A New Question About Identity

Announcer 0:01

It's time now to get the hell out of your life. A weekly broadcast with real people, sharing real struggles, and offering real hope. Today's show will encourage, inspire, and empower you to face life's challenges with a bold confidence and renewed hope. Now let's join our host, Ron Myers, the promoter.

Ron Meyers 0:22

Hello, my friends. It is so good to be with you today. Let me ask you a question. Who are you? Now most people answer that by talking about their job, their accomplishments, their failures, or even their past. But what if we've been asking the wrong question all along? Maybe the real question isn't who am I? Maybe it's whose am I? Today's guest, Benny, spent years chasing success, performing in a rock band and searching for something that always seemed just out of reach. He knew about Jesus, but like so many people, he hadn't experienced a personal relationship with him. Then one invitation, one encounter, one decision changed everything. As you listen today, I want to encourage you to do more than hear Benny's story. Listen for how God may be speaking to your own heart. Because the same Jesus who transformed Benny's life is still transforming lives today, including yours. Here's my conversation with Benny.

Growing Up In Church Without Knowing Jesus

Benny Dichara 1:33

So my dad, God bless him, and he was he grew up Roman Catholic because we're very Sicilian, right? My last name's Dicchiata in Italian. So that's it. And so he married my mother, who's not. And so the Roman Catholic Church back in the day, they said, Well, if you marry her, we're gonna excommunicate you. You do not marry out of the religion. So I was like, I don't get that, Ron. But so he's like, Well, enough of this. So my mom was Lutheran, so my dad went through adult catechism and they became Lutheran. So I was raised Lutheran in church every single Sunday with my parents, early service, like 6:37, kind of just crazy. And so if I would have died on Monday, I cannot sit in front of you and tell you I'd be in heaven. And this is being in church every single Sunday. I knew who Jesus was, but I did not know Jesus. Yeah, if that makes sense. That's how I was.

Ron Meyers 2:29

Same way. People ask me, what was the change in your life? I went from a knowledge to a relationship. Absolutely. It really is different.

Divorce, Division, And A Rock Band Life

Ron Meyers 2:36

It's that simple. There's always a point, Benny, that I talk to people that something drove them to ask who this Jesus was, whether it was drugs or alcohol or abuse. Right. What drove you to find out who this Jesus was? All right.

Benny Dichara 2:53

Well, here's the thing. It just this will be real. This will be real. So I got married at an early age. Got her confirmed because I thought that was important. We get married. You cannot change someone. I said it. You cannot change someone. Only God can do that. And so we were married for 10 and a half years. I had two beautiful children out of it. It was the craziest relationship, especially toward the end. And it it got ugly and mean. And that it's just, it was it was horrible. And so I'm trying to defend the kids and hide them from things. And you know there's an issue when that happens. Anyway, so we split, and it became everything that you hear the antithesis of split. You know, it's all about the money and this, that, and the other, and the kids, and it's a power thing. And I don't know if any of your listeners are going through that, but it is a real thing, right? And the devil is in complete control of that. His number one deal is division.

Ron Meyers 3:53

Yeah.

Benny Dichara 3:54

Divide and conquer. Divide and conquer. And then for me, I'm in church every Sunday with my family and children. And I still don't have enough to dial it up to God and just say, Jesus, can you please step in us and fix it? And so we wind up splitting back at that time when I had hair. I had a lot of it. And we did the, we did the rock tour circuit. I had a secular rock band. It was all original stuff. And we played like the coast and New Orleans all over the place and stuff, and saw things I never want my kids to see. And all of these things, and then some things went on with the band and in this relationship, it all kind of morphed together. And I was like, this is this is horrible. So so after we split, because I was stationed in Memphis, I moved back to Memphis and it was some distance away. In 1992, I moved back to Louisiana and I moved to Baton Rouge. Once I was there, just did a whole bunch of management type jobs,

A Business Meeting That Planted A Seed

Benny Dichara 4:49

everything. I got invited one day to this business function that were run by very serious Christian people. Not Christian in the sense of the word Christian, but they had the Holy Spirit fire in them. Like I've never seen that in business people. And they started quoting things that I'd never heard before. And I've been in church every Sunday, right? As a matter of fact, if it wasn't in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, I didn't know about it, basically. So we're we're we're talking at this thing, and they do a little altar call at the end because they like in business, the only way you succeed in business is if you succeed in him. I mean, that's one of the things, right? And so, and I'm like, I don't, so I go down and I get a little, I get a little paperback Bible from him because I didn't have one in the house. And God just compelled me to go down and get one. And I didn't, I did not get saved. I did not do an altar call thing. I'm wicked at the Bible and went back and I sat down. So, but at that point, you cannot overlook the power that God has in his timing. And that business meeting was a preordained.

