Crossroad Radio

INTRODUCING...INTERN MAGGIE!

2012-01-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

Dave here. Tonight on Crossroad Radio, I'm pleased to introduce you to my new intern, Maggie Lowe! I've known Maggie for several years and could tell you quite a bit about her myself but I thought I'd let her write her own bio. So, without any further fanfare, heeeeeeeeeere's Maggie!

"I'm a senior at Appalachian State University...and very proud of that! I love putting a smile on peoples' faces whether it is in person, across the air waves, or via status updates. I'm always amazed at the way God can use less than 400 words to comfort, cheer, and charm those who need it most. I enjoy writing music, playing ukulele, my black lab, Toms shoes, and the Golden Girls. To see some of my opinions on music, life, and this thing called faith...check out undeniableradio.wordpress.com Wherever you may be...say it loud say it proud: 'I belong to my beloved and his desire is for me.' Song of Songs 7:10. Christ's love to all! - Maggie"

XR & XR LIGHT'S TOP 20 FOR 2011

2012-01-04T12:52:00.000-05:00

Thanks for helping make it a great year on both Crossroad Radio and Crossroad Light. I'm already anticipating a great 2012. Glad to have you along for the ride. But before we move on here's another look back at the top 20 on each show for 2011, as counted down this past New Year's weekend.

CROSSROAD RADIO

1. Dark Horses - Switchfoot
2. Pizza Party - Phanatik
3. Faceless - Red
4. Our Love Saves Us - BlindSide
5. Dum Dum - Tedashii Feat. LeCrae
6. Vessels - Ivoryline
7. Bring The Ruckus - Manafest
8. Trailers Vs. Tornadoes - Sent By Ravens
9. Signed Up To Die - This'l
10. Come Alive - Ashes Remain
11. Alarm The Alarm - Write This Down
12. High - LeCrae Feat. Sho Baraka & Suzy Rock
13. Closer - Philmont
14. Invisible - Disciple
15. Through Your Eyes - Worth Dying For
16. Move - Flame
17. Anthem Of The Lonely - Nine Lashes
18. Jumping The Gun - Hyland
19. Curse Of Perfect Days - Emery
20. Pop Pop Pop - The Ambassador

CROSSROAD LIGHT

1. We Were Shipwrecks - Ilia
2. Galaxies - Owl City
3. So Far Away - House Of Heroes
4. Feel It In Your Heart - Abandon
5. I Love Music - Trip Lee Feat. Sho Baraka
6. Heaven Come My Way - Abandon Kansas
7. Lucy - Skillet
8. Love Came Down - Seventh Day Slumber
9. Up Down - The Ambassador
10. Save Your Life - Newsboys
11. Sixteen - Deas Vail
12. Background - LeCrae Feat. C-Lite (Andy Mineo)
13. Make Your Move - Third Day
14. American Dream - Dominic Balli Feat. Sonny Sandoval (of P.O.D.)
15. Every Time You Run - Manafest Feat Trevor McNevan (of Thousand Foot Krutch)
16. Can't Shut Up - Anthem Lights
17. Halo - Manic Drive
18. Finally - Tedashii Feat. Shane & Shane
19. Broken Glass - Silverline
20. Drink (Everlasting Love) - Ed Kowalczyk

DAVE BUMGARNER'S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2011 (not XR exclusive)!

2011-12-20T09:19:00.002-05:00

I've heard rumblings coming from several camps (magazines, websites, media outlets, etc.) that 2011 was a down year for music. Let it never be spoken again! I'm a firm believer that there's always enough good stuff for him who has ears to hear.

And here are the 10 albums that perked my ears up the most:

1. Switchfoot - "Vice Verses"
     Hard to say that there's a definitive "best Switchfoot album" but this one's quite possibly it.

2. John Mark McMillan - "Economy"
     Troubador style Americana worship from one of the best lyricists you're ever going to hear.

3. Thrice - "Major/Minor"
      Quite possibly their swan song (say it ain't so, guys). If so, they've gone out with a not so subtle bang.

4. Burlap To Cashmere - "S/T"
     Who comes back this strong after a 12 year hiatus? These guys, that's who! Stronger actually.

5. Shawn McDonald - "Closer"
     I've been a fence sitter on the subject of Shawn McDonald for a few years. "Closer" made me choose a side.

6. Eisley - "The Valley"
     Gut wrenching at times, Eisley delivers a Psalm-like masterpiece on heartbreak and restoration.

7.  Needtobreathe - "The Reckoning"
     Can we officially call them alt-country now? Not quite. There's still quite a rock and roll punch going on with the boys from Possum Kingdom, SC.

8.  The Ambassador - "Stop The Funeral"
     It's a public confession of sin, repentance and grace wrapped up in a hip-hop musical feast.

9.  Owl City - "All Things Bright And Beautiful"
     If you can listen all the way through this without a smile crossing your lips, seek help immediately.

10. Blindside - "With Shivering Hearts We Wait"
       A fitting title for any Blindside fan holding their breath during the band's 5 year absence. Exhale.

So there you have my own personal recommendations for the 10 best stocking stuffers you can find for the music fans you know and love. Or get them for yourself. You have a stocking too, you know?

As always, I welcome your comments on my list. You're also free to share your own in the comment section! I look forward to hearing what music God has been blessing you through this year.

CROSSROAD RADIO'S NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND! You can win things :)

2011-12-16T21:34:00.001-05:00

This year both Crossroad Radio and Crossroad Light will help you ring in the new year in style.

First, XR counts down the top 20 songs from that show on Friday, Dec. 30th on the annual "Best Of (insert the year '2011' here) show. Starting at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT, I'll be giving out my yearly (funny and made of aluminum foil) awards to some of our bands and songs (that didn't quite make the cut) before launching into the best that Christian modern rock & hip-hop had to offer in 2011. If you can correctly guess the #1 song of the year by posting it here or calling me at 336-777-1893 during the show, you'll get a chance to win a prize pack from the band (there's the only hint you're getting) whose song is at the top spot. Trust me, you want it.

Then on Saturday, New Year's Eve (that's Dec. 31st for the uninformed), Crossroad Light goes live from 8pm all the way 'til midnight to usher in 2012. That's right, 4 hours of sweet goodness for your ears, culminating with, for the very first time, XR Light's very own "Best Of (again, insert the year '2011' here). You'll hear the top 20 songs from that show with the #1 song to be revealed on the cusp of the New Year at the stroke of midnight. As with XR the night before, if you correctly guess the song that sits at that spot, you'll be entered for a chance to win a prize pack from the band that brought it to you.

Here's the deal though. If you win on Friday, you can't win again on Saturday. I have to pull your name out of the hat and share the love with others. You know how I roll.

So now it's up to you. Have you been listening faithfully to your 2 favorite shows? Think you know which 2 songs are taking the top spots? Let the guessing begin...

Dave

XR & XR Light Playlist for week ending 9/2/11

2011-09-06T15:00:00.001-04:00

For all those who called or sent messages asking about particular songs or artists, here you go! Happy hunting.

In alpahebetical order by artist/band:

12 Stones - Surrender
7eventh Time Down - Alive In You
Aaron Gillespie - Anthem Song
Abandon Kansas - Like It Or Not
Ashes Remain - Come Alive
Building 429 - Made For You
Burlap To Cashmere - The Other Country
Canopy Red - Here To Stay
Cory Lamb - It's A Good Day
Disciple - Remedy
Eisley - The Valley
Fades Away - Choir Of Failure
FM Static - My Brain Says Stop, But My Heart Says Go
ForthAngel - Not Hollywood
HarvestBloom - Let It Go
Hawk Nelson - Your Love Is A Mystery
Hope Kills Fear - Surrender
House Of Heroes - Burn Me Down
Icon For Hire - Make A Move
J. Douglas Wright - Straight N Narrow
LeCrae - Children Of The Light
LeCrae - Like That
Leeland - The Great Awakening
Luminate - Innocent
Manafest - Bring The Ruckus
Manafest - Every Time You Run
Manic Drive - Halo
Mat Kearney - Down
Miss Angie - Kick Drum
Nine Lashes - Anthem Of The Lonely
Peter Furler - Closer
Planet Shakers - Give It Up
PRo (and, yes, my capitalization is correct) - Before I Die
Rapture Ruckus - This Little Light
Red - Not Alone
Relient K - Everybody Wants to Rule The World
Satellites & Sirens - Ready To Save
Scott Silletta - Do You Believe Believers?
Seventh Day Slumber - Love Came Down
Seventh Day Slumber - Never Too Far Gone
Silverline - Shine A Light
Southbound Fearing - Irresistable
Submission Red - Inside
Switchfoot - Dark Horses
Tedashii - Dum Dum
Tedashii - Finally
The Ambassador - Pop Pop Pop
The Ambassador - Up Down
The Choir - That Melancholy Ghost
The City Harmonic - I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home)
The Wrecking - View From The Top
Thi'sl - Signed Up To Die
Thrice - Promises
Trip Lee - I Love Music
We Are Leo - Live For Love
Young Joshua - Ride

Dave's new Facebook series - "50 REASONS WHY I'M NOT EMBARRASSED TO LIKE CHRISTIAN MUSIC"

2011-04-08T13:58:00.001-04:00

As a radio host/producer, longtime freelance writer for music publications, and my general passion for music, I often get asked what music I listen to personally and what artists/bands I find compelling.

I don't know how you feel about Christian music - the term or the genre it encompasses.

Let's deal with the term first. So many different opinions abound as to whether music itself can even be considered "Christian." Whatever. I'm not going to debate that here. For the purposes of this new series (which I'm completely stoked about by the way) I'm going to use the term Christian music, mostly because it's widely known as such, to describe music made by professing believers that expresses that faith, whether overtly or in parabolic form.

Now for the genre. For the longest time it seemed that people liked Christian music because they wanted to and not necessarily because of the artistic quality. I can remember the days of being a new believer in high school and wanting to share my faith with my friends through the music I was listening to. Unfortunately, much of the music was cringeworthy back in the day and I often found myself more than a little embarrassed to cop to listening to it, not because of the message but because the artistic integrity was questionable at best. Sadly, sometimes that's still the case.

I truly believe that God means for professing Christian artists to set the standard rather than producing a carbon copy of whatever might happen to be popular on the radio at the time. After all, He's the creator of the universe and has given us the ultimate gift through Christ's work on the cross. We as believers have every reason to be steering the ship when it comes to the arts.

Now I'll get to the point. Although it may not seem to be so, there are many artists out there doing just that. So I'm pleased to begin this journey that I've loving titled "50 REASONS WHY I'M NOT EMBARRASSED TO LIKE CHRISTIAN MUSIC." Over the course of the next few months I'm going to be updating my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/david.bumgarner1, with a video or song from a band or artist that rises above the norm and, in my opinion, gives us music that creatively expresses their walk with Christ in a way that engages both us, as believers, and the world in need of the message of hope. Notice I didn't say "TOP 50." This isn't a countdown and will be in totally random order. When I have something interesting to say about the artist, I'll say it. When I don't, I'll let the music do the speaking.

If you've been a Christian music supporter as long as I have you probably remember those days that I've just described as days when it would have been tough to come up with 5-10 bands or artists you could present to your friends without turning a few shades of red. My hope with this series is to give props to and shed light on the artists (however big or small) and hopefully boost their audience while enlightening you on some music that you may not have heard of (although occasionally you'll catch one of your already established favorites in there too).

Should be a fun ride! Be sure to check the page daily for updates and join the discussion! I'd love to read your thoughts and keep the dialogue flowing on this topic!

Philmont's "Closer" video

2011-03-24T11:02:00.000-04:00

To prep you for our upcoming interview with Philmont's Scott Taube, we've decided to whet your Philmont appetite with the video for their latest single, currently spinning on XR.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqFIPiN_V3g

XR & XR Light Playlist

2011-02-15T15:07:00.000-05:00

If you heard last week's shows and can't quite put your finger on the title or artist of the song (hopefully songs) you can't get out of your head, let me help you out.

XR (in alphabetical order):

After Edmund - "Dance Like You're From The Future"
Children 18:3 - "Oh Bravo"
Demon Hunter - "Blood In The Tears"
Disciple - "Invisible"
Ed Kowalczyk - "Drive"
Ember - "Give A Little"
Emery - "Curse Of Perfect Days"
Flame - "Nonsense"
Grits - "Do It Again"
Hawk Nelson - "Crazy Love"
I Am Empire - "Brain Damage"
Ivoryline - "The Healing"
LeCrae feat. Sho Baraka & Suzy Rock - "High"
Phanatik - "Pizza Party"
PRo feat. KB - "116"
Red - "Faceless"
Shaken - "New Beginning"
Submission Red - "The Ticking Clock (Miss Understood)"

XR Light (in alphabetical order):

Aaron Gillespie - "We Were Made For You"
Abandon - "Feel It In Your Heart"
Abandon Kansas - "Heaven Come My Way"
Anthem Lights - "Can't Shut Up"
Bright Season - "Walk On Water"
Charlie Hall - "Ransom"
Classic Petra - "Bema Seat"
Deas Vail - "The Great Physician"
Ember - "Blind"
Esterlyn - "Freedom Is Here"
Fair - "One Last Time"
Flatfoot 56 - "Son Of Shame"
FM Static - "Last Train Home"
ForthAngel - "Believe"
Group 1 Crew - "Please Don't Let Me Go"
Guest - "How Did I"
Jaymes Reunion - "Fine"
Jimmy Needham feat. Trip Lee - "Grace Amazing"
John Mark McMillan - "Ten Thousand"
Owl City - "In Christ Alone"
Sanctus Real - "Take Over Me"
Satellites & Sirens - "Vaudevillian"
Shake The Nation - "The Anthem"
Silverline - "Broken Glass"
Starflyer 59 - "Fun Is Fun"
Stellar Kart - "Everything Is Different Now"
The Choir - "Invisible"
The City Harmonic - "Manifesto"
The Rocket Summer - "I Want Something To Live For"
Third Day - "Make Your Move"
WakeUp Starlight - "One Step Away"

HAWK NELSON & FALL OF GOLIATH ON XR THIS FRIDAY!

2011-02-15T14:50:00.000-05:00

Once again I find myself apologizing for my blogging delinquency. I'll try to do better. Try.

Now that all is forgiven (hopefully) I'm excited to announce that Hawk Nelson's Jason Dunn will be gracing the airwaves with us this Friday night. We'll be taking a call from Jason to talk about all things Hawk Nelson including their new CD "Crazy Love" which, incidentally, we'll be giving away! Interviews with Jason always have a way of being zany yet profound at the same time. You can find more about the band at http://www.hawknelson.com/.

Also joining us will be a band called Fall Of Goliath. These guys are teenagers who I met while hosting the Disciple and Fireflight concerts in their hometown of North Wilkesboro a few months ago. We're always happy to give a platform.to young artists and bands who have a passion for both Christ and their music. Fall Of Goliath will be live in the studio with us to perform a couple of acoustic songs.

Just click on the "Ustream" link on our home page at 10pm EST to view the show live as it happens and to interact with me, Franco, and our new co-host, Natman, as well as Fall Of Goliath, and other listeners from around the globe.

Blessings,
Dave
Psalm 139

Tonight - Aaron Gillespie, Ilia, and our good friend Travis

2011-01-21T13:22:00.000-05:00

Great big show lined up for you this Friday night! First we'll be joined on the phone by Aaron Gillespie (The Almost, Underoath) to talk about his upcoming solo CD, "Anthem Songs," and worship tour which kicks off next Wednesday night (Jan. 26th) at the Exit/In in Salisbury. Travis Cordial, the promoter of the show, will also be live in the studio with us to talk about it. Travis is the founder of the ministry "This Is Our Sh...out Out."

Then we'll be talking to Jessica from the all female rock band Ilia. I've hosted a concert with these girls before and, let me tell you, they bring the rock. They're going to be in concert next Thursday, Jan. 27th at Moby's Coffee in Mt. Airy for an acoustic show (an event I'll be hosting) and Friday, Jan. 28th at Cafe Jam in Greensboro for a full on blitz of rock. I'm excited for the chance to reconnect with them.

We'll also be giving away a couple of copies of KJ-52's "Five Two Television" to get you prepped for Winter Jam, which is Feb. 5th at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Franco is away with his family in Greensboro so Natman will be filling his spot on the webcam.

Crossroad Radio's "BEST OF 2010" show live from Funigan's!

2010-12-20T16:04:00.000-05:00

"Here comes the jackpot question in advance...what are you doing New Year's Eve?"

Hopefully your answer is "I'm going to Funigan's in Winston-Salem to bring in the New Year Crossroad Radio style with Dave & Franco!"

