We get this question from time to time: “Why don’t we hear you on Christian Radio any more?” Our answer is simple, “We had our moments!”

On occasion we might be heard on a station but usually we’re in the “golden oldie” category. We’re rarely played these days BUT…we fully understand that formats change with the times…and actually, they should! Why? Because we’re told in the Scriptures to “sing a new song.” The new waves in Christian Music, whether liked or not, are indicators that a new song is being sung…and that’s a good thing.

We’ve never resented those who came along and replaced us on the radio. We’d be foolish to do so because, after all, we were the replacements at one time. Instead, we’d rather remain grateful for the tremendously valuable role that Christian Radio played in our efforts to encourage families across the nation. And, we still get to stand before live audiences and offer our music knowing that one of the reasons we can do so is because of the exposure that Christian Radio provided in those years when we were included in the format.

So….we say thanks to all the Christian stations for each and every time a song of ours was played. In fact, here’s a pair of songs that were aired that show just one example of the life-changing impact that God can have on lives through the radio.  To get the full picture listen first to “Daddy, Please Find a Reason” (Early 1981…when our voices were much younger and featuring our son, Nathan, at 3 years old!). While it was in rotation on stations around the country it was heard by a husband in Texas who had decided to leave his wife and kids. But in a very timely and unique moment God used the message to change the course of his life, his marriage and his family. Later, after befriending the couple and hearing the story of why “Please Find a Reason” was so meaningful to them , “Through the Radio” was written (1996/music track played and produced by Nathan at 18 years old!) to celebrate their restoration and to highlight the importance and effectiveness of Christian Radio. May God bless each station today and the artists who are featured.

(Allow 30 seconds for songs to load…thanks!)

DADDY, PLEASE FIND A REASON

Steve Chapman/Dawn Treader Music/BMI/1981

My wife and I used to fight a lot, but not any more
Since the night we found our little boy standing in our door
He overheard me saying, “I can’t find a reason to stay.”
And on my out I kissed him goodbye, that’s when I heard him say…

Cho
Daddy please find a reason to stay with my Mama
We both love you, Daddy, please don’t leave
And if you can’t find a reason, Daddy, I wouldn’t mind
If you want that reason to be me

Now it must’ve been the Lord that night speaking through my son
Cause I can’t begin to tell you all the good things He’s done
And the best thing that happened, I fell in love with my wife
That was a long, long time ago and our love is still alive

Cho

THROUGH THE RADIO

S&A Chapman/Times & Seasons Music/BMI

HE PACKS A SUITCASE, SAYS, “I’VE HAD IT UP TO HERE!”

HE LEAVES HER STANDING IN THOSE GOODBYE TEARS

SHE PRAYS FOR A MIRACLE AS HE WALKS OUT THE DOOR

“LORD SOMEHOW SHOW HIM WHAT LOVE IS FOR.”

HE GETS IN THE CAR, VERY SOON HE’LL BE GONE

HE TURNS THE KEY AND THE RADIO COMES ON

SHE LEFT IT ON A GOSPEL STATION, NOW ITS COMING THROUGH THE AIR

THEN A TRUTH LIKE A BEACON FINDS HIM SITTING THERE

SHE CRIES BUT SHE DOES NOT KNOW

THE LORD IS TOUCHING HIS HEART THROUGH THE RADIO

BREAKING THROUGH THE WALLS WHERE NO ONE ELSE CAN GO

IT’S THE VOICE OF THE SAVIOR COMING THROUGH THE RADIO

HE’S STILL OUT IN THE CAR RESTING HIS HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL

HE’S THINKING ABOUT THE TRUTH HE JUST HEARD AND THE WAY IT CAN HEAL

HE TURNS OFF THE MOTOR, HE KNOWS WHERE HE’S GOTTA GO

HE PRAYS, “LORD HELP ME DO WHAT I HEARD ON THAT RADIO!”

SHE CRIES BUT SHE DOES NOT KNOW

THE LORD IS TOUCHING HIS HEART THROUGH THE RADIO

BREAKING THROUGH THE WALLS WHERE NO ONE ELSE CAN GO

IT’S THE VOICE OF THE SAVIOR COMING THROUGH THE RADIO

Steve, Annie, and Ron Elder 1976 Keep on Walkin’!

Our thanks to Brian Mason for reminding us of a musical moment we love to remember. In 2012 Annie and I teamed up with Ron Elder, Ken Fletcher, our son, Nathan and our friend Lindsey Williams to do a set as Dogwood, the group we were in back in the 1970’s. The event was the Koinonia Family Reunion. Here is one of the songs we did that evening. Its called, Keep on Walkin’. We hope it will encourage you.

 We’re nearing 42 years of marriage! On March 29th we not only celebrate being in love all these years, we can say we’re celebrating being “in like” too!  

We hope you feel the same about your spouse. If so, we suggest that the two of you listen to the song together and then briefly tell your mate something you like about them (and make sure its not something like, “You’re not half as mean as you used to be!”…unless, of course, it’s true 🙂 With some nice conversation with one another you never know what can happen. Perhaps a little spark might ignite a bigger fire!

While in the Lancaster, PA area we stayed at The Hurst House Bed & Breakfast in Farmersville. During breakfast on Sunday morning March 30th we were privileged to meet Sylvia Stoltzfus and her two daughters, Crystal and Yvonne.

Harold G. Stoltzfus
1936-2014

Sylvia’s husband of 54 years had gone to be with the Lord just the morning before. The loss that she and her daughters were feeling was written on their faces and heard in their tender words about a man who was a caring husband and a wonderful father.

Before Sylvia and her daughters left to tend to the preparation of Harold’s service a very moving story was shared by Crystal about a dream she had about her Dad. It inspired the song that is included in this post. The lyric reveals what she told us. We hope the video that was added to the song will bless the Stoltzfus Family as they walk through these days of loss, and we hope it will bless others who see it as well.

(Our grand daughter, Lily Anne Beall, is singing the part of Crystal and I’m singing Harold’s part. A free download of the song is below).