YES FM Spring Share-a-thon

As many of you probably know, I got my start  in radio in 2004 while working a YES FM as an intern.    I worked as a part-time DJ and Administrative Assistant for a while before my family moved from the area, and after we moved back in 2007 I've been volunteering ever since.  I've recently joined the team again (officially), and am so excited to be a part of this ministry.

I grew up in a Catholic home, and while faith was encouraged, a true relationship with Christ was never emphasized.  I was 13 when I had my confirmation, and I was told that I'd received the Holy Spirit and it lived in me when I was anointed with the oil.  But shouldn't I have felt something?

I didn't.

I was 14 when I discovered YES FM.  It was the only station that I got on my walkman when I was in Commons at school.  The first songs that I heard were "Paradigm" by All Together Separate and "Rest" by Skillet.  I know this because I wrote them down on the back of my social studies notebook, which I found not too long ago.

It was on every day since.

Now, 15 years later, my kids are listening.  I remember working at concerts when I was pregnant with Samantha (now 7), and the bands praying over me (and her).    My kids hear songs on the bus to school that I DO NOT think are appropriate for elementary schoolers, but they bus driver doesn't seem to care.    But when we're in the car, or at home, I know they're hearing The Word.

I love and truly appreciate that YES FM is listener supported.  I remember when my dad was going through his treatments for cancer, and we would visit him when possible, the drive home was emotional.  I'd need to hear something to assure me that God was watching over my dad.  There was a corporately owned station that played 'Christian' music.  And while I enjoyed the music to a point, I hated hearing a song that spoke to me, then an advertisement for plastic surgery.  It really hurt the spirit that was filling my car.  I'm glad that YES FM is available on the Tune In radio app (and that I have a phone to play it on).  When I'm traveling outside the area, I can still be encouraged.

So as they - I mean we - are entering Share-a-thon, I'd like to share with you a letter from the Station Manager of YES FM.  And I encourage you - turn the station on and listen to it.   Pray about the youth that you know - whether they are in church or not - and ask God if it is His plan for you to give to a ministry that will help shape the future of the Church.

Dear Friends and Family, 

It is once again the time for our Sharathon at YES FM radio. This is the time that we raise support for the next 6 months of ministry work. Our goal is to raise $100,000 by Monday April 30th. Jesus is working through YES FM to change hearts and lives. When you support us, you are a part of the kingdom advancement to countless people who listen. Here are just a few testimonies we recently received from listeners to YES FM: 

I was locked up at T.O.C.I. and through your radio and positive word for our father and his son. I have came to love the lord and now have only been out for a month and I have still walking in Christ and through his love and forgiving heart. I now know I can be a positive person with out all the drugs and crazyness in my life. Thank you for all the hard time I went through why I was in Toledo with out YES FM I would of never made it through it. 

LOVE THE MUSIC YOU PLAY! You guys make such a difference in the lives of your listeners. My family has been deeply affected by this radio station, my brother and sister have both found Christ through the music of YES FM. Thank you all so much. 

In Luke 10 Jesus sent out 70 disciples, and part of their instruction was, “But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ The Word peace is “Shalom”, which means “completeness, wholeness, welfare and health. It suggests speaking perfect wholeness of blessing to that household. They were to literally bring a word of complete peace and blessing into every aspect of that household.

Well, for 20 years YES FM has been coming into homes, car, phones and workplaces like your speaking words of peace and shalom through word and song. How valuable is that to homes and families today? 

If you would like to help us reach our goal and continue to bring “shalom” into homes then I would ask you to consider making a pledge at yeshome.com. Thank you for you love and support. 

In Him,
Todd Hostetler

Day 23 1 Samuel 29- 2 Samuel 2

2 Samuel 1

²³ Saul and Jonathan—beloved, beautiful! 
      Together in life, together in death. 
   Swifter than plummeting eagles, 
      stronger than proud lions. 
 ^24-25 Women of Israel, weep for Saul. 
      He dressed you in finest cottons and silks, 
      spared no expense in making you elegant. 
   The mighty warriors—fallen, fallen 
      in the middle of the fight! 
      Jonathan—struck down on your hills! 
 ²⁶ O my dear brother Jonathan, 
      I'm crushed by your death. 
   Your friendship was a miracle-wonder, 
      love far exceeding anything I've known— 
      or ever hope to know. 
 ²⁷ The mighty warriors—fallen, fallen. 
      And the arms of war broken to bits.