Bring the whole family and join us live at 10pm (earlier if you want to hang out with us before the show) as we count down the top songs and relive the top moments on Crossroad Radio and Crossroad Light in 2010.

Funigan's is located at 152 Stratford Commons Ct., Winston-Salem, NC 27103, just outside of Hanes Mall. Great food and games, including indoor rock climbing, miniature bowling, video games, inflatable playplaces, will be available as well as some Crossroad Radio and Funigan's door prizes.

Check it out in advance at http://funigans.com/!

Hope to see you there! Merry Christmas!

Dave

Franco's interview with Toby Mac at Winter Wonder Slam

2010-12-17T21:56:00.002-05:00

Franco's interview with John Cooper of Skillet at Winter Wonder Slam

2010-12-17T21:52:00.000-05:00

Sho Baraka interview on XR tonight

2010-12-10T10:44:00.000-05:00

I know that I've said I'm "really excited" so many times that you might be thinking "yeah, right" by now but trust me, I am. Why? Because for the first time on XR we bring you one of the emerging stars of "Holy Hip-Hop," Sho Baraka. Sho is one of the rappers on Reach Records (including LeCrae, Tedashii, and Trip Lee among others) who are at the forefront of taking the genre and making it viable in the mainstream market. Remember when any music put out under the banner of "Christian rap" automatically needed to come with a warning label for cheesiness? Not so anymore.

Not only is Sho joining me, I'll be giving away copies of his CD "Lions & Liars" along with Skillet's "Awake" and "Happy Christmas 5" from Tooth & Nail Records as well. Who could ask for anything more?

Join me at 10pm EST by clicking on the "Live Stream" link on this page.

Blessings,
Dave
Psalm 139

CHRISTMAS MUSIC STARTS THIS WEEKEND!

2010-11-24T16:20:00.000-05:00

Join us as we ring in Christmas with new (and classic) seasonal tunes from some of your favorite Crossroad artists such as Demon Hunter, Emery, Hawk Nelson, Thousand Foot Krutch, Seventh Day Slumber, And Then There Were None, Me In Motion, Seabird, Ivoryline, and others.

But don't worry about your current XR tracks. We're not going to a completely Christmas format, which would make for a very short show. We're still bringing you all the best in non-Christmas rock, rap, and everything in between. The Christmas tracks will just be peppered in the mix.

So let's get the Christmas season rolling! Deck those halls, get run over by some reindeer, stick a corn cob pipe in Frosty's mouth and settle in as the friendly elves at Crossroad Radio (Friday night) and Crossroad Light (Saturday night) spread a little holiday cheer by reminding you of Christ, the reason we even celebrate Christmas at all, with some really cool music.

Oh and, by the way, we haven't forgotten - Happy Thanksgiving!

Dave

XR & XR LIGHT PLAYLIST FOR WEEK ENDING 11/20/10

2010-11-24T16:11:00.000-05:00

XR

Children 18:3 - "Oh Bravo"
Demon Hunter - "The Wind"
Ember - "Give A Little"
Flyleaf - "Arise"
Grits - "Do It Again"
Hawk Nelson - "Crazy Love"
Hope Kills Fear - "Save Me"
House Of Heroes - "God Save The Foolish Kings"
I Am Empire - "Brain Damage"
LeCrae feat. Pro - "New Shalom"
Manafest - "No Plan B"
Pettidee - "Look Around"
Queens Club - "Lydia"
Runaway City - "Daybreak"
Sent By Ravens - "New Fire"
Sho Baraka feat. Trip Lee & Erica Gumbo - "The Rising"
Shonlock - "Something In Your Eyes"
Since October - "Life, Scars, Apologies"
Skillet - "Forgiven"
The Classic Crime - "A Perfect Voice"
Trip Lee - "No Worries"
Write This Down "Hand Grenades"
Young Joshua - "Where You At"

XR LIGHT

A New Monday - "Modern Day"
Anberlin - "Impossible"
Battlelion - "Kissing Lonely Goodbye"
Chasen - "One In A Million"
Echoing Angels - "Say What You Believe"
Ember - "Embrace"
Fair - "One Last Time"
Fireflight - "What I've Overcome"
Flatfoot 56 - "Shiny Eyes"
ForthAngel - "Believe"
Future Of Forestry - "Protection"
Group 1 Crew - "Walking On The Stars"
Jaymes Reunion - "Let It Shine"
Jimmy Needham feat. Trip Lee - "Grace Amazing"
John Mark McMillan - "The Medicine"
Lybecker - "For Who You Are"
NeedToBreathe - "The Outsiders (Live)"
Newsboys - "Way Beyond Myself"
Number One Gun - "Try It"
Owl City - "In Christ Alone"
Petree - "Stars Tipped Over"
Revive - "Almost Missed This Moment"
Robert Randolph & The Family Band - "Back To The Wall"
Ryan Stevenson - "Yesterday, Today, Forever"
Sanctus Real - "Take Over Me"
Shake The Nation - "The Anthem"
Sleep For Sleepers - "Of What I Have, Let It Be Enough"
Starflyer 59 - "I Had A Song For The Ages"
The Museum - "Never Look Away"
The Rocket Summer - "Light"

Dave's Top Albums (CDs, digital recordings, whatever) of 2010 - so far.

2010-11-19T14:40:00.002-05:00

Hey guys,

I thought it would be fun to give you an idea of what I think was the best faith-based music to come out of 2010 thus far. The list isn't complete and will ultimately be narrowed down to my 10 favorites for my annual list, which is published in my column in The Good News Journal around the end of December.

Check it out and then feel free to compare and contrast your list with mine. Keep in mind that my list, which is in no particular order - don't want to give anything away just yet - isn't limited to strictly Crossroad Radio material and yours doesn't have to be either.

Your comments are welcomed.

John Mark McMillan - The Medicine
Fair - Disappearing World
Andrew Peterson - Counting Stars
Robbie Seay Band - Miracle
Amy Grant - Somewhere Down The Road
House Of Heroes - Suburba
Audrey Assad - The House You're Building
LeCrae - Rehab
The Rocket Summer - Of Men & Angels
Flatfoot 56 - Black Thorn
Number One Gun - To The Secrets & Knowledge
The Choir - Burning Like The Midnight Sun
Anberlin - Dark Is The Way, Light Is A Place
Deas Vail - Birds & Cages
Ricky Skaggs - Mosaic
Ed Kowalczyk - Alive
Jars Of Clay - The Shelter
Robert Randolph & The Family Band - We Walk This Road
Regie Hamm - Set It On Fire
Dave Barnes - What We Want, What We Get
Sho Baraka - Lions & Liars
Starflyer 59 - The Changing Of The Guard
Charmaine - Love Reality
Gungor - Beautiful Things
Children 18:3 - Rain's A Comin'

Crossroad Radio & Crossroad Light Playlist for week ending 11-6-10 (Here you go, Erika S.)!

2010-11-09T13:23:00.001-05:00

CROSSROAD RADIO

Demon Hunter - "The Wind"
Flatfoot 56 - "The Hourglass"
Flyleaf - "Arise"
Hawk Nelson - "Crazy Love"
Hope Kills Fear - "Save Me"
House Of Heroes - "God Save The Foolish Kings"
I Am Empire - "Brain Damage"
Lecrae feat. Pro - "New Shalom"
Manafest - "No Plan B"
Queens Club - "Lydia"
Runaway City - "Daybreak"
Sent By Ravens - "New Fire"
Sho Baraka feat. Trip Lee & Erica Gumbo - "The Rising"
Shonlock - "Something In Your Eyes"
Since October - "Life, Scars, Apologies"
Skillet - "Forgiven"
The Classic Crime - "A Perfect Voice"
The Letter Black - "Believe"
Trip Lee - "No Worries"
Uprise - "Everything Is Broken"
Write This Down - "Hand Grenades"
Young Joshua - "Where You At"

CROSSROAD LIGHT

A New Monday - "Modern Day"
Anberlin - "Impossible"
Battlelion - "Kissing Lonely Goodbye"
Chasen - "One In A Million"
David Crowder Band - "SMS (Shine)"
David Dunn - "This Is For You"
Echoing Angels - "Say What You Believe"
Ember - "Embrace"
Fireflight - "What I've Overcome"
Flatfoot 56 - "Shiny Eyes"
Future Of Forestry - "Protection"
Group 1 Crew - "Walking On The Stars"
House Of Heroes - "Constant"
Jaymes Reunion - "Let It Shine"
John Mark McMillan - "The Medicine"
Kutless - "Remember Me"
Lybecker - "For Who You Are"
Newsboys - "Way Beyond Myself"
Number One Gun - "Try It"
Petree - "Stars Tipped Over"
Revive - "Almost Missed This Moment"
Robert Randolph & The Family Band - "Back To The Wall"
Ryan Stevenson - "Yesterday, Today, Forever"
Sanctus Real - "Take Over Me"
Shake The Nation - "The Anthem"
Sleep For Sleepers - "Of What I Have, Let It Be Enough"
Starflyer 59 - "I Had A Song For The Ages"
The Choir - "Midnight Sun"
The Museum - "Never Look Away"
The Rocket Summer - "Light"

XR & XR Light Playlist for week ending 9-11-10

2010-09-13T12:46:00.000-04:00

XR

A Rotterdam November - "Breakdown"
Anberlin - "Pray Tell"
Benjah (feat. Dillavou) - "Fly Away"
Disciple - "Dear X, You Don't Own Me"
Ed Kowalczyk - "Grace"
Fireflight - "For Those Who Wait"
Flyleaf - "Arise"
Haste The Day - "White As Snow"
Hawk Nelson - "Never Enough"
Kiros - "Broken State"
R-Swift - "Transformed"
Sho Baraka - "Lion's Anthem"
Superchick - "Rock What You Got"
Tedashii - "Gotta Believe"
The Classic Crime - "A Perfect Voice"
The Insyderz - "Common Riddle" (XR Gold)
The Letter Black - "Believe"
The Rocket Summer - "Of Men & Angels"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "E For Extinction"
Trip Lee - "Snitch"
Uprise - "Everything Is Broken"

XR LIGHT

A New Monday - "Modern Day"
Abandon Kansas - "Months And Years"
Annagail - "If All I Had"
Battlelion - "Kissing Lonely Goodbye"
David Dunn - "This Is For You"
Deas Vail - "Cages"
Demon Hunter - "Driving Nails"
Disciple - "Dear X, You Don't Own Me"
Flatfoot 56 - "Shiny Eyes"
Flyleaf - "Missing"
Future Of Forestry - "Working To Be Loved"
Group 1 Crew - "Walking On The Stars"
House Of Heroes - "Constant"
Ivoryline - "Hearts Open"
Jaymes Reunion - "Let It Shine"
John Mark McMillan - "Carolina Tide"
Kutless - "Remember Me"
Lybecker - "For Who You Are"
Out Of Ruin - "I Am Yours"
Petree - "Getting To Know Me"
Revive - "Almost Missed This Moment"
Seabird - "The Good King"
Skillet - "Forgiven"
Sleep For Sleepers - "Of What I Have, Let It Be Enough"
The Birdsongs - "So Much More"
The Choir - "Midnight Sun"
The Hunter Brothers - "Breaking My Heart"
The Museum - "Never Look Away"
The Rocket Summer - "Light"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Look Away"

Details on the "High Country Praise Festival" in Boone, NC

2010-09-03T16:46:00.001-04:00

When: Sunday, September 5th from 4pm-8pm

Where: The Holmes Center on the campus of Appalachian State University

Who: Musical guests include The Afters, Fireflight, 7 Miles, & Offered Soul

Guest speakers are Kirk Cameron, ASU football coach Jerry Moore, & ASU WR Blake Elder

How much: $5

More info at http://www.sonslightministries.com/ or call 828-262-6603.

Dave & Franco will be doing stage time and would love to see you there showing your support of XR!

Help Hawk Nelson and Samaritan's Purse feed 1,000 kids

2010-09-03T15:29:00.000-04:00

Here's the link:
http://www.causes.com/causes/507123/about?m=94c2d662

Runaway City's debut video - "Fade"

2010-09-02T12:30:00.002-04:00

These guys will be with Disciple next Thursday, Sept. 9th at Cafe Jam. They make us very proud.

Check out the video at http://www.hearitfirst.com/.

XR and XR Light Playlist for week ending 8-28-10

2010-08-30T12:47:00.000-04:00

XR

A Rotterdam November - "Breakdown"
Burning Yesterday - "Fear"
Children 18:3 - "Lost So Long"
Cord Of 3 - "Broken But Undeniably Hopeful"
Ed Kowalczyk - "Grace"
Fireflight - "For Those Who Wait"
Grits feat. Annie Williams - "New Life"
Haste The Day - "White As Snow"
Hawk Nelson - "Never Enough"
Ivoryline - "Instincts"
Kiros - "Broken State"
R-Swift - "Transformed"
Runaway City - "Fade"
Sho Baraka - "Lion's Anthem"
Superchic(k) - "Rock What You Got"
Tedashii - "Gotta Believe"
The Letter Black - "Believe"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "E For Extinction"
Trip Lee - "Snitch"
Uprise - "Everything Is Broken"

XR LIGHT

Abandon Kansas - "Months And Years"
Annagail - "If All I Had"
Demon Hunter - "Driving Nails"
Disciple - "Dear X (You Don't Own Me)"
Flyleaf - "Missing"
Future Of Forestry - "Working To Be Loved"
House Of Heroes - "Constant"
John Mark McMillan - "Carolina Tide"
Kutless - "Remember Me"
Out Of Ruin - "I Am Yours"
Petree - "Getting To Know Me"
Skillet - "Forgiven"
The Birdsongs - "So Much More"
The Choir - "Midnight Sun"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Look Away"

AND NOW...INTRODUCING DAVE'S NEW CO-HOST, JAAAASOOOOON FRANCOOOOO!

2010-08-26T09:45:00.001-04:00

Hey guys, Dave here with news about my new co-host, who makes his debut this Friday night. Jason was introduced to me by Corey Weaver, the lead singer of Bloodline Severed, a band which (coincidentally...or perhaps not so...hmm) will be live in the studio with us for Jason's first show.

Here's Jason's bio, written by the man himself. Already he's speaking of himself in the third person! These radio guys and their egos (:)):

"Jason Franco is from California but has been raised here in North Carolina. He graduated from Ragsdale Senior High School in Jamestown.'

'Jason has been playing music for 20 years and has been in several local Christian bands, including Travel and LuvWig, as well as leading Praise and Worship. He owns an audio and video production house called "Safehouse Productions", and spends most of his time with his wife and 3 kids."

You can now catch Dave (yes, now I'm speaking in the third person too) & Franco (as he will now be called) every Friday night right here on the new Crossroad Radio. Franco will be taking over the webcam so ustream can be live every single week. He'll also be doing website maintenance and (possibly) podcasting too. Exciting things are happening and you're going to want to be a part of it if you love XR - and even if you don't, tune in anyway. We're very forgiving.

XR Events Calendar

2010-08-24T12:51:00.000-04:00

Saturday, August 28
Youth Brigade 2010 feat. DecembeRadio w/ special guest The Morning
Crossroads Church
Lexington, NC
336-596-4891 for details
Dave hosting

Sunday, September 5
High Country Praise Festival
Holmes Center - Appalachian State University
Featuring musical guests The Afters, Fireflight, 7 Miles, & Offered Soul
Guest speakers: Kirk Cameron, ASU football coach Jerry Moore & wide receiver Blake Elder
Details at http://www.sonslightministries.com/
Dave on stage and possibly running a 5K (and already panting).

Friday, September 17
Disciple at The Gathering Place in Wilkesboro, NC
4th quarter event - starts at 10:30pm

Details on the Pendulum Swings movie shoot/concert. Dave & Martin to host.

