By Faith Orecchio
Student Co-Host of The Morning Thing

While playing soccer at Mount Vernon Nazarene University I learn a lot about my faith. I have amazing coaches that know who we play for and treat our team as a ministry. Their persistent encouragement and uplifting attitudes help shape me into the the player and person that I want to be.

Even with the positive atmosphere it’s hard not to find my value in soccer. Sometimes when I don’t play well or get as much playing time as I would like, I get angry. I feel like I must not be good enough. Instead of looking for the positives, I focus on every negative I can find. I focus on all the “bad” things that aren’t going my way and weighing my worth through them. I become frustrated and that affects my attitude for games and practices. Sometimes I forget why I play because all my focus is on why I don’t. Instead I should focus on the blessing God gave me. He gave me athletic ability to play soccer and not only do I play; I have the opportunity to play in college, where very little athletes get to participate. I get to be a part of a team and play soccer every day. There is no reason for complaining.

Success and a happy life should not be measured by money, cars, or how well I play in a soccer game. Our purpose is to live a life for God. So we should find our value in Him, because we are made perfect in His image and are His children. We will have a great, happy, and successful life when we give it all to God. He doesn’t love us because we have a great job or we are the best player on the team. He also doesn’t stop loving us when we lose a job or get a bad grade on a test. He sees us for who we are – the good and the bad, and He wants all of it. He wants to love us unconditionally and we have to remember that.

Nothing we do or not do is going to change the way God loves us. He loves so much that He sent His one and only son to die on the cross for our sins. We have to find our identity in Jesus because in this life where everything changes and there is sorrow and hatred He is everlasting and full of love.

Faith Orecchio is a sophomore at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She plays the position of center midfielder on the MVNU Women’s Soccer Team. The Lady Cougars finished the season with 13 wins, 5 losses and 1 tie. The Cougars finished 6-3 in the Crossroads League.

“Wonderfully Made”
by Marcy Rinehart

Why do we spend so much time comparing ourselves to others? I fall into that trap too often. Comparing accomplishments, talents, looks and even initiative can lead us down a dangerous path. How many times do we miss the blessing God has waiting for us, because we are too focused on what someone else is doing?

God has been speaking to me on this topic lately because our family just went through Homecoming season. I have a 16 year old daughter that is truly enjoying her junior year of high school. She is very involved in school and at church, has a great group of friends and does well academically. The days leading up to Homecoming were quite a challenge. My husband and I spent numerous days trying to convince our beautiful daughter that there was nothing wrong with her because she didn’t have a date to the dance. It pained me to see her tears as she cried, “Mom, what is wrong with me? Why am I not as good as those other girls?” As a parent, those are the moments you pray for God’s guidance. Of course, I know that my daughter is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). I also know that one date to Homecoming will not make or break the beautiful future God has planned for her life. How could I convince her?

It was then that the sweet, gentle voice of the Holy Spirit spoke to me. Was I listening to my own words? Did I believe that I was precious and loved? Why do I consistently fall into that sinful trap of comparing my job, my looks and my talents to others? Psalm 139 reminds us that we are a work of God and His works are wonderful! Psalm 139 also reminds us that God knows our hearts and is always with us. I have been challenged by verses 23 and 24, “search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting”.

Homecoming 2014 is a good memory. Our house was full of 4 beautiful, single girls that day. My daughter and her friends had a blast as they spent the day doing their nails, makeup and hair. We also had a special time of prayer before a wonderful dinner. One of the fathers presented each girl with a rose and became their chauffer to the dance. My daughter would tell you that this was one of her best memories from high school.

I want to thank Francesca Battistelli for writing a beautiful song that encourages me and reminds me to see myself as God sees me.

“He Knows My Name”
He calls me chosen
Free, forgiven
Wanted, child of the King
His forever
Held and treasured
I am loved
I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name

Lord, help us to realize that our true worth is found in YOU. We are beautiful in your sight.
We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

The Morning Thing talked with Irina Creek about her full circle story. Her story started in a Russian orphanage where she received a shoe box from Operation Christmas Child. She has come full circle and is now traveling and speaking on behalf of the ministry.

\https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/interview-with-irina-creek-operation-christmas-child

The Morning Thing had the opportunity to talk with Lois Carter and Kandee Popham about the transition from Care Net Pregnancy Services to Starting Point.

https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/interview-with-lois-carter-and-kandee-popham

The Morning Thing talked with Kandee Popham of Relationships Under Construction.

https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/interview-with-kandee-popham

The Morning Thing had the opportunity to talk with Lois Carter, Executive Director of Care Net Pregnancy Services of Knox County.

https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/interview-with-lois-carter

The Morning Thing talked with Kim White, Ultrasound Services Director at Starting Point. We talked about the power of ultrasounds.

https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/interview-with-kim-white

The Morning Thing talked with Starting Point volunteer, Mike Haughton, about the men’s ministry.

https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/interview-with-mike-haughton-of-starting-point

We had the chance to chat with Blake Rayne about his experience acting in the new movie “The Identical.”

You can hear the entire conversation here:

https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/interview-with-blake-rayne-lead-actor-of-the-identical

We had the chance to interview Dr. Henry Spaulding, the President of MVNU, for a September Presidential Update. Here is the link to the full interview:

https://soundcloud.com/wnzr/sets/september-presidential-update-with-dr-spaulding