Pre-Election Coverage with Glenn Beck

With only a week until the Presidential election, we spent the afternoon at Mercury Studios for a taping of the Glenn Beck television show.  His TV show is now available on most cable providers, and can be streamed from his website. 

Tonight was an open forum to ask Glenn any questions.  Questions ranged from election predictions to the failure of the health care system.  I really enjoy going to the studio for the tapings and I'm blown away at how gracious Glenn is to his guests. 

Following the taping Glenn gave audience members a tour of the Oval Office set where they will tape the election coverage.  He also took us through the new set for The Vault series.  Security is super tight and you are not permitted to take cameras or cell phone on the premises, so the only photos I have at the screen shots from streaming the show.  Abigail is sitting behind Jon and I, next to Frankie. 

It will be fascinating to see how next weeks plays out! 

Our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law or paid attention to your commandments and your warnings that you gave them.  Nehemiah 9:34

Ask Glenn Anything

Today was another live taping of the Glenn Beck Television program on the Blaze TV.  The Blaze is available on over 100 regional cable providers throughout the United States, Verizon Fios, on Dish Network, on the Roku Device, on SkyAngel and on its own online streaming service 

We have the online streaming service so we can watch the news program anytime.  Over the years we've met many great guests from Life Without Limbs author Nic Vujicic; political talk show host and author Dana Loesch; Lord of the Rings Director Peter Jackson; Martin Luther King, Jr.'s niece Alveda King; and of course Caleb's favorite historian, David Barton several times. 

Today's programming was an 'Ask Glenn Anything'.  Before the program Glenn took the studio audience on a tour of the studios complete with the submarines featured in The Winds of War; the tree from the Barney & Friends tv show; the bike from Indian Jones; the bench from Forrest Gump; the Winston Churchill bust from the White House; just too many to list.  The studios have a rich history and it's fascinating to hear the stories of the various props and how they came to rest in the Blaze Studios. Looking forward to our next visit!

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. I John 2:15-17

Ask Glenn Anything Day

Caleb wouldn't feel like he was home unless we headed to Mecury Studios for a taping of the Glenn Beck show.  Today's taping was an 'Ask Glenn Anything' style show.  

Before the taping Glenn came out and welcomed everyone and then took them on a tour of his Oval Office at the studio.  He has an Oval Office with replicas of many of the items that have been in former President's Offices.  He gave the historical significance of some of the artwork.  It was a great reminder of the door added to the front of the Resolute desk by Franklin Roosevelt to conceal his leg braces.  That would later set up the iconic photo of John-John peaking through the door while JFK sat at the desk working. 

Much of the conversation today centered around the upcoming election and what do conservatives do now that there isn't really a conservative candidate.  Later when we were home we streamed the program on TheBlazeTV via the Internet so Jon and Frankie could see how we spent the afternoon!  

But it is God who executes judgment,

    putting down one and lifting up another. Psalms 75:7

Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Day

One of most impressive things to me about today's holiday is that MLK was first and foremost a Reverend and then a Doctor.  I was reminded of that today as Abigail and I sat at the Blaze Studios for a filming of the Glenn Beck television program.  Reverend King's niece, Alveda was on the set along with Bishop Jim Lowe of the Guiding Light Church in Birmingham, AL.  

Today's taping looked at the history of MLK and unity and compassion he wanted for all people vs. the current media messages of hatred.  Again, as always the answer to the current unrest lies in the peace and calm stillness in Christ. 

It is a fascinating dynamic to watch Glenn, a former alcoholic, anger filled individual to talk scripture and Biblical principles in front of a huge TV audience with a well read Pastor. It was also incredible to listen to Ms. King who knew Dr. King and could speak first hand to the civil unrest at the time of his assassination. The living history stories are fascinating, I'm not sure our kids realize how fortunate they have been to have witnessed so much history through the eyes of actual witnesses. 

From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.  Acts 17:26-27

The Glenn Beck Show

We were able to have a little hands-on political science class at Glenn Beck studios, and by that I mean we were at the taping of one of Glenn's shows in the studio audience and as a homeschooling mom, I counted it as school!!! It was a little odd to be at the taping without Caleb but always enjoyable. 