I've wondered why David was so affected by Samuel's death.  Samuel wanted David killed, had tried everything to kill him. And yet, David mourned deeply for him.  Jonathan, I can understand - they were like brothers... but Samuel?  

Whitney Houston died this weekend.  She was an American Icon.  Her life has been filled with accomplishments, but she clearly had much darkness in her.  People all over the world are mourning her right now, and many are ridiculing her and the choices she's made.

We don't know her, and yet we are all grieving the loss.  While she clearly had been fighting her own personal demons, she had done amazing things and brought joy to many.  And for that she will be missed.

So perhaps that is why David was able to mourn Samuel... while he did little good to David, he did great things for others.  And in his death, those things would cease.    

Day 22 1 Samuel 16-28

1 Samuel 17 ^41-42 As the Philistine paced back and forth, his shield bearer in front of him, he noticed David. He took one look down on him and sneered—a mere youngster, apple-cheeked and peach-fuzzed.
 ⁴³ The Philistine ridiculed David. "Am I a dog that you come after me with a stick?" And he cursed him by his gods.
 ⁴⁴ "Come on," said the Philistine. "I'll make roadkill of you for the buzzards. I'll turn you into a tasty morsel for the field mice."
 ^45-47 David answered, "You come at me with sword and spear and battle-ax. I come at you in the name of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, the God of Israel's troops, whom you curse and mock. This very day God is handing you over to me. I'm about to kill you, cut off your head, and serve up your body and the bodies of your Philistine buddies to the crows and coyotes. The whole earth will know that there's an extraordinary God in Israel. And everyone gathered here will learn that God doesn't save by means of sword or spear. The battle belongs to God—he's handing you to us on a platter!"
 ^48-49 That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine. David reached into his pocket for a stone, slung it, and hit the Philistine hard in the forehead, embedding the stone deeply. The Philistine crashed, facedown in the dirt.
 ⁵⁰ That's how David beat the Philistine—with a sling and a stone. He hit him and killed him. No sword for David!

David - a child in the eyes of all around him, defeated the greatest enemy that his people had ever seen. And he did it with a slingshot!  

I've heard many sermons about this particular passage of scripture.  There are Sunday School songs about David.  It's one of those stories that even non-Christians know about.

Like I said, I've probably heard dozens of sermons based David and Goliath.  Have heard explanation over his brother's behaviors, Saul's giving him armor, and how difficult it would be to hit someone dead-on with a stone and sling.  

But the one thing that I take away from it is how God used the tools that David knew how to use.  David didn't attempt to use the sword and armor; he used his sling.  He didn't have to learn something new, he just did what he could.

I think we all assume that we have to become something different than we are to do something good.  We don't have to learn something new to participate.  We all have gifts, we all have talents, and they all can be used of God.

I don't enjoy speaking in large groups - you probably won't see me giving any large presentations any time soon.  However, I like to write, and I don't care how many people read it.

I have a talent that can be used of God, and I'm very thankful for it.  Whatever your talents are, let them be seen, let them be used, and don't let anyone try to change you.

A personal prayer

I'm a wife.  I'm a mom.  I'm a business owner.  

I feel like I'm a bad wife because I don't get to see my husband that often.  He's either working, at school, or sleeping.  We haven't had a meal together in almost a week, and we haven't been able to play our nightly game of Phase 10 in almost 2... so much for that.

I fee like I'm a bad mom because I forgot to give my girls their notes for girl scouts so they could stay over.  I dropped them off after the kids were already at school - it's every week, why do I have to write a note every single week (I know why, I'm just venting).  

I feel like I'm a bad business owner because I'm not a good sales person, or an administrator.  I'm pretty good at doing the job, but closing the deal and getting the payment is tough for me...    

I just need things to be uneventful for a few days... it seems that every little thing is starting to build up, I can feel the crash coming...

I've had people actually tell me they were praying for me not to get a job that I'd interviewed for because they don't want us to move.  OK, so you'd rather I be stressed out and constantly on the go and working 70 hours a week,  just so I don't move?  (It's called Facebook, people, we can still talk to each other.)

I love my life, I just wish a few things would change a bit.  

Sometimes I wish I could go back and change the minor details that have changed our lives so dramatically... Sometimes I wish that I really did have someone in my corner, backing us up and supporting us, helping us through all the difficult decisions we've had to make.  

