Here’s this weeks countdown!
10. Zach Williams – Survivor
9. Josh Baldwin – Stand in Your Love
8. Sanctus Real – Confidence
7. For King and Country – Joy
6. TobyMac – Everything
5. Casting Crowns – Only Jesus
4. Micah Tyler – Even Then
3. Hillsong Worship – Who You Say I Am
2. Tauren Wells – Known
1. Lauren Daigle – You Say
Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Lilly
New Year’s resolutions… we talked about these last week…people making ‘changes’ for the new year. But what does it really mean? To RESOLVE to do something different in 2019.
Today we’re discussing some ideas for us to consider if we call ourselves Christians; people “of and for Christ.” What are some things we could resolve to do differently in 2019 as believers? Author and producer Phil Cooke offered some suggestions in an article this week where he challenged readers to do things that show we actually believe the Bible. Last week we shared:
READ THE BIBLE
TAKE PRAYER SERIOUSLY
BE THE CHURCH INSTEAD OF JUST GOING TO CHURCH
BE MORE MINDFUL OF SOCIAL MEDIA
This week, here are four more:
SERVING OTHER PEOPLE: many people want to complain or gripe about how Christ is not “known” in the culture anymore. Here’s a quote from Pastor John Piper, “Christ will be known in the culture when we begin treating people better than they deserve.” Knox County alone has so many great ways for you to get connected to serving others. Your church probably does, too. Think about practical ways to serve with nothing more than your hands and feet.
TAKING BOLD CHANCES: Phil Cooke shares that it’s rare that we hear of a standout leader in science, politics, business, or even entertainment who is a believer. Maybe our influence is disappearing because we’re not raising up remarkable people in those fields. What are we doing in the Christian community to find, mentor and raise up those types of leaders?
UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF LIVING A MORAL LIFE: Rather than criticizing immorality in the outside culture, we lead by starting on the inside, becoming examples ourselves of what a moral life could accomplish. The fall of Christian leaders does damage to our witness. Losing our moral authority diminishes our chance to influence others…and the culture at large.
INVESTING OUR LIVES IN JESUS: we talked about living a moral life earlier, but that starts with investing in Jesus first. In other words, not being so concerned about our status, title or position, but being concerned about investing in Christ first, and then letting him take care of the rest.
Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd
We all want to be more productive, right? Maybe one of your resolutions was to be more productive this year, whether that be at work or at school… maybe even both!
Today on the Drive, we shared 5 ways to be more productive at work, and another 5 on how to be more productive at school!
For work…
1. Stop multitasking
It can be tempting to want to take care of a few tasks at once, especially if they seem small or easy. But it simply doesn’t work. According to neuroscience professor Earl K. Miller, “multitasking is not humanly possible.” We’re fooling ourselves when we say we can easily juggle phone calls, presentations, and eating lunch. Focus on one task at a time, and you’ll actually end up completing it faster.
2. Take breaks
We might think working longer hours means we’re getting more done, but we never work as well when we’re burned out. Studies show taking regular breaks helps concentration and boosts your mood. Take a five-minute walk around the office, or spend 15 minutes grabbing that mid-afternoon coffee.
3. Set small goals
Sometimes, looking at our goals can be overwhelming. Seeing a handful of big projects on our calendar can be stressful… but if you break it up into smaller tasks, you’ll feel more in control and will be much more productive. Rather than write down “finish project,” break that into all the tasks it will take. This will keep you on track in your day-to-day and make the bigger projects seem less daunting.
4. Take care of the biggest tasks when you’re most alert
We all sometimes push aside big goals because we’re not confident we’ll accomplish them… And by the time we get to them, we’re too burned out from our day to give it the attention it needs. That’s how projects end up bleeding into additional days, and making it feel like productivity has disappeared.
5. Implement the “two-minute rule”
Make the most of your time at work by filling those tiny windows with actual tasks. According to entrepreneur Steve Olenski, finding and immediately completing tasks that take two minutes or less actually saves you time. So, if it takes less than two minutes, do it now.
The other aspect of the two-minute rule is that any goal or habit can be started in under two minutes. This doesn’t mean you’ll be able to complete every task in 120 seconds, but starting new goals is the first step to accomplishing them!
Here are 5 ways to be more productive at school…
1. Start homework within one hour of coming home.
It is important to get a snack and take a break. It’s been a long day! But, keep the break short so you can get homework done while your brain is fresh. The later you wait, the more fatigued your brain will be. In other words, the earlier that you do homework, the less time it will take.
