Driving Notes

Monday Motivation today starts with Alyson Kieda and her reflection on Matthew 5:16, where we are encouraged to let our light shine. Read “Opportunities to Shine” by clicking here.

Dylan shared Karen Huang’s reflections on Psalm 145, “Always Trustworthy.” Find out more by clicking here.

Name an item you might order at brunch:

Eggs/Omelette/Eggs Benedict – 29 votes
Waffles – 25
Pancakes – 23
Mimosa or Bloody Mary – 11
Bagels – 7
Hash browns – 5

Congratulations to Monica from Mount Vernon, who got the top two answers and wins the Chris Tomlin CD, “Always.”

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

Today’s Monday Motivation starts with a devotional from Leslie Koh on finding our way back when we lose our way. Read “Pressing On in Jesus” by clicking here.

We also shared encouragement from Revelation 3 about ‘waking up’ when we get lazy or fall asleep. Joe’s pastor recently talked about a ‘revival’ of the heart where we wake up spiritually. The keys to this include:

• breaking complacency
• killing laziness
• feeding what you want to grow – focusing on getting fed by the things of God
• obeying, repenting, and repeating as needed: “God, help me to be obedient and approach you with a humble and repentant heart…”
• guarding your heart – if the heart is our wellspring and where we hold everything, then allow God His rightful place on the throne of your heart

Verses that help with this process include: Matthew 8:35 and 23:37, Ephesians 5:14, Isaiah 26:19 and 52:1, Psalms 3:5 and 57:8, Proverbs 4:23 and Philippians 4:7.

Name a word that rhymes with horse:

Force – 24
Source – 19
Course -16
Divorce – 15
Endorse – 12
Remorse – 10

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

(from The Action Bible: Easter)

Come on in. You’re welcome to join us here in the garden of Gethsemane. Believe it or not, I’m one of the oldest trees in the grove. I’m 750 years old, give or take a decade. But I’m still going…and growing…even though my trunk is all twisted and knobby.

I come from a long line of olive trees. In fact, I’m sure some of my ancestors even grew in the garden of Eden. God made us not only beautiful, but useful too. Our silvery leaves provide shade. Our wood can be used to build chairs or cook meals. Did you know the trees like me even help create the air you breathe? God created us trees for all kinds of amazing purposes. Another unique feature we treat possess is we’re quiet…which makes us really good listeners.

Tonight, a young man was here asking God for help. Of course I listened, not because I’m nosy, but because the man was crying and praying with such urgency. I wanted to help. His friends called him Jesus. He was praying right beneath my branches. Do you know what his friends did? They fell asleep. Even after he’d ask them to pray with him. This must have made him feel completely alone.

Later in the night, another man arrived and greeted Jesus with a kiss on the cheek. Immediately, a noisy group of soldiers showed up and roughly took Jesus away. Those friends who came with Jesus were fully awake then! They scattered like the little creatures that run around the grove at night. I wanted to do something, but the roots that keep me growing also keep me in one place.

I’m sure his friends are praying now wherever they went. You know, 700 years ago when I was just a sapling, I heard another man named Isaiah talk to God in this garden. I think he was praying about Jesus – the very same man here tonight.

God has a plan. And having known God for as long as I have I bet it’s a good one.

Today’s book winner – Jackie from Mount Vernon – congratulations!

Lifeline 2023 UPDATE: $76,685! Thank you!

Thanks for listening,
Joe

Welcome to the new week! 2 Corinthians drives this first devotional from Kimya Loder, ‘Finding Strength in God.’ You can read it by clicking here.

Running from turkeys? That’s what gave Mike Wittmer a new sense of the story of David and Goliath. Read it by clicking here.

This week we are giving away copies of the NIV Adventure Bible.

Today’s winner – Kelly from Mount Vernon. Congratulations!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

Today’s Monday Motivation includes “Cleansed Completely” from Adam Holz – inspired by Isaiah 64. Read more here.

James 2 is the inspiration for “Faith in Action” from Anne Cetas. Read more at Our Daily Bread by clicking here.

Name a U.S. President whose name ends in “son”.

Answer                              Points

Thomas Jefferson              31

Andrew Jackson                30

Lyndon B. Johnson           19

Woodrow Wilson              9

James Madison                 5

W. Henry Harrison           5

Congratulations to Paul from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the Anne Wilson CD, “My Jesus.”

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

How are you building your house? As we approach this week, Xochtil Dixon reminds us of how we can struggle if we build our house on anything other than the solid rock:

“Jesus knew the futility of building a house on sand. After warning the disciples to be wary of false prophets, He assured them that loving obedience demonstrates wisdom (Matthew 7:15–23). He said that everyone who hears His words and “puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (v. 24). The one who hears God’s words and chooses not to put them into practice, however, is “like a foolish man who built his house on sand” (v. 26).

When circumstances feel like shifting sands burying us under the weight of affliction or worries, we can place our hope in Christ, our Rock. He will help us develop resilient faith built on the unshakable foundation of His unchanging character.”

Author Mike Wittmer also encourages us to choose joy when we think from an ‘eternal’ perspective. Read more here.

Name something kids just love to jump on:

1 – the bed (71 votes)
2 – trampoline (20)
3 – couch (5)
4 – pile of leaves (4)

Congratulations to Heather from Howard, who won the Austin French CD ‘Wide Open.’

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

Today we shared some New Year Monday Motivation from the authors at Our Daily Bread.

Joe shared ‘Fresh Start Effect’ from Sheridan Voysey. It asks us to look at Colossians 3 as we start the new year. Read it by clicking here.

Dylan shared ‘A Small Start’ from Tom Felten. Find it here!

Name a common candy bar component:

1. chocolate – 36 votes
2. peanuts – 22
3. caramel – 15
4. almonds – 12
5. nougat – 10
6. coconut – 6

Congratulations to Tyler from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the CAIN CD.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan

That’s what Jennifer Schuldt shares in today’s Monday Motivation from Our Daily Bread. She refers to I John 3:16 as the model. Read more by clicking here.

Dylan shared ‘A Hot Meal’ from Katara Patton, based in Matthew 25. Read more by clicking here.

Name an animal starting with the letter C that you NEVER want to eat:
1 – cat (64 votes)
2 – camel (8)
cougar (8)
3 – cow (4)
4 – cheetah (3)
coyote (3)

Congratulations to Kathy from Mount Vernon, who guessed our top two answers and wins the Chris Tomlin CD, ‘Always.’

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Dylan