Blogs
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the dove.
This bird is a powerful symbol of the Christian faith in various ways.
The dove is a symbol of peace. After the storm in Noah’s day, it was a dove that brought back an olive branch signifying peace and the new start that God was offering the world.
The dove is a symbol of purity. Perhaps that is why Jesus instructed us to be innocent as doves as we share His gospel.
The dove is also a symbol of faithfulness. Turtle doves have a tendency to have one mate for life.
The dove is also a symbol for the Holy Spirit. At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in bodily form like a dove. Since doves tend to hover, that is probably how the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, hovering over Him.
The characteristics of the dove highlight various dimensions of the Christian faith and are reasons to believe in God’s good news.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the making of a disciple.
This process begins at the point of conversion to Christ, where faith begins to take root in the believer’s life. From that foundation, the new believer walks with Christ and learns to follow Him as Lord and Savior. As this happens, the believer in Christ grows in godly character and becomes a witness for Christ, testifying of His saving grace.
One of the compelling characteristics of the disciple’s progress is their spiritual growth, whereby they become more and more like Jesus in character. There is a reason for that.
In Luke 6:40, Jesus said, “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.”
The making of a disciple into the likeness of Christ is the result of adequate training from a qualified Teacher and is a reason to believe in God’s good news.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reasons to Believe are life, purpose and identity.
These three experiences of the Christian life are described in a single statement made by the Apostle Paul. When he was in Athens, he linked these experiences to a relationship with God. He said in
Acts 17:28, “In him, we live and move and have our being.”
In a relationship with God, we have life, eternally and abundantly through faith in Jesus Christ. Our spirit comes alive to God’s grace.
In a relationship with God, we move. He puts the purpose into the steps we take. That purpose is to glorify God. This focus will affect the choices we make day-to-day.
In a relationship with God, we have our being. As we know God as He is, we come to understand how He sees us. First John 3:1 says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
Life, Purpose, and Identity in Christ are reasons to believe in God’s good news.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Five Fun Free Family Things To Do July 29-31, 2016
phredd : July 29, 2016 8:53 am : Fred McNaughton, Staff PagesFive Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend – July 29-31, 2016
5 New Cumberland Town Band Concert on Sunday (July 31) from 6:30-7:30pm at Anna & Bailey Streets Park in New Cumberland. Music will include marches, popular tunes, patriotic numbers, and classic wind ensemble compositions. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets for a shady concert in the park. In case of rain, the concert will be moved indoors to Trinity United Methodist Church, New Cumberland. More Info: NCTownBand.org
4 Mount Joy Music In The Park Outdoor Music Series, Sunday (July 31) 5:30-7:30pm at Memorial Park in Mount Joy featuring the music of husband and wife duo – SweetLife. More Info: sweetlifemusic.com
3 The 50th Annual Lititz Outdoor Fine Art Show tomorrow (Sat. July 30) from 9am-5pm at Lititz Springs Park. Art from over 125 artists ranging from several states along the East coast as well as Pennsylvania. Admission is free and the show is held rain or shine. More Info: LititzArtAssociation.com
2 Annual Day African American Festival tonight (Friday, July 29) and tomorrow (Saturday, July 30) beginning at 6pm each evening at Martin Luther King Elementary School in Lancaster. Dance, music, seminars and more celebrating African American Culture. Also a Parade Saturday beginning at 1pm forming at Hand Middle School. More Info: AnnualDay.org
1 33rd Annual Hispanic Cultural Festival tonight (Friday, July 29) 6-11pm and tomorrow (Saturday, July 30) 4-11pm at San Juan Bautista Catholic Church, Duke Street in Lancaster. Carnival Games, Arts & Crafts, Native Costumes and live music. More Info: SanJuanBautistaLancaster.com/2016-Festival
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the influence of Christ on the calendar.
Today, in some circles, time is marked by “Common Era” and “Before Common Era”, otherwise known as C.E. and B.C.E.
But before this system was used, time was marked by B.C. and A.D. B.C. stands for “Before Christ” and A.D. stands for “Anno Domini” which means in the Year of our Lord. That system was designed hundreds of years after Christ was born, acknowledging Jesus Christ as the turning point of human history.
For the person who puts their faith in Christ, there is a turning point that leads to a new era. According to Second Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here.” Christ has come. The days “Before Christ” are of the past. Each year beyond conversion becomes the year of the Lord’s favor.
