WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

Sherry Sylvester, Lt. Gov. Patrick’s former Senior Advisor, with Patrick’s priorities.

What is the significance of a low number?

What’s in SB 1? The budget.

What’s in SB 2? Education Savings Accounts.

SB 3? Bans the sale of THC.

And much, much more.

Biblical Literacy this week: Pastor Steven Morris with God’s Promise of Grace.

Champion Forest Pulpit: Pastor Jarrett Stephens ‘How do I leave a legacy?’

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Host Terry Lowry interviews influential and knowledgeable guests on relevant topics for today.

LT. GOVERNOR DAN PATRICK’S 2025 PRIORITY BILLS

Discussed by Sherry Sylvester
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)

Part 1 of 3

Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has released his preliminary list of priorities for 2025.

Guest Sherry Sylvester is the former Senior Advisor to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and is now a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Today, Sherry shares her thoughts on Dan Patrick’s list of priority bills.

Click here to read more on this from Sherry Sylvester.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What is a “low-number bill”? Are they important? Sherry Sylvester explains how bills are chosen to be a priority.

In the Texas Senate, who controls the filing of bills?

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick gave a heads-up in 2023 about issues he would consider a priority during this Legislative session. Why did he do that?

Are all bills considered by the Legislature – no matter their number?

PART 2 OF 3 - LT. GOVERNOR DAN PATRICK’S 2025 PRIORITY BILLS

Discussed by Sherry Sylvester
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What is the importance of Senate Bill 1, which is the Senate’s budget proposal for 2025? Who is responsible for making the budget? How much money is currently in the Texas Rainy Day Fund? Must the budget be passed by both the House and Senate and signed by the Governor in order to have a closed Legislative session?

What is the importance of Senate Bill 2, which would provide school choice for Texas parents and their children? Sherry Sylvester explains why this is so vital for the success of our children and the public school system. In fact, the Texas Public Policy Foundation has been advocating for school choice for over thirty years! That is how passionate they are about this issue.

PART 3 OF 3 - LT. GOVERNOR DAN PATRICK’S 2025 PRIORITY BILLS

Discussed by Sherry Sylvester
with Texas Public Policy Foundation (www.TexasPolicy.com)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What is the importance of Senate Bill 3, which would ban the sale of THC in Texas? What else is included in this bill?

What is the importance of Senate Bill 4, which would increase the homestead tax for Texans?

Why is Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick so passionate about passing Legislation that puts the Ten Commandments and prayer back into public schools? Sherry Sylvester discusses the difficulties and backlash Dan Patrick has experienced due to his firm faith in God.

“Book Banning” is a bipartisan hot topic – but for very different reasons for both sides of the aisle. How would Senate Bill 13 stop children’s access to inappropriate books?

Click here to help support the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

ORGAN DONORS: BEWARE!

Discussed by Brad Mattes
with Life Issues Institute (LifeIssues.org)

You may be aware of a Kentucky man waking up as they were about to harvest his organs for donation. It’s good news that Anthony Thomas Hoover II (TJ) is alive, but the circumstances surrounding this event as reported by multiple news sources are horrifying.

Today, President of Life Issues Institute, Brad Mattes, reveals the details of this story. Disclaimer: Use caution when listening to this segment around young children. Issues discussed may be upsetting or hard for little ones to understand.

Click here to learn more about the dangers of a brain death diagnosis.

Click here for the latest from Life Issues Institute

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Is there a CLEAR definition of “brain dead”? Brad explains that the definition can be “subjective” and not be evidenced-based. In other words, the guidance of determining death can be completely “opinion-based”.

Must the definition of when death occurs be re-examined by our elected officials?

If you have second thoughts about being an organ donor, click here

Click here to help support Life Issues Institute.

GOD’S PROMISE OF GRACE

Discussed by Pastor Steven Morris
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 5

This past summer, pastors with Champion Forest Baptist Church preached a fantastic series of sermons on different promises from God found in the Bible. This week, we have chosen to replay one of those sermons from Pastor Steven Morris in place of Mark Lanier’s lesson to partner with Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon on Leaving a Legacy. Pastor Morris’s sermon was from Philippians 4:6-9: Do not be anxious for anything.

Click here for Pastor Steven Morris’s sermon “God’s Promise of Peace” and for the other sermons in this series from pastors at CFBC.

If you have questions about a sermon, please contact Champion Forest at questions@cfbc.org

Questions/Issues Discussed:

HOW TO LIVE IN PEACE: PRAY ABOUT IT!

How often do you pray? (Psalm 91:1) Yesterday, Pastor Steven urged us to pray more often and about everything – big and small – just like children do! Today, he reminds us that having a specific routine on a daily basis regarding devotion and prayer is extremely helpful.

HOW TO LIVE IN PEACE: THINK ABOUT IT!

What is worthy of our praise – worry or peace? (Philippians 4:8)

What do you fill your mind with? Pastor Steven uses the analogy of an airport filled with people and things to remind us what should fill our minds.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

God’s promise of peace becomes our reality when we worry about nothing, pray about everything, and focus our minds on the right things.

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, text the word JESUS to 77069 and a pastor or counselor from CFBC will call you back.

For more details about Champion Forest Baptist Church, click here:

HOW DO I LEAVE A LEGACY?

Discussed by Pastor Jarrett Stephens
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 5

The new year is the perfect time to hit reset and refocus on what matters most. In this series, Pastor Jarrett Stephens and others will tackle six must-answer questions about faith, salvation, prayer, and purpose that every Christian needs to consider.

This week, Pastor Jarrett preaches on the importances of discipling others and leaving a legacy that counts.

Questions to ponder: Are you making a difference with your life? Are you making your life count? Are you having an impact? Are you making a kingdom difference? Is there a positive ripple effect from your life to others?

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon here.

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon notes here.

If you have questions about a sermon, please contact Champion Forest at questions@cfbc.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

HOW TO LEAVE A LEGACY: Lead by example

Is it really important to “talk the talk” and “walk the walk”?

Who is in your path? Who is looking to you for advice and direction? Have you ever thought about being a Sunday School teacher? JUST DO IT! You will be blessed beyond measure.

Why doesn’t the enemy want us mentoring others? Pastor Jarrett offers encouragement when we are attacked by Satan. Does your family SEE you worshipping God? Does your family SEE you reading your Bible? Does you family SEE you investing in the Kingdom?

Scripture References: 2 Timothy 2:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:1

HOW TO LEAVE A LEGACY: Finish well

Pastor Jarrett encourages us to never, ever stop sharing the Truth of the Gospel. We are never too old to make an impact. It doesn’t matter how many times we mess up or fail to speak up. One time of boldness is all it takes to leave a legacy. Make your legacy count.

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, text the word JESUS to 77069 and a pastor or counselor from CFBC will call you back.

For more details about Champion Forest Baptist Church, click here.

PRAYER

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Most Merciful and Gracious Father,

I long to bow in your presence and to worship you and your son.

Until that glorious day, may I join with other saints in sharing the Good News.

One day, you softened my heart and I accepted your son’s cleansing touch.

Father, send forth your Holy Spirit to draw in the lost and those wandering.

Lord Jesus, pursue those rebelling.

Speak through my words and actions.

May the harvest be abundant.

And if you grant me tomorrow, let’s repeat.

Praying in and through the mighty name of Jesus Christ,