Category: Inspirational

Thanksgiving is 1 week away! Are you ready?

Today, The Morning Thing shared some great advice on how to prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Here are some great tips that we found online to help you plan ahead and be ready to enjoy this special holiday.

🛒 1. Plan and Shop

  • Finalize your menu. Decide exactly what dishes you’ll serve (and what guests might bring).
  • Make a detailed grocery list. Include all ingredients, drinks, and supplies like foil, plastic wrap, and napkins.
  • Do your big grocery run. Get non-perishables, frozen items, and anything that can store well for a week. (Avoid the last-minute rush!)
  • Order your turkey. If you haven’t yet, make sure it’s purchased or reserved.

🦃 2. Prep the Turkey

  • If you bought a frozen turkey, move it to the fridge to thaw — it can take up to 4–5 days depending on the size.
  • Check you have a roasting pan, thermometer, and carving knife.

🍽️ 3. Get Your Kitchen Ready

  • Clean out the fridge to make space for ingredients and leftovers.
  • Sharpen knives and clean cookware, baking sheets, and serving dishes.
  • Label serving platters or sticky-note them (“mashed potatoes here,” “stuffing here”) to stay organized.

🏡 4. Prepare Your Home

  • Clean main areas (kitchen, dining room, bathrooms, entryway).
  • Plan table seating and décor. Make sure you have enough chairs, plates, glasses, and utensils.
  • Set aside time to decorate — candles, fall centerpieces, or a festive tablecloth go a long way.

🕒 5. Plan the Timeline

  • Create a cooking schedule for the week and Thanksgiving Day. (e.g., pies the day before, casseroles in the morning, turkey in at noon.)
  • Make a to-do list for each day leading up to the holiday.

👪 6. Coordinate with Guests

  • Confirm who’s coming and what time they’ll arrive.
  • Double-check who’s bringing what dishes or drinks.
  • Plan for any dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.).

🍰 7. Start Early Prep

  • Make and freeze pie dough, casseroles, or rolls if possible.
  • Chop veggies ahead of time and store them in labeled containers.
  • Prepare any make-ahead dishes like cranberry sauce or gravy base.
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WNZR talks with MVNU Alumni – Josh Hooper, Josh Pollock, Mike Basko and Judah Keith from River Radio

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with four MVNU graduates: Josh Hooper, Class of 2002; Josh Pollock, Class of 2014; Mike Basko, Class of 2024; and Judah Keith, Class of 2025.
They shared about what brought them to MVNU and how they made their way to the WNZR Staff.
We shared memories and lessons learned while being at WNZR and MVNU.
They talked about what it meant to be part of WNZR’s 39-year legacy.
They also gave advice for students what are currently studying in the communication and media field.
All 4 gentlemen are working at The River in Columbus.

Enjoy the Conversation.

Hey WNZR Alumni, we would love to have you join us this Saturday, 11/15 at our Reunion!
Click HERE for all the details and to find an online form. Tell us about your experience with WNZR, when you graduated and if you plan to stop by. We would love to hear from you and see you! 

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WNZR talks with MVNU Alumni – Alyssa Sidle and Nay Nay Parker from Radio U

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with two MVNU graduates: Alyssa Sidle, Class of 2021 and Nay Nay Parker, Class of 2020. They shared about what brought them to MVNU and how they made their way to the WNZR Staff. We shared memories and lessons learned while being at WNZR and MVNU. They talked about what it meant to be part of WNZR’s 39 year legacy. They also gave advice for students what are currently studying in the communication and media field. Both Alyssa and Nay Nay are working at Radio U in Columbus.

Enjoy the Conversation.

Hey WNZR Alumni, we would love to have you join us this Saturday, 11/15 at our Reunion!
Click HERE for all the details and to find an online form. Tell us about your experience with WNZR, when you graduated and if you plan to stop by. We would love to hear from you and see you! 

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MVNU prepares for a special Homecoming 2025 Weekend

This will be an exciting weekend at 800 Martinsburg Road In Mount Vernon.

MVNU hosts Homecoming 2025 with an amazing schedule of events.

WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with Mike Cheek, Executive Director of Alumni & Major Gifts about this year’s schedule.
Click HERE for the full conversation or use the link below.
You can see the full schedule HERE.

MVNU Graduate Brian White joined the conversation to talk about his time at MVNU and WNZR. He shared how God’s leading allowed him to become an award-winning songwriter.
Brian will host a workshop on Saturday 11/15 at 2:30pm in Thorne Performance Hall.  
The workshop is titled, “So You Wanna Be A Songwriter: Helpful Hints to Kickstart Your Songwriting Journey”. Click HERE for more information.

Brian also shares about the special event “A NIGHT WITH NASHVILLE BENEFITING COUGAR BASEBALL WITH THE HITS”!

Saturday, Nov. 15 | 8 p.m. | R.R. Hodges Chapel, Thorne Performance Hall
Join MVNU for an unforgettable evening as the hit songwriters behind chart-toppers from Chris Tomlin, Danny Gokey, Consumed by Fire, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Corey Asbury, We Are Messengers, Avalon, Matt Maher, Rodney Atkins, The Martins, 4Him, and more take the stage to share the songs – and the stories behind them. The featured guests will be Brian White (Class of 1979), Karyn Williams, and Jesse Reeves.

