Driving Notes

What’s Lost WILL Be Found!!

On this week’s Monday Motivation, we shared motivation that resonates with us and we shared a fun event we’re hosting that you need to go to! Plus we also played our Family Fued style question for Mystery Monday! Here’s what we talked about:

Gabriella’s Motivation: THEME OF THE DAY. WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? So, what motivates me to live a Christ-centered life? What motivates you? Is it the certainty of our Day of Judgment? That is a good motive. I mean, God has told us about this day and even says He will reward us. He affirms this motivation. Another motivator might be slavish fear and this isn’t good. Too many Christians suffer from a wrong view of God and His judgment of them. Our God is not a cruel taskmaster ready to pounce upon us for every sin we commit and every bad choice we make in the use of our time, talent and treasures. When it comes to following the Lord Jesus and being a Christian who wants to make a difference in this world, motivation matters a lot. In fact, motivation will be one of the things I believe we will see again at our Day of Judgment.

Joe’s Motivation: In Luke 15, Jesus told three parables of people who refused to stop looking for something or someone precious. In the parable of the lost sheep, He said to the Pharisees who were challenging Him, if a shepherd lost one sheep of his hundred, wouldn’t he “leave the ninety-nine . . . and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” (v. 4). His point? The Pharisees—the “ninety-nine”—thought they were right with God, but they weren’t. And Christ told them, there’s “more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents”—who turns from sin to God’s forgiveness—than for those who don’t think they need to (v. 7).

Our Great Shepherd never stops looking for us, and He’ll never stop seeking others as well. When we repent and receive salvation in Christ, there’s great joy in heaven—in God’s heart—because what “was lost . . . is found” (v. 32). And what joy we experience in being found by the one who sought us! Click HERE to read the story.

You can see a screening of The Chosen’s Season 6, Episode 1!

WNZR is partnering with MVNU’s Office of Spiritual Life to host a screening of the first episode of The Chosen Season 6.

This season will take the world to the foot of the cross to see the love of the Father through the selflessness of the Son. Fear and confusion reign as the disciples struggle to make sense of Jesus’ arrest—and Judas’ betrayal. While they fight to stay together, Nicodemus stands alone against the High Priest in a heated showdown that throws the council into disorder.

Join us for a special early access event to watch The Chosen Season 6 Episode 1. See you on Thursday, 10/29 at 7pm in MVNU’s Chapel Auditorium, 800 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon. See it first! This is a FREE event presented by Come and See.

Name a color of the rainbow.

1. Red (35)

2. Orange (25)

3. Yellow (20)

4. Green (12)

5. Blue (8)

Congratulations to Linda of Mount Vernon for guessing the first two answers correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday with Joe and Gabriella!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Joe and Gabriella 🙂

October 19, 2026 0

NZ Top 10 for 10/16/26

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

10. Forrest Frank – OKAY

09. Tauren Wells – Breathe On It

08. Jeremy Camp – Revival

07. Brandon Lake – How Good God Is

06. Chandler Moore – God I’m Just Grateful

05. Phil Wickham & Crowder – It Really Is Amazing Grace (6 weeks at #1)

04. TobyMac – Lord It Feels Good

03. Micah Tyler ft. Colton Dixon – Perfectly

02. Matt Maher – Gonna Be Alright

01. Jon Reddick – Holding On (Praise God) (2^nd week at #1)

NEW MUSIC FRIDAY – new songs added this week!

Jamie MacDonald f/Tori Kelly – A Million Chances

MercyMe – Wake Up Sleeper

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

October 16, 2026 0

Praise The One Who Has Hope

Daniel: I’ve been helping plan my wedding lately, and there’s something that I have to praise and think about lately. One of the biggest things you have to deal with when you’re getting married is the venue. Getting a location early is super important and opens up the door to plan everything else. There was a Church my fiancée was very interested in; it’s got a beautiful white interior, a gym we can use for the reception, the works. It’s exactly what she was looking for, but they needed someone from the reception party to be a member of the Church to get it. It was kinda a roadblock until we realized one of our invitees was a member of this Church and was going to be there for the wedding, and would count for us to use it.

Now, why am I telling you this? What’s the big deal? Well, it’s very similar to how it will be when we get to heaven.

Matthew 25:34 – “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

John 15:15 – “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

Simply put, getting to heaven is a who-you-know issue. It’s not about knowing a bunch of people; you could know everyone on earth, and even be friends with all of them, but if you know just one person, the one person who will make himself known to you in every way he can, then you can get into his wedding. Isn’t that something special? You need only know and follow him.