Glenn was filming a show emphasizing family and traditions.  It was a special show highlighting the traditions of his family with personal stories of his grandparent.  He was joined on stage by his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter.  Glenn is an remarkably gracious man, it is always a highlight to hang out and watch the filming of his show.   It's also interesting to see all the behind-the-scenes action.  There is a lot of work that goes into a one hour show. 

The show was set to air today, however due to the terrorist act in San Bernardino, CA the show will not air until next week. 

A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son

    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

Proverbs 17:2

Glenn Beck Republican Candidate Debate

Caleb and I got an extra unexpected date today!  We have been fortunate enough to attend several tapings of the Glenn Beck television show on the Blaze Network. The show is filmed in his studios in Irving, Texas.  The show does a great job of rotating through the requests to give priority to first timers tickets to show tapings.

Caleb was hoping to make it to one more show before he left to college and as fate would have it, he got an invitation to today's show.  Tonight is the first Republican debate, so the show was a town hall discussion of talking points voters would like to hear covered in the debates.

Caleb is looking forward to voting in his first presidential election, he is his father's son!  

He changes times and seasons;

    he deposes kings and raises up others.

Daniel 2:21

Glenn Beck: Clothed in Strength & Dignity

This afternoon the boy is resting comfortably after his surgery, so Mrs. Gungan and I headed to Glenn Beck's Mercury Studios.  Glenn brought in a panel of women, feminine activist including a Professor from the University of Victoria, a senior writer for Newsweek, and a mom-blogger who also writes for the Huffington Post.  Obviously, not a panel of Glenn Beck fans, nevertheless, they all came together with the common ground of the growing sexualiztion of little girls. 

One of the illustrations Glenn gave was little boys police costume included pants, long sleeve shirt, hat, and a hand held walkie talkie.  But the little girl's police costume was a shirt and short skirt, both with leather trim; lace leggings, lace fingerless gloves and the accessory was handcuffs!  This was a costume for 8 year olds!

One of my favorite guest was Stephanie Giese who writes a blog Binkies and Briefcases.  She recently wrote a post showing the shorts Target sells with a 7" inseam and the girls shorts were 1".  She writes in a post, "I care because, with any luck, my kids will be adults for four times longer than they are children.  I care because I am not raising girls; I am raising women.  I care because my bible says that women are “clothed in strength and dignity” (Proverbs 31:25)"

Here is a snippet from the show: 

She is clothed with strength and dignity
Proverbs 31:25

Glenn Beck's Ruby Slippers

Today Caleb took Frankie with him to a taping to the Glenn Beck television program it was program focusing on history leading up to Beck's Miracles and Massacres Museum.  The event will include over $50 million worth of artifacts! 

 

Some of the artifacts were onstage for the studio audience to see, including the flag that actually landed on all of the beaches on D-Day.  There was also one of Abraham Lincoln's hat, a hand-marked script from Orson Wells, a letter written by Mother Teresa.

 

Caleb was impressed by a New Testament Bible that was all written in because it was owned by a linguist who hand corrected the grammatical errors.  The Bible's owner was J.R.R. Tolkien!   Frankie's favorite was one of the three remaining pairs of Dorothy's Ruby Red Slippers from the Wizard of Oz movie!  Guess who knew the answer to, "What color were the shoes originally in the books?"  Oh that would be Frankie!!

 

And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.  Revelation 4:3

Glenn Beck Show with Mike Rowe

Today Caleb and Richard headed over to the Blaze Studios for a live airing of the Glenn Beck Show with guest Mike Rowe from Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs.

 

Mike discussed his latest project on CNN, Somebody's Gotta Do It with the studio audience of high school and college students.

Mike in the founder of the Mike Rowe Works
Foundation which is his effort to reinvigorate the skilled trades with the mission of challenging the belief that an expensive four-year education is the best path for everyone.  Great discussion for these high school seniors!

All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty  Proverbs 14:23

New Michael Vey Book is Out!

Today was filled with one of those unexpected blessings.

