It's amazing how unbelievably huge our universe is. For instance, it would take 180,000 years to travel from one side of our galaxy to the other, if we were moving at the speed of light. And, that's just our galaxy. Scientists now believe our universe is made up of trillions of galaxies. Not to mention the vast space between each galaxy. And, that space is increasing at an ever increasing pace. It's mind blowing, actually.
And, light. Let's talk about light for a second.
Light moves at 186,000 miles a second. To put that in perspective, light could circle Earth seven times in one second. That's about 6 Trillion miles in one year. To the sun and back more than 30,000 times. That's fast!
You still with me?
As fast and mind blowing as light is, an even more amazing fact is that it is always traveling at the same speed regardless of the motion of objects. In other words, it's always pursuing objects at the same rate of speed, no matter how fast those particular objects are going. If you're traveling at 1,000 miles a second, away from light, it is still pursuing you at 186,000 miles per second. The motion of the observer is irrelevant.
Amazing, right?
Well, I see God's pursuit of His children similarly. His pursuit of us is non dependent on our motion of movement from or to Him. I think so many of us equate time with distance. We feel that if it's been some time since we've connected with God, then He must be far away. Or, we feel His distance is in direct correlation with things we've done. The worse the act, the further away He is. And worse yet, what if we've done something really bad and allowed a lot of time to pass? Then, God must be too far away, right?
No. His pursuit of us is greater than that of light. No matter how fast we move from HIM, it is impossible to outrun Him. He's right there. All we have to do is simply turn around. Repent. And, God says if we confess the things we've done to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness. He takes our wrong doing, sin, and separates it from us as far as the east sky is from the west. Notice how He didn't say north from south. That's because if you head north and you pass the north pole you'll begin heading south. The same is true if you head south and pass the south pole you'll begin heading north. However, if you head east and keep going all the way around the planet, you'll always be heading east, you'll never head west. The same is true if you head west. East to west is an infinite line that goes on forever. And, once we confess and repent, God says He separates our sin that far. He goes on to say that He drops it in the sea of forgetfulness and remembers it no more! Pretty awesome, right?
So, why do we not take full advantage of it? I believe the most common reason is that we just don't know how loved we actually are. I believe that if we truly knew how much God really does love us, there would be almost nothing we couldn't accomplish with His help. The creator of light itself and everything else has actually numbered the hairs on your head. He loves you so much, my friend.
I remember one night many years ago, I was praying while driving. I had an open sunroof in my car that night and I kept looking up toward the stars while I was praying. As if God was way up there. I'll never forget God's voice. It wasn't audible, but still pretty loud. He spoke this to my heart. "Why are you looking out there? I'm right here, next to you."
But, Joe, if you had any idea what I've done or how long it's been?
I wish I could somehow convince you that it just doesn't matter. He's right there, next to you. All you have to do is turn around!
One of my favorite CDs this year is the new one from Matt Maher, "The Love In Between" On that CD is a great song, "Turn Around" that drives home this point.
Well I won't say, that you will never fail again
But there is graceTo wash away your every sin
If you're scared that you don't matter
If you're lost and need to be found
If you're looking for a Savior All you gotta do is turn around
To find out more about Matt Maher and his newest project, please click here; http://mattmahermusic.com/
If I can be praying for you, please don't hesitate to let me know; joeb@newlifemedia.org
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org (WBGL,WIBI & WCIC) We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Music Advisory Panel: WBGL WCIC WIBI
Friday, September 16, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Healing
So many times looking back over my life, I so wanted the healing process to just speed up. Even totally skip it, if it at all possible. On so many occasions I grew so impatient with God, just wanting Him to heal me already. I didn't like or want to deal with the pain of the process. I had slowly convinced myself that the pain wasn't worth the perceived little growth it yielded. That's why I was blown away the other day listening to Luminate's new song, "Healing In Your Arms." God is so unbelievably good to us.
