Cec and Me Podcasts

Join Twila and guest Kathy Carlton Willis as they discuss how to deal with those crazy expectations that pop up when we least want to deal with them, whether it's due to the holidays, or any time of year.

On the November 22 Cec and Me show, Cec and Twila chat with Jerry Jenkins. Yes, you know who we're talking about. THAT Jerry Jenkins. The Jerry Jenkins who is a New York Times best-selling novelist and biographer. The Jerry Jenkins who wrote more than 175 books, including the 70,000,000-selling Left Behind series. Listen and learn about what Jerry has in the works and what he has to say about writing, the Christian Writers Guild, and writers groups. You'll learn a few personal things, too. Great interview.

At Christmastime, it's hard not to get caught up in the shopping, the decorating, and the party planning--and it's easy to lose sight of the true meaning of the season. But sometimes we're touched by rare moments of grace when we're able to take a step back and understand what Christmas really means. Bestselling author Debbie Macomber says in the foreword for The Spirit of Christmas, "...Christmas isn't just a time to give and receive gifts. It's a season of love and appreciation for the gifts God has already given us." On the November 15 Cec and Me show, Cec and Twila chat about the Spirit of Christmas. We share personal stories and stories of others who've been impacted by the Spirit of Christmas.

Nearly 1 in 2 people in the United States live with a chronic condition, so if it's not you, it's someone you care about. Cec and Twila are delighted to have the delightful Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries, as their special guest on the November 8th Cec and Me show. Listen and learn how you can better cope with your condition or how you can help someone who suffers with chronic pain. Lisa Copen lives with a chronic condition. She knows the pain. She experiences the realities of living with her condition. And she offers hope, help, and resources for others who live with chronic conditions. Lisa is the founder of Rest Ministries, the largest Christian organization that specifically serves the chronically ill. She has authored nine books, including resources for over 300 HopeKeepers groups, a small group program of Rest Ministries. Through various resources, including National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week, which she started in 2002, she seeks to encourage churches to increase an outreach to the chronically ill--nearly 1 in 2 people in the U.S. Lisa's works have been published in a variety of periodicals and books and she has been a guest of radio programs Decision Today, Family Life, and Joni and Friends. She is a sought-after speaker who brings joy and humor, as well as hope, to those who are suffering or live with chronic illness. She resides in San Diego with her husband and 7-year-old son, and has lived with degenerative rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia since 1993. Visit www.restministries.com.

Twila and Janet Eckles have a FIESTA on the October 25 Cec and Me show--a time of celebrating God's goodness that sets us free from doom and gloom. Janet shared her story from trials to triumph and from setbacks to success. Bolivian immigrant Janet Perez Eckles might be the last woman you would expect to dance for joy. She lost her eyesight at age 31, suffered financial devastation, endured infidelity, and faced the incomprehensible anguish of her nineteen-year old son's murder and the acquittal of the man responsible. Yet with God's grace, Eckles has learned to triumph and dance to the melody of God's joy. Her healing journey has enriched her passion to inspire thousands with unforgettable, yet practical steps through her writing included in 28 books as well as in her keynote messages. She is the author of Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God's Fiesta. To learn more, visit www.janetperezeckles.com.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Janet Ruth Beebe of The Breast Cancer Survivors' Network joins Cec and Gail Smith for the October 18 show.

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. Wondering how to honor your pastor? Need some ideas? On the October 11 show Twila chats with Rick and Gail Smith about how to show appreciation to your pastor and other ministry leaders--not just in October but all year long. Rick and Gail have many years of ministry experience together. That means lots of stories to tell. We discussed the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to treating the ones who serve us and shepherd us each week.

Cec and Gail Smith talk money with Barry Spencer on the September 20 Cec and Me show. Barry spent over a decade developing and training leaders, mentoring affluent heirs, and coaching parents in heir preparation. He is from an affluent family that lived through a failed estate plan after his highly successful father died at the age of 62. His triumph is in helping other families avoid the same catastrophes so they can eliminate estate taxes, and prepare their families. Spencer is a founding member of Boomfish, Inc., creator of Enduring Wealth Method, and founder of Boomfish Wealth Group, LLC. Barry can teach you how to think differently about your wealth, plan effectively with your resources, and implement the strategic next steps now to avoid the most tragic pitfalls that plague wealth transfers in families. His secret principles of Enduring Wealth will show you how to get more from your planning, more for your family, and accomplish greater good in your giving.

Cec and Gail Smith welcome Angela Williams of VOICE Today to the September 6 Cec and Me show. Hers isn't a pretty story, and she's doing what she can so others don't have to experience the same thing. Like Cec, Angela is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She's the founder of VOICE Today, whose mission is to help provide a healing VOICE for survivors, a VOICE for children to teach them a plan of protection, and a VOICE for adults to teach them how to protect our children. Listen to the show and learn how you can help.

