This week’s playlist features Mack Brock, Pat Barrett, Tauren Wells and Elle Limebear (to name a few of the regulars). Plus, a couple tracks from Wilder Band. I’d love to introduce you to this compelling new worship duo!
Friday was an awesome day for new releases! This week’s Worship Release Roundup includes albums from Chris Tomlin, Cory Asbury and Mission House. Plus, singles from Kim Walker-Smith, Andrew Marcus, YWAM Kona Music, and local duo (the autumn)!
I also have clips from my interview with Kim Walker-Smith, who was my latest guest on the Praise & Worship Podcast! Listen below or watch the video interview here.
JOHN SHIRK -Here are the songs that aired over the Lunch Break from late July 2008. The first song on this playlist was number 12 and the last song was number 1.
Episode 13 features special guest, Kim Walker-Smith! She’s a powerhouse vocalist, and also a total natural at sharing her heart from the deep topics like music and Jesus to lighter material like coffee and camping! She joined me to talk about her brand new LIVE worship album, Wild Heart, due out August 14. There are interesting stories about the recording of this project (and the many LIVE plants involved on stage!) She also shares about the timing of this release and meaningful songs from the record. I also really enjoyed hearing about the photo shoot for the album artwork, and how that ties into her other projects and childhood. As a mom, I loved hearing about Kim’s kids (and seeing her daughter here and there on screen during the interview!) Watch the IGTV video interview here!
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Jacob’s dream.
It happened in Genesis 28:12. As he fell asleep, he had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and He had a message for Jacob.
He reaffirmed His promise to Abraham and Isaac for their descendants to be given the land where Jacob was sleeping. Their offspring would be numerous, and all peoples on earth would be blessed through Jacob and his offspring.
The fulfillment of that dream is realized in Jesus, who came from heaven to earth to open the way for us to live in relationship with God forever. This is how we can be blessed by Jacob’s dream. Romans 5:1 says, “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Focusing on our access to heaven through Jesus Christ gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on the vision of Samuel.
When the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel, He came through a vision. First Samuel 3:10 says, “The LORD came and stood there, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”. Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
When God calls our name, that is the moment to respond with a receptive heart. When God wants to speak to us, that is the right time to pay attention. Samuel responded to the call of God on his life, and became Israel’s trustworthy prophet. Verse 21 says, “the LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.”
God is still speaking to His people today. He reveals Himself and His redemptive plan for our lives in the Bible.
Focusing on the Word of God gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
John Shirk-Today’s Good News Focus is on Ephesians 6:17.
“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
God’s salvation is reliable to protect us from the threats of our enemies in the spiritual realm. Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. There is another place in the New Testament that refers to the helmet of salvation. First Thessalonians 5:8 urges us to put on the hope of salvation as a helmet. When we live with the awareness that God protects our soul, we live with a sense of security that our lives are in God’s hands, and that our future is with Him forever.
The sword of the Spirit is the word of God, serving as a reliable offensive weapon against the forces of darkness in the heavenly realms. Darkness retreats in the presence of light. Satan retreats when we break out God’s Word and live by it.
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to places of light, hope, and salvation in the Year of Vision.
This week’s lineup starts with sweet still songs and moves from knowing God to knowing He’s fighting for us.
Plus, clips from my interview with local leader Kristian Walker, Pastor of Worship Arts & Media at Christian Life Assembly in Camp Hill. During our conversation, he shared what songs have been meaningful to his congregation in this season, which makes for a wonderful mini-theme in the playlist. Check out the video interview below and CLA Worship’s socially distanced video collage for the song “Way Maker!”
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Solomon’s dream.
It happened in First Kings chapter 3. At Gibeon, the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” If God gave you this opportunity, how would you respond?
Solomon had just ascended to the throne as king of Israel. He said to the LORD, “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
The Bible says that the LORD was pleased that Solomon had asked for discernment. Proverbs 8:11 tells us that wisdom is more precious than rubies. If we lack wisdom, God invites us to ask Him, and He is generous to provide what we lack.
Focusing on God as our source of wisdom gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Vision, today’s 20/20 Insight focuses on Paul’s vision of a man in Macedonia.
It happened in Acts, Chapter 16. Paul and his traveling companions were trying to preach the word in Asia, but the Holy Spirit kept them from entering. During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, they got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called them to preach the gospel to them.
This marked the advance of the Gospel into Europe. God had used this vision to redirect Paul’s missionary journey. God may close doors to our plans in order to open other doors of opportunity later. That is what he did through Paul’s vision in Acts 16.
Focusing on God’s agenda for our lives gives us greater clarity for living out the Christian life.
JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Acts 17, verses 26 and 27.
These were words spoken by the Apostle Paul when he preached a sermon in Athens.
“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.”
We are not here by accident or random chance. We were placed in this part of the world at this moment of human history for a reason. God has a purpose for our lives, and one of those purposes is to know Him personally.
Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of a personal relationship where we fully trust in His love in the Year of Vision.