This whole time I've been so hard on God and myself, believing that healing would never fully come. Then, right out of the blue, comes this unprecedented evidence that healing had been taking place all along. Sure, I know that God is a God of restoration and that He was healing me. And I could show you countless pieces of evidence of that very healing in my own life. But, I live with my own shortcomings, and they are undeniable evidence that healing still hasn't completely run its course. I lived with the belief that I may take my last breath and still not be fully recovered from the painful experiences of my past. And, that still may be true.
However, God used a circumstance a couple of weeks back to completely bless me with an amazing gift. I had not seen my biological mother in nearly sixteen years. In fact, I had only spent a handful of hours with her over the past thirty years. When I saw her sixteen years ago, it became evident pretty quickly that I was not ready for that reunion. It brought back way too much pain. Pain I had long buried. I couldn't see it at the time, but it was all part of HIS plan. You can't deal with something that's buried. It had to be dug up to be dealt with.
So, when I saw a facebook friend request from my biological mother late last year, my heart leaped into my throat. Sure I missed her and wanted to know how she was doing, but didn't know if I was ready to deal with all the other stuff. Plus, I wasn't sure how much I could trust her. After praying about it, I accepted her friend request. We slowly became re acquainted with each other and although she was very respectful of my wishes, I was still very distant and pushed back any attempt by her to get close. I was content to leave our relationship in the world of facebook, until a photo changed my life.
It was an old, worn out black and white picture of my mom, dad and me. I was about five months old and my mother was pregnant with my brother. When I looked at the photo for the very first time, I wept. Something about that photo hit me so hard. I always knew my mom was young when I was born, but seeing it, well that was different. You see, I have a daughter who is 10 and she's not much younger than my mother in the photograph. God immediately moved on my heart and allowed my eyes to be open. How can I hold my mother responsible, for the rest of her life, for things she did as a teenager? After all, I had forgiven her already anyhow. My heart broke for her in that moment and I knew I would have to go and see her. I wanted her to know that I had, indeed, forgiven her.
Tara and I set in motion a plan that would bring my mom back into my life. We packed up the family and took a trip south. I tried not to think about the ramifications the visit would have on me. The last time I saw mom, it literally took me years to fully get past what had been stirred up emotionally. Plus, I thought this whole time I was doing this for her. What I also didn't realize is that God was about to show me the work He had been doing in me over the past sixteen years. He was about to present me with an incredible gift.
Seeing my mom so happy brought such joy to my heart. She told us she hadn't slept at all nights before our arrival, because she was so excited and nervous. Tara felt blessed to spend some time with the woman who brought her husband into this world and couldn't believe how much our kids, especially our boys, look so much like her. At the end of our first day, I asked my mom how she was doing. She said it had been the best day she had ever had. She called it "Perfect."
It wasn't until after we had said goodbye and headed home, that I began to notice this gift that God had so nonchalantly left for me. Normally, after a visit like this, or anything to do with my past really, I have to fight off deep depression and other hard to explain feelings. When I finally realized I wasn't fighting any this time, it scared me. I knew I should be experiencing something negative. I always had. But as I sought God and talked it out with Tara, God began to show me the reason I wasn't experiencing the, so typical, painful feelings.
Healing.
Leading up to this trip, I really believed that God was orchestrating this whole plan totally for my mom. I never gave a second thought about this being about anything else. But God being so good to me used it as an opportunity to show me just how much ground had been gained. How much work He had done. And although I'm not totally sure where this relationship with mom will end up and I still need to proceed with caution, I'm so grateful for the ground God has already won back. Sometimes, we're just way too close to see the growth. When you're in the trenches, it's so hard to see the ground you're winning. And no matter how it feels or where you think you are, God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. And HE won't. We just need to trust trust HIM to the best of our ability and He'll carry us the distance we can't walk. He's always at work. We just have to be obedient to what He's asking of us.
This whole time I've been so hard on God and myself, believing that healing would never fully come. Then, right out of the blue, comes this unprecedented evidence that healing had been taking place all along. Sure, I know that God is a God of restoration and that He was healing me. And I could show you countless pieces of evidence of that very healing in my own life. But, I live with my own shortcomings, and they are undeniable evidence that healing still hasn't completely run its course. I lived with the belief that I may take my last breath and still not be fully recovered from the painful experiences of my past. And, that still may be true.