Are roadblocks keeping you from moving forward on your God-ordained project? Do you know if your ideas are from God, yourself, a sincere-but-wrong-friend, or the enemy? Whatever your level of Biblical knowledge, you can distinguish between these various idea sources. You can enjoy more peace and productivity when you Save the Silver and Toss the Dross. Ace Detective Patricia Durgin of the Tip Tracy Academy joins guest host Gail Smith for the August 30 Cec and Me show.

Cec and Twila welcome special agent man Jonathan Clements to the August 23 Cec and Me show. Yes, Jonathan is special, he's an agent, and he's a man, but he's not involved with the CIA. He's a special agent man of the literary variety. Join us as we talk shop with him and discover what his undercover life is really all about.

Would you like to know when and how to begin teaching your children about God? Do you want to learn the best ways to incorporate biblical lessons into your child's daily routine? Are you concerned that your attempts at teaching spiritual things have confused your children? Does your lack of Bible knowledge keep you from teaching your children about God? Twila welcomes authors Ava Pennington and Crystal Bowman to the August 16 Cec and Me show when they discuss the above questions and a whole lot more. Ava and Crystal are the co-authors of the children's picture book series Faith Basics for Kids that was launched by Standard Publishing this year and includes the books Do You Love Me More? and Will I See You Today?

Are you a parent? A grandparent? A Sunday school teacher? A speaker? You don't have to be a professional storyteller to appreciate the power of a good story. Master storyteller Cynthia Ruchti joins Twila for the August 9 Cec and Me show. Cynthia plays a lot of roles, but her favorite thing to do is tell stories of HOPE that glows-in-the-dark. Listen to the show, hear some good stories, and learn the importance of story.

Cec and Twila chat with Don Otis--publicist, personal trainer, climber, runner, author, radio producer--a man who wears many hats. They talked about the role of a publicist and also discussed the importance of developing the masculine identity, the topic of Don's book Whisper Rubs.

Are you drowning in busyness? Would you like to streamline your routines and make wiser time choices that are more fruitful, joyful, and of eternal significance? Do you have time management questions? Twila welcomes special guest Karen Whiting, author of Secrets of Success: Time, to the July 26 Cec and Me show. They discuss topics such as overcoming procrastination, saying "No" graciously, setting and achieving goals, timely home management, and time for family and kids. Karen H. Whiting has authored thirteen books, hundreds of articles, and writes a quarterly time column for Enrichment magazine, plus a monthly family page. Karen hosted the series, "Puppets on Parade," for public television. She has a heart for families and writes to nurture today's families and grow tomorrow's families. She has five children and eight grandchildren. She and her husband live on Maryland's eastern shore. Learn more about Karen at www.karenwhiting.com.

Is someone you love beginning to have problems with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer's? Do you know someone who is a caregiver? On this Cec and Me show, Twila and Cec discuss the topic of his latest book, When Someone You Love No Longer Remembers. In this book, Cec addresses some of the problems and heartache facing caregivers for those with memory loss. With a caring spirit, he provides comfort, advice, and prayers. Gail Smith joins Cec and Twila and shares her personal experiences as a caregiver.

Cec and Twila chat with Ultra-Marathon Man Stan Cottrell. Lighthearted, outgoing, and good humored, Stan Cottrell is an internationally known ultra-distance runner who has logged approximately 200,000 miles of long distance running. His remarkable accomplishments include running across 38 nations promoting friendship between the United States and other countries. He's also an innovator, a cross cultural specialist, a business leader, and a world adventurer.

On the June 28 Cec and Me show, Cec and Twila talked with Reg Forder of American Christian Writers. Reg is the founder and director of ACW and the publisher for ACW Press. American Christian Writers offers helps and resources for writers. The organization also hosts dozens of annual one-, two-, and three-day writers conferences across America, taught by editors and professional freelance writers. These conferences provide excellent instruction, networking opportunities, and valuable one-on-one time with editors. For more information about ACW, visit www.ACWriters.com.

Twila chats with Michele Scott about the challenges of adoption and how to pray through the process of adoption. Michele is the author of Praying Through Your Adoption.

She's a grandma on a mission. That mission is to help technically-challenged grandparents become a real presence in the daily lives of their far-away grandchildren, no matter their ages. "I am Grammy, hear me roar--or at least read bedtime stories!" Like many modern families, Tech-Know Grammy (Gail Smith) has family members all over the map. With young grandchildren in Minnesota, Texas, and Iowa, she was determined to form a strong bond with those little ones and to start early to build a firm foundation for good, godly relationships with each of them. "I want my grandkids to know me, and I want to know them." Listen to this show and learn fun ideas for connecting.

