Story Behind the Song

Pet Day Who Knew!

36.5% of US households own a dog, 30.4% own cats, 3.1% own birds and 1.5% own horses. Starting a blog with a statistic like that must mean it’s pet day!

FUN FACTS AND STATISTICS

94% of pet owners say their animal pal makes them smile more than once a day.
Pet owners in the United States spent $60.28 billion on their furry friends in 2015.
Nearly 80 million U.S. households have a pet, and 42 percent of those households have more than one.
81 percent of cat owners let their cats sleep on the bed.
73 percent of dog owners let their dogs sleep on the bed.
Forty-five percent of pet owners say they occasionally (or frequently) buy presents for their animals.
- Want to make your fuzzy companion a cake on their birthday? (Of course).
- Peanut Butter Delight Doggy Cake recipe
- Coconut Honey Doggie Cake recipe
90% of pet owners say they consider their pet a member of the family.

Dogs and cats are the most common household animals, so of course, we have some fun facts about our furry friends.

Dalmatians are born without spots! They are born with plain white coats with their first spots appearing after they are 1week old.
Nine percent of dog owners will have a birthday party for their pet.
Every dog has a unique nose print with no two alike.
Dogs have about 100 different facial expressions, most of them made with the ears.
Cats have no collarbone, which is one reason they are so flexible.
Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs have about ten!
Cats don’t typically meow at each other—that’s a communication tool reserved for their humans.
A cat’s tongue is scratchy because it’s lined with papillae—tiny elevated backwards hooks that help to hold prey in place.

THE NAME GAME

Ever ask yourself what the most popular pet names are?
For dogs…
Max, Charlie, Cooper, Buddy, and Jack are the 5 most popular male dog names.
Bella, Lucy, Daisy, Luna, and Lola are the 5 most popular female dog names.

And for cats?
Nala, Luna, Bella, Daisy and Abby are the top 5 female cat names.
Simba, Tiger, Milo, Bear and Oreo are the top 5 male cat names.

DINNER WITH YOUR DOG

Here’s what you need…

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 salmon portions SKIN ON
(1 oz per every 10 pounds your dog weighs) plus any amount you would like
1 squash
1 head of broccoli (with stem)
3 potatoes (any kind)2 carrots

For the dog portion…

Cut broccoli stem, peel carrots and cut squash. Keep the peelings as this is for your dog. Mix together and steam in rice cooker or bake in oven.
Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil on your potatoes and place them in the oven.
Pan fry salmon in 1 table spoon olive oil with skin on. Start with skin side down on the pan at a medium temp. After flipping, pull off crisp salmon skin off both pieces of salmon and place in dog bowl.
Once everything is finished cooking mix all together in dog bowl. Chop to small bitesize for ease and a cleaner floor!

For the human portion…

Cut broccoli, carrots, squash and steam in rice cooker.
Slice potato chips with a slicer. If you only have a knife, make french fries instead. Trying to cut thin potato chips by hand is not easy.
Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil on your potatoes and place them in the oven.
Pan fry salmon in 1 table spoon olive oil with skin on. Start with skin side down on the pan at a medium temp. After flipping pull off crisp salmon skin off both pieces of salmon and place in dog bowl.

PICTURE TIME!

Here’s me with my goofy pupper, Tula
And below, my first dog, Pokey!

Here’s the Rinehart family Yorkie, Belle.

This one to the left is my friend Megan’s cat, named Charlie.

This one here to the right is another one of Megan’s cats, Buttercup.

This cutie here is Mariah Kick’s (WNZR Graphic and Web Designer) dog, Oscar.

This sweetheart here is one of Lexie Merritt’s (On-Air DJ) many animals, her dog, Ringo!

Lexie also has a cat. Meet Shmonster!

This little cutie is Abbi Brown’s (On-Air DJ) doberman puppy, Riggs.

The handsome guy on the right completes the Brown’s Doberman duo, Blue.

This is Jaxon Yoder (WNZR Staff member) with his adorable Boxer dog, Star.

This is Daisy Lu, she’s Danielle Zoellner’s (On-Air DJ) little baby!

This is Cierra Strawser’s (On-Air DJ) cute pride and joy, a Great Dane by the name of Daisy.

