Mystery Monday

Seeing the creator’s hand…everywhere.

Today’s Monday Motivation song is Leanna Crawford’s ‘How Can You Not?’ Inspired by, believe it or not, fireflies (or, some might say, lightning bugs).

Leanna shares, “I actually wrote that song…(while) my parents were visiting me in Nashville. My sister and I moved there together five years ago, and we moved from the good old northwest. And in the northwest there are no fireflies, but of course in this part of the country, fireflies everywhere. And so not growing up with them, I just think it’s the coolest thing every summer, every year to see them. Well, my dad had never seen fireflies and they were going to be there. My parents were there for a whole week.
And during firefly season, the height of it, and we were about to see some fireflies. I don’t know where they were. We went on walks every single night, not a single firefly was found. The night before, they’re about to fly home where there’s no fireflies. So sad. We go for one final walk and we are walking by this field, and I’ve walked by this field like 100 times, and I’d never seen anything like this. It lit up. It looked like stars were in the field just full of fireflies. And my dad looked over to us and he just said, ‘How can you not see a creator?’ And that’s where this song came from.”

Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.’ (Jeremiah 32:17)

What desserts do kids like?

Cake (24 votes)
Ice Cream (21)
Candy (16)
Cookies (16)
Pie (7)
Pudding (3)
Popsicle (3)

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

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

October 14, 2024 0

Your goodness is running after me!

Today’s Monday Motivation song comes from a personal and MVNU favorite – Goodness of God!

We sang this one again today in our chapel service, as our voices joined singing, “All my life, you have been faithful. All my life you have been so, SO good! With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the GOODNESS OF GOD!”

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord. for He is good! For his mercy endures forever.” (I Chronicles 16:34)

Author Tim Elmore reminds us that one of the marks of maturity is that a mature person expresses gratitude constantly. So let’s belt this one out, whether we turn it up or sing it out!

We brought back last week’s stumper Kids’ question: What makes you healthy and strong?

Eating vegetables (30 votes)
Drinking your milk (27)
Drinking water (20)
Playing outside (14)
A good night’s sleep (9)

Congratulations to Haley from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

October 7, 2024 0

We don’t fight alone!

Jon Reddick says Hebrews 12 was a big inspiration for his song, ‘Don’t Fight Alone.’ Reddick cites Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

Jon shared, “the marathon of faith is easier to endure when we know we have people cheering us on.” This includes our loved ones not just here on earth, but also those who have gone before us, who now call Heaven home!

Kids question: What makes you healthy and strong?

Eating ??? (30 votes)
Drinking ??? (27)
Drinking ??? (20)

Looks like we’ve got a stumper for today!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

September 30, 2024 0

His fingerprints around us!

Today Monday Motivation comes from our friend Dan Bremnes and the song, ‘Fingerprints.’

Psalm 139 reminds us that the fingerprints of God are everywhere, but especially on us, because we are fearfully and wonderfully made – and God knit us together! Sometimes, we only need to look in the mirror to see His fingerprints, and know that we are loved!

Name something you might associate with a commercial airplane.

1- a pilot (28 votes)
2- a flight attendant (27 votes)
3- luggage (26)
4- peanuts (10)
5- emergency instructions (9)

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

Thanks for listening!
-Joe

September 23, 2024 0

He loves “people like us…”

Today’s Monday Motivation song comes from Micah Tyler and Emerson Day, “People Like Us.”

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

So if you’re on the mountain top, in the valley, somewhere in-between, weary or burdened, joyful or energized, remember – God loves people like us!

Name hot things:

1- Fire (26 votes)
2- Coffee (24)
3- Tea (21)
4- a stove (16)
5- a fireplace (13)

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

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

September 16, 2024 0

We call out to dry bones…

Ezekiel 37 shares the story of the power of God resurrecting dry bones. Literally bringing dry bones to life. Lauren Daigle and Michael Farren used this inspiration to write a song to encourage believers. The song is ‘Come Alive.’

Name something that thrill seekers love to ride.

Rollercoasters- 77 votes
Motorcycles- 8 votes
Tie – Hang gliders and Zip lines- 3 votes

Congratulations to Wendi from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

September 9, 2024 0

A new season…focused on the cross!

Today is the start of the fall semester at MVNU and I’m starting my 20th year of teaching communication and media. Today our President, Dr. Carson Castleman, shared a message about the power of the cross and how the life and sacrifice of Jesus encourages the surrender of:

Our worries. The act of surrender allows us to put our trust in Him.
Our control. We can’t manage every aspect of life. Let go of this illusion. Trust His ways!
Our past! Christ is ready to give us a fresh start! Our shared need for forgiveness binds us together.

Psalm 55:22 says,

“Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.”

Name something that thrill seekers love to ride.

?? 77 votes
?? 8 votes
?? 3 votes
?? also 3 votes

It’s a stumper! We’ll bring it back next week!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

September 2, 2024 0

Getting Started, again!

Today we officially start the new academic year at MVNU with our annual University Dinner and the return of most of our student leaders. Faculty begin meetings tomorrow and classes start in one week. That’s exciting, but also maybe daunting for those of us renewing our school year, again.

So my motivation message to you today comes from Jeremy Camp and the song, “Getting Started.” Sometimes getting something renewed or started again can come with mixed emotions. This song reminds us to put Jesus at the center of each and every day. New life begins and the old is renewed when we do this!

Name something you can ride on.

A bicycle (29 votes)
A horse (23)
A scooter or motorcycle (19)
A roller coaster (16)
Bus or train (13)

Congratulations to Gabriel from Mount Vernon, who wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening,
Joe

August 26, 2024 0

All The Glory is Yours!

Hi!

Today’s Monday Motivation song is The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours) by Matt Maher. The reason why I chose this song is because it is literally The Lord’s Prayer in song form. I love the way that Matt constructed the song. He put his own spin on it using The Lord’s Prayer.

Here is the music video: