The September 1998 Newsletter

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His names sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Now that you've read Psalm 23 let me share a few notes about sheep. Sheep need three things before they'll even think about resting. See if you see the parallel to our lives.

1. Sheep need to be within sight of the shepherd. If they don't see him they'll stand up till they fall over dead with exhaustion.
2. Sheep need the safety of the flock. Although tired and hungry, sheep will wander and will not stop to rest or eat as long as they are alone. Sheep are not lone-rangers; they need a flock for health and safety.
3. Sheep need freedom from predators. If wolves, lions, or bears are anywhere in the area, sheep will not lie down. They will not eat; in fact they won't do anything but bleat and rustle about in fear. The same is true if, for any reason, the sheep are anxious. They will not rest.

Read Psalm 23 out loud. Listen to the words and drink in the serenity! Linger as long as you can in the presence of your loving Lord. Even if today is shadowed by stress and fear, He is with you --as close as your next heartbeat, as close as your next breath. Listen for the voice of your shepherd.

Charles R. Swindoll, "To Find Rest - Follow the Shepherd's Voice", Insights (August 1998), page 1. Copyright 1998 Insight for Living, Anaheim, CA 92806. All rights reserved. Used by Permission. Adapted from the Recording "Heart Aligned: Songs of Praise from the Psalms of David - Living Applications from Chuck Swindoll." Chuck Swindoll is heard on "Insight for Living" on WCIF weekdays at 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.

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Looking Ahead

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY - Dr. James Dobson
(Weekdays, 1:30 & 9:00 p.m.)
Sept. 2 - 4 - Caring for Elderly Parents. Panel of guests give help and concrete suggestions.
Sept. 7 & 8 - Sex Education and Our Children. What are the public schools really teaching your children? May not be suitable for young children.
Sept. 14 & 15 - Life with a Messie Mate. Sandra Felton, founder of Messies Anonymous tells what its like to live with a Messie.
Sept. 16 - Truth and Absolutes for America. Chuck Colson examines messages we send to the next generation and how to raise standards.
Sept. 17 & 18 - The Strong-Willed Child. Dr. Dobson emphasizes shaping an abstinate child's will without breaking his spirit.
Sept. 21 - Substance Abuse: It's Not Just a Teen Problem. Milton Creagh takes a hard look at the abuse of alcohol and drugs among adults and the impact on the workplace.
Sept. 22 & 23 - Parenting for Fun and Profit. Ken Davis gives a dose of comic relief on the ups and downs of being a parent.
Sept. 24 & 25 - Infectious Diseases vs. Humans: Who's Winning? Dr. Dobson and Dr. Louis Saravolatz discuss the STD epidemic and the threat of antibiotic-resistant infections. May not be suitable for young children.
Sept. 28 & 29 - School Choice: Why We Need It. U.S. Representative J.C. Watts gives a spirited discussion on what it will take to save our schools.

INSIGHT FOR LIVING - Chuck Swindoll
(Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.)
Sept. 2 & 3 - Backsliding into Legalism
Sept. 4 & 7 - Delivered from a Curse
Sept. 8 & 9 - A Promise You Can Count On
Sept. 10 & 11 - From Law to Faith: Our New Status in Christ
September 14 - No Longer a Slave - A Son!
Sept. 15 & 16 - Caring Enough to Tell the Truth
Sept. 17 & 18 To Those Who Want to Be Under the Law
Sept. 21 & 22 - Freedom, Faith, Love and Truth
Sept. 23 & 24 - Free...for a Purpose
Sept. 25 & 28 - Learning How to Walk
Sept. 29 & 30 - Relating to One Another in the Spirit

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In a recent survey conducted by Consumer Credit Counseling Service, 60 percent of married respondents reported fighting about money with their spouses. And more than 93 percent said financial problems increased the amount of stress in their lives. Financial trouble is a major factor in the destruction of many families, but gaining control over your finances can repair your marriage, restore your family life, and improve the outlook for your future.

Let me assure you right up front that it is possible for you to get control of your financial situation, no matter how difficult or impossible things appear right now.

