I don't know if I'm getting old, or if my schedule is getting busier, but I sure am glad that it's Friday, and that I have no appointments or committments today or tomorrow.
I sold some advertising this week, so it looks like KSTA might be coming out of the advertising slump that we briefly endured in March.
Now time to start work on my sermon.
Showing posts with label KSTA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KSTA. Show all posts
Friday, March 27, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Is it in the water? No. Look to the parenting.
This morning, I played "The Fool" by Lee Ann Womack on my radio show on KSTA. Lee Ann Womack is from my hometown of Jacksonville, Tex. Her father was a radio personality for KEBE in Jacksonville, owned by Dudley Waller, whose company would never hire me... but that's a completely separate issue from this post.
While the song played, I began to think about my alma mater, Jacksonville High School.
Over the past 25 years, Jacksonville High School has produced two successful major-label country music singers (Lee Ann Womack and Neal McCoy), three NFL players (Former Dallas Cowboys' punter Toby Gowin, current Tampa Bay back-up quarterback Luke McCown and current Miami back-up quarterback Josh McCown), several other pro football players who played in leagues like the Arena Football League, numerous Division I college football stand-outs (Randy McCown, former Texas A&M quarterback and Richard Whitaker, former Texas A&M runningback), and that's just the high profile success stories.
We have Jacksonville alumni working with the outreach division of the Republican Party. Some have launched successful businesses, while others serve God in the ministry.
Most towns have that one football star that made it. (Rusk has Dr. Jim Swink). Other towns might have that local resident who rose to fame (Coleman has Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn, Lindale has Miranda Lambert, Henderson has Jim Reeves). It is not that common for a town to have as many success stories as Jacksonville.
So, what's with the success stories? Is it something in the water? Having drank Jacksonville water, I can gaurantee you, NO!. Is it the fabulous school system? No. Jacksonville schools have struggled with accreditation ratings and are having to rely too heavily on portable buildings to accomodate its students. That being said, I want to emphasize that when I was in school, we had some of the best teachers in public education.
No, the difference is in the parenting. Lee Ann Womack's mother was a teacher at Jacksonville High School. Her father took her to work with him. They set her up for success.
The McCown brothers' (Luke, Josh and Randy) father taught them to be successful quarterbacks. He taught them a solid work ethic and a strong sense of respect. One of the brothers has even made it public that he is surrendering to the ministry. At the present time, he says he plans on using his football career for God's honor and glory, but after football is over, he plans to serve the Lord in the ministry. The other two McCown brothers are class acts as well.
Toby Gowin's mother taught biology at Jacksonville High School. Her biology class was hard enough, as her philosophy was to set very high standards and empower her students to rise to the occasion. No challenge meant no growth. She forbad her sons from owning home video games like the PS3 (Or SuperNintendo back in that day), though they were allowed to play if they were at a friends house. They were required to change their own oil in their cars, etc. One time, one of her sons made a failing grade in college, and we thought were were going to have to plan a funeral.
The point is that these parents strongly disciplined their children, witheld things that would be detrimental to their kids, and trained and groomed their kids for success. Some of these parents, if not all, even brought their kids up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
These parents did not view their child's success as a game of chance, neither did they buy into the idea that we were just lowly country people capable of little else than continuing the life-cycle of our small town. They grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns and reared (not raised) their children. (For a difference between rear and raise, email me). The results are in the pudding.
These kids did not grow up perfect, but they had the opportunity to maximize their potential. Without loving parents to discipline kids, remove destructive influences and conditions, and to train them up in the way they should go, the natural progression is for further rebellion, mistakes, and lifestyle decline. The natural result is failure, both secular and spiritual.
Young parent, your child's future is not up to chance, neither is it limited by your area's socio-economic deficiencies. Your child's future is dependent on your willingness to make the tough choices, take the tough stands, put forth the effort and sacrifice to groom them for success (spiritual and secular) and their desire to follow your parenting. It'll be the toughest thing you ever do, but you can do it, especially if you are living with Jesus as your Savior.
While the song played, I began to think about my alma mater, Jacksonville High School.
Over the past 25 years, Jacksonville High School has produced two successful major-label country music singers (Lee Ann Womack and Neal McCoy), three NFL players (Former Dallas Cowboys' punter Toby Gowin, current Tampa Bay back-up quarterback Luke McCown and current Miami back-up quarterback Josh McCown), several other pro football players who played in leagues like the Arena Football League, numerous Division I college football stand-outs (Randy McCown, former Texas A&M quarterback and Richard Whitaker, former Texas A&M runningback), and that's just the high profile success stories.
