Friends,
I am reading a lot of reflections on 2025 and seeing a ton of photo galleries from you, about the year that was. I have debated internally about how deep or shallow to go as I think about one of the most impactful, difficult, yet rewarding years of my life, both personally and professionally. Here we go.
So what’s the song thread running through my mind as I sit here on January 2, 2026? A few, but this one jumps to the top:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
2025’s overarching event was the loss of my father, Bill, to dementia on September 20th. As one of my friends shared so accurately, dementia (and Alzheimer’s) are ‘a cruel thief.’ Seeing his decline and eventual passing was incredibly difficult. Still, seeing my mom’s resolve and strength through this was inspiring. My older brother, Jeff, has been a rock for our family, taking the bulk of the responsibility for Dad’s care. 2026 is a year where they will get more of my attention and time. I can face tomorrow because I know my dad no longer suffers and is in the loving arms of Jesus. I am also very thankful to so many of you who reached out to me in one form or another to express your sympathy.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
2025 meant another skin cancer surgery, this one more invasive then the last – my basal cell carcinoma took away a chunk of my right nostril! I got the diagnosis in June, the surgery in August, plus two plastic surgeries to repair it into September, just as my dad was failing. Humbling? Yes. When you are bandaged, then have a nose and a half for the repair, then finally carved back, it causes you to take a really long look in the mirror. Reflection? You bet. I tell everyone I’m the walking PSA for sunscreen 🙂 BUT…all fear was gone because I had an honest and confident medical team behind me (thank you, Stephanie, Dr. Nemer and Dr. Nogan) and Marcy to encourage, support and drive me back and forth to these procedures. Rachel was also cheering me on from Minnesota. So were you, and again, I’m grateful.
Because I know He holds the future.
2025 at work started out awful. Honestly. It stunk. Was rotten. It seemed like a bad dream we couldn’t wake up from. and a time where some of us at MVNU would like to forget. If you’ve lived enough years, you know that the ability of people, even God’s people, to get along, is on the ropes every day. The enemy uses all the tools at his disposal to distract, distort and destroy. Many of my dear friends and colleagues chose to walk away for reasons I understood and affirmed.. There was anger and frustration. There was defensiveness and ego. There was misinformation and massive judgement. I don’t like using the word ‘hate,’ but to be honest, I hated all of it. Still, in the smelly mess, I still had a job to do. Teach our students. Serve our listeners. Because they are not mine, they are HIS! I know He holds the future. This became my focus. I had to enter some very difficult conversations. I had to listen well. I had to choose my words wisely. I had to remove my ego from the criticism and focus on trying to use my experience and God’s wisdom to help pave a better path. And honestly, we’re still working on that path. It’s still messy at times. But having Lifeline 2025 hit right in that time was a blessing! Our theme? MADE FOR THESE DAYS? It was perfect – God called us by name! We were in the right place and in the right time.
Life is worth the living, just because He lives!
So I just gave you some of the challenges of 2025, but this is the GOOD NEWS. Life is still worth the living. Why? Because He’s still on the throne. He conquered our greatest enemy – death. There were so many 2025 victories! The blessing of being able to do what I love with the people I love. My wife, Marcy, and our daughter, Rachel. Seeing and hearing them serve the Kingdom every day. The opportunity to make and renew friendships. The smiles of our community and campus and the giggles of children with things I’m involved in, like WNZR radio and WNZR.tv, church, the Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival and Food For The Hungry. The growth of my students and their confidence. Having awesome co-hosts like Ethan, Gabriella and Xander (and Judah who graduated this May). Our wonderful small group of five families at church. Feeling your prayers! I can go on…but remember, with Jesus, we have an eternal hope and a future we can’t imagine. Don’t let the enemy’s hurdles stand in the way of that hope.
2026 is already proving it will bring its fair share of challenges. Please pray for me! Please pray for WNZR and MVNU! I want to pray for you, too! I need God’s wisdom and direction every single day, at work or at home or wherever I am. I want to help encourage, build and connect. I want to live out ‘all fear is gone.’ I want to honor this year’s Lifeline theme by reminding you that GOD DID IT. He’s the all-time champion, the King of the Universe, the Way, the Truth and the Life.
Here’s to 2026 and thanks for listening!
Joe
Driving Notes 