Mike's Show Notes

Morning Show Top 10

2008-05-26T12:59:00.004-04:00

Here the Top 10 list for the morning show on WRAF-FM

1. THE SONFLOWERZ/My Adoration (Independent)
2. GORDON MOTE/Don't Let Me Miss The Glory (Independent)
3. KRISSY NORDHOFF/Outrageous Love (Independent)
4. POINT OF GRACE/Heal The Wound (Word-Curb)
5. RICHIE MCDONALD/I Turn To You (Independent)
6. WAYBURN DEAN/Through The Rain (Independent)
7. LAURA STORY/Mighty To Save (INO)
8. JAIME JAMGOCHIAN/Sing Of Our God (Centricity)
9. MICHAEL W. SMITH/So Great (Reunion/Provident)
10. FEE/All Because Of Jesus (INO)

Let Us Never Forget

2008-05-26T08:13:00.003-04:00

On this Memorial Day as our troops are all over the globe protecting our freedoms and ensuring the freedoms of others, let us never forget those that gave the ultimate sacrifice - their lives. I would like to thank all of you who have served in our Armed Forces. For those who have lost loved ones, your sacrifice has not been forgotten.

I would also like to say thank you to my Lord and Savior, who also gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we all might spend eternity with Him. When there was no way we could regain our place, Christ gave His life so that we may have the gift of Heaven.

Need Some Help at the Pump?

2008-05-23T07:56:00.005-04:00

Just saw a report on this morning's Fox and Friends about saving money at the gas pump. Here are the tips that will help you out this holiday weekend:

Fill up the gas tank in the morning - gas is more dense in the morning.
Fill up at the half-way mark - you get better gas mileage and a truer tank of gas.
Don't fill up when the gas tanker truck is at the station.
Put nitrogen in your tires; make sure you keep your tires inflated.

Just a few tips that could save you a couple of bucks a week. Another tip that wasn't mentioned in the report is to watch your speed. I know from experience that traveling at the speed limit or a little slower save a ton of gas. Have a great holiday weekend!!

Sharing the Gospel... The Twitter Way

2008-05-22T12:55:00.006-04:00

I just finished reading a blog that challenges the readers to share the Gospel using 140 characters or less. In other words, use Twitter to share the Gospel. What a great idea!! If you would like to enter go to Brian Baute's blog and submit your concept. While you are there read some of the other entries. There are a few creative tweets there. You can see my attempt on my twitter to the right.

Indy Arrives Tomorrow!!

2008-05-21T19:52:00.004-04:00

Well, the wait is nearly over. Indiana Jones, after a 19 year hiatus, is back in theaters. Indy 4 survived Cannes and most everyone liked it. I for one cannot wait! I remember seeing the first Indy movie on visit to Chicago back in 1981. I was a young teenager with adventure, fotune and glory on my mind. What an experience! We have all three movies on DVD (the original box set) and my kids love the adventure. They are extremely excited about seeing this movie.

As we wait in line to buy tickets and popcorn what will you be thinking regarding Indiana Jones? I know for me it will be nostalgic; remembering my childhood and dreaming of adventure. Don't let your childhood dreams vanish. Look back on those days and see if any of those dreams came true, and if they haven't work at making them a reality.

Questions from Mark Ramsey to Radio Pros

2008-05-19T22:06:00.005-04:00

I just read this from Mark's blog Hear2.0 and thought it to be very thought provoking. Whether or not you are in radio, many of these questions you should answer.

1. What business are you in (answer thoughtfully)?

2. What do advertisers buy from you - really? Why choose you over other ways to reach their consumers?

3. Why do listeners tune you in? How much of the reason is related to your simplicity and ubiquity (both of which will be challenged in the years to come), and how much of it is related to your unique and compelling content?

4. How important is unique content to your continued success? Are you poised to be more or less unique in the future?

5. Why does radio - which helps clients market their wares - invest such a small proportion of its revenue in marketing its own stations? And why have many stations and groups cut their marketing expenditures to favor immediate cash flow, despite the obvious linkage between today's marketing and tomorrow's cash flow?

6. Why are local jocks often replaced by voice-tracked cyber-jocks who are only cheaper and not "better" than the jocks they replace? What does this signal to your audience?

7. Why does radio so abhor risks that it punishes those who take them when they fail? After all, those who fear to fail rarely achieve success.