Ron Meyers 5:54

So it planted a seed.

Benny Dichara 5:55

Oh, like not a mustard seed. This thing was like an avocado seed, right? And so it's just like our relationship and us meeting, that's a preordained thing eons ago. And if you know, you know. And so, so I had dispressed. Well, it was this, I was a floor manager for a Toyota dealership at the time. And this lady, Miss Linda, love me some Miss Linda. And so I sold her a car, her husband a truck, her daughter a car. So I was familiar, I knew their family.

Miss Linda’s Invitation And The Altar Call

Benny Dichara 6:20

They knew I did music. She says, Hey, don't you have a rock band? Didn't you have a rock band? And I said, I did. Not anymore, but I did. And she says, You should come to our church because you would love the music. So I said, Well, what are you? And she's like, What do you mean? I'm like, Well, like I grew up Lutheran. So what are you? Methodists, Baptist, what are you? She goes, Uh-uh, we're just straight out the Bible, Bible-based church. And I'm thinking, I've heard about you people. But I'm like, no. So I'm telling you, in all honesty, I know your listeners, I don't know if anybody's gonna relate to, I lied to her for three months because she would call me every Monday. I didn't see you in church. And I said, I was busy. And back then I was just watching the Saints lose because I thought they did. So all of that to be said, this meeting I went to, this business meeting I went to was like a week toward the end of these three months where I was fibbing to her. And she calls me and she says, Listen, I didn't see you in church again. I'm gonna come and get you this Sunday. Like I'm coming to get you. And I said, No, ma'am, you're not. And she says, Why? I said, I'm gonna meet you there. And she goes, Seriously? Because I know you've been lying to me for and I said, Yes, Miss Linda, I've been lying to you. I said, But I heard some things and I need to know more. So I'm coming. So I walk up to the church, and you know what she did, Ron? Big old smile on her face. She gives me a big old hug. Her husband, Max, gives me a big old hug. Come on in. The music was incredible. And then they do an altar call. So I go down for it because just the Holy Spirit is working on me like crazy at this moment. And I broke. I mean, broke. And I went to step back from the altar and I couldn't move. And I looked behind me, and it was a mountain of days where I was going, whoo, got past that one.

Ron Meyers 8:02

Well, I want to take a minute and you can finish your story. But I've always said, Benny, there's people out there listening that they can relate and connect to everything you just said. And I know the same thing happened to me. There was something that I could feel tangible inside of me. Absolutely. And there really is. It wasn't just reciting a prayer. Nope. I felt God. And I think that's important because you and I, you're out in the public all the time with your rock group, Christian Rock, and I'm on the radio and podcast. But this stuff that we talk about about Jesus is because it really transformed our lives. It changed us, it changed the trajectory of where we're going in life. And I think if I wouldn't have had that encounter I had in Atlanta, or if you didn't have that encounter that you had, your life would be totally different to this day.

Benny Dichara 8:58

Yeah, speak that. And that's all, hey, Miss Linda had one job to get you into church and get Jesus in you. Just not even to get me, just to invite me. To invite. That's the good word. Right. And so, and so and so I'm down, and I broke in that mountain of days. I couldn't even move. And so all of a sudden, I cried like I've never cried before. Amen. And it wasn't pain, it was a good cry. It was release. It was release of all the sin that had piled up in my life, right? And it was release from the really horrible divorce thing. It was a complete really I was dating somebody. I went the next day, told her what happened to me, and we split. And she's go, she's like, What are you doing? And I'm like, This isn't cool, and I'm done. I'm married. I'm married to Jesus. Well, you know what she told me? She said, she says, I've never been dropped for Jesus before. And I'm like, well, if you're gonna lose to somebody, that's the one to lose to.

Ron Meyers 9:52

But you said the word release. I think that is so real because I tell people it's like I lost a hundred pounds of this dead weight of baggage, of fear, of guilt, of shame, of sin. And I was free to become who Christ created me to be.

Healing, Trauma, And Music With A Message

Ron Meyers 10:10

100%.