You know how many days are kind of mundane and routine? Today is not that day!! All three of my kids LOVE Richard Paul Evans’ book series Michael Vey.

 

One of them even wrote on the calendar months ago that book 4 goes on sale today. Then yesterday, Caleb got an email from Glenn Beck studios asking if Caleb would like to be in the studio audience today as Glenn discusses the new Michael Vey Book with the author! Caleb got tickets for all three kids to go for the book signing and show taping! How cool is that!

 

Mr. Evans was positively delightful as he greeted each of the kids, signed their books and asked each of them questions about what they enjoyed in the series, even what they would like to see in future books. 

 

Mr. Evan's is an author who is a Christian, but the Michael Vey books are not Christian books.  They are well written, New York Times Best Selling Sci-Fi books.  They have a humble, unassuming, teen male lead; the sort of young man you want your sons to become.  Caleb even got to ask Mr. Evans a question during the live taping. We all had a wonderful time!  

He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people  Exodus 18:25 

Political Science Class

 

 

 

Hanging out tonight with my favorite political science 'professor,' well that’s how the girls refer to their brother, Professor Caleb.  Today's class was held in at Glenn Beck's Mercury Studios.  The hot topic of the day was the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri.

Rather than focus on what went wrong, today's show focused on the citizens of Ferguson who got it right.  The citizens who pitched in to help vandalized businesses, neighbor helping neighbor, etc.

My favorite quote from today’s program was paraphrased from Ben Franklin, “There is a God and the best way to serve Him is to serve your fellow man.” 

 

 

love the Lord your God,  walk in obedience to him,  keep his commands,  hold fast to him and serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.  Joshua 22:5

Glenn Beck’s We Will Not Conform: A Night to Make Common Core History

Tonight was the live airing of Glenn Beck's We Will Not Conform, A Night to Make Common Core History. It was filmed in his Mercury One Theater and broadcast in 600+ theaters across the United States through Fathom Events. 

Caleb was invited to participate as a high school student and I got to be his plus one.  With guests like Michelle Malkin, David Barton and many others discussion centered around real, tangible strategies to wake up our friends and neighbors and make our voices heard against Common Core.  The audience include the delegation from Oklahoma that recently repealed Common Core.  

It was a fascinating evening discussing the political process and effective grass root organization, my political science professor had a great time! 

Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millan

We were blessed today to be a part of the studio audience for the Glenn Beck television show on The Blaze.  His special guest was gymnast, author and motivational speaker, Dan Millman.  Millman was a a NCAA Championship gymnast winning four gold medals representing the United States in the Maccabiah Games.  His amazing story follows a horrendous motorcycle accident that crushed his leg, requiring pins and metal plates to piece it back together.  

Millman went on to write a book about his journey entitled, Way of the Peaceful Warrior which sold more that 5 million copies and has been translated into 29 languages.  In 2006, the book was adapted to a film, "Peaceful Warrior," with Nick Nolte, distributed by Lionsgate Films and released by Universal Pictures in 2007.   

Millman has gone to write other books and travel the world as a motivational speaker.  When asked if he was New Age or what his religious affiliation was, he responded, "My writing have an affinity to Taoism, Sufism, the Kaballah, Christian mysticism, and other paths.  I do not cling to stoicism or any other philosophical school, but simple humanity."  

I enjoy putting life stories of achieving adversity, especially physical adversity, and triumph in front of Frankie.  It's a great lesson for all three kids! 

For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever.

Romans 11:35

Glenn Beck Program with Amy Morin

Caleb and Abigail joined other teens today on Glenn Beck's television program with special guest Amy Morin.  Ms. Morin is a college professor and has a private practice working with teens and parents of teens.  She has recently written a piece on 13 Things Mentally Strong People Avoid.  On the program she and Glenn discussed the list and encouraged interaction from the teen audience.  

Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

Here are the 13 Things Mentally Strong People Avoid: 

• They Don't Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves
• They Don't Give Away Their Power
• They Don't Shy Away from Change
• They Don't Waste Energy on the Things They Can't Control
• They Don't Worry about Pleasing Everyone
• They Don't Fear Taking Calculated Risks
• They Don't Dwell on the Past
• They Don't Make the Same Mistakes Over & Over
• They Don't Resent Other People's Success
• They Don't Give Up After the First Failure
• They Don't Fear Alone Time
• They Don't Feel the World Owes Them Anything
• They Don't Expect Immediate Results

It was a great lesson for young people and adults! 

