Raise Them UP!

Riley Lee, President & Founder Skytree Book Fairs

Rise them UP! is underwritten by The Wicks Family Grace Foundation Guest: Riley Lee, President & Founder Skytree Book Fairs Introduction, Riley’s background-she worked previously with actor Kirk Cameron How difficult it is for parents navigating the world of children’s books…what’s Christian, wholesome & family friendly. Riley explains how she never thought she would get into the publishing world. How I attended a Drag Queen Storytime library board meeting. How I pointed out how they were a tool of the American Library Association. How I pointed out to them how the drag queen’s outfit was the indoctrination. How her 3-year old daughter attended with her a Scholastic Bookfair. How Riley discovered LBGBQi & DEI books are being sold at those fairs. Subtle, but indoctrination none the less. The difference between what the Left defines as book banning, but is simply parental efforts to make sure their children are not exposed to books that are not age appropriate. Even the movie industry has age-appropriate ratings systems. How does Skytree Book Fairs find their books since they are not a book publisher? How their review board reviews books. Riley introduces their mascot, a golden retriever, named Scout and what Scout stands for. What children are looking for in books, excitement, adventure, humor & fun, not social justice agenda. How their bookfairs work, usually runs 3-5 days. How they partner with nonprofits, schools, churches and ministries splits a percentage of sales. Skytree sends boxes of books and whatever does not sell is returned. But, host of the bookfair does not incur any upfront costs. But, they get to share a percentage of the sales for hosting. Underewriter mention. No upfront costs for the host, but they do screen the applicants and what Skytree as a nonprofit can handle. Riley does then explain how their program works. How much monetarily does the school or church have to sell as a minimum to get a share of the profit? How does a church or school contact them. Website: https://skytreebookfairs.org/Skytreebookfairs.org [https://skytreebookfairs.org/Skytreebookfairs.org], email: info@skytreebookfairs.org [info@skytreebookfairs.org].

Trent Rogers and Jonathan Wood, authors of "Rooted in Truth, Answers to Lifes Questions for College Student"

Introduction of Guests: Trent A. Rogers serves as the Dean of Theological Studies & Associate Professor of New Testament & Greek at Cedarville University. Jonathan A. Wood serves as Vice President for Student Life & Christian Ministries and is an Associate Professor of Theological Studies at Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. They discuss how long they have been serving college students & the two years it took to write the book. Fred Zielonko-suggests while this book is for students, their parents ought to read it as well. Talking to students working and teaching students led to the writing of the book. And, the two authors polled students & parents as to the questions they wanted answered from a biblical perspective and via biblical truths. Trent talks about how as a college student he was not well connected or intimately connected to your church. Jonathan talked about the chapter he wrote about how to pick a college major. Jonathan did not grow up in church. He learned he had a lot of compassion to help 17-year olds to bring clarity to decision making while in college to help figure out what God has planned for their life. Both professors homeschool their children. Parents want to protect their children, but they also want to prepare them as well. We then review the chapter headings and what all the book covers. Jonathan gives us how he came to Christ not being raised in church, and the questions he asked back as a young man. Then we focused on how to choose a major to pursue. Then the professors discussed how to choose a major; however, we need to focus more on God’s desire for us versus what are our passions. They encourage students to think about how best to serve the world on behalf of God? What are they prepared to do? What are they passionate about? And how one makes that all come together for a student to make a living. They both then talk about how they chose to be what they wanted to be and how that is a meandering route not a straight line towards a career. We discussed how God is directing our path even when we do not know it…. Choosing a major end of the chapter is to “trust God!” Don’t build an idolatry in your own heart whereby it causes you to make bad decisions. We then talk about the overriding theme of the book that is trust & discernment. We also talked about how when students get to college they are in a situation where they make more decisions in a shorter amount of time that they ever did for their life. So, they teach discernment and trusting in God. We also discussed how the book prepares the students for life beyond college including dating and marriage. They challenge students to not fall for the world’s definition of dating and marriage. Instead, take a step back and discern whether your dating life is in accordance with what God has planned for you. We discussed iPhones and technology and its influence upon the college experience. Then we switched directions and talked about after the students read the book how do they put it to use it to fulfill the Great Commission and discipleship. Both while in college and once a student is out, they have a responsibility to be part of the community of the local church. What they see on campus as to who is leading the youth revival. Asked what did the professors learned while writing the book? Getting things to a point of simple clarity for students is needed by students. God’s word is sufficient, but we need to point students continually back to the Word. Where the book can be found. Rooted in Truth amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Truth-Answers-Questions-Students/dp/1527112691/ref=asc_df_1527112691?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80883022504496&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=89993&hvtargid=pla-4584482486187399&psc=1 [https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Truth-Answers-Questions-Students/dp/1527112691/ref=asc_df_1527112691?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80883022504496&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=89993&hvtargid=pla-4584482486187399&psc=1]