8. Why is radio virtually alone among major industries in that it lacks high ranking executives with the term "marketing" in their title? An entire industry in the marketing business, but no executive in charge of "marketing"?

9. When was the last time you attended an industry event which had nothing to do with radio and everything to do with advertising or trends or digital media?

10. Why does radio cut its research budget to favor its short term cash flow without making the connection between R&D expenditures and its very future? Do you think Starbucks eliminated its R&D? Do you think GM did, despite their woes? Would Apple ever do this?

11. Why does radio continue to run freebie spots for HD radio when the listeners have already voted their lack of interest, thus assuring that we are spamming their ears with an irrelevant turn-off message? What does the lack of success of these spots say about the effectiveness of radio - and is that fair?

I don't think Mark is done yet.

WRAF - Morning Show Playlist

2008-05-19T17:00:00.001-04:00

ARTIST / Title (Label) / Spins / Rotation

LAURA STORY / Mighty To Save(INO) / 15 / Heavy
GORDON MOTE / Don't Let Me Miss The Glory(Independent) / 13 / Heavy
THE SONFLOWERZ / My Adoration(Independent) / 12 / Heavy
WAYBURN DEAN / Through The Rain(Independent) / 12 / Heavy
RICHIE MCDONALD / I Turn To You(Independent) / 10 / Heavy
MICHAEL W. SMITH / So Great(Reunion/Provident) / 8 / Medium
DENNIS JERNIGAN / I Cry Holy(Shepherd's Heart Music) / 7 / Medium
JAIME JAMGOCHIAN / Sing Of Our God(Centricity) / 7 / Medium
KENT BOTTENFIELD / A Son Of My Own(IBB Records) / 7 / Medium
KRISSY NORDHOFF / Outrageous Love(Independent) / 6 / Medium
POINT OF GRACE / Heal The Wound(Word-Curb) / 6 / Medium
SARA GROVES / It Might Be Hope(INO) / 6 / Medium
TWILA PARIS / Live To Praise(Independent) / 5 / Light
CHERI KEAGGY / You'll Always Be My Son(Independent) / 4 / Light
CHRIS RICE / Tell Me The Story(INO) / 3 / Light
RUSH OF FOOLS / Peace Be Still(Midas Records) / 3 / Light
FEE / All Because Of Jesus(INO) / 2 / Light
JIM COLE / Christ The Solid Rock(Independent) / 2 / Light

Sign Up to Win!

2008-05-14T06:21:00.007-04:00

Here's Information for Prince Caspian

2008-05-13T13:30:00.002-04:00

The Passing of a Legend

2008-05-12T07:34:00.003-04:00

Over the weekend, the Christian music community lost a legend; Dottie Rambo was killed in a bus accident in Missouri on her way to a concert in Texas. The bus Rambo toured in struck a guardrail and hit an embankment; Rambo died on the scene. Rambo was 74 years of old.

Even though Dottie Rambo's fame was found in Gospel music, she also wrote for some of country music's best known artists such as:

Elvis Presley - If That Isn't Love
Barbara Mandrell - I Will Glory in the Cross
The Oak Ridge Boys - Sailing Toward Home, He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Need, Mama Teaching Angels How to Sing
Dolly Parton - Stand By the River
Mel Tillis - Remember Me Dear Lord
Vince Gill - Tears Will Never Stain the Sheets of that City
Larry Gatlin - Sheltered in the Arms of God

Narnia Week Begins!

2008-05-12T06:27:00.007-04:00

One of the most anticipated movies of the summer opens this Friday - The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. It's all my kids have been talking about - sure they want to also see the latest Indy installment, but Prince Caspian will be the movie for them. This week I hope to post each day until the big premier.

Today, I want to let you know about Haven Today, a Christian radio program we air at Toccoa Falls Radio. This week they are speaking with Douglas Gresham, the step-son of C.S. Lewis. Gresham will be sharing about his life with Lewis and give some background on the book series that made him so famous. You can check out the daily program by clicking here.

Being Stretched and Encouraged

2008-05-09T18:33:00.007-04:00

These last two days have been very encouraging to me. Yesterday I spent the day at the Public Relations Society of America-Georgia chapter state conference and learned quite a bit about social media and how it will be changing public relations and marketing. If you have not yet dived into the Web2.0 world you are definitely missing out on tools and applications that will help your organization or ministry reach a new generation.

