The August 1998 Newsletter

From the Manager
Lee J. Martinez

A few years ago Joanna and I decided to take a vacation in the Smoky Mountains. We were anxious to get away since we needed the rest and we were going to join family members up there. We decided to leave late and travel through the night which would put us at our destination with a minimum of "wasted" travel time and less traffic.

We were making good time and had changed drivers long enough for me to take a nap but I'm always more comfortable in the drivers seat (if you know what I mean). At dawn we were somewhere in South Carolina and I was ready to switch the headlights off. Everything was going well when I suddenly felt a vibration and heard a rumble. My first impression was a blow out, but as I tensed to slow the car down and stay in control I realized it was something else. It was the warning strip on the shoulder of the road. Just a foot or so off the main road, maintenance crews had etched a foot wide set of grooves. It is a simple but effective way of making you aware that you are straying and are in danger. I quickly brought the car to the center of the lane and became very alert. It was the first time I really noticed the warning system and from there on I was amazed to see that the entire interstate has this safety system.

I'm not sure how I strayed, but for a moment I was not aware of where I should be and had come dangerously close to going off the road. It only had to happen once and I was wide awake and aware for the rest of the trip. I was very grateful for the warning and cannot imagine what might have happened if the road had not turned intentionally rough. I appreciated the chance to learn a gentle lesson from my experience.

A warning has to be something out of the ordinary or we are unable to discern its meaning. A rough spot makes us more aware of our surroundings. A flashing red or blue light makes us more cautious as we drive. A persistent or excruciating pain tells us to seek help. A harsh (and loving ) word from a friend brings us to a point of rethinking what we are doing or making changes for our good. An interruption to our favorite TV program, especially if it is a weather bulletin, usually gives us opportunity to make choices early enough to make a difference. Back home if you heard a dry buzzing sound on the trail ahead, which always made the hair on the back of your neck stand out, you were able to avoid the snake sharing the path with you.

Some unusual things have been happening across our country. Things that are out of the ordinary. Record amounts of rain in some areas, record heat and the lack of rain in others. We've experienced suffocating heat and critically dry weather. It was just natural that if there was no relief the next step would be the fires and smoke. Since we in Florida are between two great bodies of water it's logical to feel this could never happen. Surely the clouds would form to the east or west and keep Florida lush and green. Weathermen can confidently observe and tell us what is happening (El Nino) but who can tell us why? Florida was only one of many states having problems. Other states ironically had too much of what we needed and visa versa. We have learned that we are not in control.

Could it be a warning that God is ready to call us to account for what we are doing or not doing? Is He telling us there is still time to turn as a nation but that we can't keep going the direction we have chosen?

When God unleashes the famines and pestilence of Revelation could they not naturally start with droughts, floods and earthquakes? These things are being experienced more frequently now than in any other time in history. If the past month or so was a taste, let's remember it doesn't have to get worse before it gets better. If this was intended to be a warning (and our nation needs it) there is probably still time to stay out of harm's way.

As with my travels along the interstate, it's better to get back on track than to rely on a rough ride to save you if you go too far from the planned course. There is always the added danger that you could get too accustomed to the rumble and overconfident that you can cope with riding on the edge. When Israel would no longer listen to God's advice they were judged. One of their mistakes seemed to be they thought God was there to bring extended warnings, but His intent was to bring righteousness. Do we have time? I hope so.

On the way home each night I pass New Covenant's marquee that says, "thank you for the rain Jesus". I'd like to add, "thank you for the warning Lord."

Lee J. Martinez

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Looking Ahead

INSIGHT FOR LIVING
(Weekdays 8:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.)
Chuck Swindoll continues Christ at the Crossroad of Integrity series through June 22. Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness begins June 23 starting in Genesis 37.