One from when she was a baby, and one from a little more recently.

This is one of Hannah Radke’s (Afternoon Drive Co-Host) cute little cats, Uncle Sam (or Sammy for short).

This is Abby Fairless’s (WNZR Promotions Director) little puppy, Lexie!

Thanks for listening!!! Please enjoy our pictures of our pets!
-Lilly and Joe

April 11, 2018 0

Lifeline 2018: Fix My Eyes

“When I sleep and when I rise,
Help me Lord, to fix my eyes.”

Firstly, if you want to learn everything there is to know about Lifeline 2018, click here!

Secondly…
It’s the last Praise Thursday before Lifeline 2018!
This means, today, we dived into the theme song of Lifeline 2018, “Fix My Eyes” from For King and Country! Read on to dive into the lyrics and scripture of the song!

The first verse goes like this…
Hit rewind
Click delete
Stand face to face with the younger me
All of the mistakes
All of her heartbreak
Here’s what I’d do differently

Hitting rewind and clicking delete is something I really wish I could do – and quite often at that. Here’s what we learn about that from scripture…
Philippians 3:13 – “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”
There are so many things we wish we could hit rewind and click delete on, getting rid of that messy past, standing face-to-face with the younger us. But Philippians tells us that we should forget what is behind us.
Once we come to fix our eyes on Christ, our past fades away. No matter how dirty our past has been, Christ makes us clean and makes us new.

Christ isn’t looking at our mistakes. Christ isn’t looking at all the heartbreak.
He is calling us to stop dwelling on our past and hand that past to Him.
2nd Corinthians 5:17 also says :Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!”

The chorus goes like this…
I’d love like I’m not scared
Give when it’s not fair
Live life for another
Take time for a brother
Fight for the weak ones
Speak out for freedom
Find faith in the battle
Stand tall but above it all
Fix my eyes on you

One BIGGGG part of the song is the first line of the chorus. LOVE LIKE IM NOT SCARED.

Hooooowwwwww much easier would life be if we stopped being scared? I’ll be the first one to admit how generally scared of a person I am. I’m scared of everything from spiders to escalators to driving to not being good enough, and so many things in between. I’m scared of what other people think of me. I’m scared of what they’ll think if I really loved them like I wasn’t scared. WE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. God has not given us a spirit of timidity or fear. The creator of the universe and the author of love itself has given us a spirit of power and love and a sound mind. We might be the only glimpse of Christ that someone ever sees. We need to not be afraid to love because Christ was never afraid to love us. And we get to love like we’re not scared right here through WNZR. We have the opportunity to be the light of Christ every time you turn on that radio. We are blessed to be a light in this community of Mt. Vernon and we can’t do that without you.

Okay, clearly, we could do are whole show on just one of these lines. Let alone just this one part of the chorus – but what is this over all meaning of this part. I think these things are the outcome of what happens when we fix our eyes on God or When things that we can do in order to “Fix” our eyes – meaning if that our eyes were broken, that they were fixed on something worldly. These are things that we can do to remind us who is in controls the world.

The bridge… oh yes…
The things of Earth are dimming
In the light of Your glory and grace
I’ll set my sights upon Heaven
I’m fixing my eyes on you

The verses before 2nd Corinthians 4:18 also tell us that the troubles of this world are LIGHT and MOMENTARY. When we compare the weight of our current troubles to the glory that is going to be revealed to us in heaven through Christ, the troubles really do begin to seem light and momentary.

James 4:14 literally tells us that we’re a mist.
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

Yes our lives our short and the things of this earth don’t matter once we reach Heaven, but it matters how we live the lives we’re given here on earth. God has given us our lives not to promote our own name, but to tell the world of His.
Yeah, I’m a mist. But I’m a mist with purpose and I want to tell the rest of the mists about the Lord who has given me life.

Thanks for listening!
– Lilly and Hannah

March 15, 2018 0

Lifeline 2018: Point to You

Today, we dived into another Lifeline themed song- “Point to You” from We are Messengers! Check out the lyrics and scripture below!

Here’s the first verse…

“How can I forgive when I can’t forgive myself
How can I move on when all I have is regrets
How can I fix you when I keep turning away
How can I make it past the noise of my shame”

1^st John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.”

Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

It’s hard to forgive when we have no reference. It’s hard to move on, it’s hard to be fixed and it’s hard to make it past the noise of our shame. When we fix our eyes on God and learn that He has set the examples for us, we can do all these things more fully.

The pre-chorus is so powerful…

“Some healing for my heart
I need a revelation
A brand new start
I want simplicity
Where I can rest
But I need a miracle
to put my past to death”

1 John 1:9-
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 103:12 –
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.

God as taken our past and our past sin and thrown them out – but sometimes there is a lot of hurt left from those past sins – But Gods as got it *Psalms 23 – God is healing our hearts and grieving us peace like it says in psalms 23. We can become fully healed when we fix our eyes on Jesus and we can also have a peace that passes all understanding.

The chorus really packs a punch…

“I know you want my heart
My bruises and my scars
I’m coming as I am
The only way I can
I can’t forget from where I’ve come
And what my heart’s been rescued from
Yeah when they ask me who
I owe my whole life to
I point to You”

James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

God wants us! He wants us – the creator of the galaxies wants us. And he doesn’t want this pretty perfect cleaned up version of us, because he knows that no matter how hard we try, it will never be good enough- That’s why he sent his son. To cleanses us. God doesn’t want this fake pretty picture of you, he wants you as you are – he knows that you broken and wants to help heel you, but you need to show him all the dark and gross, the bruises and the scars and let him heal those parts of your heart.

The first part of the second verse goes like this…

“I want so badly just to finally get well
But I don’t want a quick fix and emotional self”

This world is going to try to give you all these quick fixes. The world is going to try to get you to walk through all these doors that offer temporary happiness, a temporary cure. Once we fix our eyes on Christ, we know that this world has nothing to give us and that our hope and future is found only in Jesus, and He is the only one that can help us finally get well.

The second part of the second verse…

“I will be honest with my humanity
No I’m not perfect and I don’t pretend to be”

One of the hardest things to do is to admit when we’re struggling. Being honest with our humanity is so difficult and I know sometimes we want to pretend that we have it all together and pretend that we’re perfect, but that’s also difficult to do. In all reality, we are so broken. We are all broken. When we start being honest, it opens up a whole new world to us. We start becoming stronger as a Christian community because we are open and honest with each other because we now know that Jesus heals our brokenness and makes us new, and that’s what happens when we fix our eyes on Him.

The bridge is the most powerful part of this song…

“People say that I’ve lost myself
I’ll say I’m found in You
People ask where does my story end
I’ll say it starts with You”

Romans 6:14
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Psalm 39:4 -7
“Show me, LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my days a mere hand-breadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. 6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. 7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

We have been made new! As Christians Christs lives within us, we become one with him. We are no longer who we were but we are a new creation in him. That’s good and a reason to praise God, which we are on longer like our sinful self’s – are we perfect – no, but we are redeemed. The best part is, this life is just a breath, we get start our life in our true home. Heaven.

Thanks for listening!
-Lilly and Hannah

March 1, 2018 0

Another amazing day on the Afternoon Drive, dissecting Mandisa’s ‘Overcomer’ and also took a look at Hillsong United’s ‘Oceans’.

Staring at a stop sign
Watching people drive by
T mac on the radio
Got so much on your mind
Nothing’s really going right
Looking for a ray of hope

Where are you looking to find your ray of hope?
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
“You see, a real sign of spiritual maturity is looking to God for purpose and perspective instead of comfort and convenience.” – Lysa Terkurst

Whatever it is you may be going through
I know he’s not gonna let it get the best of you

1st Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
GOD IS FAITHFUL WHEN WE CHOOSE TO FIX OUR EYES ON HIM.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

You’re an overcomer
Stay in the fight ’til the final round
You’re not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it’s hopeless
That’s when he reminds you
That you’re an overcomer
You’re an overcomer

Exodus 14:14
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Deuteronomy 20:1-4
“When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.”

When it seems like all is lost, when you are down and out, when the walls are closing in, it’s not over. God is with us through the fight.

Psalm 20:7-8
“Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.”

