Today I was encouraged by a note I saw posted on Instagram – a literal note posted by a coffee shop at their counter. It refers to the two voices you might be listening to…
Mount Vernon is getting a splash pad at Riverside Park, hopefully as early as this fall.
Councilwoman Amber Keener announced plans Monday night at the City Council meeting. The splash pad will be pirate-themed and named in the memory of former Ariel executive, husband and father, Hunter Wright (Capt. Hunter’s Landing). Funding for the splash pad and the adjacent pavilion are coming from the Ariel Corporation and the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County.
The pavilion will be able to host events like local meetings, outdoor music lessons, book talks, and parts of the library’s summer reading program. Rendering pictures here were provided by Councilwoman Keener!
Today is National Pecan Pie Day!
Pecan pie is a staple at Thanksgiving and Christmas tables around the country.
The first printed pecan pie recipe surfaced in an 1886 edition of “Harper’s Bazaar” magazine. Years later, various forms of the recipe were published in well-known cookbooks such as “Joy of Cooking.”
NationalToday.com reports that throughout the early 1900s, Karo corn syrup was invented and yet another claim to the discovery of pecan pie emerged. The wife of a company executive shared her recipe using Karo as the ingredient of choice instead of maple syrup, honey, or molasses. Whether her claim is true, Karo corn syrup helped raise the popularity of pecan pie when they published the recipe on the product can.
Today is also National Eat Your Jello Day…um…what??
Jell-O was trademarked in New York in 1897, but it’s a classic dessert we all know and love! The best part of it is that it comes in a variety of flavors and can be combined with many ingredients for a simple, delicious treat.
TAUREN WELLS – Fresh off his Spring 2023 Joy In The Morning Tour, Tauren dropped a brand new version of his captivating single “Joy In The Morning” with Lecrae and DOE, via Capitol/CCMG.
“I’m grateful to have Lecrae, an icon of faith and substance and DOE with an unparalleled talent and anointing on this new version,” says Wells. “This song has impacted so many people and I’m honored to have them come alongside the message of this song and expand the reach of the promise it carries.”
Originally released as the title track of his 2022 album, “Joy In The Morning” has resonated with listeners around the world, garnering more than 46 million total streams and peaking in the Top 10 on the Billboard Christian Airplay Chart. Wells released a soulful, extended version with Elevation Worship as a part of his multi-track single “J.I.T.M.,” earlier this year.
Hear the new version here!
PHIL WICKHAM – Last Friday, Phil released the official music video and title track from his highly anticipated new studio album I BELIEVE, set to release August 18th. “I Believe” serves as the fourth instant grat track to preview the respected worship leader’s forthcoming LP.
Previously released advance tracks include the NZ Top 10 hit, “This Is Our God,” swiftly evolving into one of the biggest songs of Wickham’s career to date.
“There are so many searching for truth, meaning, belonging, purpose, hope, fulfillment, peace and healing,” Wickham passionately states about his inspiration for ‘I Believe.’ “I have found all of these things and more in the person of Jesus Christ. I think the world is desperate to see and hear people full of hope, joy, love and confidence telling their stories about how Jesus saved and changed their lives; About how He is the best thing they have ever found, and He will be the best thing anyone will ever find. My song “I Believe” was written to shout about Jesus from the rooftops. Something that we as believers can unify together on and say with joy in our hearts that we believe in the mighty name of Jesus! I can’t wait to sing this one with you all. I’ve never put more time, effort and prayer into a project, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you all when it releases on August 18th!”
Congratulations to Jayne of Centerburg who wins our family 4-pack today!
Today’s Monday Motivation comes from Matthew West’s song, ‘Broken Things.’
“The pages of history, they tell me it’s true That it’s never the perfect It’s always the ones with the scars that You use Oh, it’s the rebels and the prodigals It’s the humble and the weak All the misfit heroes You chose Tell me there’s hope for sinners like me
Now I’m just a beggar in the presence of a King I wish I could bring so much more But if it’s true, You use broken things Then here I am Lord, I’m all Yours!”
This week we’re giving away family four packs of passes to the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool in Mount Vernon. Congratulations to Kristen from Mount Vernon!
10 – Ain’t Nobody by Cody Carnes 9 – Heaven Changes Everything by Big Daddy Weave 8 – First Things First by Consumed By Fire 7 – The Lord’s Prayer by Matt Maher 6 – Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin 5 – For the Love of God by Andrew Ripp 4 – Thank God I Do by Lauren Daigle 3 – This Is Our God by Phil Wickham 2 – Running Home by Cochran & Co. 1 – Cornerstone – Tobymac ft. Zach Williams
NEW MUSIC FRIDAY
This week we have a great new song from vocal powerhouse, Brandon Lake. His message is simple, no matter where you in life: God deserves the praise.