The HSLDA Compassion Curriculum Grants for Poor Homeschool Families & How To Apply

100% of the money for the Compassion Grant Program comes from donors, many are former homeschool parents, and others who support educational choice. We talked about the HSLDA and their core mission of legal defense for homeschool families. Organization is 40-years old. Nearly everyone who works for them homeschool or is a homeschool graduate. HSLDA is a membership organization & what it costs. Here is where podcast listeners can apply for curriculum grants: https://hslda.org/explore/applying-for-a-curriculum-grant [https://hslda.org/explore/applying-for-a-curriculum-grant] And, Lorraine talks about what the requirements are to apply for the grants. Families receiving funds from the state via an ESA, families are not eligible to apply. We talked about references needed to apply they can validate the general circumstances of the family apply and that they will use the money towards homeschooling. All the processes are explained on the HSLDA website via short videos. Or, you can email the Compassion grants team to ask questions. Base amounts in the grants are $300-$400 per homeschool student for core curriculum. HSLDA does not dictate what curriculum you can purchase with thee money. Special needs students and their needs are eligible. Lorriane & Dianne stressed that you use Google Chrome to apply. That works best for applying for the Compassion Curriculum Grant. Earliest opportunity to apply is by JUNE 30th! However, if you miss out, we discuss the two other times of the year to apply. If one’s application is submitted by June 30th of this year, applicants learn if they’ll receive a grant in about 6-weeks, or mid-to-late August. Applicants can call HSLDA Compassion with questions not found on the website at: 540-338-8688. Recap of what it costs to join the HSLDA and financial aid available How does one donate to the HSLDA to fund the compassion grants. Over ¼ of the grants distributed the recipients found out about the HSLDA curriculum grants via word of mouth. And, applicants can apply more than once from year-to-year. HSLDA Compassion Grants Program distributes anywhere between 700-800 grants per year. HSLDA can also assist families struggling through natural disasters with grant money, and those families do not need to be HSLDA members.

Dr. Janice Supplee, vice president for marketing and communications of Cedarville University

