Driving Notes

Giving the Little You Have and the Knox County Fair

Today on the Afternoon Drive, we are at the Knox County Fair talking to presenters at the fair, talking about the events, and telling you about all the excitement happening down at the fairgrounds today. Find out more information HERE on our website.

Daniel: One of the things I struggle with is my giving. I’m not consistent with it; I give in larger amounts but not as frequently as I probably should; I should do more.

In Luke 21:1-4, Jesus and his disciples are sitting by the temple collection booth. He sees the Pharisees, Princes, and the Wealthy give large amounts. He saw them smile when others praised their “generosity.” But then he spots a widow slip through the crowd to give a measly two copper coins. She was avoiding notice and didn’t give to be recognized; she gave out of devotion to God. This was probably all she could give.

Even in the little she has, she still gives to God. Maybe you have a little time, or a little strength, or, as it is commonly thought, a little financially. It’s not about the number, the hours, or how much you can do; it’s about the fact that you do it at all. God asks us to simply do as he asks. Remember, he who is faithful in little is also faithful in much.

Mystery Monday

Give me a phrase containing the word “Hot”

1. Tamale (13)

2. Dog, Some like it hot (8)

4. Outside, Sauce (5)

6. That’s Hot (4)

Congratulations to Charla from Utica, who guessed those top two answers and wins a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel and Joe

July 27, 2026 0

NZ Top 10 for 7/24/26

10. Carly Ann Taylor – Why Should I Worry
9. Chandler Moore – God I’m Just Grateful
8. Matthew West – Good (#1 for 5 weeks)
7. We The Kingdom – Rescue Me
6. Phil Wickham & Crowder – It Really Is Amazing Grace
5. Jamie MacDonald – Ain’t No Way
4. ELEVATION RHYTHM – WASHED (#1 for 1 week)
3. Zach Williams – Wait For Me
2. Josiah Queen – demons
1. CeCe Winans – Worthy Of It All (Worthy) (4th week at #1)

New Music This Week:

for KING & COUNTRY – what if i told you?

Congrats to Maude from Mount Vernon for correctly guessing “Trust In You” by Lauren Daigle during today’s special edition of Name That Tune!

Thanks for listening!

-Joe & Brock

July 24, 2026 0

Relax Your Brain while Eating a Mango in a Hammock

Today for WHO KNEW WEDNESDAY, we talked about National Mango Day, National Hammock Day, and World Brain Day. Here is what we talked about…

WHO KNEW FACT CHECK – The hammock can help improve sleep because its rocking motion feels like being rocked by your mother.

NATIONAL MANGO DAY – Mango trees can grow up to 100 feet with a canopy of over 35 feet. Less than 1% of the flowers will mature into mango fruits, but don’t worry, mango trees produce mangos all year long.

NATIONAL HAMMOCK DAY – The Mayans developed the only known written language in Mesoamerica and invented the hammock! Hammocks were originally woven from the Hammack tree, native to Latin America, hence the name, “hammock”.

WORLD BRAIN DAY – Your brain isn’t fully formed until age 25. Brain development begins from the back of the brain and works its way to the front. As a result, your frontal lobes, which control planning and reasoning, are the last to strengthen and structure connections.

WHO AM I?

I was born on July 22, 1940, in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Early in my career, I would read the CBC national radio news and cover a wide range of special events for CBC Radio and CBC Television
I was a host for many different game shows throughout my career, including “Wizard of Odds,” “High Rollers,” and “Jeopardy.”
I had made several guest appearances on different talk shows and the show The X Files
I became an advocate for pancreatic cancer before my death in 2020.

I am Alex Trebek! Congratulations to Grace from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel & Joe

July 22, 2026 0

Two Albums, One Powerful Message

Matthew West has announced a brand-new album! It’s called Jesus Is King and arrives September 25. The 12-song project is centered on faith, surrender, and the hope we have in Christ.

Along with the album announcement, Matthew has also released a brand-new single, “Back to Jesus.” He says making this record was a reminder to his own heart that no matter how loud fear, failure, or the noise of the world may seem, only Jesus gets the final word.

The new song, “Back to Jesus,” is a powerful reminder that no one is ever too far gone for God’s grace. It’s a message of redemption for anyone who’s wandered or wondered if there’s a way back. Matthew says he hopes these songs remind listeners of one simple truth: Jesus is King.