Today Josiah shared this devotional from Our Daily Bread, If you would like to read more please click here
Have you ever done something in anger you later regretted? When my son was wrestling with drug addiction, I said some harsh things in reaction to his choices. My anger only discouraged him more. But eventually he encountered believers who spoke life and hope to him, and in time he was set free.
Even someone as exemplary in faith as Moses did something he later regretted. When the people of Israel were in the desert and water was scarce, they complained bitterly. So God gave Moses and Aaron specific instructions: “Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water” (Numbers 20:8). But Moses reacted in anger, giving himself and Aaron credit for the miracle instead of God: “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” (v. 10). Then he disobeyed God directly and “raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff” (v. 11).
Even though water flowed, there were tragic consequences. Neither Moses nor Aaron was allowed to enter the land God promised His people. But He was still merciful, allowing Moses to see it from afar (27:12–13).
As with Moses, God still mercifully meets us in the desert of our disobedience to Him. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He kindly offers us forgiveness and hope. No matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done, if we turn to Him, He’ll lead us into life.
Zoe shared a devotional from Our Daily Bread as well called Purple Shawl, if you would like to read more you can read it here
While serving as my mom’s live-in caregiver at a cancer center hundreds of miles away from my home, I asked people to pray for us. As the months passed, isolation and loneliness sapped my strength. How could I care for my mom if I gave in to my physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion?
One day, a friend sent me an unexpected care package. Jodi had crocheted a purple prayer shawl, a warm reminder that we had people praying for us daily. Whenever I wrapped the soft yarn around my shoulders, I felt God hugging me with the prayers of His people. Years later, He still uses that purple shawl to comfort me and strengthen my resolve.
The apostle Paul affirmed the importance and spirit-refreshing power of praying for others. Through his passionate request for prayerful support and encouragement during his travels, Paul demonstrated how those who pray for others become partners in ministry (Romans 15:30). Offering specific requests, the apostle not only showed his dependence on the support of fellow believers but his trust that God powerfully answers prayer (vv. 31–33).
We’ll all experience days when we feel alone. But Paul shows us how to ask for prayer as we pray for others. When we’re wrapped in the intercessory prayers of God’s people, we can experience God’s strength and comfort no matter where life takes us.
Who has God used to encourage you through intercessory prayer? Who can you pray for today?
Congrats to our winner of Name That Tune, Joanna of Pickerington!
Today on The Afternoon Drive, Josiah Sidle and Zoe Bricker shared about World Chocolate day and 100 fun things to do in Ohio.
If you’d like to learn more about World Chocolate Day you can visit HERE
We also shared 100 fun things to do in Ohio, some of the events we talked about were not listed such as The Mount Vernon Music and Arts Festival on August 10-12. If you want to read the 100 things to do, you can click here.
Praise the Lord it’s Friday! Here is this week’s countdown:
10. Cody Carnes – Ain’t Nobody 9. Jeremy Camp – Anxious Heart 8. Consumed By Fire – First Things First 7. Chris Tomlin – Holy Forever 6.Matt Maher – The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours) 5. Andrew Ripp – For The Love of God 4. Lauren Daigle – Thank God I Do 3. Phil Wickham – This is Our God 2. Cochren & Co. – Running Home 1. TobyMac f/Zach Williams – Cornerstone (4th week at #1)
Today I shared one of my favorite devotionals from Mart Dehaan. It speaks to Heroes, Tyrants and Jesus:
Beethoven was angry. He’d intended to name his Third Symphony “The Bonaparte.” In an age of religious and political tyranny, he saw Napoleon as a hero of the people and champion of freedom. But when the French general declared himself emperor, the celebrated composer changed his mind. Denouncing his former hero as a rascal and tyrant, he rubbed so hard to erase Bonaparte’s name that he left a hole in the original score.
Early believers in Jesus must have been disappointed when their hopes of political reform were dashed. He’d stirred hopes of life without the tyranny of Caesar’s heavy-handed taxes and military presence. Yet, decades later, Rome still ruled the world. Jesus’ messengers were left with fears and weakness. His disciples were marked by immaturity and infighting (1 Corinthians 1:11–12; 3:1–3).
But there was a difference. Paul saw beyond what remained unchanged. His letters began, ended, and overflowed with the name of Christ. Christ resurrected. Christ with a promise to return in power. Christ in judgment of everything and everyone. First and foremost, however, Paul wanted believers in Jesus to be grounded in the meaning and implications of Him crucified (2:2; 13:1–13).
The love expressed in Jesus’ sacrifice made Him a different kind of leader. As Lord and Savior of the world, His cross changes everything. The name of Jesus will forever be known and praised above every name.
Driving Notes 