Guest: Dr. Janice Supplee, vice president for marketing and communications of Cedarville University of 6,400 students. Undergraduate 4,000. Introduction to Dr, Janice Supplee, VP of marketing and communication since 2016 of Cedarville University in Southwestern Ohio. How she became a dean at Cedarville University. Her father was a professor at the University when it was a small college. How the Lord called her back into service at Cedarville. Why homeschool parents might appreciate Cedarville. Location: Cedarville is tiny but it is in easy reach of Columbus, Dayton & Cincinnati, Ohio. Interstate 70 is just north of Cedarville, Interstate 75 & Interstate 71, right in the triangle Between those three highways. Their advertising motto and how they came up with it. Based upon an approximation of 1,000 days that students are enrolled in Cedarville University The Curriculum is Christ-centered. -Students are exposed to Gospel impact and Christ through all disciplines. Investment by Cedarville into programs that prepare students for real world careers even though they are liberal arts school. Read a list of offerings…. What really sets Cedarville apart is their innovative approach? They have a firm commitment to biblical truth across all disciplines. They have 175 different programs. Strategic decision in 1982 to start a nursing program, that is now their largest major. They added multiple engineering disciplines, and after that cybersecurity. Why homeschool students should attend Cedarville: It’s the intentional investment of parents in their children’s education, and Cedarville continues that commitment to that intentionality. Cedarville guards against cultural undermining of their faith. How they help students acclimate to college life especially since many new students are experiencing life for the first time away from home. She recommends dual enrollment where high school students are enrolled in high school or in homeschool, while taking some online courses from Cedarville. Eighty percent of students live on campus, so it’s family-oriented, community-oriented environment. Dr. Supplee talks about how Cedarville pushes students biblically and academically Daily Bible reading and discussion is encouraged. How Cedarville went from a Presbyterian denomination to Baptist to non-denominational First steps for parents and their students to enroll in Cedarville. She recommends visiting during the school year to get fully immersed in the full college experience She then discusses where the University draws its students. 80% from Ohio and the Midwest. Close and sponsorship mention of Wicks Family Grace Foundation. Janice Supplee, PhD-Vice President for Marketing & Communications Biography Dr. Janice Supplee serves as Vice President for Marketing and Communications and Dean of Graduate Studies. She moved into her role leading Marketing and Communications in November 2016, began her service as Dean of Graduate Studies in 2017, and has been with the University since 1995. Privileged to be a part of Cedarville’s mission to equip students for professional excellence and Gospel impact, she has invested much of her Cedarville career in enrollment and marketing-related leadership roles. She has served on the president’s cabinet since 2009. Education PhD in Educational Leadership, University of Nebraska MBA in Marketing, Wright State University BA in Communication, Cedarville University Website: Cedarville University; https://www.cedarville.edu/ [https://www.cedarville.edu/] Contact: 251 N. Main St. Cedarville, OH 45314 USA 1-800-CEDARVILLE1-937-766-7700

Is Overuse of Profanity Harming Our Society?

How second nature profanity has become in our society & even in Congress. The way that we speak reflects the way that we feel. Swearing is “lazy language.” Cursing is an excuse for thinking. Judy Gruen talks about being a religious Jew who tries to avoid exposing herself to flagrant profanity, including by comedians. The sinful nature of cursing Fred gives biblical examples-quotes Scripture verses. Parents are the first teachers and it’s best not to curse in front of your your children. Judy then gives advice on how to talk to children about cursing even if it comes from their mommy or daddy. Teach your children that “words can create worlds or destroy worlds.” Judy talks about how she wanted her words to count for the good is one reason she writes on faith issues. How we turn the tide of reversing the cursing trend that is so prevalent. How she became aware how much cursing has become so prevalent. She recalls a specific incident in a parking lot when she was with her children. Why she thinks the issue is broader than cursing alone. The broader issue is that we’ve become used to saying what is the first thing that pops into our head especially on social media. She advises us that we all need to be more disciplined and actually stop to think before speaking. How vulgar and coarse has become thought of in the public as somehow sophisticated. She’s puzzled by that trend. We then pivoted the conversation to her new book, Bylines & Blessings, and how she came to write one. It deals with the push/pull of being a stay-at-home mother and professional journalist. How to balance motherhood and a professional life. There is a lot of humor in this book and how she believes humor is a life tool. She then goes on to discuss other books she published and that she is a accomplished editor. How writing teaches one how to speak. Clear thinking leads to clear writing and speaking. She advises to slow everything down. Too much happens too fast and we’d all be better off. How times have changed whereby there are fewer & fewer censors to police the language. What book influenced her to be a writer? She loved the humorous & columnist Erma Bombeck. She expounds upon Bombeck’s influence. She explains how humor is a balm and how it helps heal especially, like her, how it helped her through personal tragedy. We then discussed what the future of the print media is like newspapers, magazines and books. We then talked about coaching young writers and where to look for good writing such as her Substack & the Free Press. Judy then talked about the public speaking aspect of her career. She often talks about the intersection of a personal life and professional life and utilizing faith as a undergirding value. She then encourages people to find a creative outlet no matter what you are creating. “Creativity is energy.” Find ways to creatively share what you have to share. Don’t be intimidated by your creative status. Go for it no matter what! She relates how she overcame such intimidation at a conference when she was sandwiched between two more prominent speakers. How she learned to be real as a writer and speaker. And, how to be honest with yourself and your audience. How to use New Media as a tool for furthering your message. Wrapped It Up…. How we all need to work together to push back against the culture,