Gabby: For many years, hope has been one of the most searched terms on the internet. Surprisingly, it surpasses searches for political crises and even making money online. People are seeking more profound meaning. Recent years haven’t fostered optimism; instead, they’ve felt like an ongoing, slow-motion crisis: Environmental fears, economic instability, and digital anxiety dominate our headlines and hearts. Yet, through all these struggles, millions type hope into their browsers, as if throwing a lifeline to something beyond the chaos.

Paul understood that God is the Someone beyond the chaos. When the apostle wrote of “the God of hope” (Romans 15:13), he wanted Roman believers in Jesus to understand that God was both the source and object of their hope. Paul reminds us that true hope isn’t merely wishful thinking or fleeting optimism; it’s anchored in God’s character and faithfulness. And He instills confidence in us through His promises. He’s also the one who provides “endurance and encouragement” (v. 5) through the power of His Holy Spirit. This hope endures despite circumstances, filling us with joy and peace as we recognize God has accepted us in Christ (v. 7).

If you’re searching for hope, direct your heart toward God. As you trust in His promises and embrace His faithfulness, you can have eternal hope found in Him alone.

This Devotion is by Our Daily Bread. You can find it HERE

This week’s Name That Tune was a Stumper, but tune in next week for a chance to win TWO $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Daniel and Gabby

October 15, 2026 0

Make Your Life Sweet!!

On this week’s Who Knew Wednesday, we talked about desserts and other national holidays. Plus, we played our “Who Am I” trivia in the second hour! Here’s what we talked about:

Who Knew Fact Check: National Dessert Day – Is the origin of the word dessert literally mean to ‘clear the table?” YES. The French word ‘desservir’ means to clear the serving or ‘clear the table,’ so it led to the last dish being served.

Who Knew Fact: Original desserts were what? Dried fruits and nuts “a service of fruits and nuts at the end of a meal.”:

Most popular desserts in the USA? (according to the website, How Stuff Works)
1. Ice Cream
2. Brownies
3. Chocolate Chip Cookies
4. Cheesecake
5. Apple Pie

Who Knew Wednesday: National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day- Takes place on the second Wednesday in October to encourage students to invite their parents or guardians to lunch. All eyes are on parents and guardians to visit their children’s school during lunch and share a meal with them in the school cafeteria. National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day is a day for to learn more about what goes into putting together a healthy lunch. Parents and school officials have an opportunity to open the lines of communication so they can work together to provide kids with the healthiest meals possible. It’s also a terrific day to find out what your child enjoys about school lunches.

Who Am I?...

I was born on October 14, 1939, in the Bronx, New York City.
My original name was Ralph Lifshitz, but I changed my last name when I was a teenager.
I grew up in a Jewish family, and my parents were immigrants from Belarus.
I beg my fashion career in 1967 by designing and selling men’s neckties under the brand name Polo.
I founded my own fashion company which became famous worldwide for its clothing, fragrances, and iconic Polo logo.

I am… Ralph Lauren! Congratulations to Donna of Howard for guessing correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Resturant in Utica!

Tune in tomorrow for Praise Thursday with Daniel and Gabriella!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Joe and Gabriella 🙂

October 14, 2026 0

Dove Awards Recap

Phil Wickham received Artist of the Year at the 57th annual GMA Dove Awards last week, where he also won Worship Album of the Year for Song of the Saints.

Phil accepted the award by thanking Jesus and reflecting on the privilege of writing songs that Christians around the world sing in worship. Wickham said, “God has given us reason after reason to worship Him.” He thanked Jesus for the opportunity and stressing he doesn’t take a moment of ministry for granted.
“To write these songs and to think that people sing them to Jesus is an honor,” Wickham said. “The fact that I get to lead people in worship to Jesus is so worth it.”

The album project was inspired by a desire to honor those who have gone before in the Christian faith, reflecting on the scripture passages like Revelation 5:13, Psalm 149:1, and Hebrews 12:1–2.

The album includes adaptations and remakes of several songs like, “What An Awesome God,” “Because He Lives,” and “Wondrous Cross,” plus new favorites like, “The King is in the Room.”

“Dusty Bibles” is the 2026 Song of the Year, from Josiah Queen.

The song echoes our fear when the battery life on our phone is close to zero, but when our heart feels dry and weary we don’t show the same concern. “Dusty Bibles” asks a simple, powerful question:

What if you dusted off your Bible… and found life inside?

The song clearly struck a chord—with honesty and conviction, holding up a mirror to a generation whose Bibles sit unopened while our phones rarely leave our hands.

“Dusty Bibles” captures the spirit of Romans 12:2, reminding us not to be conformed to the constant noise of the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. It calls us to be present—not with our screens, but with our Savior. To trade temporary dopamine for eternal delight.

Jamie MacDonald is celebrating a major milestone after being named New Artist of the Year at the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards!

MacDonald also received three additional nominations, including Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year for her self-titled debut album, and Song of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for her hit single, “Left It In The River.”

