About christianradio

My name is Greg Yoder and I've been a Christian radio broadcaster since 1984. I have been a radio announcer, news director, network news executive director and an executive director of a non-profit ministry. I've worked at WGNR (Grand Rapids, MI), WFLT (Flint, MI), WMPC (Lapeer, MI), Mission Network News/WCSG (Grand Rapids, MI) and Keys for Kids Ministries (Grand Rapids, MI).

Christmas Day at the Yoder’s

Posted on December 26, 2007 by christianradio

Another Christmas has come to a close. This was my 42 Christmas. This year was stoically different this year. The Yoder clan now only has two kids under eight. I no longer have any grandparents. My Mom and Dad are looking older. And now, my sisters and I are looking old.

This year it was a quick trip over to Davison, MI where my folks still live. In fact, they still live in the house I was born in — can you believe it? It was a little strange. Only half of my kids were there. Half of my younger sister’s kids were there. All of my older sister’s kids were there. But, everyone was think about those missing — Grandma and Grandpa Yoder. It was always a joy to see them.

My grandparents have always been my example. They were so forgiving, generous, loving, kind and so amusing. They loved to laugh and kid. They were a couple who demonstrated oneness. They were a wonderful couple. We all missed them this year — even though it wasn’t the first Christmas without them, but the most evident.

My daughter and of sister’s son got sick — we both left earlier than we wanted. There’s something to be said about being together as family — it just seems right and fun and relaxing. I wish we could do it more often.

It was a difficult day for my youngest daughter. She struggles with family events. We adopted her from Russia 5 years ago this week. She struggles with all kinds of emotions during these times. Because she was 3 1/2 she knows that five years ago her world was ‘rocked.’ We ripped her away from everything she knew (language, culture, friends) and brought her to a place unfamiliar. She doesn’t verbalize that to us, but her behavior is very difficult, but typical for children adopted at an older age. Pray for us and pray for her. She’s really struggling and so are we.

Well, all in all a good day — but a sobering day. A day I’m still very thankful. I wish I could understand how a God so Holy could send His best to die for someone so unworthy. I continue to be amazed at His Grace that He willingly gave to me. Initially, I didn’t ask for it. He moved to choose Him. That’s pretty amazing stuff.

Closer to Christmas

Posted on December 23, 2007 by christianradio

I love Christmas. I have since I was a little boy. When I was between 3 and 10 I believed in Santa Claus. My goal was to see him delivering gifts on Christmas Eve. My two sisters and I would devise a plan each year to try to either take a nap during the day see we could stay up to see him, or have one of us stand watch. If either of us saw him, we’d come running.

Unfortunately, none of us could: a. Stay awake that long. b. stay up (mom an dad ALWAYS made us go to bed). And, c. None of us deep down REALLY wanted to see Santa Claus — it was spoil the surprise.

But, I would go to bed with very few Christmas presents under the tree. Then, I would wake up at 2am or 3am and sneak out to the living room where there would be MANY more gifts under the tree. It always AMAZED me how many more gifts would just magically appear under the tree in just a few hours.

One year, I had a flashlight in my room and I would sneak out and play with the toys before everyone got up. I got a Lionel Train set one year. Another year I got an airplane that would REALLY go. It was electric…it could take-off, fly around and circles and land. It was cool. Another year I got a Virtibird helecopter toy. It was really cool.

I know many Christian families won’t let their kids believe in Santa Claus, our family does. It’s not the only thing we tell our daughter about. We STRESS the reason for Christmas is the birth of God’s Son, Jesus. We also tell her that without Jesus’ birth, we’d never have salvation. It’s the best gift of all.

Well, I’ve been enjoying listening to my favorite Christmas music: Perry Como – Home for the Holidays (1959), Maranatha Long Play Christmas, Steve Green – Joy to the World, Steven Amerson – Is There A Place, Damaris Carbaugh (especially the song, May God Give His Gift This Christmas). I’ve also been dreaming of a white Christmas. The weather’s predicting 8 inches tomorrow. We’ll see.

Merry Christmas!

Greg

Paterning my life for someone else

Posted on December 9, 2007 by christianradio

I’m 42 years old and I still struggle to pattern my life in a way that invites people to ask me why I’m different. I struggle to show unconditional love to people I love the most. All of this failure seems to have created difficulties with my grown kids, and I don’t want it to be the case with my daughter still living at home. It’s interesting how I can know God’s Word so well, and yet still express such disappointment with my kids.

I don’t know where they are spiritually. I pray that God takes each one and molds them into the person (or people) He wants them to be.

