week a very good one here on Starting Right.  

There are times when to find the answers we seek from God we need to take some bold steps. We don't even know the name of this lady in scripture but she sure can teach us something about bold faith.

With all the restrictions we are facing it seems like we have lost all of our choices of what Christmas will be like this year.  While Covid and our governments can control some of our choices, there are some important things they cannot control or take from us.

While watching a church service online this past Sunday, the church sang a song that I hadn't heard for years.  It speaks a truth that can help us right now as we face these uncertain times.  We will get through it all.

The Sahara is a vast, amazingly dry desert.  Yet recently there are some discoveries of what lies beneath all that sand that will change people's thinking about this desert.  

Here is our Friday roundup and review of our week.  From a song written 500 years before Christ, to the best selling Christian song ever, to laughter to listening, we covered it all this week.  I hope you have a great weekend.  Be blessed.

There are certain skills that we all have. They are necessary to live our lives in a community with others.  And yet, one of the core skills seems to be on the decline.  It is not difficult to do, it just takes some time and consideration of others.

Does anyone else feel like there is a dark cloud hanging over our lives lately?  Today we offer a small break from all that doom and gloom and hopefully bring you a few laughs and smiles. 

Bart Millard started grew up for most of his life with an abusive father.  But then his dad was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer, and things began to change in a way that Bart could hardly believe.  The result was not only a bond with his father that became strong but it also gave us what has become the biggest Christian song in the last 70 years.

David's rise to King of Israel was filled with danger and intrigue but he never forgot the lessons God had taught him as a young boy.  Psalm 23 is a personal declaration of God's protection, guidance, and provision through even the most difficult stretches of his life.  This same protection, guidance, and peace that God gave David are still available for us.  Be encouraged by this very familiar portion of scripture.

Today is our Friday Review of our week.  Every day we attempt to bring you encouragement and hope to help you be more than a survivor in our world filled with uncertainty.  Be blessed.  Have a great weekend 

What is the biggest challenge for Christians right now?  I was recently asked that question and I am pretty sure that Potatoes, Eggs, and Coffee provide the answer.

Today is Remembrance Day here in Canada.  We honour all of our men and women who have fought for our country and pay a special tribute to those who have given their lives.  Today's story is about what has been called 'the most famous photograph in Canadian History'.  Wait for me Daddy, has encouragement for us in our darkest times and helps us to also see there is a future.  Here is the link to the photo.  I encourage you to check it out. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wait_for_Me,_Daddy#/media/File:British_Columbia_Regiment_1940.jpg

Horatio Gates Spafford.  Not a name that you might recognize, yet the pain in his life has left us with a message of hope in the middle of the disaster.  You will be encouraged and blessed by his story.

In her autobiography, Katharine Hepburn, tells the story of visiting the circus with her dad.  They were not able to see the circus that day, but it didn't matter.  It was still one of the best memories of her life.  

This week has been filled with lots of things to stress about and that we can be afraid of.  Just the words, Elections, or Second Wave, can cause fear and raised blood pressure.  Today's episode is a reminder of the things we have talked about this week that are all meant to give us a clearer perspective and encourage us in our faith when we are struggling.  So be blessed and strengthened and remember that God is still God, and you can trust Him.

A few years ago Ravi Zacharias required major back surgery.  During his hospital stay,  he needed extra help to turn over in his bed.  The second day after his surgery he asked for help to turn onto his side. A nurse who thought she knew what to do tried to help but instead caused extreme pain to Ravi.  Too often we have experienced a similar situation where we have tried to help something and made it worse instead. Today we look at how Jesus dealt with an awkward situation that we would probably have handled differently and made a mess of it. 

John Newton was a slave trader before he became a minister and the author of the hymn, Amazing Grace.  But did you know that he was sold to a man in Africa and spent 3 years there as a slave?   The life and message of John Newton are all about the change that takes place when we let God start to take control of our lives.

There is an election in the United States today.  This has been one of the most divisive and contenteous elections in history.  The same divisions that have appeared within the US have spread through large parts of our world. In our podcast today we are reminded that no matter what happens, we can trust God.  He is still in control.  We are also reminded that one of the most important things we are to do is pray.  

This is a very stressful time for us all.  The news of Covid-19 numbers rising and the ongoing financial stresses resulting from it.  The uncertainty of family gatherings over the coming holiday season and our desires to be with family.  These stresses and more cause us to be discouraged and maybe even a bit angry.  Father Abbe Pierre found an unexpected antidote to all those kinds of stresses.  Listen today and hear his solution that will work for anyone.