JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines the attitude of Jesus.

According to Philippians 2:5, our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross!”

What we see in the attitude of Jesus is a humble servant who was willing to empty himself of His glory in heaven to display His love sacrificially for us on the earth. He did it by laying down His life for us to experience an extremely painful form of death.

Having the attitude of Christ will move us in the direction of humble obedience to the call of God on our lives.

The attitude of Jesus is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines Jesus as a gentle king.

According to Matthew 21, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. As Jesus entered, the crowds shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!”

The fact that Jesus rode on a donkey meant that He was riding in peace, not in war. If He came to wage war, He would have been riding a horse. But Jesus was coming to Jerusalem with an offer of peace, which would be ultimately fulfilled the following week when He laid down His life for us at the cross.

Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was a fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9, which says, “Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey.”

The appearance of Jesus as a gentle king is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Hour 1

1. Know About It (feat. Derek Minor) – KJ-52
2. Out Of This World – Family Force 5
3. Empty Grave – Disciple
4. You Remain – Foreverlin
5. Run Devil Run – Crowder
6. Feet, Don’t Fail Me Now – Needtobreathe
7. Pretty Little Phase – Hearts Like Lions
8. In Exile – Thrice
9. Stones – Manafest
10. Dance Like You’re From The Future – After Edmund
11. Love Broke Thru – TobyMac
12. Revival – The Rocket Summer
13. Some Kind Of Zombie – Audio Adrenaline
14. People Like Me – Audio Adrenaline
15. Mirror Mirror – Random Hero

Hour 2

1. Lay It Down – Crossing Fire
2. Into My Arms – Embers In Ashes
3. Parachute (Featuring Matt Dally) – Bread Of Stone
4. Taking Back – About A Mile
5. Loving Led – ILIA
6. So In Love – Decyfer Down
7. Float – Switchfoot
8. All In (Apologize) – Stellar Kart
9. Youth Of The Nation – P.O.D.
10. White Flag – Seventh Day Slumber
11. Troubles – Written in Kings
12. All Hands On Deck – Awake O Sleeper
13. Wash Away – As We Ascend
14. Calm The Storm – Spoken
15. Down – Thousand Foot Krutch

Five Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
April 7-9, 2017

5 Victory Christian Fellowship in Palmyra Community Egg Hunt tomorrow (Saturday, April 8) beginning at 11am  for children Ages 2-10 years. Children are encouraged to bring their own basket/bag.  More Info: VCFPA.org

4 Free Easter Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt, tomorrow (Saturday, April 8) beginning at 8:30am at Messiah United Methodist Church. The Easter egg hunt will begin at 9:15 am for children ages 0-6th grade. Bring your own basket/bag.  More Info: yorkmessiahumc.org

3 Hammel Associates Architects in Lancaster First Friday Lego Building Party tonight (Friday, April 7) from 5-8:30pm at their offices on Grant Street in Lancaster. Architectural, Trains, Freestyle, Connects, Creator – more than 40,000 bricks, plates and specialty pieces to build with . More Info:  Hammelarch.com

2 Providence Church in New Providence PA Road to Resurrection interactive event for the entire family tomorrow (Saturday, April 8) from 9am-11am. Travel the pathway of Jesus, wave palm branches, visit the upper room for the Passover meal, visit Barabbas in jail, and more. More Info: provchurch.net

1 Community Egg Hunt at Grace Baptist Church of Lancaster tomorrow (Saturday, April 8) from 10am-Noon.  Egg hunt, games, crafts, bounce house, and other activities. This event is for ages infant thru 6th grade and is held rain or shine. More Info: GBCLancaster.org

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Revelation 21:4.

In the setting of the new heaven and the new earth, we see a very different picture than the current conditions found in the world.

Speaking of God and His people, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

That will be the experience of those who take part in the new heaven and new earth. In the absence of tears, there will be fullness of joy. In the absence of death, there will be fullness of life. In the absence of pain, there will be fullness of healing.