John 16:33

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

In this world you WILL have tribulation.
God’s not saying it’s going to be easy. The opposite, in fact. But what He is saying is that He’s going to be there through it all.

The same man, the great I am
The one who overcame death
Is living inside of you

Like, honestly can we say any more?
This should get you SUPER PUMPED.
Remember, the next time you’re staring at a mountain you think you can’t climb, when you’re toe-to-toe in the ring with a seemingly unconquerable sin, when you feel like David against Goliath, the Man that overcame death for YOU, also LIVES in you.

So just hold tight, fix your eyes
On the one who holds your life
There’s nothing he can’t do
He’s telling you

When we’re fixing our eyes on Christ, there’s NOTHING we can’t do.
We need to remember that He gives us the strength and power to fight these battles. Not only that, He’s also fighting those battles right along side us.

Moving over to Oceans from Hillsong United now…

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown
Where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

The unknown is scary and we have, as humans have this really big fear of failing we say – what if God calls me to *Fill in the blank* and I fail? Maybe I should just not do it. You are called to go deeper – don’t play it safe, it’s better to fail with God by your side doing what he told you to do rather than to succeed in something else that God didn’t call you to – don’t be a Jonah.

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

We are his. He has adopted us as children of God and if we choose to fix our eyes on him – resting in his embrace, we can keep our eyes above the water! We can claim the God of EVERYTHING has OURs as our FATHER. Why should we fear anything when we are royal children of the king of kings, the Lord of Lord – the Great Redeemer.

Thanks for listening!
– Lilly and Hannah

February 22, 2018 0

Cherry Month Who Knew!

When it comes to fruits that remind me of summer, cherries almost always take the cake. They are sweet and never fail to take me back to a warm summers day, by the pool.

Today on the Drive, we got in the WNZR Time Machine and went to summer of 2018 courtesy of the fruit that we know and love as the cherry.

Here are some fun facts about this delicious superfruit…

There are more than 1,000 varieties of cherries in the United States, but fewer than 10 are produced commercially.
There are normally about 44 cherries to a pound.
In an average crop year, a sweet cherry tree will produce 800 cherries.
Despite the short fruiting season, Americans consume an average of 1.5 pounds of cherries each year.
Washington grows an estimated 62 percent of the nation’s sweet cherries.
Between Washington, Oregon and California, these three states produce 94 percent of America’s sweet cherries.
Michigan grows well over half of the country’s tart cherries, which are mostly used for cooking. (Still just as delicious).
Brian Krause set the record for cherry pit spitting at an annual contest in Eau Claire, Michigan in 2004, spitting the pit 93 feet. That same day, Krause spat a pit more than 100 feet in the freestyle competition, which allows for a running start.

Well, now that you know some fun facts about the fruit, you’re probably asking, what are cherries good for? Look no further for an answer.

Tart cherries have very high antioxidant activity. The activity is actually better than vitamin E and comparable to commercially available antioxidant products.
Sweet cherries contain fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanin, each of which may help play a role in cancer prevention.
Tart cherries are anti-inflammatory and may help lower your risk of gout attacks and reduce pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis
Consuming tart cherry may help increase your melatonin levels and improve your sleep
Sweet cherries have a low glycemic index of 22 — lower than apricots (57), grapes (46), peaches (42), blueberries (40) or plums (39). This makes them a better snack than many other fruits, especially for diabetics.
Cherries are very high in potassium, which helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure and reduces the risk of hypertension.

It wouldn’t be the Afternoon Drive without sharing some recipies, now would it?
Let’s give you a whole 4 course meal with cherries, shall we?

Perhaps we start the meal with a salad? Maybe three?
Orzo Salad with Mustard Greens and Cherries. Yes please.
Goat cheese goes great with cherries. Let’s put that on a salad.
Goat Cheese, Cherries and Pistachio Salad.
One final salad…
Spinach Salad with a Fresh Cherry Vinaigrette

For an appetizer? Let’s start with some meatballs.
Tart Cherry Glazed Spicy Meatballs.
Another appetizer? Don’t mind if I do. How about one for Game Day?
Instant Pot Tart Cherry Chicken Wings. (I’m drooling).
One more? Sure. Can’t say no to bread, right?
Here’s a Baguette stuffed with Brie and Cherries.

