Happy National Hangout Day!

Sure, hanging out with friends and family is fun, and they love hanging out with you, but there is someone out there, someone greater, stronger, and more loving wanting to spend time with you.

That is God.

God, wants you to talk to Him more than anything. He wants to be a part of your life, so give it a shot. Create or grow that friendship with Christ today. Let Him listen to you, and help you. He loves you more than anything, you are His creation, and He is our Father.

If we have God, our soul is at peace, and we know that we can take on anything life throws at us. He is an all knowing, an amazing listener, and the most loving caring Father out there.

What does He have to say to you today?

Say Hi, and tell Him you know that He’s with you, and keeping you safe today. A thank you could be all that it takes to keep that relationship growing, or even create a new one. He wants to be with you, always.

Here’s a LIST of 25 Bible Verses about Spending Time With God that will keep you motivated, and realize how much He wants to be in your life.

Everyone has Easter traditions that they love, whether it be going to a Sunrise Service on Sunday, or reading the Easter story with your family. This year, we have some great ideas for new traditions your family can put into place!

Focus on the Family gives some great ideas, and also has a great magazine article, “Walk Through Holy Week: Bring the Easter Story to Life for Your Kids”

Check it out HERE

All of us here at WNZR wish you a very Happy Easter!

Picture: 123rf.com

Easter:

As we celebrate Holy week and prepare our hearts and minds to honor the death and resurrection of Christ, The Morning Thing dug into ways to observe Holy week with your family.

For 15 ways to honor Holy week at home with your family, click HERE!

We also looked at the symbolic Passover or Sedar meal which is directly connect with Holy week as the oldest religious tradition to commemorate God’s deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. There are five elements to the meal.

1. Karpas, a green vegetable, most often parsley  is used to represent the initial flourishing of the Israelites during the first years in Egypt.
2. Haroset, sweet fruit paste symbolizing mortar, symbolizes the mortar that the Israelite slaves used to construct buildings for Pharaoh.
3. Maror is a bitter herb, often horseradish which allows us to taste the bitterness of slavery.
4. Z’roa, is a roasted lamb shank bone that symbolizes the lamb that Jews sacrificed as the special Passover offering when the Temple stood in Jerusalem.
5. Beitzah is A roasted or hard-boiled egg that symbolizes the hagigah sacrifice, which would be offered on every holiday

These elements are carefully arranged with the maror in the middle of the plate. The hazeret is at the six o’clock position followed by, moving clockwise, karpas (seven o’clock), beitzah (11 o’clock), z’roa (one o’clock), and haroset (five o’clock).

For more information about this traditional Jewish meal, click HERE!

We also dug into how to keep your heart and mind on the story of Jesus this Easter.

• Beware of the distractions!
• Focus on the important!
• See the beauty in the ashes!

For three ways on how to focus on Christ during Holy week, click HERE!

For 10 ways to prepare your heart for Easter, click HERE!

Did you know today was Sibling Day?

Check out the benefits of growing up with siblings!

Take a look at the incredible reconciliation story of the brothers who make up the group NEEDTOBREATHE!

For King & Country is made up of brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, Check out their incredible story!

WNZR’s Joe Rinehart, talked with MVNU President Dr. Henry Spaulding for the April Presidential update. They discussed the April board meeting and the gift of the previous Farley & Moore Antiques’ building from Ariel Foundation to MVNU’s Engineering Department. For more information about the donation, click here!

Dr. Spaulding also gave advice to graduating seniors and shared the importance of Easter and family traditions!

To here the full conversation, click here!

To stay up-to-date on MVNU news and events, click here!

Today we talked about how to be a better person as we strive to be Christ followers. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Make the most of yourself….for that is all there is of you.” We dug into an article by John Rampton an Entrepreneur and investor who outlines 15 Ways to Become a Better Person.

We encourage you to read his take on these 15 characteristics while reflecting on Romans 12:2 which says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Read the full article here!

1. Compliment Yourself – Remember to reflect on God’s Word and His love for you! There are many verses that express His love and adoration for you.

 2. Don’t make excuses – Live up to your mistakes and find a way to learn from them.

3. Let Go of Anger – Holding onto anger causes unneeded stress, bad decisions and health issues. Let go and let God!

4. Practice Forgiveness – This is easier said then done but God calls us to forgive one another and love as He does.

5. Be Honest and Direct – Always tell the truth and learn to express your thoughts and feelings in a loving and constructive way.

6. Be Helpful – Be actively helpful. Help others without expecting anything in return.

7. Listen to Others – Take time to listen to those around you. Being a good listener can open your eyes and enhancing your personal and professional relationships.

8. Act Locally – “You may not be able to save the world, but you very well could make a difference in your neck of the woods.” – John Rampton

9. Always Be Polite – Saying please and thank you or holding the door open can speak louder than your words.

10. Be Yourself – Be yourself, don’t be afraid to stand your ground.

11. Be Open to Change – Be flexible and open to new experiences. You never know what doors God may open!

12. Be Respectful – “Be respectful of others’ time, thoughts, ideas, lifestyles, feelings, work, and everything else. You don’t have to agree with any of it, but people have a right to their opinions and yours is not necessarily correct.” – John Rampton.

13. Don’t Show Up Empty-handed – Go above and beyond, don’t take the easy way out.

14. Educate Yourself – “Remember, we’re all interconnected, and being aware of different cultures, different people, and what their lives are like can make you a more well-rounded individual.” – John Rampton

15. Surprise People – Take the time to make other people smile!

As you strive to reflect God by being the best you, remember this verse. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Nancy Gregg has spent the past 41 years serving others. She is a true example of living out our Lifeline 2017 theme, “Let It Be Love”.
She has served at New Hope Elementary, in the Centerburg School system and with Knox County Developmental Disabilities. Her passion has been to serve others, especially those that are challenged with a disability.

Nancy shared some of her career highlights with us. Click HERE to hear her share about some of the big moments of her career.

Nancy also talked about her biggest accomplishments in her career in special education. Click HERE to hear more.

Nancy Gregg shared her hopes for the future of Developmental Disabilities in Knox County. Click HERE to hear her advice to anyone wanting to go into this field.

Nancy also talked about her plans for retirement. Click HERE to hear her talk about this transition for her life.

Nancy Gregg is well known for her servant heart. We talked with 2 colleagues that shared with us how special this lady is to our community.
Click HERE to hear from Kathy Kassler.
Click HERE to hear from Pam Schehl.