We have Jacksonville alumni working with the outreach division of the Republican Party. Some have launched successful businesses, while others serve God in the ministry.
Most towns have that one football star that made it. (Rusk has Dr. Jim Swink). Other towns might have that local resident who rose to fame (Coleman has Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn, Lindale has Miranda Lambert, Henderson has Jim Reeves). It is not that common for a town to have as many success stories as Jacksonville.
So, what's with the success stories? Is it something in the water? Having drank Jacksonville water, I can gaurantee you, NO!. Is it the fabulous school system? No. Jacksonville schools have struggled with accreditation ratings and are having to rely too heavily on portable buildings to accomodate its students. That being said, I want to emphasize that when I was in school, we had some of the best teachers in public education.
No, the difference is in the parenting. Lee Ann Womack's mother was a teacher at Jacksonville High School. Her father took her to work with him. They set her up for success.
The McCown brothers' (Luke, Josh and Randy) father taught them to be successful quarterbacks. He taught them a solid work ethic and a strong sense of respect. One of the brothers has even made it public that he is surrendering to the ministry. At the present time, he says he plans on using his football career for God's honor and glory, but after football is over, he plans to serve the Lord in the ministry. The other two McCown brothers are class acts as well.
Toby Gowin's mother taught biology at Jacksonville High School. Her biology class was hard enough, as her philosophy was to set very high standards and empower her students to rise to the occasion. No challenge meant no growth. She forbad her sons from owning home video games like the PS3 (Or SuperNintendo back in that day), though they were allowed to play if they were at a friends house. They were required to change their own oil in their cars, etc. One time, one of her sons made a failing grade in college, and we thought were were going to have to plan a funeral.
The point is that these parents strongly disciplined their children, witheld things that would be detrimental to their kids, and trained and groomed their kids for success. Some of these parents, if not all, even brought their kids up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
These parents did not view their child's success as a game of chance, neither did they buy into the idea that we were just lowly country people capable of little else than continuing the life-cycle of our small town. They grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns and reared (not raised) their children. (For a difference between rear and raise, email me). The results are in the pudding.
These kids did not grow up perfect, but they had the opportunity to maximize their potential. Without loving parents to discipline kids, remove destructive influences and conditions, and to train them up in the way they should go, the natural progression is for further rebellion, mistakes, and lifestyle decline. The natural result is failure, both secular and spiritual.
Young parent, your child's future is not up to chance, neither is it limited by your area's socio-economic deficiencies. Your child's future is dependent on your willingness to make the tough choices, take the tough stands, put forth the effort and sacrifice to groom them for success (spiritual and secular) and their desire to follow your parenting. It'll be the toughest thing you ever do, but you can do it, especially if you are living with Jesus as your Savior.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Mission: Brownwood Feb 09 Report
Grace Pointe attendance solidifies
Grace Pointe actually saw an improvement in attendance in February. We saw our low attendance at 11, with a high attendance of 15.
Another encouraging sign is the fact that our core is becoming more consistent in their attendance. In fact, one of our newest members actually had the hours of her new job worked around church services.
Our youth programs on Tuesday night got off to a good start. Our high attendance was 15 on Feb. 3, with a low attendance of 6 on Feb 24.
We set a new record for average attendance at Market Place for Wednesday evening attendance. That average attendance was 14. Our high attendance was 17 on Feb. 18. Our low was 12.
Core Group and regular attendees progress
One of our regular attendees from Market Place is now attending Sunday services at Grace Pointe and is taking an active role in the ministries of our mission.
One of our core families has not only become more faithful in their attendance, but they are actively applying the teaching and preaching to their lives and are making Spiritual and practical progress.
Grace Pointe’s core group is now mulling VBS plans for this summer.
Thank you for your prayers.
Building fund off to slow start
There are currently three church buildings on the market in Brownwood, with a fourth that could be purchased with the right offer.
These buildings range in price from $150,000 - $250,000. One will soon be available for rent for $600/month. I think we should expect to pay approximately $150,000-$175,000.
Currently, we have $300 in our building fund.
Our plans for Grace Pointe’s organization are not contingent on having a building. However, in West Central Texas, buildings can be a useful tool when it comes to visibility, as well as offering sufficient space for worship services and teaching ministries.
