Morning Show Notes - Thursday, February 24th


-Dr. David Evans is a Memphis optometrist who is the brains behind The Grace Card, which opens Friday in Augusta and Statesboro. He, along with Calvary Church of the Nazarene, produced a movie about the power of forgiveness. Listen to our conversation:
Part 1 - Birth of the movie
Part 2 - The storyline
Part 3 - Reason for the storyline
Part 4 - Public interest in faith-filled movies

-John had an interesting afternoon while picking up his kids from daycare. First, he finds out that his normally well-behaved three year-old, Evan, was placed in time out for sticking his tongue out at his teacher and refusing to cooperate. Then, he learns that his one year-old, Emma, shared her first kiss on the lips with a little boy in her class and was smiling the whole time. She's always been a loving child, but let's not get carried away!

-There was a big round of layoffs yesterday at the Savannah River Site, one of the area's largest employers. The Aiken Standard reports that anywhere between 600 and 700 workers were terminated, although exact numbers haven't been publicly released. We talked this morning about "layoff survivor" stories - people who have been through a layoff and made it to the other side. The recurring theme was that God was faithful in each circumstance to provide a better job than the one before. If you have a story, please share it and encourage others on the 88.3 WAFJ Facebook page.

-The Drive-Thru Difference doesn't officially begin until tomorrow, but some listeners are getting a head start. Click here to listen to a call from someone who was blessed by the kindness of an 88.3 WAFJ listener.

-Coming up Friday: The Drive-Thru Difference begins! Also, our movie guy, Bob Waliszewski from Focus on the Family, joins us at 7:10 with the family-friendly take on the weekend's new movies.

Simple Cooking - Cola Onion Pork Chops


2 pork Chops
1 12oz can of cola flavored soda (can use diet soda as well)
1 envelope dry onion soup mix

Preheat over to 350. Place chops in backing dish. Pour soda over them. sprinkle with soup mix. Back uncovered for 30 minutes on one side. Flip over and back 30 minutes on other side.

Submitted by Jamie King of Evans. If you have a quick and easy recipe to share, please send it to john@wafj.com and include a daytime phone number. You'll get a thank-you gift if we use your recipe.

Morning Show Notes - Wednesday, February 23rd


-Gas prices are on their way up in the CSRA. John saw $3.14 a gallon in Augusta this morning, and Cleve noticed prices were topping $3 a gallon in Aiken County. If you're looking for cheaper prices, try using Bi-Lo's Fuelperks and Kroger's Fuel Rewards, which can now be used at many Shell stations in the CSRA. Greg's Gas Plus, who is an 88.3 WAFJ Business Ministry Partner, is also usually priced a bit cheaper than some of the chain gas stations.

-Katie Porter from Focus on the Family joined us this morning to talk about an adoption event they are hosting this Saturday in Norcross (Atlanta area). It's called "Wait No More: Finding Families for Georgia's Waiting Kids." If you're considering adoption, it would be worth the drive to hear the information that will be presented. Find out more by clicking here.

-Jamie King of Evans provided our quick and easy recipe for Simple Cooking this morning with her Cola Onion Pork Chops. The recipe is in the post above this one.

-After a Tampa mom became fed up with her son's indifference toward his school work, she made him stand on a street corner holding a sign that said "GPA 1.22...Honk if I need an education." If you're a parent who's been in a similar situation, what have you found to be helpful in motivating your child to do well in school? Join the conversation on the 88.3 WAFJ Facebook page. Read the full story here.

-This is the season for consignment sales around the CSRA. Here's a list of some coming up: WeePeats in Martinez - Now through Saturday
Pass It On in Aiken - February 28th - March 5th
ReQoop in Augusta - March 5th and 6th
Trinity on the Hill in Augusta - March 11th and 12th
Sweet Repeats in Aiken - March 18th and 19th

-Coming up Thursday: Memphis optometrist Dr. David Evans joins us at 6:10 and 7:40 AM to talk about The Grace Card, a movie that he wrote, directed and produced with help from his church family. It opens Friday in Augusta and Statesboro. You'll have a chance to win tickets tomorrow morning!

Morning Show Notes - Tuesday, February 22nd


-Trevor Bayne may be the youngest ever to win the Daytona 500, but more importantly, he is a strong Christian who feels that God has given him a platform to share his faith through racing. Read more

Trevor has promised to share his winnings with an orphan ministry called Back2Back.

-Cheryl Elms of Augusta is the newest member of Cleve's Coffee Club. She wanted to be a member so that she could use her coffee mug to tell others about the radio station that has impacted her life, especially after an incident involving a tobyMac song. Listen to her story

-Michael Higgenbottom, who plays the role of pastor/police officer Sam Wright in The Grace Card, joined us this morning. This movie combines the elements of race, grace and forgiveness in one storyline that will make you think about your relationships with others. Listen to the conversation:
Part 1 - Synopsis of the movie
Part 2 - Working with Lou Gossett, Jr.
Part 3 - What people are saying about the movie
Part 4 - Potential impact

-Coming up Wednesday: At 7:10, we'll talk about how to encourage your kids to do well in school. Also, at 7:40, Katie Porter from Focus on the Family joins us to talk about an adoption event they are hosting in Atlanta on Saturday. Then at 8:10, Jamie King shares her recipe for Cola Onion Pork Chops in Simple Cooking with John and Cleve.

Morning Show Notes - Monday, February 21st


-Monday Morning Mindbender
Q: Out of the 43 presidents we've had, only one of them received 100% of the electoral college votes. He did it not only once, but twice. Who was it?
A: George Washington
Donna Bradberry of North Augusta, being a teacher, knew the answer and picked up a prize pack from The Grace Card movie that includes tickets.

-Cheapie of the Week: Beth Orehosky of Statesboro correctly guessed that it is vitamins. Kroger has all Sundown vitamins on sale as a "Buy 1, Get 1 Free" special through Saturday (2/26). You can buy one box and get them half price. There are two digital coupons you can load on your Kroger card for this sale. One is for $1 off the children's vitamins (Marvel Comic Heroes) and the other is for $2.50 off any bottle of Sundown vitamins.

-Fan voting is open for the 42nd annual Dove Awards. You can vote for Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year. Click here to vote

-We noticed a couple of random acts of kindness mentioned in today's Augusta Chronicle. A Navy veteran sent in a rave about someone paying for his meal at Ryan's in Martinez on Valentine's Day. He was wearing a Navy hat and that prompted the generous act. An Evans family lost their daughter in a car accident last week and an anonymous person took care of the funeral expenses! We heard your stories this morning including a woman who's meal was payed for anonyomously at the Aiken Huddle House recently. She said it came at a time when she needed it the most. Another listener told us that someone keeps sending him large amounts of cash anonymously because they must know his family needs it right now. Share your experience on the 88.3 WAFJ Facebook page.

-You can join us in an areawide random act of kindness this Friday called The Drive-Thru Difference.

-Coming up Tuesday: Cleve welcomes another member to his coffee club at 6:50 AM. Michael Higginbottom from The Grace Card joins us at 7:10 and 8:40. Listen for your chance to win tickets to the movie.