This afternoon, I spent two hours with, who I hope to have as a close friend, Rob Glass. Rob used to work with Stein Communications here in Atlanta. Rob's focus is working with higher education in developing communications plans and admissions/recruitment strategies. After a long career with Stein, Rob has decided to go out on his own. One day I will share with you his story on how God moved him into this new venture.

If you have not yet allowed God to stretch your thinking and, as Jabez put it, your boundaries you are truly missing out on a blessing. Don't get me wrong - for the most part this is not fun - but I can see how God will use these experiences for my good. Have a great weekend - don't forget to tell your mom you love her (or a mom in your sphere of influence that she is appreciated).

The Mom Song

2008-05-09T06:39:00.002-04:00

Here's a new song for moms from the group Go Fish

There's Nothing Like a Good Mom

2008-05-09T06:19:00.004-04:00

I've been blessed to have a great mom. She has been one of my greatest cheerleaders and encourager's. I am also married to a great mom - my wife Kathy. She has a done a great job with my kids, Jon-Michael and Kaity. I don't know what my life would be like with out these two women in my life.

The Boston Herald reported on a study released from salary.com that said mom's in U.S.America deserved a salary of nearly $117,000. WOW!! Talk about some coin. But can we really put a price on the work mom does in our homes and lives? I don't think so. I don't think there is a dollar amount we can assign to her work.

I know, at times, it's hard to buy a gift for mom for Mother's Day. Sometimes all it takes is a phone call just to let her know that you love her and that you appreciate her sacrifice. I know what my wife wants for Mother's Day - Inoko's!!

What a Weekend!!

2008-05-06T21:07:00.006-04:00

Sorry for not updating the last few days. Since last Friday the life has been a whirlwind. I accompanied my son on his class trip to Six Flags. Yeah, I already know what you are saying, "That must have been quite a sacrifice!" It was and I enjoyed every second of it. I didn't get to ride much but it was great seeing Jon-Michael having a blast.

The weekend was a full one as well. Jon-Michael had a day long baseball tournament - which his team won by the way - and my wife had to be at a few events to represent the Kids Resource Center. I had a great time just spending time with the family.

But like most stories go all good things must come to an end because on Monday I spent the entire day with over 100 residents of Barrow County waiting to be selected as a juror for one of three trials this week. Thankfully, I was released and I was able to get back to work.

Web 2.0

2008-04-30T10:05:00.001-04:00

The future is here

Reach Out with a Cup of Joe

2008-04-29T08:26:00.005-04:00

I read this morning about a church in our listening area that is doing a unique outreach to their community. Lilburn Christian Church has a Drive-Thru Coffee Ministry each Monday morning. What a great way to meet a need and minister at the same time. I wish more churches would come out of their buildings and meet needs in their local community.

As graduate students at Regent University, my wife and I attended Virginia Beach Vineyard Church. We did a lot of common place ministry throughout the area. During afternoon drive-time we stood in the medians and gave out ice cold bottles of water with information on our church on the label. During Christmas, the church rented a store front in the local mall and did baby sitting for parents who wanted to go shopping without having to watch their children at the same time.

These are just a few ideas to serve our mission fields right outside our church doors. Just something to think about

A Leader's Image

2008-04-28T06:34:00.005-04:00

From their book Building an Authentic Leadership Image, Corey Criswell and David Campbell give 8 image busters that every leader needs to be aware of:

Too much seriousness - Leaders don't need to be serious to be taken seriously. Smile every once in a while. Show that you can take a joke and can handle pressure with grace.
Weak speaking skills - People can spot a bad speaker a mile away. Poor speaking skills will not be tolerated for very long. Pay attention to not only what you are saying but how you are saying it.
Lack of clarity - Listeners tune out when the speaker is just rambling. Speaking with focus conveys a message of effectiveness.
Self-absorption - Be aware of the number times you use the pronouns "I", "me", and "my" when speaking; these isolate rather than gather. People want to be involved not just reported to.
Lack of Interest - Adding passion and energy to what you are saying conveys that you are interested in what's you are saying.
Obvious Discomfort - It is painful to watch a speaker who is genuinely uncomfortable in front of an audience. If you are tentative or uncomfortable in your role others will see it and question your leadership (especially in times of crisis).
Inconsistency - In your role as a leader, your role and your reputation become intertwined. Showing your self reliable and consistent (in all areas of your life) will aid in your leadership.
Defensiveness - An unwillingness to consider other views, a knee-jerk defense of your position or decision, or an inability to seek and hear feedback all undermine your image as a capable, effective leader.