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
(Weekdays, 1:30 & 9:00 p.m.)
Dr. James Dobson
Aug. 3 & 4 - Remaining Faithful Against the Odds- Vietnam Veteran Clebe McClary and his wife tell their inspiring story of love that survived the scars of war and offer hope to those facing their own battles
Aug. 5, 6 & 7 - Hope for the Homosexual (*may not be suitable for children)
Aug. 10 & 11 - The Joys of Marriage Encounter - Dr. Dobson and wife, Shirley, with guests Whitey and Carolyn Gail tell how a unique weekend retreat for married couples improved their marriage
Aug. 14 - The Mystique of a Woman - The late Jean Lush emphasizes the need for wives to maintain the "feminine mystique" in marriage
Aug. 17 & 18 - Growing Old Gracefully - Dr. Dobson and an optimistic panel of retirees discuss how the golden years can mean golden opportunities
Aug. 19 & 20 - Your Attitude: Key to Success - Dr. John Maxwell suggests with humor, ways to make your future brighter
Aug. 21 - Pastoral Leadership in the Millenium - H. B. London and sociologist George Barna discuss ways to maintain a powerful ministry in a changing culture.
Aug. 26 & 27 - Mothers of Toddlers - Help from a panel of mothers on the joys and frustrations of raising young children. Suggestions on coping with exhaustion, isolation and guilt while dealing with toddlers' endless supplies of energy.
Aug. 28 - Paying the Price for Allegiance -special broadcast of the award-winning drama The Cost of Freedom, the true story of Christian martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as he stood against Nazi Germany to proclaim his faith.

IN TOUCH
(Weekdays, 2:00 & 9:30 p.m.)
Dr. Charles Stanley

August 3 - Grace: God's Second Chance - continuing with Part 6 of a 10 part series
August 4 & 5 - God's Grace and our Past Failures. Dr. Stanley looks at the progidal son
August 6 - The Gospel of God's Grace
August 7 - The Cross: God's Grace Displayed. The greatest gift for our greatest need.
August 10 - Revelation (#1 of a 10 part series)
August 11 - Vision of the Glorified Christ (part 2 in the Revelation series)
August 12 - The Great Tribulation (part 3)
August 13 - The Seal Judgments (part 4)
August 14 - The Trumpet Judgments (part 5)
August 17 - The Anti-Christ (part 6)
August 18 - The World Under Judgment (part 7))
August 19 - The Second Coming of Christ (part 8)
August 20 - Life in our Heavenly Home (part 9)
August 21 - Three Finalities of the Revelation (part 10)
August 24 & 25 - Getting in God's Way
August 26 & 27 - Confronting Closed Doors
August 28 - When Facing Life's Mountains

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Letters

MELBOURNE - I appreciate your devoted care in all you put forth in word and song. The music this evening has been a special blessing to me. It is spirited and what is needed with all these fires and smoke. Thanks for the selection. Check enclosed. Wish I could send more. You lighten and brighten my Christian life. Bless you.

PALM BAY - Dear friends at WCIF radio- Thanks again for being there. I continue to be blessed by your programs, music selections, and also the newsletter-the articles by well known pastors and others like RBC. God bless you all. It is a pleasure to listen to Christian radio. Congratulations to Scott Terry on his wedding day.

SEBASTIAN - Enclosed is my one time gift of $ for your Sharathon '98 as pledged. I appreciate J. Vernon McGee, Larry Burkett and all the rest of WCIF.

PALM BAY - Dear WCIF Radio family - Praying for you and loving you all from afar.

MERRITT ISLAND - I listen to WCIF in Merritt Island. Sometimes there is interference (other stations crowding in, static, etc.). I am praying for a stronger signal. I need Christian radio.

MELBOURNE - Your station brightens my day. Your music and ministry are sound and joyful. Thank you for your outstanding programming for this area of Central Florida. Monthly check enclosed. God bless you all real good!

COCOA - I just wanted to say "thank you" for all that you all do to make each day a wonderful joy-filled day as I listen to WCIF on my radio. I find that as I listen to the music and messages through each day I can meditate on the goodness of God. I rush to finish chores to spend time with different people, for I look forward to a word from God through his servants. Oh, congratulations to you Scott, for I believe you are soon to be married. My prayer is that God will always be a part of your marriage, He will bless your home if you choose. My husband and I are on our 57th year together. We are members of a Baptist church and have loved, lived and worked in the Cocoa area since 1957. We are seniors. Guess you have figured that out by now. We praise God for so many blessings in our lives and we are still actively serving Him. God bless all of you. I listen to WCIF all that I can. I wish I could contribute much more, but I surely will when I can. Thank you for your nice letter, Mr. Martinez. You are correct. There surely is a need for all WCIF offers. I encourage my friends to tune in for they will be blessed. Yes, it is great to serve the Lord and I too, wouldn't have it any other way.

