This week, we kick off the show with Monday Motivation and the chance to win tickets to see Casting Crowns at the Ohio State Fair!
We start with author Karen Huang and her timely reminder that, even when we feel everyone doesn’t have time for us, has left us or just is too busy to care, we STILL have a purpose!
Can you imagine living in Germany and having the last name Fuhrer? That would be tough. Still, read here how a pastor named Fuhrer sparked a prayer meeting that grew and helped bring down the Berlin Wall.
Today we reflect on Colossians 3:13 since it’s Forgiveness Day…
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
…and remember, every day can be forgiveness day! Monica La Rose shared a wonderful devotional called ‘A Future With Forgiveness,’ that reflects on how South Africa tried to move forward after years of racial injustice. Read it by clicking here!
Name a popular summertime vegetable (your top two): Tomatoes (30 votes) Corn (20 votes) Squash (11) Zucchini (10) Carrots (8) Cucumbers (5) Broccoli (4) Peas (2) Lettuce (2) Green Beans (2) Potatoes (2)
Congratulations to David from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the two one-day passes to the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool.
Peggy from Mount Vernon also won our tickets for the ‘Sound of Freedom’ film screening next Monday!
This is today’s song-inspired Monday Motivation! From the incredible CeCe Winans!
They say this mountain can’t be moved (refers to Matthew 17:20 and 21:21; Mark 11:23 – ‘faith like a mustard seed’) They say these chains will never break But they don’t know You like we do There is power in Your name (Jeremiah 32:17 – ‘nothing is too hard for you!’)
We’ve heard that there is no way through We’ve heard the tide will never change They haven’t seen what You can do There is power in Your name So much power in Your name (Hebrews 1:3 – ‘The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word’)
Move the unmovable Break the unbreakable God we believe God we believe for it
From the impossible We’ll see a miracle (Genesis 18:14 – Sarah will have a son) God we believe God we believe for it
We know that hope is never lost…oh… For there is still an empty grave God we believe no matter what There is power in Your name (Matthew 19:26 – “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”) So much power in Your name
Move the unmovable Break the unbreakable God we believe God we believe for it
From the impossible We’ll see a miracle God we believe God we believe for it (hey)
You are the way When there seems to be no way We trust in You God You have the final say, yeah
What is the best fruit to buy in the summer? Watermelon (49 votes) Strawberries (23) Pineapples (12) Oranges (3) Mangos (3) Cherries (3) Peaches (2) Raspberries (2)
Congratulations to Linda from Gambier, who guessed the top two answers correctly and wins the Katy Nichole CD, ‘Jesus Changed My Life.’
So you may know that five members of our WNZR team (Marcy, Jonathon Langdon, Mike Basko, Mackenzie Holder and me) spent May 30-June 2 in Orlando, FL at the Christian Music Broadcasters’ Momentum 2023 conference. CMB is an organization that exists to support faith-based radio stations, both digital and terrestrial, plus all of their digital products, including podcasting, social media and video. CMB also helps link artists and broadcasters. WNZR has been a member for many years.
I go to Momentum when my calendar permits for two main reasons – to be spiritually and professionally fueled. I always learn something new that I can apply to my work as a professor and a member of the WNZR on-air team.
So…here are just a couple of my big takeaways from this year that I hope you can also ponder, use or apply…and I will continue to share these over the next few weeks.
Speakers Billy Dunn (leadership coach) and Lisa Harper (link here) challenged us on Wednesday to do some internal accounting – some self-reflection – of both our spiritual and leader selves. And let’s face it – we are all leading or influencing something or someone. Billy talked specifically about leadership being a gift; a service to be given, so we should make sure we are in a regular habit of doing self-assessment and thinking about Ephesians 5:15-16, “15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” If you had a broken GPS system, you’d work to fix it, right? So we need to be aware when our own internal GPS breaks down, and how to fix it.
Our leadership should be reflecting humility – tossing aside things like arrogance, entitlement and any thought of invincibility. Billy reminded us that the people you lead need to know you care and that you can be real and authentic – even when you make mistakes!
