Sharathon 15

Sharathon 15 is over.  It is an intense couple of days but seems to come and go so fast.  I have been at LIFE 100.3 for over 10 years and the feelings of thankfulness seem to grow with each year. Most of us (I mean all of us) have day to day and month to month financial responsibilities.  We have families to look after, cars to buy and fix, houses to upkeep, and the odd crisis along the way to manage.

We also know that our LIFE listeners are strong supporters of their local church and other important ministries too.  Our general manager, Scott Jackson, has always told me that people give to causes they believe in.  To think that someone appreciates a radio station so much that they give money to it, is amazing.

I am also humbled by the greatness of God.  When you are a part of something special, it can be easy to believe that without "me or my role," it may not work.  Instead, I have come to learn that God doesn't need me to further His work on LIFE, but He is willing to use me if I am willing.  Praise God for that!

Playing Along

Did you or do you watch game shows?  I'm typically not a big fan, but for some reason I used to always play along with Wheel Of Fortune.  Strangely enough, I was pretty good.  I could often get puzzles with only a couple of letters.  That being said, it's much easier to sit on the couch at home and solve puzzles than it is in a tv studio in front of a live audience.  When I heard about this guy on Wheel Of Furtune who solved a seemingly impossible puzzle, I had to try it.  Unfortunately, I could not.  But I do have to admit, it was impressive.

Do Something

I have learned that I am very good at pointing out problems.  In fact, it comes naturally.  I am very good at pointing out what is wrong with our government.  I could make a list of everything I would change at my church too.  I could even tell you what's wrong with the Leafs and what is keeping them from their first Stanley Cup victory since 1967!  You probably can't relate because you are more interested in finding out solutions to the problems.  You don't bring up what's wrong with the world unless you are willing to do something about it.

Ok, maybe we are all guilty of complaining every once in a while.  Matthew West would include himself in that category and wrote the song, Do Something.  I'm guessing we can all learn something from it.

Bad Days

Most of the time, bad days are not really that bad.  It is simply a series of events that drive you crazy.  Your alarm doesn't go off.  Then you run out of coffee.  The car won't start and your hands are dirty after opening the hood (even though you have no idea how to fix a car).  After work you need to go grocery shopping and even though the cart looks, "new," it has that one bad wheel that makes you feel like you're pushing a cart on skis through the store instead of on wheels.

I wonder if the Bible has anything to say about bad days.  How about James 1:2-7

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

I think the purpose of the verse is to remind us that God is with us everyday, even in the little things.  That's why the verse says, trials of many kinds.  He is waiting, and I think hoping, for us to put our complete trust in Him.  If we don't, we are tossed around like that wave in the sea.  But as we trust, forget about the circumstance, and increase our faith, those trials of many kinds will no longer be top of mind.  Those generous gifts from God will be that positive distraction we need.

Broken Hallelujah

I'm typically not a lyrics guy...at first.  I hear a melody and then I listen to what the singer is actually singing about.  But every once in awhile I get hooked by a title or the lyrics of a song right away.

That is the case with The Afters - Broken Hallelujah.  Have you ever been at a time in your life when you can't do anything to help a situation.  There are times in life when a little bit of hard work and a good attitude and get you through some tough times.

But there are also moments when you have no control.  Maybe you have a child that is walking away from God.  Maybe you have some sort of illness.  Maybe your marriage is struggling.  What do you do then?  You can't do anything...right?  

If you are there right now, listen to these words...they are for you.

Sochi 2014

I can't believe how wrong I was.  When I heard that the Olympics were going to be in Sochi, Russia, I thought they would be mostly ignored by Canadians.  I know, it sounds harsh, but let me explain.

When the Olympics were in Vancouver, the gold medal matches, runs, races, etc, were after 6pm.  Most of us would get home from work or school and be able to watch everything live.  But with Russia being something like 8 hours ahead of us, most of the great  events would air in the middle of the afternoon.  How would we watch that?

I was proven wrong yesterday at my doctor's appointment.  You see the women's hockey team was playing for a gold medal.  I wanted to watch it...but had to go to my appointment.  When I arrived in the waiting room, I knew something was different.  A tv was on showing the game. It was late in the third period with Canada down two goals.  It was obviously tense in the room...until Canada scored to make it 2-1.  Now you could feel everyone in the room start to believe...not to mention the Canadian women's hockey team.   They eventually tied the game and then won it in overtime!

I later discovered that banks, schools, workplaces, and homes were also showing the game.  No one was working...for at least 30 minutes so they could watch the game.

It felt like Vancouver all over again.  When Canada scored to win the game in overtime, it felt like the entire country was cheering.

Big thanks to the Canadian women's team for making us proud...again!

All Request Run Til Midnight

Radio is such a fun medium.  Today we opened up the LIFElines to allow listeners to pick the music all day. It's funny how even me, a LIFE dj, can be entertained by the requests of others.  Even though it wasn't my request, I still find myself enjoying the pick because it brought the song to life again.  Here are some of my favourite requests from today:

Encouragement to help us through the storms of life.  Natalie Grant - Hurricane

Needtobreathe - Lay Em Down

Even this one...apparently my 3 year old son was a big fan...ha!

Thanks for the fun!