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- Chris Fabry
- Married to Andrea since 1982. We have 9 children together and none apart. Our dog's name is Tebow.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Remember when you were learning to drive? It’s been too many years for me, but I dimly recall my father’s reaction when I got too close to the drop-off on the right side of Route 60 in Culloden, WV. White with fear he yelled, “Get over, get over.”
That Chevy Impala was a tank. I learned to steer the boat and became a pretty good driver, I think. But there was one thing I had trouble with. I was a weaver. I went from the white line on the right side to the yellow line in the center, constantly trying to maintain that balance, obsessed with keeping the car between the lines.
A driver’s ed teacher recognized this and told me a trick. Look at the horizon and find the end of the road. Point your car toward that spot and stop looking right in front of you. You won’t weave so much.
I tried it. It worked. And it’s worked with all five of my children who are now of driving age and beyond.
That’s why I’m excited about the next 40 days. In a sense, it’s taking our eyes off the yellow and white lines of the cultural, social, political, and spiritual changes going on around us. Huge questions are being asked. Big decisions are being made in our world every day. But you and I have to look to a fixed point so we won’t be tossed about, weaving back and forth.
That fixed point is Jesus. The way we discover more about him is through God’s word, the Bible. So, along with our friends at the National Religious Broadcasters, we’re observing 40 days of prayer beginning September 1. If you read this later, go ahead and join us.
Our focus at Chris Fabry Live is a bit different. NRB is encouraging you to look at 2 Chronicles 7:14. That’s a great verse and applicable to our times. They also have some study materials you can link to and read.
I want to suggest a passage in the New Testament. Keying off the Hebrews passage that encourages us to “fix your eyes on Jesus,” I’d like you to study along with us in Philippians 2:1-11. This is a passage that may be familiar to you. It talks about Jesus, who he is, what he did for us, and how we are to imitate his life. If we can do that, and if other believers and unbelievers see the real Jesus living in us, we will change the world a heart at a time.
Here’s what I’m asking.
1. Read Philippians 2:1-11 every day and meditate on it.
2. Use this passage to guide you in prayer, asking God to make you more like Jesus.
3. Buy a cheap journal and record your thoughts on this passage.
4. Join us when you can on the radio as we discuss the passage and pray during the next 40 days.
That’s it. No pressure. Just let God speak to you through this passage. And check back here to the blog for how it’s affecting others. Send me an email at chrisfabrylive@moody.edu and let us know what’s going on. Your thoughts may be included on a blog and encourage someone else. And check the blog each day for questions that we’ll ask and for devotionals.
God bless you as you begin this journey with us. And may He change us and mold us more and more into the image of His Son.
That Chevy Impala was a tank. I learned to steer the boat and became a pretty good driver, I think. But there was one thing I had trouble with. I was a weaver. I went from the white line on the right side to the yellow line in the center, constantly trying to maintain that balance, obsessed with keeping the car between the lines.
A driver’s ed teacher recognized this and told me a trick. Look at the horizon and find the end of the road. Point your car toward that spot and stop looking right in front of you. You won’t weave so much.
I tried it. It worked. And it’s worked with all five of my children who are now of driving age and beyond.
That’s why I’m excited about the next 40 days. In a sense, it’s taking our eyes off the yellow and white lines of the cultural, social, political, and spiritual changes going on around us. Huge questions are being asked. Big decisions are being made in our world every day. But you and I have to look to a fixed point so we won’t be tossed about, weaving back and forth.
That fixed point is Jesus. The way we discover more about him is through God’s word, the Bible. So, along with our friends at the National Religious Broadcasters, we’re observing 40 days of prayer beginning September 1. If you read this later, go ahead and join us.
Our focus at Chris Fabry Live is a bit different. NRB is encouraging you to look at 2 Chronicles 7:14. That’s a great verse and applicable to our times. They also have some study materials you can link to and read.
I want to suggest a passage in the New Testament. Keying off the Hebrews passage that encourages us to “fix your eyes on Jesus,” I’d like you to study along with us in Philippians 2:1-11. This is a passage that may be familiar to you. It talks about Jesus, who he is, what he did for us, and how we are to imitate his life. If we can do that, and if other believers and unbelievers see the real Jesus living in us, we will change the world a heart at a time.
Here’s what I’m asking.
