Search

Driving Notes

The Official Blog of WNZR's Afternoon Drive

Open Search
Tag

90.9 FM

Unsung Heroes and Sold Out Crowd(er)s

It’s our first traditional Artist Newsday of 2022, and some of your favorite artists are already making the most of the new year!

For King & Country recently launched a pre-order of its upcoming new album What Are We Waiting For, along with its new song called “Unsung Hero”. The new album What Are We Waiting For asks a pivotal question in a pandemic-riddled world. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone provide the answer across 13 original tracks that confront relevant issues and confirm the duo’s commitment to community, diversity and family. Some featured artists in the album are Dante Bowe, Kirk Franklin, and Tori Kelley. Some songs that are included in the album are Relate, For God Is With Us and Together. 

Here is what Joel and Luke Smallbone had to say about this album. “What’s been particularly beautiful about this album is that we were able to be home with our families while making it,” They shared. “We cannot wait to now take more new songs on the road, to see you out there and make new memories with you all!” 

The recently released song, “Unsung Hero” is the most personal track on the upcoming album and is lovingly dedicated to the parents of Joel and Luke. The brothers raise their voices in reverent solidarity for the couple who made them the men they are today. You will be able to listen to the real-life story of the Smallbone family and its journey from Australia to America. 

Here is what the duo had to say about their parents. “Mom and Dad’s sacrificial love and selflessness inspires us to this day,” They said. “It’s hard to put into words what they mean to us, but they are both truly unsung heroes of ours. “Unsung Hero” goes out to every mom and dad, as well as every child who sees a hero in their parents.” 

Three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Crowder kicked off the new year at Passion 2022, performing to a SOLD-OUT crowd at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta earlier this week. Crowder hit the stage during the annual gathering’s triumphant, in-person return – the largest of its kind, which brings together collegiate students from campuses across the nation and around the world for two days of life-changing worship, teaching and a challenge to live for what matters most. 

Crowder’s current single “In The House” is climbing the Christian radio charts, and he has more than 30 tour stops through the spring, hitting the road with TobyMac to serve as direct support on the Hits Deep 2022 Tour, which includes shows in NYC, Denver, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and more. Fans can purchase tickets to Crowder’s upcoming shows by visiting crowdermusic.com.

Come all you weary
Come all you thirsty
Come to the well
That never runs dry

Congratulations to Jack of Mount Vernon for correctly guessing God So Loved by We The Kingdom. Jack wins TWO $5 gift cards to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!

Jonathon and Dylan

0

Starting the week right!

Hey, it’s Joe and it sure was great to return to the studio today after a week of vacation and another in isolation…

Today’s Monday Motivation starts with Cindy Kasper sharing about the joy that God provides, inspired by Proverbs 15. Read it by clicking here.

Jonathon shared a message of compassion from Kirsten Holmberg called ‘Hiding from God.’ You can find it by clicking here.

Name a sign that people disobey:
1- stop (60 votes)
2- yield (9)
3- do not enter (8)
4- no littering (5)
5- speed limit (4)
6- no smoking (4)

Congratulations to Barb of Fredericktown, who guessed our top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Jonathon

0

“Caring For Those In Need”

Today on the show we read some devotionals from Our Daily Bread. We also got an update from WNZR’s Joe Rinehart on how he and Marcy are feeling health wise.

Here are the devotionals that I chose from Our Daily Bread:

“Caring For Those In Need” by Julie Schwab. You can find the link here.

“A Worthwhile Wait” by Leslie Koh. You can find the link here.

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan

0

A Generation Chasing Christ

I was blessed with the opportunity to travel to Atlanta, Georgia to meet, celebrate, and worship with thousands of people at Passion 2022. Today on the show, I reflected on how God was able to move through 18-25-year-olds in this event to bring in the New Year!

Many big names in Christian music and ministry came together for the two day event including

  • Passion Music
  • Maverick City Music
  • Crowder
  • Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes
  • KB
  • Christine Caine
  • Jennie Allen
  • Louie Giglio
  • Tim Tebow
  • Sadie Huff
  • Levi Lusko
  • And More!

To watch any of the event on demand, visit https://www.passion2022.com/rewatch/session-one-english

Thanks for listening!

Jonathon

0

“True Identity”

Today on the show we read some devotionals from Our Daily Bread. We also gave an update on the Food For The Hungry total.

