Most of us first “met” Jane Marczewski when she walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage at her audition. When Howie Mandel asked her how she is, she replied, “I’m awesome. I’m so happy to be here!” The judges asked her the typical audition questions. They found out she would be singing an original song called “It’s OK,” which leads to an especially poignant moment when she revealed she hasn’t been working for the last few years while in an ongoing battle with cancer. Howie apologized, seemingly caught off guard, and Nightbirde said, “It’s OK. Yeah, I’m OK.” After Simon asked how she’s doing now, the audience and judges were left speechless by her answer: “The last time I checked, I had cancer in my lungs, my spine, and my liver.” Howie then said, “So you’re not OK.” and Nightbirde replied, “Well, not in every way, no.”  In a beautiful moment of truth, she states, “It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happened to me.”  When she started singing, eyebrows shot up all over the room (world?) Then as the song came to an end, Simon had a look of complete shock on his face. The audience gave a standing ovation, as did all of the judges. Nightbirde looked on the verge of tears, overwhelmed by the experience and no doubt the depth of emotion of the performance.

America’s Got Talent Judges’ Comments Were Glowing 

Howie: “You know, it’s funny because singers come on, and I think about authenticity. When you feel it, when it moves you…that felt like the most authentic thing I have heard this season.”

Sophia: “It was powerful. It was heartfelt, and I think you’re amazing.” 

Heidi: “It gave me chills. Your voice is so beautiful to listen to. It was beautiful all the way around.”

Simon: “Your voice is stunning. Absolutely stunning. I totally agree with what Howie said about authenticity. There was something about that song…about the way you just, almost casually, told us what you’re going through…” Then, as Simon was again speechless, Nightbirde took the opportunity to utter what has been shared thousands of times on social media:

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.”

Nightbirde

After a few moments of applause and cheering, and dramatic pause from Simon, he said, “Ummm…(takes a drink from his Sonic cup) there are, however, some great singers this year…and I’m not going to give you a ‘yes.’ I’m going to give you something else…”

Then he reached over and pressed the Golden Buzzer, sending her straight to the AGT live shows. The look on her face was so genuinely surprised, and her reaction so joyful and overwhelmed, you can’t help but laugh and cry with her. Her journey will surely be a memorable one for all who witness it and a powerful message of God’s love and faithfulness. 

Getting as much or possibly even more attention are her blogs. She writes about God, pain, faith, and tragedy in breathtaking ways- in ways that give you goosebumps, make you cry, make you pray. She writes in a way that invites you to feel what she’s feeling and see what she’s seeing. If you’re in pain, or in a battle, or if you doubt God’s love for you or His nearness to you, read these blogs and see a picture of the God who draws near to the hurting. 

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Psalm 34.18 NIV

Read more about Nightbirde and her story at https://www.nightbirde.co/

The post Who is Nightbirde on America’s Got Talent? (The Nightbirde Story) appeared first on Hope 100.7.

You might have heard this story already, but it’s especially entertaining to hear (read) Daryl and Julie discuss it. This right here is the beauty of husband and wife DJ teams!

Julie:
All right. That’s Daryl, I’m Julie. And I mean, you’ve experienced this before, right? You’ve got this craving for a certain food item, and you can’t really…it’s not convenient to have it, so you just try to let it go, but you can’t. I mean, you’re willing to go out of your way, even drive across town to go get that food. Maybe it’s a drive-through or whatever. You’ve experienced that, right? Or you’re grumpy if you don’t get it? Come on, Darryl. Admit it. You’ve been that way before. (whispers) Ice cream.

Daryl:
Yeah. But I’m not one to go way out of my way for something like that…

Julie:
No, but you know what it feels like. It’ll make you grumpy. You have…

Daryl:
Oh, yes. I could say that.

Julie:
You have gotten grumpy before.

Daryl:
Yes. Agree.

Julie:
Yep.

Darryl:
Yes, I have.

Julie:
You definitely have. Well, a group of kids -they’re actually part of a cross-county track team from a college in New York- were taking a little break. And they started craving Chick-fil-A. The only problem is-

Darryl:
Were you running?

Julie:
Bahahaha, I need to! The closest Chick-fil-A was about an hour and a half from campus, so that would have meant three hours driving back and forth. The closest one was at the nearby Albany Airport, but the restaurant sits behind the check-in, behind the security checkpoint.

