Contend For The Faith
Dave Andrews • July 7, 2021
Nuture the Gospel in your life and in other lives too.
About 2 weeks ago, Matthew West released a tongue in cheek song
called, “Modest Is Hottest,” which encouraged his teenage girls to dress modestly. The video included his wife and two girls dressed in sensible turtlenecks and slacks and the tagline tells his girls “Modest is hottest, the latest fashion trend, is a little more Amish, a little less Kardashian.” I presume the vast majority of viewers took it for what it was...a fictitious, funny, and harmless song about a dad only "slightly" worried that his daughters dress appropriately. But it’s always the negative voices that like to speak loudest...including that of as-of-recent-Christian musician, Audrey Assad.
Assad claimed
that the video was somehow demeaning to men and women, and centered on men and women’s preferences in the way a woman should dress. Even Oklahoma Pastor Jeremy Colman, who reportedly made fun of West on TikTok, no doubt is neglecting to address that the video was directed to West’s own children, whom by the way God gave to West to nurture in their faith. But make no mistake, modesty is Biblical
and he is their dad, which comes with special priviledges and directives.
Unfortunately, Matthew West pulled the music video. I suspect he backtracked here because he was either putting up with the weaknesses of younger people in the faith, or simply didn’t want it to get in the way of his message of hope in Christ. Probably both. And for that I honestly can understand.
To me, the actual sad part is that through it, we learned that Audrey Assad
joined the ranks of several in Christian music, who recently renounced she is no longer a practicing Christian. Actually, she did that quite literally on March 3rd on Twitter. I confess there is a very disturbing trend of loss of faith among Christian musicians. To name a few in the recent past, that includes worship leader Michael Gungor, Jon Steingaurd (frontman for Hawk Nelson), and Kevin Max (DC Talk). To his credit,
John Cooper from Skillet, has been taking these apostasies head on...rightly saying it’s time to value truth over feelings. Another Christian musician taking the progressive trend head on is Christian thinker, Alisa Childers... formerly of Zoe Girl. Truth over feelings is not only important for Christian musicians...it’s important to all Christians. After all, a number of Christian leaders have also recently walked away from the faith; and it occurs often among our young people (even the son of John Piper is now a vocal atheist). Jesus Himself, in the Parable of the Sower, warned us that a number of our ranks would wither.
For the last several weeks, we have been in the book of Hebrews
on the Bible Quiz. And a large part of the first several chapters of Hebrews includes a warning to continue to believe, and soon it will tell us how to foster belief…the Word of God. Just like Coop said...Truth over feelings. Around that same time as we addressed belief on the Bible Quiz, one in my own household had a crisis of faith. We addressed it, gently worked through it, addressed the problems head on through Scripture and testimony. And the outcome was oh so sweet for the whole family!
My question to you is, where are you at? Are you struggling with “believing on” the Lord Jesus Christ? Contend for your own faith. Go to Scripture. Watch Youtube videos
about God working. Get into the Word. Read books
about the miraculous. Pick up the Bible
and read up. Brush up on Creation science. Open the Word. Listen to Christian radio programs. Did I say go to Scripture
yet?
Don’t neglect to contend for your own faith...and also for your friends and family. It’s time to boldly, clearly, and patiently defend the Gospel. Don’t hold back. Be very clear yet also gentle. The risks of apostasy are serious…and quit prevalent. The enemy wants apostasy, and God cautions us against it. Don’t neglect contending for the Gospel of Christ in your own heart, then also in the world.
His Kingdom Come,
-Dave Andrews
KJOL Station Manager
Our April Spring Friendraiser is officially underway! From time to time on the air, you might hear a gentle reminder to support KJOL in 2026…it’s not a Sharathon…just a time to encourage new friends to come alongside us in ministry to proclaim the Good News of Jesus and God’s Word across the Western Slope.