1. Read Philippians 2:1-11 every day and meditate on it.
2. Use this passage to guide you in prayer, asking God to make you more like Jesus.
3. Buy a cheap journal and record your thoughts on this passage.
4. Join us when you can on the radio as we discuss the passage and pray during the next 40 days.
That’s it. No pressure. Just let God speak to you through this passage. And check back here to the blog for how it’s affecting others. Send me an email at chrisfabrylive@moody.edu and let us know what’s going on. Your thoughts may be included on a blog and encourage someone else. And check the blog each day for questions that we’ll ask and for devotionals.
God bless you as you begin this journey with us. And may He change us and mold us more and more into the image of His Son.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Here are some excerpts from the last four winning entries in our "Share Your Story" contest. Thanks again to everyone who entered!
In 1966, my husband and I moved from South Carolina to Chicago, Illinois to be trained in ministry. The cold winter, the small trailer, the lack of family and friends often lead me to despair. Each morning as I tuned into WMBI, Wilber Nelson and the Morning Chapel Hour Singers greeted me with the theme song, "It is morning, the sun's in my heart even when it's cloudy and gray...." I looked forward to that every single morning!
Life moved on; children were born to us; we ministered in different capacities; buried a child; buried parents; watched our children enter ministry; and reveled in watching 7 grandchildren love the Lord Jesus.
Last week I was in the car, feeling a bit troubled in spirit. On the BBN station here in South Carolina, the announcer's voice came out of my car radio with, "And here is an oldie...Wilber Nelson and the Morning Chapel Hour Singers." I immediately pulled off the road into a parking lot as once again I heard, "It is morning, the sun's in my heart even when it's cloudy and gray...." I lay my head on the steering wheel sobbing praise to God for His care through all the years of ministry.
- Jane Bateman, Spartanburg, SC
About 6 years ago, our oldest son went into the Army. He was stationed in Oklahoma for basic training. Then he was sent to South Korea for a year. During that time, I was listening to The Fish 105.3 in Milwaukee. They played a song by Mark Harris called “Find your Wings.” That brought tears to my eyes immediately. My prayer for all my children is that I could help them find their place in God’s kingdom. This song was such an inspiration to me, that, when my son and daughter-in-law got married, my son and I danced to this song at their wedding. Many of my friends couldn’t stop crying during the song. I sang it to my son while letting him go. My prayer for my granddaughters is the same--that as they grow up, that my love will help them grow roots and that they will find their wings.
- Kathy Andrews, Bristol, WI
I'm a country girl, born and raised on a farm in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada. My husband and I married 45 years ago this last May. Two weeks after our wedding we moved down to the border of Texas and Mexico to Pharr, Texas to work with Mexican Mission Ministries. John helped produce radio programs with the Mexican pastors which were broadcast in Mexico. Following that we moved to Chicago to work in the Production Department of Moody Radio.
We have a great love for Christian radio and eventually left Moody, moved back to Canada where we were involved with an organization working at bring Christian radio to Canada. The government here turned it down after much debate. What a sad day for us. But God had other plans for us and we were called by a church as youth pastors, and then later as church planting pastor in Northern British Columbia.
Elaine Hiebert, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
I listen to 88.3 WCQR in Johnson City, TN. I love the song "Safe in His Arms" by Phil Wickham. It was the song playing on the radio as my husband drove me to my doctor appt the day I received my breast cancer diagnosis in April. I had a double mastectomy on May 11, 2010. I did not have to have treatment before or after surgery and am now going though the reconstruction process healing quicker than I ever dreamed. Every time I hear the song now it reminds me that no matter what I am going through, I am not alone. God holds me safe in His arms.
- Dee Igou, Johnson City, TN
In 1966, my husband and I moved from South Carolina to Chicago, Illinois to be trained in ministry. The cold winter, the small trailer, the lack of family and friends often lead me to despair. Each morning as I tuned into WMBI, Wilber Nelson and the Morning Chapel Hour Singers greeted me with the theme song, "It is morning, the sun's in my heart even when it's cloudy and gray...." I looked forward to that every single morning!
Life moved on; children were born to us; we ministered in different capacities; buried a child; buried parents; watched our children enter ministry; and reveled in watching 7 grandchildren love the Lord Jesus.
Last week I was in the car, feeling a bit troubled in spirit. On the BBN station here in South Carolina, the announcer's voice came out of my car radio with, "And here is an oldie...Wilber Nelson and the Morning Chapel Hour Singers." I immediately pulled off the road into a parking lot as once again I heard, "It is morning, the sun's in my heart even when it's cloudy and gray...." I lay my head on the steering wheel sobbing praise to God for His care through all the years of ministry.