Tickets are $30. Reserve your spot today! https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=NiARv3

Enjoy the conversation and join us for MVNU’s Homecoming 2025!

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We got to sit down with Coach Mark Richt!

Xander got to have a sit down with Coach Mark Richt! Coach Richt is a former college football coach and player that spoke at the Tragedy Into Triumph event last night on MVNU’s campus. Coach tells us about his football career and his testimony on how he came to know Jesus!

Tragedy Into Triumph will happen again tonight and tomorrow with more amazing speakers! Doors open at 6pm and the event starts at 7pm.

For more info on Tragedy Into Triumph click HERE!

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Tragedy Into Triumph comes to MVNU November 3-5

On Thursday, we continued to highlight speakers coming to MVNU for the special Tragedy Into Triumph event. The mission of this event is to share real-life stories of transformation so that people will believe in Christ, find hope for their lives and overcome the struggles of life.

We got the chance to talk with Super Bowl Champion Michael Oher! Michael’s story from homelessness to the NFL became the 2009 movie The Blind Side.

He shared with us some of the real story behind his life, how he stays disciplined, and about his foundation.

Michael will be speaking at Tragedy Into Triumph on the campus of MVNU on Wednesday, November 5th.

We also shared a podcast with Wendell Brown and Riley Gaines. Click HERE to hear their conversation.

Riley is a twelve-time NCAA All-American swimmer who competed for the University of Kentucky. Riley is now hosting a podcast called Gaines for Girls.

Riley will be speaking at Tragedy Into Triumph on the campus of MVNU on Tuesday, November 4th.

Click HERE to stay connected with Tragedy into Triumph!

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Are you ready for some Fall FUN with your family?

Today on The Morning Thing, we shared 20 different ways to spend some quality time together as a family. This list of great ideas comes from Crosswalk.com

Click HERE to see the full list.

Here are some of our favorites:

* Host a Family Movie Night

Everybody loves family movie night. Typically, there is a theme like all the movies in a series or even a certain genre. 

* Cook Together

Cook a cozy, comforting meal together. We all know that family dinner time is important, so make it more special by preparing a meal together. Think meatloaf and mashed potatoes, cozy casseroles, and comforting soups. You could even try a recipe or two that you’ve never made before to shake things up. It can be as extravagant or as simple as you wish. 

* Make a Thankful Wall

Get a whiteboard or bulletin board and hang it where everyone in the family can see it. Buy either dry-erase markers or post-it notes and push pins. Each week, have everyone write what they are thankful for so everyone can see it. Then on Friday nights at dinner, talk about your week and the things you are grateful for. 

* Go Out for Breakfast

Breakfast is not only the most important meal of the day, it’s also cheaper than going out to lunch or dinner. Get up early on a Saturday morning and head to your favorite breakfast joint. Don’t forget to keep an eye out online, in your email, and also your snail mail for coupons. You can also go directly to the website and see if there are any specials going on as well. Enjoy the restaurant’s fall specials, like pumpkin pancakes or pumpkin spice coffee.

* Attend a Fall Festival 

Do some research and see if there are any fall festivals in your town or neighboring towns. If so, spend the day together as a family. There will be lots of things to see and do, and it will do you good to be out in the crisp, fall air.

* Make S’mores

S’mores are a staple in the fall, so fire up the bonfire or fire pit and gather ‘round. However, you don’t always have to make the traditional graham cracker, marshmallow, and Hershey bar kind. There are tons of variations online. 

I have seen s’mores made with horizontal slices of granny smith apples with caramel melted in the middle. Chocolate chip cookies with marshmallows and a chocolate bar melted in the middle. And s’mores made with chocolate graham crackers, peppermint patties, and marshmallows in the middle. There are lots of delicious variations, so have fun. You could even make several kinds and have friends over to enjoy after family dinner. 

* Sleep Under the Stars

Pitch a tent or two and sleep under the stars one night as a family. Sit around the fire pit and talk, admire the moon and the stars, and thank God for his creation. Slow down and enjoy the surrounding nature.

Thanks to the author for these great ideas!
Carrie Lowrance is a freelance writer and author. She has had her work featured on Crosswalk, iBelieve, Huffington Post, and the Penny Hoarder. She is also the author of three children’s books, three clean romance books, one romance novella, three books of poetry, and one non-fiction book. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and baking, reading, and hanging out with her husband, and sweet cat, Cupcake. You can find out more about Carrie and her writing at www.carrielowrance.com.

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Best strategies for conflict resolution!

Today we celebrated Conflict Resolution Day by talking about the 5 C’s of conflict resolution, and we also shared the best strategies for most common situations.

Here are the 5 C’s of Conflict Resolution:

  1. Calmness
  2. Clear Communication
  3. Clarification
  4. Collaboration
  5. Compromise

Here are some of the best strategies in common situations:

1. Workplace Conflict

  • Address issues early before they escalate.
  • Stay professional and focus on behavior, not personality.
  • Use “I” statements (“I felt…”) rather than accusatory language.
  • Listen actively and clarify misunderstandings.
  • Involve HR or a mediator if needed.
  • Aim for collaborative solutions (win-win).