We touched on this a bit last week, but it’s been a history-making year for Jamie, whose debut album achieved the biggest streaming debut ever for a female Christian artist and the largest debut album streaming launch in Capitol CMG history.

And there’s more music on the way! Jamie MacDonald: The Deluxe Album arrives October 16th, expanding the original release to 30 tracks with unreleased songs, acoustic versions, live performances, and collaborations with artists like Tori Kelly and Lauren Daigle.

MacDonald says Christian music helped her find her identity and overcome lies she once believed about herself. Now, she’s using her music to encourage others with that same hope. Congratulations to Jamie MacDonald on an incredible year!

Jeremy Camp is celebrating a Dove Award win! His song “No Survivors” won Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year at the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards.

The win comes as Camp prepares for a new chapter in his music career. After more than two decades in Christian music, 46 No. 1 singles, and more than 4 billion global streams, Camp says he reached a point where he considered walking away from music. Instead, he chose to trust God with what came next.

That journey inspired his upcoming 11-track album, Revival, arriving February 5th through Capitol CMG. The project explores what it means to let go of control and trust God, even when life feels uncertain.

Camp also released a new song called “Shaky Ground,” featuring songwriting contributions from his daughters, Bella and Arie. The song reflects on difficult seasons and the reminder that, even when life feels unstable, God remains faithful.

Camp hopes the album’s message of personal revival will encourage listeners to draw closer to God and carry that transformation into their families, churches, and communities. Revival is available for preorder now!

He’s gonna lift me up

He’s gonna fight for me

It only took a single stone

to drop a Philistine

Congratulations to Jeff from Mount Vernon for correctly guessing “Rescue Me” by We The Kingdom! Tune in next week for your chance to win!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

October 13, 2026 0

My redeemer lives!

Friday on the NZ Top 10, Brock and I played ‘Redeemer’ by Nicole C. Mullen. A ‘rewind’ song from 2000. That song always gets to me!

Remember the hands of our Jesus – the hands that hold me when I’m broken are the SAME hands that defeated death to bring you and me victory! My redeemer lives!

Name something parents tell their kids not to waste!

1. Food (53 votes)

2. Money (17)

3. Water (14)

4. Electricity (4)

5. Time (3)

6. Life (3)

Congratulations to Isabella from Mount Vernon, who got the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

October 12, 2026 0

NZ Top 10 for 10/9/26

Here’s this week’s countdown:

10. Jeremy Camp – Revival

9. Forrest Frank – OKAY

8. Brandon Lake – How Good God Is

7. Tauren Wells – Breathe On It

6. Chandler Moore – God I’m Just Grateful

5. Phil Wickham & Crowder – It Really Is Amazing Grace (6 Weeks at #1)

4. TobyMac – Lord It Feels Good

3. Matt Maher – Gonna Be Alright

2. Micah Tyler ft. Colton Dixon – Perfectly

1. Jon Reddick – Holding On (Praise God)

New Music Friday

Ryan Stevenson – This I Know

New Music Friday

Emerson Day – No Smoke

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive and NZ Top 10!

-Joe & Brock

October 9, 2026 0

You’re Problems WILL Be Repurposed!!

On this week’s Praise Thursday, we gave inspiring devotions and worshiped through songs. Plus, we played Name That Tune in the second hour! Check on our website wnzr.fm and participate in the giveaways we have going on! Here’s what we talked about:

Daniel’s Devotion: To those who don’t know, I got engaged on Sunday. My girlfriend of a year and friend for far longer than a year decided that I was (pause for effect) “eh, good enough” to marry. We got to work the next day on preparing what we need to do and plan for. We started looking at churches, planning potential honeymoon locations, deciding what color theme we’ll use, and, importantly, deciding who we would invite. Right now, we have been putting nearly every friend we would want to come on the list and inviting every single family member we can think of, it’s been kind of a joyous thing to do.

Planning my wedding kinda got me thinking about something Jesus said in Matthew 22. Since the beginning of time, he’s been planning his own wedding. I’ll abridge it a bit, but Jesus has been planning the reunification of his kingdom; the wedding is for his Church and himself to be restored. As someone who’s planning one myself, I got to reconsider what that really means. Think about it, my closest friends and family, making it the perfect occasion, and how much excitement is going on around it. That’s what Jesus feels.

Modernly, it’s the happiest day of one’s life, and you are all invited to Jesus’ wedding. The king of the universe wants you- yes, you to come to the happiest moment of his life. Can you imagine that? Imagine how excited you might have been for your own wedding, or when you plan yours; it’s exciting, and Jesus thought of you when planning it. We don’t know when the wedding will be, but make sure your calendar is cleared for the wedding supper of the Lamb.