Okay. Main Course. Here we go.
Cocoa Cherry Pork? SIGN ME UP.
More main courses? Okay. You asked for it.
We have to have a meal from the mayor of Flavor Town.
Guy Fieri’s Cherry Bomb Chops. (I’m drooling again).
I’ll eat anything with the word ‘sassy’ in it.
Pork Burgers with Sassy Barbecue Sauce.

OH we can’t forget the drinks.
How about a Cherry Limeade from the Pioneer Woman herself?
Another? Okay. How about a healthy alternative?
You can’t go wrong with a Frozen Fruit Smoothie showcasing cherries.

Dessert. Can’t have a meal without dessert. Right?
A Black Forrest Trifle from my girl Katie Lee.
Ever wanted to use big cooking words like ‘compote’? Here’s your chance…
Nectarine-Cherry Compote. Oh Yes.

And delicious fruits aside, we come together as a country with heavy hearts for various reasons today. We turn on the TV and can’t watch for five minutes without hearing bad news after bad news. Whatever reason your heart is heavy today, we have hope.
The devil is on the prowl. He is active in our world maybe stronger than ever right now. We as Christians are called to put on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the schemes of the devil. We are called to stand on the front-lines and fight as a community against this darkness. We can stand on the front-lines UNAFRAID because we know that God is standing right there by us, and He has given us the strength, the courage and the power to fight this.

We looked at the song ‘Whom Shall I Fear’ from Chris Tomlin today.
It was a song that’s been in the back of my mind since this weekend, and just some of the lyrics seem so applicable to us right now.

Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

Darkness is filling the night. It is. But it cannot hide the light.
God is the light. We are the light. We cannot be hidden.
We need to be a nation that is ON FIRE for Christ that NO DARKNESS can hide.
We can do that when we remember the next thing Chris Tomlin says…
God is crushing the enemy beneath our feet.

God goes before us. There are countless scriptures that tell us that.
God is standing behind us.

Our strength is found in the name of Jesus
For it is His name alone that can save.
He is delivering us.
He is the victory.

Here are the lyrics from the bridge that give me chills. Ah.

And nothing formed against me shall stand.
He’s telling us that WE are protected.
God is holding the whole world in His hands.
Sometimes God is silent, and it’s hard. It’s so hard.
But we can hold on to His promises.
God is FAITHFUL.
Tomlin says that line 5 times in the bridge. It’s so important.And this song isn’t just something Chris Tomlin wrote.
It’s based off the most powerful chapter in scripture. Romans 8.
Romans 8:31 says “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” and that should be more than enough send the devil running far in the other direction.

It’s far and away time for our country to have a “War Room” moment.
A Priscilla Shirer moment.
“YOU’VE HAD YOUR WAY LONG ENOUGH. NO MORE.”
Jesus is the Lord of our house. There is no room for the devil anymore.
We need to stand up, and shout if we need to. Telling the devil to take his lies, and his schemes, and his accusations, and to get out IN. JESUS’. NAME.

Here’s the scene, if you haven’t seen it. So incredibly powerful.

It’s time we stand up and take back what is rightfully ours in Christ.

Thanks for listening!
-Lilly

February 21, 2018 0

Praise Thursday: Turn My Eyes

Today we got to do one of my favorite things ever in life, which is dissect a song!
We focused on the song ‘Turn My Eyes” from Bonray.

Lets take a little look at the first verse…

Every day I wake up and I meet the same old fight
Between a world of chaos and that quiet voice inside
And my phone keeps telling me there’s a million ways to find
Where my hope is, but it’s a lie

The world is going to lead us on a wild goose chase for hope. We can open every door, look down every alley, climb every mountain looking for hope in somewhere that’s not Jesus, and we’ll never be able to find it eternally.
1st Peter 1:3
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”

The chorus goes like this…

I know who to run to
Every time the rain comes pouring down
I know who to turn to, yeah
I know where to find that solid ground

Where are you running when the rain comes pouring down? Who are you turning to when you’re in search of solid ground?
Psalm 46:1-3
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 91:2
“I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”

That word refuge comes up a lot…
Refuge – noun
A condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble.