With my youngest daughter, I need incredible patience. She is the kind of person that will find what bothers you and continue doing it just to bother you. She doesn’t even seem to care much about punishment. She just wants to control every situtaion. We’re trying EVERYTHING to stop her from doing this.

Since my health turned south, God has reminded me that I need to do better. I can’t continue to think that everybody else is the problem. Perhaps, I’m the problem. Perhaps people are reacting my lack of love and for my lack of being a testimony of God’s love for us. I seem to take the sin my kids commit, personally. Why do I do that? Why do I take they’re rejection of the things of God personally. I guess I’m beginning to understand how God feels when His children sin against Him.

I’m praying that God will be me the ability to forgive people as He forgives me each time I commit sin against Him.

An interesting holiday

Posted on November 29, 2007 by christianradio

Well, Thanksgiving is over. It sure was a different holiday this year. We spent Thanksgiving Day at my Mom and Dad’s house. Both sisters were there along with most of their kids. My daughter Anastasia was there, but my other kids weren’t.

On Friday, we traveled five hours to New York to visit with them. My wife ended up cooking ANOTHER Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday and we all celebrated Thanksgiving again.

I did have a fun experience. My son John has a Nintendo Wii. Wow, what fun. I loved tennis and bowling and I HATE those games in real life. I’m still sore from playing those games. But, I’m recovering.

In terms of my health — well, I returned to playing basketball this week. I was 100-percent, but I did okay. I made life difficult for the guys I guarded. So, that’s good. Today I even made a key three pionter and posted-up and made a few on a guy who thought he would own me. That was fun. I’m still having spells of lightheadedness, but the neurologist today said there’s nothing she can see that’s wrong with me. So, that’s good news. But, just to be sure they’ve scheduled me for an MRI and an MRA.

I’m getting ready to decorate the house for Christmas. I love this time of year. I’ll post more on this later.

Giving Thanks

Posted on November 21, 2007 by christianradio

I doubt I’ll be posting anything tomorrow because we’ll be heading to church for our Thanksgiving service, but I wanted to take a moment to tell the world what I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving.

First, I’m thankful for God’s grace in my life. It’s incredibly humbling knowing that God is allowing me not only to be a part of his family, but being able to serve him. His grace has been even more evident through my illness, or whatever it is I’ve been dealing with lately. I realize that even though I was dealing with ‘shocks’ in my head and a little light headedness, there are so many other people dealing with things so much worse. I’m also thankful for His work in my life during this time. God’s brought to mind sin, selfishness and other issues that were preventing me from having a better relationship with Him. Pray for me that I’ll be able to win that constant battle against those things.

I’m also thankful for my family, my wife especially. I’m pretty fortunate the God has given her to to me. She’s stood beside me even though I’m not the most pleasant person to be around. Many times my work, selfishness and other things have upstaged her. While she’s been hurt, she’s stood by me. I’m also thankful for my kids. Each of them have taught me more about myself. While all of them are FAR from perfect, they are committed to the family and that’s a good thing. However, I regret that none of them have much of a relationship with Christ. I’m making a concerted effort to pray for God’s work in their hearts. Anastsia is young. I’m praying God will move in her heart early. With her personality, I believe God has got some great plans for her.

I’m also fortunate to have a Mom and Dad who have always believed in me. I have never been a very confident person. I don’t know why, but I’ve always doubted myself. I’m sure they were wondering what would become of me, since I wasn’t very motivated in school. I really have to thank them for their prayers and unending support for my success. I surely didn’t earn it on my own.

I’m also thankful for my job. I love it. I love being able to literally tell the word what God is doing through His people. I’m a very fortunate person. I’ve also got a wonderful team. Everyone of them are committed to the cause of Christ and the cause of calling more Christians to get off the butts to do something. Too few believers are doing anything for the Gospel.

My church family has also been an incredible blessing. I’ve learned so much from so many people and I can’t imagine going into spiritual battle with any other group of people. We’re truly unified and it’s thrilling.

So, Thank you Lord for your incredible blessing in my life.

Back to Work

Posted on November 20, 2007 by christianradio

It’s 11:00 PM and it’s been a good day, but a tiring one. It was my first day back to work since the ‘shock’ and subsequent hospital visits. It was great to get back in the saddle, even though it was only a half day.

I started off my day getting my daughter off to school. That was followed by a visit to the chiropractor. After that I went to the advancement office to sign receipts and then into the office. It was good to see my friends. Although, I must admit that I got tired of telling my story over and over again. But, it’s good to know how much people care.

