That’s Elbert With An E

Editor’s Note: This is a post I wrote for the WKNZ - Z88.7 blog. This is a new Christian radio station starting in our area. The station’s blog is here.

WKNZ had a planning meeting this past Thursday, June 19. This was the first meeting I attended. Being the first, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What I found was a healthy amount of excitement surrounding the new station. Bill shared some recent news surrounding the beginning stages. Andy shared the first results of the survey taken by the station. It was certainly encouraging reading over the responses.

Bill shared some of the vision he has regarding the station’s involvement in the local Christian community. This is something that resonated in me. While I’ve listened to many Christian radio stations over the web, they don’t provide the local connection that many of us in southern Delaware have had in the past.

Bill Sammons Sr. began the meeting with a Scripture reading and exhortation. He spoke about expressing a Christian world view. This is needed today, maybe more than ever. There is certainly a decline in a understanding of the Gospel and it’s practical applications in our day. Broadcasting the truth of the Gospel in a relevant manner is certain to not only encourage the believers in Christ but also draw those who need to be transformed by it’s power.

This is certainly affirmed in the Scripture. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” (Colossians 1:25-28, NIV)

One important thing discussed during the meeting was spreading the word about WKNZ. Several ideas for accomplishing this were brought up. I would certainly encourage those of you who are reading this post to past this blog along to your Christian friends in the area. Encourage them to visit and fill out the survey. Your input is valuable and needed to make the ministry here most effective. And if you have a blog yourself, please consider writing a post about WKNZ and provide links to the station’s blog located here.

This post was cross-posted on the WKNZ blog.

A new Christian radio station for southern Delaware is in the works! WKNZ - Z88.7FM is going to be a 25,000 watt station with it’s tower in Harrington and studios in Milton. For some perspective on it’s power, those of you that remember the former WXPZ - The Light FM might not know it was only a 3000 watt station. Simply put, this station is going to cover a large area!

From their web site:

Probably the #1 one question I’m asked while telling people about the station is “what will it sound like?” One thing we do know, it will be non-commercial. Other than that, we are in the process of working on that… Click here to be linked to a survey that will help us put those pieces together. What’s important to you? We can’t wait to find out!

We are just literally getting started in the process of building a radio station. What do we need? Everything… Your prayers and financial support are first though! The station will probably be built in HD (or High Definition). There is not a significant additional expense to use HD when building from scratch in 2008. (It’s a very expensive upgrade, though!) HD allows us some very neat opportunities down the line…

Please stop by their web site, Z887.org, their blog, or jump right to the survey and let them know what you think! And please spread the word about the station!

This is too cool. 43 year old Tommy DeCarlo from Charlotte, NC is the new lead vocalist for the classic rock band Boston. He got the job after band members heard his karaoke recordings of their songs. Founding member Tom Scholz said DeCarlo’s voice sounded just like Brad Delp, the former lead vocalist who committed suicide in 2006.

DeCarlo sang at the tribute concert last year. Regarding his performance, Scholz said:

“Even at the tribute, I heard a few people say it was a little eerie to hear Tommy sing, because it sounded like Brad up there.”

Sounds like rock’n roll dreams come true even for 40-somethings.

Story links: ABC News and CNet

I’m going to be a busy dude this coming week. First, I will be preaching on Sunday morning 5/25 at Delmar Christian Center. Part of the DCC worship team will be playing at the Laurel High School Baccalaureate service on Tuesday 5/27. In addition, part of the DCC worship team will be supporting the DCC drama team on Wednesday 5/28 in Westover, MD. So that’s three dates in four days. Giving this string of dates a tour name seemed to be appropriate. Hey if nothing else it would be fun. Back in the day, Jars of Clay would have some interesting tour names. One that stood out was “The 3 O’Clock Parade” tour. For the string of dates coming up this week, I think “The Dazed and Confused Tour” seemed nice, but it doesn’t sound very religious. Some might argue that it lacks faith. So to you, the reader, I ask for your help. Would you have an idea for a name for this 3 date tour?

Steven Curtis Chapman is a singer-songwriter who has been making music since the mid 1980’s. A couple of days ago his 5 year-old adopted daughter was killed tragically in an accident at home. Earlier this week some discussion had been stirred up as a result of Ted Kennedy’s cancer discovery. In both of these stories we see tragedy comes to us all. We all can hurt. We all can feel pain.

I’ve never lost a child but I’ve got a daughter graduating from high school next week that makes me feel that connection to Chapman. I had just bought his song “Cinderella” from Amazon earlier this week. As I watch my little girl cross a milestone, thoughts of her growing up run through my head and warm my heart. It’s sometimes hard to listen to the song.

Michelle Malkin has a tear-jerker of a post regarding Chapman’s loss. It’s worth your time.

The AP has a news story here. The entry on Steven Curtis Chapman at Wikipedia is here.

Recently my oldest son ordered the new Hawk Nelson CD, Hawk Nelson Is My Friend. He actually had pre-ordered the CD so he could obtain some extras. A lot of the artists we enjoy like offering those release week premiums because it gives them a nice debut position on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart. I can’t remember where these guys charted their release week but was in the top 100. One of the premiums on this release was the band members in bobbleheads.

My reaction to this: please don’t do that again.

And the winner is…..

David Cook!!!

Man, he rocked tonight with ZZ Top playing “Sharp Dressed Man.”

Guess I’d better start saving my pennies for his CD.