- Jane Bateman, Spartanburg, SC
About 6 years ago, our oldest son went into the Army. He was stationed in Oklahoma for basic training. Then he was sent to South Korea for a year. During that time, I was listening to The Fish 105.3 in Milwaukee. They played a song by Mark Harris called “Find your Wings.” That brought tears to my eyes immediately. My prayer for all my children is that I could help them find their place in God’s kingdom. This song was such an inspiration to me, that, when my son and daughter-in-law got married, my son and I danced to this song at their wedding. Many of my friends couldn’t stop crying during the song. I sang it to my son while letting him go. My prayer for my granddaughters is the same--that as they grow up, that my love will help them grow roots and that they will find their wings.
- Kathy Andrews, Bristol, WI
I'm a country girl, born and raised on a farm in Southern Saskatchewan, Canada. My husband and I married 45 years ago this last May. Two weeks after our wedding we moved down to the border of Texas and Mexico to Pharr, Texas to work with Mexican Mission Ministries. John helped produce radio programs with the Mexican pastors which were broadcast in Mexico. Following that we moved to Chicago to work in the Production Department of Moody Radio.
We have a great love for Christian radio and eventually left Moody, moved back to Canada where we were involved with an organization working at bring Christian radio to Canada. The government here turned it down after much debate. What a sad day for us. But God had other plans for us and we were called by a church as youth pastors, and then later as church planting pastor in Northern British Columbia.
Elaine Hiebert, St. Catharines, ON, Canada
I listen to 88.3 WCQR in Johnson City, TN. I love the song "Safe in His Arms" by Phil Wickham. It was the song playing on the radio as my husband drove me to my doctor appt the day I received my breast cancer diagnosis in April. I had a double mastectomy on May 11, 2010. I did not have to have treatment before or after surgery and am now going though the reconstruction process healing quicker than I ever dreamed. Every time I hear the song now it reminds me that no matter what I am going through, I am not alone. God holds me safe in His arms.
- Dee Igou, Johnson City, TN
Thursday, August 12, 2010
"How has local Christian radio made a difference in your life?" was the question we asked in our recent "Share Your Story" contest. Here are a few more excerpts from the winning entries.
I had been involved with Jehovah's Witnesses for a few years and was VERY confused in my theology of who Jesus Christ was. I had been struggling with knowing and believing that Jesus is God for about 5 or 6 months when a friend suggested I listen to WMBI. So I began to listen every day on my drive to school. Insight for Living played every day during my drive, and after a few weeks, Chuck Swindoll began a series on Hebrews. And when I heard him read from Hebrews 1, namely vs 6 ("And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, 'Let all God's angels worship him.'"), the switch flipped. I saw, I knew, and I believed that Jesus is God. It was an awesome moment in my car!
- Erin P. O'Connor, Park Ridge, IL
Fourteen years ago, a long-time friend turned against me. She filed charges against me. On a Saturday night, I was preparing the meal for my daughter's birthday. Our Moody station is WCRF-FM, 103.3, in Cleveland, Ohio. At 9:00 p.m., Ron Hutchcraft's program came on and at 10:00 p.m. Dawson McAlister's program followed. While I was working in the kitchen, I listened for two hours to two programs, back to back, that were about the need to forgive. By the time I went to bed, I knew I had to forgive her for her accusations.
- Gloria Schilling, Wadsworth, OH
When I became a Christian I feasted on the music and teaching on WZZD in Philadelphia. It was my daily companion and helped me get rooted and grounded. In 1984, the Lord blessed me with my first on air position and I'm blessed to have served in Christian radio ever since. It's great to be able to encourage, exhort and edify the body on a daily basis!
- Jay Johnson, Abilene, KS
Sometimes in life, your darkest moments aren’t the ones filled with pain, anguish, loss or depravity, but rather the ones filled with self-doubt, mediocrity, and depression. For nearly ten years I have not been to church on a regular basis. Christians had hurt me. They were my enemy.
I began working at Sam’s Club. I was stuck there for three years. I never got a raise, a promotion, nothing. I stood by and watched as more and more unqualified people got promoted and moved up. I had to live at home with my parents. I barely made enough money to survive. I was exactly where God needed me to be.