I was able to come home at about 2:30 — about a half day. I crashed on the couch. I’m amazed how tired I got today. I’m also amazed at how refreshed I felt in doing the day-to-day work.

I did have the honor of judging the Intercollegiate National Religious Broadcaster Convention student production competition today. I felt badly being overly critical, but I believe it’ll help these young people become better broadcasters. There were several good ones. I wish them well and I hope they use their abilities for His glory. We need more young people willing to serve God in Christian broadcasting.

MSU wins — Lions losing

Posted on November 18, 2007 by christianradio

What an incredible day Saturday and Sunday. It was great to be able to function yesterday. I went to choir practice at church, mowed the lawn and enjoyed the Michigan State football team win — beating Penn State. The only thing that would make it better is having a great day of worship, preaching, and Lions winning.

However, the Lions are not winning. So, it’ll only be a 3/4 of a good day. I sure wish the Lions would show up on days they need to show up.

I’ve learned a few things

Posted on November 17, 2007 by christianradio

It’s 4:45 PM on Saturday and I’ve had a pretty good day today. Last night I had another ‘shock’ experience, but it was short lived. It came one, I dealt with it and then it went away. Since I know there’s nothing there physically causing it, I’m no longer concerned about it. It’s still irritating, and shocking (no pun intended), but it’s easier to deal with.

One thing I’ve learned is that I value good health much more than I ever have. It’s hard not feeling well. It even more difficult not knowing what’s causing the problem. I’ve also learned that it doesn’t matter how you’re feeling, God is still good. He’s still in control. He’s not out of control just because you’re not feeling well. In fact, I really believe He brought this into my life to draw me closer to Him. Why?

I have been under a lot of stress the last eight months. The Better Than Life Project took a lot of energy. I thought the more work I put into it, the more successful it would be. Iquickly found out that it didn’t matter how much effort I put into it, if God wasn’t behind it, it would be successful. It took me until the final week before the tour to realize that.

I think the Lord wanted to put a period to it by hitting me with this (whatever it is) in the middle of the tour. I think He wanted to get my attention and make sure that I really understood He has a plan for EVERYTHING ‘under the sun.’ Not just my life, but EVERYTHING.

So, while I’m experiencing a little ‘shocks’ in my head and a little dizziness, there’s a reason for it. I don’t know what it is, but it’s all good.

Tests reveal nothing – God is good

Posted on November 16, 2007 by christianradio

Woke up at 1:30am this morning to my little girl having an asthma attack. We quickly got that under control. A 10 minute breathing treatment always seems to work. I’m glad she’s okay.

I had a pretty good day yesterday, even though I didn’t do anything. I basically sat on my butt all day. Valium also kept me down. 🙂 I had no episodes of ‘flashes’ in my head yesterday. I haven’t had any today yet, either. I even went outside to grill hamburgers.

I just got back from another doctor appointment (a follow up on the hospital visit). It appears they’re going to refer me to a neurologist. They will also be doing an MRI and MRA — but I don’t know when yet.

I am feeling better, though. The CT-scans have all come back normal and yes, they did see a brain — so, nobody can ever again say I’m brainless.

God has been good. I’m learning that I can praise Him in the storms of life and I should encourage my family to do the same. It’s been hard — but exciting.

I’ll keep you posted.

Back to the Hospital

Posted on November 15, 2007 by christianradio

After having a life of NEVER riding in an ambulance, I’ve now done it twice in less than a week. Yes, I had to go back to the hospital last night. I was sitting on my couch at around 9:30 when all of a sudden I started feeling those shocks in my head again. This time it wasn’t just one shock — there were four or five right in a row — quickly accompanied by tingling in my left arm. My wife called our good friend who’s a nurse and she told us to go to call 911.

So, I went back to the hospital. They did ANOTHER ct scan because the other one I had done was sent away to be read by another doctor. The second scan was done WITHOUT the contras, so they weren’t able to look the the blood vessels in the brain. But, the scan didn’t show any masses. But, it did show that I have a neck with arthritis in c-5 and c-6 that could be causing some of the pain.

There’s still nothing there to show WHY my head keeps doing what it’s doing.

It’s nearly 11am and I just got up. I’m getting a bit depressed about why this is happening. But, I am relieved that there doesn’t appear to be a tumor or anything serious like that. I would, however, like this to end.

I feel badly that my wife has to deal with this and to see the fear in my daughters eye last night was heartbreaking. I can only imagine what’s going through her mind these days.

I’m viewing this as a trial. God must be preparing me for something. Im still planning to read Romans today in The Message.