A Farewell...Sort Of - Becca

Well, it's no secret, we've been announcing that I'm stepping down from working full-time here at KGCR for a while now, and Dave's been smoothly making the transition in and it's been good. His coming here has definitely been a big confirmation that my life is going in the direction that the Lord has ordered! I had asked the Lord to give us someone who is a harder worker than I've been and that he'd be a good help for the "bossman" among other things, and so far he's been showing that he fits the bill!

Okay, can you indulge in a brief sentimental time with me? I remember when I first came to KGCR, still a 19-year-old "punk kid". Full of ambition (aka, arrogance) about all sorts of things in life, and when I signed on with the station James had asked me to give a 2 or 3-year commitment, I think. At the time, I had no plans on leaving my first church I'd been in since being a Christian or my friends, yet I had no idea what God may have in store for me. I agreed with a bit of hesitancy, thinking that I still could be moving on to "bigger and better" things than a tiny little station on the edge of a corn/wheat field... in northwest Kansas. I went through some times of wrestling, being dissatisfied and restless in life, going through phases of wanting to be a full-time youth leader, thinking about going to Bible college somewhere (afterall, isn't that one requirement to really "do" or "be something" for the Lord?), to wanting to be a missionary. I remember one time when I was at work and taking a short break, having this feeling/thought in the back of my mind that I wouldn't be leaving the station until I was at a point that I had grown to like, and even appreciate the station more - maybe even to the point that I didn't want to leave.

So, the time has come! I am not exactly digging my claws in to the carpet while God's will is forcing me out, yet I can truly say that I have come to appreciate the station and the ministry. I am not stepping away from the job that I've known for the last 7 and a half years with a swipe of my brow and a sigh of relief, saying "Thank You, Lord that I'm finally done"! Not by any means! I have come to appreciate the Tri-State Praise KGCR "family" in the area. Just seeing how so many of you are encouraged on a daily basis by what the Lord is using over the airwaves, and hearing about it from you is such an encouragement and sometimes I think about the spiritual atmosphere of the area, and what it would be like without the ministry.

How many pastors have been challenged to live more Godly lives in response to the Lord's mercy and then turned around to encourage their congregations with that? How many pastors have been on the verge of giving up, only to be encouraged to go one more step, and then one more? How many families have been on the brink of being shred apart by satan's lies, only to hear some Truth that would start setting free and spreading hope for God's mending power? How many men have been encouraged to step up to their role of leading their family in the way of the Lord? How many women have been struggling to maintain control, and then hearing about the power of putting their trust in the Lord and resting in His presence? How many children have had God's Truth reinforced and solidified in their hearts through Adventures In Odyssey or other programs?

I didn't have this kind of resource in my life when I was growing up, and I could be completely wrong, but I believe the affects of it were seen in my family and the community that I grew up in. Now, I by no means am saying that we need to rely on the radio and programs on the radio to evangelize the lost or spur on believers! That is not the job of the radio! In fact, the many Christian resources that are freely available to us in America can often be a crippler to the true calling of a Christian as we may allow ourselves to be lazy and expect the ministry of the "greats" in media to do the work alone. But, I believe that if enough people take the resource for what it is, something to keep their hearts and minds fixed on Christ, something that causes them to dig into the Word rely on the Holy Spirit to find out if the person on the radio is speaking Truth or a little bit off, something that points them to the Lord for encouragement and challenge, then we have a great benefit! I trust there are many people in this area that have taken it for what it is, and their lives show it. And the more people who live it, the more this area is touched by Christ, Who lives in them!

This area still has flaws, suffering from the affects of sin, but as I've met and talked to many of you over the years, the Light of Christ is shining - and may it only increase! Hearing stories of people standing for their convictions in the Lord in the face of compromise, clinging on during extremely tough situations as they wait on the Lord to somehow redeem it all, loving the unlovely, reaching out to the hurting, young people traveling to other countries to tell people about Jesus, and many more stories that I haven't even heard.

I know I've been impacted greatly, not just as an "insider" on this side of the radio, but also as a listener. I have been encouraged by so many programs and music! I come from a broken family, and statistics prove that I would have little chance of having an intact family of my own. But because of the Lord and His Truth that I've found in His Word and the "pounding in" of His Truth and practical applications that have come from about 8 years of Focus On The Family and Family Life Today, I've got a much better jump on marriage than my parents did. And the cool thing is, is that I've seen God's healing power take over in my family over the years, and in a pile of rubble where the enemy stood and declared victory, the Lord has the last laugh and has brought beauty from ashes and continues to do more! My mom has often said that "when you know better, you do better" and she even testifies of the ministry that she's received from KGCR.

Because of the challenges from several programs like Family Life Today, Revive Our Hearts and Truth For Life that have tackled the roles of men and women, I have gone from a feministic kid raised on Rosanne to one who not only sees, but desires to help others see the beauty and security that comes from fulfilling their role as the helper of their husband and nurturer of their children if they have been given that opportunity. And that is why I am no longer at KGCR full-time as of December 31st, 2008.