One day, while I was driving to work, I accidentally turned on the Christian radio and happened to come across Chuck Swindoll and Insight for Living. I listened to his message. Some good wisdom but nothing fancy. Next morning, I listened to it again.
For the next 7 months, I listened to Pastor Chuck on my 30 minute commute to the blackness I called Sam’s Club. It was my only light. I didn’t have the guts to quit because I didn’t know where to go and didn’t believe that anyone would hire me. So I listened and laughed every time I drove down the freeway. It got me through the day. One day though, one of his messages hit straight home on where I needed to do in my daily life.
I wrote these down as I drove:
God is Sovereign
Think Ahead
Don’t Allow Your Panic to Eclipse Trust in Him
Wait on the Lord
Every time I tried to be in control, I got myself into trouble. I didn’t ask for God to be in control. I didn’t plan ahead because I never asked God what He wanted me to do.
You want to know how my story ends or how it turns out. Ha! I can tell you this. I have peace, I have direction, I have forgiveness, and I have God. In the end, isn’t that the only thing that really matters?
- Aaron Morosini, Monument, CO
I had been involved with Jehovah's Witnesses for a few years and was VERY confused in my theology of who Jesus Christ was. I had been struggling with knowing and believing that Jesus is God for about 5 or 6 months when a friend suggested I listen to WMBI. So I began to listen every day on my drive to school. Insight for Living played every day during my drive, and after a few weeks, Chuck Swindoll began a series on Hebrews. And when I heard him read from Hebrews 1, namely vs 6 ("And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, 'Let all God's angels worship him.'"), the switch flipped. I saw, I knew, and I believed that Jesus is God. It was an awesome moment in my car!
- Erin P. O'Connor, Park Ridge, IL
Fourteen years ago, a long-time friend turned against me. She filed charges against me. On a Saturday night, I was preparing the meal for my daughter's birthday. Our Moody station is WCRF-FM, 103.3, in Cleveland, Ohio. At 9:00 p.m., Ron Hutchcraft's program came on and at 10:00 p.m. Dawson McAlister's program followed. While I was working in the kitchen, I listened for two hours to two programs, back to back, that were about the need to forgive. By the time I went to bed, I knew I had to forgive her for her accusations.
- Gloria Schilling, Wadsworth, OH
When I became a Christian I feasted on the music and teaching on WZZD in Philadelphia. It was my daily companion and helped me get rooted and grounded. In 1984, the Lord blessed me with my first on air position and I'm blessed to have served in Christian radio ever since. It's great to be able to encourage, exhort and edify the body on a daily basis!
- Jay Johnson, Abilene, KS
Sometimes in life, your darkest moments aren’t the ones filled with pain, anguish, loss or depravity, but rather the ones filled with self-doubt, mediocrity, and depression. For nearly ten years I have not been to church on a regular basis. Christians had hurt me. They were my enemy.
I began working at Sam’s Club. I was stuck there for three years. I never got a raise, a promotion, nothing. I stood by and watched as more and more unqualified people got promoted and moved up. I had to live at home with my parents. I barely made enough money to survive. I was exactly where God needed me to be.
One day, while I was driving to work, I accidentally turned on the Christian radio and happened to come across Chuck Swindoll and Insight for Living. I listened to his message. Some good wisdom but nothing fancy. Next morning, I listened to it again.
For the next 7 months, I listened to Pastor Chuck on my 30 minute commute to the blackness I called Sam’s Club. It was my only light. I didn’t have the guts to quit because I didn’t know where to go and didn’t believe that anyone would hire me. So I listened and laughed every time I drove down the freeway. It got me through the day. One day though, one of his messages hit straight home on where I needed to do in my daily life.
I wrote these down as I drove:
God is Sovereign
Think Ahead
Don’t Allow Your Panic to Eclipse Trust in Him
Wait on the Lord
Every time I tried to be in control, I got myself into trouble. I didn’t ask for God to be in control. I didn’t plan ahead because I never asked God what He wanted me to do.
You want to know how my story ends or how it turns out. Ha! I can tell you this. I have peace, I have direction, I have forgiveness, and I have God. In the end, isn’t that the only thing that really matters?
- Aaron Morosini, Monument, CO
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Thanks to everyone who entered the "Share Your Story" contest. I’m sorry we don’t have enough ARCs to send to everyone (especially my dear friends). Here are some excerpts from the winning entries that show some of the power of Christian radio. We'll be sharing more of these here over the next few days. I hope these stories encourage you a bit and get you excited about Almost Heaven.
