Blogs
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His watchfulness.
According to Second Chronicles 16:9, “the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”
His vision is vast and His vision is perceptive. He is keenly aware of those who are fully committed to Him. He is also able to discern our motives behind our actions. Where God sees authentic commitment, He provides encouragement for our faith to keep pressing on in dedication and service.
Through eyes of faith, His view of us matters, and makes a difference in our words, actions, and attitudes.
The watchfulness of God is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Promise of Hope-Blessed Are The Peacemakers
john : February 3, 2017 3:57 pm : John Shirk, Staff PagesJOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Matthew 5:9.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
When we serve as a peacemaker, we are reflecting the mission of Jesus, who came as a Mediator between God and mankind.
There are various forms of peacemaking that are valuable, such as conflict resolution, or being an influence to bring peace between nations. But the ultimate peacemaking mission is evangelism, where we serve as ambassadors for Christ, imploring people in this world to be reconciled to God. This is what Jesus calls His followers to do until the end of the age.
Being identified as a child of God is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His creation of the stars.
According to Isaiah 40, verse 26, the Holy One invites us to probe and ponder this thought: “Lift your eyes to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”
Astronomers estimate that there are at least 100 billion stars in our galaxy alone. The world population clock estimates close to 7.5 billion people living on the earth right now. So, if God can keep track of all the stars He has made, it stands to reason that He won’t lose track of the people He has made either. The point being made in Isaiah 40 is that God is our Creator. He will not grow weary or tired. No one can fathom His understanding. He holds the universe and the world in His hands. He will not let go of those who are captured in the grip of His grace.
God’s creation of the stars is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.
John Shirk
john@wjtl
Name |
Artist |
Album |
Year |
6:00 a.m. |
|||
Breaking Through (feat. Jeremy Riddle) |
Bethel Music |
Tides |
2013 |
Psalm 134 (Bless the Lord) |
Robbie Seay Band |
Psalms LP |
2015 |
Awesome God Is He |
Darrell Evans |
Awesome God Is He |
2013 |
For Your Glory |
David Curtis |
One Voice |
2016 |
The Waking Sound |
Brian Campbell |
Hearts Wake to the Giver of Life |
2012 |
Plans |
Tim Hughes |
Pocketful of Faith |
2015 |
Sing and Shout (feat. Matt Redman) |
Passion |
Passion: Take It All (Deluxe Edition / Live) |
2014 |
Children Of Light |
Kristian Stanfill |
Passion: Let The Future Begin |
2013 |
Heartbeats |
Hillsong UNITED |
Zion (Deluxe Edition) |
2013 |
Holy (Jesus You Are) [Live] |
One Sonic Society |
Live At the Tracking Room |
2012 |
Let There Be Light |
Bryan & Katie Torwalt |
Let There Be Light – Single |
2016 |
Jesus, We Love You (Live) |
Bethel Music & Paul McClure |
We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) [Deluxe Edition] |
2015 |
Thank You |
Hillsong Worship |
A Beautiful Exchange |
2010 |
Heres My Heart |
I Am They |
I Am They |
2015 |
7:00 a.m. |
|||
Come Thou Fount |
All Sons & Daughters |
Prone To Wander: A Collection of Hymns |
|
Future / Past |
John Mark McMillan |
Borderland |
2014 |
Once And For All |
Chris Tomlin |
Passion: Let The Future Begin |
2013 |
It is Well (feat. Kristene DiMarco) |
Bethel Music |
You Make Me Brave (Live) |
2014 |
10,000 Reasons |
Rend Collective Experiment |
Campfire |
2013 |
Good Good Father |
Housefires |
Housefires II |
2014 |
Almighty God |
Tim Hughes |
Holding Nothing Back |
2007 |
Ascend (feat. William Matthews) |
Bethel Music |
Tides |
2013 |
Burning Ones |
Jesus Culture |
Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago |
2011 |
Let It Be Jesus (feat. Passion) |
Christy Nockels |
Passion: Take It All (Deluxe Edition) |
2014 |
8:00 a.m. |
|||
Christ Be All Around Me (Live) [feat. All Sons & Daughters] |
Leeland |
Christ Be All Around Me – Live |
2014 |
Nothing Holding Me Back |
Bryan & Katie Torwalt |
Here On Earth |
