Episode 10 features special guest, Matt Maher! The conversation is centered on his latest project: “Alive & Breathing”, with a definite theme of singing through difficult and uncertain circumstances. Listen for the special story behind the compelling album artwork. And, Matt talks abut how he and his wife are helping kids process life in quarantine. (Bonus content, courtesy of his daughter Rowan!)

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
Podcast: Spotify/ApplePodcasts/SoundCloud

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the search for  meaningful worship.

In Psalm 27:4, David wrote, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”

The temple was known as a place for worship. That is what gave David great delight-dwelling in the house of God and seeing Him in His glory. Churches today are known as houses of worship, but we don’t have to go to church to worship God. We can honor Him right where we are, because the body of the believer is identified as a temple of the Holy Spirit. 

Focusing on God’s glory and grace gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Hello!  I hope you’re doing well.
This morning’s playlist includes songs from Cody Carnes, Rita Springer, Chris Renzema, Martin Smith, Kirby Kaple, Leeland and more!
See the lineup below (and the latest episode of the P&W Podcast below that! It features Cody Carnes. He shares stories behind song on his new album “Run To The Father”, and gives us a glimpse into the writing process of the song “The Blessing”.  

Keep choosing to worship! 🙂
Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ
Kristi@WJTL.com
FM 90.3 Radio Program: Sundays 6-10AMWJTL.com | Podcast: Spotify/Apple Podcasts/SoundCloud On Instagram & Facebook

Kristi Leigh · WJTL PRAISE & WORSHIP PODCAST: CODY CARNES

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Psalm 90, verse 2.

Before the mountains were born, or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

How do you comprehend an infinite God with a finite mind? We cannot fully grasp His eternal nature, or understand all His ways. He sees reality from a higher perspective, and He also sees reality from an eternal perspective. His view of time is different than ours. Moses wrote that a thousand years in God’s sight are like a day that has just gone by.

Even though we cannot fully comprehend God, He fully understands us. He made us. He has provided a way for us to know Him better and to live in a peaceful relationship with Him forever. Jesus is our way to the Father. 

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of awe-inspiring worship in the Year of Vision. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

I’ve been streaming Cody Carnes’ latest album, “Run To The Father” a lot the past few weeks. He has a way of bringing hope and vision to our perspective in his lyrics. So, I was thrilled for him to share the stories behind some of my favorite songs on the record. Plus, all about “The Blessing”, a song he wrote with his wife (Kari Jobe) and Elevation Worship that has become a staple of worship set lists these days. He & Kari also have content churches can use for free in their streamed services. Cody also shares tips for songwriting collaborations, leading worship over screens, and keeping little kids happy during quarantine.

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the searching. heart of Zacchaeus.

In Luke 19, we find this wealthy tax collector climbing a tree to see Jesus. The Bible says that he wanted to see who Jesus was. 

Jesus noticed him and invited himself to Zacchaeus’s house. Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus gladly. 

The encounter changed his life. He said to Jesus, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

In seeing Jesus, Zacchaeus saw the folly of his greed, and saw how his life could be different by being more generous. His words to Jesus reflected his commitment to change course. Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house.”

Focusing on the generosity of God’s grace gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Today’s playlist is themed around the heart of Rend Collective’s new album: Choose To Worship! Drummer, Gareth Gilkeson, joined me on the Praise & Worship Podcast. Listen above, and find out more here. The song lineup is below, including some of their brand new songs, plus new ones from Housefires, Maverick City Music, Corey Voss & Madison Street Worship, and even a Switchfoot collaboration with Jenn Johnson!

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ 
Kristi@WJTL.com 
Follow & Friend on Instagram & Facebook Podcast: Spotify/Apple Podcasts/SoundCloud

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the testimony of Jesus’ disciples to His resurrection.

In John 20:25, the disciples told Thomas, who had not yet seen Jesus alive, “We have seen the Lord.”

One of the compelling pieces of evidence that Jesus rose from the dead is found in the Bible.  There were witnesses, and those witnesses were the disciples of Jesus. 

Tim Keller explains why this is significant in his book “The Reason for God.” “Virtually all the apostles and early Christian leaders died for their faith, and it is hard to believe that this kind of powerful self-sacrifice would be done to support a hoax.”

Even though Thomas did not initially believe this report, he too would be convinced after seeing Jesus with his own eyes one week later.

Focusing on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on John 20, verse 1.

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.”

Peter Marshall is quoted as saying, “The stone was rolled away from the door, not to permit Christ to come out, but to enable the disciples to go in.”

What did they find when they went into the tomb? Peter and another disciple saw strips of linen lying there and the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. But there was no body. John 20, verse 8 records that the disciple who reached the tomb first saw and believed when he went inside. The biggest piece of evidence to make the case for the resurrection of Jesus was what was missing at the tomb of Jesus when the stone was rolled away. Jesus’ body was missing, but He later appeared to His disciples alive. Jesus told His followers in John 14:19, “Because I live, you also will live.” 

Jesus is our source of Good News, leading us to a place of faith and resurrection hope in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Rend Collective drummer, Gareth Gilkeson, is my guest on the Praise & Worship Podcast (Episode 8)! He shares how his family is doing during the quarantine, and how his band is still on a mission to give people a reason to celebrate. Their new record, “Choose To Worship”, is jam-packed with songs to help you stand and sing through painful seasons. Keep your ears peeled for Gareth’s tips on leading worship through a screen, and what Rend Collective is creating for churches.

Listen above, or click your favorite link below. Spotify Apple Podcasts SoundCloud

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ 
Kristi@WJTL.com

Gareth talks about the Cliffs of Moher in this interview…here’s the music video for their song “Revival Anthem”. Filmed in Ireland, including shots right on the edge!