PALM BAY - I am writing to not only send my pledge, but to thank you for your wonderful broadcasts and radio station. I have been a listener for about ten years and have never been able to contribute to your station. I pledged $ and would like to send a bit more. I want you to know how much your programming has helped me through a divorce, the loss of my father, leaving the church I was raised in and searching for another, living on my own for the first time in my life and raising my children alone. Your programs and music have uplifted me, encouraged, comforted, enlightened, educated and changed my life. In the troublesome times I've experienced, your station's programs have reminded me that God knows who His children are and how much He loves us. Not a day has gone by that I've not been inspired or reassured that our God lives today for and through us. Thank you for the peace you've brought to my life and may your station play on for years to come. You will never know how often people turn to listen to your broadcasts and the comfort you bring to others. Thank you again. I wish my small contribution were more, perhaps one day it can be.

SATELLITE BEACH - It is with mixed emotions that I must tell you about our imminent departure for Colorado Springs. Sad, because we will be leaving the best church home we've ever found, wonderful friends and family and an awesome radio station, WCIF, of course. Excited, because we'll in the same city with Focus on the Family and many other Christ-centered businesses/ministries. Thank you for so many hours/years of good Christian music and teaching. We hope to retire back here in four years, but until then, here's a check for part of our Sharathon pledge. Please let me know the balance (my husband forgot how much he pledged this year) so I can pay before we leave. You will continue to be in our prayers. Please keep us in yours.

PALM BAY - I thank the good Lord for WCIF. I hope your ministry will bring many to Jesus Christ. I love the old hymns. It is on day and night. I am all alone so I keep it on all the time. See enclosed $. God bless you all. I don't like those new songs that these young people sing. They are to me rock and roll.

MELBOURNE BEACH - In March I phoned in a pledge for $ a month for the year. Enclosed is my check for the total pledge. May God bless you and the entire WCIF family throughout this 19th year.

MERRITT ISLAND - I'd like to hear more "hymnal" type music played. My favorite programs are music, Larry Burkett, Tony Evans and Dr. Stanley.

MELBOURNE - Thank you for being such a blessing.

SEBASTIAN - I am getting duplicate mailings. Your programming helps me every day- reminding me of God's love and His many precious promises! My husband has Alzheimer's disease, so I appreciate these blessings even more.

PALM BAY - Enclosed is payment. My favorite programs are Chuck Swindoll and Focus on the Family.

MICCO - God bless and keep up the good work for His glory.

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WCIF Day Sponsors

August 3 - MAACO Auto Painting in thanksgiving for the Lord's Blessing of ten prosperous years

August 4 - Jim and Sheila Houle in honor of Sheila's baptism

August 5 - Uve and Irmgard Laufenberg in honor of their forty-second wedding anniversary on August 4

August 6 - Dr. Charles and Karen Stewart in honor of their anniversary on August 6

August 7 - Milt and Debbie Greer in honor of their thirty-second wedding anniversary

August 12 - Marvin and Esther Grant in honor of their thirty-sixth wedding anniversary

August 13 - John and Billie Norczyk in honor of their thirty-second wedding anniversary

August 18 - Anonymous, in Thanksgiving

August 21 - Gary Powell in honor of his wife Linda on her birthday

August 25 - Barbara Heffron, Eileen and Kathy in honor of Leo Heffron on his birthday

August 28 - Mr. and Mrs. Richard D. Beard in honor of Richard on his fiftieth birthday

August 29 - Robert and Dianne Dorr in memory of their son Matthew Christofer Dorr

Thank you to our Day Sponsors who have underwritten the cost of a broadcast day on WClF. If you or your church would like information about being a Day Sponsor call 725-9243 or send E-mail to
 

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INVITE A FRIEND TO TUNE IN

 WClF NEWSLETTER is a monthly publication of

 WClF FM
702 E. New Haven Avenue
Melbourne, FL 32901.
(407) 725-9243.

VOLUME XVI, No. 8 Free subscription sent upon request

He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

Jeremiah 17: 7-8