On this day of remembering September 11, 2001, I’m sharing a prayer from the book ‘The Right Prayers for Every Need,’ from Christine Dallman and Randy Petersen.
Even as my heart is full of sorrow, Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessing of your comfort.
I admit, sometimes I don’t even realize you’ve come with your gentle touch until the moment passes. But I’m grateful for each bit of comfort that you bring. Those blessed distractions – the hummingbird at the feeder, my pet’s needs and affections, and a visit or phone call from a friend – these things give us a break from the ever-encroaching sadness.
And the reasons to keep going – people you’ve given me to love, skills and abilities I have to contribute to help others, and the sense of a future – all remind me that grief is not all there is to life.
Help me NOT reject these kindnesses from your hand but allow them to become a part of my healing.
A little Monday Motivation today from our friends, Kutless…
It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard, Impossible is not a word… It’s just a reason for someone not to try. Everybody’s scared to death, when they decide to take that step out on the water, but it’ll be alright
Life is so much more, than what your eyes are seeing You will find your way, if you keep believing
I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains Hope that doesn’t ever end, even when the sky is falling I’ve seen miracles just happen, silent prayers get answered Broken hearts become brand new… That’s what faith can do!
Congratulations to David from Mount Vernon! He guessed correctly that Blessing Offor came to the USA for medical treatment when he was 6 years old.
Name the most useful body part that begins with the letter ‘L’ 1- Legs (77 votes) 2- Lips (12) 3- Lungs (6) 4- Liver (4)
Congratulations to Molly from Mount Vernon, who wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.
Have you ever been approached someone asking, “what is that smell?” Then, you realize it’s you? Well, that was the experience of Adam Holz with one of his kids. He shares a reference to Ephesians 4 in the devotional, ‘Coffee Breath.” You can find it by clicking here.
Name an animal that would be very quiet if you kept it as a pet. 1- snake (28 votes) 2- fish (26) 3- cat (17) 4- lizard (12) 5- worm (5) 6- spider/tarantula 3 – bat (3)
Congratulations to Pam from Fredericktown, who guessed the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.
First, we have a NEW partner for the show – Watts Restaurant in Utica! We’ll be giving a $5 gift card to Watts away Monday through Thursday.
(photo from the Licking County Chamber)
Second, many of you know that I serve as board chair for the Mount Vernon Music & Arts Festival. Many of you probably don’t. This festival has been something I’ve personally invested in for years, but I became more involved in 2019. I’ve met so many new people and reconnected with others and truly have enjoyed helping put on a big party for our community each August.
I want to share my deep gratitude for your support and attendance this past weekend. Our team of volunteers works so hard to make this a great, family-friendly experience. Our director, Trina Trainor, is the captain of our team and just does a phenomenal job! I love working with Trina and our board – Debbie Ruggles, Noelle Walton, Adam Landon, Jacob & Melissa Francis, Tia Vicars and Mayor Matt Starr. Our group of volunteers who help with KidFest, youth showcase, security, shuttle driving, welcoming people, the auction and set-up and teardown are just incredible. Plus our families, who sacrifice their time and support us in this endeavor. Victoria at the Grand Hotel, Megan with MVAC, Carol at the Chamber of Commerce, Olivia at the CVB, and Dena at the Woodward Opera House are also big keys to our success.
We all know that there are big costs behind a free festival, so the support of Ariel Corporation, Park National Bank, MVAC (Mount Vernon Arts Consortium), Factory Link, The Blue Nation Group, Ariel Foundation, the Knox County Foundation and Ramser Arboretum are critical.
I’m sure I missed someone, so many, many heartfelt thanks, again!
Name something on the table at a restaurant.
Menu (48)
Glasses (20)
Silverware (17)
Dishes (10)
Salt and Pepper Shakers (5)
Congratulations to Ericka from Fredericktown, who wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica!
Today we reflect on Colossians 3:13 since it’s Forgiveness Day…
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
…and remember, every day can be forgiveness day! Monica La Rose shared a wonderful devotional called ‘A Future With Forgiveness,’ that reflects on how South Africa tried to move forward after years of racial injustice. Read it by clicking here!
Name a popular summertime vegetable (your top two): Tomatoes (30 votes) Corn (20 votes) Squash (11) Zucchini (10) Carrots (8) Cucumbers (5) Broccoli (4) Peas (2) Lettuce (2) Green Beans (2) Potatoes (2)
Congratulations to David from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the two one-day passes to the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool.
Peggy from Mount Vernon also won our tickets for the ‘Sound of Freedom’ film screening next Monday!
This is today’s song-inspired Monday Motivation! From the incredible CeCe Winans!
They say this mountain can’t be moved (refers to Matthew 17:20 and 21:21; Mark 11:23 – ‘faith like a mustard seed’) They say these chains will never break But they don’t know You like we do There is power in Your name (Jeremiah 32:17 – ‘nothing is too hard for you!’)