Benny Dichara 10:10

Yeah, I know we're gonna get into this in a little bit, but this coming October makes eight years that I've had a traumatic brain injury. So, but yet we're two records in since you and I shouldn't even be having this discussion because they weren't sure if I was gonna come out of that. But God had a plan. He had a plan. Had a plan. So, so the new record is Yahweh Nisi. So Mikey Howard, seven time down, love journey music, he's our producer, and he and I co-wrote on the radio single from Yahweh Nisi, which is Jesus Can Heal the World. And do you need a title? Do you need anything but the title, I should say, to get it? Jesus can heal the world. I'm going through addiction of some sort, and it doesn't matter what kind, Jesus can heal that. I've gone through a divorce, all that kind of stuff with all these crazy family issues. Jesus can heal that. I've gone through who I think I am, Jesus can heal that. For me, I had a lot of things that Jesus needed to heal because of who I thought I was. I was so hung up, Ron, on who I thought I was. I had a band that was me. I'm the front man for that band, for this band, that was me.

Ron Meyers 11:19

So who did you think you were? Some big shot rock and roll band star? I'm not saying that, but you know what it is.

Benny Dichara 11:25

You know what it is. It's like what I thought was these, I'm creating these opportunities, which I had no idea at the time in my BC life that God was lining things up or whatever, right? I mean, so when I have my secular band, you'll find this interesting. So my keyboard, because I would bounce back and forth off of keys, and I had a ramp off the front that my my brother-in-law was my guitar player, and he would run up the ramp with high five. It's a whole show thing. It's nonsense. But we would do that, and on the ramp portion was a star painted, and I had like a cross painted in the star with the tail of the cross coming at the bottom. And I had people, I am not saved at this point, Ron. And I've got people at shows going, what is your design? What's that logo thing? I was like, hey, a star is what I want to be. The cross is who's gonna get me there? I'm not saved, and God is speaking through my face, and I didn't get it because you know, we were pretty well known and all over everybody's blowing smoke up your pant leg, and y'all are so fantastic, and oh my god. Oh, the it and all those things that we get wrapped up in.

Ron Meyers 12:26

So you were a star in your own mind.

Benny Dichara 12:28

Hello, and guess what? And guess what? And for most people, aren't we all? Yeah, for that's so you know what it changed for me? I had to realize it wasn't about who I was, but it was about whose I was. Yeah.

Ron Meyers 12:42

Amen. And and you know, and since I've met you years ago and I run into you at some conventions, you're a happy guy, aren't you? Life is good.

Benny Dichara 12:52

Yeah, I don't care. Yeah, if that makes sense. You know, because here's the thing when when the Holy Spirit, like you said, like when I got saved, and you just you notice the difference, all that weight is off of you. When when boy, I hope some of you listeners can relate to this. When we walk in the preordained, planned purposes of Christ, you really don't care about much because you know it's handled. God is the answer. Jesus is the answer. Point people to him. That's all. I mean, because I look at my pastor or whatever, but I mean, we're on stage and I'm talking in between songs and I'm telling them this is how this happened, this is how that happened. And if Jesus can do it for me, guess what? He can do it.

Ron Meyers 13:34

Well, you know, I call myself the promoter. The most often asked question to me is what do you promote? Jesus. I promote Jesus, and that opens up a dialogue. But right now, Benny, there are people out there that maybe they have a band, maybe they're doing something and they are going to be a star in their own mind, but yet they feel something missing. And through your wisdom and through your experience, you can give them a little Benny encouragement, a little pep talk. What would you tell that person? Like a Bennyism.

Benny Dichara 14:07

Here's what I've learned. Let me say it this way: this is what I learned. I think the name of Jesus is a J, which is shaped like a hook. And once you get that hook in you, you don't do anything the same. The way you perform is not the same. The way you talk to people is not the same because you're pointing them to them. For me, it's a stage, musicians, lights, sound, all that all that stuff is groovy and it's fine. And guess what? It's fun. It's a party for Jesus from the stage, right? But the but the point is it's a party for Jesus. Because if you don't feel the love of Jesus, come across the footlights when we perform. If you don't feel the love of Jesus in our discussion today, then I need to quit and do something different.

Ron Meyers 14:52

Well,

Pride, Pain, And Why People Tune Out

Ron Meyers 14:53

let me ask you, Benny. You and I both agree that Jesus is the healer. Yes. Jesus is the answer. Yes. So what have we done wrong? What have the churches or the people done wrong? There are churches on every corner, Christian radio stations, television stations, and people are hurting. And you talk to them about Jesus, and it's like, I don't want to hear that. Right. But you and I know Jesus is the answer, in your opinion. What have we done wrong?

