Category: Inspirational

How do you start your day? How about starting your day with God?

Most of us start the day in a frenzy, jumping right into our daily routine and task list.
The Morning Thing today, shared some valuable insight from crosswalk.com about starting our days with God.

This habit can be life-changing for all of us. It is also biblical to take on this practice.
“In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch” (Psalm 5:3).

Pamela Palmer wrote an incredible article for Crosswalk that shares 7 reasons WHY you should start your day with God and 8 practical tips on how to do it.
Pamela is a writer, speaker, and the founder of upheldlife.com
Click HERE to read the full article for all the insight on each tip.

7 Reasons to Start Your Day with God

Before the day takes off and you begin to tackle your to-do list and tasks, as a believer, it is spiritually edifying and beneficial to start your day with God. This will make a powerful impact on how you go about your day. There is an account in the Gospel where Jesus even got away in the early hours to spend time with God (see Mark 1:35). Jesus has set a wonderful example for Christians to follow.

Here are seven reasons to begin your day in fellowship with God.

1. God Desires Relationship with You

2. You Were Made for Fellowship with God

3. You Can Ask God to Guide Your Day

4. You Will Feel at Peace

5. You Can Give Thanks

6. It Can Help You Have a Right Perspective

7. It Will Transform Your Heart

Tips to Start Your Day with God

If you are feeling excited and inspired to start your day with God, here are some tips to make that happen. Starting this spiritual practice may feel intimidating or challenging, but the best thing you can do is to ask for the Holy Spirit to enable you and utilize some of these tips to begin starting each day with God.

1. Pray about It

2. Make a Plan

3. Set Your Mind on Jesus

4. Spend Time in Prayer

5. Read Scripture

6. Listen to the Audio Bible

7. Meditate on a Verse

8. Worship

Pamela Palmer is a writer, speaker, and the founder of upheldlife.com, the platform on which she produces devotionals and faith resources to inspire keeping faith at the center of life. She is in pastoral ministry and gets to share in the emotional and spiritual lives of others. She lives and thrives on Jesus, coffee, and music. She is the author of Living a Deeper Faith: Nurture Your Relationship with God and Live a Faith-Fueled Life. Pamela married the perfect man for her and they have two beautiful kiddos. She has been published on herviewfromhome.com, and you can follow her at upheldlife.com or on Facebook.com/upheldlife.


