JOHN SHIRK – 2015 will be designated as the Year of Connection at WJTL. The Junction Center is the home of WJTL, and that word Junction is more than just the name of the road that we are on. The meaning of that word is closely associated with the vision of WJTL. Junction means “a point of connection.” And we really do sense that the Lord has brought us to this place to be a place of connection for people-A place where people can connect with the Lord in a meaningful relationship; a place where people can connect with each other, with the staff, and sometimes to connect with the artists through our Live From the Junction Center events.

The focus of making connections implies the building of relationships, and that is what the focus of 2015 is going to be about-focusing on cultivating life’s most important relationship with God, and developing thriving relationships with the people that God has placed in our lives. So, we invite you to join us in that journey throughout 2015, in our devotional thoughts and in the events that are held at the Junction Center.

Here is a good focus point for all of us in 2015, from Second Corinthians 5:9, echoing the words of Paul the Apostle, when he said, “So we make it our goal to please the Lord.” Let’s pursue that noble purpose together in 2015.

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment of Celebration reflects on the chorus of praises surrounding the birth of Christ.

Christmas reminds us that Jesus is God’s ultimate gift to the world.

The birth of Christ was a cause for celebration for Mary, the mother of Jesus, who said, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”

The birth of Christ was a cause for celebration for the shepherds. After their encounter with the baby Jesus, they returned to their fields, glorifying and praising God for what they had heard and seen.

The birth of Christ was a cause of celebration for the wise men, who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. They also bowed down and worshiped him.

The birth of Christ was a cause of celebration for the heavenly angels, who said on the night of His birth, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

We can join the chorus of praises in response to a loving God who remembered us and came to meet us at our point of need.

The birth of Christ is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the gift of God’s love.

John 3:16 is one of the most quoted verses of the Bible. It’s a fitting verse for the Christmas season and the Easter season. It’s a fitting verse to describe how someone can be born again into the family of God.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

Here we see God’s love freely given to us as a gift through Jesus Christ. For a gift to be a gift, there needs to be a giver and a receiver. God clearly gave. That gift is ours to receive. This is why the Christmas season is so special among those who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. We recognize that without the treasure of God’s grace, we would be lost in our sin and without God because sin separates us from God. But when Jesus enters our world, His light invades the darkness of our soul. Despair is replaced with hope. Doubt and fear are replaced with faith. Selfishness is replaced by love. In Jesus, we find the freedom to experience abundant and eternal life with Him. God invites us to say “Yes” to His invitation to live with Him forever.

The gift of God’s love through Jesus Christ is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

STACEY GAGNE – One of our new traditions since we’ve been here at The Junction Center is our annual WJTL Christmas Open Houses.  We love these evenings listening to music,  and visiting with listeners who stop in for cocoa, cookies and tours as we celebrate Christmas.

Drop by and join us next Tuesday (Dec 16) & Wednesday (Dec 17) anytime between 4pm and 8pm both evenings.   We’ll be here to greet you.  It’s  also a great time for you to drop off your end of the year donation and save a stamp.

We hope to see YOU, but either way, we wish you a Merry Christmas!

https://flic.kr/p/qkFNpz

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on Gabriel’s prophecy of Jesus.

Gabriel was an angel who was given the task of telling Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.

He says in Luke 1:32, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

This is a reference to Jesus as the king of Israel. Many kings had reigned over Israel in the past, but each of them had their blemishes. Even David, who was well-respected and regarded as a man after God’s own heart, had his faults. Nations today continue to have leaders with their faults and limitations. They make mistakes, and they do not stick around forever.

Jesus is different. His character is unblemished, and His kingdom will be without end. He is a capable king, not just for Israel, but also for our souls. His fame will never fade. It will only grow in the course of time. We can trust Him to save us from our sins, and lead us with grace and wisdom.

Gabriel’s prophecy of Jesus to be a great king is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on good and perfect gifts.

James 1:17 tells us that “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Here we see that God is the giver of all good gifts. Some of those gifts might be tangible things. First Timothy 6 tells us that God is the One who provides us with everything for our enjoyment. But this blessing comes with a caution for us not to put our hope in wealth, but rather to put our hope in God. Love the Giver more than the gift.

Some of the good gifts provided by God might be resources that we need to survive. Acts 14:17 says, “He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” This, too is a blessing from God and a reason to give thanks.

Some of His gifts are perfect. Jesus is the perfect remedy for our sin. God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son. The Holy Spirit is the perfect power source for living the Christian life. Jesus said in Luke 11, “how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Every good and perfect gift from God is a reason to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the joys of heaven.

The Apostle John was given the view of a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation chapter 21.

In verses 3 and 4, he says, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 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.”