On leaving a 23yr. long marriage, I was a lost soul. Driving to work on Memorial Day that year, I was passing a lovely local park, and a song came on the radio called, "Stand by Me." I was so alerted to the words that I was shocked and put myself totally into God's hands. My radio station was WYLL, then WMBI in Chicago. My car is my holy sanctuary, and is dedicated to sacred music and prayerful thoughts and actions.
- Joan M. Kujawa, Crystal Lake, IL
Living in a very rural, East Tennessee town, the only time I can hear a contemporary Christian radio station is when I am on the road - and I have to be at least twenty miles from home. On this particular day in late 2009, I needed to be uplifted; and the Knoxville, Tennessee WWLT 103.1 FM, KLOVE, did just that for me. Like the Fabrys, I suffer from a mold-induced illness, and the past few years have been difficult. While traveling to Knoxville for a physician's appointment, Casting Crowns sang All Because of Jesus. On my way home, I swung by my favorite Christian bookstore and bought the CD and I must have played All Because of Jesus ten, twenty, or thirty times. The song grabbed my heart and gave me the spiritual lift I was needing.
- Myra L. Marcum, Oneida, TN
When I was a teenager, back in the 70's, I spent a lot of time in my room to get away from family strife--my dad was an alcoholic. In my room, I read my books and listened to my radio. I discovered a Christian radio show from Freeville, NY that played Christian music by artists like Phil Keaggy, Second Chapter of Acts, and the Imperials. Pittsburgh had WPIT with Dusty Rhodes. The songs ministered to me and took me out of the turmoil around me. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have that music to let me know my Heavenly Father loved me. I now work at a Family Christian Store and can relate to my customers who love music and Christian fiction, too.
- Mary Ellen McFadden, Bridgeville, PA
I listened to "Night Sounds" for just about forever on our local AM radio station. It wasn't until I moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1982 that I discovered that such a thing as Christian radio existed. I stumbled upon a wonderful station, 103.7 FM WWIB.
The music of Michael Card, Rich Mullins and so many others and the teaching of Chuck Swindoll and James Dobson were invaluable when circumstances led to a job loss and caring for my mother as her health declined.
One day, in the late summer of 2000, it wasn't there. I tried every radio in my house, moved them from room to room, but all I received was static. In desperation, I searched the radio dial and discovered a Christian station closer to home, 88.5 FM WGNV. I also discovered that they were looking for a weekend announcer. The hours meshed perfectly with my teaching job and were very flexible, but, even though I have a communications background, it did not seem possible that I would be able to get the job. Much to my surprise, I was called for an interview. To my even greater surprise, I received a second call. I accepted, and became the announcer for Saturday and Sunday afternoon programs.
Soon, I was offered the overnight announcing as well and now, for nearly ten years, I have been the "voice of the overnight" for central Wisconsin. Sitting alone, late at night in a studio situated in the middle of a horse pasture, it has been great joy and fun to share the message of Jesus Christ with the long-haul truckers and parents awake with 2:00 AM feedings, graveyard shift workers and those who just can't sleep.
In 2003, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. WGNV was in the middle of its annual Sharathon and I returned from the doctor to fill in my shift as board operator for the evening. Calls were slow coming in and my boss, Paul Perrault and the Sharemedia guys were having a quiet conversation with our general manager, Paul Cameron. My boss came up behind me and relieved me of my headphones. All of the staff members and volunteers crowded into the on-air studio and my boss went live on-air to tell everyone about my diagnosis and ask for prayer for me. He turned on the microphones as these wonderful people laid their hands on me and prayed. Two weeks later, I had the surgery. By the grace of God, the cancer was contained within the tough membrane of a 40 pound tumor. I had gone from having been given a two percent survival rate to a ninety-eight percent survival rate. Eight weeks after that, I was back on the air without needing chemotherapy or radiation and am now nearly seven years cancer-free.
Christian radio has given me my "voice" to share the gospel. I will likely never know until the other side of heaven if I have had an impact on anyone's life, but I know that all I need to do is to continue to tell people that God loves them and Jesus died to save them and rose to open the gates of heaven for them and God will handle the results.
