Wild at Heart

I've been reading John Eldridge's book, "Wild at Heart," which is written specifically for Christian guys. A couple of things really stood out to me.

One is his description of Christian men you see in church. Look around, he says, not at what is being said, but what you observe. Most Christian men are...bored, Eldridge says.

I sometimes see this in myself. It sometimes feels like everything is more of a ritual than a sense of happiness, worship, and joy. Sundays are no exception.

Of course, he does mention the ladies. Look around, he says, not at what is being said, but what you observe. Most Christian women are...tired.

If men are bored and women are tired, what's the answer?

Of course, the book delves deeply into this subject from several angles.

Personally, I believe I found part of my answer in this statement:

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive,
and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
----Gil Bailie

Most of us are overwhelmed with life in general - its frantic pace, the neverending pleas for help:
"XXX needs this..bring it by Friday..." "We need helpers for the bake sale this Saturday..."
Need I go on? Heck, I've gotten so I practically cringe every time the phone rings..it's almost always somebody wanting something. And it's very seldom good or welcome news.

As the book points out, men have got to give themselves permission to be men. That's not a license to lie, cheat and steal, but it is a charter given by God to go out abd be brave, bold and strong - and heroes to our wives.

Well, the bottom line is..I liked this book. It kept me reading, unlike some Christian books that seem to be, more or less, chapters and chapters of rules. I felt like I got some meat out of this book, and some ideas that hopefully will make me more of a hero to my wife.

Here's the website for John Eldridge's ministry:

Ransomed Heart Ministries

Non-Radio Offline Marketing Campaign

I've been spending some time over the last few weeks with a different campaign of sorts..one that doesn't involve radio at all.

PRI Publishing of Wooster, Ohio has developed a program designed at teaching children the skills they need to try to stay safe in today's world. The program, "Fourteen Days to a Safer Child" (TM) includes lesson plans, a book, a CD with songs and information, a Sterling the Safety Seal (TM) plush toy, quizzes, plus a diploma for children successfully completing the program.

PRI has an enormous goal - they want to get their program into as many daycares and schools as they possibly can. That's a lot of ground to cover. And they are a long way from reaching that goal.

PRI is asking local businesses to help sponsor schools (and they can choose the school, if they wish) to bring the program to as many kids as possible. The program is offered at no charge to the school. For as little as $50, a business can help to bring the Fouteen Days to a Safer Child program to a school near you.

This month I became a local PRI rep. I will be snail-mailing the letter and brochure explaining the program to as many local area businesses and daycares as I can. These mailings have already started going out, actually..and I'm right in the middle of sending out many more.

For those of you reading the blog - even if you are not in Tallahassee I can still send the information to you, or anyone you feel would be interested. It can be sent to anyone in any
area, in fact. Feel free to email me if you'd like a packet sent to you.

Let's all pitch in and help our kids stay safe and healthy!

LPFM vs Internet Radio?

I'd like to pose a question.

If you were getting ready to launch a "community" station, would you choose the LPFM approach (100 watts, serving a small community) or would you put your station on the Internet?

This is the question I'm exploring right now, and I'd welcome your comments or emails on the topic. This may or may not become part of a radio story I've been starting to work on during the past few days.

Both sides have pros and cons. I know this..and I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to comment here on the blog, or email me if you wish. I'm interested in hearing what others are thinking, and why.

Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks..

..is tough.

Shortly after my first program aired over satellite last Sunday, I received an email from one of the owners.

Seems like the two program segments had enough space in between them that the station's automation kicked in. This week I've been trying desperately to learn how to use Audacity, a software program that allows editing of audio files. I have Audacity downloaded and have the next program loaded in it, but for the life of me I can't get it to sound right!

I suppose it will be easier once I get the hang of it. If I don't grasp it by Friday I'm probably going to send up only a 30 minute program for release on the satellite.

Any Audacity experts out there..shoot me an email if you catch this! I need some help.

Thanks!