The second verse is probably my favorite part. Here’s the first two lines…

There’s a voice that’s calling me, way out on a distant shore
It says if I just take a step, I’ll find what I’m asking for

This is what ‘Fix Our Eyes’ is about.
Philippians 4:19-20
“And my God will fully supply your every need according to his glorious riches in the Messiah Jesus. Glory belongs to our God and Father forever and ever! Amen.”
We’re going to talk about Peter walking on water here soon cause that’s important.

The second part of the second verse is…

And this world keeps telling me, that I’ll sink beneath the waves
You’re my courage and You’re my faith.

Matthew 14:27-31

²⁷But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
²⁸“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
²⁹“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
³¹Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Peter sank because he took His eyes off of Jesus.
That first phrase that Jesus utters. UGH yes.
When the wind starts to kick up, are you looking in Jesus’s eyes? Or are you looking around at the things of this world for shelter?

The bridge! Ugh the bridge. Here it is…

Oh, all the things of earth start fading away
In the light of His glory and grace
I’ll lift my head up high and look to the One
Who’s with me every step of the way
I turn my eyes

Psalm 121:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Nothing on the face of this earth will ever compare to the love, glory, and grace of Christ Jesus. Nothing. Things are temporary. People are people. When it comes to the valley of the shadow of death, Christ is walking with you. Right by your side. All the hills and valleys in life, right there. Right by your side.

This point, that God is always there, ties right into another devotion I read last year, and is still relevant today. It’s about how God and His goodness is not dependent on our goodness, who we are, or what we’re doing.

“Yes, it is true, God will remain faithful even when you’re not, because His faithfulness rests on who He is. Not on what you’re doing.”

Second Timothy 2:13 “if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”

Think about this: The one who created and controls the world, the One who is the ultimate definition of what is loving, true, and good, and the one who alone has the power to fully defeat sin has chosen, because of His grace, to wrap His arms of faithful love and protection around you, and He will not let you go.

You can take your life off your shoulders because God has placed it on His. Security isn’t found in your faithfulness, but in His. He can be trusted even when you cannot. He will be faithful and good even when you are not. He’s going to do what is right and best even when you don’t, and He is faithful to forgive you when convicting grace reveals how unfaithful you’ve been.

God’s grace is calling you to invest in the one thing that will never come up short, and that one thing is the faithfulness of your Lord.

Thanks for listening!
-Lilly and Hannah

February 15, 2018 0

NZ Top 10 2/9

Here’s the countdown!

10. The Gospel – Ryan Stevenson
9. Point to You – We Are Messengers
8. Word of Life – Jeremy Camp
7. O Come to the Altar
6. Different – Micah Tyler
5. Old Church Choir – Zach Williams
4. Your Love Defends Me – Matt Maher
3. Broken Things – Matthew West
2. O’Lord – Lauren Daigle
WE HAVE A NEW #1! THAT’S RIGHT!
1. Control -Tenth Avenue North

Be sure to check out the new music from ‘Joy‘ from Tori Harper!

Our NZ Top 10 Back to Back Artist Spotlight this week fell on the husband and wife duo of Chris Radamaker and Jodi King! (Otherwise known as ‘Love and the Outcome’).

Check out their songs ‘The God I Know‘ and ‘If I don’t have You‘

We also were transported back to the year 2006 for the NZ Top 10 Rewinds!
Check out the songs ‘Our God Reins‘ from Brandon Heath, and ‘ForeverandEverEtc.’ from David Crowder Band! ]

Have a great weekend and thanks for listening!

-Lilly

February 9, 2018 0

NZ Top 10 2/2

Here’s the countdown!

10. Point to You – We Are Messengers
9.The Gospel – Ryan Stevenson
8. Word of Life – Jeremy Camp
7. Different – Micah Tyler
6. O Come to the Altar – Elevation Worship
5. Your Love Defends Me – Matt Maher
4. Broken Things – Matthew West
3. Old Church Choir – Zach Williams
2. Control – Tenth Avenue North
1. O’Lord – Lauren Daigle

Our NZ Top 10 Back to Back artist was Chris Tomlin!
Check out his songs ‘At the Cross‘ and ‘Home‘!

