A Few of My Favorite Songs of 2022

Kurt Neuswanger • December 31, 2022

Choosing “best” songs is always a subjective thing. And since I’m the one doing the choosing, these are “a few of my favorite songs”! Enjoy!

Sunday Sermons

Anne Wilson

20 year old Anne Wilson brought us the hugely touching and popular song “My Jesus” in 2021 (the one about the loss of her brother in a car accident). “Sunday Sermons” continues Anne’s trademark southern style with a tribute to her Christian heritage. (By the way, check out her song video for a cool picture of man who goes out of his way to help others as he is driving down a country road.)

Seven years old, third row pew John 3:16, something changed in me Red letters coming off the page Flooding my heart with amazing grace I knew then I believed And those roots run deep Oh I been through some faith shaking hard times Yeah But nothing’s gonna make me forget

Every one of those Sunday sermons
Every time that choir would sing
I could hear my Savior calling,

telling me how much He loves me

Devil gon' try and take me out of that church
But you can't take the church out of me
Devil gon' try and take me out of that church
But you can't take the church out of me

Crazy People

Casting Crowns

You have to love a song that calls Christians “crazy people”—and means it as a compliment!

Who builds a boat with no clouds in sight?
Who walks up to a giant and picks the fight?
Who turns a lion's den into a petting zoo?
Who can have a church in the fire of furnace?

Well, I'll tell you

Crazy people trust in Jesus
Following Him wherever He leads us
Kingdom seekers, walk by faith believers
Here's the church, here's the steeple,

here's to all God's crazy people

Jesus Is Coming Back

Jordan Feliz

Jordan Feliz has a knack for catchy tunes, as I well remember, listening to him at the Chris Tomlin concert at the Las Colonias Amphitheatre last summer. At least, I remember his songs in fits and starts, as thunderstorms and lightning caused multiple delays. (Thankfully, the entire concert was eventually able to finish for all the hearty fans who persevered!)

Have you ever thought that the world has kinda lost its way?

Crazy as it seems, yeah, I know it's gonna be okay
It doesn't scare me, it's temporary
There's something better, we got forever
And it won't be long, 'cause we know our help is on the way

So, keep your head up
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back
No, don't you give up (hey)
Jesus is coming back, Jesus is coming back

I’m Not Lucky, Just Blessed

Love & the Outcome

Speaking of catchy tunes, there’s few catchier than this, from the husband-wife duo who brought us “If I Don’t Have You” and “You Got This.”

Some would call it good fortune
Some would call it good luck
Some would say that the stars align
But in my mind, it doesn't add up, no
Some would call it good timing
But I know more than anything
I live in victory 'cause I'm a child of the king

You know I gotta give credit where credit is due
Every good thing that I got, I only got because of You
No four-leaf clover and no good-luck charm
The only thing I'm counting on is Your everlasting love

I'm not lucky, I'm blessed
I can't deny it
I'm not lucky, I'm blessed
Why try to fight it?
I'm not lucky, I'm blessed

(God Is In A) Good Mood

Richlin

You might notice a trend here: catchy! And at first glance, some people no doubt were thinking “God doesn’t have moods!” And you’d be correct, but that’s the point of the song. Richlin (Brandon Richardson) is addressing people who really do think God has “bad moods” when He is going to “get you” for messing up. In fact, when you have Jesus in your heart, that’s who God sees in you!

There's been some miscommunication, misinterpretation

Some say God is love but full of aggravation

Some say He don't talk to you Unless you're perfect too

But if you know Him you can laugh, Cause you know that ain't true

Cause it's Jesus that He sees you through

Even on your worst day, after a mistake

He don't change, the way the weather do

Here's some hope that you can hold onto, God is in a good mood

I’m So Blessed

CAIN

We wrote about this song last year when it came out, because it has one of the more creative music videos! The band (siblings Taylor, Madison and Logan Cain from Alabama) made a video in the style of a 70s TV show, where they all fall in the swimming pool with their instruments but continuing singing “I’m so blessed!”

Trouble knocking at my door today

I ain't gonna let it in

And worry wanna steal my joy away

But I ain't gonna let it win

'Cause on my best day, I'm a child of God

On my worst day, I'm a child of God

Oh, everyday is a good day

And You're the reason why

I'm so blessed, I'm so blessed

Got this heartbeat in my chest

No, it doesn't matter about the rest

If I got You Lord, I'm so blessed

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Wayne Watson and "Almighty"

By Kurt Neuswanger • June 26, 2025

Recently I played a KJOL classic, “ Almighty ” by Wayne Watson . For those who don’t remember Watson, he had a string of hits during the 80s and 90s, including: Celebrate Friend of a Wounded Heart For Such A Time as This Home Free Another Time, Another Place (with Sandi Patti) Touch of the Master’s Hand As for “Almighty,” I found an article that explains the back story. In 1990, when Wayne was 36, a close family friend became ill and died, leaving behind her four young daughters. As Wayne struggled to understand how God could allow this tragedy, he sat at his piano and began to write a song that reaffirmed the sovereignty of God. Well time marches on, with the innocence gone, And a darkness has covered the earth But His Spirit still dwells, He speaks, "it is well, " And the hopeless still offered new birth He will break the leash of death, it will have no sting Let the prisoner go free, join the dance and sing Almighty (almighty) Most holy God Faithful through the ages Almighty, Most holy Lord Glorious, Almighty... When his friends heard the song, they told him he should record it. Wayne was reluctant, thinking it didn’t really match his typical style. Eventually he started singing it in his concerts, and the response was so strong, he included it on “ Home Free ” in 1991 and it became a No. 1 hit.