Glenn Beck's God, Guns & Giving

Today we joined hundreds of others in Dallas at Elm Fork Shooting Sports for Mercury One's "God, Guns & Giving" charity event.  It was a fabulous star-studded event including Glenn Beck, U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) and former Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell.

Abigail was very excited to see Liberty Treehouse's Raj Nair and ex-CIA Agent and NYPD Intelligence Division Specialist turned Blaze Editor Buck Sexton.  We love watching Liberty Treehouse and The Real News on the Blaze.    

Frankie and Abigail participated the kids gun safety class.  As many times as we have been to the gun range and shot Frankie has never wanted to have anything to do with shooting.  She generally brings a book to the gun range, puts in her ear protection and stays away from guns.  The gentlemen at Elm Fork were amazing and gingerly walked Frankie through the safety and handling of guns.  She was so proud of herself that she went on through the course of the day to re-visit the kids range and shot three separate times.  What is amazing is she hit the target every single time.  We joked the rest of the day that she had super sniper powers! 

Glenn Beck puts on quite an event and the money raised for Mercury One's charity will do great things!  

Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked. But the man who sounded the trumpet stayed with me.  Nehemiah 4:17-18

Dana Loesch Hosting for Glenn Beck

Today we headed out for a guest taping of the Glenn Beck Program with Dana Loesch, host of The Dana Show: The Conservative Alternative on talk radio. A former award-winning newspaper columnist, Dana began blogging in 2001 and was named one of the top 16 most powerful mothers online by Neilsen. Dana appears regularly on Fox News, CNN, CBS, and ABC.  She speaks regularly on the subject of activism, grass roots, and serves as co-founder of the St. Louis Tea Party.

Dana's guests today included Glendale, Colorado's mayor Mike Dunafon. Mr. Dunafon played with the Denver Broncos in 1976 and 1977.  He has been the mayor for eight years and has been active in the sweeping changes to throw out big government to make Glendale a thriving city.  He defines himself as a libertarian, for a fiscally conservative, small-government, pro-business American on his video blog. 

Like Glenn, Dana and her husband, homeschool their two children and she loves the Cardinals! The television program should air Thursday, July 18 on The Blaze.

Each of you proclaimed freedom to your own people.
You even made a covenant before me in the house that bears my Name.

Jeremiah 34:15

David Barton on Daystar's Marcus & Joni Show

Under the 'you might he homeschooled if' category, this morning the kids and I headed out to DayStar Studios for a Fourth of July special Marcus and Joni taping with David Barton.  David Barton heads Wallbuilder, a national pro-family organization that presents America’s forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious, and constitutional heritage.

Mr. Barton has been very active in the homeschool community and is the author of numerous best-selling books, with the subjects being drawn largely from his massive library-museum of tens of thousands of original writings, documents, and artifacts from early America. His is an expert in historical and constitutional issues and has participate in several cases at the Supreme Court. 

I think it was Glenn Beck who said taking in information from David Barton is like taking a drink of water from a fire hydrant.  We were fortunate enough to hear Mr. Barton speak in October 2012 at Glenn Beck studios. The man is such an amazing wealth of information.  David's son Tim Barton speaks around the country on behalf of Wallbuilders and we were privileged to hear him in 2011 at a Reclaiming Texas for Christ Conference.

After today's taping we went through the drive-thru at McDonalds, guess who we saw leaving McDonalds?  :)  

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Glenn Beck, Paul Kerry & the Hobbit

Today's adventure led us to the Glenn Beck Studios for a discussion with Glenn and Dr. Paul Kerry, and associate professor of history at Brigham Young University on J.R.R. Tolkien's writing and Christianity. 



Tolkien, speaking of LOTR & theHobbit,
"a fundamentally religious and Catholic work"
in a 1955 letter to the English Jesuit Robert Murray.

