The morning after

Well if you listened last night to JOY FM you got to hear my radio debut, if you didn't sorry you missed it. That was alot of fun and yes I was slightly nervous about being on the air but when Dan Franks our teacher asked who wanted to be first I said I would. I had a few moments to get prepared and then it happened my first break, got to talk about the JOY FM pet of the week, things went smoothly I thought. Then it was sit and wait while the other 3 had their chance at the mic. You could tell first time around the was nervousness, second time it seemed to go alot easier.

Second time around I got to do the scripture spotlight and even did a little ad-lib before hand. Then more waiting until the end I got to close our class time with a little plug for the spring sharathon. All in all it was alot of fun. Thanks to Dan Franks and JOY FM for a class like this and thanks to my fellow classmates for the encourgement and fun we had during the classes. I will be back over there Friday night with some tickets and cds to giveaway, don't know if I'll be on the air or not, but give a listen from 8 to 10 p.m. One of the ladies in the class asked me why I seemed calm during the class and I told her I knew that this is what I was supposed to be doing and by that I mean I know God put me there for a reason so I kind of had that peace that He brings knowing I was there for a reason. That reason maybe to work there someday maybe start a station someday or maybe it was just to be there and have a friend of mine listen to a christian station for the first time and get them thinking, who knows but I know to take a line from MercyMe...Where you lead me I will follow....so where God takes this I am soooo there.

I have been blessed beyond imagination being able to do stuff I have always dreamed of, playing music in front of people, being a DJ, and now helping with a concert promotion.

Tonites the night

For the past 4 weeks I have been attending a broadcast class at JOY FM in Union City and tonight being the final night of the class we get to go on the air live. There are 4 of us in the class and we have between 7 and 8:30 p.m. to do our thing. Dan Franks from JOY FM will start off then it is up to the 4 of us we our own little segment to put what we've learned to good use and have a little fun. Who knows there might be 2 people listening or 2,000 people who knows but it will be fun. It has been real cool to see how radio stations work and who knows where this will lead. I'll let you know tomorrow how it went from my perspective. Also Friday night I am going to head back over there for Solid Rock Friday Night and take a couple of Apologetix CD's and a pair of tickets to the May 4th show at FFC to giveaway so be listening for a chance to win.
If you want to listen in it is on 88.9 on your fm dial or if you can't get reception it is on the web at www.889joyfm.com. Just click on the listen live area and you will be on your way.

What a weekend

This weekend was incredible, it was a day longer thanks to a vacation day on Friday. Tammy and I got to have another little date going to Olive Garden for lunch, then went to the Arena at BSU for the Aquire the Fire. This is the second one that I have worked this time I was an usher and got positioned in the section straight back from the stage. As I was standing there helping people find where they needed to be here comes Bryan and the FFC gang, don't worry they stayed in line. Friday night was cool it is always good to hear Ron Luce talk, he is very passionate on the youth. The altar call filled the floor and had people going back into the exits of the floor. RED the band that played Friday was LOOOOOUUUUUUDDDDD. I love that kind of stuff though. Saturday was an early rise with about 4-5 hours of sleep, got to the arena got set up and went through the morning session kind of coasting. Offering came and as I was taking the buckets to the floor I turn to go back up to my spot I ran into Tammy Reagon, a lady I worked with at Twoson for about 7 or 8 years and haven't seen for about 5 years. It was good talking to and connecting with her again and seeing how much she has grown spiritually in those years. She was helping there as well so we got to talk a few times during the breaks, she had her son there and I pray that the ATF stirs something up inside of him. Saturday nights altar call was even more awesome than Friday's as the entire floor was just a sea of people. Too cool.
Yesterday at church was great as well, the first part of the new series was killer, and by the sound of the end when PK asked if there were those who were ready to say enough of the temptation there were quite a few lives changed. Lessons from the bag was good again. Ryan did a great job fighting the cold he was having. Music was good with a few slight problems, SHOUT YOUR FAME needs a little tweeking but other than that it was all right. It is always good to see God working in peoples lives.

15 years ago, the final chapter

Now it is time for my story. I gave my life to Christ way back in June of 1980 and in the time between 1980 and 2004 I was close to God and at times I was as far away as I could be. It always seemed that in the times of trouble was the times that I was closer and all the other times I was just doing my own thing, always knowing in the back of my mind what was right and where I should be. Everything I tried to make my life better or basicly bring personal satisfaction just wasn't enough or didn't do the trick. God was always there saying "I'm here when your ready" just waiting for my call. In late 2003 Connie Akers invited our old "Air Band" to come and play in KidZone for the kids which was the first time we went to FFC. It was fun and we enjoyed the whole service so Tammy and I decided to keep going.
We (mainly I) used to find excuses for not going to church on Sunday but once we started coming to FFC I didn't want to miss a Sunday. Now during the week I was still doing my own thing but God was working. It seemed so messed up to be living like we were Monday through Saturday than on Sunday live a totally different way but that still goes on today all over the world in every church there is someone like that. Sin is fun for a season but seasons change and so did I.
Like I wrote about yesterday March 14th 2004 was a changing day for me, when Tammy went to the altar to accept Christ I remember standing up there with her and God was giving me a wake up call. I always knew the right way to live and where I needed to be but never really dove in all the way, on that day I took that dive and haven't looked back since. It always makes me wonder why did I wait so long. I can't seem to get enough of God now and I mean that in a good way, now its not just on Sunday but the other 6 days a week that I live for Him.
As Pastor Kris' blog is titled Changeisgood4U and I am living proof of that. I still stumble every once in a while but God pulls me up, dusts me off and helps me on my way. There are still areas in my life that I need to improve and get better at (paitence, boldness, selfishness...) but I feel that I am a work in progress and the end result is going to be amazing.