2011 |
Create In Me |
Rend Collective |
The Art of Celebration |
2014 |
This I Know |
Crowder |
Neon Steeple |
2014 |
Day After Day |
Kristian Stanfill |
Mountains Move |
2011 |
Fierce (feat. Chris Quilala) [Live] |
Jesus Culture |
Let It Echo (Live) |
2016 |
Forever (feat. Brian Johnson) |
Bethel Music |
Tides |
2013 |
Doxology |
Stars Go Dim |
Stars Go Dim |
2017 |
O Praise The Name |
Hillsong Worship |
Open Heaven River Wild |
2016 |
Great Are You Lord |
All Sons & Daughters |
All Sons & Daughters |
2014 |
Glorious |
Bryan & Katie Torwalt |
Here On Earth |
2011 |
God of Miracles (Live) |
Chris McClarney |
Everything and Nothing Less (Live) |
2015 |
Make a Way (feat. Jon Egan) |
Desperation Band |
Banner (Deluxe Version) |
2014 |
9:00 a.m. |
|||
Resurrecting |
Elevation Worship |
Here as in Heaven |
2016 |
Cornerstone (My Hope Is Built) |
Hillsong Live |
Cornerstone EP |
2013 |
He Is Faithful (feat. Bryan Torwalt) |
Jesus Culture |
Jesus Culture Awakening: Live From Chicago |
2011 |
Yahweh |
Elevation Worship |
Here as in Heaven |
2016 |
No Longer Slaves (feat. Jonathan David & Melissa Helser) |
Bethel Music |
We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) [Deluxe Edition] |
2015 |
|
Here’s the handcrafted playlist for the January 27th/29th episode of Some Sort of Rock Show:
Hour 1
- Never Looking Back – WAKE UP SUNDAY
- Feel You Falling – Devin Williams
- Blessing – Come Wind
- View From The Top – The Wrecking
- Erase – Disciple
- Beneath the Skin – Gold Frankincense & Myrrh
- You Remain – Foreverlin
- The Window – Plain Cities
- Know About It – KJ-52
- Ayo! – Andy Mineo
- Feel Invincible – Skillet
- Mr. Roboto – Rapture Ruckus
- Hurricane – Thrice
- All That’s Left – Thrice
- Way You Love Me – XXI
Hour 2
- Tear It Up – Kutless
- Without A Fight – Lybecker
- Song of Deliverance – Zach Williams
- Through Smoke – Needtobreathe
- Wash Away – As We Ascend
- Bring It On – Seventh Day Slumber
- Warm Up – NF
- Prove It (feat. K.B.) – Crowder
- I Can’t Complain – Plankeye
- The Change – AsWeAre
- Unknown Land – Graceful Closure
- Out Of This World – Family Force 5
- Faith – Citizens & Saints
- Make Your Move – Hearts Like Lions
- Push – TFK
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His power as a miracle worker.
According to Psalm 77:14, God is a miracle-worker. “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”
The Christian faith is built on miracles, such as the Creation of the world, the virgin birth of Jesus, the miracle of His love demonstrated at the cross, and the raising of Jesus from the dead three days later.
There is another miracle worth noting-the miracle of God’s love to draw someone to faith in Jesus and to change a heart. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!”
God’s power as a miracle worker is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Parenting, Presets and the Junction Center Project
kristi : January 27, 2017 9:38 am : Kristi Leigh, Staff PagesThe other day, my toddler came running from the family room. He had a look of panic and worry on his face, so I dropped what I was doing to see what happened. I took his hand and we went back to the family room, where I immediately heard a noise. I quickly scanned the possible sources: maybe the interactive dump truck was on the fritz or the racing chicken car was having a meltdown…but it turned out to be the stereo. Josiah had pushed buttons in just the right sequence to turn it on to FM radio mode and change the channel to static. It was an easy fix: just push the preset button back to 90.3 and everything felt right again. What a relief! It got me thinking about how glad I am that WJTL is there and how I hope that 90.3 will always broadcast encouraging music and programming. I had a moment of gratitude for how my parents financially supported WJTL over the years. They also took me to concerts with Michael W. Smith, DC Talk, Newsboys, Audio Adrenaline, Supertones and more. They knew that WJTL was having a huge impact on my heart and life and encouraged my connection with it. They even walked away from buying a house they loved, all because WJTL’s signal didn’t come in. I’m so glad they saw how much WJTL meant to me. You may not know them personally, but you may have seen them online! There’s a picture of my mom and dad that pops up on WJTL.com from time to time.