This is the hope I give you based on God's Word, and I speak as one who has experienced terrible financial difficulty. I also speak as one of God's kids who has experienced His never-ending forgiveness and undeserved mercy. In the same way you had to learn the three Rs to get through school, there are three Rs of personal financial recovery that form the foundation of meaningful change. Skip them and you'll probably find yourself in even worse shape down the road.

Responsibility
No matter what the contributing circumstances are, you have little hope for meaningful change until you take full responsibility for your financial situation. To continue blaming others and assuming the role of victim is a waste of energy. I don't know your situation, but perhaps you need to take responsibility for not participating fully in your family's finances. Are you paralyzed by a divorce settlement you don't perceive to be fair? Maybe you no longer feel responsible for a student loan because you've quit school or find you can't make it in your profession of choice. Whatever your situation might be, taking responsibility for it is a very important first step. You demonstrate this commitment to take full responsibility when you do the following.

1. Accept ownership. Even if you were not the only contributor to the mess, you need to take responsibility for it.

2. Stop running. Instead of slamming the phone on your creditors, destroying the bills that come in the mail, and doing everything you can to avoid facing the music, stop running. Accept the calls, do the right thing, learn the truth, get it down in writing, inhale deeply, and take responsibility.

3. Make a commitment. If you will promise to do whatever it takes to turn things around, pay back your debts, and learn to live within your means, I can promise you a bright future. It might not be a walk in the park getting there, but it will be worth it I promise you that.

Regret
There are two aspects to this important second R. First, there must be a genuine attitude of sorrow. It is important that you regret having made wrong choices. Perhaps you arrogantly presumed on future income to cover present whims, lied to your spouse, or falsified credit applications.

You need to regret whatever it is that contributed to where you are now. But it's more than that. There is a second aspect to regret: repentance. To repent means to turn around and go in another direction.

Saying "I'm sorry" and shedding tears of remorse will be a total waste unless you're willing to repent. You have to stop doing things the way you did before. You must turn around and go the other way.

Repair
There are as many ways to repair a financial disaster as there are types of difficulties. There is counseling through excellent organizations like Consumer Credit Counseling services of Atlanta (1-888-771-HOPE) and Christian Credit Counselors International (1-888-546-8435).

You can also develop your own Rapid Debt Repayment Plan and concentrate on reducing expenses and increasing income.

With commitment and the right kind of information, which you'll find in this newsletter month after month, most of the financial situations you face can be repaired - and in less time than you ever dreamed possible.

Do you want to make significant positive changes in your family's financial picture? Start working on the three R's right away. I can promise that a year from now you'll be mighty glad you did.

"Put Three R's to Work in Getting Back on the Financial Track", Money Matters (August 1998), page 8. Copyright CFC, Inc., Gainesville, GA 30501. All rights reserved. Used by Permission. Mary Hunt is author of many books and the Cheapskate Monthly newsletter.

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Happy Birthday

Each month we list our broadcasters that have birthdays that month. We encourage you to remember these friends and their ministry with special prayer on that day.

Belated wishes for August 28 - Scott Terry, announcer
WCIF, PO Box 366
Melbourne, FL 32902

September 10 - Dr. Tony Evans
"The Alternative View"
Mon-Fri 7:45 a.m.
"Urban Alternative"
Mon-Fri 6:30 p.m.
P.O. Box 4000
Dallas, TX 75208

September 12 - Dr. Adrian Rogers
"Love Worth Finding"
Sunday 7:25 a.m.
P. O. Box 24-2000
Memphis, TN 38124

September 23 - "Unshackled"
Pacific Garden Mission
646 South State Street
Chicago, IL 60605

September 25 - Dr. Charles Stanley
"In Touch", weekdays 2:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Saturday 9:00 p.m.
P.O. Box 7900
Atlanta, GA 30357

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Letters

PALM BAY - Keep up the good "listening". Just introduced your station to a van load of sisters in the faith. How surprised they were to know they had such a light in our community that they can now share with their friends and family. I do truly thank God for all you do through this station. Only in heaven will we truly know the number of people who have been reached, lifted, helped, inspired, etc. Have a great month.

