{"version":"https:\/\/jsonfeed.org\/version\/1","title":"Choose Hope Blog","home_page_url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/blogs\/choose-hope-blog\/","feed_url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/blogs\/choose-hope-blog\/json","description":"Encouragement & ideas to help you choose hope, everyday.","items":[{"id":"o828-1854-6a45bc841f322","url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/blogs\/choose-hope-blog\/post\/but-what-can-you-do-for-your-country\/","title":"But, what can you do for your country?","date_published":"2026-07-02T01:19:00+00:00","summary":"A reminder about good citizenship from a Nye Beach ukulele player.","content_html":"

On a recent visit to Nye Beach, I noticed something pretty disheartening. Someone(s) had thrown a bunch of old beer cans and trash in a pile next to a park bench on the walkway down to the beach. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

As I walked past the pile of junk, I thought to myself about how terrible and ungrateful the people are who would do something like that, especially here in such a beautiful place. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Later, when I returned to my car after some time at the beach, I noticed a woman walking toward the pile of trash. She was carrying a ukulele and wearing a long, flowing, purple skirt - as one does on the beach in Oregon. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

To my amazement, this lovely, free-spirited woman went over to the pile of trash and cleaned it up! <\/span><\/p>\n\n

I felt so grateful that people like her exist. People who are willing to make the world a better place, even if it means (as it so often does) cleaning up after other people’s messes. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

I also felt kind of ashamed that I didn’t think to do the same thing. I was more than willing to spend time feeling superior to the people who made the mess, but what good does that do? <\/span><\/p>\n\n

As we prepare to celebrate the 250th birthday of the USA, it might be a good time to reflect on our own contribution to this land that we love. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

I’ve heard a lot of conversations and arguments over the past decade about what makes America great, but I wonder how many of us have spent any time working on being a great American?<\/span><\/p>\n\n

I know I can do better. <\/span>
\n <\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/828\/6a45bb4f6fd391f3f9a.png","author":{"name":"Tami Rumfelt"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/4661\/blogs\/posts\/85595"},{"id":"o828-1854-6a3c4efea2e37","url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/blogs\/choose-hope-blog\/post\/use-your-words\/","title":"Use YOUR Words","date_published":"2026-06-24T21:41:00+00:00","summary":"AI may be able to craft a polished email or come up with the perfect comeback in an argument, but it can never replace the most important thing of all. ","content_html":"

A friend told me she was going to have AI write a text to a mutual friend about a conflict
\nthey were having.<\/p>\n\n

“You mean copy and paste your text and ask for pointers on how to make it better?” I
\nasked, after admittedly staring at her in shock for about 45 seconds.<\/p>\n\n

“No,” she replied. “It can write it for you. I just tell it what to say in my voice. I’ve done it
\nbefore. That way I don-“<\/p>\n\n

“THAT’S CRAZY!” I interrupted with a forceful exclamation that seemed to shock both of
\nus, “Why would you do that?”<\/p>\n\n

“You don’t understand,” she said with true sincerity, “Words aren’t hard for you.”
\nShe’s right. Lord knows I have a ton of personal problems, but using words is not one of
\nthem.<\/p>\n\n

But I hope you know your voice matters. Your words matter, the way you would say
\nthem, as imperfect as that may be.<\/p>\n\n

I’m afraid we may be losing the ability to communicate with each other. In my heart, I
\nbelieve we are far better served by awkward interactions than having our every word,
\nthought, and confrontation managed by ChatGPT like a press secretary.<\/p>\n\n

I'm not anti-AI in general. My spelling is genuinely awful, so I always appreciate help
\nwith that. But do I need that when just talking to a friend?<\/p>\n\n

I guess what I'm saying is that true relationship is not built in perfection but in the
\nimperfections. The openness. The brokenness. The times we let people see us weak,
\nvulnerable, and flawed. That's where genuine connection happens.<\/p>\n\n

I would also argue, based on 2 Corinthians 12:9, that the weak places are also where
\nGod's grace shines, and HE gets the glory.<\/p>\n\n

So, have the awkward conversation with your friend or loved one. Face to face. See
\nthem. Let them see and hear you. Relating beyond the screen, as imperfect as it may
\nbe, is far better for us. If that’s not possible, pay them the kindness of hearing your own
\nwords from your heart.<\/p>\n\n

Please know I’m not bashing you or AI (well, maybe AI a little).<\/p>\n\n

I just want you to know that the real you is needed. God made a special place on this
\nearth that only your voice and words can fill.<\/p>\n\n