Benny Dichara 15:26

Yeah, this is coming from me. So I've discovered the center, and you may have heard this before, right? The center of the word pride is the letter I. I don't feel like doing that. I don't think I can talk to people about Jesus. I don't think this is working out the way that I I had a dream and it's not working out the way that I can. We're talking right now about this record, this new record, and it's on radio across the country. We're doing amazing things. We're booking shows and everything. They don't want to talk to me about 1997 when I founded the band. I just said 1997. People have asked me over all that time, you ever thought about quitting? And I'm like, as surely as I heard the Lord say, I've chosen you for this, do this. I've never heard him clearly come back to me and say, I'm so sorry, I made a mistake. It's not happened. He's never told me, stop. It's a mistake. Never, ever, ever. Even the rocks will cry out, right? Well, call me a rock star in that way because I'm crying out that people need to know him, that he can fix everything that they're going through. For me, it's a stage. For you, it's your podcast radio. For a doctor, it could be a surgical suite or a hospital. For a boss, it could be a business setting or a set of office. Everybody has a stage. It's our gift from God. What we do at that stage is our gift back to Him.

Ron Meyers 16:52

And I would encourage someone out there right now, if this has even intrigued you, maybe you're thinking, maybe I should give Jesus a try. When nothing else is working in your life, your friends leave, you get terminated, the wife leaves, the bank account is low, you get a bad doctor's report. I would say it's time to try Jesus. Because you know what? If it doesn't work for you, you can go back to your old life. Right. But I've never found anybody out of all the hundreds and hundreds of people I've talked to. I've never met anybody that went back to their old life. You know what they say, Benny? They say, I can't believe I waited so long. But then my response is but sometimes we have to go through a lot of hell in our life before we cry out to Jesus to take the hell out of our life. That's right. It's his timing. And now look at your knowledge that you have. You were in a secular rock band. You got to learn a lot of the business practices and how to deal with people because God knew one day you're going to proclaim his name of his son Jesus with a rock band. So you got to learn a lot of the world tricks, and and now you're up there and you are as uh what do they say, as wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. And well, listen, we're almost

Where To Find Empowered And Their Music

Ron Meyers 18:16

out of time. How do people find out about you in your music?

Benny Dichara 18:20

So the name of our band is Empowered. And what it stands for, I think it's important for people to know, is God's empowered us with the gift of music so that we can empower others with his message, so you're ready for it, so that they can then go and empower others. Amen. With his word. That's all it's about, right? So, so look at that poster right behind you. It's the word, it's in the studio, folks. Empower. Big big letters. So the so the website, and we we wanted to do this, and and it actually worked out because when we signed stuff, we put this on there and it worked out. So it's it's rock with no g, it's ro-c-k-in-the-number four, Jesus.com. So rockingforjesus.com is really easy. I love it. It's real easy. We have a contact page if anybody wants to get in touch with us that way. We're on Facebook, Empowered Rocks, Instagram, Empowered Official, YouTube channel, same. We're on 40 streaming platforms with not only the new record, but all of them. And and it's on there. And we're just we're just our prayer is that people are changed by what they hear.

Ron Meyers 19:28

One last thing. The title of the show is Get the Hell Out of Your Life. Right. So, Benny, how do you get the hell out of your life?

Benny Dichara 19:38

Just say Jesus. Just say Jesus. Jesus literally, when he died and rose again, he got the hell out of the world. Yep. Right? So, what are we gonna do with that, folks?

Ron Meyers 19:48

Right.

Prayer For Release And A Changed Life

Ron Meyers 19:49

Amen. Hey, before we go, will you pray for our listeners? I certainly will.

Benny Dichara 19:53

You ready? Yep. Here we go. Father God, we just thank you for this time today. And thank you from our brother Ron and that we were able to reconnect for this. Lord God, and I my prayer, Father, is just that in our discussion today, there's somebody out there who's listening right now.

Ron Meyers 20:09

Amen.

Benny Dichara 20:10

And they're going through stuff, and stuff is all inclusive, it can be anything. But God, but you, Lord. And if they would just press into you, you've got the answers. Jesus can heal the world. And it's a fact. He gave his life to heal the world. And God gave his only son to heal the world. And just, Father God, if anyone is going through a struggle, I just pray, Father, just right now that the Holy Spirit just come on them, that the Holy Spirit touch them. The way Ron and I experienced when we were saved, Father, just that that weight of what they're going through is lifted from their shoulders, Lord God, and that their life be forever and eternally changed. We just we believe in that. We thank you in advance for it in Jesus' name. Amen.