Darryl:
Oh, right.

Julie:
So they couldn’t just walk in there and get it. Well, that wasn’t enough to stop them. This craving must have been strong. There were 18 of them and they decided they were all equally passionate and craving Chick-Fil-A. So they bought a one-way ticket to Fort Lauderdale, not intending at all to go to Fort Lauderdale, but just so they could send one guy to take the ticket and go in and go through security- it was a $98 ticket by the way, which sounds… “that’s ridiculous for them to spend $98….” but you know what? By the time they all pooled their money, it was $5.50 each because there were 18 of them. So they all pitched in, the $5.50. One kid went through security, going through all the motions as if he’s going to get on the plane, only he just went to Chick-Fil-A and ordered 18 meals. It was a $227 check, and brought back all the sandwiches and a bag of cookies and the drinks. And you can see him, they’ve got all these pictures as he’s going through the airport of him carrying out the bag, the treasure. And he took it back and they all enjoyed their Chick-fil-A. That has to be a commercial. Anybody listening from Chick-fil-A headquarters, you guys got to put these kids in a commercial. Wow!

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“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

Helen Keller

In case you don’t know, or are a little rusty on the details of Helen Keller’s life, today we have for you a synopsis of her life and why her legacy is so extraordinary.

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Helen Keller’s Life 

After a bout of sickness at 19 months of age, Helen was left deaf and blind, but her transformation from totally helpless to an able communicator and lifelong learner and servant has made her one of humankind’s greatest examples of perseverance and optimism. By the time Helen was 7, she already used over 60 signs to communicate with her family and could tell them apart by the vibration of their footsteps. None of this would have been possible without the vision, passion, and patience of Anne Sullivan, Helen’s beloved teacher.

Anne Sullivan was hired as a teacher for Helen, and arrived to her house on March 5, 1887, a day Helen called “her soul’s birthday.” Because Helen did not understand the concept that every individual thing had a name to identify it, at first she was frustrated by her teacher’s attempts to teach her words. The month after Anne’s arrival, however, Helen had a breakthrough. Anne was running water over Helen’s hand, while on the other hand tracing the letters w-a-t-e-r. The story of the account, as written in The Story of My Life: “I stood still, my whole attention fixed upon the motions of her fingers. Suddenly I felt a misty consciousness as of something forgotten- a thrill of returning thought; and somehow the mystery of language was revealed to me. I knew then that w-a-t-e-r meant the wonderful cool something that was flowing over my hand. The living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, set it free!” After that, Helen demanded to learn the name of every other object she came in contact with.

Helen became the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She became an effective speaker and lecturer, spreading her hope, cheer, and inspiration to all who heard her. She also became an author, and published her first book before she even graduated college. She went on to co-found the American Foundation for Overseas Blind to help veterans blinded during combat in World War 1 and the ACLU. She served as a spokesperson for the American Foundation for the Blind from 1924 til her death in 1968 and traveled extensively for the American Foundation for Overseas Blind.

What Her Example Means To Us 

Helen Keller’s story is fascinating because it’s so unexpected. Imagine someone who is unable to hear, unable to speak, and unable to see. The situation seems hopeless, right? It wasn’t for Helen, and our situations that seem hopeless aren’t either! Helen was able to overcome what seemed like insurmountable odds because she didn’t give up and she made the most of what she had. She tirelessly helped people facing similar struggles, even when no one would have expected her to do anything. The example I think we can all take from Helen Keller is to persevere through tough circumstances and keep our focus on others instead of ourselves.

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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“Have you ever been to a business- a restaurant, even an airplane, wherever- and there’s an employee there who’s having so much fun doing their job? They go out of their way to make you smile, to make you know that they’re glad you’re there. I’ve experienced that. There’s a Kroger store, I would choose to go there, because this cashier was just so outgoing and so friendly. He made everybody feel welcome and everybody feel happy. He just did. He was a big draw. There’s been a drive-thru I would go out of my way to go to, because the woman was so friendly, she was just so kind. You know, sadly, that just seems a rarer thing than maybe what it used to be, I’m not sure. The other day, Daryl and I saw this video of this guy, he’s a flight attendant on an airplane. He’s just having a ball and he is like a one-man comedy routine during the safety instruction spiel, which is normally kind of boring. I posted the video on Hope 100.7’s Facebook page, you can check it out. We would like to know- have you ever run into someone like that, who just has such a great time doing their job that it makes your day? Give them a shoutout. Tell us about it.” -Julie Pierce

