Station Identification

“This is WLW in Cincinnati Ohio, the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation broadcasting on 700 on your radio dial.” 

As a youngster I remember hearing that voice, strong, confident, probably some famous guy sitting in front of an array of dials and needles, headphone on undoubtedly, cup of coffee steaming, sitting  in a padded studio with a large red “On Air” neon sign glowing, a sure indication that something really important was going on.  

The hourly Station Identification  is the practice of radio or television stations identifying themselves on the air, typically by means of a call sign, usually four letters.   Back in the 1940s the call sign was given on the hour and usually on the half hour, as required by law.   Call signs are still required for radio stations to identify themselves since is critical to be able to positively identify the source of a broadcast

Identification is important for people too.  Maybe others, like me, have wondered about "Who am I"?  About "WHY am I"?  What identifies me?  If a radio station has to announce who they are, shouldn't I at least know my identification, my call sign?  Do I have an Identifier?

Many times we go through life aimlessly, one day at a time, one foot ahead of the other, or as Ohio State Football fans would say...“three yards and a cloud of dust”, not really examining what is happening and who we are. Life can be spent groping for the next paycheck, the next promotion, the next weekend, holiday, vacation,  or the next inspiration.  

A good friend once told me to “have an identity”, to be careful not to be like a chameleon.  He explained how a chameleon changes colors to match its environment.  Perhaps he saw me trying to change to “fit in” or to not “stand out as different” in a group.    I began to see how tempting it sometimes is, when involved in a political or business discussion, to become angry or self righteous; or when associates in a group begin criticizing or judging someone, to join right in.  I have seen close up the adverse effects of the contagion of negative thinking in business and family environs.

When my friend reminded me about the chameleon, I remembered that the Bible has a caution about staying true to our identity, and it sounded like he was talking about me when he said:   

For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:   For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway  forgetteth what manner of man he was.  James 1:23-24

That’s when it is time for… YES… Station Identification!!  We need a call sign for our station:  maybe LOVE, or KJOY, KIND, PEACE… the possibilities are endless.  And we need to go to remember this Identification at least every hour!!

Now back at The Station… there are other things we need. We already have a marvelous Sponsor, namely God, divine Love, the Father that created us as His spiritual reflections, to love, to understand, to trust, to feel, to rejoice in life!!  And, we have a wonderful "instruction-procedure" manual, the Holy Bible.      We’re well on our way to Identification!!  

In addition to our Sponsor and Procedure Manual, we need some real life Identification experience. Now in this area Christians have a wonderful tutor, Christ Jesus, who has already performed the roles of, set the example for, and whose Station Identification could be characterized as: Teacher, Healer, Minister, Shepherd, Forecaster, Rescuer, Lie Detector Expert, Soldier, Preacher and Selfless Friend.  And his script is available for those who want to learn under his tutorage.

In her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Religious Leader and Pioneer, Mary Baker Eddy observes:  

Man's genuine selfhood is recognizable only in what is good and true.  Man is neither self-made nor made by mortals.   God created man.    And Jesus, who certainly knew His identity said: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”    Matthew 5.  

Other wonderful assurances from his Sermon on the Mount that are being proven every day may be seen by clicking here.  MATTHEW 5

I’ll be On Air with you!!!