The impact of Jesus on the calendar of our lives is a reason to believe in God’s good news.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
Name |
Artist |
Album |
Year |
6:00 a.m. |
|||
Take Heart |
Hillsong United |
Aftermath |
2011 |
Future / Past |
John Mark McMillan |
Borderland |
2014 |
This I Know |
Crowder |
Neon Steeple |
2014 |
Hallelujah (Friend and King) |
Tim Hughes |
Pocketful of Faith |
2015 |
Only You |
Hillsong Live |
Glorious Ruins (Deluxe Edition) |
2013 |
A Greater Song |
Matt Redman |
Beautiful News |
2006 |
Come Thou Fount (Above All Else) |
Shane & Shane |
The Worship Initiative, Vol. 1 |
2014 |
Almighty God |
Tim Hughes |
Holding Nothing Back |
2007 |
Always |
Kristian Stanfill |
Mountains Move |
2011 |
Sovereign |
Chris Tomlin |
Burning Lights |
2013 |
One Thirst and Hunger |
Jeremy Riddle |
Furious |
2011 |
Beautiful |
Phil Wickham |
Cannons |
2007 |
7:00 a.m. |
|||
Great I Am (feat. Jared Anderson) |
New Life Worship |
You Hold It All |
2011 |
My Heart Is Yours (feat. Passion) |
Kristian Stanfill |
Passion: Take It All |
2014 |
God of Wonders (feat. Caedmons Call) |
Mac Powell |
City on a Hill |
2000 |
Brokenness Aside |
All Sons & Daughters |
Season One |
2012 |
Let There Be Light |
Bryan & Katie Torwalt |
Let There Be Light – Single |
2016 |
The Fathers Heart |
Bellarive |
The Heartbeat |
2012 |
Crown Him (Majesty) (feat. Kari Jobe) |
Chris Tomlin |
Burning Lights |
2013 |
At Your Name (Forever) |
Tim Hughes |
Love Shine Through |
2011 |
Forever (feat. Brian Johnson) |
Bethel Music |
Tides |
2013 |
Let It Be Jesus (feat. Passion) |
Christy Nockels |
Passion: Take It All (Deluxe Edition) |
2014 |
Better Is One Day |
Charlie Hall |
Better Is One Day |
1999 |
8:00 a.m. |
|||
10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord) |
Matt Redman |
10,000 Reasons |
2012 |
King of My Heart |
John Mark & Sarah McMillan |
You Are the Avalanche – EP |
2015 |
It is Well (feat. Kristene DiMarco) |
Bethel Music |
You Make Me Brave (Live) |
2014 |
Hope and Glory |
Tim Hughes |
Pocketful of Faith |
2015 |
Lord, I Need You (feat. Audrey Assad) |
Matt Maher |
All The People Said Amen |
2013 |
In Your Presence (feat. Kim Walker-Smith) [Live] |
Jesus Culture |
Let It Echo (Live) |
2016 |
Your Glory |
All Sons & Daughters |
Season One |
2012 |
Holy Spirit |
Bryan & Katie Torwalt |
Here On Earth |
2011 |
Scandal Of Grace |
Hillsong United |
Zion |
2013 |
Day After Day |
Kristian Stanfill |
Mountains Move |
2011 |
Counting On Your Name |
Tim Hughes |
Love Shine Through |
2011 |
Create In Me |
Rend Collective |
The Art of Celebration |
2014 |
Alive |
Hillsong Young & Free |
We Are Young & Free |
2013 |
9:00 a.m. |
|||
Almighty God (feat. Candi Pearson Shelton) |
Todd Fields |
North Point Live: Here + Now |
2012 |
King of Love |
I Am They |
I Am They |
2015 |
Oh How I Need You |
All Sons & Daughters |
The Longing |
2012 |
Clear The Stage |
Jimmy Needham |
Clear The Stage |
2012 |
Open Up The Sky |
Deluge |
Deeper (Integrity Compilation) |
2008 |
Ever Be (Live) |
Bethel Music & Kalley Heiligenthal |
We Will Not Be Shaken (Live) [Deluxe Edition] |
2015 |
Thank You God For Saving Me (feat. Phil Wickham) |
Chris Tomlin |
Burning Lights |
2013 |
One Thing Remains (Studio Version) (feat. Passion) |
Kristian Stanfill |
Passion: White Flag |
2012 |
Fierce (feat. Chris Quilala) [Live] |
Jesus Culture |
Let It Echo (Live) |
2016 |
Mighty |
Kristene DiMarco |
Mighty |
2015 |
Awake My Soul (feat. Lecrae) |
Chris Tomlin |
Burning Lights |
2013 |
God of Miracles (Live) |
Chris McClarney |
Everything and Nothing Less (Live) |
2015 |
With Everything |
Hillsong United |
Passion: Awakening |
2010 |
EndFragment |
Here’s your playlist for the July 22nd/24the episode of Some Sort of Rock SHow:
Hour 1
- The Change (Feat. Beacon Light) – Bread of Stone
- Running From The Scene – Manic Bloom
- Roses – I Anthem
- Im Down – The Almost
- Incomplete – Thousand Foot Krutch
- Gameface – KJ-52
- Colors Run – House Of Heroes
- Invisible – Disciple
- Speak – Foreverlin
- Everything’s Gonna Be Alright – Mike Mains And The Branches