Our New Music Friday brought us BRAND NEW music from Hillsong!
Check it out. It’s called “So Will I (100 Billion x)”

Thanks for listening!
-Lilly

February 2, 2018 0

Battle Plan: The Gospel.

This week, we’re putting a wrap on the Battle Plan for Prayer!
We’re finishing up with the most important part of the plan… The Gospel.

God created us to please and honor Him. But because of our pride and selfishness, every one of us has fallen short of our purpose and dishonored God at different times in our lives. We have sinned against Him, failing to bring Him the honor and glory He deserves from each of us.

So, if any of us claims to be a good person, we need to be honest with ourselves: have we ever dishonored God by lying, cheating, lusting, stealing, rebelling against authority, or hating others? Not only do these cause consequences in this life, but they disqualify us from being right before God and living with Him in heaven for eternity.
God is holy, so He must reject all that is sinful. And because He is perfect, He cannot allow us to sin against Him and go unpunished, or else He would not be a just judge. The bible says our sins separate us from God and that the wages of sin is death. This death is not only physical, but also spiritual, resulting in separation from God for eternity.

What most people don’t realize is that our occasional good deeds do not take away from our sins, or somehow cleanse us in Gods eyes. If they could, then we could earn our way into heaven and negate the justice of God against sin. This is not only impossible, but it denies God the honor He deserves.

The good news is that God is not only just, but He is also loving and merciful. He has provided a better way for us to have forgiveness and come to know Him.
Out of His love and kindness for us, the Bible says He sent His only son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place and shed His blood to pay the price for our sins. This provided a pure sacrifice and a just payment to God for our sins and allowed Jesus to receive the judgement we are due. Jesus’ death satisfied the justice of God while also providing a perfect demonstration of the mercy and love of God. Three days after Jesus’ death, God raised Him to life as our living redeemer to prove that He is the Son of God.

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
These are two of the most encouraging bible verses to me as a Christian.

While we were still sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US.
WOW.

Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been given the opportunity of being forgiven and then finding peace with God. It may not seem right that salvation is a free gift. But the scriptures teach that God wanted to reveal the richness of His grace and kindness toward us by offering us salvation for FREE.
He is now commanding all people to repent and turn away from their sinful ways and humbly trust Jesus for their salvation. By surrendering your life to His Lordship and control, you can have forgiveness and freely receive everlasting life.

Millions of people around the world have found peace with God through surrendering their lives to Jesus Christ. But each of us must choose for ourselves.
“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” That’s from Romans 10:9.

Is there anything stopping you from surrendering your life to Jesus right now?
Be honest with yourself.
If you understand your need to be forgiven and are ready to begin a relationship with God, we encourage you to pray now and trust your life to Jesus Christ. Be honest with yourself about your mistakes. Be honest with God about your mistakes. Be honest with Him about your need for forgiveness. Resolve to turn away from your sin and to place your trust in Him and in WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS. Then open your heart and invite Him into your life to fill you, change your heart, and take control.
If you are not sure how to communicate this to Him, use this prayer as a guide…

“Lord Jesus, I know that I have sinned against You and deserve the judgement of God. I believe that You died on the cross to pay for my sins. I choose now to turn away from my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. Jesus I’m making You the Lord and the Boss of my life. Change me and help me now to live the rest of my life for you. Thank you for giving me a home in Heaven with You when I die. Amen.”

If you just prayed sincerely, and gave your life to Jesus, we congratulate you and encourage you to tell others about your decision. If you really meant it, there are some important steps to take now in this spiritual journey.
1. Find a bible-teaching church. Tell them you want to obey Christ’s command to be baptized. This is a great mile marker that allows you to publicly identify with Jesus, share your faith with others, and launch your new spiritual walk.
2. Find a bible you can understand. Read for a few minutes each day. Start in the book of John and ask God to teach you how to love Him and walk with Him.
3. Take advantage of the opportunities that you’re given to share your faith with others.

God has truly made a way for all of us to experience assurance and settledness in Him. Of all the things we do not know or cannot predict about life, we can know for certain that He is with us now, and that our souls are safe with Him forever.
God bless you as you live out and discover the truth of His promises.

Thanks for listening.
– Lilly and Hannah

February 1, 2018 0

Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

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