KSTA Radio suffers serious technical damage
I am employed as the station manager for KSTA radio in nearby Coleman, Tex., a position I have held since July 2008.
This month, KSTA’s main studio console failed, forcing me to make alternate broadcast arrangements and consuming much of my time with technical adjustments, plus additional weekend monitoring.
As of the writing of this report, the issues have been repaired. However, the added stress and lost time related to this incident have taxed the mission immeasurably.
Mission: Brownwood returns to the Brownwood Housing Authority
In March, Ken and Barbara Sibley will bring their program to Brownwood. We are planning a three-day event which will include presentations at Market Place, the Brownwood Housing Authority and Grace Pointe MBM. We are really excited to reconnect with the kids we ministered to at the housing authority.
By The Numbers….
Attendance
Grace Pointe MBM (Sunday Mornings)
2/1 – 11
2/8 – 14
2/15 – 11
2/22 – 15
Grace Pointe MBM (Tuesday Youth)
2/3 – 15
2/10 – 9
2/17 – 13
2/24 – 6
Total Grace Pointe Offerings: $415
Market Place (Wednesday Evenings)
2/4 – 15
2/11 – 12
2/18 – 17
2/25 – 12
Finances
Support
Heritage BC (Tyler, TX) $100
John Nickle (Rusk, TX) $25
MBA of Texas - $1,911
Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland) $100
White Rock MBC (Center, TX) $100
Muse MBC (Grapeland, TX) $200
58th Ave MBC (Amarillo, TX) $102.39
East Side MBC (Jacksonville, TX) $100
Quaker Ave MBC (Lubbock, TX) $100
Wyndrock MBC (Abilene, TX) $40
Nevill’s Chapel MBC (Mt. Pleasant, TX)
$150.29
RidgeCrest MBC (Levelland, TX) $25
Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) $50
Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) $50
Expenses
Salary - $1,000
Housing - $700
Insurance allowance - $211
Multi-media projector - $703.61
Brownwood Housing Authority Community Center Rental - $100
(From Grace Pointe’s account)
Youth ministry curriculum - $953.
There are currently three church buildings on the market in Brownwood, with a fourth that could be purchased with the right offer.
These buildings range in price from $150,000 - $250,000. One will soon be available for rent for $600/month. I think we should expect to pay approximately $150,000-$175,000.
Currently, we have $300 in our building fund.
Our plans for Grace Pointe’s organization are not contingent on having a building. However, in West Central Texas, buildings can be a useful tool when it comes to visibility, as well as offering sufficient space for worship services and teaching ministries.
KSTA Radio suffers serious technical damage
I am employed as the station manager for KSTA radio in nearby Coleman, Tex., a position I have held since July 2008.
This month, KSTA’s main studio console failed, forcing me to make alternate broadcast arrangements and consuming much of my time with technical adjustments, plus additional weekend monitoring.
As of the writing of this report, the issues have been repaired. However, the added stress and lost time related to this incident have taxed the mission immeasurably.
Mission: Brownwood returns to the Brownwood Housing Authority
In March, Ken and Barbara Sibley will bring their program to Brownwood. We are planning a three-day event which will include presentations at Market Place, the Brownwood Housing Authority and Grace Pointe MBM. We are really excited to reconnect with the kids we ministered to at the housing authority.
By The Numbers….
Attendance
Grace Pointe MBM (Sunday Mornings)
2/1 – 11
2/8 – 14
2/15 – 11
2/22 – 15
Grace Pointe MBM (Tuesday Youth)
2/3 – 15
2/10 – 9
2/17 – 13
2/24 – 6
Total Grace Pointe Offerings: $415
Market Place (Wednesday Evenings)
2/4 – 15
2/11 – 12
2/18 – 17
2/25 – 12
Finances
Support
Heritage BC (Tyler, TX) $100
John Nickle (Rusk, TX) $25
MBA of Texas - $1,911
Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland) $100
White Rock MBC (Center, TX) $100
Muse MBC (Grapeland, TX) $200
58th Ave MBC (Amarillo, TX) $102.39
East Side MBC (Jacksonville, TX) $100
Quaker Ave MBC (Lubbock, TX) $100
Wyndrock MBC (Abilene, TX) $40
Nevill’s Chapel MBC (Mt. Pleasant, TX)
$150.29
RidgeCrest MBC (Levelland, TX) $25
Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) $50
Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) $50
Expenses
Salary - $1,000
Housing - $700
Insurance allowance - $211
Multi-media projector - $703.61
Brownwood Housing Authority Community Center Rental - $100
(From Grace Pointe’s account)
Youth ministry curriculum - $953.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
POST # 300!!!!