0

November 2023 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 11/24/23.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city. He shares the progress of these projects:
    • A sanitary sewer project on the North side of town – in Clinton Township
    • A waterline project on the Southwestern part of town, Buckeye Addition
    • The city is using Global Information Systems mapping to track any lead pipes in the system and address any potential issues.
    • Water and sewer lines in the Clintonville area
    • An elevation study on the West End
    • Extending the walk zone in the school zone at Martinsburg Road by 300 feet
    • Stump and Northview residents need to fill out income qualifications with the City
    • Buckeye Addition in Clinton Township
    • Plaza Drive
    • There are about 70 active construction jobs right now
  • Mayor Starr shares an update on the plan to create a new courthouse and police headquarters.
  • Mayor Starr shares the updates for the State Route 13 project within the city.
    • He encourages residents to see the plans and share their comments on the City’s website.
    • They are looking to make similar adjustments to the South Main St bridge as they did Mount Vernon Ave. bridge.
    • The Mayor says they are also considering adding heaters to the bridges to eliminate the need to plow snow in the event of inclement weather.
    • You can find more information about each of these city projects online under the documents tab of their website, MountVernonOhio.org to provide feedback.
    • Go to the documents page, scroll down to where it says Public Meeting Open House – SR13D Sandusky ST Realignment. You can click on the Exhibit files to see the plans. Then click on Comment Form and share your thoughts.
  • Mayor Starr shares updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
    • Discussion about food truck regulations, including taxes, location, fairness for regular businesses in Mount Vernon, etc.
    • Kline Development, which is a donated property on Prospect Street
    • Casey’s Way, the rezoning ordinance of the 34 acres on Upper Gilchrist. City Council will be holding a public hearing about it, on Monday November 27, where residents can come out and share comments.
  • The city is currently accepting applications for seasonal employees. They are open and looking for anyone to pitch in and help out and can always use help. With leaf pick-up going on right now, the mayor details what you can do if you missed getting your leaves raked to the curb when the crews were in our area. You can also go to their website to their press release to stay up to date on where they are in the pick-up process, and you can call 740-393-9517 or the street department at 740-393-9501.
  • The Mayor gives us some insight into the City’s preparation and plan for snow removal this winter.
  • Updates from the Mount Vernon Police Department
    • For the month of October, there were 1,331 calls for service, which was down from September, which was 1453.
    • From the October calls, there were 199 traffic citations, 263 Advocate Dispositions, and 13 cases of attempted or threats to attempt suicide.
  • Updates from the Mount Vernon Fire Department
    • They had 501 calls for service in October. 87 percent of those calls were for EMS services, 13 calls for fires.
    • As for year to date, there have been just under 5,000 calls for service.
    • In the Mount Vernon zone, about thirty percent of those calls are in the Yauger Road area. They are looking into the installation of a new department in that area.
  • Mayor Matt Starr talks about all the upcoming events this December, including Winter in Downtown MV this coming Sunday, which will feature the Christmas parade and the lighting of the public square, Food For The Hungry on December 8
  • The Mayor shares his immediate goals for the city as we start December. He says that the city is in great shape, now it’s time for organization and balance with the influx of activity.
    • Take a look at their personnel to carry out the tasks they need to be completed
    • Focus on finishing out projects
    • Continue improving the quality of the city
  • Mayor Starr shares his highest priorities for himself and his team as they start the new year, including:
    • A zoning code rewrite
    • Organizational structuring to handle calls to all departments
    • Generating revenues
    • Protect current tax rates and utility rates for citizens
  • Mayor Matt Starr is thankful for the positive state of the City, as well as his family and friends, and the team he serves the city with.
  • He also shares how we can pray for him and his team.

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

  • Website – http://www.mountvernonohio.org
  • Facebook – The City of Mount Vernon
  • Twitter – CityMV1805
  • YouTube – The City of Mount Vernon
  • LinkedIn – City of Mount Vernon, Ohio
0

Who is overlooked that needs thanked this Thanksgiving?

Our Morning Thing hosts today shared about those who might go overlooked this thanksgiving that actually have quite the impact on our everyday life. Crosswalk.com encourages us to show appreciation to those who might go overlooked this Thanksgiving! Here are some of the folks we want to remember this season! For a complete list of where can start to reflect, click HERE

1. Teachers

Our teachers do so much for us and our children and deserve our appreciation.

2. Daycare/Preschool Teachers

Although this job is fun and fulfilling, it is also not an easy one. We have to play various roles during our day, like teacher, surrogate parent, disciplinarian, server, psychologist, friend, etc. Teachers at this level aren’t appreciated for doing so much in teaching the littlest of minds. In addition, if you see the director or co-director, cleaning staff, or cook, thank them too.

3. School Bus Drivers

Bus drivers are out in the sun, wind, rain, fog, and snow, getting our kids to school safely. They are a very important part of our day.

4. Barista

When ordering your favorite cup of coffee at your favorite shop, thank the barista who made it.

5. Fast Food Workers

It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily hustle and bustle of life, but thank the cashier and crew at your favorite fast-food restaurant the next time you go in or go through a drive-thru. Often, all they hear is the negative, so they will appreciate a positive word.

Do you have one worker who is always pleasant or always gets your order right? Then do something special to show your appreciation.

This season, let’s make an effort to reflect on how we can better appreciate those who have such an awesome impact on our lives!

0

WNZR Talks With Cast and Director of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play

WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle spoke with Ian Ernsberger (Director) and two cast members (Jeffrey Scott and Tony Montgomery) from It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. The show will be coming to the Knox Memorial Theater this weekend: November 24th – 26th.

They all shared their backgrounds in theatre, what it has been like working on a production that is presented as a live radio play, and lots more.