Here are the devotional’s that I chose:

“True Identity” by Xochitl Dixon. You can find the link here.

“We Need Our Church Community” by John Blase. You can find the link here.

Question: How many of Jesus’ brothers are named in the Bible?
Answer: Four

Congratulations to Jean of Johnstown for guessing the correct answer! She wins a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!

-Dylan

0

Do You Still Have Things To Do?

Today on the show we talked about how today is National Still Need To Do Day.

Here is the article about the National Holiday:

Still Need to Do Day comes at a lull time in the holiday season, before New Year’s festivities. Children are still out of school, and maybe you have some time off of work. With only a few days left in the year, you may start reflecting on what you have accomplished during the last trip around the sun, and what things were left undone. Today is for tying up some of the loose ends of the year, and getting things done before the calendar changes. Completing tasks give people a sense of accomplishment, and doing some now will lay a foundation to start the new year off strong. Thomas and Ruth Roy of Wellcat Holidays started the day, and while they put it on December 29 to illustrate the opportunity to finish things before the end of the year, they also said you have “the rest of your life” to do them, meaning that it’s okay if it takes longer than just today to finish them. They point out that procrastination does not move one forward, and that “it’s time to start pursuing the dream,” implying that not only small tasks need to be focused on, but large life goals as well.

How to Observe Still Need to Do Day

Celebrate the day by making a list of things that you wish to accomplish yet this year, and a second list outlining things that you hope to start focusing on during the upcoming year ahead—this second list may be part of your New Year’s resolutions. Then spend the day working to check off things on your first list and see if you can complete them. Maybe there is something broke in your house that you’ve been meaning to fix all year. Today is the day to do it! Is there something you have been meaning to buy all year to simplify your life, but you’ve been putting it off? Go out and get it today and start the new year fresh! Do you have children and they are off of school? If so, have them make lists too, and see what they can accomplish today as well.

·      I was born on December 29th, 1808 in Raleigh, North Carolina
·      I was born into poverty and never went to school
·      I was elected into the House of Representatives in 1843, where I served five two-year terms.
·      I was also the Governor of Tennessee for four years, and was elected by the legislature to the Senate in 1857
·      I became the 17th President of the United States following the assassination of then President Abraham Lincoln
I died on July 31st, 1875 due to a stroke

Answer: Andrew Johnson

Congratulations to Karolyn of Mount Vernon for guessing the correct answer! She wins a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!

– Dylan

0

Late Movement on the Charts!

For Artist Newsday, we recapped an awesome year for Dante Bowe and talked about how We The Kingdom made the most of their live performance on national television!

Dante Bowe has had a very successful year you could say. He has had arguably the most powerful year of his career and is closing out the season with top ten placements on three different Billboard Year End Charts. He is No. 9 overall for Top Gospel Artist, No. 4 for Top Male Gospel Artist, and No. 4 on Top New Christian Artists.

From the release of his deeply personal album, circles, via Bethel Music, to sold out performances, KLOVE Nominations, and multiple DOVE Award wins Dante’s incredible year culminates with three GRAMMY Award nominations in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category, a record that no other artist has achieved since the field was created in 2015.  

Earlier this year, Dante released his album and Bethel Music label debut, circles. The incredibly personal album quickly shot to the top of the charts, debuting at No. 7 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart. The lead single, ‘joyful,’ reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales and No. 3 on Hot Gospel Songs, making it the highest solo charting position of his career, and earned him a GRAMMY Nomination. The follow up single, ‘family tree,’ premiered on BET marking his first televised debut.

Next spring, Dante will join four-time GRAMMY Award winning duo for KING & COUNTRY on the road for the ‘What Are We Waiting For? – The Tour.” The 33-date trek will make stops in arenas throughout the United States beginning on March 31st in Southaven, MS before traveling through Chicago, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and more then wrapping in Franklin, TN on March 22nd. More information about the dates and tickets can be found at forkingandcountry.com.

We The Kingdom celebrated Christmas Eve with Fox & Friends, making an appearance on the show to perform their rendition of “Silent Night (Heavenly Peace).” Following their performance, the song soared to No. 1 on the iTunes Top Christian Songs chart (Top 15 all-genre), and the band’s holiday EP, “A Family Christmas”, also rose to No. 3 on the iTunes all-genre Top Albums chart.

