“What’s your New Year’s resolution?” It’s the predictable question of January. If I’m honest (and I am to a fault), I dread it – especially after 2021. Who has the time to do anything NEW?! I’m still trying to ramp back up to the normal pace of things without feeling overwhelmed. Can I get an AMEN ‘cause I know I’m not alone.
If you are not familiar with Christian Family Radio (CFR), we are a local radio station (90.7 FM) that plays top-40 style music with a faith-based message. And, being in the music industry, we get to spend time with the artists we play. Recently, we talked with one of our top artists (like, multiple award-winning, American Idol top-finalist artist), Danny Gokey, on the topic of resolutions. He shared a perspective that both relieved and inspired me. Gokey suggested that resolutions don’t have to involve a task list, so instead he challenged us to resolve to STAND for something. That’s the premise to his latest song that we play, “Stand in Faith.”
As a checklist addict, renouncing a “to do” resolution feels incredibly freeing! Standing seems so much easier -though it’s not without challenges. It’s not lost on me that what he’s suggesting requires faith – faith that your principle is true, impactful and worthwhile. At CFR, one of the truest, most impactful and worthwhile principles we can stand upon is that ALL HUMAN LIFE IS VALUABLE. We know it’s true because the Bible affirms it. We know it’s impactful because of the transformational testimonies we receive when listeners finally understand that God really does love them. And it’s completely worthwhile because the revelation of that love turns people from suicide, destructive choices and hopelessness.
January 16, 2022, is National Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. CFR promotes this in advance and then spends the next week sharing the mission of faith-based regional pregnancy centers, foster care agencies, and palliative care agencies. What’s at the heart of this week’s message is that God loves all humanity – from the pre-born to the dying. We are for life and that means being a voice for the voiceless, vulnerable, destitute, forgotten and marginalized. Every life is valued and purposed by God.
What you won’t hear is a tirade about legislation, shaming of counter-opinions or a legalistic perspective. Instead, you’ll hear inspirational stories, valuable information about local resources and most importantly that God loves YOU. If any of that appeals to you, then tune in the week of January 16-21. Well, you can tune in anytime for that matter, because that’s the 1-2-3 format of our broadcast ministry all year long. CFR’s core mission is to strengthen faith, family and community and that is something we can all stand on.
If you choose to stand in faith on something this year, let me know so our ministry can pray for you! Or if you have a story that could encourage others, we’d love to share it. You can email me at Stephanie@christianfamilyradio.com
-By Stephanie Matthews
Partnership Director at Christian Family Radio
About the Author: Stephanie has been a part of CFR for over four years. As Partnership Director, she works with ministry partners, engages the community and organizes fundraising campaigns. At home in Bowling Green, she’s a wife, mother of two adult children and one high-school senior, and spoiler of two Shih-Tzus.
About CFR: Christian Family Radio is a listener-supported broadcast ministry with a studio at 1407 Scottsville Road in Bowling Green. Their signals resonate from Bowling Green (90.7 FM), Glasgow (89.3 FM), Owensboro (91.7 FM), online at www.christianfamilyradio.com and through the Christian Family Radio music app. Airing Christian contemporary music, programs like Focus on the Family, and interviews with music artists, regional leaders and local non-profits, CFR impacts the community with life-transforming media. In 2021, they were awarded Station of the Year by the Kentucky Broadcasters Association, and were a top-three finalist for Small Market Station of the Year by the national organization, Christian Music Broadcasters.
