To Serve You Better...

I recently had the privilege to attend Gospel Music Association week (GMA) in Nashville, TN. While there, it dawned on me that this was my 13th trip to GMA. It really doesn't seem like it was all that long ago that I ventured out on my maiden journey to the Music City. I can remember my first trip like it was yesterday. It's hard to forget how out of place I felt and how terribly green I was. I had so much to learn. As I made my way through the busy, but wonderful week, this year, I found myself reminiscing about those first years. It's fun to think back and look at how far I've grown. Yet, the more I learn the more I realize how little I really do know. God is continually challanging me to do a better job at His purpose in my life. Although there are many things similar to those first few years, like the hotel, the city itself, and so many faces, a lot has changed. A few artist still stroll through the hotel lobby familiar to my early days, but most are a new crop birthed in the last 10 years or so. Music has changed. The face of music has changed. And, the way we do radio has changed. I remember those first few years being a lot about "me." How do I do it better? How do I make a difference? How do I play the best music? Although those questions can seem harmless, and sure there was also a focus on God, but still I felt there was something missing.
That was until about 6 years ago when I noticed a shift in focus at GMA. A shift not only in the industry, but also in me. It was no longer all about me, but more about you. Yea, YOU! Believe it or not, you've play a much bigger role than you might think. That's because we better understood God's calling on us to serve you. And, once we began to understand where God was leading, well, there was just no turning back. This year's GMA was all about YOU! You have more power than you may realize. It's you that makes a song a hit or not. With an increasing number of radio stations relying on input from their listeners, the charts are actually influenced by your opinion. As artists better understand what you're looking for, they are now recording songs to better serve you. You are also influencing songs radio stations decided to play. Here, at Family Friendly Radio, we have experienced some amazing success over the past several years. Of course, all Glory goes to God, but so much "Thanks" to you. God has used YOU to help us get to where He is leading. And I believe we've only touched the tip of the iceberg.
You are significant! God has an amazing purpose for your life. And, maybe a small part of that plan would be to help determine the direction for the future of Christian Music. And, it's really easy! It takes just minutes a week, a few weeks a month! Plus, to top it all off, it can be done right in the privacy of your own home. All you need to do is join our Music Advisory Panel today. It's free and there are never any strings attached. You could also win some very cool prizes just for being a panel member. For more information about joining this amazing team and help determine which songs get played, please check out our website or email me today; joeb@newlifemedia.org

It Is Worth Fighting For?

Last year, my wife and I received devastating news from some friends we admired. I remember when we were first married, how we looked up to them. They had a kind of marriage that we desired. Or, so we thought. If there were ever a couple beyond the risk of breaking up, it was these two. No doubt about it. So what happened? Well, I could share with you the details surrounding the final moments of their marriage. But, it wouldn't shed any light as to what really caused the decay of the relationship. It would be nothing more than the final images of the destruction. so, what really happened? Somewhere along the way one or both decided to stop fighting. I'm not referring to bickering and such. I'm talking about the desire to make the marriage work no matter how difficult it becomes. There was no infidelity or abuse in this marriage. Just a subtle decision that it wasn't worth working at anymore. The struggle to keep it going was no longer worth it. And, it wasn't a decision that was made one day, it was something that crept in and slowly took control of their marriage until it had completely stripped the life from it. The symptoms were there, just below the surface out of site. We do an amazing job designing masks to hide what's really going on. So, even though it came as a complete shock to my wife and I, this relationship had been in trouble for a very long time.
It made us take a deeper look at our marriage. To make sure we're always on guard for anything that can sneak in and begin to bring decay to our relationship. To regularly come back to our foundation, Christ, and spend time together on our knees seeking guidance. To not allow the word "Divorce" to enter our vocabulary at any time. To understand that it is not an option. And to know no matter how bad it gets, it's always worth fighting for!
With one out of every two marriages ending with divorce these days, it can sometimes feel like fewer and fewer couples are doing any good fighting at all anymore. Plus, with recent law changes, marriage has become one of the easiest contracts to void. In fact, in most states you don't even need the consent of both people to end the contract. And with "No Fault" divorce, you don't even have to have a good reason to call it quits.
That's why I believe Warren Barfield's new song "Love Is Not A Fight" is so timely. It's not only a song I believe you'll soon fall in love with, but also a great reminder that when things get tough in our marriages, they are worth fighting for! I love the line, "If we try to leave; May God send angels to guard the door." I can't wait for you to start hearing this song on the radio this week. I just know you're going to love it! And, speaking of that, I love knowing your opinion about the music we play. In fact, you can have your opinion heard by joining our Music Advisory Panel. It's free! Check out our station's website to find out more or to get signed up! Also, if you want to know more about Warren Barfield or hear this incredible new song, please check out his Myspace page; http://www.myspace.com/warrenbarfield

If you're marriage is in trouble, please seek help from someone you can trust, who is in love with Jesus and believes the Bible to be the manual for how to handle your situation. If I can be praying for you, please don't hesitate to let me know; joeb@newlifemedia.org Your marriage is worth fighting for!