Fifteen Incredible Easter Songs! Every Easter, I love hearing the wonderful Easter songs, starting with (and ending with) Charles Wesley’s Christ The Lord Is Risen Today . Here are a few of my other favorites that you will hear on KJOL on Easter Sunday. You can no doubt think of many other songs. 2nd Chapter of Acts (also Keith Green) Easter Song Don Francisco He’s Alive Lenny LeBlanc Above All Matt Redman The Cross Has Said It All Newsong Arise My Love Can’t Keep A Good Man Down Phillips, Craig & Dean Crucified With Christ Robin Mark The Wonder of Your Cross (10 minute version!) Ron Kenoly & Hillsongs Australia Jesus Is Alive Larnelle Harris & Sandy Patti I’ve Just Seen Jesus Twila Paris Lamb of God Dallas Holm Rise Again Hillsongs Australia My Redeemer Lives Greg Long Mercy Said No
Many KJOL listeners have indicated they enjoy songs with a country music flair. As it turns out, there are some great songs out right now that fit that description. John Waller & Eric Lee Brumley “ Surprise Me” John Waller is a former worship leader at a church in Parker, Colorado. His songs have been featured in several movies by the Kendrick Brothers: “Fireproof” ( While I’m Waiting ) “Courageous” ( As For Me And My House ) “War Room” ( Crazy Faith ) Eric Lee Brumley grew up in Rhode Island. His life was turned around when he got involved with Teen Challenge and began writing songs. He sings “blue, rock and Americana Gospel.” Caleb & John “ Finished ” Caleb & John are an unlikely collaboration. Caleb Crino is a pastor’s kid who studied classical piano at Belmont University, while John Secker is a self-taught guitarist. John’s style “leans toward the gritty, rootsy side” while “Caleb’s sweet spot is in pop melodies.” They met through a mutual friend while performing with CAIN and Anne Wilson. Their big hits are “ Somebody Like Me ” and “ Hallelujah Feeling .” Ben Fuller & Carrie Underwood “ If It Was Up To Me ” Last October, Ben Fuller was a guest at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, singing his new song “If It Was Up To Me.” Then he introduced a surprise guest on stage: Carrie Underwood. Their voices blended perfectly in a spellbinding performance (which you can see in the link above). The Band Reeves “ My Country ” The Band Reeves is two brothers, Jeramy and Cody Reeves of East Texas. Their newest song is “a heartfelt anthem celebrating faith, family, and the everyday values that define Band Reeves — two brothers who are everyday family men with calluses on their hands and Bible verses in their songs.” They arrived on the music scene in 2022 with their hit “ Higher Than The Heavens .”
The staff and I step into the month of February with a little trepidation but leaning on God. Coming out of maybe the busiest year in my memory, the pattern continues into this month. We look ahead to some challenging projects and hard anniversaries. We would love your prayers.
The new movie “ I Can Only Imagine 2 ” is now showing in Grand Junction. It is a sequel to the highly successful first movie, “ I Can Only Imagine ” (2018) which was inspired by the title song about how MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard reconciled with his alcoholic father. Even before that movie came out, Millard was on tour (2017) with his 15 year old son, Sam, who is diabetic. But while MercyMe was having tremendous success, Millard’s relationship with both his son and his wife was strained. “When you're a parent of a child with any kind of chronic illness, these things don't go away. You have a lot of good days, but some days you feel like you're losing bad. I was in the midst of one of those bad days when 'Even If' was written," Millard recalled. “ Even If ” was co-written with Tim Timmons, who had joined MercyMe on tour. Millard discovered that Timmons was carrying his own hardships and secrets. When film director Andy Erwin (October Baby, Jesus Revolution) heard “Even If” he was blown away. "I never dreamed there was more story to tell — until we heard the story behind 'Even If.' Learning how Tim and Bart co-wrote that song out of deep, lived faith moved us to tears; the honesty and hope woven through each of their journeys are undeniable. (Filmmaker) Brent (McCorkle) and I knew immediately that 'I Can Only Imagine' truly deserved a sequel." A new song written for the movie, “ Make It Well ,” expresses even more pain and struggle. Make it well with my soul Don’t let me face this loneliness alone Make it well with my soul I need a peace that only heaven knows Jesus could you please Just sit and cry with me Till I can sing It is well with my soul I Can Only Imagine 2 opened Feb 19 at the Regal Canyon View theater and The Picture Show in Grand Junction
KJOL added 118 new songs in 2025. That’s a new song every three days! The list included a number of great new artists. Megan Woods ( The Truth ) 24 year old from Massachusetts who overcame an abusive relationship after a friend introduced her to Jesus John Wesley ( Oh, What a Friend ) Not the hymnwriter! John Wesley Honaker is a worship leader in Florida. Rachel Purcell ( Show Up ) A native of Muscle Schoals, Alabama (home of a famous recording studio), Purcell is also a country musician under her maiden name Rachel Wammack Emerson Day ( God Ain’t Finished Yet ) (album version!) She graduated as a “decorated lacrosse player” with a degree in homeland security. But instead, she felt called to pursue Christian music. Jamie MacDonald ( Desperate ) A Michigan native who met Jesus at youth camp, left home and forgot Jesus, returned to the Lord in her 20s. Peter Burton ( Where Would I Be ) He started Thrive Worship at Bayside Church in Sacramento with Lincoln Brewster. Now he is a solo artist with Story House Collective, managed by Matthew West. (Bonus for the guys: the video features a 1975 Chevy Blazer with a custom 409 engine!) Jet Trouble ( I Need You ) The most unusual name in our repertoire! He is a Dallas based musician whose full name is James E. Troublefield (J.E.T.). And he knows about trouble: his father was diagnosed with ALS and died, inspiring “I Need You.” And we can’t discuss 2025 without mentioning one more notable artist. Forrest Frank In July, he was playing with his daughter in his driveway when he crashed his skateboard and broke two vertebrae! While lying in bed, he composed the song “ God’s Got My Back! ” Then two weeks later, tests revealed his back was healed! He later decided not to attend the Dove Awards, saying “I will not receive a trophy for something that is from Jesus and for Jesus.” He swept the Dove Awards anyway: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year ( Your Way’s Better ).