2010-07-15T13:20:00.001-04:00

TRI-RAHN PICTURES and VELA FILMS are very pleased to announce their collaboration with the Hartman, on the feature film Pendulum Swings. As part of the production, Hartman will perform a concert on Wednesday, July 21st 2010 at The Cove Church in Mooresville, NC. What makes this event unique is that we and the band will shoot a major concert scene for the film preceding the actual live show. Shots from this concert segment of the shoot will also be included on Hartman’s music video. When shooting for the film and video are complete, the band will perform a full concert with the help of the fantastic sound and light crew of The Cove Church. For this event, we will need a full group of extras to be in attendance to create an exciting atmosphere for the scene, as well as the music video. There is no age limit. However, please keep in mind that this is a powerful Christian concert, and there will be a lot of volume and a lot of lights. Attendance will be limited, so the first extras to fill the auditorium will be the extras filmed for the scene and music video. Capacity at the venue is 1700. There are large screen monitors all around the entrance to the main auditorium, so viewing the concert is still possible if maximum capacity has already been reached. Call time for extras on the day will be 3:00pm. Shooting will be from 4:00pm till 7:00pm. The concert will begin at 8:00pm and will be video recorded for a live DVD. All Extras on camera will be required to sign an agreement for the film and the Live Concert DVD. Wardrobe should be casual or dress clothes. NO VISIBLE LOGOS or BRIGHT COLORS will be permitted. The location is The Cove Church, 197 Langtree Rd, Mooresville, NC 28115. Please visit www.covechurch.org.This will be an exciting time for all of the cast and the crew of Pendulum Swings. The band Hartman will be showcasing a number of tracks from their album Better Live, which celebrates the past decade with live, original tracks from Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre to The Comma. You can find more information on Hartman, and hear a selection of their songs at www.jshartman.comTRAILERS for PENDULUM SWNGS can be seen at:http://www.vimeo.com/12446729 - Version 1ANDhttp://www.vimeo.com/12463018 - Version 2

Mooresville, NC Churches > The Cove Church
www.covechurch.org
The Cove Church is a Christian church where the message of Jesus is presented in a relaxed setting with talks that are simple and relevant to everyday life.

Details on the Runaway City release show hosted by Dave & Martin

2010-06-24T10:23:00.003-04:00

Friday, July 23, 2010 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM PDT
Where:
CD Release Show @ Providence Place (High Point First Wesleyan)1701 Westchester DriveHigh Point NC 27262
$10 admission at the door also gets you a free copy of the CD "Armored Heart."
Get Directions

"Pendulum Swings" trailer.

2010-06-12T00:04:00.002-04:00

The lead actors and director of "Pendulum Swings" were in the studio with us a couple of weeks back. Check out the official trailer here:

http://www.vimeo.com/12446729

XR (& XR Light) Playlist for week ending 6-5-10

2010-06-10T08:28:00.002-04:00

Chasen - "Castaway"
Children 18:3 - "Lost So Long"
Christine Evans - "Black & Blue"
Day Of Fire - "The Dark Hills"
Deas Vail - "Cages"
Decyfer Down - "Ride With Me"
Echoes The Fall - "Here To Stay"
Ed Kowalczyk - "Grace"
Ember - "The Deep End"
Fireflight - For Those Who Wait"
Gungor - "Brighter Day"
House Of Heroes - "Elevator"
Ivoryline - "Hearts Open"
Ivoryline - "Instincts"
Me In Motion - "The God I Know"
Newsboys - "Born Again"
Paige Armstrong - "Episode"
Paper Tongues - "Trinity"
Pillar - "Whatever It Takes"
R-Swift (feat. Jahaziel, Sho Baraka, & Monty G. - "No No No"
Red - "Ordinary World"
Relient K - "Therapy"
Runaway City - "Fade"
Safe Haven - "Back Down"
Salient - "My Security"
Seabird - "The Good King"
Sho Baraka (feat. Lecrae & After Edmund) - "Shut Us Down"
Silverline - "Voices In The Night"
Since October - "Believe"
Sixteen Cities - "Sing Along"
Stellar Kart - "Something Holy"
Submission Red - "Good Enough"
Switchfoot - "The Sound (John M. Perkins' Blues)"
Tedashii - "Fresh"
The Classic Crime - "Four Chords"
The Letter Black - "Hanging On By A Thread"
The Rocket Summer - "Walls"
Write This Down - "Center Of Attention"

XR Gold:
Dime Store Prophets - "Yeah Sure OK Monet"

XR and XR Light Playlist for week ending 5-22-10

2010-05-22T13:56:00.002-04:00

Sorry everyone, it's been a little while since we've posted this. I'll try to be better about it. I promise ;) - Dave

Air Five - "Here's Me Letting Go"
Alakrity (feat. John Schlitt) - "Beyond Belief"
Chasen - "Castaway"
Children 18:3 - "Lost So Long"
Christine Evans - "Black & Blue"
Day Of Fire - "The Dark Hills"
Decyfer Down - "Ride With Me"
Distal - "Follow Me"
Ember - "The Deep End"
Flatfoot 56 - "Courage"
Gungor - "Brighter Day"
House Of Heroes - "Elevator"
Manafest - "Avalanche"
Me In Motion - "The God I Know"
Newsboys - "Born Again"
Paige Armstrong - "Episode"
Paper Tongues - "For The People"
Pillar - "Whatever It Takes"
R-Swift (feat. Jahaziel, Sho Baraka, & Monty G.) - "No No No"
Red - "Ordinary World"
Relient K - "Therapy"
Runaway City - "Fade" (SEE EXCITING AND IMPORTANT BLOG BELOW!)
Safe Haven - "Back Down"
Salient - "My Security"
Seabird - "The Good King"
Sho Baraka (feat. Lecrae & After Edmund) - "Shut Us Down"
Since October - "Believe"
Skillet - "Awake And Alive"
Starfield - "Rediscover You"
Stellar Kart - "Something Holy"
Switchfoot - "The Sound (John M. Perkins Blues)
Switchfoot - "Your Love Is A Song"
Tedashii - "Fresh"
The Almost - "No I Don't"
The Classic Crime - "Four Chords"
The Great Transparency - "Don't You Ever"
The Rocket Summer - "Walls"
Write This Down - "Center Of Attention"

XR Gold:

Bride - "Rattlesnake"

In studio guests:

Writing Home - "Carry Me Away"

Details on the Runaway City movie shoot/concert video and how you can be involved!

2010-05-21T20:05:00.001-04:00

Runaway City Concert For Pendulum Swings

TRI-RAHN PICTURES and VELA FILMS are very pleased to announce their collaboration with the exciting new Christian rock group Runaway City, on the feature film Pendulum Swings. As part of the production, Runaway City will perform a concert on Friday June 11th, 2010 at The Cove Church in Mooresville, NC.

What makes this event unique is that we and the band will shoot a major concert scene for the film preceding the actual live show. Shots from this concert segment of the shoot will also be included on Runaway City’s music video for the song Fade. When shooting for the film and video are complete, the band will perform a full concert with the help of the fantastic sound and light crew of The Cove Church.

For this event, we will need a full group of extras to be in attendance to create an exciting atmosphere for the scene, as well as the music video. There is no age limit. However, please keep in mind that this is a Christian rock concert, and there will be a lot of volume and a lot of lights.

Attendance will be limited, so the first extras to fill the auditorium will be the extras filmed for the scene and music video. Capacity at the venue is 1700. There are large screen monitors all around the entrance to the main auditorium, so viewing the concert is still possible if maximum capacity has already been reached.

Call time for extras on the day will be 3:00pm. Shooting will be from 4:00pm till 7:00pm. The concert will begin at 8:00pm and will be video recorded for a live DVD. All Extras on camera will be required to sign an agreement for the film and the Live Concert DVD. Wardrobe should be casual or dress clothes. NO VISIBLE LOGOS or BRIGHT COLORS will be permitted.

The location is The Cove Church, 197 Langtree Rd, Mooresville, NC 28115. Please visit www.covechurch.org.

This will be an exciting time for all of the cast and crew of Pendulum Swings. Throughout the production we have been blessed to collaborate with so many wonderful and talented people, and we are truly privileged to work with this young group of exceptional musicians. Along with the single Fade, Runaway City will be showcasing a number of tracks from their forthcoming debut album Armored Heart, which will be released on June 22nd. You can find more information on Runaway City, and hear a selection of their songs at www.myspace.com/runawaycity.

Sent By Ravens "Beautiful Moms" giveaway

2010-05-07T22:16:00.002-04:00

Leave your comment telling us why your mom is beautiful for your chance to win "Our Graceful Words" by Sent By Ravens.

dc Talk on XR Gold

2010-03-12T13:10:00.002-05:00

By now all you faithful XR listeners should know that Martin and I are having tons of fun with the new XR Gold segment. We have a seemingly endless collection of bands and songs that have been foundational in laying the groundwork for our show and we're going to keep bringing them to you.

One cool thing that we're going to be doing from time to time is dedicating an entire month to the lasting bands whose music literally launched the entire industry known as Christian Rock (or rap/hip hop depending on the band) and made it accessible enough to where shows like XR can exist and thrive. In April the honor goes to dc Talk which birthed the careers of Toby Mac, Michael Tait (current lead singer of the Newsboys and former lead singer of Tait) and Kevin Max (who's getting rave reviews in his first starring role for the film "The Impostor."

Each of the first 3 Friday nights in April (2nd, 9th, and 16th) will feature the early solo music of a former "talk-er". On the 4th Friday night (23rd), Martin and I will play the genre-definining smash "Jesus Freak."

Here's where you come in. We want to know your personal favorite dc Talk song so that we can play it on the final Friday night (30th). Cast your vote for any song in the dc Talk catalogue (other than "Jesus Freak" and "In The Light" - those get played enough already!) by posting your comment here in response to this post. Please be sure to include your first name, last initial, and hometown. That makes you eligible for a dc Talk prize pack we'll be giving away on the 30th. Then just listen the XR Gold segment at 11:15 that night to hear the winning song and to see if you're our winner!

Demon Hunter and Texas Side Project on tonight's XR! Playlist for week ending 3-5-10.

2010-03-12T12:48:00.002-05:00

We have an action packed edition of Crossroad Radio lined up for you tonight! At 10pm we're joined in the studio by a new local band called Texas Side Project. Then at 11pm, we talk to Ryan Clark of Demon Hunter, whose new CD The World Is A Thorn, can be yours if you listen for the cue to call. On tonight's XR Gold we remember an early moment when the bacon was just beginning to sizzle in the pan for Skillet! Now here are last week's playlists brought to you in stunning, high definition alphabetical order.

XR PLAYLIST:

A Rotterdam November - Love Is
Abandon Kansas - Close Your Eyes
Days Divide - Edge Of The Earth
Demon Hunter - Collapsing
Echoes The Fall - Here To Stay
Flyleaf - Chasm
Hawk Nelson - Live Life Loud
I'm OK You're OK - Are We Alright Now?
KJ-52 feat. J.R. - Calling You
Kronicles - Switch
Pillar - Shine
Project 86 - Destroyer
Queens Club - Dust
R-Swift - Awesome
Red - Forever
Relient K - I Don't Need A Soul
Sent By Ravens - Beautiful List
Showbread - Lost Connection With The Head
Silverline - Stop Me Now
Skillet - Awake And Alive
Stellar Kart - We Shine
The Almost - No I Don't
The Classic Crime - Four Chords
The Letter Black - Hanging On By A Thread
Common Children - Drought (XR Gold)

XR LIGHT PLAYLIST:

A Road Less Traveled - Underneath
Air Five - Here's Me Letting Go
All Star United - Beautiful Way
Cloverton - Hope Inside
Fair - Disappearing World
Hawk Nelson - 'Tis So Sweet
Number One Gun - Forest
Satellites & Sirens - Anchor
Seabird - Don't You Know You're Beautiful
Sent By Ravens - Salt And The Light
Silverline - All Consuming Love
Submission Red - Drive On
The Wrecking - About To Fall
Thousand Foot Krutch - Already Home
Vota - Free To Fail

Stellar Kart on XR this Friday. XR Playlist for week ending 2-27-10.

2010-03-03T09:03:00.002-05:00

Adam Agee makes a return appearance this Friday on Crossroad Radio. We also have copies of the band's new CD "Everything Is Different Now" to give away. New music from The Classic Crime and Project 86 too!

XR

Love Is - A Rotterdam November
Close Your Eyes - Abandon Kansas
Fantasy - Da' T.R.U.T.H. feat. J.R.
Edge Of The Earth - Days Divide
Collapsing - Demon Hunter
Here To Stay - Echoes The Fall
Chasm - Flyleaf
Live Life Loud - Hawk Nelson
Are We Alright Now? - I'm OK You're OK
Calling You - KJ-52 feat. J.R.
Switch - Kronicles
Fall Back - Lecrae feat. Trip Lee
Save The World - Life In Rescue
Shine - Pillar
Dust - Queens Club
Awesome - R-Swift
Forever - Red
I Don't Need A Soul - Relient K
Beautiful List - Sent By Ravens
Lost Connection With The Head - Showbread
Awake And Alive - Skillet
No I Don't - The Almost
Hanging On By A Thread - The Letter Black
Fire It Up - Thousand Foot Krutch
In Exile - Thrice
The Lion's Den - Guardian (XR Gold)

XR LIGHT

Underneath - A Road Less Traveled
Beautiful Way - All Star United
Hope Inside - Cloverton
Excuses - Deas Vail
Disappearing World - Fair
'Tis So Sweet - Hawk Nelson
Forest - Number One Gun
Anchor - Satellites & Sirens
Don't You Know You're Beautiful - Seabird
Salt And The Light - Sent By Ravens
All Consuming Love - Silverline
Drive On - Submission Red
About To Fall - The Wrecking
Already Home - Thousand Foot Krutch
Free To Fail - Vota

Seabird on XR this Friday/XR Playlist for week ending 2/20/10

2010-02-23T12:21:00.002-05:00

Join us Friday night at 10pm for an interview with Seabird and for a chance to win a copy of their new CD "Rocks Into Rivers." Seabird's single "Don't You Know You're Beautiful" is currently playing on Crossroad Light on Saturday nights. Their music has been heard on TV shows such as "Pushing Daisies" and "Grey's Anatomy." They've also just landed the opening spot on Switchfoot's "Hello Hurricane" tour.

XR

Love Is - A Rotterdam November
Close Your Eyes - Abandon Kansas
Fantasy - Da' T.R.U.T.H. feat. J.R.
Lately - Day Of Fire
Edge Of The Earth - Days Divide
Collapsing - Demon Hunter
Here To Stay - Echoes The Fall
Chasm - Flyleaf
Live Life Loud - Hawk Nelson
The Elevator - I Am Empire
Are We Alright Now? - I'm OK You're OK
Save The World - Life In Rescue
Shine - Pillar
Dust - Queens Club
Forever - Red
Beatiful List - Sent By Ravens
Lost Connection With The Head - Showbread
Stop Me Now - Silverline
Awake And Alive - Skillet
Work - Tedashii
Hanging On By A Thread - The Letter Black
Fire It Up - Thousand Foot Krutch
In Exile - Thrice
Super Good Feeling - Bleach (XR Gold)

XR LIGHT

Underneath - A Road Less Traveled
Beautiful Way - All Star United
Hope Inside - Cloverton
Excuses - Deas Vail
Disappearing World - Fair
'Tis So Sweet - Hawk Nelson
Forest - Number One Gun
Anchor - Satellites & Sirens
Don't You Know You're Beautiful - Seabird
Salt And The Light - Sent By Ravens
All Consuming Love - Silverline
We Shine - Stellar Kart
Drive On - Submission Red
Already Home - Thousand Foot Krutch
Free To Fail - Vota

Austin Simmons on American Idol

2010-02-09T08:28:00.002-05:00

Check out Austin Simmons on tonight's "American Idol." Austin's a friend of mine and of the show and he would definitely appreciate your support. Yet again, God is moving through Christians on the most watched show in the world. Check it out at 8pm tonight on Fox.

Dave

The re-launch of "Crossroad Gold"

2010-02-04T07:27:00.003-05:00

Go back a few years with me. In the mid 90's I was a fresh-faced young college grad living in Music City, USA (Nashville, TN if you live under a rock - no offense to sub-rock dwellers) and making a meager living as a freelance writer for music publications such as CCM, which still exists online, Release, Christian Entertainment, and the one I spent the most time with, 7ball, a first-of-its-kind modern rock music zine.

I was on the front row at the 1996 Dove Awards and watched as dcTalk won "Artist Of The Year" and Jars Of Clay took home the "New Artist Of The Year" honors in what was a historic momentum shift for the burgeoning genre of alternative/modern rock in the Christian music industry.

Being a member of the media and covering this kind of music had a lot of perks. Unfortunately not many of them were monetary. Still I reaped the benefits of being able to get my hands on a lot of music due to my connections (record labels can be very generous and they want you to like them) and most of it, much to my wife's chagrin, is stored in my basement at home.

While looking through my collection this week the thought came to me that it would be a cool idea to re-launch the dormant "Crossroad Gold" segment by putting these CDs to use. In the past, "Gold" consisted simply of playing a song that had been featured on the show before and commenting briefly on it. My new idea is to re-introduce you to some of your favorite artists who have gone on to big succes within the industry (think Newsboys, Third Day, Audio Adrenaline, Switchfoot, dcTalk, Jars, etc.) by playing some of their earlier works when they were considered edgy and alternative - whatever alternative actually means. But we're not stopping there. There were other bands who, for various reasons, didn't take the same path. Bands such as Plankeye, Five Iron Frenzy, Guardian, Bride, Fold Zandura, Stavesacre, The Waiting, The OC Supertones, Smalltown Poets, johnny Q. public, and I could go on and on.

