Ron & Jen’s Great Escape – April 5, 2023 – Ron St. Pierre and Jen Brien

by Ron St. Pierre & Jen Brien, contributing writers, commentary

Breaking the Heart of God

How many people really get that we are standing on the threshold of eternity, and judgement day is coming?  Not to sound like a hard core Bible thumper, but I am a hardcore Jesus enthusiast. He saved my life and pulled me out of my pit, so why wouldn’t I be?

As I scour the landscape these days, I’d say not many people are concerned about breaking the heart of God. We are a self-self-self society. The vast majority of people live in “their truth” which paves the way for lawlessness and deception. We see the manifestation of this in drug use, suicide, and a general, overall lack of purpose and happiness out there. It’s evident everywhere you turn. It’s wild. Just insane how many hurting people there are out there these days. 

I used to break God’s heart on a daily basis. With my rebellion, sin, mockery, life, alcohol use, etc. etc.  Now, when I break God’s heart, I break my own because hurting someone you love deeply is overwhelming. If it were not for God, I’d be long gone. Dead and buried. I should be dead by my standards, but God’s not done with me yet, and if you’re reading this, he’s not done with you, either.

This Easter, try and put your cynicism aside for one day about faith. Try and see past your logical mind which tells you it’s all a scam. Open your heart and allow for a vulnerable moment. Allow for God to enter into your being. Listen, I was saved and brought back after an overdose. I woke up and as my earthly father stood over me weeping in the ER, I also saw my heavenly father weeping as well. Both said “why”. “We love you”. “You are our child”. “You matter”. 

Easter is a time for rebirth. If you have broken your father’s heart, he is waiting for you to turn back toward him and wants to love you. 

I’m writing this because of him. Not me.

You matter. 

Happy Easter my friends,

Jennifer

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WHAT’S IN YOUR BASKET?

Candystore.com has come out with their annual survey on the best – and worst – Easter candy. Here are the top five best and top ten worst:

BEST:

– Cadbury Mini Eggs

– Gourmet Jelly Beans

– Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs

– Hollow Chocolate Bunnies (how can a HOLLOW bunny make the top 5?)

– Robin Eggs from Whoppers

WORST:

– Cadbury Cream Eggs (Ron and Jen agree… TOO SWEET!)

– Peeps (come on… that’s a staple!)*

– Bunny Corn (that’s Easter candy corn… yuck)

– Chocolate Bunnies solid (that makes no sense… hollow bunnies over solid bunnies?)

* When it comes to eating PEEPS as an adult, here’s the secret. Poke holes in the cellophane and let the PEEPS go a tad stale. When they reach a slightly stale stage, remove them and dip them (headfirst, of course) in your favorite liquor such as Tia Maria, Bailey’s Irish Cream or Amaretto). This also works well with Animal Crackers outside of the Easter season.

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FEELING INSECURE? YOU’RE NOT THE LONE RANGER

Apparently, Americans struggle with confidence every day. So, what are the things that can make us break a sweat? Being confronted with difficult situations like speaking in front of a crowd (40%), not being properly prepared (34%), or starting a new job (28%). A recent poll says being the last one to walk into a meeting throws confidence for a loop, too. Americans lose confidence about five times daily. Some folks admitted to faking confidence, and it actually worked for them! Looking for ways to boost your confidence? The best ways are to adopt a positive mindset, gain support from family and friends and being prepared for ANYTHING (resurrect your old scout days I guess), working out ad helping people. Stuart Smiley’s mantra can’t hurt… “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough and doggone it, people like me!”

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BUY ME SOME PEANUTS AND CRACKER JACKS… IF YOU HAVE ANY MONEY LEFT

In a poll of 1,000 MLB fans, 35% say they won’t be able to afford to go out to the old ball game this year. So, how much do Americans have to work to see their fav pastime? In Houston, fans of those cheatin’ Astros need to work about 9 hours to afford three tickets. Yankee fans must work AN ENTIRE DAY to go to three games. Those calculations are based on ticket price and average hourly wage. Want to REALLY splurge? A Yankee Stadium suite will set you back $15,000.

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YOU DON’T GET A SECOND CHANCE AT A FIRST IMPRESSION

Apparently, you better be quick on the draw in making a first impression. The average first impression is made in just 27 seconds, with one third of people saying they’ve made up their mind about a person in under ten seconds. What helps? A friendly smile, good manners and eye contact are listed as the top ways to make your mark. Arriving on time is very important, too. 44% of respondents say getting a good night’s sleep and minty fresh breath helps makes you feel more confident.

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Ron St. Pierre is a veteran broadcaster whose career has spanned over four decades. Ron has programmed, performed on and managed WHJJ, WPRO, WWRX, 790 The Score in Providence, as well as WBZT and WKGR in West Palm Beach and WABC in New York City. Ron also anchored sports on WPRI Ch 12 in Providence. He is a member of both the Rhode Island Radio and Television and the City of Pawtucket Halls of Fame. He was born and raised in Pawtucket.

Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine Unit.

Hazel, Ron’s dog, makes regular appearances.

“Ron and Jen’s Great Escape” podcast, a more lighthearted look at the events happening around us, can be found on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes premiering each Wednesday and listen to Ron and Jen’s Great Escape on NewsRadio 920 and 104-7 FM, Saturday morning, 7am!