There they are, Jim & Abby Abildness! Well…their silhouettes, at least. This was taken during the grand opening of the Junction Center Tent. I’m extra nostalgic lately because of the Christian performing arts center that is currently being built at WJTL’s home, The Junction Center. I imagine all the concerts and speakers and special events where we’ll be reminded of God’s love for us or encouraged to shine for Jesus or even come to Him for the very first time. I’m planning on taking Josiah to his first concert when Slugs & Bugs comes in May. It’ll be a fun full-circle moment for me. So, I hope that you’ll join me and the whole family of WJTL listeners in praying for – and financially supporting – this next phase of ministry. It has so much potential to impact our community for Jesus Christ! Click for details on contributing to the project or to see the lineup of concerts and special events already set to take place in our exciting new facility! I also encourage you to read the story behind the name of the Robert M. Landis Memorial Hall…another testimony of an amazing parent.
Five Fun Free Family Things To Do January 27-29,2017
phredd : January 27, 2017 8:53 am : Fred McNaughton, Staff PagesFive Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
January 27-29, 2017
5 Fourth Friday in River Towns – Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville, tonight (Friday, Jan 27) 5-9pm. Music, Galleries, antique shops, local eateries, and more. More Info: parivertowns.com
4 Winter Snowflake Ornament Making tomorrow (Sat. Jan. 28) 11am at East Pennsboro Branch Library in East Pennsboro. Make a winter snowflake ornament. Display it in your window or hang from a fixture to decorate a room. Materials provided. No registration necessary. Children must be accompanied by an adult. More Info: EastPennsboroBranch.org
3 Emmaus Road Cafe tomorrow (Sat. Jan. 28) 7pm-10pm. Concert by Worship Leaders Walt and Amy Lindberg. The cafe is located at 1886 Lincoln Highway East in Lancaster. More Info: EmmausRoadCafe.org
2 Ukulele Uprising Sunday (Jan 29) 2pm at Tellus360 in Lancaster. Ukulele Uprising is a gang of fun-loving musicians of varying skill levels who gather together to strum ukuleles and sing songs of all kinds. All ages welcome – Children must be accompanied by an adult. More Info: tellus360.com
1 15th Annual Chambersburg Ice Festival this weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Jan 27-29) Over 70 Ice Sculptures on display, Chili Cookoff, kidzone, double-wide Ice Slide and more. Get times and More info: IceFestPA.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Promise of Hope is based on Hebrews 13:8.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
This is a comforting verse for the follower of Christ, because it means that the name of Jesus is always superior to all other names, the throne of Jesus will never be upended, and the love of Jesus will never run dry. His truth is not bending to the changing values of the culture. His character does not change with the passage of time because there is no need for growth or improvement. Jesus is Lord, and that fact will never change. The sacrifice He made for our sins 2,000 years ago still has the power to forgive sins and transform our lives.
He is the constant source of help for His people. We find evidence of that in the preceding verses. In verse 5, God said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
The constant presence of Jesus is a promise of hope for those who follow Jesus in the Year of Trust.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His faithfulness as a Promise-keeper.
According to Second Corinthians 1:20, “No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”
A consistent promise keeper is faithful, having the goodness to follow through with stated intentions, and having the strength to make it happen, despite facing opposition that wants to thwart those purposes. Because these are the qualities of God, His promises are trustworthy and true.
Before Joshua died, he said to the Israelites, “Not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed.”
God’s faithfulness as a promise keeper is a reason to trust in God for today and forever.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com