CeCe Winans takes NPR listeners to church

By Kurt Neuswanger • June 19, 2025

CeCe Winans was a guest at NPR (National Public Radio) this week, and took them to church. She performed a half-hour concert, called a “ Tiny Desk Concert , ” before a small friendly audience in the NPR building. Between the songs, she shared her faith: “God is faithful, and what I love about him, he stays the same. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done or where we’ve been, I just want everybody to know that God loves you with an everlasting love. And because He never changes, we can always run to Him. Just know that if God be for you, who can be against you!” She also appeared in an 8 minute interview on the NPR news program. The host said she had listened to Cece’s song “Alone In His Presence” when the host was a child. CeCe said, “Yep, his presence is definitely my hiding place, being in the spirit of God. And I live a life to please him, and that has brought me good success, you know?” She added, “I don't have to fear about what's going to happen because I serve a God who knows the end from the beginning. So I can actually experience true peace of mind and heart because of that relationship. So my hope is in him. You can hear CeCe’s latest song, “ Come Jesus Come ,” on KJOL right now. It was written and originally recorded by Stephen McWhirter in 2023. CeCe performed it for the American Idol Easter special in April.

Newsboys Canadian tour canceled

By Kurt Neuswanger • May 30, 2025

The Newsboys were supposed to be touring Canada starting May 31. But the tour was abruptly canceled last week. Both the Newsboys and the promoter are claiming the other side is at fault. The Canadian promoter said it canceled the tour because there were too many unanswered questions about why Michael Tait abruptly left the band in January, just days before the Newsboys started their world tour. The Newsboys said the promoter breached the contract so the band canceled the tour. Neither Tait nor the Newsboys have given a clear explanation for Tait’s sudden departure . Band member Adam Agee took over as lead singer and the band quickly re-recorded their new single with Agee on lead vocals instead of Tait. The concert promoter said fans in Canada were confused about who the new lead singer was, wondering if this was the same Newsboys band they were expecting. Then on May 26, the promoter announced that Sanctus Real had agreed to be the last-minute replacement for the Newsboys. Sanctus Real had to hurry, because their first concert was just six days later in Canada! The timing works well for Sanctus Real, which just released their new single, The Difference , on May 29. Listen for it on KJOL in the coming days and weeks.

The story behind "Shout to the Lord"

By Kurt Neuswanger • May 14, 2025

Every week, an estimated 30 million worshippers sing the most popular worship song of our generation, “Shout To The Lord” by Darlene Zschech and Hillsongs Australia. You’ve probably heard (and sung) it. But do you know the story behind the song ? Darlene Zschech wrote “ Shout to the Lord ” 30 years ago. She says the song was born out of a low point in her life. She had married at age 19 and moved to Sydney, where she began singing at the Hills Christian Centre. But at home her husband’s business was failing and times were tough One day she sat down at her daughter’s piano and started singing some words she’d been thinking about. She turned it into a song but was too shy to tell anyone. Finally she sang it for the worship director (but she made him turn around and not look at her!). He convinced her to sing it at church. By the end of the first chorus, people were standing to their feet and singing along! In 1994, the Hills Christian Centre recorded it, and in 1996, Hosanna Music released “Shout to the Lord” in the U.S. under the name Hillsongs Australia. It went straight to the top of the praise & worship charts. It has had more than 160 million views on YouTube just in the last 10 years.

See You There!

By Dave Andrews • May 7, 2025

We like to say around here that our Secretary Martha is the most famous person at KJOL. We mean it too! With a naturally likable personality, and an active disposition, a lot of people know her.

Tenth Avenue North and The Archers return!

By Kurt Neuswanger • May 1, 2025

Tenth Avenue North is back with a new album Back in 2019, Tenth Avenue North announced they were retiring. They had formed in 2000 in Florida. Founder Mike Donehey said the name came “Tenth Avenue North” was supposed to be temporary. They had been scheduled to play at a conference and could not agree on a name for their band. So they chose the name of the street where they lived in West Palm Beach. And the name stuck for 25 years! In 2019, they released “ Greater Than All My Regrets .” And then they announced plans to retire, with a farewell tour in 2020. However, COVID interrupted that. In 2021, they finally played two farewell concerts. But four years after the break “sharpened the band’s focus and God used what they thought was an end to create room for them to experience Him in a new way.” So in 2024 they started recording new music , and the full-length album is being released on May 30. The Archers return! Fifty years after the Archers (siblings Tim, Steve, and Janice) made their debut in contemporary Christian music, they are back with a new album called “Legacy Medley.” It contains new versions of five of their previous hits: Give Us This Day 1980 It Won’t Be Long (Andrae Crouch) 1972 Make Me An Instrument 1977 I Never Knew Love 1991 (from their hit album “Spreadin’ Like Wildfire”) Pickin’ Up The Pieces 1979 The Archers debuted at Jesus festivals during the height of the Jesus Movement in 1971. They came to the attention of Andrae Crouch, Ralph Carmichael, and Pat Boone among others. (They were the first to record Crouch’s “Jesus Is The Answer.”) In 1975, they released their first major label album on Light Records. In 1994, they disbanded.