MELBOURNE - In memory of my late beloved wife I donate $ to WCIF. Keep up the good work of the Lord. I enjoy your speakers and Gospel music.

SEBASTIAN - Enclosed is my share-a-thon pledge for June and July. Next month I will send one for August and September. Thank you for waiting.

WEST MELBOURNE - Praise our Lord! To all the staff at WCIF your programs are greatly appreciated. Bill Pierce From Nightsounds really makes my day. I tune in on my way home from the Cape. May God bless all of you.

COCOA - Thank you so very much for airing the Moody broadcasts. The Lord has used these programs to greatly encourage our walk, and to press us on with renewed strength and joy in the work which God has given us to do. God Bless you.

WEST MELBOURNE - No words can express how much I love the message you bring through WCIF. I am so blessed to be able to listen to your station at my office and to share it with my Christian co-workers. You are truly a beacon in our area and I praise God daily for such an inspirational Christian station. Keep shining for Him!

INDIAN HARBOR BEACH - Thank you for the blessings and encouragement that come our way each day because of your faithfulness. I really appreciate your total programming. I look forward to joining you in praising our God each morning on the way to work and am encouraged in faith and growth by Dr. Evans on the way home.

PALM BAY - To all my friends at WCIF. Your musical selections and programs continue to be a blessing to me.

MELBOURNE - I am writing to you to let you know that I thank you for all your prayers for my daughter. She has Asthma. I called back in April and since then she has been in good health. I do believe in the power of God. I don't listen much to the programs, but I am going to start. Thanks again for everything.

SEBASTIAN - I feel like I've lost a good friend when you are off the air.

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Memorial Gifts

Gifts have been given to the ministry of WCIF:

WCIF Day Sponsors

September 3 - Curt and Linda Smith, in honor of Joe and Dot Worley on their wedding anniversary

September 4 - Paul and Emily Hilty, in honor of their forty-fourth wedding anniversary

September 5 - Francoise Thomas, with thanksgiving for God's blessing in her life

September 6 - Mrs. Bernice Lutes in memory of her parents, George and Jennie Kritzenberger on their wedding anniversary

September 8 - Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Harris, in honor of their twentieth wedding anniversary

September 12 - Terry Swonger in honor of his mother Else Swonger

September 13 - Helen Tibbetts, in honor of her husband David on his birthday

September 14 - Harold and Jane Morgan, in honor of their son Todd on his birthday

September 15 - Brooks and Beverly Jones, in honor of their fourteenth wedding anniversary

September 19 - Paul and Valerie Strickland, in honor of their twenty-eighth wedding anniversary

September 23 - Robert and Cathy Klein, in honor of her father William R. Reeves on his birthday

September 24 - James and Gail Speegle, in honor of their thirty-ninth wedding anniversary

September 25 - Mickey and Mary Mutter, in honor of the day they met

September 26 - Danny and Mary Shearer, in honor of their thirty-fourth wedding anniversary

September 27 - Dottie Woods, in honor of her husband Tom on his birthday

September 28 - Jerry and Lynda Sinclair, in memory of her father Fred Lane

September 30 - Anonymous, in honor of the Pastors and church family at Suntree United Methodist Church

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 wcif1063@iu.net.

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Pastor of the Week

A program featuring pastors of local churches heard weekdays at 5:30 p.m.

September 7 - 11 Pastor David Rhodes
Rockledge Baptist Church

September 14 - 18 Pastor Keith Allison
Merritt Island Wesleyan Church

September 21 - 25 Pastor John D. Davis
Harbor City Christian Church, Melbourne

September 28 - Oct. 2 Dr. Douglas Pruitt Sr. Chaplain
Brevard County Detention Center, Sharpes

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INVITE A FRIEND TO TUNE IN

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(407) 725-9243.

VOLUME XVI, No. 9 Free subscription sent upon request

2 Chronicles 7:14 --If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Proverbs 4:23 --Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.