Use your words while you have them.<\/p>\n\n

-Producer Sherri<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/828\/6a3c518b4cee5620177.png","author":{"name":"Sherri Lynn"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/4661\/blogs\/posts\/85494"},{"id":"o828-1854-6a332ffd7949a","url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/blogs\/choose-hope-blog\/post\/set-free-indeed\/","title":"Set Free, Indeed","date_published":"2026-06-17T23:38:37+00:00","summary":"As we honor Juneteenth and the long-delayed news of freedom making its way to the enslaved; it's a good time to also reflect on the spiritual freedom Jesus offers and the burdens He never intended us to keep bearing.","content_html":"

Juneteenth reminds us of a powerful and painful moment in American history. On June 19, 1865, enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, finally heard the news that they were free. Though the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued more than two years earlier, many were still living under the cruelty of slavery, unaware that freedom had already been declared.<\/p>\n\n

Can you imagine the feelings these men and women must have experienced in that moment? I'm guessing it was a combination of joy, disbelief, relief, grief, and perhaps even anger that freedom had been theirs by law, yet withheld from them for so long. I imagine some stood stunned beneath the weight of it: the life they had prayed for, longed for, and maybe feared to hope for had finally been spoken aloud.<\/p>\n\n

I can't help but make a connection between the celebration of Juneteenth, and the gift of freedom offered to each one of us by Jesus. It makes me question if I'm living in the freedom already declared over my life.<\/p>\n\n

Scripture tells us that Jesus came to proclaim freedom to the captives, to break the chains of sin and shame, and to invite the weary into His rest. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has declared liberty over all who trust in Him. And yet, many of us still live as though we are bound.<\/p>\n\n

We carry shame that He has already forgiven. We strive to earn love that He has already freely given. We bow beneath the heavy yoke of religious legalism, trying to prove ourselves worthy, when Jesus has invited us to take His yoke instead; a yoke that is easy, a burden that is light. We may know with our heads that Christ has set us free, but our hearts can still live in captivity to fear, performance, guilt, or the expectations of others.<\/p>\n\n

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom finally received and lived. It reminds us that freedom must not only be declared; it must be believed, embraced, and walked in.<\/p>\n\n

So, this Juneteenth, as we celebrate the true end of slavery in the United States, it might be a good time to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where we are still living in bondage, to give us the strength to surrender every chain Jesus already broke, and to live as those set free by Christ. Free, indeed.<\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/828\/6a332a6a44766743e82.png","author":{"name":"Tami Rumfelt"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/4661\/blogs\/posts\/85411"},{"id":"o828-1854-6a29f79fc597d","url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/blogs\/choose-hope-blog\/post\/wins-and-wisdom\/","title":"Wins & Wisdom","date_published":"2026-06-10T23:47:00+00:00","summary":"This might sound strange, but at our Hope 107.9 staff meetings, we've started celebrating our mistakes. And, honestly, it's pretty great. Read on to find out why you and your family might want to make a habit out of celebrating both the victory laps and the learning curves. ","content_html":"

At Hope 107.9, we recently added a new tradition to our staff meetings called "Wins & Wisdom".<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

It’s simple: we go around the conference table and share one “win” from the past week. Maybe it was a project that came together, an encouraging conversation with a listener, a goal that was reached, or one small moment where we thought, “Hey, that went well!”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Then comes the wisdom part. We also share something that was harder - a mistake, a challenge, a moment that didn’t go quite the way we hoped - but taught us something valuable.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

And honestly? That second part may be our favorite.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Because life isn’t just about getting everything right. It’s about growing, laughing when we can, giving ourselves grace, and letting God use even the messy moments to shape us.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

This might be a fun dinner-table tradition for your family, too. Try asking: “What was one win from your week?” and “What’s one thing you learned the hard way?”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

You may be surprised by the stories that come out, and the encouragement that follows. Your kids may be surprised to hear that you make mistakes, too. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

In a world that demands so much from us, it’s important to celebrate both the victory laps and the learning curves. Both can be gifts.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n

 <\/p>","image":"https:\/\/mmo.aiircdn.com\/828\/6a29f4736946f.jpg","author":{"name":"Tami Rumfelt"},"_mobile_inapp_url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/_app_pages\/stations\/4661\/blogs\/posts\/85311"},{"id":"o828-1854-6a2361602237b","url":"https:\/\/www.hope1079.com\/blogs\/choose-hope-blog\/post\/an-update-from-candace\/","title":"An update from Candace","date_published":"2026-06-05T23:53:00+00:00","summary":"Thanks for praying for Hope 107.9 Afternoon Host, Candace. She's come a long way since her bike accident. Here's an update. \r\n","content_html":"