JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Key Element for Thriving Relationships is pursuing excellence in our work.

Excellence is not the same as perfectionism. Perfectionism does not allow for any mistakes and causes us to become quite irritable when we feel like we have failed. When we pursue excellence, we are seeking to do the best we can with our God-given talents.

If we are committed to Christ, we will recognize our skills as opportunities to inspire others and honor God with the platform He gives us.

Proverbs 22:29 says, “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”

Whether we share our skills with five people or five hundred people, we know that God is in the audience. Let that reality motivate us to do our very best before the King.

Pursuing Excellence in our work is a key element for thriving relationships that honor God.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Endurance, today’s Daily Challenge motivates us to run the race of faith with excellence.

To be excellent in our area of giftedness does not mean perfection. It means giving our best with what we have been given.

Athletes at the Olympics have been gifted in certain events. We will not see someone who trained in a swimming event competing in gymnastics. Each athlete will compete in the event where they excel.

First Corinthians 14:12 encourages us to excel in those spiritual gifts that build up the church. How do we find our place of service in the church? Find out how God has gifted us to serve where we can excel.

First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Take the daily challenge to run the race with excellence on the journey of faith.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK -Today’s Word of Encouragement is Excellence.

One definition of Excellence is the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.

The Bible tells us to focus our thoughts on that which is excellent.

God will take our work that is carried out in excellence to significant places. Proverbs 22:29 asks the question, “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.” God can give us a voice of influence through acts of service committed in excellence.

When we talk about excellence, we also have to bring love into the conversation. This is the most excellent way described in First Corinthians 12:31. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs….Love is the most excellent way.” Love adds excellence to our skills and service opportunities.

Find encouragement in the excellence of serving God with love from the heart in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Trust, today’s Focus on God examines His excellence.

Philippians 4:8 tells us that if anything is excellent, to think about such things.

Excellence is the quality of being outstanding or extremely good.

The Bible describes God as excellent in a number of ways.

At Creation, God saw all that He made and called it very good.

When Jesus performed miracles, the people were overwhelmed with amazement. In Mark 7:37, they said, “He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.

First Corinthians 12:31 describes God’s love as the most excellent way.

In the New King James Version, Isaiah 28 describes the LORD of hosts as wonderful in counsel and excellent in guidance. And Psalm 8:1 says, “How excellent is Your name in all the earth.”

The excellent qualities and works of God are reasons to trust in God for today and forever.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

FRED MCNAUGHTON – Congratulations to the WJTL team, winner of this years PAB (Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters) Excellence in Broadcasting Outstanding Station Sponsored Event, for the 2012 Kids Cookie Break Fest.  Kids Cookie Break Host Lisa Landis and WJTL Office Manager, Stacey Gagne attended the May 6 Awards Ceremony in Hershey where they accepted the award on behalf of WJTL.

In the past WJTL has won the Prestigious Excellence in Broadcasting Award several times  for Outstanding Promotional Announcement, Outstanding Radio Website, and Outstanding Radio Promotion.  Lisa and Kids Cookie Break has been honored eight times for Outstanding Radio Program for Children for the Kids Cookie Break. This year the PAB did not have a category for Children’s Radio Programming.

Congratulations to the WJTL team and thanks to PAB for honoring us with this award. It is encouraging to be recognized by our peers in the Broadcasting Industry.

PAB President Richard Wyckoff presents Lisa with the 2013 Excellence in Broadcasting Award.