Revive Us Again- Part 2
Dave Andrews • April 6, 2021
Revival and Repentance
As we continue on in the month of April, and our Spring Friendraiser Month, we have already started talking about Revival, which is a part-and-parcel to our chosen theme this year “Revive Us Again: Overcome in ’21.” Previously we have covered “why” revival, but what does revival look like? It looks a whole like
repentance. God’s Word sheds light on this; and I can’t think of a better set of instructions on revival than
2 Chronicles 7:14.
We know what we want…we want His healing of our lives and land in our lifetime. One might presume that it starts with calling out the unsaved. But in this passage, at the very start, we find that revival starts with “my people”...that is God’s people. God’s people are called to go before the Throne in humble repentance…doing a 180 turn away from wickedness.
Revivalist Vance Havner said “We will do anything and everything else in our churches today but repent. Yet a fresh confrontation with God and an outpouring of His Spirit would dispel error and worldliness, meet social issues and produce real unity as no effort in the flesh could do.”
As I broach that subject of repentance, I want you to know I am trying to tread carefully. There are two extremes. One side says…I’m saved, I’ve been a Christian a long time…I’m in good shape. Repentance is easily dismissed. Then on the other hand, another may go too far calling fire and brimstone down on the lowly heathen, lacking mercy and humility, and acting ineffectively a whole like the Pharisees or worse. So as I ask every one of us to repentance, please know that I have more than my hands full with that myself.
As Christians, repentance started on our journey with Christ. However, in the church today, where great Biblical education has occurred, many of the problems we have with sin are found in secret or sins of omission, rather than public in your face types of sin. But even that is changing too. So I would love to ask you to ask the Lord (big step I know) to show you where you are falling short of His calling as a servant of the King.
As a lifelong resident and attendee of the church in the Western Slope, and as someone who hears and knows way more than I would like about churches and ministries locally-- I want to mention a few things to consider as possible topics for repentance.
Idolatry.
It has always been a problem for God’s people…since Moses led the Israelites out of the promised land. This sin of worshipping things which distract us from the true God seems removed from us in this day of “enlightened minds.” But just because we don’t give “worth-ship” to statues of gold and silver doesn’t mean we don’t worship gold and silver. Honestly, our biggest form of idolatry in this day and age comes in the form of plastic. Credit cards, cell phones, TVs, computers…stuff. We can’t get enough. We look to “stuff” and others for our fulfillment. It’s a distraction from the heart of God. Even the beautiful things He has blessed us with can play distractions from our King at times…our families, food, church functions, jobs, and more. But the story of the Rich Young Ruler rings true…we are to give God greatest priority, above everything.
“Lord, show me where I am distracted and help me to focus on you at all times.”
Conformity. We know that we are not to be confirmed to the pattern of this world, and rather “transformed.” Unfortunately, sometimes it’s the world that does the transforming. It can be really hard in our cancel culture. Nobody likes to be viewed as a relic of the past, a “hater,” or “Bible thumper,” or “fundie.” As a matter of fact it has always been a challenge for God’s people to not pick up the sins of the nations around them. Yet we have adopted the social gospel for the actual Gospel (as if the world needs a museum for our good deeds), the popular view vs God’s view (homosexuality, abortion, sexual immorality, evolution, the list goes on), and refuse to take a stand because we “don’t want to come off wrong” (yet the world will hate us either way). Many times, we have good intentions in setting ourselves apart, but because of apathy or business elsewhere, we fail in actual real practice of our faith.
“Lord help me to live as you have called me and to bear the strips you too bore.”
Dissention. I love to joke that my spiritual gift is dissention in the church. In reality, this is a serious problem and is no laughing matter. Scripturally, the Body of Christ is called to be unified. Yet we are not. It’s a problem from leadership down. We isolate ourselves from one another because we are not big enough to let the non-essentials slide. Instead of bickering, we opt for peace by surrounding ourselves with only those of like-mind, or those we just would rather be around, dividing our efforts and effectiveness for the Kingdom. Church leadership and ministry leaders become defensive and jealous of other churches and ministries. Churches become delusional that what we are doing is the only thing going on. It should rather be all about Christ, the head of the body. The body should not be severing limbs, but rather working closely in conjunction with one another. Wouldn’t it be great to see churches and ministries start praying for one another and selflessly and constantly working together simply for the benefit of one another…and all for the purpose of lifting up the Kingdom of God and Christ the head of the body?
“Forgive us Lord for fighting with our brothers and sisters.
Bring us together that you may be glorified for your sake alone.”
Self-centeredness.
We humans tend to think that we are the cause of the world’s problems and also the only solution. In a grander sense, yes, we caused sin to come into this world and continue to perpetuate the problem. But only Christ is the solution. He had to come because we are insufficient. He alone paid for our sins on a cross, he alone rose from the dead, and He alone is glorified above all in Heaven; the Kingdom of God is about Him. Sometimes we forget that this world is not our home, nor what we live for. We handed the reigns over to Him when we were saved. So we are to live not for ourselves, but for Him…and for the life to come in His Kingdom.
“Lord, forgive us for selfishness. Help us to live and die unto you.”
Our list of sins are just as unique as we are. Whatever your sin is, and we all have at least one…let’s pray in humble repentance of sin today…for ourselves and on behalf of one another. Then we change and walk away from those. We are to live as true disciples. Keep it up, for we know Christ will present us to the Father one day…and we shall finally really be changed! But let’s start the process now. Let’s seek His face with faith-filled expectation that when we repent, He will truly and most certainly hear us and heal us.
-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 ).