- Happiness – NEEDTOBREATHE
- Come To The River – Rhett Walker Band
- Feel Invincible – Skillet
- I Can – Skillet
- I Just Wanna Know – NF
Hour 2
- Run Devil Run – Crowder
- Clarity – Come Wind
- Out of the Fire – Audio Adrenaline
- Heartbeat – Remedy Drive
- Beyond The Stars – Spoken
- We Are The Broken – Seventh Day Slumber
- Float – Switchfoot
- Dance Like Nobody’s Watching – Family Force 5
- Flood – Jars Of Clay
- Falling All Over – I Am Spartacus
- Bummin’ – Relient K
- Alive – Tree 63
(Interview with XXI)
- Wasn’t Enough – XXI
- Holding On – We Are Vessel
Five Fun Free Family Things To Do July 22-24, 2016
phredd : July 22, 2016 8:56 am : Fred McNaughton, Staff PagesFive Fun Free Family Things To Do This Weekend
July 22-24, 2016
5 Free Coffee House at Enola First Church of God tonight (Friday, July 22) from 7pm-8:30pm with The Blue Grass Meadow Band. Freewill Offering will be taken. More Info: EnolaCOG.com
4 Lebanon Area Fair will have Free admission all day Sunday (July 24) 9am-10pm at the Lebanon Fairgrounds on Rocherty Road, kicking off at 9am with a worship service with On Fire Ministries, then exhibits, animal showings, Juggler Chris Ivey, Poney Rides, Fireman’s Competition and more.More Info: LebanonAreaFair.com
3 Main Street Mount Joy Cruisin Cuisine Car Show tomorrow (Sat. July 23) 11am-2:30pm on Main Street in Mount Joy from New Haven Street to Barbara Street . Over 200 cars, local food vendors,live music & more. More Info: MainStreetMountJoy.com
2 The BIG Event sponsored by the Bible Fellowship Church of Ephrata at the Tom Grater Park in Ephrata Sunday (July 24) from 6pm-7:30pm. FREE food, inflatables, games, spin art, barrel train, candy scramble, a caricature artist and more! More Info: 717-733-2526
Teen Challenge Celebrate 2016 tonight, all day tomorrow and Sunday morning (July 22-24) at the Teen Challenge Training Center in Rehresburg. Food, inflatables, games, special music, worship concerts, fireworks & more! WJTL Broadcasting Live Friday Night! More Info: TeenChallengeTC.com
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Q and A Segment explores the question, “What is tithing, and what does the Bible say about it?”
Tithing is introduced in the Old Testament where the Israelites were instructed to bring ten percent of their income to the Lord in offerings.
In Malachi 3, the LORD compared failure to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse as an act of robbing Him. Jesus confirmed the value of tithing in Matthew 23, verse 23, but noted that there were more important matters of the law such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Jesus rebuked the teachers of the law for neglecting these more important matters of the law.
This is a good focus for us today, not to neglect the practice of tithing, but also to remember that there is more to following Christ than giving our ten percent.
The emphasis in the New Testament goes beyond numbers to the condition of the heart. Second Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
In this way, our tithes and generous gifts for the sake of God’s kingdom become fragrant offerings to God in the Year of Exploration.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Exploration, today’s Reason to Believe is the Garden of Gethsemane.
This garden is located on the lower slope of the Mount of Olives and is the place where Jesus took His disciples just before he was arrested. This is a place that tourists can visit today.
The Garden of Gethsemane was a place where Jesus prayed earnestly in great anguish and entrusted Himself to the Father’s plan.
To get a sense of the deep burden that Jesus was carrying, Jesus said to three of His disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
The Garden of Gethsemane reminds us that our greatest spiritual battles are won when we are on our knees, in fellowship with God, entrusting ourselves to His redemptive purposes in our lives.
The Garden of Gethsemane is a reason to believe in God’s good news.
John Shirk
john@wjtl.com