Gabriella’s Devotion: The devotional looks at Moses when God called him from the burning bush. Moses felt inadequate and didn’t think he had much to offer, asking what he had in his hand—a simple shepherd’s staff. When Moses threw the staff down on the ground in obedience, God turned it into a snake and back again, using it as a sign of His power. The writer notes that God often takes our ordinary skills, career changes, or past experiences and repurposes them in fresh ways for His kingdom. The piece draws a parallel to how large ships—such as the retired SS United States—have been intentionally sunk to serve as artificial reefs on the ocean floor, transforming something from one stage of use into a life-sustaining habitat for marine life. Similarly, God can repurpose our lives and resources no matter where we are in our journey. Check the full story on Our Daily Bread Ministries.

October is Clergy Appreciation Month. WNZR helps you honor your pastor! WNZR is celebrating Clergy Appreciation Month throughout October. This month is a time to honor our local pastors and their commitment to families in our community. Each Friday, 5 local pastors will be honored on The Morning Thing. Our morning show hosts will share their names and churches along with comments from their church family. Each pastor that is mentioned will receive TWO $25.00 gift certificates to local restaurants to enjoy a dinner out with family. Each pastor will ALSO receive a WNZR goodie bag! Tell us why you love your pastor. Fill out the form on wnzr.fm! Your Church should be within 25 miles of Mount Vernon.

WNZR’s Dove Awards Prediction Prize Giveaway !! Cast your predictions for the Dove Awards and get registered to win a special Dove Award Nominee Prize Package featuring special gifts from 2026 Dove Award nominees!! Tell us who you think will win “Song of the year” and “Artist of the year” at the 57th annual Dove Awards. Fill out the form on wnzr.fm. You’ll see the nominees and a place to click with your votes. A list of nominees for “Song of the year” and “Artist of the year” is available on the form. All correct predictions will be entered into the Dove Award Nominee Prize Package giveaway. Entries will only be accepted if both categories are correct. TONIGHT AT 11:59 IS THE DEADLINE!!!!

This week’s Name That Tune was… Father Let It Be by Sidewalk Prophets! Congratulations to Mason of Mount Vernon for guessing correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for the NZ Top 10 with Brock and Joe!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Gabriella and Daniel 🙂

October 8, 2026 0

PUMPKIN!!

On this week’s Who Knew Wednesday, we had some fall-festive conversations. Plus, we played our “Who am I” trivia in the second hour! Here’s what we talked about:

Who Knew Fact: National inner beauty day- It serves a profound and urgent purpose–to raise awareness and mobilize support for the victims and survivors of human trafficking. This day is not about aesthetics. It’s about recognizing the inherent worth, spirit, and dignity—the true inner beauty—that traffickers attempt to steal. We stand together to honor the resilience of survivors and take meaningful action to end this modern-day slavery.

Who Knew Fact: National pumpkin seed day– do you like roasted pumpkin seeds? Before you carve your Halloween pumpkin, don’t discard its contents! Tucked inside is a nutritional powerhouse celebrated on National Pumpkin Seed Day. Falling on the first Wednesday of October, this food day recognizes the crunchy, savory seed that is packed with protein, magnesium, and healthy fats, making it the perfect guilt-free snack for a crisp autumn day.

Who Knew Fact Check: Is Johnny Appleseed this weekend? YES! Experience Mount Vernon and Ariel-Foundation Park invite the community to celebrate the arrival of fall at the 6th Annual Johnny Appleseed Fall Festival on Sunday, October 11, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Schnormeier Event Center at Ariel-Foundation Park. Presented by the Peoples Bank of Gambier, this free event will feature live music, food trucks, festive activities, local vendors, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy an autumn afternoon together. WNZR will be at Ariel Foundation Park for the Johnny Appleseed Fall Festival! For more information go to wnzr.fm! Stop by and register to win a special prize!

Who Knew Fact Check: Tomorrow is the last day to participate in WNZR’s Dove Awards Prize Prediction Giveaway? YES! Go to wnzr.fm and click on the Dove Awards banner to give us your predictions for a chance to win our awesome prizes! Scroll to the bottom and give us the artist of the year and song of the year you think will win!

Who Am I?

I was born on October 7, 1959, in London, England.

I began my career working in the music industry, eventually becoming a successful music executive and producer.

I became widely known as a judge on American Idol, where I was known for giving direct opinions to contestants.

I created The X Factor and helped develop the Got Talent franchise, including America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent.

I have helped launch or support the careers of several successful music acts, including One Direction, Fifth Harmony, and Leona Lewis.

I am… Simon Cowell! Congratulations to Nicole of Mount Vernon for guessing correctly and taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in Tomorrow for Praise Thursday with Daniel and Gabriella!

Thanks so much for listening!

– Gabriella and Joe 🙂

October 7, 2026 0

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