He's Gone Country

God has led me to a major change in my life. For the past 6 years, I have been hosting an Oldies request show on Saturday nights. I have enjoyed doing that show very much. But I have accepted an offer to change stations and host a different request show. Starting Saturday, Sept 4th, I will be hosting the debut of Big Dog Saturday Night on 96.9 in Dothan. It will be a Country music request show. This is a real big deal. The station is huge!! It is the number 1 station in the market, with tens of thousands of listeners! As far as radio goes in this area, 96.9 is the big time. It is like I have been called up to the Major Leagues. I have been blessed with 23 years in the radio business. I have worked at several stations over that 23-year span, but I find myself more excited about this opportunity than any others I have ever had in radio. God is awesome! Although I have to admit to being nervous about the challenge, I am certain that God will see me through it.

I am so proud to serve Jesus Christ! Even in my bad times, He has always been right there leading me by the hand. To me, I have a wonderful life. God blessed me with the most incredible daughter in the world, He gave me an extremely rewarding career as a high school and college math teacher, and now He has led me to a point in my radio career that, honestly, I never thought I would be. It is nearly 1 in the morning, and I have to be up at 6. I am so excited about what He has done that I can't even sleep. I had to jump on here and share it all with you. As I close tonight's devotion, I encourage you to reflect on the things God has given you. I know it seems so much easier to focus on the things we don't have, but God promised that if we put Him first, all those other things will come at the right time. I have never believed that nearly as much as I do at this very moment. Thank-you Sweet Jesus!

Psalm 95:1 says, "Oh come, let us sing unto the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation"

Father, you've done it again! I don't deserve half of what you have given me. Thank you for this new opportunity you have placed before me. I could not have gotten here without You, and I know I can only be successful because of You. In Jesus name, Amen.

Back To School

For the teachers in Dothan City Schools, it is back to work today. The summer is over. It is always sad to see that nice, long vacation come to an end. But the arrival of the new school year does bring exciting new opportunities from God. I wanted to share what God has done to me over this past summer. When the school-year ended, the math teacher with the highest amount of seniority in the department retired after 35 incredible years of teaching. That put me at the top in seniority of the math department. I have waited patiently for her good classes, and expected to get those classes once she retired. Well, I didn't. In fact, instead of getting any upper-level classes, I got below-level ones. At first I was angry, but then realized that is was not anger as much as it was hurt feelings. Everyone wants to feel like they are moving up at work. And after 15 years of waiting, my time had come. But I was moved down instead and it crushed my spirit. As I thought back over my performance from the previous year, it was easy to see why I hadn't moved up at all. Most of the year, I carried a bad attitude, fussed at everything I was asked to do, and just generally had a bad year. Would I have given myself the upper-level classes if I had been in the Principal's shoes? Honestly, I don't think I could have.

So after some serious praying and asking all parties to forgive me, I started the summer with the attitude that I got the classes that God allowed me to get, and He doesn't make mistakes. Over the summer, I was asked to tutor some needy students for a 2-week period, and I immediately accepted. Then a week later, I was asked to go to a conference out of town for 5 days. Again, I did not hesitate. Some time after returning from the conference, my principal complimented me and how much of a change he had seen in my attitude in just a short time. I told him that God straightened me out. I want you to know, while I was at school yesterday, "certain unforeseen circumstances" occurred, and as a result, my schedule was changed to include two of the highest-level courses that the school offers. I was so shocked and excited! One may call it a coincidence. However, we who trust in Jesus know there are no coincidences. I totally believe God stepped in and helped me get those classes, but only after I admitted my bad attitude and asked Him to fix it for me. I just love Jesus! What is it that He can't do? I know this "miracle" only pales in comparison to others. But to me, it is a perfectly clear sign that God still helps those who love Him.

Jeremiah 17:10 says, "I, the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve"

Father, thank-you for continuing to be real in my everyday life. Please give me the strength to continue back to writing these daily devotions. In Jesus name, Amen.