The 2x GRAMMY-nominated group will kick off their headlining We The Kingdom Live tour in the new year, packing out the month of March with 16 shows! For tickets, make sure to visit wtklive.com.

Come all you weary
Come all you thirsty
Come to the well
That never runs dry

This week was a stumper so we will bring these lyrics back next week for a chance at TWO $5 gift cards to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!

Jonathon & Dylan

0

The Aftermath of Christmas

Today for Monday Motivation, we returned to Our Daily Bread to talk about what there is to look forward to after celebrating a holiday such as Christmas. Read the full devotional from Adam R. Holz HERE.

We also covered New Years as 2022 is quickly approaching! Tim Gustafson shares a story from Ezekiel in his devotional entitled “Back to the Basics”.

Name a book that could knock you out if someone hit you over the head with it.
  1. Dictionary 39
  2. Encyclopedia 25
  3. Bible 14
  4. Phone Book 14
  5. War & Peace 6

Congratulations to Aranae of Fredericktown for correctly guessing our top two answers! She wins the $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup for today. Make sure to tune in tomorrow for your next chance to win!

Thanks for listening!

Jonathon

0

“The Genealogy Of Jesus”

Today on the show we shared some Christmas devotionals.

Here are the Christmas devotionals that we chose:

MATTHEW 1 – THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS

#1

The New Testament begins in Matthew 1 with what’s called “the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah.”  Have you ever wondered why?

Matthew’s Gospel doesn’t begin with the nativity itself…the star, the shepherds and the manger. Instead, it begins with a long list of ancestry. And let’s be honest- how many times have we skipped through this?

In his book, Hidden Christmas, Pastor Timothy Keller gives us perspective on why Matthew started the story of Jesus this way. He reminds us that Christmas is not just about a birth, it is about a coming.

The birth of the Son of God into the world is a gospel, a good news, an announcement that says, you don’t save yourself – God has come to save you. Of course, Christmas is just the beginning of the story of how God came to save us. Jesus will have to go to the cross. But you begin with Christ by believing this report about what has happened in history. Matthew tells us here that this story is no fairy tale – Jesus is real!

Matthew doesn’t start his book with “Once Upon a Time.” That is the way fairy tales or legendary fantasy stories begin.  Matthew is grounding who Jesus Christ is and what he does in history with the genealogy.  Keller reminds us that in Matthew 1, we learn that Jesus is not a metaphor – he is real. This all happened!

#2

In this genealogy at the beginning of the New Testament, what else is Matthew saying?  Pastor Keller writes that the list of Jesus’ genealogy is also a type of resume.  In those times, your family, pedigree and clan made up your resume. Therefore, this list is really saying, “this is who Jesus is.”

Matthew’s genealogy is shockingly different from the other ones of his time. First, there are five women in the list. Three of them, Tamar, Rahab and Ruth, are Gentiles. The Jews would have considered them unclean. In fact, Tamar was a prostitute. He also refers to “Uriah’s wife,” who you may know is Bathsheba. These names recall some of the most difficult stories in the Old Testament. Yet, they are in Jesus’ genealogy. Why?

But wait, in verse 6 we have the name King David.  We might think, “now there is somebody we want in our genealogy!” David, after all, was the boy who killed Goliath, favored by Saul, anointed as King, and the man who conquers Jerusalem. But David also was a flawed man, who arranged the killing of his friend Uriah and whose son Solomon was the result of his affair with Bathsheba.  Yet out of that deeply flawed man, the Messiah came. These people are all acknowledged in Matthew 1 as the ancestors of Jesus.

So what does that mean?  Tim Keller asks us to think about it this way:

It means that people who are excluded by culture, society and even by the law of God can be brought into Jesus’ family.  If you repent and believe in Him, the grace of Jesus covers your sin and unites you with Him.

Moreover, with King David, it means even the powerful and great are still in need of the grace of Christ.  It is not what you have done; it is what Christ has done for you!

God is not ashamed of us.  We are all in His family!

Q: Only two Gospels include any details about the birth of Jesus. Which of them starts with a genealogy to establish that Jesus is the Messiah to whom Old Testament prophecies referred?

A: Matthew

Congratulations to Janice of Mount Vernon for guessing the correct answer! She wins a $5 gift card to Everlasting Cup!

Thanks for listening!

-Alyssa and Dylan

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