The new project follows Matthew’s 2024 album, Don’t Stop Praying, which became one of the biggest moments of his career. The title track spent two weeks at the top of the Christian radio charts and inspired a nationwide prayer movement.

Matthew will also be taking these new songs on the road this fall with his Jesus Is King Tour, which kicks off September 10 and brings his music to audiences across the country.

ELEVATION RHYTHM has released a brand-new live album! It’s called WASHED and is available everywhere now.

The nine-song project was recorded live during ELEVATION Church’s weekly youth nights in Charlotte, North Carolina, and captures what God has been doing in the lives of young people through worship. The album is named after the group’s current No. 1 hit, “WASHED,” which recently became ELEVATION RHYTHM’s first song to reach No. 1 across multiple Christian radio charts.

Creative director Josh Holiday says each live album is like a “time capsule,” capturing what God is doing in a specific season. He says WASHED reflects stories of identity, freedom, and new life found in Christ.

The album also features guest artists including Josiah Queen, Jonathan Stamper, SEU Worship, Avery Marillo, and Lizzie Morgan.

Fans will have the chance to experience these songs live this fall as ELEVATION RHYTHM launches the WASHED Tour, featuring worship nights, Bible studies, and opportunities to build community in cities across the country.

I say, “I’m fine, yeah, I’m fine, oh, I’m fine, hey, I’m fine”

But I’m not, I’m broken

And when it’s out of control, I say “It’s under control”

But it’s not and You know it

This week was a STUMPER, so call in next week for your chance to win TWO $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

July 21, 2026 0

Prayer and Speaking Jesus

Daniel: Yesterday in church, the pastor’s message really convicted me. We’ve been studying the Sermon on the Mount, and this week we covered Matthew 5:21–48. I’ve read this passage many times before, but this time it hit differently.

Jesus teaches that God is concerned not only with our outward actions, but with the condition of our hearts. I may never go out and commit murder, but I still get angry at people. I still struggle with sinful thoughts and attitudes. Even if no one else sees them, God does. That realization reminded me how much I need Him every single day.

So what do we do when we recognize our sin? The answer is simple: take it to God. Stop and pray.

One habit I’ve found incredibly helpful is praying first thing every morning. I often begin my day by praying the Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6:9–13

‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one’

When I wake up—and whenever I’m tempted—I ask God to guide my thoughts and help me keep my mind fixed on Him throughout the day.

Jesus reminds us that if God cares for the sparrows, He certainly cares for us. So don’t carry your struggles alone. Bring them to Him. He listens. He is with you in the darkest hours of the night, and He is faithful to guide you according to His perfect will.

Joe: I Speak Jesus

“Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus

Shout Jesus from the mountains
Jesus in the streets
Jesus in the darkness, over every enemy
Jesus for my family
I speak the holy name, Jesus!”

Why speak Jesus?

Because he tells us, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness…” (John 8:12)

When you believe, you believe His claims to be the source of spiritual truth, life, and guidance – to be the light is a bold claim. He’s saying He is the true, ultimate light from God. Jesus is not just a teacher—He is divine illumination itself!

Because He defines true freedom!

“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

He reframes it as not political freedom, but freedom from sin! He’s the liberator of the human soul. The only one who can truly break sin’s power.

Mystery Monday

Name a phrase that starts with “Carry the…”

Load (24)
Bags (18)
Weight (8)
Baby, Ball, Groceries, Torch (6)

After a THREE-WEEK stumper, we want to say congratulations to Lisa from Centerburg, who guessed those top two answers and wins THREE $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel and Joe

July 20, 2026 0

NZ Top 10 for 7/17/2026

Praise the Lord, it’s Friday! Here’s this week’s countdown:

10. MercyMe – Make It Well (#1 for 1 week)
9. Elevation Worship – Alleluia
8. Phil Wickham & Crowder – It Really Is Amazing Grace
7. We The Kingdom – Rescue Me
6. Matthew West – Good (#1 for 5 weeks)
5. Jamie MacDonald – Ain’t No Way
4. Zach Williams – Wait for Me
3. Josiah Queen – Demons
2. ELEVATION RHYTHM – WASHED (#1 last week)
1. CeCe Winans – Worthy Of It All (Worthy) (back at #1 for the 3rd week)

New Music This Week:

Forest Frank – OKAY

Stars Go Dim – Holy

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

July 17, 2026 0

Praises for Partners!

