Last month, all the high schools put on some fantastic musicals, and I hope you got to see at least one. There’s just something about using great music to tell a good story that appeals to everyone, young and old alike. A great voice singing something relatable is a gift that’s easy to appreciate. Though the songs you hear on Christian Family Radio (CFR) aren’t from Broadway productions (we play top-40 style Christian music), you will hear songs from great artists who tell a story that’s totally relatable. That’s what Dusty appreciates about CFR – he can sing along with songs that tell the story of his own life. Right now, Dusty’s favorite song is “Nobody” by Casting Crowns featuring Matthew West. The lyrics talk about feeling like a “nobody” but turning those feelings around into a greater purpose. Here’s the chorus:
I’m just a nobody
Trying to tell everybody
All about Somebody
Who saved my soul
Ever since You rescued me
You gave my heart a song to sing
I’m living for the world to see
Nobody but Jesus
I’m living for the world to see
Nobody but Jesus
Like a lot of us, Dusty has the kind of past that tries to remind you of your failures and make you feel disqualified – but Dusty doesn’t let that mindset stick around. Instead, he shares his story:
Three years ago Jesus saved me from drug addiction. I’ve always been a farmer and it’s hard work, so my mindset was “work hard, party harder.” But when my daughter was born in 2020, I knew something had to change. I also knew that I didn’t have the strength to do anything about it. One night, I was out alone in the pasture feeding my cows (like, at midnight), thinking about how bad my life was and how it was only getting worse. My farm was in bankruptcy, my body was broke-down from the drug use, and things were bad. I had been “saved” years ago, but my life didn’t look like it. So, right there, in the middle of that field, I went down on my knees and gave my life to Jesus. He was the only way anything was going to change or get better.
Today, I don’t even resemble the old me. When I was thirty, I felt 60. At the time, doctors told me that I had early markers for rheumatoid arthritis. God helped me change the way I eat and I exercise and put Jesus first in every part of my life and now I feel like I’m 20 again. Eating differently also revolutionized how I run my farm. I’m currently in the process of being a certified organic farm – a process that helped bring me out of bankruptcy.
What’s even more amazing is that I no longer have any cravings for the things that used to wreck my life. The scripture I rely on most is 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” I owe everything to Him and trust Him to keep growing me. He is still working in my life, drawing me closer to Him and preparing me for kingdom work.
That’s an amazing turn-around, amen?! Whether it’s you personally, or people in your inner circle, you know somebody who is impacted by addiction. So often, there is not a lot of hope that a person can come out of addiction and have their life restored. Let Dusty’s story encourage you! And, if you need more hope, may I recommend listening to Christian Family Radio (90.7FM, or online at christianfamilyradio.com)? We share a lot of local stories of how people’s lives are getting stronger. And every song we play is a message that will bless your mindset and your day. You’ll find the right song to be your life song, I promise!
-by Stephanie Matthews
About the Author: For the past seven years, Stephanie Matthews has built community relationships for the ministry of Christian Family Radio. She currently serves as the Media Representative of Drug Free Warren County, and on the board of Freedom Bridge to Recovery, a non-profit for addiction recovery housing. Stephanie and her husband Randy have three adult children, one Shih Tzu mix, and two grand-dogs. They are also avid WKU Softball and FCA fans!
[insert small version of Stephanie picture here, if you need it for filler. Caption: Stephanie and Randy are enjoying their new empty nest season – it’s been worth the wait!]
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.