- Kathy Kexel, Marshfield, WI
On leaving a 23yr. long marriage, I was a lost soul. Driving to work on Memorial Day that year, I was passing a lovely local park, and a song came on the radio called, "Stand by Me." I was so alerted to the words that I was shocked and put myself totally into God's hands. My radio station was WYLL, then WMBI in Chicago. My car is my holy sanctuary, and is dedicated to sacred music and prayerful thoughts and actions.
- Joan M. Kujawa, Crystal Lake, IL
Living in a very rural, East Tennessee town, the only time I can hear a contemporary Christian radio station is when I am on the road - and I have to be at least twenty miles from home. On this particular day in late 2009, I needed to be uplifted; and the Knoxville, Tennessee WWLT 103.1 FM, KLOVE, did just that for me. Like the Fabrys, I suffer from a mold-induced illness, and the past few years have been difficult. While traveling to Knoxville for a physician's appointment, Casting Crowns sang All Because of Jesus. On my way home, I swung by my favorite Christian bookstore and bought the CD and I must have played All Because of Jesus ten, twenty, or thirty times. The song grabbed my heart and gave me the spiritual lift I was needing.
- Myra L. Marcum, Oneida, TN
When I was a teenager, back in the 70's, I spent a lot of time in my room to get away from family strife--my dad was an alcoholic. In my room, I read my books and listened to my radio. I discovered a Christian radio show from Freeville, NY that played Christian music by artists like Phil Keaggy, Second Chapter of Acts, and the Imperials. Pittsburgh had WPIT with Dusty Rhodes. The songs ministered to me and took me out of the turmoil around me. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have that music to let me know my Heavenly Father loved me. I now work at a Family Christian Store and can relate to my customers who love music and Christian fiction, too.
- Mary Ellen McFadden, Bridgeville, PA
I listened to "Night Sounds" for just about forever on our local AM radio station. It wasn't until I moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin in 1982 that I discovered that such a thing as Christian radio existed. I stumbled upon a wonderful station, 103.7 FM WWIB.
The music of Michael Card, Rich Mullins and so many others and the teaching of Chuck Swindoll and James Dobson were invaluable when circumstances led to a job loss and caring for my mother as her health declined.
One day, in the late summer of 2000, it wasn't there. I tried every radio in my house, moved them from room to room, but all I received was static. In desperation, I searched the radio dial and discovered a Christian station closer to home, 88.5 FM WGNV. I also discovered that they were looking for a weekend announcer. The hours meshed perfectly with my teaching job and were very flexible, but, even though I have a communications background, it did not seem possible that I would be able to get the job. Much to my surprise, I was called for an interview. To my even greater surprise, I received a second call. I accepted, and became the announcer for Saturday and Sunday afternoon programs.
Soon, I was offered the overnight announcing as well and now, for nearly ten years, I have been the "voice of the overnight" for central Wisconsin. Sitting alone, late at night in a studio situated in the middle of a horse pasture, it has been great joy and fun to share the message of Jesus Christ with the long-haul truckers and parents awake with 2:00 AM feedings, graveyard shift workers and those who just can't sleep.
In 2003, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. WGNV was in the middle of its annual Sharathon and I returned from the doctor to fill in my shift as board operator for the evening. Calls were slow coming in and my boss, Paul Perrault and the Sharemedia guys were having a quiet conversation with our general manager, Paul Cameron. My boss came up behind me and relieved me of my headphones. All of the staff members and volunteers crowded into the on-air studio and my boss went live on-air to tell everyone about my diagnosis and ask for prayer for me. He turned on the microphones as these wonderful people laid their hands on me and prayed. Two weeks later, I had the surgery. By the grace of God, the cancer was contained within the tough membrane of a 40 pound tumor. I had gone from having been given a two percent survival rate to a ninety-eight percent survival rate. Eight weeks after that, I was back on the air without needing chemotherapy or radiation and am now nearly seven years cancer-free.
Christian radio has given me my "voice" to share the gospel. I will likely never know until the other side of heaven if I have had an impact on anyone's life, but I know that all I need to do is to continue to tell people that God loves them and Jesus died to save them and rose to open the gates of heaven for them and God will handle the results.
- Kathy Kexel, Marshfield, WI
Sunday, August 8, 2010
His sister pulled up his shirt and showed us his scar. I expected it to be hideous. He seemed quite proud of it. It wasn’t awful at all. In fact, I thought it would be so much worse. And it’s healing well, by my expert opinion.