However, God used a circumstance a couple of weeks back to completely bless me with an amazing gift. I had not seen my biological mother in nearly sixteen years. In fact, I had only spent a handful of hours with her over the past thirty years. When I saw her sixteen years ago, it became evident pretty quickly that I was not ready for that reunion. It brought back way too much pain. Pain I had long buried. I couldn't see it at the time, but it was all part of HIS plan. You can't deal with something that's buried. It had to be dug up to be dealt with.
So, when I saw a facebook friend request from my biological mother late last year, my heart leaped into my throat. Sure I missed her and wanted to know how she was doing, but didn't know if I was ready to deal with all the other stuff. Plus, I wasn't sure how much I could trust her. After praying about it, I accepted her friend request. We slowly became re acquainted with each other and although she was very respectful of my wishes, I was still very distant and pushed back any attempt by her to get close. I was content to leave our relationship in the world of facebook, until a photo changed my life.
It was an old, worn out black and white picture of my mom, dad and me. I was about five months old and my mother was pregnant with my brother. When I looked at the photo for the very first time, I wept. Something about that photo hit me so hard. I always knew my mom was young when I was born, but seeing it, well that was different. You see, I have a daughter who is 10 and she's not much younger than my mother in the photograph. God immediately moved on my heart and allowed my eyes to be open. How can I hold my mother responsible, for the rest of her life, for things she did as a teenager? After all, I had forgiven her already anyhow. My heart broke for her in that moment and I knew I would have to go and see her. I wanted her to know that I had, indeed, forgiven her.
Tara and I set in motion a plan that would bring my mom back into my life. We packed up the family and took a trip south. I tried not to think about the ramifications the visit would have on me. The last time I saw mom, it literally took me years to fully get past what had been stirred up emotionally. Plus, I thought this whole time I was doing this for her. What I also didn't realize is that God was about to show me the work He had been doing in me over the past sixteen years. He was about to present me with an incredible gift.
Seeing my mom so happy brought such joy to my heart. She told us she hadn't slept at all nights before our arrival, because she was so excited and nervous. Tara felt blessed to spend some time with the woman who brought her husband into this world and couldn't believe how much our kids, especially our boys, look so much like her. At the end of our first day, I asked my mom how she was doing. She said it had been the best day she had ever had. She called it "Perfect."
It wasn't until after we had said goodbye and headed home, that I began to notice this gift that God had so nonchalantly left for me. Normally, after a visit like this, or anything to do with my past really, I have to fight off deep depression and other hard to explain feelings. When I finally realized I wasn't fighting any this time, it scared me. I knew I should be experiencing something negative. I always had. But as I sought God and talked it out with Tara, God began to show me the reason I wasn't experiencing the, so typical, painful feelings.
Healing.
Leading up to this trip, I really believed that God was orchestrating this whole plan totally for my mom. I never gave a second thought about this being about anything else. But God being so good to me used it as an opportunity to show me just how much ground had been gained. How much work He had done. And although I'm not totally sure where this relationship with mom will end up and I still need to proceed with caution, I'm so grateful for the ground God has already won back. Sometimes, we're just way too close to see the growth. When you're in the trenches, it's so hard to see the ground you're winning. And no matter how it feels or where you think you are, God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. And HE won't. We just need to trust trust HIM to the best of our ability and He'll carry us the distance we can't walk. He's always at work. We just have to be obedient to what He's asking of us.
If I can be praying for you, please don't hesitate to let me know; joeb@newlifemedia.org
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org (WBGL,WIBI & WCIC) We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Music Advisory Panel: WBGL WCIC WIBI
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org (WBGL,WIBI & WCIC) We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Music Advisory Panel: WBGL WCIC WIBI
Monday, June 6, 2011
At the Speed of Life...
It never ceases to amaze me how fast time seems to slip by at an increasing pace. With each passing year, time appears to move faster than the year before. If only someone had warned me when I was younger.