So let's cut to the chase. Starting Friday, February 12th, Martin and I will be giving you a very interesting history lesson involving one band and one song that helped pave the way for a show like Crossroad Radio. You'll find the segment at 11:15pm each week and we couldn't posssibly be more excited about it! As you may be aware, Martin has his own share of experiences from being a drummer for several bands in the 90's and the early part of the 2000's and has his own vast collection to draw from as well.

We've heard your clamoring for something like this and we're glad to finally offer the new and revised "Crossroad Gold!"

Dave

XR PLAYLIST FOR WEEK ENDING 1/30/10

2010-02-02T16:20:00.002-05:00

Sorry this one has taken a little longer to post. I've been snowbound with no internet service :(

XR

A Rotterdam November - "Love Is"
Abandon Kansas - "Close Your Eyes"
Da' T.R.U.T.H. feat. J.R. - "Fantasy"
Day Of Fire - "Lately"
Days Divide - "Edge Of The Earth"
Demon Hunter - "Collapsing"
Fireflight - "Desperate"
Flyleaf - "Chasm"
Hawk Nelson - "Live Life Loud"
High Flight Society - "Inhaling A Bullet"
I Am Empire - "The Elevator"
I'm OK You're OK - "Are We Alright Now?"
John Reuben - "No Be Nah"
Kronicles - "Switch"
Lecrae feat. Trip Lee - "Fall Back"
Life In Rescue - "Save The World"
Maj - "Hill Street Blues"
Paige Armstrong - "Wake Up"
Pillar - "Shine"
Project 86 - "The Butcher"
R-Swift - "Awesome"
Red - "Forever"
Relient K - "I Don't Need A Soul"
Silverline - "Stop Me Now"
Skillet - "Monster"
Stria - "Medical Art"
Switchfoot - "Mess Of Me"
Tedashii - "Work"
The Letter Black - "Hanging On By A Thread"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Fire It Up"
Thrice - "In Exile"

XR LIGHT

A Road Less Traveled - "Underneath"
Abandon - "Safe In Your Arms"
Cloverton - "Hope Inside"
Deas Vail - "Excuses"
Decyfer Down - "Best I Can"
Fair - "Disappearing World"
Number One Gun - "Forest"
Robbie Seay Band - "Awaken My Soul"
Satellites & Sirens - "Anchor"
Seabird - "Don't You Know You're Beautiful"
Silverline - "All Consuming Love"
Stellar Kart - "We Shine"
Submission Red - "Drive On"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Already Home"
Vota - "Free To Fail"

PLAYLIST FOR WEEK ENDING 1/23/09

2010-01-26T10:57:00.002-05:00

XR

Da' T.R.U.T.H. feat. JR - "Fantasy"
Day Of Fire - "Lately"
Demon Hunter - "Collapsing"
Falling Up - "Hotel Aquarium"
Fireflight - "Desperate"
Flyleaf - "Chasm"
High Flight Society - "Inhaling A Bullet"
I Am Empire - "The Elevator"
I'm OK You're OK - "Are We Alright Now?"
John Reuben - "No Be Nah"
Kronicles - "Switch"
Lecrae feat. Trip Lee - "Fall Back"
Life In Rescue - "Save The World"
Maj - "Hill Street Blues"
Pillar - "Shine"
Project 86 - "The Butcher"
R-Swift - "Awesome"
Red - "Forever"
Relient K - "I Don't Need A Soul"
Silverline - "Stop Me Now"
Skillet - "Comatose"
Stephanie Smith - "Back To Innocence"
Stria - "Medical Art"
The Letter Black - "Hanging On By A Thread"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Fire It Up"
Thrice - "In Exile"

XR LIGHT

A Road Less Traveled - "Underneath"
Abandon - "Safe In Your Arms"
Cloverton - "Hope Inside"
Deas Vail - "Excuses"
Decyfer Down - "Best I Can"
Fair - "Disappearing World"
Me In Motion - "Losers"
Number One Gun - "Forest"
Red - "Start Again"
Robbie Seay Band - "Awaken My Soul"
Seabird - "Don't You Know You're Beautiful"
Silverline - "All Consuming Love"
Stellar Kart - "We Shine"
Submission Red - "Drive On"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Already Home"

SOME THOUGHTS ON HAITI

2010-01-18T16:09:00.004-05:00

Since last Tuesday when the earthquake that devastated Port au Prince, Haiti shocked, saddened, and motivated the entire world into action, people have taken to speculating, as is the case with every event of this nature, if it was the result of the judgment of God being administered. One popular televangelist, whose remarks may or may not have been misconstrued and may have been off base totally, was, at the very least, guilty of poor timing in expressing his thoughts on the subject.

Personally, I don’t think it’s up to any of us to speak specifically for God when it comes to judgments upon specific nations. Although He’s done that himself when it comes to the world in the time of Noah as well as Sodom and Gomorrah, we’re not qualified, in this day and time, to speak for Haiti, New Orleans, China, or any other place that has felt the effects of a natural disaster. I can’t even begin to imagine the questioning, the loss, and the sorrow that the people in these places have felt.

But there is something I do know. The death rate on Earth is 100% and will be until the Lord returns. And every single one of those deaths can be traced back to one cause – sin. Without our willful desire to disobey God, we’d live in a perfect world where death couldn’t even come close to touching us. However, that isn’t where we find ourselves.

In Romans 6:23 Paul says that “the wages of sin is death.” That’s no less true for the 95 year old Christian grandmother who passes away peacefully in her sleep than the hundreds of thousands of people in Haiti who lost their lives when the ground gave way beneath them. Death is the great equalizer and it shows no favoritism. We should be glad that the verse doesn’t end with this verdict. It goes on to say “but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We are made righteous and given eternal life only because the righteous one took our punishment for us.

I’m not saying that what happened in Haiti wasn’t God’s specific judgment on that land. I’m simply saying that we don’t know for sure and because of that, our focus as Christians shouldn’t be about pointing fingers at other nations. After all, we live on a particularly large spiritual fault line here in America too. Every single human being on Earth is deserving of God’s punishment. Grace, however, is God’s unmerited favor. That’s what makes the gospel good news! It’s also what puts us in righteous standing with God the Father, not our own works. So if we can all agree that nothing would ever go wrong apart from sin and leave specific judgments to God, we’ll be free to focus on doing what we’re called to do, which is to be salt and light in the world.

The biggest difference between the self-righteous and the truly righteous shows in how we react to situations like the one facing us in Haiti. The self-righteous will point fingers and say “they got what they deserved.” The righteous will act. Proverbs 29:7 says “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”

So how are you going to act? I’d encourage you to go to websites such as www.compassion.com, www.worldvision.org, and www.handsandfeetproject.org to find ways you can reach out to the people of Haiti who very much fit the description of the “least of these” Jesus speaks of Matthew 25. You can sponsor a child in Jesus’ name for a very low cost or donate even the smallest amount of money. Anything helps, even $10 which you can donate through Compassion International simply by texting the word “disaster” to 90999. On top of this, pray that God’s love through Christ will be seen in all the relief efforts that the body of Christ puts together.

Come on church! Let’s get those planks out of our eyes and put them to use – building God’s kingdom in Haiti.

Blessings,
Dave

PLAYLIST FOR WEEK ENDING 1-16-10

2010-01-18T10:38:00.002-05:00

XR

Da' T.R.U.T.H. feat. JR - "Fantasy"
Day Of Fire - "Lately"
Days Divide - "Edge Of The Earth"
DecembeRadio - "Gasoline"
Demon Hunter - " Collapsing"
Emery - "Open Hands, Closed Eyes"
Fireflight - "Desperate"
Flyleaf - "Chasm"
High Flight Society - "Inhaling A Bullet"
I'm OK You're OK - "Are We Alright Now?"
Lecrae feat. Trip Lee - "Fall Back"
Life In Rescue - "Save The World"
Maj - "Hill Street Blues"
Newsboys - "Breakfast"
Paige Armstrong - "Wake Up"
Pillar - "Shine"
Project 86 - "The Butcher"
R-Swift - "Awesome"
Red - "Forever"
Silverline - "Stop Me Now"
Skillet - "Monster"
Stephanie Smith - "Back To Innocence"
Stria - "Medical Art"
Submission Red - "Nobody"
Switchfoot - "Mess Of Me"
Tedashii - "Work"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Fire It Up"
Thrice - "In Exile"

XR Light

A Road Less Traveled - "Underneath"
Abandon - "Safe In Your Arms"
Deas Vail - "Excuses"
DecembeRadio - "Be Alright"
Decyfer Down - "Best I Can"
Fair - "Disappearing World"
Me In Motion - "Losers"
Number One Gun - "Forest"
Plumb - "Hang On"
Red - "Start Again"
Robbie Seay Band - "Awaken My Soul"
Seabird - "Don't You Know You're Beautiful"
Silverline - "All Consuming Love"
Stellar Kart - "We Shine"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Already Home"

XR GUEST APPEARANCES

2010-01-13T15:26:00.004-05:00

As I was preparing my questions for tonight's interview with Seabird (to be aired on a future XR) I started thinking about all of the bands/artists who will be making guest appearances over the next couple of months on our show. When I reached the point where my brain was just about to explode from thinking about the sheer numbers, I decided to share them with you here to be safe. It helps to put things in writing, you know?

Check out this lineup:

Day Of Fire, Fireflight, Stellar Kart, the aforementioned Seabird, Number One Gun, Submission Red, I Am Empire, and Me In Motion are all confirmed for phone interviews at this point. Plenty of merch will be available for you to win from them.

And if that isn't enough, how about our in studio guests? The guys from the "Follow Me Tour" (www.myspace.com/followmetour09) join us this Friday night. February brings us the make-up date for Elishah (you remember that they were felled by the weather in December) and Safe In The Arms, the new project from Tyler Lucas (formerly of A Kiss For Jersey).

Yeah, we like to bring you the good stuff because God has blessed us to be able to do it and because, well, we love you.

Dave

Dave

XR PLAYLIST FOR WEEK ENDING 1-8-10

2010-01-11T10:44:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Stria and their fans (and, as always, our listeners) for helping to make last week's live XR broadcast one to remember. If you missed it, click on our ustream.tv link on the home page to check it out. Here's the music that rocked your weekend.

XR:

Da' T.R.U.T.H. feat. J.R - "Fantasy"
Day Of Fire - "Lately"
Days Divide - "Edge Of The Earth"
Emery - "Open Hands, Closed Eyes"
Everyday Sunday - "Breathing For Me"
Fireflight - "Desperate"
Flyleaf - "Chasm"
High Flight Society - "Inhaling A Bullet"
House Of Heroes - "Field Of Daggers"
John Reuben - "No Be Nah"
Lecrae feat. Trip Lee - "Fall Back"
Life In Rescue - "Save The World"
Maj - "Hill Street Blues"
Paige Armstrong - "Wake Up"
Pillar - "Shine"
Project 86 - "The Butcher"
R-Swift - "Awesome"
Red - "Forever"
Silverline - "Stop Me Now"
Skillet - "Monster"
Stephanie Smith - "Back To Innocence"
Stria - "Medical Art"
Switchfoot - "Mess Of Me"
Tedashii - "Work"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Fire It Up"
Thrice - "In Exile"

XR LIGHT:

Abandon - "Safe In Your Arms"
Deas Vail - "Excuses"
DecembeRadio - "Be Alright"
Decyfer Down - "Best I Can"
Delorean Grey - "Sorry For The Last Time"
Disciple - "Lay My Burdens"
Fair - "Disappearing World"
Me In Motion - "Losers"
Number One Gun - "Forest"
Plumb - "Hang On"
Red - "Start Again"
Robbie Seay Band - "Awaken My Soul"
Seabird - "Don't You Know You're Beautiful"
Stellar Kart - "We Shine"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Already Home"

If you like the bands we play, check them all out at www.myspace.com and let them know that you heard them on our show!

BEST OF 2009 COUNTDOWN

2010-01-06T09:40:00.004-05:00

In case you missed our live "Best Of 2009" show on New Year's Eve (and if you did, go back to the Home page and click on our ustream link to relive it) here's a rundown of our top 10 XR, top 5 XR Light, and top 3 Rap/Hip Hop songs for the year.

XR Top 10:

1. "Fading" - Decyfer Down
2. "The Difference" - Philmont
3. "The Unavoidable Battle Of Feeling On The Outside" - FM Static
4. "Hero" - Skillet
5. "Romance Me" - Disciple
6. " Stand Up" - Fireflight
7. "Code Name:Raven" - House Of Heroes
8. "Death Of Me" - Red
9. "The Way That You Are" - The Classic Crime
10. "Streams Of Woe At Acheron" - Falling Up

XR Light Top 5:

1. "My Sweet Escape" - Run Kid Run
2. "Meaning Of Life" - Hawk Nelson
3. "I'll Go" - Vota
4. "Back To The Five" - Ruth
5. "Life Is Beautiful" - Press Play

Top 3 Rap/Hip:

1. "I'm A Believer" - Tedashii
2. "Breathin' To Death" - Lecrae
3. "U Ready?" - Da' T.R.U.T.H.

5 HOURS OF XR THIS WEEK - BELIEVE IT!

2009-12-30T16:16:00.000-05:00

Special week on XR guys. This Thursday (New Year's Eve) Martin and I will be bringing you our "Best Of 2009" show. Bring in 2010 with us by listening to all that was good about '09. The show starts at 10pm at www.crossroadradio.com. We'll also be giving away copies of Seabird's new "Rocks Into Rivers" CD that night.On Friday tune in again as we return to our regular programming with the first XR of 2010. New music from Pillar, Skillet, and Red marks the occasion!And don't forget about Crossroad Light on Saturday night from 9-10pm. 5 hours of sheer bliss awaits you, loyal Crossroad fanatic!

God bless,
Dave

XR Playlist - Week ending 11/21/09

2009-11-24T10:33:00.003-05:00

Sorry it's been a while since we've done this. Hoping to do it on a weekly basis now. Thanks for your graciousness and forgiveness in advance :) Dave

XR

Abandon Kansas - "I Wonder If It's Me"
DA T.R.U.T.H. - "U Ready?"
Day Of Fire - "Lately"
DecembeRadio - "Gasoline"
Emery - "Open Hands, Closed Eyes"
Everyday Sunday - "Breathing For Me"
Fireflight - "Desperate"
Flyleaf - "Again"
Hearts Of Saints - "The Secret"
High Flight Society - "Inhaling A Bullet"
House Of Heroes - "Field Of Daggers"
I Am Empire - "The Elevator"
I'm OK You're OK - "Stories Of Redemption"
John Reuben - "No Be Nah"
KJ-52 - "End Of My Rope"
Maj - "Hill Street Blues"
Nine Lashes - "Word Of Advice"
Pillar - "Fire On The Inside"
Project 86 - "The Butcher"
Showbread - "Vehement"
Skillet - "Monster"
Stephanie Smith - "Back To Innocence"
Stria - "Medical Art"
Submission Red - "Nobody"
Switchfoot - "Mess Of Me"
Tedashii - "Work"
The Almost - "Hands"
The Letter Black - "Best Of Me"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Fire It Up"

XR LIGHT

Abandon - "Safe In Your Arms"
Clemency - "Inside"
Deas Vail - "Excuses"
DecembeRadio - "Be Alright"
Decyfer Down - "Best I Can"
Delorean Grey - "Sorry For The Last Time"
Disciple - "Lay My Burdens"
Future Of Forestry - "Holiday"
Me In Motion - "Losers"
Plumb - "Hang On"
Red - "Start Again"
Relient K - "Forget And Not Slow Down"
Ruth - "Rolling With The Punches"
Stellar Kart - "We Shine"
Stryper - "I Believe"
The Glorious Unseen - Heavy Hearted"

BIG, BIG THANKS!

2009-10-13T15:59:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone. I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of you faithful XR listeners and fans for making the transitions of the past few months mostly smooth.

Becoming the host of the show comes with a lot of responsibilities and a few speedbumps (remember I said mostly smooth) but all of you have been very encouraging with your comments on our ministry, the music we play, guest appearances, and, most especially, Martin, my new co-host.

I'm excited about what the next couple of months hold for XR. We'll be having bands and artists such as Hawk Nelson, KJ-52, The Almost, The Letter Black, Abandon Kansas, and I'm OK You're OK on the show and will be hosting House Of Heroes, Runaway City, and Stria in concert on November 14th at Peace Haven Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro.