I've been praying for someone to take that step, to be the mentors that I need in family and in business.  I know people have seen me crying and praying at church.  I've had people tell me that I've been on their hearts.  But no one has actually offered me that guidance that I'm so desperate for.  I don't know who to ask.  

So I pray.  Lord, I ask you again: whoever it is that is meant to impact me, let them know I'm here and I'm ready.  

Day 21 1Samuel 3-15

1 Samuel 12  

 ^13-15 "So here's the king you wanted, the king you asked for. God has let you have your own way, given you a king. If you fear God, worship and obey him, and don't rebel against what he tells you. If both you and your king follow God, no problem. God will be sure to save you. But if you don't obey him and rebel against what he tells you, king or no king, you will fare no better than your fathers.

God created us to be led.  I believe His intention was for us to have leaders, mentors, guidance.  But not necessarily a "Ruler".  I believe that the role of the "Ruler" was what he had intended for himself.  


But His people asked.  And asked. And asked. And asked.  So He gave them one.   When we have God fearing leaders, and we are in tune to what God wants, then these leaders are doing what we want, in essence. Because we all want God's will, His plan to go forth.  


Does this always work - no.  Because of the fall, we don't all always look to Him. We look to us.  


This applies to everything - our homes, our churches, where we work, our government.


Look in you heart, Look to Him, and you will find the right paths to follow.  Join in communal prayer, and your community will discover the right leaders for you.

Day 20 Ruth 1 - 1 Samuel 2

1 Samuel 1The Message (MSG) 

^12-14 It so happened that as she continued in prayer before God, Eli was watching her closely. Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk. He approached her and said, "You're drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!"
 ^15-16 Hannah said, "Oh no, sir—please! I'm a woman hard used. I haven't been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I've been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don't for a minute think I'm a bad woman. It's because I'm so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I've stayed here so long."
 ¹⁷ Eli answered her, "Go in peace. And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him."
²⁰ Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, "I asked God for him."

Sometimes I think we push aside the people who have been praying for the same things for year after year... We say, "maybe it's just not God's Plan", or "He's heard you, He knows, let it lie."  And there may or may not be benefit to this.  I don't really know.


God is a loving God, He knows our hearts.  He knows what is best for us, better than we know for ourselves.


So why doesn't He just give us what we want, when we ask pray about it?  The timing may not be right.  Other unknown factors may be conflicting with it.  Even if you want it, it's not for you.


But if we are fervent in our prayers, God may be working on all the other factors preventing it.  Including you.

Day 19 Judges 11-21

Judges 13:2-7 The Message (MSG) 

 ^2-5 At that time there was a man named Manoah from Zorah from the tribe of Dan. His wife was barren and childless. The angel of God appeared to her and told her, "I know that you are barren and childless, but you're going to become pregnant and bear a son. But take much care: Drink no wine or beer; eat nothing ritually unclean. You are, in fact, pregnant right now, carrying a son. No razor will touch his head—the boy will be God's Nazirite from the moment of his birth. He will launch the deliverance from Philistine oppression."
 ^6-7 The woman went to her husband and said, "A man of God came to me. He looked like the angel of God—terror laced with glory! I didn't ask him where he was from and he didn't tell me his name, but he told me, 'You're pregnant. You're going to give birth to a son. Don't drink any wine or beer and eat nothing ritually unclean. The boy will be God's Nazirite from the moment of birth to the day of his death.'"

Most people know the story of Samson. His gift was given because of a promise by his parents to the Angle of the Lord.  They up agreed and upheld the promise they made, and raised him to follow the promise.

But he grew to be arrogant of his blessing, and threw it away by tempting Delilah and telling her his secret.  In stead of adhering to God's plan, he created his own.  And he ended up captured, blinded, and in prison.

I think we all need to take heed to the promises that are set out before us.  We've probably not had an audible conversation like Samson's parents did.  I remember, in a time of turmoil, crying out in pain and agony.  And I honestly thought I heard someone say to me, 'It's all going to work out, trust me'.  I looked up, looking for my husband.  But he wasn't there.  I found him in the basement watching TV.  And you know what, soon after that night, things began to improve.

There have been rules and guidelines that have been set out before us, and it is up to us to follow them.  He has a plan for us, as long as we look to Him, and follow the path set forth.