Thanks for the apology and being honest. I appreciate it. Unless God shuts this dream down, I'm going to pursue it. Hope to be on the air, before May 2015.
I really appreciate the idea of discernment, as Avid expressed. Christian radio would be far more impactful if that tradition were a part of a job prospect's vetting process. Personally, I've learned that I tend to fall more on the stubborn side, as Avid might say. I think that's why I see so many red flags in the case of Dan Presley. Debate over some CD is a waste of time. A distraction. A serious sign of a lack of true priorities.
As for the CD, it's been packaged and repackaged under a variety of titles. It's poorly produced, poorly arranged -- the product of a synthesizer and small group of overdubbed vocalists. You hear the same voices throughout -- while performing under a variety of vocal group names. It's deceptive and seemingly designed to serve as the target for one last impulse buy as you hit the checkout stand. Nothing in the least is radio worthy.
I mention that to lead into a far more serious point. I personally believe that if Christian radio were Dan's true call and not simply "a vivid imagination," a concern over a CD would never have entered the picture. Perhaps some will read this as a poor interpretation on my part of the Christian faith, but I strongly feel that if God were part of Dan's LPFM dream, Dan would be far more clearly equipped to handle the tasks at hand. He doesn't seem to be.
Others have expressed a concern over a serious of talent or understanding regarding the technical aspect of radio. There is no obvious effective skill set at promotion, fund raising, budgeting or management. Fund raising is not on pace to reach the needed money prior to the expiration of the construction permit. The subject of this thread suggests little talent at the task of programming. The CD doesn't fit. There is little ability to prioritize what truly needs done to go on the air. You cannot wait on others to provide, be it money or equipment. You need to find the way to provide for yourself.
Here's what I do see. Someone was given an opportunity to record a fund raising message for airing on a local Christian radio station. People tend to be kind in response and politely told Dan that he did a good job with the recorded message. In Dan's world, that was all it took to jump to a conclusion that his talents were best suited to bring a contemporary Christian music radio station to Selma, Alabama. Was the question ever asked and answered regarding whether enough need or interest exists for such a radio station in Selma?
An enthusiasm for something doesn't equal a call from God. Here and elsewhere, Dan wrote about his perceived dream for CCM radio. Again, people tend to be kind in response. Sure. Great idea. Go for it. Good luck with that. Let us know if we can help. He wrote about it long enough and passionately enough that some of us, myself included, began to think maybe this truly is a "God thing." If so, then we need to do what we can to push him to pursue his dream and responded favorably. I now see that as a mistake.
Sure, there were red flags. But seeing them through the possible filter of Alabama's culture, most were easily dismissed. Dan did some things right. He contracted with Sterling Communications to obtain his construction permit. Most of the time, he did things wrong -- or not at all. It's been nine months since the CP grant. There's no equipment in place. Just a shed, maybe a CD rack and a "stash of insulation." There's little money but not enough to finish the project. Mostly there is talk. Always, talk.
Dan writes "unless God shuts this dream down..." After years of Dan's talk, I for one have concluded that God may have never begun this dream. That is a tragedy. This may simply be a huge distraction that keeps Dan, his family and his patrons from acting on God's true call for their lives. What isn't happening while Dan talks and dreams? What should happen to further God's plan in Selma that isn't because time and money and passion and emotional energy is being wasted on someone's vivid imagination?
I can only speak for myself. These are things that I've had to learn in my own faith life. But I find myself compelled to offer my concern because I see a time at hand where the most difficult of questions needs to be prayerfully and truthfully considered. Avid Listener wisely calls it discernment. Is Dan's LPFM of God or of a vivid imagination? To Dan Presley I ask, can you tell us why you think this LPFM is of God, not of yourself? Are you willing to match that with scripture?
Before you take another penny of someone's money or waste another ounce of your or a family member's emotional energy, are you willing to face the possible and serious reality that WPJB-LP may have never been a calling of God, but only of man -- you. And if it is only of you, what needs to be done next?
) probably didn't know the history of the song and shouldn't have included it. Like I said earlier if it was a version like Leon Patillo's that had been reworked and done by a committed Christian artist I might include it. But in the case of this album (if it was on a traditional station) I might use the other songs and left out My Sweet Lord.