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Checking the foundation

Today I shared some Monday Motivation from writer John Blase that fits perfectly into the start of 2021. As we think about what we can do differently this year, it might be wise to take a look at our foundation. What is it we are standing on? What is holding us up?

Read “When the Floods Come” by clicking here.

Todd’s devotional is “Strength for the Journey.” Read more here.

Name something people get on and off of:
1 – bus
2 – horse
3 – train/subway
4 – bike
5 – feet

Congratulations to Angela from Howard, who guessed the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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The promise of Immanuel – delivered!

Today’s Monday Motivation continues with a Christmas theme:

The word Immanuel means, as we learn in Matthew 1:23, “God with us.”  The coming of the Christ child fulfilled what Isaiah wrote in chapter 7, verse 14: “the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

In his book Hidden Christmas, Pastor Timothy Keller shares that for centuries, the Jewish religious leaders and scholars had known that prophecy, but did not think that it should be taken literally. They thought it was simply predicting the coming or arrival of some great leader through whose work, God would be present with his people.

However, Matthew writes that this promise is greater than anyone imagined!  It did not come true figuratively, but literally. Jesus Christ is “God with us,” because the human life in Mary’s womb was a miracle performed by God himself.  Then Jesus, with his life, his claims and his resurrection, convinced his closest followers that he was not just a prophet telling them how to find God, but God himself coming to find us.

Keller writes that this claim, that Jesus is God, gives us the greatest possible hope.  Why?  Because it means this world is not all that there is…it means that there is life and love after death and it means that evil and suffering will one day end.

And it is not just hope for the world, but hope for you and me personally. A God who was only holy would have not come to us in Jesus.  He would have just demanded that we pull ourselves together and be moral and holy enough to be worthy of relationship with him. But our God is fully holy and fully human – so he doesn’t send someone else – he comes himself!  Jesus is one of us – and that should give us all hope!

Christmas Gift Exchange winners today:
Becky from Howard and Krista from Howard! Remember the grand prize drawing is Thursday morning on The Morning Thing!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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The season of waiting, arrival and revelation!

Today’s focus is on Advent, provided to us from the writings of Rob Staples, professor of theology emeritus at Nazarene Theological Seminary:

Advent is preparation for Christmas, not Christmas itself. It is only in commercial advertising that the Christmas season begins the first of December (or the first of October!). In the Christian calendar, Advent is the season including the four Sundays preceding Christmas. Christmas Day is December 25, and the Christmas Season itself is the 12 days from Christmas to Epiphany. Remember the song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” with “a partridge in a pear tree?”

Epiphany, which celebrates the coming of the Magi, the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as King, is January 6. Epiphany means “showing” or “unveiling” and thus “unveils” the truth that salvation was for Gentiles as well as Jews.

Advent differs from Christmas in the same way Lent differs from Easter. Both Advent and Lent are times of preparation—Advent for Christmas and Lent for Easter.

The Christian calendar, unlike the calendar on our walls or desks, does not begin January 1. It begins the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is that season when the Church turns its gaze in two directions—past and future. It looks backward as it prepares to celebrate the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, and it looks forward as it engages in self-examination in preparation for Christ’s Second Coming in glory.

The word “advent” comes from the Latin adventus, which means “coming” or “arrival.” Thus in certain contexts it means the same as the Greek parousia. However, the latter term occurs in the New Testament only with reference to the Second Coming. During the Advent season, both these “comings” of Christ are embraced in the Church’s worship—His coming in the Incarnation and His coming at the end of the age.

Advent emphasizes hope, and it is this hope that makes Advent a proper preparation for Christmas.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

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The light of Christmas!

Today’s Monday Motivation comes from Isaiah 9:2, 5-7 (NIV)

2 The people walking in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
    a light has dawned.

5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
    will be fuel for the fire.
6 For unto us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

One of the first indications of the Christmas season is LIGHT.  The appearance of lights seemingly everywhere – on trees, with candles, above streets; there is radiance all around us.

Lights are not just for decoration of course, they are symbolic.

In his book, Hidden Christmas, Pastor Timothy Keller says one of the most important spiritual truths at Christmas is this: the world is a dark place, and we will never find our way or see reality unless Jesus IS our light.

Keller writes that the word ‘darkness’ in the Bible refers to evil and ignorance. The world has evil and untold suffering. The world also has no one who can cure the evil and suffering. We look towards the earth and our human resources to try to fix the world.  We think we can end darkness with intellect and innovation.  That’s the ignorance.

So the message of Christmas is NOT, “we will be able to put together a world of unity and peace.”  The message, instead, is a humble one: “Things really are this bad and we can’t heal or save ourselves. Nevertheless, THERE IS HOPE.”

Notice the verse in Isaiah doesn’t say the light comes from the world…it says that upon the world a light has dawned.  It has come from the outside, and Jesus has brought that light to save us!  Because, as John 8:12 says, He IS that light!

Today’s Christmas Gift Exchange winners were Pam from Fredericktown and James, also from Fredericktown.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Encouraging Words for Praise Thursday!

Lexie and Alyssa share some relevant devotionals from Our Daily Bread!