This is a description of heaven. This is where followers of Jesus have our ultimate citizenship. What is striking in these two verses is what is present and what is absent in heaven. What is missing is death. There will be no more funerals and no more good-byes among loved ones. Our tears will be dried as sadness is overtaken by gladness of heart. Hospital beds will be missing. Wheelchairs will not be needed. Heaven is a place of life and healing and pure happiness. What makes heaven so special is that Jesus will be present among His followers, who will have the opportunity to adore Him and praise Him for eternity.

The joys of heaven are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Moment Of Celebration reflects on the greatness and goodness of God.

We see this in Psalm 95, which begins with the invitation for us to “Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.”

This is not a timid worship gathering described here. This is a jubilant celebration using music to convey love for God and to proclaim His distinct place of honor as the great King above all gods.

As we approach God with a thankful heart, we remember how we are blessed by His attributes. He is holy and is making us holy. He is merciful and pardons sin. He is wise beyond measure, and gives us wisdom as we take His Word to heart.

With a thankful heart, we also remember how He has blessed us with His precious gift when He sent Jesus to the world. First John 3:16 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us.” In Jesus, we see the evidence of God’s love for us.

The greatness and goodness of God are reasons to be glad in the Year of Celebration.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

THANK YOU, WJTL LISTENERS!! Thank you for being part of the 2014 Extraordinary Give. Your support and generosity of WJTL truly is inspiring.  It was also wonderful to see so many other great orzanizations supported in an Extraordinary way.  Thanks also to the Lancaster County Community Foundation Team.  The idea of the Extra Give – to inspire people to give (with enthusiasm) is a wonderful idea. We are so thankful that we live in an area that so generously supports non-profit organizations and their mission. Almost four and a half million dollars was raised for all the organizations IN JUST ONE DAY.

You helped WJTL raise $113,085 during Extraordinary Give 2014. WJTL will also receive a percentage of the $315,000 stretch pool dollars.

Thank you again for believing in the ministry of WJTL!

Thank you for voting and listening to The Top 500 Countdown. We appreciated your input, comments and encouragement. Here is the remainder of the Top 500 list from day 3. Here is the complete list.