2. Take advantage of “down time.”
We tend to do a lot of “waiting” during these hours. Waiting for a ride home. Waiting for a doctor appointment. Waiting for basketball practice to start. Pull out your homework and get something done! You will be amazed how much you can do in ten-minutes. In fact, your brain prefers shorter work segments. Your brain works faster during these short homework times than it will during a two-hour homework marathon.
3. Use a timer.
No one likes to do homework. But, you can challenge yourself to do it fast by working to beat a timer. Your body will respond to this challenge with a natural adrenaline rush that will last about 15-20 minutes. That is PRIME time to be productive with your homework!
4. Power down.
Turn off all of your electronics. I know this does not sound like fun, but electronic devices will always control you if you don’t control them. Students who “power down” for 1-2 hours a night report getting their homework done 2-4x faster! Try it.
5. Learn study skills to help you work efficiently.
The national and state education departments tell schools what they have to teach and there’s a LOT! But, it is all content. They do not allow schools the time to teach how to learn that content, which is absurd! Learning HOW to learn takes a little bit of guidance and practice, just as a baby needs when he first learns how to walk. But, once you get it, you GET IT! Study skills help all students, from those that struggle to those that get straight-A’s, use their brain’s strategically to get better grades in LESS time.
Thanks for listening!
– Lilly and Todd
Today we launched our Winter Jam 2019 pass giveaways…
Our artist trivia question was: The Newsboys won their first two Dove Awards in 1995. The first was for Rock Album of the Year for “Going Public.” The second was Rock Recorded Song of the Year for what song?
The answer? Shine.
We also played Mystery Monday trivia with this ‘Family Feud’-style question, asking you to come up two of the top five answers to this question: Name something you haven’ t done since high school gym class.
The top five answers? 1- Run a mile. 2- Dodgeball. 3- Push-ups. 4- Sit-ups or crunches.
5. Lift weights.
Congratulations to Ruth of Mount Vernon who guessed #1 and #3 and wins the $5 gift certificate to Troyer’s of Apple Valley.
Thanks for listening!
– Joe
Good First Friday of 2019! This week’s countdown includes:
10. Zach Williams – SURVIVOR
9. Josh Baldwin – STAND IN YOUR LOVE
8. for King & Country – JOY
7. Sanctus Real – CONFIDENCE
6. TobyMac – EVERYTHING
5. Casting Crowns – ONLY JESUS
4. Micah Tyler – EVEN THEN
3. Hillsong Worship – WHO YOU SAY I AM
2. Tauren Wells – KNOWN
1. Lauren Daigle – YOU SAY
We also added three new songs this week – click the images for the videos!
Lauren Daigle – LOOK UP CHILD
I Am They – SCARS
Pat Barrett f/Cory Asbury – BUILD MY LIFE
Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd
New Year’s resolutions… we hear about them all this week. But what does it really mean? To RESOLVE to do something different in 2019.
Today we’re discussing some ideas for us to consider if we call ourselves Christians; people “of and for Christ.” What are some things we could resolve to do differently in 2019 as believers? Author and producer Phil Cooke offered some suggestions in an article this week where he challenged readers to do things that show we actually believe the Bible. Here are a few:
READ THE BIBLE: Research from the Center for Bible Engagement shows that engaging the Bible four or more times a week actually causes visible behavioral changes. But it also showed that only about 19% of church-going Christians read the Word daily and 40% said they read the Bible, “once a month, rarely, or never.”
The survey is revealing, and you can find it here: https://backtothebible.org/research
TAKE PRAYER SERIOUSLY: The research shows that only 63% of Christians say that prayer is essential. So think about what that means…more than a third of us think it’s not? Even when we attend church?
1 John 5:14: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
God delights in answering prayers that align with his will. But how do we know what God’s will is? The most reliable way to know is by reading his Word. As we seek God through Bible reading and prayer, we get to know his heart and gain wisdom and spiritual insight. This gives us a greater understanding of how to pray according to his will, and a greater chance of having our prayers answered.
Why would we not do this?
The next one…
BE THE CHURCH INSTEAD OF JUST GOING TO CHURCH: this means we get connected to church not just for what we can get out of it, but for what we can give back to it. Being a vital and supportive member of a local congregation. This also offers chances for us to serve. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us to “not neglect our meeting together, but encourage one another.”
Here’s one you may not have thought of…
BE MORE MINDFUL OF SOCIAL MEDIA: what does this mean? It means that we take it seriously. How we consume it and how we contribute to it. Don’t be the critical and judgmental one. Sometimes we also pass on information without verifying its truth or authenticity. Try not to undermine the work of the gospel with the way you are using your social networks.
Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd
Thanks for hanging out with us today for the first Afternoon Drive of 2019!