15 years ago (part deux)

Like I said yesterday 15 years ago today my life changed forever when I married the most beautifully wonderful lady, Tammy my wife. Who knew that years later 12 to be exact that both of our lives would change for the better.

Let me take you back to 2004 we had started going to FFC in 2003 right around the time we did THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE. We were starting to get involved in the church and growing when THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST came out, went and saw the movie and was deeply touched. A few weeks later we had a message on the movie. Now that day was different from others for Tammy and I, the kids had spent the night with her parents and we were picking them up after church, those days after service we would rush to get them at KIDZONE and head home, not this day. We went to Sunday school that day and we were learning about sharing our faith, Tammy was teamed up with Rita Childress if I remember correctly. Don't know what went on between them but at the end of the service when PK was giving an alter call I was standing there then all of the sudden Rita is standing between Tammy and I, don't remember her coming there but she was there and talkig with Tammy and I look over and they're gone heading up to the altar. That day my wife accepted Jesus Christ as her saviour. Not only did it change her life but mine also (more on that tomorrow). So I look at this day not only as a wedding anniversary but and eternal anniversary as well.

I don't know if I ever told these people thank you but thanks to Rita Childress, Mandy Bly, and PK for helping lead my wife to Christ. It still amazing how everything worked out that day with going to Sunday school which we didn't always do, having no kids at church that day, and the message that was delivered. God had a plan that day and it was truly His day and His working. We were able to hang out longer that day which we didn't normally do and I can't remember all the people who came over to hug and welcome Tammy into "the family". I'm getting all shakey even typing this. My story tomorrow...........

15 years ago

15 years ago tomorrow is the day Tammy and I got married. It doesn't seem all that long ago but when you say 15 years we are almost old enough to drive. It has been a great 15 years and I look forward to many many more.
15 years ago it snowed on our wedding day.
15 years ago today (Friday the 13th) we had our rehersal dinner at Farmland's Pizza King. Ended up down at Bly's watching Tim Allen's stand-up.
15 years ago I started out my wedding day by playing a little fast pitch tennis ball in the snow. I can't remember if Andy and I won or not, more than likely we did.
I remember getting to the church and everyone keeping Tammy and I apart so as not to see each other before hand, whoever came up with that?
The last thing I remember before walking down the isle was telling the preacher a joke, one where you have them say these words that are written on a piece of paper then have them say them again with bears before each word then again with bears after each word then read it from the bottom up which comes out "look how long I've kept this butt face talking about bears." I guess I wasn't nervous.
Mandy Bly (Akers at the time) played the piano for us who knew years later I would be standing beside her playing on Sundays.
The only bad thing about our wedding day was that Tammy and I never got a picture of just the two of us, got all the rest but not just us.
Enjoyed a nice meal at Vince's and spent the night at the Lee's Inn presidential suite.
15 years ago my life changed and would never be the same again, who knew that 3 years ago on that very day March 14th 2004 that my life would change even more...........

To be continued

Weekend thoughts

Another weekend has come and gone, it seemed shorter for some reason (about an hour).
Had some great time alone with Tammy on our date it is a different shopping experience when its just the two of us, great time, thanks to the Silvers again for watching the younguns.
Church yesterday was great as usual. God was definately moving in some lives yesterday. From a musical stand point was it just me or was it LOUD in there yesterday. That was totally cool, the louder the better in my mind. NOT TO US was a good starter and went pretty well, on a side note Chris Tomlin is a great worship leader and writer and has some fantastic songs but I am personally burnt out on him. On all of the worship music emails I get he is everywhere each week. Still a great writer and great songs but there are a ton more who are just as good.
ALL TO YOU is always a fun one to play and people really seem to connect with that one, someday I'll learn the solo for those of you who have heard the live version, but sometimes I think personal gratification of a great solo is not what worship is about.
Congrats to JR Childress on his brand new IPOD, I am glad to see that as Ryan said there is more from where that came from. GIVE YOU GLORY is another new one that has seemed to connect with people. It is always cool to see worship happening during the fast set. BETTER THAN LIFE for the offering was kind of dragging in my opinion but I think it will be another one that shows up quite a bit. The slow set was fabulous. LORD I GIVE YOU MY HEART and YOUR LOVE O' LORD both went well. We have a set list so to speak everyweek and try to end the worship set with an upbeat song but sometimes God has other plans and we have to delay the last song like yesterday and that was totally cool seeing people coming to Him with whatever they had. The message was really good and props to Jeff. I really liked the end with the throwing away what is keeping you from moving closer to God. To see people lining up to come throw it away was great.
The second go round of BETTER THAN LIFE was off the hook. 10 times better than the first. This week will be a busy one with 3 services at FFC and Aquire the Fire at BSU I think God is going to show up in a mighty way so my suggestion is get involved in all that He has to offer this weekend and beyond.