He fell the other day outside, which concerned his mother. I told you it would be difficult to keep him down. He can’t raise his one arm very far and he has to avoid any horseplay.
As you can tell from the picture, he is one special ranch dude. Plans are firming up for a benefit concert for Levi’s hospital expenses. A Christian motorcycle group is supposed to drive to the farm where the concert will be held. There are items people are auctioning for this, including a quilt being made by one of our listeners. Evidently some of you are calling and asking how you can help. That didn’t surprise me.
Thanks for continuing to pray for little Levi. I hope you enjoy seeing him as much as I did.
If you'd like to know more about the upcoming benefit concert for Levi and his family, click here.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Tricia and I think on the same wavelength, which is a good reason for you to pray for her. Poor thing. I knew when she went on a trip with Nate across the country she would come back with an idea or two for the program and here it is. Take a look at this photo and see what comes to mind.
Some would say, “Nice flowers...I guess.” Others would say, “The exposure on that should be bumped up a little.” But Tricia immediately thought of something better.
Here on the top of Beartooth Pass, at almost 11,000 feet above sea level, were flowers. There wasn’t anybody around to enjoy them. There weren’t people paid to plant flowers for the flocks of visitors. Not a lot of people come to this particular spot, evidently. But the flowers didn’t care. They were simply doing what they did best, which is, be flowers and bloom and give glory to a creative God who gave us color and light and an infinite numbers of things to cause wonder in us.
Her next leap of logic for you was this question: What do you do for God that only God sees? How do you glorify God by just being who he created you to be, not to be showy, but what naturally springs from your soul as you go about life?
Do you sing while you vacuum? I have to admit, that’s not me, and my family is grateful for it. Do you smile at people who pass you by on the road? I assume there are a limitless number of things people do simply because they are made to praise.
What is it that you do? Or maybe the question should be, what does God cause you to do to bring him glory in the unseen, unknown places of your life?
And if you can’t think of anything, ask God to start that work in you. Don’t just wish you were a flower. Let God grow something inside that can’t help but spring forth with life.
Some would say, “Nice flowers...I guess.” Others would say, “The exposure on that should be bumped up a little.” But Tricia immediately thought of something better.
Here on the top of Beartooth Pass, at almost 11,000 feet above sea level, were flowers. There wasn’t anybody around to enjoy them. There weren’t people paid to plant flowers for the flocks of visitors. Not a lot of people come to this particular spot, evidently. But the flowers didn’t care. They were simply doing what they did best, which is, be flowers and bloom and give glory to a creative God who gave us color and light and an infinite numbers of things to cause wonder in us.
Her next leap of logic for you was this question: What do you do for God that only God sees? How do you glorify God by just being who he created you to be, not to be showy, but what naturally springs from your soul as you go about life?
Do you sing while you vacuum? I have to admit, that’s not me, and my family is grateful for it. Do you smile at people who pass you by on the road? I assume there are a limitless number of things people do simply because they are made to praise.
What is it that you do? Or maybe the question should be, what does God cause you to do to bring him glory in the unseen, unknown places of your life?
And if you can’t think of anything, ask God to start that work in you. Don’t just wish you were a flower. Let God grow something inside that can’t help but spring forth with life.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
I put Billy at the Buffalo Creek flood, made his father a coal miner, then moved the family to my favorite fictional town, Dogwood. Billy wound up a beaten man but still had a dream. And the "messenger" in the story gives you an even wider perspective of his life.
I would like for you to experience Almost Heaven. The novel releases in October. But I have a few Advance Reader Copies I would like to give away before that release date. All I ask is that you spread the word if you like it. My guess is, you'll be thinking about Billy long after you turn the final page.
One major theme of the novel is the power of local Christian radio. So, tell me your story. How has a Christian radio station made a difference for you? Did you hear a song at just the right time? Were you buoyed in your life by something someone said? Share your story and you may win a copy of Almost Heaven before it's released. Be specific about your station and include the call letters. We'll share the winning entries publicly, so this is your chance to point others to a station you've enjoyed.
Here's how it works:
Email your entry to me at chris@chrisfabry.com by midnight on Saturday, August 7. Include your mailing address. By submitting your story, you agree that it may be shared publicly at the judges' discretion. The winning entries will be judged for story content and all decisions by the judges will be final. If you're one of our winners, we'll send your advance copy of Almost Heaven soon.
I look forward to hearing your story, and I hope you'll enjoy reading mine.
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