Most of all though, I'm excited about our show's impact on our community for Christ. After all, that's why we do what we do.

All for His glory,
Dave

XR Playlist - Week ending 10/10/09

2009-10-12T12:07:00.002-04:00

XR

Abandon Kansas - "I Wonder If It's Me"
All Star United - "Surface Of The Sun"
Da' T.R.U.T.H. - "U Ready?"
Dreampilots - "Comedown"
Echoes The Fall - "Break Away"
Emery - "Open Hands, Closed Eyes"
Everyday Sunday - "Breathing For Me"
Flynn Adam - "Dishes"
FM Static - "Boy Moves To A New Town With Optimistic Outlook"
Hawk Nelson - "Alive"
House Of Heroes - "Field Of Daggers"
I'm OK, You're OK - "Stories Of Redemption"
KJ-52 - "End Of My Rope"
Lecrae - "I'm A Saint"
Nine Lashes - "Word Of Advice"
Old Man Shattered - "Stories"
Philmont - "The Difference"
Pillar - "Fire On The Inside"
Red - "Mystery Of You"
Red Umbrella - "Forest Fire"
Run Kid Run - "My Sweet Escape"
Showbread - "Vehement"
Skillet - "Monster"
Switchfoot - "Mess Of Me"
The Almost - "Hands"
The Birdsongs - "Pieces (Hold On)"
The Contact - "My Divine"
This Beautiful Republic - "My God"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Bring Me To Life"
Trip Lee - "Inexhaustable"

XR LIGHT

Between The Trees - "We Can Try"
Clemency - "Inside"
Delorean Grey - "Sorry For The Last Time"
Disciple - "Lay My Burdens"
Future Of Forestry - "Holiday"
Hawk Nelson - "The Meaning Of Life"
Me In Motion - "Losers"
Pillar - "Secrets And Regrets"
Plumb - "God-Shaped Hole"
Relient K - "Forget And Not Slow Down"
Remedy Drive - "Something Made To Last"
Ruth - "Rolling With The Punches"
Stryper - "I Believe"
The Glorious Unseen - "Heavy Hearted"
The Letter Black - "Best Of Me"

XR and XR Light Playlist - Week ending 9-25-09

2009-09-29T09:43:00.004-04:00

XR

Abandon Kansas - "I Wonder If It's Me"
All Star United - "Surface Of The Sun"
Da' T.R.U.T.H. - "U Ready?"
Decyfer Down - "Desperate"
Dreampilots - "Comedown"
Echoes The Fall - "Break Away"
Emery - "Open Hands, Closed Eyes"
Everyday Sunday - "Breathing For Me"
Flynn Adam - "Dishes"
Hawk Nelson - "Alive"
House Of Heroes - "Field Of Daggers"
I'm OK, You're OK - "Stories Of Redemption"
KJ-52 - "End Of My Rope"
Lecrae - "I'm A Saint"
Nine Lashes - "Word Of Advice"
Old Man Shattered - "Stories"
Pillar - "Fire On The Inside"
Red - "Mystery Of You"
Red Umbrella - "Forest Fire"
Showbread - "Vehement"
Skillet - "Monster"
Switchfoot - "Mess Of Me"
The Birdsongs- "Pieces (Hold On)"
This Beautiful Republic - "My God"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Bring Me To Life"
Trip Lee - "Inexhaustable"

XR Light

Abandon - "Be Alive In Me"
Between The Trees - "We Can Try"
Clemency - "Inside"
Disciple - "Lay My Burdens"
Future Of Forestry - "This Hour"
Hawk Nelson - "Meaning Of Life"
Philmont - "Another Name"
Pillar - "Secrets And Regrets"
Plumb - "God-Shaped Hole"
Relient K - "Forget And Not Slow Down"
Remedy Drive - "Something Made To Last"
Ruth - "Rolling With The Punches"
Stryper - "I Believe"
The Glorious Unseen - "Heavy Hearted"
The Letter Black - "Best Of Me"

Pillar on tonight's XR! And a few random other things...

2009-09-25T08:52:00.004-04:00

Pillar's Rob Beckley joins Martin and me tonight for an interview about the band's brand new, just-released CD "Confessions." Tune in at 10pm for your chance to win a copy and to hear from Rob. www.myspace.com/pillar.

Webcam will be up so click on the ustream link to view the show live and participate in interactive chat with us and other listeners.

We have some great new music to share with you tonight. I could tell you about it here but what fun would that be? I like building up the anticipation!

Starting next week, both Crossroad Radio (Fridays at 10pm) and Crossroad Light (Saturdays at 9pm) will be broadcasting live from the Gazebo at the Dixie Classic Fair. I always love doing the show from the Fair. I think it has some sentimental value for me since my first show was there three years ago. Can't wait to see what new candy they've learned to deep fry within the past year. Last year, it was Reese's Cups. Can we possibly hope for a Heath bar this year?

More importantly than the deep fried stuff though, we get the chance to hang out with you and to share the word of God through our words and the music we play in a setting where a lot of people who wouldn't otherwise hear it are going to be around. Pray that XR (and WBFJ) shines the light of Christ at the Fair and that God uses us to speak into the lives of those who come by the Gazebo to talk or just to hang out.

God bless,
Dave

XR and XR Light Playlist - Week ending 9/19

2009-09-22T09:36:00.003-04:00

XR

Abandon Kansas - "I Wonder If It's Me"
All Star United - "Surface Of The Sun"
DA T.R.U.T.H. - "U Ready?"
Decyfer Down - "Desperate"
Dreampilots - "Comedown"
Echoes The Fall - "Break Away"
Everyday Sunday - "Breathing For Me"
Flyleaf - "Again"
Flynn Adam - "Dishes"
FM Static - "Boy Moves To A New Town With Optimistic Outlook"
Hawk Nelson - "Alive"
I'm OK You're OK - "Stories Of Redemption"
KJ-52 - "End Of My Rope"
Lecrae - "I'm A Saint"
Nine Lashes - "Words Of Red"
Old Man Shattered - "Stories"
Pillar - "Fire On The Inside"
Red - "Mystery Of You"
Red Umbrella - "Forest Fire"
Showbread - "Vehement"
Skillet - "Hero"
The Birdsongs - "Pieces (Hold On)"
This Beautiful Republic - "My God"
Thousand Foot Krutch - "Bring Me To Life"
Trip Lee - "Inexhaustable"

XR Light

Abandon - "Be Alive In Me"
Between The Trees - "We Can Try"
Disciple - "Lay My Burdens"
Future Of Forestry - "This Hour"
Hawk Nelson - "Meaning Of Life"
Philmont - "Another Name"
Pillar - "Secrets And Regrets"
Plumb - "God-Shaped Hole"
Relient K - "Forget And Not Slow Down"
Remedy Drive - "Something Made To Last"
Revive - "Can't Change Yesterday"
Ruth - "Rolling With The Punches"
Stryper - "I Believe"
The Glorious Unseen - "Heavy Hearted"
The Letter Black - "Best Of Me"

Skillet and Nine Lashes CDs available tonight!

2009-08-28T12:24:00.002-04:00

Last week we had John Cooper of Skillet on to talk about the band's new CD "Awake" and this week we want to give you the chance to win your very own copy! But, at the risk of sounding like a Ginsu knife commercial, wait there's more! We're going to make it a prize pack by including a copy of "Escape" from the new band Nine Lashes who will be on next week's XR! Go ahead and get 336-777-1893 on your speed dial now (hey, go ahead and program it in your phone - trust me, you'll want to with all the great prizes coming our way soon) and listen for the cue to call on tonight's show. Join us live on ustream by following the link Martin's posted below.

If you're free tonight, come out to Firehouse Ministries in Mount Airy around 6:30 and join me as I host a CD Release party with my good friends in Miracle Made before tuning in to XR at 10pm. Also, tomorrow night Worship Alive, our in-studio guests from a couple of weeks back will be putting on a free event (with food) at Haymore Memorial Baptist Church in Mount Airy for local and area youth. Go and have a good time while worshiping our great God and tell them that you heard about it on Crossroad Radio!

Good things are happening in September on XR. I've already mentioned Nine Lashes. September also brings us Pillar, Thousand Foot Krutch and Hawk Nelson. And on the 11th, Runaway City will be joining us live in the studio. If you haven't heard of Runaway City maybe you've heard of some of the bands they used to be a part of - Chasing Daylight, Fighting Instinct, and Layden - all of which have been in the XR studio with us at some point. So we know the guys and know they're all about bringing you great music with a focus on Christ. And their new stuff is incredible. Be sure to check it out.

God bless,
Dave

Wanna watch us live from 10-12 on Friday nights?

2009-08-21T21:29:00.002-04:00

If you want to watch us live on the air, we are streaming live on ustream.tv on Friday nights from 10-12. Just go to www.ustream.tv/channel/crossroad-radio and sign in to chat with us and other Crossroad Radio fans!

Curveball on tonight's show

2009-07-17T07:38:00.004-04:00

On last week's show I mentioned that Project 86's Andrew Schwab would be joining us for tonight's XR. I've recorded an interview with Andrew but it's actually going to air next week. I'll also have a few copies of the new "Picket Fence Cartel" for you to win.

To make up for holding off on Andrew I have MANY copies of Everyday Sunday's "Best Night Of Our Lives" to give away tonight courtesy of our good friends at Inpop Records! We had EDS on the show and enjoyed hosting them at Sumfun 09 in May.

But even that isn't the news that has me the most excited! Tonight my friend Martin Moore makes his debut on XR to try out the co-hosting role. Martin's a great guy with a heart for Christ and a musical background, having played in several local bands over the past few years. He's even shared the stage with Skillet! How cool is that? Right now, he's fiercely into learning and playing his hammered dulcimer which, although it's really cool, will not be making an appearance on XR because it really isn't a dulcimer kind of show. Dulcimers rock though.

Anyway, tune in tonight for Martin's debut, win the Everyday Sunday CD, and hear what's still the best 2 hours of radio in the entire world!

Peace,
Dave

"To everything (turn, turn, turn), there is a season (turn, turn, turn)..."

2009-07-09T11:47:00.004-04:00

Okay, don't worry that Crossroad Radio has decided to go with a 60's format. XR is still committed to bringing you the best in Christian rock, rap, and everything in between - from today!

Still, there are some changes in the works. After 9 years as the host and producer of XR, Deke made his last appearance on last Friday's show. He's moving on to a new chapter in his life as God has opened the door for him to work with children at his church. I'm definitely going to miss him but I know that God is going to bless this move because Deke knows that this is what he was called to and is walking in obedience to the calling. Deke was my introduction to both radio and XR specifically and I owe him a great debt. One thing that you may not know is that Deke has the gift of encouragement. When I first started on the show I made many mistakes (maybe that hasn't changed much :)). But Deke was always available to provide support and to say the right thing at the right time. Sounds like a small thing but it made a world of difference in my confidence and ability to do the show. It's one of the most blessed gifts to have given to you and he's been given it in abundance. Rock on Deke.

What does that mean for the show? Glad you asked (or let me ask for you I guess). Well, after almost three great years of serving as co-host and interview guy, I'm stepping up to the microphone on a regular basis as the host of XR and I couldn't possibly be more excited! I'm already working on some more great interviews, guest appearances, and giveaways. Pray for me as I take on this new challenge. One thing that definitely will not change is that XR will continue to be about making an impact on the lives of our listeners through the life-changing news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So to all our listeners who are reading this, thank you. You are why I do this show. Since most of you found out about the transition I've received nothing but encouragement from you. I look forward to being your host for XR (and blogging more often - sorry about that) as long as God tells me to do it!

Dave

Changes are coming!

2009-06-24T09:08:00.002-04:00

Hey Crossroadies!

I wanted to let you know that changes are coming to Crossroad Radio and we are excited to see what God is going to be doing through this ministry. Stay tuned for more!

Deke's Lazer Tag Saga

2009-05-29T11:30:00.001-04:00

May 21st - 3:27pm

My dearest wife Amy,

I find myself in a frightening situation. There is lazer fire all around me. The green team has surrounded us and I think they have taken down our fearless leader, Wally. He will be out of commission for at least 10 seconds while his lazer recharges. The Tami-nator has been hiding in the same place for this entire battle and we cannot get a lock on her lazer sensors...all may be lost. If I do not make it out of this battle without scoring at least 100 points I may never make it out alive. Despite supercharging my weapon at the glowing spider I have been unable to shoot more than a wondering Cindy who was caught unaware with my ninja like skills. Tell the kids I love them and you will be in my thoughts always. Now, it is time for me to make one more bold run into the enemy territory. My weapon is prepped as I step out into the warfare. I rush into it head first and as I turn the corner I...

WHAM!!!!

Whoa...where did those stars come from?

So, this past Thursday I found myself nearly blacking out after I decided to butt heads with an immovable object...namely a wall. It was during the WBFJ Sharathon celebration at Lazer X that I went a little too crazy with the commando stuff and while doing a quick duck and weave I ducked right into a hard plastic partition. Fortunately I did not black out but I did make a Gorbachev like bruise appear on my forehead.

That evening I was feeling a little bit nauseous, dizzy, and having flashbacks (ok maybe not that) and after fighting the promptings of my wife and my church family I decided to head into the ER where I sat hooked up to machines awaiting a CT scan.

This was really the first time in my life I have ever been in that position. Because of the grace of God (and nothing else) I have never been to the hospital as a patient. I have never had to lay on those uncomfortable beds looking at my heart beat on a digital screen while doctors and nurses ask me a hundred and one questions. I have never had to wear one of those free flowing gowns that make me nervous just wearing them or get any sort of scanning done. So as I sat there unable to move because of the jumper cables attached to my chest (those were fun getting off) I looked at my beautiful wife sitting with me and wondered what life would be like if the scans came back with a bad diagnosis. What if there was bleeding in my skull? What if they found cancer? What if I didn't have a brain?

As I pondered all of these terrible situations I prayed that regardless of what the diagnosis was that I would be able to stand firmly and pronounce to every doctor, nurse, visitor and myself that God is good. He is worthy of all praise and honor. If He decided to allow me to die or have cancer then His ways are higher than mine and I can trust Him. I prayed that He would use the situation as a means to tell others about His incredible love and grace. The bottom line is that my life is not my own. In fact, He owns me because (like everyone else) He created me and therefore has rights to my life. He is also perfect and therefore is right in everything He does. This does not mean it is easy to submit to His will but there is peace and rest when we do.

I am thankful that I did not have anything wrong with me (though some of you may differ) but I still pray that I will pronounce boldly the truth about my God. Even if He did nothing else for me and I perished on this day He has done more than enough when He sent His Son to die in my place on the cross. Because of Christ's sacrifice I am free from condemnation and will one day enjoy heaven by His side where there will be no more pain or death. So no matter what pain or suffering I may endure here on earth, as a Christian, this is the closest to hell I will ever be.

I pray you can say the same.

As far as Lazer Tag...I do plan on playing again sometime. After all, even with a head injury I got 2nd place! Of course, the worse part about the whole ordeal was having to tell doctors, nurses, and my good friends HOW I got the purple blotches on my head. After a serious, "I hope you're alright," I could have sworn I heard giggling down the hall.

I saved a Webkinz yesterday

2009-04-20T08:13:00.001-04:00

There my daughter and I sat, staring into the computer screen in shock and horror. All 11 of her registeredWebkinz were dying of hunger. No seriously, their food level was down to almost single digits. As I stared at the dehydrated hippo I freaked...

"Emily! Feed him some hippo helper and don't forget to the gorge the pig on mud pies!!"

After she slapped me with the stuffed golden retriever I came to my senses and she and I had a blast shoving piles of food into each digital creatures tummy. Of course, I was wondering what happens to digital creatures when they die. Surely a computer's registry cannot be the best place to hang out. Maybe all those ones and zeros can be recycled into math problems for kindergardeners or something. Anyway, after about 30 minutes of intense nursing we got all the animals fed and in bed (including my horse who sleeps on a football helmet).

This morning as I sipped on my coffee and thanked the Lord for the time I had yesterday with my kids I thought about that time of digital doctoring and Psalm 1:1-3 came to mind.

"Blessed is the man
         Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
         Nor stands in the path of sinners,
         Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
         And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree
         Planted by the rivers of water,
         That brings forth its fruit in its season,
         Whose leaf also shall not wither;
         And whatever he does shall prosper."

Our time in God's word is like a heaping spoonful of horseshoe flap jacks for a hungry horse. It is nourishment to our bodies and without it we become weak and are more apt to fall. When we consume God's word on a daily basis and make it our primary diet then we "shall not wither."