“I was just going to say, for all the years I’ve traveled into Dayton, Ohio from Columbus- over 40 years- I’ve listened to you guys. You guys have always kept me going in the morning, and I appreciate that, so I’m telling you how much I appreciate what you guys do! Do you understand what I’m saying? Because when you’re out here in the bad weather and everything, you need something like that. And I’m listening to you every morning.” -Hope Listener

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(I want to give a shoutout to) “my son, Jackson. He has down syndrome and I’ve been listening to your show this morning- he lifts up everybody! He’s the closest thing to God and he exhibits that everyday with his smile and people he touches. He’s only 3 years old, and the Holy Spirit runs right through him. You’re talking about a job- it’s not a job, it’s just who he is. He’s touched our entire family and he’s awesome.” -Joe

“Yesterday at work, I mentioned to one of my coworkers and asked about one of my other coworkers and she mentioned that she was sick and I said ‘ok, I’ll pray for her.’ I didn’t even see it at first, she pulled out her hand and we prayed together in the office. It was just awesome that she pulled her hands out and we prayed together. I had tears in my eyes after that and I thanked her. That helped encourage me.” -Jimmy

“I wanted to thank you for everything you all do, but it was ministering to me, the question you asked, because I just had worked in retail for the last 4 years….I’m not working in retail right now, but I just wanted to say, that was one of the most amazing things how God ministered to me was he showed me on my worst days as a customer service person, just giving a smile blessed them and blessed me, it was contagious. How God pressed that upon me to stir up that gift- by even just a simple smile, even if it didn’t feel like it, it always came back to bless me even more. The people and the friendships and the way God would minister and flow, it was just evident that it was God. There are many stories- I had one lady come in one day, and we got to talking and she was retired from Kroger and she talked about how that was her passion. She loved just getting out and being around the people. People would come just to see her and check on her- and it does get to be like your family. Your community is your family, wherever you are and wherever you work. I just encourage anybody listening to take that ministry in their life going forward. Thank you for reminding me…that’s what it’s about.” -Hope Listener

What about you? Are there people that make your life better just by the way they treat you? Tell us about them, and maybe it will inspire others to show kindness too!

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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“We want you to be encouraged, we want you to start each day feeling like there’s hope. I found hope in this quote from Lysa TerKeurst because I tend to want to control things…I expected more of a laugh from you when I said that! (to Daryl) Yeah, the term ‘control freak’ has been thrown around a little bit. So this is a comfort, and I hope it is for you, too. This is a prayer, really; we can all pray this morning.

‘Lord, keep reminding us that we don’t have to fall prey to the urge to take control of our lives. You are in total control, and You hold our very lives in Your more than able hands.’ Job 12.10 says ‘For the life of every living thing is in His hand and the breath of every human being.’ So remember that today, and I will too.” ~Julie Pierce

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“You can do anything you put your mind to.”
“Your fate is in your hands.” 
“Don’t stop when you’re tired. Stop when you’re done.”
“Don’t wait for an opportunity. Create it.”

How many times have you heard these sayings or something similar? It seems to be our culture’s constant refrain: “It’s all in your hands. Work harder. It doesn’t matter what it costs.” It’s no wonder we see overworked, stressed, isolated, disconnected people all around us (or in the mirror ?) In so many ways we’ve accepted the lie that the only way to be happy is to be successful, and the only way to be successful is to abandon the balance between work and rest.

3 Red Flags To Being A Control Freak

To be sure, there’s a place for hard work and perseverance, but here are three ways to tell if you’re relying on your own strength and wisdom instead of the Lord’s. 