Life with God in the New Heaven and New Earth is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Phase 3 of the Junction Center building project is complete!  All of us at WJTL have been looking forward to this for years.  In fact, a few have been looking forward to it for decades: Tim Landis (our president), Fred McNaughton (WJTL station manager) and Chris Strayer (CMI Productions concert promoter).  I knew the grand opening and dedication would be special.  Unfortunately, I had an ill-timed case of laryngitis.  I originally planned to be there from the very beginning until the very end, welcoming people at the famous WJTL Table and mingling the night away.  But when a DJ loses their voice…it’s time for a new plan!  So, my husband, Sam and I decided that even though I couldn’t speak, we wouldn’t miss this important event.  He came along as my translator.  Our toddler, Josiah, tagged along.  We timed our arrival as the main event was getting started and were thrilled to see a packed parking lot!

When we walked into the doors, my heart was so happy to see so many WJTL listeners!  There were so many familiar faces of friends of WJTL, those who gladly volunteered over the years, plus regular concert attenders and local musicians.  My fellow WJTL staffers popped up here and there with a wave and an excited smile for such a big occasion.  What surprised me was seeing so many people who have been a big part of my life!  Pastor Tony Hunt was one of my youth pastors at Hershey Free Church.  He is now Senior Pastor at Lancaster Evangelical Free Church.  He said he had been hoping to bump into me at Lancaster Bible College, but our paths never crossed.  Then I met Judy Lehman.  She’s part of Steven Courtney’s Suitcase Musicians and works at HOPE International.  We’ve been internet friends for over a year, mostly relating with music and toddlers.  (Our 2 year olds’ birthdays are very close together.)  We’ve been trying to meet in real life for a while, but haven’t been able to arrange it.  I was delighted to make these connections at the brand new The Junction Center Landis Hall.  It’s a place that I’m sure will hold meaningful memories in the years to come.  I can’t wait to see what relationships are started there.  I imagine kindred heart friendships will start there, musicians will connect with eager hearts, and broken hearts will find Jesus.

I hope you’ve heard the story of Robert M. Landis.  It is truly amazing to think of the impact this man has had—and will continue to have!  Fred McNaughton was talking about the concerts and events we have lined up to take place in the new facility.  I loved when he stressed that we don’t want to forget our roots!  Heritage artists, like Chuck Girard, Russ Taff, Michael Card and Phil Keaggy have been important in helping to blaze a trail for Christian music – and we will continue to support and showcase them.  WJTL is also on a mission to impact future generations.  Children will love concerts with artists like Slugs & Bugs!  There will also be Christian rock shows, concerts with current contemporary Christian artists, local bands and much more.

One of my favorite moments was seeing how our son responded.  After all, this was Josiah’s first real concert!  When Rend Collective took the stage, Sam took Josiah up front.  He held him for a few songs, while Josiah quietly watched.  But, when Sam put Josiah down, he began dancing and jumping and clapping and shouting!  He loved the concert so much, he talked about it all the way home.  (Especially the guitar.)   We asked Josiah if he wanted to go to another concert, and he said “uh huh”!  (Translation: “yes”!)  It brought back memories of when my mom took me to concerts with Michael W. Smith and DC Talk.  We always talked about what we loved on the way home in the car.  And now the process is starting all over again in my little family.  I’m so grateful for Junction Center Landis Hall and can’t wait to see and hear the stories of lives impacted by Christ. Community. Music. in this new space.

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines Jesus as a man of sorrows.

According to Isaiah 53, verse 3, Jesus “was despised and rejected-a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our back on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.”

Jesus was taking the pain and suffering that we deserved. It was our sin that prompted Jesus to carry the cross. It was His love for sinners that held Jesus to the cross, not the nails. That is extraordinary love—that Jesus would be willing to face the agony of the cross in front of those who rejected and despised Him. This shows the extent that Jesus is willing to go to help us overcome the wages of sin and restore us to God.

His willingness to enter our world of sin and suffering reveals His ability to identify with our sorrows. He is not distant from our pain. He has been there. He cares for us. He proved it at the cross.

Knowing Jesus as a man of sorrows is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Welcome to April Showers season!  Today’s program features a related theme in the 8:00 hour.  Here are the verses I mention:

Ezekial 34:26

I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing.^[a] I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.

Hosea 6:3

Let us acknowledge the Lord;
    let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
    he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
    like the spring rains that water the earth.

Isaiah 45:8

Rain down, you heavens, from above,
And let the skies pour down righteousness;
Let the earth open, let them bring forth salvation,
And let righteousness spring up together.
I, the Lord, have created it.

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Kristi Leigh – WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com