I spent so much time living just beyond the moment I was in. Biding my time, just existing, until the next great moment arrived. You know, that moment, event, or happening that would, of course, be the best thing ever! That's how I would build it up in my mind. And the closer I would get to the event, the bigger and better it would become in my head.
This would lead to such depression, because no matter what it was, that I was waiting for, it always went by much too fast and never quite lived up to my grand expectations. In fact, on many occasions, the "looking forward" was more enjoyable than the event itself. More and more I found myself increasingly disappointed.
That was until Tara and I had our very first date, 19 years ago today. A day that I had been looking forward to and anticipating about for the better part of the prior month. I can remember that day like it was yesterday. It's hard to imagine there was a time when I was nervous about being with Tara. The awkward first days together. I had been to her house many times over the previous several months. I had had conversations with her parents on several occasions. I had been out with Tara with others from the youth group.
But, this was different. This was a date. As I walked to her front door, I had to walk past the garage. This particular day, Tara's dad was working in the garage. Not because he had stuff to do, but that he was going to be the first line of defense between me and his daughter. I had never, on any occasion, felt intimidated by her dad, until this day. I remember the stern look he gave me as he firmly shook my hand and wouldn't let go as he said "There are three thing you'll know if you're going to take out my daughter.
"First, you'll treat her like a lady.
Two, you will have her in on time.
And, three, if your car leaks oil, get it off my drive!" Although my car didn't leak oil, I wasn't taking any chances, I didn't park on the drive for a long time thereafter.
That first date was truly one of the first days in my entire life that lived up to the expectations I had created in my mind. And, I can honestly tell you that with each passing year, it only gets better and better. I'm more in love with her today than I've ever been and if given a thousand lifetimes, wouldn't have enough time to properly thank God for her.
Sure, Like many of us, I still find myself from time to time living outside the moment I'm in. But, during those times, God will use Tara or my kids to gently remind me to live "in the moment."
I spent so much time living just beyond the moment I was in. Biding my time, just existing, until the next great moment arrived. You know, that moment, event, or happening that would, of course, be the best thing ever! That's how I would build it up in my mind. And the closer I would get to the event, the bigger and better it would become in my head.
This would lead to such depression, because no matter what it was, that I was waiting for, it always went by much too fast and never quite lived up to my grand expectations. In fact, on many occasions, the "looking forward" was more enjoyable than the event itself. More and more I found myself increasingly disappointed.
That was until Tara and I had our very first date, 19 years ago today. A day that I had been looking forward to and anticipating about for the better part of the prior month. I can remember that day like it was yesterday. It's hard to imagine there was a time when I was nervous about being with Tara. The awkward first days together. I had been to her house many times over the previous several months. I had had conversations with her parents on several occasions. I had been out with Tara with others from the youth group.
But, this was different. This was a date. As I walked to her front door, I had to walk past the garage. This particular day, Tara's dad was working in the garage. Not because he had stuff to do, but that he was going to be the first line of defense between me and his daughter. I had never, on any occasion, felt intimidated by her dad, until this day. I remember the stern look he gave me as he firmly shook my hand and wouldn't let go as he said "There are three thing you'll know if you're going to take out my daughter.
"First, you'll treat her like a lady.
Two, you will have her in on time.
And, three, if your car leaks oil, get it off my drive!" Although my car didn't leak oil, I wasn't taking any chances, I didn't park on the drive for a long time thereafter.
That first date was truly one of the first days in my entire life that lived up to the expectations I had created in my mind. And, I can honestly tell you that with each passing year, it only gets better and better. I'm more in love with her today than I've ever been and if given a thousand lifetimes, wouldn't have enough time to properly thank God for her.
Sure, Like many of us, I still find myself from time to time living outside the moment I'm in. But, during those times, God will use Tara or my kids to gently remind me to live "in the moment."
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org(WBGL,WIBI & WCIC)
We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Friday, May 6, 2011
It's mind blowing to think about how very fast time is slipping by. It seems like just yesterday that I was battling these same feelings as we headed into Mother's Day, 2010. One would think, with each year that passes, it would get easier. And, in a way it does. I can look back and see the slight growth that happened as I've pursued after HIM. But, pain is pain. And, when that pain runs deeper than surface wounds, it just takes time. A whole lot of time. And, you know what? It's okay. It took me a long time to realize that.
