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Devotionals Out Of God’s Word!!

Refuse to seek revenge! In Matthew 5:38, Jesus tells us, “You have heard that itw as said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.”

As believers and followers of Jesus, revenge should never be our response when we are wronged or hurt.

To read the full chapter of Matthew 5, click here!

Do you feel stuck in a mistake you made in the past, and maybe you even knew it was wrong in the moment? Whether it was 2 minutes ago, or 2 decades ago there is still redemption!

If you know the story of King David, you’ll remember a scandal he had with a woman named Bathsheba. King David took Bathsheba, committed adultery with her, and eventually murdered her husband by putting him in the front lines of a battle.

After all this took place, a prophet named Nathan came to David and made David realize the sins he committed. Once David realized his mistakes, he repented, apologized to God, and also wrote Psalm 51.

The beginning of this psalm says:

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
    and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
    and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
    you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

Read the full psalm here!

We learn from this psalm that God is a God of compassion and grace, with arms forgiveness waiting for us to repent from our sins– no matter what we have done! When we confess and repent from our sins, there is grace waiting there for us every time.

Whatever you have, bring it to God and leave it as His feet!

Today we played a 20-second clip of a Christmas song on The Afternoon Drive!

This week’s Name That Tune was Frank Sinatra’s rendition of Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Congratulations to Brenda from Mount Vernon for calling in and correctly guessing the song title and artist, taking home a $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Tune in on Friday for a special Afternoon Drive show where we go over all the new Christmas songs we added this year on WNZR!

Thank you for listening!
– Gabriella and Ethan

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Hugs and Gifts!!

Today is National Make A Gift Day!

For Who Knew Wednesday on The Afternoon Drive, we learned that today is dedicated to inspiring people to create personalized Christmas gifts for people they love. The heart behind this day is simple: Every person can be unique and create something they find fun and a blessing to someone they love!

Here are some ideas for a gift you could create:

  • You can bake a tasty treat!
  • You could write a poem or write a sweet letter!
  • You could create an origami!
  • You could raise a plant!

To learn more about this day, click here!

Today is also National Hug Day!

Regardless of what culture you grew up in, hugging is a universal way of showing affection to each other!

So what can you do to celebrate? Find your spouse, a family member, a friend, your children, even your pet, and show them your affection towards them and give them a hug!

To learn more about this day, click here!

Here were this week’s hints for our game of Who Am I?.

  1. I was born today, December 3, 1937, in Miami, Florida, and passed away on November 9, 2024, in Mooresville, North Carolina. 
  1. I was a central member of the famed “Alabama Gang,” a group of racers based in Hueytown, Alabama. This group was known for dominating NASCAR from the 1960s—1990s. 
  1. I won the 1983 NASCAR Cup Series Championship, driving for DiGard Racing. 
  1. I earned 84 official NASCUP Cup Series wins, tying me for fourth on the all-time wins list. 
  1. My career effectively ended after a near-fatal crash in 1988 at Pocono Raceway, which resulted in major head injuries and forced my retirement from driving. 

Today’s mystery person was a stumper! Tune in next week for a chance to win two $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Thank you for listening!
– Ethan Hershberger

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We talked with Dr. Bob Tocheff about MVNU’s Advent Service!

Dr. Bob Tocheff gives us a rundown and a peek behind the curtain of MVNU’s Advent Service! This free event will be in MVNU’s Chapel Auditorium on Wednesday, December 3rd at 7:30pm! Dr. Bob reveals which choirs and performing groups will be featured at this event, as well as the repertoire the Collegians Chorale will be featuring.

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The Holly Jolly 25 of 2025!

Here we go with wall-to-wall Christmas music!

Here are a couple of great Christmas songs we played today:

Name a Christmas Carol.

  1. Jingle Bells (35 votes)
  2. Silent Night (22)
  3. Deck the Halls (18)
  4. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (11)
  5. O Holy Night (8)

Congratulations to Melinda from Utica who answered correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Thanksgiving Eve 2025!