1. Do you continue to fume, complain, or worry when things don’t go according to your plan? The word “continue” is key here. It’s common, and sometimes even expected, as a first reaction to be shaken a little by curveballs in life. What do you do after that first reaction? That’s what can show you the state of your heart. If you find yourself in a cycle of anxiety, worry, or anger over every unexpected change or challenge, you might be putting more stock in your ability to control things than you realize. Examine how your actions line up with your beliefs. Do you say “I trust God will take care of me,” but then when you get an unexpected bill, you worry, despair, and scramble to sell something? Instead, pray and ask God to help you and lead you to what you should do. Sometimes, He absolutely will send you an odd job or a way to earn money. And sometimes you get a check in the mail you weren’t expecting. The whole point of trials like that are to grow your trust and dependence on the Lord.

“Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog- it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’ Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.”

James 4.13-16 NLT

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

Romans 5.3-4 NLT

2. Do you feel like you have to sacrifice time with your family/church/friends to work more to get ahead? Do you consistently work longer than you planned, or miss family events because of work? Do you feel like you have to live like that to keep paying the bills? There’s a difference between being hardworking and responsible and allowing yourself to believe your provision is entirely in your own hands. If we put our trust in the Lord, we can rest assured that He always provides for His children. This is a well-known verse that’s easy to gloss over in times of trouble. Let it fall on you fresh today. Are your actions showing that you believe this is true? 

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life- whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

Matthew 6.25-27 NLT

“Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”

Matthew 19.26 NLT

3. Do you feel stressed and overwhelmed by having to keep everything on track? When you think about what would happen if you released your iron-grip of control on your life, does the phrase “God helps those who help themselves” come to mind? Here’s a bit of relief- the Bible doesn’t say that. The Bible shows us time and time again a God that is quick to help us when we humble ourselves and come to Him. A God who helps the helpless. He delights in showing us grace- favor when we deserve nothing. What are some ways you can give up control over some things in your life and trust God in your situation? 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”

Proverbs 3.5-7 NLT

“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”

Romans 5.6 NLT

Take some time today to think about if there are areas of your life that you need to hand over to God. Pray and ask the Lord to help you see where you are trusting yourself instead of Him. Then, let go. Hand it over and watch Him make beauty out of your ashes. Every time you find yourself worrying about that thing again, hand it over again. It might take time and intentionality, but each time you get a little stronger and a little faster at noticing when your thinking is flawed.

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God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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There are so many ways to show you love somebody! The post that we put on Hope 100.7’s Facebook page “I don’t need flowers, candy, shopping sprees, or poems. To me, love is waking up to an empty sink,” Cheryl commented, she said “Absolutely agree, Julie!!!” and then Kendra said that when her daughter tells her she is an awesome mommy. Awe, I love that! That would make me feel loved, too, Kendra! Jenni says, “Acts of service and the gift of time are my love language. I try to tell my husband how much I trust him and honor and respect his first love to be Jesus Christ.” Well, that’s pretty cool. I’m sure that helps tremendously. You know, when you put Christ first in your marriage, then your marriage is going to be better. 

Sue said, “the above picture, for sure” meaning that waking up to an empty sink makes her feel loved. What about you? What else makes you feel loved? Daryl, I asked you earlier…what did you say? What makes you feel loved? Daryl: “Our daughter will basically go through these spurts at times when we come home, and the house is really clean.”

Julie: Stuff’s put away, then we can’t find some things we left out. Where did that go?! Check the basket!! ?

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Ways We Can Show Love

I was thinking about the various ways we can show love…I thought to myself how many times do you not bring up something that your spouse has done, or even your friend has done, or you and your kids think “see, I’m showing love by not pointing out this flaw or this thing that they’ve done again to get on my nerves.” I’ll tell you, I do that sometimes. I’ll think “ok, well, I don’t want to be a nag…that really annoys me what this person is doing, but I want to show love. I want to show that I’m bigger than that, and I’m not going to say anything.” It occurred to me- how many times have people had to do that for me?! They think, “I want to show her I love her, so I’m not going to point out that really annoying thing she’s doing right now.” Yikes!

Some of our Facebook friends weighed in with the ways they feel loved: 

“A sweet text in the middle of the day, random hugs, chores that are completed by anyone other than me. ?”

Tabetha

“My sweet husband cooks for me.”

Linda

And one more from Julie:

“When my husband willingly goes back out into the cold to get my cell phone, because I left it in the car.”

Julie Pierce

What are some ways the people around you make you feel loved? Or what are some unusual ways you try to make others feel loved? We’d love to hear from you!

God bless you. Stay hopeful!

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