How was your week? Busy? Stressful? Loooong?
Well, it’s time to PRAISE the Lord, because it is Friday! (PTLIF)

Did you know that you could win concert tickets by listening to The Morning Thing?
Would you like to see Newsong? Mandisa? Danny Gokey?
GOOD news! We have more tickets to give away next week.
Listen for Song Poetry and you can win tickets to the “Beating Hearts” tour. For song poetry, we read some song lyrics to you. You have to be the first person to correctly name the artist and the song title. Click HERE for more details about the concert.

Would you like to see Tenth Avenue North? Dan Bremnes?
The “All The Earth is Holy Ground” tour is coming to Mansfield Christian School on Friday, October 9^th at 7:00PM.
What do you need to do to win tickets? Listen for a special cue to call 740-392-9090. When you hear the guys from Tenth Avenue North singing “We pray that God will bless you today and all year long” (a portion of our birthday song), CALL! The 4th caller wins 2 tickets.
The guys are rapping, not really singing. 🙂
Click HERE for more details about the concert.

Today on the show, we shared the October Presidential Update with MVNU President, Dr. Henry Spaulding. Click HERE to hear the conversation. Dr. Spaulding talks about the new MVNU brand “Shine Forth”, the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel construction and his thoughts on the start of the school year.

Our Morning Thing Fave 5 focused on DOGS, in honor of our annual DOG-toberfest Parade (which will happen tonight in downtown Mount Vernon).
1. Jenna Potts
2. Aubrey Bailey
3. Wesley Boston
4. Marcy Rinehart
5. Joe Rinehart (from the Afternoon Drive, making a guest appearance on our Fave 5)

Marcy Rinehart and Jenna Potts of The Morning Thing declared that today (10/1) is PUMPKIN DAY!

Here are some wonderful recipes using pumpkin and wonderful tips on how to keep your carved pumpkin looking nice.

Click HERE for the recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake Snickerdoodles.

Click HERE for the recipe for homemade pumpkin spice coffee creamer. You can make your beloved pumpkin spice lattes at home!

Are you getting hungry?
Click HERE for the recipe for Pumpkin Pie French Toast.

Here are some wonderful tips to use when carving your pumpkin. Click HERE to find out how to make your carving easier and how to keep your pumpkin looking nice.

Don’t throw away the pumpkin seeds. Click HERE for 3 different recipes on how to cook this wonderful treat.

ENJOY something made of pumpkin today!

We also shared a conversation with Dr. Paul Dove today. He told us about the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast coming up on Saturday 10/3. Click HERE to hear about this wonderful event.

There is a new movie coming to theaters on Friday, 10/16. WOODLAWN is more than a movie. We truly believe it is a movement – one that points to the one hope, one truth and one way to heal our nation.
Click HERE to see the movie trailer.
Click HERE to watch a special video about this new film.

Procrastination. For some of us there is nothing sweeter than the bliss of relaxing while calming saying, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Except perhaps for the sense of relief that comes after finishing a frenzied nightmare of last-minute-panic-induced work. The fact is, it can be way too easy to procrastinate. Trust me, I know. While you may still get things done this way, it is not the bast plan of attack. That’s why we took a look this morning at ways to stop procrastinating right now. Not tomorrow, not this afternoon, now. You can check out the complete list here.

We also shared some tips on how to get started with prayer when you might not be sure what to pray for. You can check out all the tips that we shared right here.

And don’t forget to come to DOG-TOBERFEST this Friday! You can find all the info on our website.

What to do when you feel overwhelmed by what happens in our world?
Click HERE to read an insightful article on how to respond to bad news. The bible has a lot to say about how to face these feelings of fear and doubt.

We also shared some alarming news about how texting is affecting our posture. Click HERE to see if you need to change your texting habits. The diagrams are revealing of this problem.

Today, we talked about friend envy.

Click HERE to read through some different situations that we may face with our friendships.

The bible is very clear about how we should deal with envy and jealousy.
Please take a few minutes to read over these scriptures. Click HERE.
We pray that you will be encouraged by the strong message in these verses.

We wrapped up Sonfest Week today on The Morning Thing.

Don’t forget to check WNZR’s social media sites today for the final hints to find “Where in the World is Colton Dixon”?!
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

Today, we talked with Alec Barnhart from the group Wyndsor.
Click HERE to hear the conversation and get to know this band before you see them on stage at Sonfest tomorrow!

We also wrapped up our features with the cast of Aladdin Junior. The MTVArts production opens tonight at 7:30pm at Memorial Theater. There is also a 2pm matinee tomorrow.
Click HERE to hear Mark Fongheiser talk about playing the lead character, Aladdin.
Click HERE to hear Andrew Ruckman talk about playing the villain Jafar.