Dr. Paul E. Kerry is the editor of the recently published collection, The Ring and the Cross: Christianity and The Lord of the Rings , which includes essays by Joseph Pearce, Bradley J. Birzer, John Holmes, and several other Tolkien experts. Dr. Kerry is also co-editor, with Sandra Miesel, of the book, Light Beyond All Shadow: Religious Experience in the Work of J. R. R. Tolkien .

"I am a Christian and of course what I write will be from that essential viewpoint."

The conversation centered around Tolkien being a devout Catholic even to the point that he was the individual who converted C.S. Lewis, then an atheist to Christianity.  No small task!  Tolkien deliberately did not write in the allegory form that Lewis used, in fact as contemporaries Tolkien saw that Oxford withheld the Professorship from Lewis because of his overtly Christian writings. 

However, as a devout Catholic and in reading Tolkien's reflections to his children you can see the nature of the man writing the book.  You see that there is providence and not dumb luck in the actions of the hero.  You see there is goodness, and you see that evil is given over to it's own desires. All are Biblical themes. 

It was an interesting discussion and Glenn had on hand many originals of Tolkien's private letters to his children, belonging to a private collector in Dallas. 

Abigail was able to attend today's taping.  The movie comes out tomorrow and will be rated PG-13.  It is a dark movie and especially in the new 3-D, I would not take a younger child to see this movie.  That being said, Abigail will be 12 in two weeks and because she has read this book multiple times and familiar with the dark nature will see the movie with our Classical Book Club.

During the Q&A portion of the show Caleb was able to ask Dr. Kerry about Gollum's dual personality.  His question was addressed by Glenn and Dr. Kerry and aired on tonight's show!   So fun!  

 And we know that in all things God works for the good
of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Glenn Beck on The Blaze

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We received a second invitation to the Glenn Beck television program on The Blaze TV.  Today's taping was titled, 'Ask Glenn Anything."  It was hosted by Stu Burguiere, Glenn's Executive Producer and Head Writer.  Stu asked Glenn questions that had been emailed in as well as audience questions.

Some were obvious political in nature and some more personal.  Glenn has an incredibly witty sense of humor.  As a mom, I really appreciate that he is able to discuss his faith and God and the role it plays in his decision making.   

Caleb asked Glenn to sign his, 'Being George Washington' book.  I told Caleb I was going to hug Glenn's neck because I love his heart and faith.  Caleb asked that I not, because that would be weird.  As Glenn signed Caleb's book I told Glenn about our conversation, with that Glenn handed Caleb his book and gave me a big hug.  I told him how much as a mom of a boy I appreciate that he didn't 'hide' his faith.  He said it is difficult to talk about faith and God in front of millions of people because it is a private, personal thing.  I told him thank you for doing it, because my son and many other young men are watching him. 

In the same way,
let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

GBTV with David Barton

As a homeschooling family we love WallBuilders! David Barton is the Founder and President of WallBuilders, a national organization that presents America's forgotten history and heroes. They have a special emphasis on America's moral, religious and constitutional heritage.

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WallBuilders is a name taken from the Old Testament writings of Nehemiah, who led the movement to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and restore its strength and honor. WallBuilders has been the foundation for much of our American History curriculum.

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Screen shot from the show with Caleb & I up front

Caleb loves history and has devoured much of David Barton's work! We have been to see David's son Tim Barton speak on October 20 , 2011 and today we were privilege to visit Glenn Beck's GBTV studios where David was hosting the Glenn Beck Show.

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The show had special emphasis on elections of the past including famous debates, polling debacles, influential first ladies, and even hanging chads. I originally understood it to be a Q&A with a teen audience; but they brought in several other leading political historians with lots of information.

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We sat front row in the audience an enjoyed every bit of the shows taping. There was a Q&A, but the audience was primarily adults. At the conclusion of the show Caleb did ask David to autograph his copy of Original Intent.

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It was such a fun time; Caleb was fascinated by the booms and cameras. In the audience with us was David Barton's parents and before the taping I met his wife.

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So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached
half its height, for the people worked
with all their heart.

Nehemiah 4:6