Listen to their full conversations below:

0

Lori Jones-Perkins Shares About the United Way of Knox County

Lori Jones-Perkins, Executive Director, of the United Way of Knox County joined WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart to tell us about the special night for MVNU Men’s Basketball with partnership of the United Way of Knox County.

Lori tells us more about how the United Way helps to connect partners and resources in our community. She shares how every dollar given to the United Way of Knox County stays in Knox County.

Lori shares the ways that people can give to the United Way and where they will be at the MVNU Men’s Basketball game at 7pm on 11/21/23.

Listen to the full conversation with Lori below:

0

The Turkey Trot returns to Thanksgiving Morning!

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?
The Morning Thing has an idea on how to make the day even better.
Come out to the annual Turkey Trot to benefit Food For The Hungry.
We talked with Scott Burgess from WeRunMV about this annual event.
When: Thanksgiving morning. Registration opens up at 8am, the race starts at 9am
Where: R.R. Hodges Chapel on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Who: Everyone is invited including canines
What to bring: Non-perishable food and dollars to benefit the Food For The Hungry campaign

Scott talks about how cash feed more. $1.00 = $4.89 of buying power at the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.
All donations stay here in Knox County to support families in our community.

To find out more, go to www.foodforthehungrycares.org

0

Mark Hall talks with The Morning Thing about 20 years of ministry with Casting Crowns

WNZR’s Alyssa Sidle had the privilege of talking with Mark Hall from Casting Crowns. This has been an exciting year for the group as they celebrate 20 years in music ministry.
Mark shares an update from their fall tour and talks about the break they are taking for the holidays.
He also talks about their new album and the amazing collaborations with so many artists and friends.
Mark also shares how their story is making it to the big screen in a new feature-length film.
So many lives have been touched by the music of Casting Crowns.
We hope you join the WNZR staff to celebrate their legacy by seeing the film,
Casting Crowns: Home By Sunday.
Listen to the conversation below.

Click HERE to see the trailer.

Click HERE for more information.

WNZR joins Casting Crowns in celebrating their 20 years of music ministry.
We are giving away tickets to see their new feature-length film – Casting Crowns, Home by Sunday.
The Casting Crowns Cinema Celebration Giveaway is HERE.
Listen for a special cue to call. When you hear a Casting Crowns medley from their debut album, Lifesong, call our studio line, 740-397-WNZR (9697).
If you are caller #3, you will be entered into a drawing to win 2 tickets to see the film on Thursday, November 30th.
Winners will be announced on The Morning Thing on Tuesday, November 28th at 7:30 am.
4 winners will join members of the Big Blue crew on a trip to see the movie in Ontario.
Thanks to Provident Entertainment for the tickets!

Synopsis of the film:
Celebrate 20 years of music and ministry in this brand-new documentary detailing the extraordinary journey of Casting Crowns, exclusive to theaters.

Known worldwide for their poignant songs of truth, Casting Crowns is arguably one of the most successful CCM artists in the last two decades. The GRAMMY-winning, multi-Platinum-selling group has sold more than 13 million albums worldwide and earned 15 career No. 1 singles.

Yet despite the many accolades, to Mark Hall, Casting Crowns’ lead singer and songwriter, his most important title is “youth pastor.” Through 20 years of touring and recording, the band has been faithful to always be “home by Sunday” to keep their local church commitments.

HOME BY SUNDAY shares the remarkable stories behind the band’s journey, music, and ministry. From their unique beginnings to the inspiration behind one of their most beloved songs and a near-life-ending diagnosis, HOME BY SUNDAY gives a behind-the-scenes look into the mission and mindset that has driven Casting Crowns for the last two decades.

0

Psi Iota Xi partners with Knox County Elementary School to support Food For The Hungry

The Morning Thing talked with Debbie Ruggles, Chair of Psi Iota Xi about this year’s Elementary School Collection.
This is collection week! Local elementary school students are asked to bring donations to support the 2023 Food For The Hungry Drive.
Debbie shares a top 10 list of needs at our local pantries. She also talks about the rewards for the top collectors in each school and how the top classes can earn a pizza party!

Click HERE to find out more about this year’s collection.

Click HERE to find out more about Food For The Hungry.

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