Lexie’s devotional is called Sticks, Bricks, and God. read the full devotional HERE!

Alyssa’s devotional is titled Reunion. Read the full devotional HERE!

Congratulations to Liz & Pat from Mount Vernon for being caller number nine and getting the chance to play the Christmas Gift Exchange! Liz won Unspoken’s CD Reason Deluxe Edition, and Pat won a $10 gift card to Tim Hortons!

Q: “Who was the prophet that foretold a virgin shall give birth to a son called Immanuel?”

A: Prophet Isaiah

Congratulations to Lisa of Danville for correctly guessing and winning a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks so much for tuning in to the Afternoon Drive! – Lexie & Alyssa

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NZ Top 10 for 12/4/20

Praise the Lord it’s Friday – here’s this week’s countdown:

10. Josh Baldwin – Evidence
9. Josh Wilson – Revolutionary
8. Zach Williams f/Dolly Parton – There Was Jesus
7. Elevation Worship f/Brandon Lake – Graves into Gardens
6. Matthew West – Truth Be Told
5. NEEDTOBREATHE – Who Am I
4. We The Kingdom – God So Loved
3. Tauren Wells f/Jenn Johnson – Famous For (I Believe)
2. Chris Tomlin f/Lady A – Who You Are to Me
1. CAIN – Rise Up (Lazarus) – 1st week at #1

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY – new Christmas songs this week:

for King and Country f/NEEDTOBREATHE – O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=draHA_9MS18

Matthew West – The Hope of Christmas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27rMrWqJsNA

Leanna Crawford – Christmas Dreamin’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzlZjnBI-ao

Here’s Leanna’s bus tour version video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIvyvUomsdA

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Zoe

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Out of control…into a trust.

Today’s Monday Motivation comes from our friend Adam Holz (yes, the guy from Plugged In). It’s called ‘Lord of the…Nails?’ and deals with control and trust. Click here to read it!

Name a gift kids DON’T want to open on Christmas morning!
1 – underwear (31 votes)
2 – socks (27)
3 – hygiene products (12)
4 – books (6)
5 – handmade sweater or scarf
6 – puzzles

Congratulations to Becky from Fredericktown who guessed the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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NZ Top 10 for 11/27/20

Praise the Lord it’s Friday and Happy Thanksgiving weekend! Here’s this week’s countdown:

10. Elevation Worship f/ Brandon Lake – Graves into Gardens
9. Danny Gokey – Love God, Love People
8. Josh Wilson – Revolutionary
7. Matthew West – Truth Be Told
6. NEEDTOBREATHE – Who Am I
5. Zach Williams f/ Dolly Parton – There Was Jesus
4. Tauren Wells f/Jenn Johnson – Famous For (I Believe)
3. We The Kingdom – God So Loved
2. CAIN – Rise Up (Lazarus)
1. Chris Tomlin f/Lady A – Who You Are to Me (4th week at #1; 3rd straight week)

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY + video links – new Christmas music for 2020 from:

Francesca Battistelli – Behold Him

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulGqyckf-oI

Also watch the ‘making of the album cover’ video by clicking here!

Marc Martel f/Amy Grant – The Christmas Waltz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iptEtoTdl-I

Micah Tyler – Feels Like Joy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeVBCFfZXW4

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Alyssa

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Being thankful in all circumstances

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

The YouVersion Bible app shared this today:

No matter what you face, God’s goodness and mercy will never leave you. In fact, He even prepares blessings for you in the middle of hard seasons. But these truths aren’t always easy to remember, which is why giving thanks matters. Gratitude helps us focus on the only One who is able to turn our problems around for His glory and our good. So right now, let’s take a minute to pause and thank God for all He’s done in our lives…

God, You are good, and Your steadfast love endures forever! Even in the hardest seasons, I always have a reason to worship You.

Thank You for giving me victory and abundant life in Jesus Christ! Although I don’t deserve it, You shower me with unconditional love and forgiveness.

Be glorified through me, God. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart bless Your name.

And so no matter what the future may hold, I will shout for joy because you are with me. You comfort me and bless me in the presence of my enemies. Nothing compares to You and no weapon can stand against You. In all things, I am more than a conqueror through You!

I want my life to bring You praise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

—

Yam vs. Sweet potato facts, from the North Carolina sweet potato board

A true yam is a starchy edible root and is generally imported to America from the Caribbean. It is rough and scaly.

Depending on the variety, sweet potato flesh can vary from white to orange and even purple. The orange-fleshed variety was introduced to the United States several decades ago. In order to distinguish it from the white variety everyone was accustomed to, producers and shippers chose the English form of the African word “nyami” and labeled them “yams.”

Today the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires labels with the term ‘yam’ to be accompanied by the term ‘sweet potato.’ Despite the label regulations, most people still think of sweet potatoes as yams regardless of their true identity.

—

Today’s ‘Who Am I’ trivia:
– I was born in Augusta, GA in 1960
– I won six Grammys
– my first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 was a duet with the former lead singer of Chicago

Congratulations to Clarissa, who guessed Amy Grant, and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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