If you are like me then you are extremely busy all day long and find yourself consumed by the tyranny of the urgent. Many times I have to force myself to sit and meditate on God's word because my mind is on 100 other things that I think I need to deal with within the next 5 minutes or the world may blow up. It's not that I do not desire to read God's word but that I tend to get caught up in the less important things and therefore end up withering on the vine and wondering why I cannot get done what I need to get done.

That's when I am too often reminded:

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5

Like my daughter's Webkinz I too will end up sickly and malnourished if I do not take heed to scripture and plant myself next to the stream of life found ONLY in God's word. Of course, I rather eat from God's word than consume a bowl of digital dog chow any day.

Imagine Yourself There...

2009-04-10T09:52:00.001-04:00

Imagine yourself there...

The crowd is large and they are buzzing with both excitement and malice. They want blood and they will not back down.

You look to the front and you see a man who you know as Yeshua. He is man who commanded people to "repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.(Mark 1:15)" He was the One who taught on the Mount of Olives saying, "blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.(Matt 5:3)" He also spoke with authority about the law of Moses and the holy scriptures (Matt 7:29).

Yeshua, the One who was known for feeding thousands with a handful of bread and fish (Mark 8). He healed the leper (Matt 8:3) and raised the dead (John 11:43-44).

He was also the One who claimed to be God (John 8:58; 10:30) and spoke against the Pharisees and their hypocrisy (Matt 23:15). This is why He is now standing before Pilate, because the religious leaders are threatened by Him and say that He is blaspheming the Lord because He claims to be God. This is why they stir the crowds...this is why they are now calling our for Pilate to crucify Him.

"But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said to the them again, 'What then do you want me to do with him whom you call the King of the Jews?' So they cried out again, 'Crucify Him!' Then Pilate said to them, 'Why, what evil has He done?' But they cried out all the more, 'Crucify Him!'" Mark 15:11-14

Imagine yourself there...

After hours of questioning, mocking, and beatings Yeshua is lead to the Place of the Skull known also as Golgotha (Matt 15:22-23). Though he has been beaten and tortured to the point of disfigurement He still carries His cross until He can no more. As He marches up the hill to where He will be crucified thousands in Jerusalem are sacrificing lambs for Passover unaware that the Lamb of God is about to be sacrificed for the sins of all mankind (John 1:29).

Imagine yourself there...

Yeshua is on the cross now and crying out for God to forgive those who are even now murdering Him (Luke 23:34). What kind of love would cry for the forgiveness of such evil? Who can cleanse the sins of such wretched people...like the Pharisees...like the crowd...like myself?

²²This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— ²⁶he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:22-26

The Messiah, Yeshua, is close to death. The pain and the suffering on His face are almost too much to bear. He has just cried out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" Who can imagine the pain being put upon the Messiah who is at this moment bearing the sins of ALL mankind. The physical pain can only hint at the immense suffering of the Lamb of God who is at this very moment enduring your sins (as well as my own) so that we may be made righteous in the sight of the Father (Colossians 2: 13-15).

"IT IS FINISHED!"

The hilltop is now shaking and rocks are breaking open all around me. One of the religious leaders is crying out that the curtain in the temple has been torn from top to bottom...is that even possible? Does this mean that we no longer need priests? Yeshua is now our great high priest? Indeed He is (Heb 4:14).

A soldier is staring up a Jesus, his face is ashen and he is saying, "Truly this was the Son of God. (Matt 27:54)" Others are weeping and mourning, for the Messiah, the precious Lamb of God is now dead. But it is said that He will return. Yeshua Himself said that He would endure all this only to be raised again on the third day (Mark 10:33-35).

In three days our Lord, our Messiah, our King will step from the grave and show His power over death and hell (John 20). He will offer forgiveness and grace to all those who humbly repent and trust in His sacrifice for salvation.

He alone is worthy of praise. He alone is worthy of our worship. He alone is God.

And one day He will return.

imagine

post comes from Deke's personal blog - crump

XR Comic - "Web Show"

2009-03-31T14:51:00.001-04:00

Click on image to see full size

Deke's Beat of the Week - Falling Up "Fangs"

2009-03-30T12:47:00.002-04:00

This week my beat of the week is actually the CD we gave away - Falling Up's latest journey into music land. And a journey it is.

This CD has been touted as an "experimental" CD because it is actually based of a screenplay by Falling Up main man Jessie. The CD takes you on a fanciful story through a land of kings and arrows. And that is pretty much all I can understand from this CD. I know this CD has gotten some good reviews and to some this may be their cup of tea but I just don't get it. Here is the 411 (lingo for you hip kids out there).

MUSICALLY: The CD does sound like Falling Up. With beautiful ambience and music, Falling Up does paint us a picture of this land and the adventure taking place. Unfortunately, it does not make for entertaining those who want to hear the hooks and the sounds of their past works. In fact, it seems that the normative things that make a great song (or album) are not used in order to "experiment." This may be a cool idea and I know some people will enjoy this new sound, but I just didn't feel it.

LYRICALLY: This is first and foremost a story in song form. That being said there is no real biblical grounding to the CD. Like a Tolken book - you can infer truths from the story (if you understand it) but there is nothing blatantly obvious. That is all well and good since I don't think the intention of the guys in Falling Up is more than to relay an intriguing story.

CONCLUSION: While I admire their desire to do something different and new in Christian music, I personally do not understand it. It may be that this is just not my thing (and I'm cool with that). Since much of music is subjective I will leave the final conclusion to you. If you do have the CD I would love to hear your thoughts. Good? bad? Indifferent? Let me know.

-Deke

Dave's Beat of The Week

2009-03-27T23:04:00.003-04:00

If you're live on ustream right now you just heard me talk about Red Umbrella's new release "Living and Surviving." Great new stuff from 7 Spin Records (home of The Contact, Sevenglory, among others). Fountains of Wayne music meets Depeche Mode-ish (notice I said "ish" - not a direct comparison) vocals. Check them out at http://www.redumbrella.net/.

Dave's Newsletter Devotion - March 26th

2009-03-27T09:46:00.001-04:00

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-14 (ESV).

Have you, as a follower of Christ, ever felt left out of what's going on around you? If you go to school with or work around unbelievers, and if you're living like you should, the conversation can often dry up whenever you come around or someone feels the need to apologize for a curse word or dirty joke simply because they don't want to offend you.

Happens to me a lot. And when it happens it usually has the effect of making me feel like I'm viewed as a Puritan on a witch hunt. Let's face it, if you're walking with Christ people are going to behave differently around you because of it. There's no way to avoid it. But if no one ever feels as if they can truthfully be themselves around you how much of an effect or impact are you actually having ministry-wise?

I think the key to interacting with people who are unbelievers or haven't experienced the grace of God yet is to check yourself for how much self-righteuousness you're showing. If you're easily upset and become angry whenever someone who doesn't know the Lord slips up in front of you my guess is that your hope for witnessing to that person is likely lost. Do we need to be an example? Yes. Do we need to condone wrong behavior and words simply to appear more human to others and to get on their level? No. But we must understand that we can't be stand-offish. There is a way to express what you know to be true while still getting interacting with those who don't believe it. I don't always achieve that balance but I find the words of Paul to Titus in the above scripture to be a good place to start.

When you express yourself to people, your conversation needs to be covered in grace because that's what covers us. We have no goodness on our own. Rather, it's been extended to us because we've accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. This is what makes us want to live right. The world needs to know that we're not the proverbial Good Two-Shoes or Pollyannas that self-righteousness makes us out to be. They need to know that, apart from Christ, we're just like them and that our zealousness for good works and righteous living springs from a source other than us. They also need to know that they don't have to live up to our standards. Thank God for that because if our eternal destination was about living up to standards, we'd all be in a world of trouble. The only standing we have with God is through Christ who gave us righteousness by paying the penalty of our sins on the cross. May we never forget that.

So in your school, your office, your home, or anywhere for that matter, always let the unbelieving world see a difference in you. But make sure when you do that you're exhibiting the grace which makes you able to do so. That's what makes them want to hear what you have to say.

Deke's Devotions - March 25th

2009-03-25T12:03:00.003-04:00

"My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation and Your righteous word. Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, and teach me Your statutes. I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. It is time for You to act, O Lord, for they have regarded Your law as void. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, yes, than fine gold! Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate ever false way." Psalm 119:123-128

Yesterday at work after working on various projects and finding a moment I opened up God's word to read a Psalm or two. I opened up God word and began reading in the middle of one of my favorite chapters. Not only is chapter 119 one of my favorites, but it is also the longest chapter in scripture racking up 176 verses. The reason I am partial to this Psalm is because it focuses on God's word, it's authority and the writers love for it.

In this section of 119 the author says that his "eyes fail" from seeking God's salvation and His word. As I read that I was struck by the focus it would take to lose one's eye sight while seeking after God. Now, I'm sure this is poetic language describing the passionate seeking of the author, but I still have to ask the question "do I seek His word like that?" Am I willing to lose even my vision for the truth of God's word and his salvation? Does it consume me? Do I cherish it above all things? While I do love His word and desire to know it...I often take it for granted. After all, which do spend more time with; my TV, my computer or my Bible? Do I sit down in the evening and say, "well it has been a hard day at work, I really need to rest in the eternal words of my heavenly Father where we are promised rest and peace" OR do I say "I'm really tired tonight, all I wanna do is veg out." Several years ago I made a pact with myself to spend twice as much time in God's word than watching TV. During that time (which I need to reinstitute) I found myself challenged and blessed by sacrificing TV for His word.

The passage in Psalm 119 continues with a plea from the author asking God to deal with him "according to His mercy." This is key, because if God did not deal with ALL OF US with mercy we would simply be destroyed because of our sin. It is His mercy that keeps us alive and His mercy that keeps this earth on it's axis and His mercy that sent Christ to earth to die in our place. He is an incredible merciful God. The author continues to cry out for help in understanding God's word and His statutes (laws). This goes back to his desire to know God's word and His salvation.

The next verse is a prayer for God to act upon the unrighteous who "regard Your law as void." It seems to me that this verse may have well been written in this day and age where people regard the Bible as "just another book" and laugh and scoff at anyone who dares believe it. From angry atheists who are simply rebelling against God or deceived church goers who have traded the truths of God for teachers who "tickle the ears", the world now proclaims God's word as void. They may stand on college campuses and rally's in the streets and reject the laws of God and the truths of his word, but the TRUTH remains. The Bible is indeed the words of God given to man by divine inspiration and completed in the man Christ Jesus. No amount of denying the truth will change it.

Remember: "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." 1 Peter 1:24-25

Finally the author of 119 finalizes his thoughts with a comparison of God's word and pure gold. Gold was and is one of the most precious metals on earth and yet the author says that he values God's commandments above it. He even specifies that he is not just talking about your normal gold but "fine gold." Because of their preciousness and who they come from the author has submitted to them and considers them to be right. They are correct and good and his life desires to be conformed to the statutes of God. This is what a Christian does. We do not conform to the word of God because we are trying to earn our righteousness or heaven, but because we LOVE God and His word is precious to us...therefore we follow it. Conversely, the psalmist also HATES every false way. What is a "false way?" It's anyway that is contrary to scripture. Anything that stands against God and His word. ANYTHING that demeans and blasphemes the name and authority of God and His word.

If you have never read through the entire psalm 119 I would encourage you to do so. There is so much in there to challenge and encourage you. If we all had the passion that this author had about God's word this world would not be what it is and the church would indeed be a shining city on a hill. May the church stand firm in the only thing that will NEVER change - God's precious and holy word.

Read more devotions at my personal blog: Wretched Crump

XR Comic - "Falling Up"

2009-03-20T12:30:00.001-04:00

click image for full size

A Satirical Poke at Current Youth Group Trends

2009-03-16T08:40:00.000-04:00

Ignatius from travis hawkins on Vimeo.

Deke's Newsletter Devotion - March 13th

2009-03-13T11:56:00.001-04:00

1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 1:1-3

Yesterday, amidst sick children and a mess of a house I sat down with my young ones and we opened up God's word for a family devotion. I opened up the Bible to one of my favorite passages of all time, 1 Colossians 3. The reason I like this passage is because it is a beautiful dose of reality in a world that refuses to see it.

In this passage of Colossians we are told to set our minds on things above. I know there is a saying out there that says, "don't be so heavenly minded that you're no earthy good." To that I say - yeah right. The problem is that we are too earthly minded that we are no earthy or heavenly good. We are more concerned with money, stuff, partying, schedules, pleasure and ourselves that we do not take time to focus on the reality of things.

What is that reality?

The reality is that Jesus is King and the Father reigns on high. That this world is but a holding cell for the perfect kingdom to come. That one day our King will step out of heaven and return to this earth to judge all those who have ever lived. For those who have been born-again it will be a glorious day of seeing our Lord return to His creation. For those who rejected His mercy and instead rebelled against Him there will be nothing but fear and trembling.

In verse 1 we are to see that Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father. This is significant because Jesus is known as our high priest and in the temple the priest never sat because there was always work to be done, sacrifices to be made, and prayers to be offered. Christ is seated because His death and resurrection paid the price once for all. He was the lamb who was slaughtered so that our sins could be forgiven for all eternity.

The other significant detail is that Christ is at the right hand of the Father. The right hand is always a sign of authority. Jesus has been given all authority over all of creation. When the time comes for those who rejected Christ's sacrifice to be judged they will not stand before an apostle or a church leader - they will stand before the one they mocked and hated. They will stand before Jesus Christ.

One of the reasons I decided to write on this passage was because as I watch the news and read headlines I am aware of so many world events that seem to be lining up and preparing our world for what the Bible talks about. So many Biblical prophecies have already come true (including Israel returning to their land) and only a few remain unfulfilled. There is no question whether they will or not (scripture's track record is 100%) the question is when. When will our world settle under one government & leader? When will Israel be attacked and we witness God supernaturally intervene? When will millions of people disappear from this planet leaving family and friends behind?

So this week I challenge you (like I have myself) to focus on things above this week. How do we do that? We read God's word and meditate on it. We filter the news and events of our day through God's word and trust in Him. We concern ourselves more with the kingdom of heaven than we do with our little kingdom here on earth. We remember that what we see and what we have will one day burn up like chaff and that this world will one day change forever. It will be new, it will be better, it will be perfect. That is our home...not this earth. What a glorious day that will be, when we know as we are known. When the Lord lives among His people for all eternity.

Are you ready for it?

Do you know the King?

He is coming...be ready.

XR Comic - "The Contact"

2009-03-09T14:18:00.003-04:00

Click on the image to see larger comic:

Dave's response to FF5

2009-03-05T14:34:00.002-05:00

Hey guys, I just had to chime in here. Sorry it's been a while since I've blogged. If you saw my last newsletter column, you know why.

Let me just say that I'm in total 100% agreement with Deke on this. FF5 has been a huge part of our playlist for the past 2-3 years and we've even had Mr. Chap Stique himself on the show at one point. I want to emphasize that this is not meant to pass judgment on the band or any of its individual members' salvation because I'm not qualified to do so.

However, it's extremely troublesome to see the response to this simple question about the Gospel of our Lord. Like our listener, Matt, stated in his post - and the scripture confirms this - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This is a message that needs to be shouted out in every way possible - in our words and in our lives. Without Him, we're lost and hopeless.

We play some cool music at XR and, granted, FF5 is probably one of the coolest bands to be playing right now. But more than that, we want to present artists and bands who don't compromise the truth week in and week out on our show.

Thanks so much to everyone for listening to XR and for your understanding as we seek to serve Christ, who stands ready and willing to save all who come to Him.

God bless,
Dave

Dave's Newsletter Devotion - March 5th Edition

2009-03-05T14:31:00.000-05:00

"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth." Ecclesiastes 12:1a

Last night I had the privilege of listening to a sermon from one of my former youth group members, Blake Bowman, at our Wednsday night service. I couldn't have been prouder of Blake if I tried. He has the heart of a missionary, planning to go wherever God calls him, with the zeal of a new believer at age 21.

As I listened to Blake, God gently began to take me back to that same point in time in my life. Self-examination is good but also painful at times. I remembered my particular zeal, energy, and optimism about where God was going to use me. At that time I just knew that I was going to be a youth evangelist and maybe a pastor. Now as i approach the big 4-0 (that's right I'm not embarrassed to own it!) I wonder "What happened?" By the way, I'm only 38! Just wanted to be sure you know that I still have another year and a half before I hit that milestone. I'm not old yet but I'm no longer the proverbial spring chicken either.

