Eating Out On the Cheap...

Our family made some "recession era" changes to our eating out about a year ago when we took the "Financial Peace University" course offered at our church. It was eye-opening experience for us to discover how much money we were spending on food of all types- groceries and eating out.

To be very honest we have become a fast food family, by necessity. At least that has been the case until the last couple of weeks!

Two weeks ago I learned about a popular sit-down place with a club I could join. (I can't mention its name, but it does have something to do with a favorite day of the week!) Anyway, as a new member of their "club" I received a coupon for a free appetizer and a "Buy One Entree, Get One for a $1." Crazy enough, the night we brought our coupons it was also Kids' Night. The waiter not only took BOTH our coupons but ALSO allowed our kids to have the free Kids Meals. Basic story: full price for one entree, one for a $1, an appetizer and two meals free!!

Another shocker was a visit on Saturday after the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival to a popular burger and shake place (again, use your imagination here.) I had a $2 off coupon for my meal and it was Kids Night. We had great food and my extra huge meal came with a shake and two extra sides that really helped fill up the family. Total cost: $14 for a family of 4!

So have you been working the system? What great food deals have you found at area restaurants? I'd love to hear your stories!

And The Dove Goes To...

The Biggest Night in Gospel Music... Full of Surprises!


The 40th Annual Gospel Music Association Dove Awards were presented last night at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, honoring the year's brightest and best during the LIVE, exclusive broadcast on Gospel Music Channel. For the first time in the GMA's 40 year history, music fans were given the opportunity to vote in two of the 43 award categories, "Artist of the Year" and "New Artist of the Year."

(I previously wrote a blog with my predictions about who would win Dove Awards and I have marked in red those that were correct predictions... Gee, it's obvious there's no "crystal ball" here! :-)

Here's a partial list of 2009 Dove Award winners:

Artist of the Year: Steven Curtis Chapman (chosen by music fans)

New Artist of the Year: Tenth Avenue North

Song of the Year: "Give Me Your Eyes" Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram

Male Vocalist of the Year: Brandon Heath

Female Vocalist of the Year: Natalie Grant

Group of the Year: Casting Crowns

New Artist of the Year: Tenth Avenue North (chosen by music fans)

For a complete list of this year's winners, go to www.doveawards.com/doveawards.

Dollar Store Steals: Share Your Bargain Stories!

Stretching the dollar- go to the dollar store! According to Consumer Reports Money Adviser Anthony Giorgianni these items are safe, good deals from dollar stores across the country: paper products, shampoos, kitchen utensils, spices, and household cleaners. Items to avoid: anything electronic, things that could contain lead (some toys, lunchboxes), batteries, and toothpaste.

This week I went to my favorite dollar store and found: 3 pairs of socks for a dollar, flip flops, and a toy. My favorite dollar store find: filled goodie bags for my daughter's birthday party- all for $5.

So what's been your dollar store dream deal? Share your story!

Brittney's Picks for 2009 Dove Awards!

2009 GMA Dove Award Nominees

SONG OF THE YEAR song title; writer; publisher (Dove Award given to the songwriter and publisher)

“Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)”; Chris Tomlin, Louie Giglio, Traditional; sixsteps music (ASCAP), worshiptogether.com Songs (ASCAP)

“Cinderella”; Steven Curtis Chapman; Sparrow Songs (BMI)

“Empty Me”; Chris Sligh, Clint Lagerberg, Tony Wood; Foolish Tool Music (ASCAP), Word Music LLC (ASCAP), Kindacrazy Music (BMI), Row J Seat 9 Songs (ASCAP), New Spring Publishing (ASCAP), Bridge Building Music (BMI)

“Give Me Your Eyes”; Brandon Heath, Jason Ingram; Sitka 6 Music (ASCAP), Peertunes Ltd. (SESAC), Grange Hill Music (SESAC), Windsor Way (SESAC)

“I Will Not Be Moved”; Natalie Grant; Nat in the Hat (ASCAP)

“I’m Letting Go”; Francesca Battistelli, Tony Wood, Ian Eskelin; Designer Music (SESAC), Word Music LLC (ASCAP), Honest & Popular Songs (SESAC), Row J Seat 9 Songs (ASCAP), New Spring Publishing Inc. (ASCAP)

“Mighty to Save”; Ben Fielding, Joel Houston; Integrity’s Hosanna! Music (ASCAP)

“Never Going Back to OK”; Matt Fuqua, Josh Havens, Brad Wigg, Dan Muckala; Smells Like Music (ASCAP), Screaming Mimes Music (ASCAP)

“Reason Enough”; Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey; Bridge Building Music (BMI),
Psalmsinger Music (BMI), Ernie Sig Sound Music (BMI), Hefton Hill Music (BMI)

“You Reign”; Bart Millard, Barry Graul, Steven Curtis Chapman; Simpleville Music (ASCAP), Wet As A Fish Music (ASCAP), Sparrow Songs (BMI)

This is a tough choice. I'm torn between three songs that really got people's attention: "I Will Not Be Moved", "Give Me Your Eyes" and "I'm Letting Go." Natalie's song is the soccer mom anthem that I love to belt out whenever I know I won't completely embarrass myself. Francesca's song rocks because it's style is unique and she has such a great, strong voice. Since she's new, I'm going to save my pick for "New Artist of the Year." "Give Me Your Eyes" thought-provoking, timely, and it sticks in your head and can't get it out. My pick for "Song of the Year!"


ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Casting Crowns
Steven Curtis Chapman
Fireflight
Marvin Sapp
Third Day
tobyMac
Chris Tomlin

Because of Steven Curtis Chapman's endurance and testimony through the death of his daughter Maria I think this award will be given as a tribute to him. Based solely on the "artist," that's a tie between Casting Crowns and Third Day in my book.

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Addison Road
Francesca Battistelli
Fee
Jonathan Nelson
Remedy Drive
Chris Sligh
Tenth Avenue North

Hands down it's got to be Francesca! She has a unique sound that's completely unlike any female artist on the radio. She grew up on jazz and it's apparent in her music. Two songs on the charts and she's a real winner. I'm a big fan of the underdog- so my underdog favorite is Chris Sligh. If Susan Boyle can do it- he can too! What a great voice he has. I love the song, "Empty Me."


MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Jeremy Camp
Jon Foreman
Ernie Haase
Brandon Heath
David Phelps
Marvin Sapp
Chris Tomlin

Are we talking best voice? David Phelps. Are we talking most popular? Chris Tomlin. So I'm going out on a limb with Jeremy Camp for a completely illogical reason- I like his style of voice, his fan approachability through his website, and his music best.


FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Francesca Battistelli
Brooke Fraser
Karen Peck Gooch
Natalie Grant
Mandisa
Sandi Patty
Laura Story

Can I just say I'm sooo glad to see Sandi Patty back on this list- It's been a long time. No one can deny she has a great voice, kind of like David Phelps in the Male Vocalist of the Year category. I'm going to give Brooke and Francesca a couple of years. Tired of Natalie Grant. So my pick is Mandisa. Great voice, she picks music she can sing well and hangs with cool people like tobyMac. Can't go wrong!

GROUP OF THE YEAR
Casting Crowns
David Crowder*Band
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Mary Mary
MercyMe
Skillet
Third Day

Two new radio singles and the cover of Billboard Magazine... not a bad year for Third Day. Love it! My personal favorite of the groups listed is Casting Crowns, but since their album "The Altar and the Door" came out back in 2007 I'm thinking Third Day has this one wrapped up. If this were an award for "Best In-Your-Face, Sin-Confronting, Marriage-Saving Band" (Fireproof's "Slow Fade") the award would definitely go to deep thinkers Casting Crowns.


Hope you enjoyed my picks and predictions. I'd love to find out yours. Feel free to leave your comments. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for listening to the "Drive Home!" By the way, don't forget to vote for "Artist of the Year" and "New Artist of the Year" at http://www.doveawards.com/doveawards/.

Day of Silence, April 17th

I was in the middle of an ordinary conversation with my mom when a call came in on her other line. I was glad to hold, but shocked with the news the caller had passed along. One of my best guy friends from high school, Shane, was dead- He had been murdered. I burst into tears. My co-editor of our school newsletter, Charlie Brown in our high school musical- He was dead and I didn't know why! He was the sweetest guy in our tiny class of 24 students and a fellow Chicago Cubs fan. Everyone who knew him liked him. I couldn't imagine him having an enemy in the world. How could this happen?

At the funeral, details began to emerge... something about a girl in the car with him prior to the murder. I asked some of Shane's co-workers whether this was his girlfriend. I couldn't imagine what pain a wife or girlfriend would be feeling at that time and hoped to comfort her at the funeral. "Girlfriend?!"The looks on these co-workers' faces made me wonder what I'd said wrong. I later learned.

In 2002 my friend Shane was murdered because of his homosexual lifestyle. I never knew that was the path he'd chosen, I just knew he was a nice guy. It broke my heart to see him killed before I found out about his homosexuality- as it does today.

According to the Christian Post, over 20 Christian-based conservative groups have called for the massive walkout from middle and high schools participating Friday's Day of Silence event, arguing that the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)'s sponsored event politicizes the classroom to support the belief that homosexuality is moral. Campaign for California Families said the demonstration will serve as financial "leverage" to get the message across, saying public schools in California lose $100 a day for each child absent.

Another Christian group calls for the Golden Rule Pledge, students pass out cards (such as the one above) indicating they will "Do to others as you'd have them do to you."

Warren Throckmorton, PhD Associate Professor of Psychology and Fellow for Public Policy and Psychology at Grove City College wrote the following on the Golden Rule Pledge website:

"I know that many evangelicals feel conflict about an event like the Day of Silence. Despite moral misgivings about homosexuality, they loathe judgmental disrespect, harassment or violence toward any one, including their gay friends and neighbors. Are we missing a teachable moment... Without altering convictions about sexuality, I propose that evangelicals should have something more to contribute than a protest toward the elimination of hostility and aggression against gay people and other people who are viewed as different. Indeed, we should be leading the way to make schools safe and build bridges to those who often equate “Christian” with condemnation."