Today, The Morning Thing team shared a special Fave 5 – our 5 favorite concert memories.
Click on the Names to hear about these amazing memories.
Jenna Potts
Aubrey Bailey
Wesley Boston
Marcy Rinehart DC Talk memory
Marcy Rinehart Petra memory

2015 marks the 18^th Sonfest at Mount Vernon Nazarene University! Do you have your ticket? Are you ready for a GREAT show?

Today, we talked with I Am They. Click HERE to hear the conversation about the journey of their band, their recent touring and how they are excited for the future.

Sonfest 2015 Schedule:
12:00 p.m. – DJ Opdiggy (Stage 2)
12:50 p.m. – Welcome
1:00 p.m. – Wyndsor
1:35 p.m. – Take the Name (Stage 2)
2:10 p.m. – Populis
2:50 p.m. – The Florals (Stage 2)
3:25 p.m. – I Am They
4:05 p.m. – Ever Burning Bright (Stage 2)
4:40 p.m. – Leeland
5:25 p.m. – Amena Brown
5:50 p.m. – Da Mac (Stage 2)
6:30 p.m. – Trip Lee
7:15 p.m. – Fever Fever (Stage 2)
7:45 p.m. – Spoken Word by Amena Brown for Compassion International
8:00 p.m. – Colton Dixon

Click HERE for Sonfest ticket information.

This week, we are also talking about the MTVArts production of Aladdin Junior. The musical involves local elementary, middle and high school students from our community. There are 2 performance this weekend: Friday, September 25 at 7:30pm and Saturday, September 26 at 2pm. All shows are being held at Memorial Theater.

WNZR’s Rachel Rinehart had a chance to chat with several cast members about their characters and experience with Aladdin Junior. Click HERE to hear from Emma Cheek who is playing a townsperson. Click HERE to hear from Elle Pavao who is playing Princess Jasmine. Check back throughout the week as we post more conversations.

You have 1 more chance to win tickets to see Aladdin Junior, tomorrow morning (9/25) on The Morning Thing (6am – 9am).

Today, we celebrate See You at the Pole – the global student day of prayer!
The Big Blue Crew spent some time at Mount Vernon High School to join in this prayer effort.

Click HERE to read about the amazing history of this event.

We are getting great reports from area schools.
Mount Vernon had around 115-120 students, parents, pastors and teachers in attendance.
Fredericktown had around 45 students and adults in attendance.
Call 740-392-9090 and tell us what happened at your school!

Here are some pictures from Mount Vernon High School:

Here is a picture from Fredericktown High School:

EVERYONE is invited to a NEW event tonight called SAW YOU at the POLE.  The event is tonight at Mount Vernon’s First Naz from 6:00 – 9:00pm. Enjoy games, hot dogs, drinks, popcorn, cotton candy, prizes and Da Mac in Concert. The “Saw You at the Pole” Rally is sponsored by Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene and Mount Vernon First Naz. The church is located at 807 Coshocton Ave in Mount Vernon. It’s ALL FREE!

We talked with Da Mac this morning. He will be performing tonight at “Saw You at the Pole” and on Saturday at Sonfest.
Click HERE to hear our entertaining conversation.

Sonfest 2015 Schedule:
12:00 p.m. – DJ Opdiggy (Stage 2)
12:50 p.m. – Welcome
1:00 p.m. – Wyndsor
1:35 p.m. – Take the Name (Stage 2)
2:10 p.m. – Populis
2:50 p.m. – The Florals (Stage 2)
3:25 p.m. – I Am They
4:05 p.m. – Ever Burning Bright (Stage 2)
4:40 p.m. – Leeland
5:25 p.m. – Amena Brown
5:50 p.m. – Da Mac (Stage 2)
6:30 p.m. – Trip Lee
7:15 p.m. – Fever Fever (Stage 2)
7:45 p.m. – Spoken Word by Amena Brown for Compassion International
8:00 p.m. – Colton Dixon

Sonfest Week continues on The Morning Thing.

Today, The Morning Thing kicked off Sonfest Week.
Join us each day as we feature an interview with an artist coming to Mount Vernon Nazarene University this Saturday.
Today, we talked with Leeland Moorning, lead singer for the group Leeland.

Click HERE to hear about the many changes that have happened with the band and how God is leading them into a new direction for their ministry.

We also took some time to talk about the MTVArts production of Aladdin Junior. The musical involves local elementary, middle and high school students from our community.  There are 2 performance this weekend: Friday, September 25 at 7:30pm and Saturday, September 26 at 2pm. All shows are being held at Memorial Theater.

Click HERE for ticket information.
WNZR’s Rachel Rinehart had a chance to chat with several cast members about their characters and experience with Aladdin Junior. Click HERE to hear from Fredi Bockover who is playing Iago. Click HERE to hear from Lily Rheinscheld who is playing a shopkeeper. Check back throughout the week as we post more conversations.

We will be giving away tickets to the MTVArts Production of Aladdin Junior all THIS WEEK! So listen in from 6am – 9am for your chance to win. Here’s a picture of Rachel Rinehart for you to enjoy. This is a makeup test for her character, the Genie!