Today we talked about some of the resolutions that we’re making and how to keep with them! Read today’s Morning Thing’s blog on resolutions here!
Todd’s resolutions are to be more active, work on his discipline, and to focus more on his personal upkeep!
Lilly is aiming to eat (healthier), read more instead of spending so much time on social media, and stay constant with my devotionals.
Jordan Lewis, on-air DJ at WNZR is looking to stay positive this year!
About 80% of people fail their New Year’s resolutions by February.
What’s the secret to keeping the resolutions? Here are three quick things to check your resolutions against.
Keep it Simple
Many people use the New Year as an opportunity to make large bucket lists or attempt extreme makeovers, whether personal or professional.
Make it Tangible
Setting ambitious resolutions can be fun and inspiring, but the difficulty in achieving them means that your elation can quickly give way to frustration. That’s why goals should be bounded by rational, achievable metrics.
Make it Obvious
Experts recommend charting your goals in some fashion, although there’s no universal strategy for success. For some, making a clear to-do list is enough of a reminder; others rely on “vision boards” or personal diaries.
An emerging tactic: share your goals with your friends and family. It’s another way to build accountability, especially in the Facebook era.
Thanks for listening!
– Lilly and Todd
Today we had our last NZ Top 10 of 2018! Wow!
For today’s show, we counted down the top 10 songs of 2018.
Be sure to listen to the Morning Thing share the top 30 songs of 2018 on December 31st!
Here are your top 10 songs of 2018!
10. Do It Again – Elevation Worship
9. Confidence – Sanctus Real
8. Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship
7. Control – Tenth Avenue North
6. Known – Tauren Wells
5. Grace Got You – MercyMe (ft. John Reuben)
4. Fear is a Liar – Zach Williams
3. Joy – For King & Country
2. You Say – Lauren Daigle
1. Reckless Love – Cory Asbury
Here’s some fast facts about our Best of 2018 Countdown…
– Our #1 song is nominated for a Grammy Award and was named the Song of the Year at the 2018 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards
– Our #1, #2, #3, #5 and #6 songs are all nominated for the “Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at the 2019 Grammy Awards!
– Zach Williams, Lauren Daigle and Elevation Worship are all nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album of the Year at the 2019 Grammy Awards!
Be sure to listen on December 31st for more awesome music from 2018!
Also, check out a couple of our favorite songs from 2018 that aren’t in the top 10!
Not Today – Hillsong United
Born Again – Austin French
If You Ain’t in it – Danny Gokey
Everything – TobyMac
Thanks for listening!
– Lilly and Todd
Today we wrapped up our devotional on dealing with fear! This has been such an insightful devotional, helping us combat something I think we all deal with.
Here’s today’s devotional:
There is a certain beauty that comes when we surrender our lives to the Lord. In that place of surrender, we receive the power from God to be more than a conqueror. We are no longer a slave to fear because of our position in Christ. The final choice this week is to surrender your very life instead of striving to defeat your fear(s) in your own strength.
We follow Jesus’ example. In learning to overcome, we must first lay our lives down. We yield our will to the Lord. We surrender our feelings to Him. We abandon our very lives. When we learn to surrender to the One who created us, we become free.
I discovered that when I gave up my fears to the Father and I received His love, I was able to start healing. Fear no longer had a hold over me. I was ready to embrace living a fearless life because as a child of God, I could overcome. It was by His power and strength that I could let truth lead—that I could apply wisdom to my lifestyle—to make right decisions and changes that lead to the wellbeing of my life and my family. It’s not by my own strength. I could not conquer fear without the power of the Holy Spirit leading and guiding me.
God wants to heal you from any form of fear. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as you surrender your fears to Him. Listen to His voice. Learn to think full, clear thoughts and walk free. You can live free because Christ has set you free from fear in all its forms.
Live a surrendered life because that’s the key to living a fearless life.
What do you need to surrender to God as you conclude this devotional?
Some of the scriptures we talked about today:
Luke 9:24-25
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
John 10:10-11
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Our prayer for today…
Jesus, I pray that you bring me to a place of surrender. In You, I am more than a conqueror, I am no longer a slave to fear, and I surrender my life, Lord, instead of trying to win my battle against fear by my own strength. Help me to lay my life down and yield my will to you. Surrendering my feelings to You, abandoning my very life. Help me give up my fears and receive Your love, so that fear no longer has a hold on me. Remind me that living a surrendered life is how I live a fearless life. I will be fearless in You as I lay my life at Your feet, Jesus. Amen.
Thanks for listening!
– Lilly and Todd
Driving Notes 