This morning I was listening to Ethan and Olivia talk about the Knox County Fair and thinking about this…

How incredible is it that we have amazing partners that come alongside us to help give you a chance to win concert tickets and prizes! Examples??
– the 18+ grill packages for the Knox County Fair
– teen and kids prizes
– For King and Country tickets for the Ohio State Fair
– general admission passes for the Ohio State Fair
– our gift cards to Southside Diner, Watts Restaurant and North Main Cafe

If you are a WNZR prize partner and underwriting sponsor, THANK YOU.

If you are a WNZR Lifeline partner, THANK YOU.

We are blessed to have you beside us as we bring music and inspiration to the airwaves and online each day! You lift US up!

Bonnie from Mount Vernon guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

July 16, 2026 0

Summer favorites are celebrated today!

It’s a day to celebrate Hot Dogs and Gummy Worms!

A few fun facts from DaysoftheYear.com:

Each year, Americans eat about 20 billion hot dogs—that’s roughly 70 hot dogs per person!

Baseball fans consume around 20 million hot dogs every season, making them the ultimate stadium snack.

The term “hot dog” dates back to the early 1900s and may have been inspired by jokes about dachshund-shaped sausages.

A true Chicago-style hot dog is famously served with NO ketchup—only mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, peppers, and celery salt.

Los Angeles eats more hot dogs than any other U.S. city—from 27-30 million pounds per year! (source: National Hot Dog and Sausage Council) Per capita, though, it’s Greensboro, North Carolina!

Gummi worms were inspired by gummi bears and first created in the early 1980s by the German candy company Haribo.

The “worm” idea was meant to be funny—not gross.
In Europe, making candy shaped like creepy-crawlies was meant to be playful and a little silly… and it totally worked!

Most gummi worms combine two different flavors and colors in a single piece—so every bite is a mix.

The tangy, sugar-coated version didn’t show up until later, adding that sweet-and-sour combo people love today.

Traditional gummi worms get their chewy texture from gelatin, along with sugar, flavoring, and coloring—giving them that signature bounce.

I was born on July 15, 1936, in Cleveland, Ohio.

I served as mayor of Cleveland for nearly a decade, helping lead the city out of financial crisis.

I was elected the 65th governor of Ohio and served from 1991 to 1998 during a time of strong economic growth.

During my time as governor, Ohio created more than 500,000 jobs and unemployment dropped to a 25-year low.

I later represented Ohio in the U.S. Senate, continuing my commitment to public service at the national level.

Congratulations to April from Mt. Gilead, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

July 15, 2026 0

Gospel ladies take center stage!

Today’s artist news features notes about two powerful voices in contemporary gospel music! Read more about these stories from our friends at JesusFreakHideout.com by clicking the artist’s names in the story.

Motown Gospel—part of Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol Records, and Universal Music Group—just signed GRAMMY-nominated artist Koryn Hawthorne, kicking off an exciting new chapter for one of Gospel music’s most powerful contemporary voices.

You may remember her from her amazing duets with Matt Maher, Lecrae. Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey, including “How Great” and “We All Need Jesus.”

The announcement comes as Koryn gets ready to drop new music and step into a fresh creative season. This fall, she’ll release her first project with Motown Gospel, promising a fresh, elevated sound while staying rooted in the faith-centered message that’s made Koryn stand out.

—

18-time GRAMMY® Award-winning icon CeCe Winans is bringing her acclaimed Christmas tour to the West Coast for the first time in over a decade. Joined by special guests and her sisters Angie Winans and Debbie Winans, Christmas with CeCe Winans will visit six cities this December for an evening of beloved Christmas classics, worship favorites, and songs from throughout CeCe’s celebrated career.

The West Coast Christmas tour is not all. CeCe will also co-headline the highly anticipated Christmas Together tour alongside Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. The tour will feature an evening of holiday favorites, career-spanning hits, and moments of worship as three of Christian music’s most beloved artists come together. They kick off this tour on Friday, November 27 in Columbus at the Schottenstein Center.