As baby boomers grow older and our economy continues to falter, most people are dealing with some type of change and transition. We have no choice in dealing with change, but we often struggle with transition. Cec and Twila talk with Jane Gentry about the difference between change and transition, the transition model, how to know where you are, and what you can do to own your transition and manage your way through. Are you in transition? Don't miss this show!

Cec and Twila welcome special guests Tim Fenbert and Tom Flaim for the May 31 Cec and Me show. Tim and Tom are involved in an important project that brings HOPE THROUGH WATER for the Dominican Republic. PROGRAM STATEMENT: A unique program mobilizing the Body of Christ to bring clean water, opportunity, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to nearly 2,000,000 undocumented Haitians living in the Dominican Republic, $5 at a time. VISION STATEMENT: To glorify God by making a bold and lasting impact on an entire country, virtually eliminating water-borne disease, increasing family stability, and creating hundreds of local businesses and jobs.

In part one of Twila's interview with Brent and Holly Baxley, they talk about their baggage brought into marriage, multiple losses, grief, depression, same sex attraction, and being ready to give up on being a Christian, all while ministering as a pastor and pastor's wife in a small church. In part two, the discussion focuses on restoration and VICTORY!

Twila chats with Brent and Holly Baxley. Theirs is a story of love, loss, addiction, betrayal, brokenness, restoration, and God's hand at work in the midst of unthinkable circumstances. In this first interview we talk about the baggage they brought into marriage, grief over many losses, depression, and same sex attraction, all while ministering as pastor and wife. In part two of the interview we'll discuss restoration and victory. Brent & Holly are passionate in helping other couples know that there is hope for their marriages. Brent is the senior pastor of a small church in rural Missouri, and Holly is a C.L.A.S.S. certified speaker, published author, and songwriter; as well as an on-line moderator for the wives group of Living Hope Ministries, an Exodus International affiliated ministry.

Cec and Twila chat with Tom Scales, the executive director of VOICE Today. After Tom's retirement in 2007, the struggles of his childhood sexual abuse were magnified because he didn't have the focus of work or the tiring routine of travel to hide behind. The Sunday he went to church and saw the magic words "Support Group for Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse" in the bulletin changed his life. It began a process of healing that he never conceived as possible.

Twila and Lori discuss how to find hope in unthinkable circumstances. Lori Boruff is a hope coach, speaker, and writer. Her new radio program can be found at Hope101.net.

Prayer power. Connecting with God. Important stuff. Twila talks with Peter Lundell about different types of prayer, specific prayer, answered prayer, and other good stuff. It's a seriously fun topic, and the hour goes by fast.

We know how powerful prayer can be and how vital it is to our faith. But sometimes praying is hard. Sometimes instead of bringing you closer to God, you walk away feeling empty, frustrated and guilty. Peter understands, having waded through those same struggles. But he's also discovered that it doesn't have to remain that way-there are things you can do to achieve a richer, more fruitful prayer life and truly connect with God. Peter Lundell is the author of Prayer Power: 30 Days to a Stronger Connection with God.

Cec and Twila chat with Dr. Suz about nutrition. Offering books, retreats, and a medical practice of preventive care, Dr. Suzanne Ellison-Ramsay works to help people regain or maintain their health. Teaching and writing from a Christian perspective,she synthesizes the often confusing glut of nutritional information "out there" so that her patients and hearers have up-to-date, effective guidance.

We've all had those times when we've felt as if we're sitting in the slow cooker. We wait and wait on God and wonder what He's doing--if anything. In this show, Twila and Kathy discuss what God accomplishes in us and through us while we're sitting in His "slow cooker."

Twila and her good friend Kathy chat about "do overs" in life and what God is doing while we're reinventing life in the middle. Learn how God recently gave Kathy and her husband an opportunity to reinvent their lives, and the steps we can all take to embrace new opportunities as we come to a fork in the road called Life. We take an honest look at what is needed to redirect our lives when we're smack-dab in the middle.

Cec and Twila interview Chris Moses, who brings Paul's letter to the Romans alive in communion with others. Those who gather to hear his words play an essential role in the experience. Learn how you can be a part of the Romans experience. See www.experienceromans.com.

Cec Murphey knows what it takes to be a writer, and he's mentored countless writers over the years. Cec and Twila talk about writing--how to get started, helpful tips, and personal stories. Writers are encouraged to check out Cec's blog: www.cecwritertowriter.com.

Twila invites her special friend and assistant, Gail Smith, to join her for a braggin' on God party. Twila loves to brag on God--it's her favorite thing to do. And God knows she has a big mouth, so the more she brags on Him, the more He gives her to brag about. Twila and Gail have a great time bragging, and they invite listeners to call in and brag too. It's a show that made God smile.