I firmly believe that God is using me where I am so I have no dissatisfaction in that regard. But, oh, to be like Blake and Jordan (another young man from church with the same passion) and to have youth on my side. I think the adult me would tell the younger version to watch out for snares and traps that come along to distract you and to steal your joy as you get older. For me that happened in the form of destructive relationships which led me away, not from the faith but from being firmly in the center of God's will. Because of a couple of these bad relationships, God has had to restore me time and time again in my own heart and many years have been wasted along the way.

Thankfully, God in Christ is full of mercy. Every time I've fallen, He has picked me up, dusted me off, and reaffirmed His great love multiple times over. Had I listened to the wisdom of Psalm 19:7-8 as a younger man, I would have been spared a great amount of heartache. It reads, "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radian, giving light to the eyes." It goes on to say in verse 10, "They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold. They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb."

See, to walk with the Lord and to place your faith in Him is to have all you'll ever need. I know you've probably heard this all the time from your parents but I'll say it again. Don't make the same mistakes I made! Don't let sin crouch at your doorstep and prevent you from being who and what God has called you to be. I know enough now to know that I probably wouldn't have made a great youth evangelist or pastor. My gifts are found in other areas. But I also know that if I had taken heed to the Psalm or to the verse in Ecclesiastes listed above, I'd have less to regret now.

So I'm challenging you to be a Blake. The world needs more people like him. Young people who are ready to set the standard for being sold out to Christ and committing to it even through the difficult challenges still ahead. I've given you only the first part of the Ecclesiastes verse. Trust me, it gets pretty bleak in that chapter. If not, the consequences could be dire. God doesn't want it that way. Commit your heart and your life to Him today.

Family Force 5 & Salvation

2009-03-05T09:40:00.006-05:00

This morning I was reading several of the blogs I subscribe to and found an article about the band Family Force 5. I decided to take a look and see what it was all about and was pretty upset with what I found. The blog post was mostly a letter that had been written by a girl who was trying to figure out the where the band was spiritually and so she wrote an email asking "how does someone become a Christian." This is the response:

Thanks for the cool question! The answer is easy, yet difficult: Here’s the easy (and true) answer: LOVE!

The best way to experience the message of Christ is by loving those in need, caring for others, and being selfless!

Following the teachings of Jesus Christ is a beautiful and life-changing experience, and I hope it is something that interests you.

I’m not sure what your spiritual background is, or how you feel about Christianity, so I apologize if any of this is repetitive or old to you.

The truth is: there is no formula for spiritual enlightenment. There is no path, 5-step process, or secret. It’s like a relationship…you can’t teacha person how to fall in love with another. It happens differently for everybody. However, in the end, it is worth it.

Some important elements you should keep in mind are:

-ALWAYS question and seek growth. You will hear a lot of different messages = from Christians. Let your faith grow and change.

-Nobody will ever have all the answers. One of the most embarrassing things Christianity has done is that it often pretends to claim 100% knowledge of God and the universe. We are humans, and will never be all-knowing. That’s the beauty of God!

It is incredible if you can get involved in some type of church/community group/Bible study that challenges you and welcomes you.

If you’re interested, check out one or two of these books:
-Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell-anything by Marcus Borg (these are tough reads, but incredible ones)
-The Secret Message of Jesus by Brian McLaren
-The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
-much more

Or, I like checking out the Mars Hill podcasts from Grand Rapids, MI. They’re free on itunes.

Take care, and I hope you continue to pursue the experience of Jesus. Just remember, although Christians have used the name of Christ to justify awful deeds in the past (and present), the heart of the message is love, liberation, peace, joy, justice, and equality!

Thanks,Chap Stique (click here for the full post)

Some of you may read that and see no issue, but let me explain the problem I have with this response. I am not judging Mr. Stique but I do question what Bible he is reading. He was set up with a very obvious and easy question about how to become a Christian and there was nothing ever mentioned about the Bible, Jesus's sacrifice, repentance and faith or being born again. Remember, Jesus said that in order for someone to enter the kingdom of God you must be born again (John 3). In fact, the message seems to indicate a work righteousness by loving each other and caring for the needy (all good things but not needed for salvation)

While I do agree that we can never have 100% knowledge of God and the universe (that would make us God) we have very clear and solid words from scripture about Him, who is is, what He requires and what will happen if you do not respond to Him. It is almost as if Chap is not really sure what he believes but knows it deals with Jesus and love...and this leads me to my last point.

The response concludes with a list of books he suggests (not one of them being the Bible). The issues is that these books are from people that are involved heavily (if not leading) the emerging church movement that has begun preaching heresy. Brian McLaren has said that the idea of Jesus being sent by God to die on the cross for the sin of man is divine child abuse. He has remade the orthodox teachings of Christ into a post-modern gobledy goop that is more about caring for mother earth than it is saving people from hell (a place McLaren does not think exists). While I know Rob Bell is another popular author he is an admited reader/follower of McLaren and more and more leans towards the emerging mindset - even questioning the Bible as the only truth from God (sola scriptura).

Please know that I am not trying to be a nit-picker, but I have a low tolerance for false-teaching and a gospel that is watered down (or not even there). No where in this message do we hear about the amazing grace of God to save men and women from the wrath of a holy God. It's almost like Chap Stique thinks you just "fall in love" with Jesus and suddenly you're good to go. Not only is this unscriptural it is misleading and I weep at the thought of kids reading and hearing this and being led astray by a false (or at least misunderstood) gospel.

What are your thoughts? Am I being too harsh or not harsh enough?

Regardless, I plan on pulling FF5 from the XR lineup until further notice. I cannot support a band who seems to be confused about what the gospel is. I know this may make people upset but I will have to answer to God for what I play and stand for and I plan on taking the oversized hulk gloves off on this one.

Your comments are welcome.

XR Comic - "Nannerpuss"

2009-03-02T13:34:00.002-05:00

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Jeremiah 20:9

2009-02-26T14:04:00.001-05:00

As I learning a new program called Motion I figured I would put it to good use. Here is a little something I created after a friend of mine gave me the idea for Jeremiah 20:9. -Deke

Tony Nolan @ Winter Jam 2009

2009-02-23T17:50:00.000-05:00

Great gospel presentation by Tony Nolan!

XR Comic - "Winter Jam"

2009-02-23T14:14:00.002-05:00

Deke's Adventure with Wind & Taxes

2009-02-20T12:56:00.002-05:00

Check out the "fun" I had yesterday chasing W2's around McDonalds.

Deke's Personal Blog

Dave's Newsletter Devotion - Feb 20th

2009-02-20T07:31:00.001-05:00

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13

In case you're wondering why it's been so long since you've heard from me via the newsletter, a nasty computer virus wiped out my home PC on December 23rd. Yep, two days before Christmas. If you're like me you likely have nothing in your bank account on December 23rd. It's one thing to quote the verse above when things are going well in your life. Try it when the chips are down.

Okay, so it isn't the worst thing that can happen in life. But isn't it amazing how, in just a few short years, most of our lives have become tied up in electronic gadgetry? Amazing, to be sure, and a bit terrifying. So, when my I had to pull the plug on my sick computer, simplification was forced upon me whether I wanted it or not. I suddenly remembered a time when all the world wasn't readily available to me at my fingertips and life was much less complicated. And, truth be told, I was feeling a bit convicted about the amount of time I was spending on the computer anyway.

So instead of moping and worrying about how much a new computer was going to cost I decided to relax in the helplessness. It was just what I needed. God, in His mercy, often shows me just how much I need Him when I realize how helpless I am. This verse from Philippians spoke straight to my heart and drew me closer to the One who knows everything I need from beginning to end. My computer crash didn't take Him by surprise.

You know what else doesn't faze Him? Disease, poverty, war, broken relationships - you name it. It's not that He's unconcerned. In fact, He's intimately involved in every detail. It's just that He has a knowledge that far exceeds anything we as humans can ever concieve. And He has a plan. Knowing that makes me able to say, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Disclaimer: The devotion above was written using one of the WBFJ computers because Dave still doesn't have a new PC. And Dave doesn't care.

Deke's Beat of the Week - Matt Chandler

2009-02-16T13:19:00.002-05:00

The other morning I had the incredible pleasure of listening to a new pastor (new to me anyway) named Matt Chandler. Matt is pastor at the Village Church in Texas and recently spoke at a Desiring God Conference to pastors. The message I heard was titled, A Shepherd and His Unregenerate Sheep, and dealt with the problem of false converts in the church as well as the lack of the gospel and doctrine in churches.

His text was 1 Timothy 4 and was a admonition to lift up doctrine and the gospel and to forsake the irreverent and silly teachings that are so evident today in our churches.

Here is a sample of this teaching:

For the full video or audio of this teaching you can click HERE. I highly recommend this for anyone in a ministry. Whether you are a pastor or a just involved in a ministry I strongly encourage you to listen to this teaching. It is powerful and theologically sound. It is encouraging to see a young pastor with a passion for the word of God.

XR COMIC - "Facebook"

2009-02-16T12:01:00.003-05:00

Click on this comic for larger view

XR COMIC - "Red"

2009-02-09T13:57:00.002-05:00

Kurt Warner & False Converts

2009-02-05T07:34:00.003-05:00

While he may not have won a Super Bowl ring, it is obvious that his true treasure is in heaven. The concern he has for his family and friends is awesome and we need to pray for Kurt as he desires to reach out to the unsaved in his life.

The issues that he is talking about is something church does not address much. Our churches are filled with unrepentant people who claim the name of Christ, yet they live a life of sinful disobedience. Remember, Jesus himself said that we must be born again in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.

"Jesus answered and said to him, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”'" John 3:3

On top of that, the book of 1 John is very clear:

"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." 1 John 2:3-6

I am not saying we will walk in perfection but if we are living in a lifestyle of sin then that may be a warning that we need to be born again.

So how is it that we are born again? Well, it's simple and yet isn't.

The gift of salvation is just that, a gift. It is through the grace of God that we are saved through Christ who paid the penalty for our sin on the cross. BUT in order to be born again we must respond to that gift and that response is repentance and faith.

As a kid I said a prayer and walked an isle, but I had never truly repented of my sins. I spoke the lingo and went to church, but I was no closer to God than I was before I said this prayer. The "decision" I made was made of the flesh (I wanted to make my parents & others happy) and not of the Spirit (I was sorry for my sins and desired salvation) and this "ask Jesus into my heart" mentality is being repeated all over our country. It was not until I was broken and humbled before the Lord, saw my sin for what it was and cried out for salvation in high school that I was saved. Before that I was just really good at pretending.

Yes, salvation is easy (in the essence that it is by grace and all we have to do is call upon the name of the Lord), but it is hard because it requires humility. Until we see ourselves as sinful wretches in need of a savior we will never truly repent and trust in Christ. That is why false converts are the hardest group of people to talk to about true, biblical salvation - they know the lingo, go to church and have a false sense of security. They think that their "good" works will outweigh their sins, and therefore completely miss the incredible gospel.

So how do we discern between the sheep (true believers) and goats (false converts)? That is not our job. Surely if someone is deep in gross sin and yet is claiming Christ within our church then they need to be disciplined according to scripture, but otherwise we minister to all and let the Lord separate the sheep from the goats when the time comes.

This is not an easy subject to discuss because it makes many uncomfortable and our current age has made salvation little more than "trying Jesus" when it is so much more than that. Here is a great teaching on this very thing from Ray Comfort. Ray is a speaker, author and evangelist and he and Kurt Cameron star in the TV Series "Way of the Master." This teaching is called Hell's Best Kept Secret and will open your eyes to the exact thing that Kurt Warner was talking about.

God bless.

Newsletter Devotion - February 3rd Edition

2009-02-04T09:10:00.001-05:00

The other day my pastor spoke on John 4 and evangelism. One of the first points he made was that telling others about Jesus is not based on feelings or what the outcome will be. He said that if our motivation is not one of obedience to the command of God to "go and make disciples of all men" then we will continue to be disappointed when things don't go well or we are persecuted.

As I was listen to Him teach I remembered an incredible testimony from one of the most powerful speakers of our lifetime. His name is Paul Washer, and he will both give you a kidney punch of truth and encourage your heart all in the same teaching.

Many people ask Paul what motivates him to speak the way he does. Why do his words carry so much power and truth. How is he so unashamed of Christ to the point where even churches have refused to have him back to speak because he speaks very hard truth. His answer is simply, "isn't salvation enough?" When the God of the universe saves and forgives a wretch like us...isn't that enough to motivate us to obey?

So, sit back and listen to this testimony of God saving a wretch. This is the power of the gospel. This is why we need to preach the good news.

-Deke

XR VIDEO UPDATE - Stephanie Smith & More

2009-02-03T07:59:00.000-05:00

Anberlin & Faceless International

2009-01-26T11:28:00.004-05:00

This past Friday Crossroad Radio had a great interview with Stephen Christian of the band Anberlin. You can listen to the full, unedited interview here.

During the interview Dave chats with Stephen about Anberlin's latest album, New Surrender, as well as a ministry that he has help found called Faceless International. Faceless is a ministry that helps care for the "least if these" in different ways all over the globe.

For more on Faceless Internation and what you could do to help out. Head over to www.facelessinternational.com

Deke's Beat of the Week - Five Iron Frenzy

2009-01-19T10:10:00.003-05:00

This week I reach back into the 90's with my Beat of the Week. Back when I was in high school a band was hitting it big in Christian music and me and several friends fell in love with the horns and guitar riffs of the often insane - Five Iron Frenzy.

With album titles like Our Newest Album Ever and Upbeats & Beatdowns Five Iron Frenzy made a great mark on Christian music. In fact you can hear the lead man Roper in the latest addition to Crossroad Radio, Brave Saint Saturn.

I would have to say that my favorite album of their (many many) albums was Quantity Is Job #1 for many reasons, including the fact that they have several short songs about pants (yes...those things that cover your legs). But my favorite song of theirs (and it too is on that CD) is called Dandelions and is the story of a boy who hands dandelions to his mom seeing it as a great gift when in truth it is nothing more than weeds. Of course, the parallel is the fact that we give our lives to the Lord but our lives are nothing to really celebrate and yet the Lord rejoices in the one lost, dirty soul that comes to Him in repentance and faith. Check the song out for yourself here:

Profanity & Unicorns

2009-01-17T12:04:00.002-05:00

Here is the video from last nights Crossroad Radio. We decided o end the show with this bit of inspired music from Rhett and Link. Enjoy:

You can also see the fun behind the scenes at Crossroad Radio by heading over to ustream.tv or you can just watch it below. We had special guests A Thousand Shields in the studio for some live music and trail mix:

Online TV Shows by Ustream

Encourage each other with these words...

2009-01-13T06:56:00.003-05:00

"For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18

Ahhh. What better words are there than this? To know that in a moments notice at sometime in the future the Lord, Jesus Christ, will return to gather His church and we will be with Him forever.

I don't care what your escatology (end-times theology) is...that's awesome news!

In fact, this passage is a mega-encourager if we can wrap our minds around it. So let's pull them out of our heads and see if we can do that. When I teach the kids at my church I try to help them put things in an eternal perspective...so lets hop back and take a look at something.

<_______________._______________________________>

Yes, it's a line.

But this line represents eternity...and that little speck close to the beginning is the entire history of our planet from creation until the new heaven. Yup, it's that tiny.

In light of eternity...our world (and our lives) are tiny. You're probably saying, "thanks Deke I feel so good about myself." Well wait. Here is the mind blowing thing. Even though you and I are specks on that speck on the timeline we are loved by God so much that He stepped out of His eternal throne room where He was worshipped and served and onto that speck. Not only that but He died for our sins on that speck so that we could live with Him for the rest of eternity. WOW!

So, what does this all have to do with the verse from Thessalonians? Well, I believe we are quickly coming to the end of our "speck" and Christ will soon take His church from this earth and we will be with Him forever. If you are a Christian here is some encouragement for you from 1 Thessalonians:

Are you struggling finacially? - Jesus is coming back and you will be with Him FOREVER
Are you having family problems? - Jesus is coming back and you will be with Him FOREVER
Are you sick? - Jesus is coming back and you will be with HIM FOREVER
Lost a loved one? - Jesus is coming back and you will be with Him FOREVER

No matter the situation you find yourself in we can find joy in the fact that it will not last forever. Once we escape this world of sin, death and suffering we will find a world where none of those things exist and we are in the presence of God ALL THE TIME.

So this morning be encouraged Christian. If you have repented and trusted Christ as savior this is as close to hell as you will ever get. If you are not a Christian please call out to Him for salvation or this is as close to heaven as you will get.

Secondly, Christian if we know that we're going to spend eternity in heaven...let us not hold too tightly to this world. The Bible is clear that the things of this world will pass away but God's word will remain forever. Let's set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2-3) and tell others of this amazing news before it is too late.