We’ve heard that there is no way through We’ve heard the tide will never change They haven’t seen what You can do There is power in Your name So much power in Your name (Hebrews 1:3 – ‘The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word’)
Move the unmovable Break the unbreakable God we believe God we believe for it
From the impossible We’ll see a miracle (Genesis 18:14 – Sarah will have a son) God we believe God we believe for it
We know that hope is never lost…oh… For there is still an empty grave God we believe no matter what There is power in Your name (Matthew 19:26 – “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”) So much power in Your name
Move the unmovable Break the unbreakable God we believe God we believe for it
From the impossible We’ll see a miracle God we believe God we believe for it (hey)
You are the way When there seems to be no way We trust in You God You have the final say, yeah
What is the best fruit to buy in the summer? Watermelon (49 votes) Strawberries (23) Pineapples (12) Oranges (3) Mangos (3) Cherries (3) Peaches (2) Raspberries (2)
Congratulations to Linda from Gambier, who guessed the top two answers correctly and wins the Katy Nichole CD, ‘Jesus Changed My Life.’
So you may know that five members of our WNZR team (Marcy, Jonathon Langdon, Mike Basko, Mackenzie Holder and me) spent May 30-June 2 in Orlando, FL at the Christian Music Broadcasters’ Momentum 2023 conference. CMB is an organization that exists to support faith-based radio stations, both digital and terrestrial, plus all of their digital products, including podcasting, social media and video. CMB also helps link artists and broadcasters. WNZR has been a member for many years.
I go to Momentum when my calendar permits for two main reasons – to be spiritually and professionally fueled. I always learn something new that I can apply to my work as a professor and a member of the WNZR on-air team.
So…here are just a couple of my big takeaways from this year that I hope you can also ponder, use or apply…and I will continue to share these over the next few weeks.
Speakers Billy Dunn (leadership coach) and Lisa Harper (link here) challenged us on Wednesday to do some internal accounting – some self-reflection – of both our spiritual and leader selves. And let’s face it – we are all leading or influencing something or someone. Billy talked specifically about leadership being a gift; a service to be given, so we should make sure we are in a regular habit of doing self-assessment and thinking about Ephesians 5:15-16, “15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” If you had a broken GPS system, you’d work to fix it, right? So we need to be aware when our own internal GPS breaks down, and how to fix it.
Our leadership should be reflecting humility – tossing aside things like arrogance, entitlement and any thought of invincibility. Billy reminded us that the people you lead need to know you care and that you can be real and authentic – even when you make mistakes!
Trust is at crisis levels in our country, especially among leaders. We can foster trust when we are self-aware and pray fervently that Christ would guide our way, allowing us to value self-control, empathy, and building strong connections.
Lisa talked specifically about kicking your impostor to the curb – about peeling off everything that is keeping you from a deeper relationship with Jesus. When I heard that, I thought of Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith….”
Lisa shared her belief that we need to prioritize being alone and praying transparently with our Lord. Remember, He already knows, but even on our worst days, He still says, “that’s my son…that’s my daughter.” We don’t need to pose for Him, we simply need to accept and respond to His unconditional love!
Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold, from those whose walk is blameless.”
Name a color associated with summer. Yellow (58 votes) Blue (12) Pink (10) Orange (7) Green (6) Red (6)
Congratulations to Zeke from Johnstown, who guessed the top two and wins the Katy Nichole CD, ‘Jesus Changed My Life.’
He and his family came to the studio today and also got some bonus frisbees!
Today’s Monday Motivation focused on the beauty of creation, from Our Daily Bread author Lisa Samra:
In the 1901 hymn “This Is My Father’s World,” pastor and poet Maltbie Babcock wrote of the delight he felt on his frequent outdoor walks, where he was captivated by breathtaking panoramic vistas. Writing of his fascination with the skies, seas, and creatures, he described sensing God’s presence and concluded, “He speaks to me everywhere.”
Although creation doesn’t have an audible voice, as His handiwork it’s one important way we learn about the One who “made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them” (ACTS 14:15). In creation we see evidence of God’s glory (PSALM 19:1), as well as aspects of who God is, such as His eternal nature (ROMANS 1:20).
When we observe the strength of the wind or the roar of rushing water, creation showcases God’s power. Described in the poetry of Job 38, His power is evident in ordering the seasons (VV. 12-13), directing the weather (VV. 22-30), overseeing the cosmos (VV. 31-33), and sustaining living creatures (VV. 39-41).
Creation is also the means by which we experience many of God’s blessings. Through creation, He blesses us with food and drink (GENESIS 1:29-30), as well as many other necessities that sustain us (MATTHEW 6:25-33). More than simply a physical blessing, creation is a way that God restores our souls as we experience the peace of gentle pastures and quiet streams (PSALM 23:1-3).
In all these ways and more, creation is visible and tangible evidence of who our Creator God is, revealing His character, love, and constant care of us.
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Here’s the Amy Grant version of the song we played on the show today!
Give me a three letter word that starts with the letter Z: 1- Zoo (40 votes) 2- Zip (18) 3- Zap (15) 4- Zen (13) 5- Zit (13)
Congratulations to Lisa from Howard who guessed the top two and wins the Chris Tomlin CD, ‘Always.’
It may only be May 8th, but summer (what?) is here at WNZR.
The MVNU academic year finished last week for students, while professors are finishing their grading this week. We are so grateful for your prayers and support as we make another transition this summer!
I will be hosting the Monday shows solo this month, while Zoe Bricker joins me on Tuesdays-Fridays.
Personally, I am grateful for Jonathon, Emma and Dylan, who all helped us finish last week strong, balancing finals and graduation with the Crossroads League Softball Tournament. Our entire WNZR team was in overdrive last week to wrap up the 22-23 year.
Driving Notes 