Category: Week In Review

Thoughts from Israel- The Morning Thing on 3/14/16

Wesley Israel

Wesley Boston here. I recently returned from an incredible opportunity. From February 29th to March 11th I traveled across Israel and Jordan, seeing sites that brought the Bible to life and being introduced to cultures and people that were very different from me. A few things struck me as a result.

  1. The world is a lot bigger than America. Our guide, Rafi, who is seen in the above picture at the left end of the back row, reminded us that the U.S. is big- so big that we don’t need anybody else he said. Israel, to compare, is smaller than New Jersey. In the U.S. we don’t get out much, we don’t see much that is different, and we dont get out of our comfort zones. It’s good in so many ways to get into someone else’s country, culture, kitchen, history, etc.
  2. Differences in race, culture, and religion can be put aside. On this trip a Muslim man looked me, a Christian, in the eye and asked me to pray for peace in these lands. Two religions with two different Gods, but that didn’t matter. We could be united in this cause. One girl that I traveled with remarked that while watching the Jews pray at the Western “Wailing” Wall she realized that we aren’t so different. We all are simply trying to get closer to God.
  3. We believe and have faith in a God who does not operate in an abstract dimension or some Narnia -esque realm that we can’t get to or see. He works in real history, in real places, and with real people. While we can’t have definite proof and still have to trust and have faith, we can take comfort in knowing that we can see the places where the Bible tells us these things happened.
  4. History keeps going on. Rafi reminded us on the first day that since our our country is so young we have a different view of what is old. In his words, “You Americans find something that is 250 years old and you call it an antique. In Israel if something is 250 years old we don’t even look at it- it’s brand new! Come back when you have something from the 3rd or 4th century.” In that land I saw the remains of empire after empire and civilization after civilization. I stood in the ruins of palaces of mighty kings and the temples of foreign gods. History marches on and takes everything that mankind builds with it. But God remains. He is unchanged from the beginning and will still be here in another 2,000 years.
  5. We have a personal relationship but not a personal religion. By that I mean that while we are able to know God personally as our God and Savior it isn’t just about us. We are part of a worldwide community of believers that spans throughout history. Every one of us across the globe brings our own interpretations and culture and backgrounds to it but we are all one body serving the same risen Lord.
  6. We don’t have to travel around the world to be closer to God. This thought was not original with me. I was struggling with the fact that I had not had some kind of supernatural revelation or some experience where God broke through into my life in some brand new crystal clear way. Then one girl on the trip shared that she was struggling with the same issue- and then she realized that there’s a good reason for it. God is with us no matter where we are. We can be just as close to Him here in Ohio as we can in the Holy Lands. I have stood as close to the Holy of Holies as is humanly possible in 2016- but that didn’t make me any closer to God than I am right now as I write these words in Mount Vernon. God is with you and me no matter where we are and that is a great comfort.

It’s hard to sum up such an experience in one post, but these are a few of the things that God put on my heart during this journey. And yes, it was good to go- amazing to go- but it is good to be back. Hopefully the lessons I’ve learned can influence the way I live day to day.

Shalom!

0

The Morning Thing “Week In Review” – Easter Week

 easter-weekend

We are starting a new tradition for The Morning Thing Blog. Every Friday, we will post a list of topics that we covered for the past week. We will provide links to the articles and information that we share weekday mornings from 6-9.

We hope that you will go through this list of topics and dig a little deeper to find helpful and encouraging information for you and your family. It is our passion and desire to provide you with fun and inspiration that will strengthen YOU and your family every weekday morning as you start your day. Thanks for listening! We’ll see you Monday at 6am!

The Morning Thing 3/30 – 4/3/15

We have some special features to get your day started!
– National News updates from the Associated Press every hour
– WNZR State and Local News 7am & 8am
– Weather every 15 minutes
– The Morning Thing Game of the Day 7:20am
– Birthdays and Anniversaries 7:40am
– Focus on the Family Minute 7:50am

The Morning Thing Game of the Day at 7:20am is your chance to win! Monday through Thursday – you get a chance to win a $5.00 gift certificate to Southside Diner. On Friday – we’ll have a surprise prize every week!

It was Easter Week! Each day, we shared some special bible verses for Easter. We also took a Journey to the Cross with daily activities for kids for the week of Easter.