I hope you have an amazing Mother's Day and if there is pain that gets in the way, please don't beat yourself up. There's nothing wrong with you. Just ask God to help you navigate through this. He will. You're not alone, my friend.
Here's my blog post from last year. As I reread it, I found it to be encouraging. I hope you, too, are encouraged today. Happy Mother's Day!
If I were completely honest with you, I would tell you that this past week has been extremely difficult. It shouldn't really surprise me. After all, it's each year at this time I deal with emotions I can barely keep below the surface. For as long as I can remember, it's been the most difficult time of year for me. And, it all pertains to what is happening on Sunday.
Now, for so many, Sunday will be a wonderful day full of family and joy with amazing moments of reminiscing through great memories. Sure, there will be stress, but for the most part, it will be a day some are really looking forward to. And, if that's you, I hope it's everything you hope it will be.
But, for others, this will be one of the most difficult weekends of the year. There are countless different reasons as to why this day will be so difficult for so many. For me, it's because of the abuse I experienced as a child. And, like clockwork, it hits me each year starting a few weeks before the big day. I can't understand why I can't just get past it. I am so richly blessed. God has brought such incredible healing to my life. He's also brought so many "moms" who have stepped in and graciously filled that role in my life. Not to mention my incredible wife who is a fantastic mother to our four children. So, why can't I just man up and get over it?
I was having this very discussion with my wife, Tara, last night. And, right in the midst of our conversation, she said something so very profound. She said "If you didn't have this hurt from the way your mom treated you, then it would mean my job is pointless. That pain you continually battle, because of the abuse you experienced as a child, serves as a reminder of how important my job really is."
Wow. I guess I knew that. But, to hear those words framed in that way reminded me of how extremely important our job as parents really is. And, I do believe it is the most important job on the planet. So, even though this Mother's Day will carry with it some pain, I still appreciate the incredible job that God-honoring Moms everywhere are doing. I celebrate that. Thank you, moms.
If Mother's Day is also a very hard day for you, please don't beat yourself up about it. And, if I can be praying for you, please don't hesitate to let me know - joeb@newlifemedia.org
Remember, God loves you so very much!
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org(WBGL,WIBI & WCIC)
We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Nothing Special...
I think it's something that's ingrained in us from birth. From early on, we all want and need to know there is something about us that stands out from those around us. Many will work longer and harder, many times spinning their wheels, just to help them feel a little less average. Because, let's face it, average just isn't good enough. We all want to feel special.
But, by it's very definition, to be special means that someone isn't. Right?
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org(WBGL,WIBI & WCIC)We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Music Advisory Panel: WBGL WCIC WIBI
I spent so much of my time as a child, dreaming about what it would be like to feel special. I wanted someone, anyone, to think that I was something more than just ordinary. But I wasn't and I knew it. I was reminded of it everywhere I turned. So, I grew up thinking I would never amount to anything meaningful. There was no hope, because it was driven into me at an early age that ordinary people don't do extraordinary things. So, what happens to those of us who don't believe we're special?
I think one of two things. One, we end up working so hard our entire lives to hold on and recapture those brief moments of feeling special. Or two, we fade into the night.
We've all been sold a lie. We believe that we have to be beautiful and extraordinary to be useful in society. Many feel, like I did, that God could never use someone so far from special. And as result, we hold back. We stop listening for His voice because we figure He's not talking to us anyhow. So we squelch our dreams and do our best to just get through each day, hoping we'll somehow be at least as good as ordinary.
But the Bible is chalked full of examples of God using plain old ordinary people to do extraordinary things. And I've come to believe that in and of ourselves, we can't even reach average. However once we surrender our lives to Him, He can do immeasurable more than we could ever ask or imagine, according to His Power at work in us.