May this serve as a testament that I talk way too much!
Big weekend in store for me this week. This afternoon, I am once again filling in on the afternoon show on News/Talk 96.9 KXYL-FM in Brownwood. Mark Cope and I will go on right after Sean Hannity.
Tomorrow, I have work at KSTA, then I will head over to a church member's house for some discipleship, then fishing. Saturday will be the Southwest Assoc. Mission Rally at Beacon Baptist Church in San Angelo. Saturday afternoon, I will canvass the neighborhoods.
Sunday, I will preach the first in a series called "Extreme Makeover, Family Edition."
Monday, it's back to work.
We had a round of ice storms Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Tuesday evening, we held our youth program, then I returned to Coleman and waited out the storm at my radio station, KSTA. Wednesday morning, I spent the morning giving weather and road updates, and announcing school closings. Thanks be to God, KSTA radio suffered no real damage during the storm. Our sister stations in Brownwood had some trouble, but such is to be expected in this industry.
Big weekend in store for me this week. This afternoon, I am once again filling in on the afternoon show on News/Talk 96.9 KXYL-FM in Brownwood. Mark Cope and I will go on right after Sean Hannity.
Tomorrow, I have work at KSTA, then I will head over to a church member's house for some discipleship, then fishing. Saturday will be the Southwest Assoc. Mission Rally at Beacon Baptist Church in San Angelo. Saturday afternoon, I will canvass the neighborhoods.
Sunday, I will preach the first in a series called "Extreme Makeover, Family Edition."
Monday, it's back to work.
We had a round of ice storms Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Tuesday evening, we held our youth program, then I returned to Coleman and waited out the storm at my radio station, KSTA. Wednesday morning, I spent the morning giving weather and road updates, and announcing school closings. Thanks be to God, KSTA radio suffered no real damage during the storm. Our sister stations in Brownwood had some trouble, but such is to be expected in this industry.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Catching Up
With the end of the year, I have been frantically running to renew my annual advertising contracts for KSTA radio, plus the usual holiday celebrations (both Christmas and New Year's), weekly outreach canvassing activities, dates with my wife and the preparation of sermons and Bible studies. Thus, I haven't had much blogging time lately.
It seems though, as things are calming down, so I have time to give you an update. One of our regular attendees was in Central Texas last weekend, and another family was sick, so we wound up with 8 people present for the second Sunday morning in a row. While that did shoot down my Morning Worship average for my monthly report, the truth is that I am not doing this work for the sake of filing reports.
Last week, we didn't have services at Market Place due to it being Christmas Eve. We are having services tonight, though.
Currently, we are working to bring more people into the Grace Pointe fold.
It seems though, as things are calming down, so I have time to give you an update. One of our regular attendees was in Central Texas last weekend, and another family was sick, so we wound up with 8 people present for the second Sunday morning in a row. While that did shoot down my Morning Worship average for my monthly report, the truth is that I am not doing this work for the sake of filing reports.
Last week, we didn't have services at Market Place due to it being Christmas Eve. We are having services tonight, though.
Currently, we are working to bring more people into the Grace Pointe fold.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Work is going well
Things are going well at KSTA. Today, my interview with Coleman County Judge Jimmie Hobbs aired during the 7 a.m. hour of the morning show. Tomorrow, I interview the director of the Chamber of Commerce, and i interview the school superintendent Friday.
Ad sales are going well. It's way easier to sell out here than in East Texas.
Ad sales are going well. It's way easier to sell out here than in East Texas.
Friday, August 1, 2008
It's in the Lord's hands
We have canvassed every door at the Sunset/Terrace complex of the Brownwood Housing Authority, put up a giant banner outside the community center, and had lots of one-on-one interaction with the local children.
We have been blessed with committments from volunteers, have plenty of material to get us through the first few weeks of VBS. Response in the community has been good, but that does not always result in good turnout. Never the less, we are doing VBS for God's glory, not our own. Whether we have 10 or 100 children, we will have VBS every Saturday, ministering to whatever children we have.
I'm hoping things go well. After talking with my pastor, Bro. Charles Swilling, we have decided to forego renting the building. Even though the rent is a good rate, we feel it would be best to take more time to build a core group before we make such a move. We have also decided to see how things go in the apartments this month to see if apartment ministries wouldn't be a better way to get started in Brownwood.
