Jesus is Better
Dave Andrews • November 2, 2020
Someone once said “Be like a flower. Survive the rain; but use it to grow.” In 2020, you might feel more like a wilting flower! But the good news is that God is unshakable; and His Kingdom is unshakeable. And at the heart of the Kingdom is the King Himself.
I love a good western book or movie. Usually these are about men who are tough as nails because of past experiences, but are also prepared to go against all odds because of that “grit” they earned the hard way. While “what doesn’t kill us may or may not make us stronger,” as believers in Christ, our strength comes from the Almighty One and Creator Lord.
Our bodies and minds can only take so much, but His strength is a supernatural one. He is the Hero of old; and He is with us. In the tough days we are living in, I want to remind you that Christ, our King, is greater than anything on we can possibly face. Here are a few of those important areas that He is bigger and better.
1. Sin. Most religions are the same…their central theme focusing on how we live, least we suffer the consequences. Christianity is different though… our God actually took our consequences on Himself. He is the only One Who has ever taken on sin and killed it (on the cross), freeing us from enslavement to sin. He has defeated sin already (Romans 6:10), but one day soon, He will banish sin for good (Revelation 22:3).
2. Serious Heartbreak.
It’s easy to say “Christ is bigger” when things are going right, or when we are going through superficial day to day troubles. But how about when you lose a job or a home, or a spouse cheats on you, or your child is stuck in a life of sin, or you even loose a child. In the deepest heartbreaks of life, somehow, someway, we can still conclude that Christ is bigger. He is with us, always, and will never leave us. The big picture is that He is ultimately working for our good. One day we will get to experience that in all its glory. So we hold on and press on.
3. Sickness.
We experience it. He defeats it. The prophets foretold the Messiah would be a healer. And Christ sure was and still is. If you read the Gospels, everywhere Jesus went, “He had compassion on them, and he healed their sick.” That was His thing; and He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is still the compassionate healer and protector in this life, and also the Healer of our souls. The medical community can do some impressive things, but they have nothing on Him. That’s good news in the days of COVID. Even though, ultimately sickness leads to death, He has conquered even that.
4. Death.
It is our greatest curse and fear from old. One of the greatest heartbreaks we can ever experience is at the loss of a loved one. There are many like me who have experienced the pain of loss of a child in the womb. There are many who have lost a spouse, or are facing that soon. Perhaps someone close to you has a chronic disease, or you are facing a terminal diagnosis. Again, somehow, someway, in the seriousness of death, we can even say “Where O death is thy sting?” How can that be?? Christ has already won that battle. Death has no reason to hold terror over us anymore. Death is graduation day and reunion time. To paraphrase a quote from Dr. David Jeremiah, for those who are perishing, this life is the best there ever will be. For those of us who know Christ, this life is the worst it will ever get. Christ is bigger than even death.
When we know the King and belong to Him, we have a lot to be thankful for. Join me this Thanksgiving to give thanks that we have a perfect King, who is bigger and better than anything this life can throw at us.
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe…” -Hebrews 12:28
-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 ).