There's a song we've recently started playing across our network that has become a life anthem for me. It's called, "Anthem For The Ordinary" by a new artist, Evan Milby. I love the line from his song, "Stop waiting to be better, you're already more than enough. Because you're all that love needs to turn this world around." It's such a great reminder for me, because so many times I find myself thinking that one day when I have it all together I might be usable for God. I tend to forget that God is already at work in us even as flawed as we are. He wants to do something extraordinary through you and me.
If you want to find out more about Evan Milby or hear this amazing new song, please click here; http://www.myspace.com/evanmilby
If you also find it difficult to understand how God could do extraordinary things through you, I would be so honored to stand in prayer with you. God really does have pretty amazing things for you to accomplish. Looking for proof? Check out these verses;
Ephesians 3:20 - Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Psalm 37:23 - The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way.
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Isaiah 41:10 - So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 32:8 - I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
God does love you so much, my friend. He deeply cares for you. If you're in need of prayer today, please don't hesitate to let me know; joeb@newlifemedia.org
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org(WBGL,WIBI & WCIC)We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Music Advisory Panel: WBGL WCIC WIBI
Friday, March 11, 2011
What Can I Say?
We've all be there, right? In a place where we are desperately seeking for some kind of magic words to bring comfort to someone in pain. But, more times than not, there's not a lot we can say that hasn't already been said. There's not a lot we can say that aren't just words.
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org(WBGL,WIBI & WCIC)We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Music Advisory Panel: WBGL WCIC WIBI
I found myself there recently. A close-up view of devastation completely tearing a loved one's world apart. It's the phone call we all never want to receive.
It was a normal Sunday, during football season. Plans had been made and the house was full of friends watching playoff football. When I saw the caller-id, I just figured it was a call to comment on the game. However, the moment I answered, I knew immediately that something was wrong. I had never heard that tone before. I knew what was to follow had nothing to do with the game.
Over the next several moments, my world came unglued. The request to put the phone on speaker and have Tara with me meant this news was going to be tough to take. We huddled in my son's bedroom, away from the noise, and listened in shock as tear filled words were slowly delivered. My little nephew, Seth, had suddenly and without warning passed away.
So many things went through my mind. Jumbled thoughts, really. We were so close to Brian and Angie. Our kids are all the around the same ages. We had walked through so much together and it had already been a very tough year for them. How could this be? What could we do?
Over the past month and a half, God has showed us how to better love Brian, Angie and their boys. It's been hard for us, but we can't even imagine what it's got to be like for them. I've found myself so often in a place where I just can't find words. There just aren't any. I want to desperately to take away their pain to somehow say something that will make them feel better. But, there just aren't any words. So, I pray. And, I do the best I can to communicate, sometimes without words, that I'm praying. Praying them through.
I think sometimes our mentality is that when all else fails, let's pray. When we can't do anything else, we'll just pray. But, prayer is not the last resort - it's the first and most powerful thing we can do. Because nothing else we could ever do on our own would ever be enough.
God reminds me of this all the time, especially every time I hear the new song from Sixteen Cities, "Pray You Through" There is such incredible truth in this amazing song. When I heard it for the first time, I loved it, but, I had no idea it would end up meaning so much to me. I appreciate these guys and the way God is using them to bring such encouragement to those who find themselves in uncertain and painful places in their lives.
If you are need of encouragement today or want to share your story, Sixteen Cities have set up a great place to do just that. Check this out; www.prayyouthrough.com If you would like to find out more about Sixteen Cities, or hear this amazing song, please click here; http://sixteencities.com/
If you do find yourself in a similar situation today. Prayer is powerful. And, I'm so honored to pray for you. If you're in need of prayer today, please don't hesitate to let me know; joeb@newlifemedia.org
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org(WBGL,WIBI & WCIC)We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Music Advisory Panel: WBGL WCIC WIBI
Thursday, January 20, 2011
How Many Times...
When I was eighteen I found myself at an extremely important crossroad. Years of continuous hurt and abuse had led me to a very dangerous place. I spent my days just trying to numb the pain enough to get through each day. I was teetering over the edge. Something had to give.