Your Next Step And Becoming A Miss Linda

Ron Meyers 21:04

Wow, what an encouraging conversation. One statement Benny made has stayed with me. It wasn't about who I was, it was about whose I was. Think about that. So many people spend their lives trying to become somebody, a better career, a bigger paycheck, more followers, more success, and more approval. But none of those things can give you the peace your heart is searching for. Only Jesus can. The moment we discover that our identity isn't found in what we do, but in who we belong to, everything begins to change. Fear loses its grip, shame begins to fade, hope comes alive, purpose becomes clearer, and suddenly you're no longer trying to prove yourself. Simply learning to trust the one who created you. That's the freedom Jesus offers every one of us. Before we leave today, here's your next step. I want you to spend just five quiet minutes with God this week. Turn off the television, put down the phone, find a quiet place, and ask him one simple question. Lord, what do you want me to know about who I am in you? Then listen. Open your Bible, read a chapter from the Gospel of John, write down what stands out to you. You may be surprised by what God wants to show you. And here's one more challenge. Think of one person who encouraged you in your faith, just like Miss Linda encouraged Benny. This week, send them a thank you note. Or better yet, become a Miss Linda for someone else. Invite them to church. Invite them to listen to this podcast. Invite them to coffee. You never know how one simple invitation can change someone's eternity. I'll be back in just a minute to close out today's show.

Announcer 23:20

You're listening to Get the Hell Out of Your Life with your host, Ron Myers. Real stories, real struggles, and real hope. From crafts to trees to sights so pretty. It's all my favorite Christmas city. Gifts and food with 300 books guaranteed to put food.

Speaker 2 23:44

Save the date. The 43rd Annual Christmas City Gift Show, November 13th through the 15th at the Coach Coliseum Convention Center in Biloxi. At Ron Meyer's Christmas city. Visit Christmas City Gift Show.com for more.

Ron Meyers 24:03

How do you get the hell out of your life? Get on your knees and cry out to the Lord. He hears you right where you are.

Announcer 24:09

How to get the hell out of your life? Well, you replace it with Jesus. We gotta be born again, born of the Spirit, and that's by trusting Jesus Christ, turning from our sins and trusting Jesus. How do you get the hell out of your life? Oh gosh. Jesus.

Ron Meyers 24:21

Jesus.

Speaker 24:21

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

Closing Encouragement And Sharing Your Story

Ron Meyers 24:24

Before we go today, let me leave you with this thought. Your circumstances do not determine your destiny, and your past does not define your future. And your failures are never the final chapter of your story. You see, Jesus specializes in new beginnings. So don't spend another day trying to become someone you're not. Become the person God created you to be. Walk in his grace, live in his freedom, share his love, and wherever God has placed you, that's your stage. Use it to point people to Jesus. And if today's conversation encouraged you, would you share with someone who needs hope? You never know whose life could change because you clicked share. And if God has done something amazing in your life, I'd love to share your story. Visit thepromoter.org and click share your story. Your testimony may be the very encouragement someone else has been praying for. Friends, I'll be back next week with another Grace Filled episode of Get the Hell Out of Your Life, available wherever you listen to podcasts. And my friend, remember this: you were created on purpose, for a purpose, by a God who loves you more than you can imagine. So keep believing, keep growing, keep taking your next step. And together, let's get and keep the hell out of our lives. God bless you, and I'll see you next time.

Announcer 26:15

Today's show was produced by Ron Myers Ministries, a listener-supported ministry. For a copy of today's broadcast, please visit our website, thepromoter.org. And would you prayerfully consider making a tax-deductible donation so that we may continue to share stories of God's amazing grace with the world? And join us next week for another broadcast of Get the Hell Out of Your Life. Real people, sharing real struggles, and

Live Show Invite And Final Announcements

Announcer 26:41

offering real hope.

Ron Meyers 26:42

If you're on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, come see Benny and his band Empowered live at the Biloxi Shuckers Faith and Family Night on Saturday, August 2nd. They'll perform a free pregame concert from 3.45 to 4.40 p.m. at Keesler Field Park in Biloxi, right before the 5 p.m. game with the Montgomery Biscuits and the Biloxi Shuckers. It's a great afternoon of faith, family, baseball, and inspiring music. I hope to see you there.

Speaker 27:16

Hi, I'm Dr. Andrew Farley, host of the Grace Message. Got a Bible question, struggling with a personal issue, wondering about a tricky verse? At BibleQuestions.com, you'll get clear, grace-based answers in 10 seconds or less. No fluff, no confusion, just practical biblical truth. Ask anything, anytime, and experience the power of God's love. Visit BibleQuesti.com. That's BibleQuestions.com. Your go to for biblical clarity.