Category: Inspirational

Simple ways to build your life around Jesus!

Today is Courageous Follower Day. The day focuses on the role of followers in any team or organization. It recognizes the power of committed and engaged followers who contribute to success through their actions and decisions.

As followers of Christ, this day can highlight the importance of believers who actively live out their faith not just as passive spectators, but as committed disciples of Christ. A courageous Christian follower stands firm in biblical truth, supports godly leadership, and serves others with humility and love. They build their life around Jesus!

So how can we do this?

Here are 3 simple ways:

1. Be with Jesus

Spend intentional time with Jesus each day, because relationships grow through consistent connection. In the middle of life’s noise and distractions, set aside a quiet moment to simply talk with your Heavenly Father. Just as meaningful conversations require the right setting, create a daily space to be still and meet with Him.

2. Become Like Jesus

Allow Jesus’ teachings to transform your life so that your choices and actions reflect His ways. As you walk with Him, the Holy Spirit will continue to reveal the areas that need to become more like Jesus.

3. Do What Jesus Did

Remember the WWJD bracelets—“What Would Jesus Do?” A helpful way to personalize it is to ask, “What would Jesus do if He were me right now?” That question brings His presence into our everyday decisions, conversations, and thoughts so our actions begin to align with His heart.

To find out more about Courageous Follower Day click HERE!

To read more about these 3 simple ways click HERE!

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Looking for something FUN to do with your small group or for your next family gathering?

The Morning Thing is here to help! We found a list of 75 FUN Icebreaker Games to try at your next party!

Thanks to women.lifeway.com for compiling a list of great ideas to break the ice. These are fun games that will get your group laughing and connecting.

Click HERE to see the full list.

They are separated into these categories:
– Quick Icebreaker Games
– Just for Laughs
– Conversation Prompts
– Active and Movement Games
– Team Challenges
– Encouraging & Uplifting
– Quick & Easy Time Fillers

Let us know if you try one of these ideas. We would love to hear your story! Send us an email and a picture – wnzr@themorningthing

75 Fun Icebreaker Games for Your Small Group
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Your guide to Leadership!

Today on The Morning Thing, Josiah and Xander shared some of the most important qualities of a good leader. They also talked about how they can apply to your life! These are great to use if there is a place in your life where you need to be a leader for others.

Our favorite leadership quality:

  • Clear Communication

Take these and try to apply them into your everyday walk!

Click HERE to read the full article!

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Wired to Give: The Neuroscience and Spiritual Power of Generosity

We often think of generosity as something that benefits other people—and it absolutely does—but what’s fascinating is what it does to us. Neuroscience shows that when we give, our brains release powerful “feel-good” chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These neurotransmitters boost happiness, reduce stress, and deepen our sense of connection. Even more compelling, acts of generosity activate the brain’s reward center, the ventral striatum—the same area that lights up when we experience pleasure ourselves. In other words, we’re actually wired to give. It’s no accident that generosity feels good; it’s part of our design.

From a biblical perspective, this makes perfect sense. Scripture reminds us in Acts of the Apostles 20:35 that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and passages like 2 Corinthians 9:7 emphasize giving from a cheerful heart. Generosity isn’t about obligation—it’s about partnership with God. When we give intentionally and joyfully, we align ourselves with His design, strengthening trust, community, and spiritual fulfillment. Generosity transforms not only the lives of those we bless, but also our own hearts and minds in the process.

On the Morning Thing Wednesday, Marcy gave some of the Top 15 ways you can bless others including:

  • Practice Random Acts of Kindness
  • Give the Gift of Prayer
  • Give Unexpected Gifts
  • Offer a Helping Hand

Click HERE to read the full article from Dr. Michelle Bengston!

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The Morning Thing Friday Favorites – our favorite Winter Olympic Moments

We have had a lot of fun sharing Olympic Updates with you on the show these past 2 weeks. So, to celebrate Team USA, our Friday Favorites today focused on the Olympics. The hosts shared their favorite moments from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.

Click HERE to hear from Marcy, Josiah, Xander and Eric or click on the picture below.

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Taking Steps Toward Hope: How The Winter Sanctuary Is Changing Lives in Mount Vernon

Recently, Joe Springer, Executive Director of The Winter Sanctuary, sat down with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart to talk about something close to his heart — serving our homeless neighbors and inviting the community to get involved.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Joe has been the Executive Director for just over a year, but his connection with The Winter Sanctuary runs much deeper. He’s been serving there for a decade. The Sanctuary is a seasonal emergency homeless shelter and advocacy program — and notably, it’s the only homeless shelter within 25 minutes of Mount Vernon. During the coldest months of the year, it becomes a lifeline for individuals who would otherwise be facing the brutal Ohio winter alone.

One of the biggest ways the community can support this mission is through the Coldest Night of the Year event, happening February 28th. This meaningful 5K walk (you can run or walk!) begins and ends at Gay Street United Methodist Church, located at 18 North Gay Street. The event kicks off at 4:00 PM, with walkers stepping off at 5:00 PM — and yes, there will be food afterward!

The event isn’t just about logging miles. It’s about awareness. It’s about stepping outside — literally — to experience just a glimpse of what winter can feel like for someone without shelter. Joe shared how many people don’t realize what it’s like to live outside in the woods during freezing temperatures. The walk is meant to build empathy while raising the funds needed to keep the shelter open and fully staffed.

Participants form teams and raise funds — $150 per adult and $75 per child — to support the mission. If you’d like to donate or start a team, visit CONY.com. You can also learn more through their website, thewintersanctuary.com, which links directly to the event page.

Although the shelter operates seasonally and closes at the end of April, their advocacy program runs year-round, helping guests move toward independence and stability. And right now, they need volunteers — people willing to lend their time and hands to make a difference.

Joe even brought along one of the event’s signature knit hats that participants receive — a simple but powerful symbol of warmth and solidarity.

Beyond donations and participation, Joe has one more request: prayer. Pray for the fundraiser. Pray for the volunteers. Pray especially for those currently experiencing homelessness. And pray as The Winter Sanctuary works toward securing a permanent location to continue expanding its impact.

If you’re looking for a tangible way to make a difference this winter, this is it. Bundle up. Show up. Walk in solidarity.

Click HERE to find out more about The Winter Sanctuary!

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Misery Isn’t Permanent: 17 Habits to Let Go of So You Can Start Feeling Better

Let’s be honest — we all want to live better, happier lives. But sometimes the very habits we cling to are the ones quietly making us miserable.

According to Ana Vakos from A Conscious Rethink, if you constantly feel unhappy, it’s easy to start believing happiness just isn’t meant for you. But here’s the good news: that’s simply not true.

The key isn’t waking up tomorrow as a completely different, sunshine-and-rainbows type of person. Real change doesn’t happen overnight.

Instead of chasing instant happiness, the first goal should be something much more realistic — just become less miserable. Find that neutral ground where you’re not thriving yet, but you’re no longer stuck in negativity either.

From there, you can build toward the life you actually want. One step at a time.

WNZR’s Eric Brown shared some of the list on Thursday during the Morning Thing including:

• Stop surrounding yourself with negative people.

• Stop being a people pleaser.

• Stop comparing yourself to others.

Click HERE to read the full article!

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