Speaking of apartments... my wife has landed a job as the recreation director of two apartment complexes in Brownwood. Look for more developments on this in the near future.
Things are going well at KSTA. I officially took over as station manager today and have already sold $2,250 worth of advertising.
I'm a little nervous right now. I have moved out here to Brownwood, accepted a ministry and a position and have not left myself a safety net. Basically, I have a slight fear of failure. This fear of failure motivates me to keep moving and trying.
Hey, if you myspace, check out my myspace page and send me a friends request. This is another tool I am using to network with people in the Brownwood area.
God bless,
Leland
We have been blessed with committments from volunteers, have plenty of material to get us through the first few weeks of VBS. Response in the community has been good, but that does not always result in good turnout. Never the less, we are doing VBS for God's glory, not our own. Whether we have 10 or 100 children, we will have VBS every Saturday, ministering to whatever children we have.
I'm hoping things go well. After talking with my pastor, Bro. Charles Swilling, we have decided to forego renting the building. Even though the rent is a good rate, we feel it would be best to take more time to build a core group before we make such a move. We have also decided to see how things go in the apartments this month to see if apartment ministries wouldn't be a better way to get started in Brownwood.
Speaking of apartments... my wife has landed a job as the recreation director of two apartment complexes in Brownwood. Look for more developments on this in the near future.
Things are going well at KSTA. I officially took over as station manager today and have already sold $2,250 worth of advertising.
I'm a little nervous right now. I have moved out here to Brownwood, accepted a ministry and a position and have not left myself a safety net. Basically, I have a slight fear of failure. This fear of failure motivates me to keep moving and trying.
Hey, if you myspace, check out my myspace page and send me a friends request. This is another tool I am using to network with people in the Brownwood area.
God bless,
Leland
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Blood for oil, church building and rock stars
I read the online edition of The Cherokeean Herald today, much to my dismay. My column was preempted for an editorial piece that claimed that George W. Bush sent our troops into Iraq to destabilize the price of oil, making it more profitable to drill in the U.S. Of all things, the primary source for this claim was a nameless land man the writer had met while eating dinner in Nacogdoches. I thought the "no blood for oil" argument was discredited before the war even began. Oh, well.
The church building still sits behind TxDOTs' broken highway. I hope TxDOT finishes the repairs before the legislature abolishes them. Yep! That's right! There is word that the Texas Legislature may abolish TxDOT due to its horrendous accounting practices and determination toward toll roads. I will move on this property, but would like to solidify my core group before having to take that step.
The people of Coleman and the management of my new radio station continue to treat me like a rock star. Things are going really well and people are treating me really nicely. I told the owner that I was waiting for the shoe to drop... you know, that sudden reality check that will hit me that this job is not going to be as simple as promised, only to be told that "there is no shoe... nothing will drop." I'm really beginning to get the warm and fuzzy about this job.
The church building still sits behind TxDOTs' broken highway. I hope TxDOT finishes the repairs before the legislature abolishes them. Yep! That's right! There is word that the Texas Legislature may abolish TxDOT due to its horrendous accounting practices and determination toward toll roads. I will move on this property, but would like to solidify my core group before having to take that step.
The people of Coleman and the management of my new radio station continue to treat me like a rock star. Things are going really well and people are treating me really nicely. I told the owner that I was waiting for the shoe to drop... you know, that sudden reality check that will hit me that this job is not going to be as simple as promised, only to be told that "there is no shoe... nothing will drop." I'm really beginning to get the warm and fuzzy about this job.
Friday, July 4, 2008
It all goes down Monday!!!!
I will host Coleman County This Morning on Radio 1000 KSTA-AM in Coleman, TX. After next week, I'll continue to co-host the show with out-going Station Manager Daniel Stovall, before taking over as Station Manager on August 1.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
New job offered, accepted.
I have accepted the position of station manager for KSTA-AM in Coleman, TX, a small town approximately 25 miles outside of Brownwood. I will do the morning show from 6-9 AM, and the noon news, selling advertising in between. This job will allow me to go home sooner, thus facilitating after-work evangelism, Bible studies and outreach ministries. Weekends are free, so I can attend Southwest Assoc. mission rallies and preach freely on Sundays.
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS!!!! HE HAS OPENED SO MANY DOORS!
PRAISE GOD FOR HIS BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS!!!! HE HAS OPENED SO MANY DOORS!
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