2016 is here! For some, this is an exciting time with expectations for new adventures and experiences. For others, the new year brings along challenges and uncertainty.

We hope that you will make a resolution to dig into scripture for 2016.
Click HERE for a list of bible verses that will provide you encouragement for the new year.

Today, we also shared a 7 minute routine that can radically change your work life. Click HERE to find out how focusing your mind can help you be more effective at the office and at home.

A new year is a time to make resolutions and goals for a fresh start.
The Morning Thing shared some encouraging ideas on how to start the year off right.

Click HERE to see 5 ideas for your new year. It is NEVER too late to start something new for a fresh start to your day.

We hope that you will make The Morning Thing a part of your daily routine for 2016.
We give you a great way to start your day. Click HERE to find out more about our show!

This morning, The Morning Thing welcomed the new year by counting down the top 30 songs of 2015 at WNZR. Here is the list.

Thanks for sharing this past year with us at The Lifeline. We pray that 2016 is a year full of adventure, blessings and love. God BLESS YOU!

WNZR’s Top 30 Songs of 2015

1. SHOULDERS
for KING & COUNTRY
Fervent/Word-Curb

2. FLAWLESS
MercyMe
Fair Trade

3. SOUL ON FIRE
Third Day
Essential/PLG

4. BECAUSE HE LIVES (AMEN)
Matt Maher
Essential/PLG

5. HOLY SPIRIT
Francesca Battistelli
Fervent/Word-Curb

6. DROPS IN THE OCEAN
Hawk Nelson
Fair Trade

7. HE KNOWS
Jeremy Camp
Stolen Pride/Sparrow/Capitol CMG

8. OVERWHELMED
Big Daddy Weave
Fervent/Word-Curb

9. GREATER
MercyMe
Fair Trade

10. JESUS LOVES ME
Chris Tomlin
sixsteps/Sparrow/Capitol CMG

11. HE KNOWS MY NAME
Francesca Battistelli
Fervent/Word-Curb

12. TOUCH THE SKY
Hillsong UNITED
Hillsong/Sparrow/Capitol CMG

13. AT THE CROSS (LOVE RAN RED)
Chris Tomlin
sixsteps/Sparrow/Capitol CMG

14. EVEN SO COME
Passion Featuring Kristian Stanfill
sixsteps/Sparrow/Capitol CMG

15. THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW
Josh Wilson
Sparrow/Capitol CMG

16. BROTHER
NEEDTOBREATHE Featuring Gavin DeGraw
Atlantic/Word-Curb

17. COME AS YOU ARE
Crowder
sixsteps/Sparrow/Capitol CMG

18. DAY ONE
Matthew West
Sparrow/Capitol CMG

19. MORE THAN YOU THINK I AM
Danny Gokey
BMG

20. BEYOND ME
tobyMac
ForeFront/Capitol CMG

21. FIRST
Lauren Daigle
Centricity

22. IMPOSSIBLE
Building 429
Essential/PLG

23. THROUGH ALL OF IT
Colton Dixon
19/Sparrow/Capitol CMG

24. LORD I’M READY NOW
Plumb
Curb

25. FEEL IT
tobyMac Featuring Mr. Talkbox
ForeFront/Capitol CMG

26. WHO I AM
Blanca
Word-Curb

27. GOOD FIGHT
Unspoken
Centricity

28. CAST MY CARES
Finding Favour
Gotee

29. EXHALE
Plumb
Curb

30. PRODIGAL
Sidewalk Prophets
Word-Curb

Today we wrapped up our WinterJam week by talking to the headliner, for King and Country!

Joel Smallbone, one of the brothers who founded the band, gave us  an inside look at the band’s approach to designing and planning their shows. Plus, Joel tells us why he is willing to risk his life at each performance by climbing ladders and jumping off the highest piece of equipment. For King and Country  is also making a movie and Joel tells us all about it!

If you missed our conversation with Joel you can listen to it HERE!

Its the last day of 2015…. HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE!!!

To help you bring in the new year in style, we found a couple recipes that are sure to be a hit a your holiday get-together! Check out the following links for the complete recipes!

Spinach Artichoke Dip
Salted Caramel Brownies

Tomorrow, join WNZR to bring in the new year by looking back at some of the best songs from this year. Jenna and Wesley will share WNZR’s Top 30 Songs of 2015.

Today we continued our conversations with the artists traveling on the spectacular WinterJam 2016 tour! After hearing from Michael Cleveland of Stars Go Dim on Monday, Matt Butler of Newsong and Lauren Daigle on Tuesday, we talked to Crowder and Matthew West during today’s show!