Today we shared a few Thanksgiving fact checks…quick, clear, and commonly misunderstood points:

✅ Fact Check #1: Did the Pilgrims call it “Thanksgiving”?

False.
The 1621 harvest gathering was not called “Thanksgiving” by the Pilgrims. That term was used for religious days of fasting and prayer, not feasting.

✅ Fact Check #2: Was turkey definitely served at the first Thanksgiving?

Probably false.
The only foods confirmed by historical accounts are venison, corn, and some type of fowl (which could have been duck, goose, or even swan). Turkey is possible but not verified.

✅ Fact Check #3: Did the Pilgrims wear black clothes and big buckled hats?

False.
That is a myth from later art. Pilgrims wore a variety of colors—earth tones, blues, greens—and buckles were not common until decades later.

✅ Fact Check #4: Did Abraham Lincoln make Thanksgiving a national holiday?

True.
In 1863, Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day, largely due to the advocacy of writer Sarah Josepha Hale.

✅ Fact Check #5: Was Thanksgiving always on the fourth Thursday of November?

False.
For many decades it was the last Thursday of November.
Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it to the fourth Thursday in 1941 to lengthen the Christmas shopping season.

✅ Fact Check #6: Are cranberries native to North America?

True.
Cranberries originated in North America, and both Native peoples and early colonists used them long before the modern sauce.

✅ Fact Check #7: Does the President really “pardon” a turkey?

True (but ceremonial).
The turkey pardon is a light-hearted tradition that became an official annual practice during the George H. W. Bush administration in 1989.

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We also heard some final totals for the 2025 Operation Christmas Child collection here in Knox County. Jill Haught shared with WNZR that we surpassed our goal by 272 boxes, collecting 5,930 boxes!

  1. I was born November 26, 1939 in Brownsville, Tennessee
  2. I rose to fame in the 1960’s, with a band known for hits like ‘Proud Mary.’
  3. I left that group in 1976 and rebranded as a solo artist, breaking through with my 1984 album, “Private Dancer”
  4. I sold more than 100 million records and earned multiple Grammy Awards
  5. I died in 2023 at my home in Switzerland at 83 years of age.

Congratulations to Jennifer of Fredericktown, who guessed correctly that our Who Am I? artist was Tina Turner! Jennifer wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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It Seems Impossible Until It’s Done!!!

On this Monday Motivation we talked about some inspirational strictures for you and Thanksgiving in a Christian point of view! We also took a look at some encouraging and uplifting songs during The Afternoon Drive! Here’s what we talked about:

Gabriella’s Monday Motivation was Build a Boat by Colton Dixon– Faith and obedience: faith requires action, just as Noah built the ark before any rain came. Preparation for the future: preparing for tough times and “storms” that may come in life, even if you don’t see them yet. Trust in divine guidance: God will help you navigate the “currents underneath”. Perseverance: stand up for your beliefs and do “whatever it takes,” even when others think it’s “lunacy”. Hope: The song provides a message of hope that even in a “desert place,” God’s promises will be fulfilled.

Joe’s Monday Motivation was Thank You by The Katinas– With Thanksgiving coming up this week it’s important to understand what God has done for YOU. We should be more thankful for the GIVER than the GIFT! 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:6: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”.

WNZR is getting ready for the holidays and that includes getting Christmas Music ready for you! We are currently playing some special songs for Thanksgiving and debuting some new songs for Christmas. Then join us for WNZR’s Holly Jolly 25 from December 1st through Christmas Day! 25 straight days with ALL Christmas Songs!

The leaves that Joe raked over the weekend 🙂 (Below)

Name something the cook might stress about on Thanksgiving. 

  1. The turkey being cooked properly (43) 
  1. Not having enough food (22) 
  1. Spilling something (15) 
  1. Running out of a dish (10) 
  1. Guests not enjoying the meal (10) 

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

Tune in Tomorrow for Artist Newsday and Gametime Tuesday with Ethan and Joe!

Thanks for listening!

