“He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”

The effective grace of God on our lives teaches us to view other people as having value to God, just as we recognize that we are valuable to God. This translates into living out the second greatest command in all of Scripture according to Jesus: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” To despise our neighbor is to go against that command.

Another way in which God’s grace teaches us to live is to be generous toward the needy. Such expressions of generosity include helping to feed the poor, or looking after orphans and widows in their distress, which may include foster care, adoption, or checking in on an elderly neighbor who lives alone.  If someone is grieving the loss of a loved one, it may be fitting for us to spend time with them and mourn with them.  There are needs all around us-tangible needs, emotional needs, and spiritual needs. With a sensitive heart toward God, He will teach us to be sensitive to those in a time of need.

Love for our neighbor and Kindness to the needy are vital signs of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Mercy Me will release “The Hurt And The Healer” on Tuesday, May 22nd!  We’re counting down the minutes, encouraging you to pre-order the new CD and just giving you the heads up on a special “Win It Before You Can Buy It Day” coming up on Monday, May 21st.  This “Win It Before You Can Buy It Day” will be extra special because we’re going to give the CDs away in prize packs.  You see, Mercy Me’s lead singer, Bart Millard, is an avid watch collector.  His favorite watch is made by a company called “Hello-Somebody“.  They’re a Christian organization based in Dallas that exists to provide relief efforts to third world countries!  (Very cool.)  So, we’ll give away the new Mercy Me CD AND  a special Mercy Me “The Hurt And The Healer” edition Hello-Somebody watch in each prize pack!  We’ll give you chances to call in and win all day long!  So, keep our phone number handy:  717-392-FM90 (3690).

Has God transformed your life by changing your attitudes, desires, choices or thoughts? Encourage others by sharing your story of God’s faithfulness by writing a devotional for God Stories 8, a devotional book by The Regional Church of Lancaster County.  Click here for information on how to submit your entry!

By the way, tune in all day long on Winning Wednesday, May 16th, for chances to call in and win “God Stories 7″!  Keep our number handy: 717-392-FM90 (3690)!

Sunday, June 3rd SisterBrother Clipper Magazine Stadium

Gates Open 4:45pm
Game Time 6:00pm
Barnstormers host the Sugarland Skeeters
Pre-game concert with SisterBrother
http://lancasterbarnstormers.com/fundraising_partners.cfm

Sunday June 24th Sovereign Bank Stadium
Gates Open 4:45pm
Game Time 6:00pm
York Revolution host the Barnstormers
Pre-game concert with Matt Goss Band

Click here and enter ”WJTL” in the group portal login.

Saturday, July 21st Clipper Magazine Stadium

Gates Open 5:45pm

Game Time 7:00pm

Lancaster Barnstormers host the Bridgeport Bluefish
Pre-game Concert with Steven Courtney & post-game fireworks
http://lancasterbarnstormers.com/fundraising_partners.cfm

Sunday, August 26th Clipper Magazine Stadium
Gates Open 4:45pm
Game Time 6:00pm
Barnstormers host Long Island Ducks
Kid’s Cookie Break Night with Phredd & Kelly Good
http://lancasterbarnstormers.com/fundraising_partners.cfm

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

The Apostle Paul was urging followers of Jesus to soak in God’s Word like a sponge. There are various ways that the word of Christ can take root in our lives. We can hear God’s Word at the local church in venues like Sunday School, Small group Bible Study or a sermon from the pastor. We can also wake up in the morning and make Bible reading a priority before we go to school or work. Or if we are more attentive at night, to read the Bible before we go to bed.

Christian music is another way to hear the word of Christ in a meaningful way. Songs have a way of helping us to remember certain Scriptures as they are set to rhythm. So, God also provides music as a teaching tool to help us internalize the word of God. Sometimes, hearing or sharing testimonies of God’s faithfulness highlights how God’s Word is living and active in the hearts of believers.

Filling our mind and heart with the word of Christ is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

This week’s Feedback Giveback prize is the newly released Jeremy Camp CD, “I Still Believe: The Number Ones Collection!”  Just comment on our blogs this week at www.WJTL.com, and you’ll automatically be entered to win!

IT’S OFFICIAL!  We have narrowed it down to these 10 contestants who will perform their talent on the Weaver’s Garage Stage at the 59th annual Sertoma Chicken BBQ at Long’s Park on Saturday, May 19th (2PM).  The audience gets to vote on their favorite performer–and that person or group will win a fabulous prize package!  So come out and be part of the audience, enjoy some talented WJTL listeners and make your vote count!

THIS YEAR’S FABULOUS PRIZE PACKAGE INCLUDES:

*A Samson Expedition 308 portable sound system courtesy of Lifesong Christian Books & Music in Quarryville

*4 balloon ride tickets from the US Hot Air Balloon Team

*A Portrait Session with Jeremy Hess Photographers

*A $125 gift card to Pure Essence Organic Salon in Leola

*4 Tickets and food vouchers to a Lancaster Barnstormers baseball game!

The 59th annual Sertoma Chicken BBQ is coming up on Saturday, May 19th at Long’s Park in Lancaster from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.!  WJTL is looking forward to broadcasting live all day, starting Lisa Landis & The Kids Cookie Break live on location from 9 a.m. – Noon.  There will also be live entertainment on the Weaver’s Garage stage all afternoon long!  See our schedule of events below.  For more information on the Sertoma Chicken BBQ, click here!

Noon – Bruce Fite

12:30 – Kimberliana

1:00 – Chuck Gibson Band

1:45 – Last year’s Tallent Challenge winner: The DKers

2:00 – Talent Challenge

4:00 (or whenever Talent Challenge is over) – The Beggar Folk