168 Natalie Grant . Your Great Name
167 Steven Curtis Chapman . Dive
166 Big Daddy Weave . The Only Name (Yours Will Be)
165 Chuck Gibson Band . Faithful
164 Capital Kings . Fireblazin
163 Amy Grant . Lead Me On
162 Carman . Lazarus Come Forth
161 Mark Schultz . walking her home
160 Glad . Be Ye Glad
159 Danny Gokey . Hope In Front Of Me
158 Ashes Remain . Here For A Reason
157 Family Force 5 . Superhero
156 Needtobreathe . Keep Your Eyes Open
155 Switchfoot . Love Alone Is Worth The Fight
154 Amy Grant . Thy Word
153 Moriah Peters . You Carry Me
152 Third Day . Cry Out To Jesus
151 Steven Curtis Chapman . cinderella
150 Third Day . Love Song
149 New Life Worship . Great I Am (feat. Jared Anderson)
148 Steve Taylor . I Want to Be a Clone
147 Sidewalk Prophets . The Words I Would Say
146 Keith Green . There Is A Redeemer
145 Skillet . Fire and Fury
144 Steven Curtis Chapman . The Great Adventure
143 Tenth Avenue North . You Are More
142 Toby Mac . City On Our Knees
141 Audio Adrenaline . Kings And Queens
140 Christy Nockels . Waiting Here For You
139 Meredith Andrews . Open Up The Heavens
138 Petra . This Means War
137 Five Iron Frenzy . Every New Day
136 2nd Chapter of Acts . Easter Song
135 Jason Gray . Good To Be Alive
134 Skillet . American Noise
133 Todd Agnew . My Jesus
132 Tenth Avenue North . By Your Side
131 Natalie Grant . Held
130 Matt Redman . You Never Let Go
129 Brandon Heath . Give Me Your Eyes
128 Keith Green . Oh Lord, Youre Beautiful
127 Casting Crowns . East to West
126 Meredith Andrews . Not For A Moment (After All)
125 Twila Paris . The Warrior Is A Child
124 Todd Agnew . Grace Like Rain
123 The Waiting . Hands In The Air
122 Casting Crowns . Jesus, Friend Of Sinners
121 Matt Redman . Blessed Be Your Name
120 Addison Road . What Do I Know Of Holy
119 Brad & Rebekah . All Youve Done
118 Newsboys . Something Beautiful
117 Toby Mac . Tonight (feat. John Cooper of Skillet)
116 John Mark McMillan How He Loves
115 Avalon . Testify To Love
114 Jars of Clay . Worlds Apart
113 Switchfoot . Dare You To Move
112 7eventh Time Down . Just Say Jesus
111 Selah . You Raise Me Up
110 Francesca Battistelli . This Is The Stuff
109 Sidewalk Prophets . Live Like That
108 Rhett Walker Band . When Mercy Found Me
107 Chris Tomlin . Gods Great Dance Floor
106 David Crowder Band . Oh Happiness
105 Jesus Culture . Your Love Never Fails
104 Jars of Clay . Flood
103 Francesca Battistelli . Write Your Story
102 Lecrae . Messengers (feat. For King & Country)
101 Chris Rice . Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus)
100 Mylon Le Fevre and Broken Heart . Crack The Sky
98 Tenth Avenue North . No Man Is An Island
98 Third Day . Agnus Dei
97 Petra . Creed
95 John Waller . While Im Waiting
95 The City Harmonic with JJ Heller . Holy (Wedding Day)
94 Don Francisco . He’s Alive
93 Toby Mac . Me Without You
92 Switchfoot . Afterlife
91 Jeremy Camp . give me jesus
90 Sanctus Real . Lead Me
88 Chris Tomlin . Our God
88 Casting Crowns . Lifesong
87 Newsboys . Breakfast
86 Chris Tomlin . Jesus Messiah
85 Toby Mac . Boomin
82 Kutless . What Faith Can Do
82 Rich Mullins . Creed
82 Rhett Walker Band . Come To The River
81 Building 429 . Where I Belong
79 Aaron Shust . My Savior My God
79 Sara Groves He’s Always Been Faithful
77 Hillsong Young & Free . Wake
77 Jamie Grace . Beautiful Day
76 Royal Tailor . Ready Set Go (feat. Capital Kings)
75 Aaron Jeffery . He is
74 Britt Nicole . Ready or Not (feat. Lecrae)
73 Skillet . Hero
72 Crowder . Come As You Are
71 Rich Mullins . If I Stand
70 Lecrae . Tell The World (feat. Mali Music)
69 Petra . The Coloring Song
68 Phillips, Craig & Dean . Great I Am
67 Steven Curtis Chapman . The Glorious Unfolding
66 Michael W. Smith . Above All
65 Amy Grant . El Shaddai
64 Tenth Avenue North . Worn
63 Toby Mac (feat. Britt Nicole) . Eye On It
62 Rich Mullins . Hold Me Jesus
61 Toby Mac . Speak Life
60 Toby Mac . Steal My Show
59 Matthew West . Do Something
58 Colton Dixon . More Of You
57 dc Talk . In the Light
55 Matthew West . Hello My Name Is
55 Petra . Beyond Belief
54 Francesca Battistelli . He Knows My Name
53 Toby Mac . made to love
52 Mac Powell & Caedmon’s Call God of Wonders
51 Needtobreathe . Multiplied
50 The City Harmonic . Manifesto
49 Bebo Norman featuring Rich Mullins . Sometimes By Step
48 Chris Tomlin . Indescribable
47 Benny Hester . When God Ran
46 Bethel Music . You Make Me Brave (feat. Amanda Cook)
45 Audio Adrenaline . Big House
44 Big Daddy Weave . Redeemed
43 Phil Wickham . This Is Amazing Grace
42 Casting Crowns . Voice of Truth
41 For King and country . Fix My Eyes
40 Matt Maher . Lord, I Need You (feat. Audrey Assad)
39 Mandisa . Good Morning (feat. Toby Mac)
38 Casting Crowns . Thrive
37 Chris Tomlin . I Will Rise
36 Chris Tomlin . Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)
35 Britt Nicole . Gold
34 Steven Curtis Chapman . I Will Be Here
33 Michael W. Smith . Secret Ambition
32 Plumb . Need You Now (How Many Times)
31 Rend Collective . Build Your Kingdom Here
30 Toby Mac Feat. Kirk Franklin & Mandisa . Lose My Soul
29 Casting Crowns . Who Am I
28 Hillsong Live . Cornerstone (My Hope Is Built)
27 Michael W. Smith . Sovereign Over Us
26 Michael W. Smith . Agnus Dei
25 Nicole C. Mullen . Redeemer
24 Casting Crowns . Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)
23 Darlene Zschech . Shout To The Lord
22 Rend Collective . My Lighthouse
21 Carman . The Champion
20 Newsboys . We Believe
19 Big Daddy Weave . Overwhelmed
18 Darlene Zschech . Victors Crown
17 David Crowder Band . How He Loves
16 Newsboys . He Reigns
15 Newsboys . Gods Not Dead (Like A Lion)
14 Newsboys . Shine
13 Gateway Church with Kari Jobe . Revelation Song
12 Mercy Me . Greater
11 Mandisa . Overcomer
10 Hillsong United . Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
9 Michael W. Smith . Friends
8 Chris Tomlin . How Great Is Our God
7 Casting Crowns . Praise You In This Storm
6 Laura Story . Blessings
5 Chris Tomlin. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
4 Matt Redman . 10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)
3 Rich Mullins . Awesome God
2 dc Talk . Jesus Freak
1 Mercy Me . I Can Only Imagine