– Gabriella and Joe

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NZ Top 10 for 11/21/2025

What a week! We have a few new placements on the Top 10! Here is this week’s countdown:

10. Leanna Crawford – Honest

09. Elevation Worship & Brandon Lake – I Know A Name

08. Lauren Daigle – Let It Be A Hallelujah

07. Seph Schlueter – Won’t Start Now

06. Hope Darst – Mighty Name Of Jesus

05. Phil Wickham – What An Awesome God

04. Crowder – STILL

03. Jeremy Camp – No Survivors

02. Jamie MacDonald – Left It In The River

01. Josiah Queen & Brandon Lake – Can’t Steal My Joy (4th week at #1)

New Music This Week:

Danny Gokey – The Moment The Whole World Changed

Sanctus Real & Sarah Kroger – Hope Begins

Jason Gray & Point of Grace – Comfort and Joy

Jason and Point of Grace are coming to Ohio with this song as the headline for their tour! They will be at the Sinclair Community College, on Centerville Campus, in Dayton, Ohio on Sunday, December 14th!

Ticket information for their Comfort & Joy Tour can be found here!

This is the last regular NZ Top 10 of the year! The Holly ’25 starts December 1st when WNZR goes to full Christmas music until the December 25th!

Thank you for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

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All-Star inspiration and Open House!

Today, I was in studio while Marcy and Ethan were On The Road With Big Blue at the Knox County Career Center annual First Chance Application and Open House night!

Find out more about KCCC and opportunities for students at this link!

I shared some online inspiration today from former MLB Mets great and all-star Darryl Strawberry, who I had the chance to meet a few years ago when he was here for NCO Camp Meeting! Darryl posted this today:

“To all the Men who are searching out there, it takes Real Guts and Courage to truly follow the Lord. I’ve had every worldly success—money, cars, homes, women, trophies, and rings—but nothing compared to the true salvation I have now. Knowing that when I die, I will see Jesus for real changes everything. Wealth and fame might make people think you’re set for heaven, but the Bible teaches us otherwise. It’s about living right for God while there’s still time. This life isn’t about black or white or any color—Jesus Christ is coming back for Holy and Righteous people. Stand strong, live bold, and keep your eyes on symbol of the Cross.

Remember, brothers, the world’s treasures are temporary, but the grace of God is eternal. It’s easy to be distracted by the flash and the fame, but true strength is found in humility, faith, and obedience to God’s Word. The journey isn’t always easy—it takes sacrifice and sometimes standing alone—but the reward is beyond anything money or status can buy. Keep your heart focused on Jesus, live with integrity, and encourage one another in this walk. We’re not defined by our past or our skin color, but by the love and righteousness we carry through Christ. The battle is real, but victory is certain for those who remain faithful. Stay courageous, men. The best is yet to come. Love y’all!”

Today’s song: Chris Tomlin – At The Cross (Love Ran Red)

Congratulations to Barb from Fredericktown who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!

TOMORROW is the drawing for the Totally Tasty Tom Turkey Hunt!!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Time to Spend Time with Family!!

Who Knew – National Play Monopoly Day – A day celebrating one of the world’s most famous board games. It’s about playing the game and appreciating its role in bringing people together and offering a fun way to learn valuable life skills. 

Who Knew fact checks: Sloths can hold their breath longer than dolphins — up to 40 minutes by slowing their heart rate. 

The 25th Annual WNZR Totally Tasty Tom Turkey Hunt is back! Listen for Tom’s “Gobble” and be caller #5 to be REGISTERED to win a turkey thanks to Smithhisler Meats of Mount Vernon! The drawing will be this Friday during The Morning Thing, announcing FIVE winners.

Who am I?  

  1. I was born today, November 19, 1921, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
  1. I had started off my baseball career as a catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1948 to 1957. 
  1. I won the National League Most Valuable Player Award three times, in 1951, 1953, and 1955. 
  1. In 1958, I was in a car accident which left me paralyzed from the shoulders down, which ended my career. 
  1. I was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969. 

I am… Roy Campanella! Congratulations to Dave 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 Ethan and Joe!

Thanks for listening!

– Gabriella 🙂

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