Hang Together or Hang Separate
Dave Andrews • August 2, 2021
A call to unite and to work together.
At the founding of our nation, when the Declaration of Independence from England was being signed, Benjamin Franklin reportedly said “We must hang together or surely we shall hang separate.” Whether Franklin said it or not, British power indeed did rise up to take back what they thought was rightfully theirs, and to crush the rebellion. But in the end, the underdog, the tenacious forces of the Continental Army would prevail. They were not perfect. They had their weaknesses. But they hung together at great expense to themselves, they stuck it out, they had their eyes on the prize, and fought the fight to secure a legacy of freedom for many generations to come.
After considering all the events of the last year and a half, it is with no hesitancy that we can easily say our nation is under attack at the very core…the heart. Politics have failed us, medicine and science have failed us, goods and services have failed us…all the things that we have gloried in as a nation have failed us. Those empty guides have left us wondering who we are, what happened to the heart of our nation, and when did it leave.
The failures of our recent way of life is not entirely a bad thing…if we can revive our heart as a country…a heart that was founded on Christ. You see, our founding fathers were clearly not alone (no matter what the modern history books say). God was with us. The last stanza of the Star Spangled Banner demonstrates what our founders knew…for a nation to succeed, we must have God’s blessing.
“Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - "In God is our trust,"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
As believers in Christ, we know that the Holy Spirit is the only one who can really change a heart. So if we want to see God’s blessing return, for the rampant immorality to wane, and for our nation to be greater than ever before, it is time for God’s people to mobilize with the message of Christ. It is a time to live boldly…speaking truth and proclaiming redemption, the Gospel. We are His servants and representatives in this nation…we may be the minority now, but the resources of the church are still vast…certainly vast enough! We CAN turn this nation around…if God is with us, and if He is proclaimed for the salvation of souls.
Ecclesiastes says there is a time and season for everything. There is a time to rest absolutely...but some of us have forgotten to do anything but that. There is also a time to work. Sunday is commonly our day of rest, but there are 6 other days of the week! In 2 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul warns us against being lazy…he goes so far as to tell the Thessalonians to not associate with the believers who are idle and disruptive. May we not ever be found among their number.
Just as we work, we should work together. KJOL has been encouraging ministries and churches to work together all year long…we are just crazy enough to think God’s people are stronger together. God's Word is our common ground. As the hate for Christian principles ramp up in our nation, we may just find that if we don’t hang together, we will hang separate. It happens in this day and age in other countries...and if God has removed His blessing...it can happen here too. We need to stick together.
This last week we started hearing reports of ministries and a few churches doing just that. And in addition, we had an amazing time seeing that in action, as various churches and ministries came together to put on a foster kid appreciation day for Project 127. I saw churches active, and a number of ministries doing what they do best. It was a major blessing as the local unreached were introduced to some hard working Jesus lovin’ Kingdom centered Christians!
Are you ready to sign Declaration 2.0? Are you ready to unite, to work hard, to live boldly, and to serve together? Our nation cannot succeed much longer without God’s rejuvenation. We are His servants. We stand on His Word. No more hiding. It’s time to get to work for the Kingdom.
-Dave Andrews
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 ).
