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”

I knew in that moment that I had to go and forgive those that had hurt me. It took a little time to work up the courage, and I'll never forget the way I felt the first time I found myself face to face with someone who had hurt me so much. I felt sick. I was so torn, even at the very moment of truth. But, with God's help and strength, I was able to follow through. And, even though it wasn't received well at all, something extraordinary happened inside of me. I felt it almost immediately. It surprised me. I had been so focused on not wanting to set them free, it never crossed my mind that it was me that needed to be set free.

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

Unconditional...

I woke up the other morning to my 4 year old son exclaiming, "It's my birthday today Daddy! I can do whatever I want!" Well, within reason, I supposed. The first thing he wanted was some sugar cereal. The look on his face was priceless. The larger than life smile, as he chowed down the cereal, was worth the repercussions that all that sugar was going to cause.

After apologizing to my wife for loading him up with all that sugar, I headed off to work. I couldn't get his smile out of my head. It brought back so many wonderful memories I've had the privilege to share with our kids. That smile, in that moment, was the product of his 4 years of life.

Now, I wish I could take all the credit for that. And, it's quite possible that I got some things right. But, I've probably made far more mistakes than not. That's where God comes in. As we strive to honor Him, to the best of our ability, He somehow makes up the difference. At times, I'll climb into bed after checking on our kids and I'll ask my wife, "Do you think they know I love them?" Without even thinking about it, she'll respond, "The thought has never crossed their minds."

Like so many times before, she reminds me to do the best I can to honor God as a father and husband and let Him make up the difference. I worry about them feeling unloved, because that's how I grew up. I was convinced I wasn't loved or lovable. I worried about it. What a peace it brings to be reminded that they have never even thought about it. It's just a given for them.

In the same way, it's a given for us with our Heavenly Father. His love is unconditional. It's not dependent on what we do or don't do. Or, how we feel about ourselves. And, He longs for relationship with us. Not just in our good times, when we feel like we have it all together. In all times. If you're anything like me, it's much easier to come before God when I'm doing well. When I know I've done a good job honoring Him. But, I can neglect that relationship when I'm feeling ashamed, under qualified, or unworthy. I can pull away. But, that's when I should be pushing into Him even more. I think sometimes, those honest cries for help can mean more than a perfect praise song. It's a constant battle and I'm always working on not letting my circumstance hold me back.

That's one of many reasons I really love Amy Grant's new

song, "Better Than A Hallelujah" It's a great reminder that God will not ignore our request for help. He's not going to laugh at us or be disappointed. He loves us so much.

Is He patiently waiting to hear from you today? Are you holding back? 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

Your Hands...

Looking back over my life, there have been so many times when I was sure God couldn't hear my cries for help. Have you ever been there? When it seems like time and time your prayer goes unanswered, seemingly unheard. Trouble that you may or may not have brought on yourself and how hard you've wished it wasn't there. Pain so deep that it overshadows the good things in your life. And, the loneliness. It can cut so deep.

For me, that's the most difficult part of walking through challenging and tough times. The loneliness. Feeling all alone causes us to isolate ourselves. Then, the challenge or problem can seem so big. Much larger than it actually is. And, the more that I isolate myself, the harder it becomes to reach out for help. The more my prayers seem to go unheard, the more likely I am to stop praying.

That's the exact opposite of what I should be doing. God has taught me so much through the pain in my life. And, although I still have so far to go and so much to lean, I'm in a better place than I was even a year ago. I can take no credit for that. It's all Him. One of the areas He has challenged me to grow is trust. Leaning not on my own understanding, but fully trusting Him. I would love to say, with all the time He's invested in me, that I've finally mastered it. But, a statement like that couldn't be further from the truth. Actually, the more I learn the more aware I am of how much I need to learn. I'm so grateful for His patience with me.

A new song I'm really excited about is called, "Your Hands" by new artist, JJ Heller. I love the way she starts out the song, "I have unanswered prayers. I have trouble I wish wasn't there. I have asked a thousand ways that you would take my pain away." She goes on to say, "When my world is shaking, Heaven stands. When my heart is breaking, I never leave Your hands"

He's got us, securely placed in the palm of His hand. No matter the circumstance that you find yourself in today, God is there with you. He's holding you each and every step of the way. He has promised to never let you go. He sees every tear. He feels ever hurt. He knows every fear and although you may feel all alone, you've never truly been. And, He understands that, too.

If you find yourself in a tough stretch, can I stand with you in prayer? First, there is power in prayer, but also knowing someone is praying for you can help take the edge off the loneliness. You can be as specific or vague as you want, but 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