In July, I got married and shortly after I returned from our honeymoon, there was something telling me that it was time to step aside. I had a stronger desire to be able to be at home and take care of my husband and home, and being away from it so much was causing conflict inside of me. About a month later, we found out we were expecting our first blessing from the Lord - in child-form that is, so the leading to step down was confirmed to be the right direction. I've got another bit of encouragement to share to mothers who may be feeling lonely, but that will have to wait for another blog - hopefully soon.

So, that is why I can say that I so appreciate the ministry of KGCR and am glad that I got to be a part of it for nearly 8 years. Yet, at the same time, I am ready to leave. I am ready to stop being a "career-woman" and take on the greatest God-given career that He has for me. It's a far cry from the "punk kid" that first showed up here! Now, I also want to let you know, that though I am leaving full-time, I will still be here part-time. So, I'm not totally leaving, but the station will no longer be a primary ministry as far as my hourly efforts are concerned. But, with this change, it seemed like a good time to reflect and share as I have. I'll continue to learn and grow with each of you, and may 2009 be another year of falling in love with the Lord and His ways for all of us!

Knock, Knock. Is anyone home? - James

I was just curious. Is anyone actually listening. I've been trying to blog on a more regular basis over the past couple of months but have been experiencing writers block over the last couple of weeks. It's not that I don't have anything to say. Just ask my wife, I always have something to say. It's just that I'm not sure I want to put what I have to say out there where the entire world can read it. So I thought I'd ask; is anyone there. If so, I'd love to hear back from you.

By the way, have you been enjoying the Christmas music? I've been loving it and am already dreading the end with Christmas less then a week away. Of course, I've been playing Christmas music in the CD player since Christmas in July on July 25, much to the consternation of my daughters. But there's just something about turning on the radio and hearing the music of the season that gets me in the Christmas spirit. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have. And maybe all of you who have won Christmas CDs can join me in starting to play it in August. Who knows, maybe we'll start a new trend?

"Lasting Impact" Christmas Gifts - Becca

Want a way to give a gift that will make a lasting, eternal impact instead of collecting dust, getting lost or thrown away in the next year? Especially if you want to give a gift to someone who really doesn't want or need anything and would find this to be a good idea. There are several organizations that have gift catalogs in which you can give a specific amount of money toward something that will help people who desperately need it, in the name of a friend or family member.

There are also organizations that may not have a gift catalog, but no need to let that stop you!

You can find out more information by checking out any of the following sites:

International Justice Mission
www.ijm.org
This organization helps to free victims of oppression (such as slavery).

World Vision
www.worldvision.org
This organization specifically helps children and families through child sponsorship, however they have many ways to help through one-time gifts if you aren't ready to sponsor a child monthly.

Samaritan's Purse
www.samaritanspurse.org
Franklin Graham's ministry that includes Operation Christmas Child and provides disaster relief around the world and in the US. They have many ways to help!

Gospel For Asia
www.gfa.org
Many people are familiar with K.P. Yohannan and his free book "Revolution in World Missions". He is the founder and president of this ministry to Asia. You can help a lot of ways, including sponsoring a missionary or providing a blanket for a shivering child.

Blood:Water Mission
www.bloodwatermission.org
Started by the founding members of Christian group Jars of Clay after a life-changing trip to Africa. It helps to provide clean drinking water to villages in Africa who have either gotten sick from drinking the contaminated water or are sick and only have dirty water to drink. They also teach them how to care for the wells and for themselves. Their equation is $1 equals 1 year of clean water for an African.

Shaohannah's Hope
www.showhope.org
Started by singer Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth. Their hearts for orphans compelled them to help others adopt after they experience the miracle of adoption in their own lives. By giving to Shaohannah's Hope, you help families who want to adopt but having trouble affording it, and it gives a home to an orphan.

Also, for anyone who wants to know about the ministries that we air on KGCR, many are in need of financial help, as they have also been lacking funds because of the economy. For a list of programs we air, including links to their websites, go to www.kgcr.org.

AND PLEASE REMEMBER, give as the Lord leads. Let Him guide you in being a steward of the money and resources that He has lent to you for His glory. Please give to your local church first, before giving elsewhere, whether it is for Christmas gifts or to other ministries.

Have a Wonderful Christmas, celebrating Him!

A different kind of Love Dare - James

I've been thinking lately about last weeks Good News Memory Verse, John 13:35 - By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." I wonder how many people who see us in our day to day lives can see that we are Christ's disciples? My feeling is that, if we really, truly lived out this verse, we'd be overrun by people wanting into our churches. Who wouldn't want to go to a place where everyone has the goal of doing something nice for someone else. But I wonder if most people visiting our places of worship really notice any difference from what they see in the world. A suggestion for this holiday season - look for at least one person each day that you can show God's love to, no strings attached. Then let me know the results. Email me at kgcr@kgcr.org.