Crowder talked about his debut album as a solo artist, Neon Steeple, and what we can expect to see from him this year. David Crowder also shared his excitement and expectations for the 2016 WinterJam tour! To hear our whole conversation, click HERE!

Matthew West shared some of his family’s Christmas traditions. He also gave us some insight into his newest album Grace Wins and the uplifting song that titled the album. Plus, don’t miss Matthew’s perspective of WinterJam 2016, HERE!

Crowder

Matthew West

From Crowder’s front porch jam sessions to Matthew West’s upbeat and inspirational music WinterJam 2016 is going to be a year to remember! For more information you can check out their official website, 2016.jamtour.com.

You will definitely want to tune in for tomorrow’s show as we feature the headliner for this year’s tour, for King and Country! We will share our conversation with Joel Smallbone one of the brothers who started the band.

Where can you see ten of the top
Christian artists for just $10? WINTER JAM 2016! And, its only a couple weeks away!

January 9th – at the Shottenstein Center in Columbus
February 19th – the the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati
February 21st – at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland

Featuring artists such as for King and Country, Matthew West, Crowder, Lauren Daigle, Newsong, Stars Go Dim, Sidewalk Prophets and more, the line up is unbelievable! For more information on the cross-country tour check  out their website, 2016.jamtour.com.

On The Morning Thing today we had the opportunity to talk with Matt Butler from the band Newsong. He told us the story of why Newsong began WinterJam 20 years ago and what we can expect to see this year for Winter Jam 2016! If you missed our conversation you can check it out HERE!

Plus, we also talked with Dove Award winning New Artist of the Year, Lauren Daigle, about traveling with the tour. She also talked about her experience winning three Dove Awards this year. To hear our whole conversation click HERE!

Newsong

Lauren Daigle

Tune in to tomorrow’s show from 6am to 9am to hear from Crowder and Matthew West as they share their expectations for WinterJam 2016!

WinterJam is back for another year! I don’t know about you, but I am stoked. It’s an amazing concert with a fantastic lineup all about giving glory to God- for only ten bucks. An absolutely incredible experience, and it’s coming our way! There are three stops in Ohio- Columbus on January 9, Cincinnati on February 19, and  Cleveland on February 21! You can find out all about the tour at the official WinterJam website.

Since the tour will be here before we know it, we are making this week on the Morning Thing WinterJam Week! We are going to be chatting with several of the artists on the tour. Today we kicked the week off with Michael Cleveland of Stars go Dim. He told us all about the founding of the band, the story behind some of their music, what we can look forward to from them at WinterJam, and more. You can hear that entire conversation here.

For more info on Stars Go Dim you can check out their website. And be sure to catch tomorrow’s WinterJam Week conversations- with Lauren Daigle and Newsong!

Merry Christmas from The Morning Thing!

For our Fave 5 this week, we are sharing some pictures of our favorite gifts or moments from our Christmas celebrations.

1. Jenna Potts is a huge Star Wars fan. She got some fancy pajamas along with her siblings. The Potts family is definitely “feeling the force!”

2. Joe Rinehart of The Afternoon Drive also loves Star Wars. Here he is showing off his new shirt featuring the droid BB-8!

3. Marcy Rinehart loves both Star Wars and Star Trek. Here is a picture of her 2 favorite gifts: a Star Wars spatula and a pizza cutter shaped like the USS Enterprise! So cool!

4. Wesley Boston was up early this morning, ready to open up presents. He shared this picture by the family Christmas tree.

5. Aubrey Bailey also had fun opening presents with her brother and cousins. Here they are celebrating Christmas together.

Merry Christmas from The Morning Thing crew and everyone at WNZR. We pray that you are creating wonderful memories with family and friends. We also pray that you are celebrating the true reason for this season – Jesus!

Do you believe in Christmas miracles? We do!
Take a few minutes to be inspired by these real, true-life stories from Reader’s Digest.

Click HERE to read a story about how a storm and a tablecloth brought a family back together.

Click HERE to read 5 true, old-fashioned Christmas miracles. The stories will help restore your hope for the holidays.

As you read, please remember the true miracle of Christmas in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ! Click HERE to read HIS story.

“White Christmas”, one of the most beloved holiday classic has loads of fascinating back stories.
Check out this list of 21 surprising facts about the movie.
Click HERE to read the list compiled by Good Housekeeping.

What will YOU be watching this holiday season?
Tell us which Christmas movie is your favorite. Email wnzr@mvnu.edu