Trust is at crisis levels in our country, especially among leaders. We can foster trust when we are self-aware and pray fervently that Christ would guide our way, allowing us to value self-control, empathy, and building strong connections.
Lisa talked specifically about kicking your impostor to the curb – about peeling off everything that is keeping you from a deeper relationship with Jesus. When I heard that, I thought of Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith….”
Lisa shared her belief that we need to prioritize being alone and praying transparently with our Lord. Remember, He already knows, but even on our worst days, He still says, “that’s my son…that’s my daughter.” We don’t need to pose for Him, we simply need to accept and respond to His unconditional love!
Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold, from those whose walk is blameless.”
Name a color associated with summer. Yellow (58 votes) Blue (12) Pink (10) Orange (7) Green (6) Red (6)
Congratulations to Zeke from Johnstown, who guessed the top two and wins the Katy Nichole CD, ‘Jesus Changed My Life.’
He and his family came to the studio today and also got some bonus frisbees!
Today’s Monday Motivation focused on the beauty of creation, from Our Daily Bread author Lisa Samra:
In the 1901 hymn “This Is My Father’s World,” pastor and poet Maltbie Babcock wrote of the delight he felt on his frequent outdoor walks, where he was captivated by breathtaking panoramic vistas. Writing of his fascination with the skies, seas, and creatures, he described sensing God’s presence and concluded, “He speaks to me everywhere.”
Although creation doesn’t have an audible voice, as His handiwork it’s one important way we learn about the One who “made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them” (ACTS 14:15). In creation we see evidence of God’s glory (PSALM 19:1), as well as aspects of who God is, such as His eternal nature (ROMANS 1:20).
When we observe the strength of the wind or the roar of rushing water, creation showcases God’s power. Described in the poetry of Job 38, His power is evident in ordering the seasons (VV. 12-13), directing the weather (VV. 22-30), overseeing the cosmos (VV. 31-33), and sustaining living creatures (VV. 39-41).
Creation is also the means by which we experience many of God’s blessings. Through creation, He blesses us with food and drink (GENESIS 1:29-30), as well as many other necessities that sustain us (MATTHEW 6:25-33). More than simply a physical blessing, creation is a way that God restores our souls as we experience the peace of gentle pastures and quiet streams (PSALM 23:1-3).
In all these ways and more, creation is visible and tangible evidence of who our Creator God is, revealing His character, love, and constant care of us.
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Here’s the Amy Grant version of the song we played on the show today!
Give me a three letter word that starts with the letter Z: 1- Zoo (40 votes) 2- Zip (18) 3- Zap (15) 4- Zen (13) 5- Zit (13)
Congratulations to Lisa from Howard who guessed the top two and wins the Chris Tomlin CD, ‘Always.’
Today I shared a devotional from Marvin Williams reminding us to, in no uncertain terms, ‘Stay Awake.’ He starts telling the story of a German bank mistake and links it to Matthew 26. Read it by clicking here!
It may only be May 8th, but summer (what?) is here at WNZR.
The MVNU academic year finished last week for students, while professors are finishing their grading this week. We are so grateful for your prayers and support as we make another transition this summer!
I will be hosting the Monday shows solo this month, while Zoe Bricker joins me on Tuesdays-Fridays.
Personally, I am grateful for Jonathon, Emma and Dylan, who all helped us finish last week strong, balancing finals and graduation with the Crossroads League Softball Tournament. Our entire WNZR team was in overdrive last week to wrap up the 22-23 year.
Even though we might be yelling at Old Man Winter’s return today, we’ll try to offer some light!
We were reminded by Karen Huang that scripture gives us a beautiful transition from John 3:16 to Romans 5. Karen shares “Will You Still Love Me?” Read it by clicking here.
Dylan shared Tim Gustafson’s devotional, “Stolen Gods,” which speaks to the awesome power and uniqueness of our God. Read it by clicking here.
Today’s ticket winner: Denise of Mount Vernon! She wins tickets to Friday night’s show at the Knox Memorial Theatre.
Monday Motivation today starts with Alyson Kieda and her reflection on Matthew 5:16, where we are encouraged to let our light shine. Read “Opportunities to Shine” by clicking here.
Driving Notes 