Indeed I have to say these are very different and valid responses to the Day of Silence.

If you'd like to know more about the Golden Rule Pledge or to print off pledge cards of your own, go to: http://goldenrulepledge.com/

Tired of "Going Through the Motions"

"I don't wanna go through the motions. I don't wanna go one more day. Without Your all consuming passion inside of me. I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,"What if I had given everything, instead of going through the motions?" Matthew West from the song "The Motions"

So if there was no fear of failure holding you back, what would you do? What would you do now? Next week? For the rest of your life? Is there a career move, physical move, ministry opportunity, person you'd like to lead to Christ, or call to adopt a child that you're ready to go forward with in spite of your fear? Praise God. I'd love to hear all about it!

Matthew West has a challenge on his website, a resolution of sorts, you can sign up for indicating you want to stop going through the motions and follow God's leading in your life. Many people have shared what they believe God wants them to spend their lives doing and have a renewed sense of clarity. Read all about it at: http://www.matthewwest.com/motions/

Fear gets in the way of so much that God wants to do in the world, through us. Honestly "life" gets in the way of so much that God wants to do through us. Ritual without purpose. But any life whether exciting and daring or somewhat mundane 100% focused on Christ is a highly effective life!

Ready to get focused?!

After the Show... What in the World is Going On?

I have been reading the incredible book by Dr. David Jeremiah, "What in the World is Going On?" It is an easy to understand overview of the book of Revelation and look at current events in light of Biblical prophesy.

I have been amazed at how many things in the news seem to move us quickly in the direction of the Lord's return. I often read a Christian look at the news through the website http://www.christianpost.com/. An article yesterday entitled "Ex-Muslim Warns West of Plot to Impose Islamic Law" caught my eye. According to Dr. Jeremiah, the fight over control of the oil in the Middle East (and the Muslim desire to overpower Jews and Christians) fits directly into the end times. I won't dig too deep here, but I do highly recommend the book. Just don't read it right before bed...

Anyway, keeping in mind the Jeremiah book, I stopped at the Wake Forest library and discovered a new book called, "How to Profit from the Coming Rapture: Getting Ahead When You're Left Behind." The title intrigued me and I just had to find out where the authors were coming from. Turns out the book is a joke. The fictional "financial experts" (who are Jewish) give advice for those who have no intention of following Christ and want to make money on those who are suffering. A lot of the advice is tongue and cheek, with a twist on tips we heard prior to Y2K. (Yes I still have a generator from back then!) Collect gallon jugs of water, with a drop of bleach. Stockpile canned food. Collect firearms. Overall the book makes the Bible and those who believe in a literal Rapture look, to put it nicely, ridiculous.

The book did however get me to thinking about the growing number of people who have read the Bible, have considered it could be true, and simply choose to reject it. Self-made men, Mavericks, those who pull themselves up by their bootstraps... don't see a need for Christ. But the truth still rings out "...at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Phillippians 2:10 and 11.)

Third Day- And the Camera Frenzy!

I'd have to say the Third Day concert last night would have to be right up there among my favorite concerts of all time. I enjoy Third Day's music, but it really was their "up-close-and-personal" touch that put this concert at the top of my list.

If you didn't have the chance to attend the concert, I'll try to explain the "moments" that made it so special. Mark Lee was on stage with a killer guitar solo and I noticed a few people scurrying in the back near the sound guy. Our family sat toward the back (ear protection for the kids!) but I had no idea what great seats they'd be!! The few people who were scurrying about were doing a switcharoo. While all the focus was on stage with Mark Lee's guitar solo, Mac Powell was getting set up on a makeshift stage in the crowd! He took requests and played several classic Third Day songs- including my favorite "I've Always Loved You."

I went crazy leaning over the railing and trying to take pictures. A flashing light on my camera indicated I needed new batteries and I was trying out the never-used "Night" setting. Looking back I probably spent too much time figuring out my 16x zoom and not enough time enjoying myself!

(By the way, if you can't tell, the picture above is of Mac Powell. Any good photoediting software you'd like to recommend!?)

Anyway it was a great concert and a great opportunity to be in Fayetteville and spread the word about our signal at 90.1. It was great to meet so many listeners!

Going Where the Jobs Are...

Are you looking for a new job and are mobile enough to move out of state? Stimulus package-related jobs are coming (in large numbers) to places around the country from Amarillo, Texas to Illinois and Oklahoma. Read all about it!

http://http//www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/26/wtja.economy.jobs/index.html

Let's Be Friends!

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I'd love to get to know you better! Are you a His Radio listener who is on Facebook? You may want to join the group "His Radio WRTP/WCCE." C.J. Mason is the moderator of the group and does a wonderful job. I'm on Facebook, Brittney Switala, and I'd love to connect up with you! See you at the show tonight!