Praise & Worship Podcast Episode 3 features special guest, David Leonard! Singer/Songwriter, Worship Leader, Producer–he’s a Dove Award winning unstoppable generating force of creativity. We talk about filming a music video with his dad, corporate versus individual worship songs, and breaking away from the keyboard on MercyMe’s 2020 tour. Plus, miscarriage from a man’s perspective: how it feels and what helps.

On a personal note: David Leonard‘s album, “The Wait”, was huge for my husband and me. If you know our story, you know Sam was diagnosed with testicular cancer right after we were married. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer a couple years later. Doctor’s said we had a one in a million chance at having a baby. It was 7 years before our son, Josiah, was born with some help from IVF. We say (hands down!) infertility is harder to go through than cancer. You might also know that last year: after trying and waiting for even more years, we got pregnant–but it was ectopic, which meant emergency surgery and incredible shock. Pain like that threatens to destroy you. But, surprisingly God has encouraged us deeply, reawakening our hearts and our hope! After that hardest hit yet, we feel more compelled than ever to share and encourage you. We know so many can relate. For me, songs are essential in this process. Lyrics give you voice while music does its work on your soul. If you are in this boat too, I’d love to share this conversation with you. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. I pray it helps you feel more hope (and less alone).

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Follow WJTL P&W on Facebook and Instagram

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the eyes of the Lord.

Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Where God sees faithfulness in us, He notices and encourages us with His love. Satan also does a scan around the world with his eyes, but with very different motives. The devil is our enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. He is looking for the worst in us, while God is looking to bring out the best in us. And so, the devil will tempt us and accuse us, while God will seek us in order to encourage us, so that we might walk with Him in the refreshment of His grace.

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

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on racial equality.

The love of God breaks down racial barriers. Peter was a Jewish leader in the early church who learned this lesson of faith when he went to the house of a Gentile named Cornelius.  

He made this statement in Acts 10:34, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.”

No one race of people is superior or inferior to another race. God will welcome into His presence faithful believers from all races. Revelation 7:9 views the picture of heaven with a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb.

Focusing on God’s love for all races of people gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Today’s playlist is filled with super singable songs of worship:  “Way Maker”,”How Great Is Our God”, “Who You Say I Am”, “How He Loves”, “No Longer Slaves”, “Great I Am”, “It Is Well” and many more. The whole lineup is below.

By the way, the Praise & Worship Podcast is available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Episode 1 Paul Baloche, Episode 2 Matt Goss and Episode 3 coming this Tuesday!

Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

Follow on Instagram @WJTLradio_PNW
Highlight Playlists on Spotify (another one coming this week!)

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the motivation of a godly example.

In Philippians 3:17, the Apostle Paul said, “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters. And just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

If you think of someone who is a godly example in your life, you are probably thinking of someone with exceptional character qualities. They love Jesus and it shows in the way they live their lives and treat other people. They are grateful to God and serve others with an attitude of humility.  Observe how people like that live out their faith. They will motivate us to be faithful to God. As a mentor to others, Paul encouraged others to follow him as he followed Christ. 

Focusing on godly examples gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Romans 6:23.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God’s grace is a gift extended to sinners. Instead of despair, we can live with hope, because God has remembered our desperate situation in our sinful condition, and provided a remedy through Jesus Christ.  

Just as employees earn wages by their work in the positive sense, so in the negative sense, we deserve death because of the sins we have committed. But when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, God no longer holds our sins against us for judgment. He sets us free from condemnation and releases us from guilt. God’s grace is the ultimate gift to save us from our sins.

Jesus is our source of good news, leading us to live with hope on the road that leads to heaven in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

New in 2020: more ways to connect with Praise & Worship on WJTL!

Follow @WJTLradio_PNW on Instagram for Worship Song of the Day details, new release information, tips for worship leaders, themes in the works and personal encouragement. You’ll also get a heads up on WJTL’s Praise & Worship Podcast, which you can find on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and SoundCloud. Episodes are up now from Paul Baloche and LCBC’s Matt Goss–and more are coming soon.

And if you love a theme as much as I do, I’m making highlight playlists on Spotify. The first one for 2020: “Fixed & Focused“. It’s loaded with songs from this week’s program, encouraging us to keep our eyes on Jesus: the Author & Perfector of our faith.

Listen, Sing, Follow, Subscribe — I’d love to connect with you!

Kristi Leigh, WJTL

Kristi@WJTL.com

2020 is such a good year for optical puns. I’m sure you’ve heard a few already! At WJTL, we’ve dubbed 2020 the Year of Vision. It’ll be our daily focus. So, the first big Praise & Worship themed playlist is: Fixed & Focused! Listen for lyrics encouraging us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our Faith.
Kristi Leigh, WJTL DJ

Kristi@WJTL.com

*NEW* WJTL Praise & Worship Podcast! Episode 1 (Paul Baloche) and Episode 2 (LCBC’s Matt Goss) available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud.

@WJTLradio_PNW on Instagram

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on God’s faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22 says, “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.’ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”

In the morning, some people see a sunrise. In his view of the sunrise, the writer of Lamentations saw more. He saw hope in the Lord. He was reminded of the faithfulness of God.

Focusing on God’s faithfulness gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian faith.

John Shirk

John @wjtl.com

Happy New Year! This morning’s playlist includes songs to start it off with a healthy heart. Plus, themes detected on the horizon: Revival & Awakening. I’m also excited to share a few of the very newest releases from Cody Carnes, Shane & Shane, Patrick Mayberry and Passion Music with Kristian Stanfill. Check out this lineup below!

Kristi Leigh

On Instagram @WJTLradio_PNW