Easter Bible Verses: http://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/easter-bible-verses/​

Journey to the cross: http://www.jesus-without-language.net/holy-week-review/

PLUS, we gave away tickets to the ALIVE FESTIVAL every day this week!
Click here to see the amazing lineup. http://www.alive.org/

On Monday,  Marcy and Jenna, shared some Easter traditions. How do you celebrate the holiday at your house?http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/holidays/celebrating-the-easter-season/easter-traditions-that-matter

They shared a conversation with Gigi and Brandon Gonazalez Cottrell from the Salvation Army about their upcoming father/daughter dance.

https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/brandon-and-gigi-gonzalez-cotrell-march-2015

It was also a GET HEALTHY Monday. They shared some tips from the Knox County Health Department and a chance to win a Get Healthy Prize Package.

Get Healthy Tips – Drink MORE Water.
A simple step to better health is to drink more water. Water is the second most popular beverage in the U.S. after soft drinks. This is a scary stat, since sugary soda is a huge health hazard, upping the risk of obesity, stroke, and other heart problems. However, these dangers can be avoided if people choose to drink water, which doesn’t have negative side effects. So help put the sugary stuff to the side and make water the number one drink of choice. When it comes to thirst, put water first.

There are a number of reasons you should drink more water:
Water can keep your body in balance. Roughly 60 percent of the body is made of water. Drinking enough H2O maintains the body’s fluid balance, which helps transport nutrients in the body, regulate body temperature, digest food, and more.

Drinking water could also help with weight loss. Numerous studies have found a connection between water consumption and losing a few pounds. The secret? – Water simply helps people feel full, and as a result consume fewer calories.

Water can increase your productivity at work and studies show that water can help you think better, concentrate and stay alert. A study in London found a link between students bringing water into an exam room and better grades, suggesting H2O promotes clearer thinking. While it’s unclear if drinking the water had anything to do with a better score, it doesn’t hurt to try it out!

When you feel tired, try drinking water. One of the most common symptoms of dehydration is tiredness.

The amount of water people need per day is up for debate, but studies suggest adults need nine to 16 cups of H2O. However this number varies depending on activity level, age, and how much water people are consuming in coffee, tea, or water-rich veggies and fruit. Here’s how to keep yourself hydrated: Begin by drinking a glass of water as soon as you wake up, and 30 minutes before eating any big meal. (This will help control appetite, too.) Get in the habit of keeping a water bottle on hand at all times. And if the taste beings to bore, spice up the taste buds with a squeeze of citrus to the glass! Before you know it, all the benefits of water will be right at your fingertips… and in your body

Whatever healthy thing you decide to do …and we do want you to choose to something healthy for yourself – whether it’s something small like drinking more water –  or something big like joining a gym – do it today…. it’s Get Healthy Monday.

On Tuesday, Wesley and Josh Pope, talked about the Easter Candy and some unique recipes using your Easter candy.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/eastercandy1.html

http://fillyourplate.org/blog/twenty-fun-facts-about-jelly-beans/

http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/25-fun-easter-candy-trivia-facts/

​http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines/7505/peeps-trivia/

http://allrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-events/easter/desserts/candy/

http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/808489/leftover-easter-candy-recipes

On Wednesday, Marcy and Faith, celebrated April Fool’s Day by sharing the greatest April Fool’s Day jokes of all time. They also shared some yummy dinner menu ideas for your family.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/april-fools-day-top-10-1788823​

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/holiday—celebration-recipes/easter-recipes/top-10-easter-dinner-ideas#1

On Thursday, Jenna and Wesley, celebrated National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day with some yummy recipes using America’s 2 favorite ingredients. They also celebrated National Children’s Book Day by reading some of the greatest children’s books on the list.

http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/pbandjday.htm

http://www.buzzfeed.com/vdlr/56-peanut-butter-and-jelly-recipes-44qs

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/10630229/15-best-childrens-books-of-all-time.html

http://www.nypl.org/childrens100​

On Friday, Marcy and her daughter Rachel celebrated PTLIGF – Praise the Lord, It’s GOOD Friday!

This Friday was very special. We shared 3 hours of songs picked specifically for Easter.
Our Morning Thing Fave 5 featured our 5 favorite Easter Songs.
https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/morning-thing-favorite-easter-songs-2015

We talked about the mini-series AD – the Bible Continues, which premieres on NBC on Easter Sunday.
Here’s a link to hear Executive Producers, Roma Downey and Mark Burnett talk with Jim Daly on Focus on the Family.

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/a-bold-witness-for-christ-on-network-tv

In the 8am hour, we shared our April MVNU Presidential Update with Dr. Henry Spaulding.
https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/april-mvnu-presidential-update-with-dr-henry-spaulding

Have a GREAT weekend.
Remember that The Morning Thing is a GREAT way to start your day. Every weekday morning from 6-9am.

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