-Deke

Videos from last weeks show

2009-01-12T10:17:00.002-05:00

This past Friday Dave and I talked about some pretty incredible stuff.

1)Of course, at the top of the list was how God changed a meth using rock star into a soundly saved man of God. Yes, I'm talking about Brian "Head" Welch. We played a part of the testimony of this former member of Korn and now you can hear the entire interview below.

2) Another incredible clip came from outspoken atheist and magic man Penn (from Penn & Teller). He had some nice words to say about a Christian man who approached him outside of a show. He also has some profound thoughts on Christians who claim what they claim and DON'T witness to others...be prepared to be convicted.

Without further ranting...here are those clips:

A Quiet Life

2009-01-12T06:52:00.003-05:00

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anyone." 1 Thessalonians: 4:11-12

Last night as I was flipping through some channels winding down from a day of kid induced chaos. My wife and I came upon the Golden Globes. If you're not aware, this award show is yet ANOTHER way Hollywood pats itself on the back. If you cannot tell I am not one for pomp and circumstance (I didn't even care to attend my college graduation). I do not care for the glorification of man in any way shape and form because it takes from God the glory He so deserves. After all, He is the One who gave those in attendance their talent. But I digress...

The room that the awards were held in was a fairly large one with a stage, bright lights and all the glamour one could imagine. As I sat and watched everything unfold my thoughts began drifting towards all those who will NEVER get recognized for work that is so much more important. God's economy is so much different than ours. We see the people who are in the limelight and we say "wow". God sees those in the trenches, serving Him, and says "well done."

This morning I began reading 1 Thessalonians 4 and was struck by the verse above in contrast to what I saw last night. There is something to be said for those of us with simple lives full of home, work and church. We may not star in a movie or write a best seller. Our mug may not show up on Fox News (and hopefully not our mug shot either), but we are content with that.

There is something to say about a quiet life lived for the Lord. I can imagine the Lord is pleased when we are content with a quiet life surrendered to Him. In fact, I would venture to say there will be more rewards for those who work behind the scenes than for those who are seen. So, if your a teacher, nurse or stay at home mom (God bless you) know that you can serve the Lord in the quietness of your life. Your life can be a reflection of the grace and humility of a mighty God. And when we reflect God in EVERYTHING we do - we will make an impact on all those around us (and you don't even have to wear a designer dress!)

-Deke

XR Radio - Top Songs of 2008!

2009-01-06T09:11:00.005-05:00

Welcome to a full list of the Crossroad Radio picks for 2008. This was another year of great music and so the decisions were tough. So with out further hesitation here is your XR top music of 2008!

Top 10 of 2008

1) Relient K - Devastation & Reform

2) Disciple - Love Hate

3) Run Kid Run - Sure Shot

4) Children 18:3 - You Know We're All So Fond of Dying

5) Fireflight - The Hunger

6) Anberlin - Hello Alone

7) Project 86 - Molotov

8) Hawk Nelson - You Have What I Need

9) Falling Up - Goodnight Gravity

10) Superchick - Hey Hey

Top 5 XR Albums of 2008 (Deke & Dave picks)

The Afters - Never Going Back To OK

Lecrae - Rebel

Kutless - To Know That You're Alive

Run Kid Run - Love at the Core

Hawk Nelson - Hawk Nelson is my Friend

XR Listeners Choice Award Winners

Top Song: Relient K - Devastation & Reform

Top Album: The Afters - Never Going Back To OK

Deke Thoughts - New Years Devotional

2008-12-31T09:55:00.001-05:00

It’s that time of year again. Time to look back and see where life took you in 2008 and then step up to 2009 and prepare for what is ahead. Many times as new years approaches I think of the verse in 2 Corinthians that says: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

This, of course, is speaking of our lives when we come to Christ in repentance and faith. This year I actual am ready to start the year with a single word:

BUT

Yes, I am starting this year with a big but (only one “t” mind you). Where did I get this but from? Well, I have been listening to John MacArthur talk about Ephesians and I was hit with one of the vpasssages he read.

“...we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.” Ephesians 2:3-4

Before Christ I was dead in sin and living a life of rebellion against the God who had created me. Once I turned to Christ and trusted in Him for salvation I can rejoice in the “but” of that verse. It was God’s grace and mercy that allowed me to be saved from my sin. Not my works, not my goodness, not ANYTHING. It was God and His love for a sinner like me.

As far as this new year. I have made many mistakes in 2008. I have sinned, grieved the Lord in my disobedience and fallen short of His standard but because I am now forgiven I can cling to the grace of God and look forward to a new year with great anticipation of what God can do with a wretch like myself.

If you are not sure you can claim that “but” this year I would ask that you look at your life. You, like myself, may see sins of lying, theft, lust, hate and many more. If you have never trusted in Christ for salvation you are a “child of wrath” who will one day be punished by God (this is where that one word can bring such joy) but there is a God who is willing to forgive all those sins and give you a new heart that seeks after Him. What better way to start off the new year than with a new heart.

For more on what it means to be saved and how you can know Christ as your savior you can go to the Crossroad Radio “Jesus” page. CLICK HERE. May the Lord bless you and your family in 2009!

XR NEW YEARS EVE SPECIAL!

2008-12-29T12:42:00.004-05:00

Ring in the new year with Crossroad Radio as Deke and Dave bring you the best music of 2008. They'll be counting down the top XR songs, the top albums and much much more.

Tune in as they announce the winner of the Crossroad Listener's Choice Awards!

Forget Ryan Seacrest hosting some party in New York - check out the real party on WBFJ's Crossroad Radio for the XR New Years Countdown!

This Wednesday night 10-midnight on WBFJ and streaming live at www.crossroadradio.com.

The Birth of THE King

2008-12-22T14:29:00.002-05:00

This past week on Crossroad Radio Dave and I talked about some of the prophecies that spoke of Christ hundreds of years before He was born. We specifically spoke about the one's regarding His birth since that is what we celebrate during Christmas. Here are a few to encourage you this Christmas:

1) BORN IN BETHLEHEM - "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity." (Micah 5:2)

While the city of Bethlehem (meaning "house of bread") was of no real importance (though it did boast King David's birth place) it was the place where the King of heaven would be born into our world.

2) BORN OF A VIRGIN -"Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

This is a miracle that many people have a hard time understanding, but aren't all miracles the same? If the Lord can create a world in 6 days surely He can make a way to be born as a man (though it is one of the most amazing miracles in scripture).

3) WILL BE WORSHIPPED BY KINGS - "Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts... So may he live; and may the gold of Sheba be given to him; And let them pray for him continually; Let them bless him all day long. (Psalms 72:10, 15)"

When the wise men came to see Jesus (around 2 years after His birth) they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This was all to fulfill the prophecy in Psalms.

These are just a few of the 300 hundred prophecies about Jesus that are found in the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament). For a full list you can check out this link.

I wish you the very best Christmas and may the Christ in Christmas bless you and your family this holiday. Let us praise Him for because of His love He came to earth to die for our sins so that when we repent of our sins and trust in Him we will be saved. For it is by grace we are saved through faith.

That is the greatest gift of all time.

-Deke

Depth with Dave - XR Newsletter Devotion

2008-12-18T10:55:00.001-05:00

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2

Contrary to popular belief the wise men were not at the manger scene. Jesus could have been as old as two years by the time they arrived in Bethlehem to offer their gifts. Still, their story is intertwined with the Christmas story because of a star God chose to shine over the town where Jesus had been born.

In a strange turn of events (doesn’t it seem that God often works that way), I’m participating in a Christmas Nativity play written and directed by my dad at my old church this year. God called me out of this congregation into a youth ministry position within another church over three years ago. Prior to that, I directed the Christmas play at this church for five straight years with my dad taking over when I left. Given that I’m very active in my current church and have no thoughts of ever leaving, I never thought that I would be back in my old church acting in a play again. But when I found out that my dad was having a hard time finding actors for all of the parts this year I decided to offer my services, since the date he had picked for the performance didn’t conflict with anything at my church. He took me up on the offer. I asked to be a “shepherd abiding in the field” because it sounded uncomplicated and my availability to rehearse was limited.

Well, not only am I a shepherd, I’ve also been given a part as a “Herod Heckler.” That’s right, a “Herod Heckler.” In a role that my dad totally invented for this story, I get to be the guy who announces to King Herod that the wise men are there to see him. As Herod unveils his plan to send the wise men I, being his advisor, start to heckle him about wanting to worship a Jewish king. Honestly, I think my dad came up with this part to give me something to do (trust me, he shouldn’t have) because I don’t see anything about it in scripture. But, as it isn’t unscriptural, I’m still doing the part.

Even though this fictional character doesn’t see Herod’s scheme for what it is, Herod doesn’t have anything on him when it comes to spiritual blindness. Both Herod and my made up heckler were looking for the Messiah to come in a political fashion. Herod felt threatened by his power and concocted a deceitful plan to have him killed. Roughly thirty-three years later, the chief priests and the teachers of the law would do the same thing. But they didn’t get it.

Ultimately, Christ will put every earthly power under His feet but on His first venture to earth, He came in a labor of love. It was unexpected. But that’s the way God works. He sent His son as a baby to a poor, soon to be family who laid him down in a manger inside a stable in a town that, other than being known as David’s original home, was pretty non-descript. This child grew up and went on to save the world through His death on a cross that should have been ours. None of this makes sense. God could have sent a political Messiah to exert His power and show us all who’s the boss. But in the miracle of the Nativity, he shows that He wants our hearts. He wants us to respond to the love of the one who would step out of Heaven and humble himself (Philippians 2:6-11) to save our souls and bring glory to His Father by doing so.

Do you ever feel small? Do you feel like only one small voice in a crowd of billions in a world that increasingly wants to take “Christ” out of Christmas? If so, keep in mind what God did on that night over 2,000 years ago. In an event that would alter the course of world history, he chose to do a small and, in the world’s eyes, foolish thing to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27) and to make wise the simple (Psalm 19:7).

2008-12-17T08:34:00.001-05:00

TIME TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITES!

2008-12-15T14:00:00.004-05:00

The First Annual Crossroad Radio Listener's Choice Award is now ready for YOU TO VOTE!

Go to www.crossroadradio.com and click on the Listener's Choice banner. Fill out the info and then vote for the best song, album and new artist of 2008. Once you do, you will be entered to win a Crossroad CD block with music from your favorite Crossroad artists.

Do it today! Go online to www.crossroadradio.com TODAY!

Dave's Beat of The Week - 12-11-08

2008-12-11T23:03:00.002-05:00

You know what happens to the best laid plans of mice and men...right? Well, after saying I would try to do better it's been three weeks since my last post. Hope this one makes up for the lost weeks.

I'll sum the last couple of weeks' beats up by saying "ditto" to Deke. Scary but we've both agreed on Red's upcoming "Innocence and Instinct" and Anberlin's "New Surrender."

My current beat is one to get you in the Christmas spirit. I have a review of Sixpence None the Richer's The Dawn of Grace running in tomorrow's edition of The Good News Journal but I'm going to give all you XR devotees a sneak preview from the review. Here's a snippet:

"The Dawn of Grace (Nettwerk) marks the welcome return of Sixpence None the Richer, the band best known for their all-over-the-airwaves mega-hit 'Kiss Me' in the 90’s. Although the casual listener might not be aware, Leigh Nash and Matt Slocum have always had their roots in the Christian market and, kissing songs aside, make music for the thinking believer. I interviewed the band for a magazine cover story when their self-titled album (featuring the ubiquitous single) came out and they were poised for a long hit-filled career. But it wasn’t to be. Record label frustrations, among other factors, eventually led to Nash and Slocum shutting Sixpence down a few years ago with Nash putting out a solo album, Blue On Blue in 2006.

Fortunately for the music loving world, Sixpence decided to make a comeback. They haven’t done it with the conventional method of making a big pop album, however. The Dawn of Grace is a subtle re-entry. The record consists of traditional Christmas carols such as 'Angels We Have Heard on High,' 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel,' and 'Silent Night,' which, along with 'The Last Christmas,' one of two original tracks, contains the line that the title comes from. As many times as you’ve heard 'Silent Night' interpreted it may surprise that there’s anything fresh still left to do with the song. But Nash’s vocal exchange with Jars of Clay’s Dan Haseltine, adds a new twist to this old favorite while keeping the beloved melody intact. A full range of emotions runs through this record from the expectant mother’s musings of 'The Last Christmas' to the playful escape of 'Christmas Island' to the expression of regret over sins in the Joni Mitchell cover 'River,' which will be a classic Sixpence song regardless of the seaon. But the show-stopper is a re-making of the 16th century Spanish carol 'Riu Riu Chiu' which tells the birth of Christ through the song of a nightingale. Nash sings the song in Spanish with a brief English transition near the end and it’s breathtaking. She could sing the phone book and I’d still buy it." (from Dave's review in The Good News Journal).

See you tomorrow night for some Christmas festivities with Elishah!

Before Time Began...

2008-12-10T14:23:00.000-05:00

“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,” 2 Timothy 1:8-9

This past week I was in my car enjoying my favorite Christmas CD from Relient K. I was listening to their song “I Celebrate The Day.” As I have mentioned in past Wednesday Word’s (and I know you memorize them all) I love that song. After the finally note I turned off the car stereo and drove in silence pondering the lyric:

“For the first time when you opened your eyes did You realize that you would be my savior? When the first breath left your lips did you know that it would change this world forever?”

As I was doing that I remembered scriptures (like 2 Timothy) that tells us that even before time began God had a plan to redeem people He hadn’t even created yet. Then I was hit with a profound thought (at least for my little brain)…God created His enemies so that He could die to save them.

Why would He do this? God does not need us. He has everything in and of Himself. So why?
In short...for His glory.

Being omnipotent, omniscient, perfect and holy God’s attributes were evident just in the fact that He existed. But in order for his love, mercy, kindness, justice and righteousness to be evident - He needed someone to demonstrate them to/on. Enter humankind. We were created perfect yet God knew we would fall into sin. He knew we would lie, cheat, steal, murder, lust, hate and every other wretched thing we do AND YET He created us anyway so that His mercy and grace as well as His justice would be made known to all of creation. WOW.

So this Christmas as we look into the nativities in our plays and on our mantles let’s remember that the very baby that lays in the manger is the one who from eternity past decided to create us so that He could show His grace to all those who will call on His name. Merry Christmas!

Deke's & Dave's Beat of the Week - Anberlin "New Surrender"

2008-12-09T10:55:00.002-05:00

This week Dave and I once again share a common beat of the week with the latest release from Anberlin, "New Surrender".

We were both pretty apprehensive about this new CD because it was on a new mainstream label and Anberlin is not really known for their strong Biblical lyrics. So when I get a call from Dave saying I have to hear the new Anblerlin - I was pleasantly shocked.

MUSIC: First of we will hit the sound of this new CD. Everything you love about Anberlin is here. From the catchy guitar riffs to the great vocals, all of it is classic Anberlin. In fact, they even rereleased one of my favorite songs from Don't Take Friendship Personally (my favorite of their CD's) - Feel Good Drag. This song seems to speak about one man's battle with sin (mainly lust). And that leads me to the lyrics found in New Surrender.

LYRICS: While this CD is not going to rival Lacrae in theological lyrics and Jesus' name is not mentioned (sadly) there seems to be more spiritual connotations in this CD than in past ones. Let's take Feel Good Drag for instance. After writing about giving in to sin and asking the question, was it over before it ever began, we hear this:

I'm tired of who I am

You were my greatest mistake

I fell in love with your sin

your littlest sin.

The whole song almost could mirror many of the truths found in Proverbs 6:20-35 about the adulterous woman. Another surprise in this Anberlin basket of goodies was the song Misearbile Visu (Ex Malo Bonum) which appears to be about the second coming of Christ.

Before the red priest took his last breath
He told me, "Child, now don't forget
The sun will turn dark very soon
Your days are numbered when there's blood on the moon

"The earth will shake and the sky will fall
The eyes will open of those involved
Don't take this son, but you'll be killed
By the man from seven hills"

Too bad there is no call for repentance at the end of this song, but we'll take what we can get. There are several others on this CD that I could mention but I will leave at that. You can check out the full lyrics here.

BOTTOM LINE: Anberlin puts out another strong album featuring their unique and very well produced sound along with more relational lyrics and a few that seem to be plucked from scriptural truths. If you enjoy Anberlin you will love this CD. If you want a great CD to bob your head to this is also a great pic. Hopefully the band will continue what seems to be a positive turn lyrically.

For more on Anberlin you can check them out online at www.anberlin.com