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.
On June 28, 1953, workers at a Chevrolet factory in Flint, Michigan, built the inaugural Corvette. Two days later, the first Corvette was proudly driven off the production line, marking the completion of one of the 300 produced that year.
Today also celebrates the seafood appetizer Ceviche, one of my personal favorites (and I enjoy making it). Ceviche (say-VEE-chay) is popular in the Caribbean regions and in Latin America. It is made from raw, white fish (cod, sea bass, even shrimp or tilapia), marinated overnight in lime and/or lemon juice, which actually cooks the raw fish. I like to mix the lime juice with cilantro, a little bit of salsa or pico de gallo, a pinch of salt and a pinch of garlic salt or garlic cloves. Check out some ceviche recipes here from Cooking Classy.
yesterday was the birthday of B-I-N-G-O! The game originated in 16th century Italy, gaining popularity in Europe before it evolved into the modern version. Edwin S. Lowe introduced Bingo in the US in the early 20th century.
Who Am I?
I was born June 28,1703, in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England
I was the 15th of 19 children, one of nine who survived infancy
I was rescued from a fire when I was five years old after becoming trapped
I was ordained a deacon after finishing my degrees at Christ Church, Oxford
I was a member of the Holy Club with my brother Charles, later called the Oxford Methodists
My evangelical experience on May 24, 1738 at Aldersgate Street is still celebrated in churches today
I believed and preached on personal holiness and social engagement, many times called the Wesleyan Holiness movement
I am…John Wesley! Congratulations to Dan of Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the Katy Nichole CD, ‘Jesus Changed My Life.’
Here’s the video from that show of Zach sharing his testimony:
Natalie Grant and her husband, Bernie Herms, are taking their living room out on the road again in August! Read more about it here. Here’s a video they did during the pandemic:
Somebody with a hurt that I could have helped Somebody with a hand that I could have held When I just can’t see past myself, Lord, help me be A little more like mercy, a little more like grace…
We had a stumper this week so check back next week for Song Poetry
Today we reflect on Colossians 3:13 since it’s Forgiveness Day…
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
…and remember, every day can be forgiveness day! Monica La Rose shared a wonderful devotional called ‘A Future With Forgiveness,’ that reflects on how South Africa tried to move forward after years of racial injustice. Read it by clicking here!
Name a popular summertime vegetable (your top two): Tomatoes (30 votes) Corn (20 votes) Squash (11) Zucchini (10) Carrots (8) Cucumbers (5) Broccoli (4) Peas (2) Lettuce (2) Green Beans (2) Potatoes (2)
Congratulations to David from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the two one-day passes to the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool.
Peggy from Mount Vernon also won our tickets for the ‘Sound of Freedom’ film screening next Monday!
Driving Notes 