The Last Lecture

2008-04-26T09:52:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago I came across a video of a professor from Carnegie Mellon University by the name of Randy Pausch who is currently suffering from a terminal illness. The university has a lecture series entitled "The Las Lecture" where the professor, if given only one day left on this earth, gives to his students what is most important to him. The university asked Prof. Pausch (before his illness was terminal) to present his last lecture. Once he found that his illness was terminal, this last lecture brought on a whole new meaning. Below is a video of that last lecture.

If you were given the opportunity to speak to all that means something to you on your last day what would you say? I was face with this question last night as I came across the book of Randy's last lecture. I haven't been able to get that question out of mind. So, I'm working on my last lecture. The lessons and thoughts that I have for my family, friends and colleagues. No, I don't have terminal disease, but time is all I have and I may find one day that I have a lot less of it.

Diet Coke and Mentos

2008-04-24T06:38:00.002-04:00

This is better than then fountain in front of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.

Care-a-thon Update

2008-04-23T12:38:00.002-04:00

God is truly blessing the ministry of Toccoa Falls Radio. Our audience has stepped up to the plate and have given generously to this media ministry. Here are the totals thus far:

$124,385 in faith-promise support

287 continuing faith-promises

39 first-time contributors

40 Daysponsors

If you would like to become a faith partner with Toccoa Falls Radio please click here.

We Carry His Presence

2008-04-23T07:16:00.004-04:00

There's a new Indiana Jones movie coming out soon and it got me thinking about the first movie where Indy and his friends go out and search for the lost Ark of the Covenant.

If you remember your Bible, the ark carried the presence of God. The Children of Israel would carry the ark in front of them as they traveled to the Promised Land. The Ark was also a "weapon" of sorts that protected the Israelites from their enemies.

At the time of the first movie there were so many books coming out about the the lost ark and the historical significance of the contents and what it was really all about, and caused a lot of people to begin asking the, "Where is the Ark of the Covenant?" What would happen if we found the lost ark? How would that affect the Christian church and the Jewish religion? You know something - YOU are the Ark. You carry the presence of God (if you have accepted Him).

According to 1 Cor. 6:19, Paul tells the church of Corinth that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Go back to your years of Sunday school - how was the Ark treated? It was an object of holiness. IT carried the presence of God. Should we not do the same. Just something to think about.

It's All About Perception

2008-04-22T11:08:00.003-04:00

I was a professor of Communication for a few years. In that time I made it a point to teach the idea, "It is never about intent - it's all about perception." I can't tell you the number of times that I miss communicated something or the person I was talking to didn't quite hear me. I always has to say, "That wasn't my intent." Friends, it's all about PERCEPTION!!.

In his latest blog, Phil Cooke puts this philosophy in perspective with regards to the current political culture. I urge you to read his blog today.

How Should a Christian Respond to Earth Day?

2008-04-22T09:38:00.004-04:00

Today is Earth Day! A tree huggers holiday. How do we as believers respond to this annual tradition. Do we ignore it as a pagan holiday for earth worshipers or do we take the opportunity to share how the earth was created by an all loving God?

In the latest edition of the The Christian Index, Jonathan Merritt, a Baptist seminary student, confronts this issue. He is the author of A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change and he presents a compelling argument of our (Christians) responsibility to be good stewards of the Creation God has given to us. I urge you to read the declaration and the articles in The Christian Index and make up your own mind.

I'm not an environmental alarmist, but I do know that God has given us a beautiful place to live and it is my responsibility to care for it. I'm reminded of the parable of the talents and that God has given us a great responsibility. How will you answer when He asks how well you took care of it?

Care-a-thon update #4

2008-04-19T00:14:00.003-04:00

I am continually amazed on how God uses His people to accomplish His Will. The listeners of Toccoa Falls Radio are truly coming through in a mighty way. Here are the latest faith promise numbers:

Amount raised: $117,440

Continuing faith-promises: 296

New faith-promises: 30

Daysponsors: 39

All of us at WRAF thank you for your continued support. For more information on joining our team please click here