God had been nudging me, ever so gently, toward an inevitable decision. I could either spend the rest of my life running from the pain, or be obedient to what God was asking me to do. To assure I was hearing His directive loud and clear, He placed key people in my path to speak words of truth into my life. My task: forgive those that hurt me.
At first, I fought this very hard. There was no way I wanted to forgive any of them. I couldn't let them off the hook. With everything they had done to me, I could never do that for them. They would take this to their grave. I wasn't ever going to forgive them.
The conflict raged on inside me. It was tearing me apart. I found myself obsessing about it. I wanted revenge. I wanted to hurt them for all they had done to me. And, as much as my hatred grew, I hated even more the way it made me feel. The way it chased me into the very person I didn't want to become.
I kept running from it, until one night I was listening to my Christian radio station and heard the song "How Many Times" by Whiteheart. I had heard that song many times before that, but this time I heard it differently than at anytime before. And, it was really one line that hit me.
“You bled from a broken heart and I was to blame”
God is so amazing and so good to us. Looking back, my only regret is that I had fought God for so long. He knows what's best for us. I just needed to trust Him more. That single event has forever changed my life. God had been wanting to bring healing into my life, but I had been fighting Him. With that one act of forgiveness, the healing process took off like wildfire. It's not always been easy and forgiveness is a process not just a single event. But, God blessed the effort and continues to give me the strength I need to live in that forgiveness.
There's a new song you're going to start hearing in February that I'm so excited
about. It's called "7x70" by Chris August, the same artist that brought us the hit song, "Starry Night" and I know this song is going to impact lives in amazing ways. The same way "How Many Times" changed my life. From the first moment I heard "7x70",
I just knew it was one of those songs that was going to need to be shared. Even after all these years, this song impacted me in a profound way and reminded me the importance of living out our forgiveness.
Click here to see the official music video and hear this amazing song; http://bcove.me/na38qth2
If you are holding onto unforgiveness, please don't wait another day to let God help you find the healing you need, through forgiving those that have hurt you. You can trust Him. He does love you so much!
If I can be praying for you, please don't hesitate to let me know; joeb@newlifemedia.org
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org (WBGL,WIBI & WCIC) We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Music Advisory Panel: WBGL WCIC WIBI
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director.www.newlifemedia.org (WBGL,WIBI & WCIC) We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Music Advisory Panel: WBGL WCIC WIBI
Friday, January 7, 2011
Happy New Year!
I remember, like it was yesterday, thinking about how far off into the future the year 2000 was. And, now we're starting our second decade of the 200o's. Time does pass so very quickly. The years stack up quicker and quicker. And, the more years that pass the more I realize just how important it is to make the most of the time that we have left.
That is just one of the reasons we work so hard at serving you. We want to make sure that the time you spend listening to Family Friendly Radio is time well spent. One of the ways we are able to do this is by making sure you have a voice and your voice is heard. One of the ways we're able to do this is through our Music Advisory Panel. It's a tool that you can use to help us serve you better. It's totally free and won't take up much of your valuable time. But, the investment will be more than worth it.
Twice a month we ask our Music Advisory Panel how they feel about particular songs they hear on our radio station. We ask them to rate each song they hear and let us know how often they want to hear that particular song. We also ask questions that help us get to know you better, so that we can do an even better job of serving you. There's also an open ended comments section at the end of each survey, so you can share with us anything on your mind.
If you have never become a Music Advisory Panel Member, can I ask you to consider becoming a member today? Again, it's totally free and you'll have access to have your thoughts and opinions heard. Decisions are made regularly based on the information we receive through our panel members. If you're interested in getting signed up, please simply click on the radio station you listen to; WBGL WCIC WIBI
Thank you so much! Also, if you are already a panel member, thank you! You're truly helping us serve you even better. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know. You can drop me an email today at; joeb@newlifemedia.org
Happy New Year!
Joe Buchanan serves New Life Media as Network Music Director. www.newlifemedia.org(
)
We work very hard to honor God through serving you. Your input is very important to us and decisions are made regularly, based on the opinions you have. To assure that your opinion is being heard, please join our Music Advisory Panel today. Click on your station for a direct link. Thanks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)