2. Romantic Relationships

  • Stay calm; don’t try to resolve things in the heat of anger.
  • Express feelings honestly without blame.
  • Listen with empathy and validate their perspective.
  • Focus on solving the issue, not “winning” the argument.
  • Set boundaries and revisit them if needed.
  • Consider couples counseling if conflicts are recurring or intense.

3. Family Disputes

  • Be respectful and patient, especially with older or younger family members.
  • Avoid bringing up old grievances unless necessary to resolve the current issue.
  • Establish clear communication rules (e.g., no yelling, interrupting).
  • Take breaks if emotions get too high.
  • Sometimes, agreeing to disagree is the most peaceful resolution.
  • For serious issues, involve a family therapist or neutral third party.

 4. Friend Conflicts

  • Talk in person or over a call, not text.
  • Be honest but kind—assume positive intent.
  • Let your friend share their side without interruption.
  • Apologize sincerely if you were in the wrong.
  • Don’t let pride get in the way of mending the friendship.

5. Online or Social Media Conflicts

  • Don’t engage when emotions are high—pause before replying.
  • Move the conversation offline if it’s meaningful.
  • Use empathy and facts, not sarcasm or insults.
  • Know when to disengage—not every comment needs a response.
  • Set boundaries or block/report if harassed.
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The Gospel Music Association announces their 2025 Dove Award Winners

The 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards Broadcast was shared by Trinity Broadcast Network on Friday, 10/10/25. The night was full of exciting performances including a few surprise guests.
Brandon Lake took home 5 awards including Song of the Year with “Hard Fought Hallelujah”.

Click HERE to read the Dove Awards Press Release from the Gospel Music Association.

To see the full list of winners, click HERE.

The Dove Awards broadcast will re-air Friday, October 17th, 2025, At 7:30pm and 10:00pm ET on TBN, the TBN+ app, and TBN YouTube.

Here is a highlight of the 2025 Winners. Congratulations to all nominees!

SONG OF THE YEAR –
Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll     
Writers: Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown and Benjamin William Hastings

ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Forrest Frank

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Leanna Crawford

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (ARTIST) – Brandon Lake

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (NON-ARTIST) – Mitch Wong

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR – Jeff Pardo

POP/CONTEMPORARY SONG OF THE YEAR –
Your Way’s Better by Forrest Frank
Writers: Forrest Frank and Pera

GOSPEL WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
Come Jesus Come by CeCe Winans and Shirley Caesar    
Writers: Hank Bentley, Bryan Fowler, Stephen McWhirter and Tara McWhirter

WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
I Know A Name by Elevation Worship, Chris Brown and Brandon Lake
Writers: Brandon Lake, Steven Furtick, Jacob Sooter and Hank Bentley

INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
The Jesus Way by Phil Wickham     
Writers: Phil Wickham and Jonathan Smith

BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY/ROOTS SONG OF THE YEAR –
Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll     
Writers: Brandon Lake, Jelly Roll, Steven Furtick, Chris Brown and Benjamin William Hastings

CHRISTMAS RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –
Joy To The World by CeCe Winans
Writers: Traditional

POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
CHILD OF GOD by Forrest Frank     
Producers: Forrest Frank, Pera, Noah Conrad, JVKE, Jackson Foote, Johnny Simpson, Zac Lawson and Splash Of Soda

WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
When Wind Meets Fire by Elevation Worship  
Producers: Steven Furtick, Chris Brown, Josh Holiday and Chandler Moore

ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
Trustfall by Stephen Stanley
Producers: Stephen Stanley, Tedd T. and Jake Halm

CHRISTMAS/SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR –
Hallelujah! It’s Christmas! By Phil Wickham   
Producers: Jonathan Smith, Josh Auer, Jerad Atherton, Tyler Halford, Ben Lounsbury and Aaron Robertson

RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR –
Heaven On My Mind by TobyMac    
Art Directors: Nathan Blaine, Aaron Stearns and Trent Nicholson
Graphic Artists: Nathan Blaine and Aaron Stearns
Photographer – Robby Klein

SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (CONCEPT) –
Can’t Stop Me by TobyMac    
Director: Eric Welch
Producer: Scott McDaniel

SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (PERFORMANCE) –
Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll     
Directors: Brandon Lake and Jacob Boyles
Producers: Jacob Boyles, Rachel Mulcahy, Sadie Schwanberg and Caleb Cook

LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR –
A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) by for KING & COUNTRY          
Directors: Joel Smallbone and Kadin Tooley
Producers: Joshua Walsh, Stephen Preston and Luke Smallbone

FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR –
The King of Kings
Director: Jang Seong-ho
Producers: Jang Seong-ho and Kim Woo-hyung

TELEVISION SERIES OF THE YEAR –
The Chosen          
Director: Dallas Jenkins
Producers: Dallas Jenkins, Chad Gundersen and Chris Juen

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