Cec and Twila chat with Craig von Buseck about his job as ministries director at CBN.com. We discuss his newest book, Netcasters: Using the Internet to Make Fishers of Men, and how churches and individuals can minister online. We also discussed Seven Keys to Hearing God's Voice. Craig talked about his current projects--a book with a Holocaust survivor, and Praying the News (with examples of how to do this).

February is heart month and Cindy Scinto has a fascinating heart story. She is a heart transplant recipient and not a day goes by that she isn't grateful for the one who gave her life. Twila's knows what it's like on the other side. When her dad died, her family donated his heart so someone could live. A great show. Cindy is the author of A Heart Like Mine.

The February 1 broadcast fell right between Cec's and Twila's birthdays, so we had a fun Cec and Me birthday party. It was a random anything-goes type show. Twila gleaned wisdom about aging from the old guy and they talked about Cec-related things. Several callers added to the party.

Twila chats with Frank Ball about his book, Eyewitness: The Life of Christ Told in One Story, and his passion for helping writers. Frank has the gift of making you look at things in another way. He definitely knows how to provoke thought.

Cec and Gail Smith talk about books that have impacted them throughout the years and how books "saved their lives" growing up.

Jim Pence is a multi-talented man: author, speaker, editor, vocalist, chalk artist, and prison minister. Listen as Jim shares the miraculous story of how a "random" charred page remaining from a novel he had written changed the life of a man who had lost everything. He wrote a book with the man (Terror by Night) and the story is amazing.

Regal Publishing just released Cec's 120th book--Knowing God, Knowing Myself: An Invitation to Daily Discovery. Cec and Twilatalk about the background for the book, why it was so hard for Cec to write, and discuss some of the many aphorisms he's written. Good caller discussion. It has been said that we cannot know ourselves unless we seek to know God. The opposite is also true: We cannot know God intimately without pursuing self-knowledge. These two longings--the desire for God and the desire for inner wholeness--are inextricably entwined.

The topic for the December 14 Cec and Me show was Christmas miracles. Callers shared their stories and it was a great hour of braggin' on God. We're reminded throughout the Bible that nothing is impossible for God. Our stories show that God is still in the miracle business.

On the December 7 Cec and Me show we had a rare treat. Our special guest was Don Piper, the man who spent 90 minutes in heaven. Cec wrote Don's story and it's gone on to impact millions of people around the world. A fascinating story of the power of prayer, hope, heaven, and living a new normal. We talked about how Don and Cec connected and how Don convinced Cec to write his story. We talked about dealing with constant pain, God's healing, and more. A great program!

Cec and Me's special guest is Dr. Benson Karanja. Dr. Karanja was a successful businessman in Kenya, came to the United States, and worked as a janitor at the college. He later became the president of that college, overseeing its tremendous growth and impact around the world. A fascinating story of God at work even before Dr. Karanja was born.

Dr. Sam Chand came to this country from India when he was 18. He attended Beulah Heights Bible College and later became the president when the college was close to dying. Under his leadership, the school grew in amazing ways. His story is fascinating. Now Dr. Chand is called a Dream Releaser and is a leadership consultant. For more information, visit www.samchand.com.

Twila talks with Dr. Gail Hayes, an Empowerment Tactician and Life Coach, whose passion is to help others discover identity, grasp purpose, and step into destiny. Dr. Gail empowers you to soar by giving words that empower, inspire, and catapult you to destiny. She also talks about character education in the schools.

November is National Caregiver Month. Shelly Beach, an award-winning writer, author, popular speaker, and expert on caregiving, joins Cec and Twila for a discussion about caregiving.

Twila interviews Joe Kissack--author, speaker, screenwriter, TV/film producer. They chat about Joe's fascinating story of meeting Los Tres Pescadores (The Three Fisherman) who were rescued from the Pacific Ocean after drifting 5,500 miles for nine months in an 8 meter boat. Joe wrote the book The Fourth Fisherman, and a movie is in the works.

Cec and Twila chat about the stories behind some of the stories Cec wrote--90 Minutes in Heaven, BJ Thomas, Woman on Death Row, Cec's cozy mysteries, Gifted Hands, Salome Thomas-EL and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shaun Alexander. A fun and fascinating show!

Twila chats with award-winning author and speaker Jonathan Friesen about his young adult novels--Jerk, California and Rush--and his experience with Tourette Syndrome.

There's been a lot of recent news in the media surrounding the issue of sexual abuse. The good news is that we're now talking about it; the bad news is that it happens. In this show Cec Murphey takes questions and talks from personal experience as an abuse survivor. The importance of facing abuse and moving toward healing is discussed. Cec is the author of When a Man You Love Was Abused (Kregel, 2010).