Libby | Lifesongs.com: Recent Episodes
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Mmmmm…I can almost smell the cornbread dressing and the pecan pie already. Thanksgiving is almost here! I love this opportunity to sit down together and connect over a family meal. Putting phones away and welcoming friends and family to the table is something I count as a blessing. Even though there may be awkward moments or tension, food allergies or burnt pie crusts, there are also stories to share and laughs to be had together. And the food!
While it can be tempting to give in to frustration or focus on what we lack, I want to encourage you to look through a lens of gratitude. We have so much to be thankful for! We are blessed by a God who loves us. That is reason alone to be grateful. 1 Chronicles 16:34 reminds us to “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever!” One way we can express our gratitude is through our actions. With a thankful heart, let’s extend this great love to others. Invite them to your table. Choose forgiveness. Be kind and encouraging. Bring joy to others. Let someone know how much you appreciate them and why. Be a generous listener. Look for opportunities to share the HOPE we have in Jesus.
In fact, we’ve got one way you can do just that, coming up Thanksgiving evening at 8pm! That’s when LifeSongs becomes your Christmas soundtrack. Why Christmas music? There are so many people searching. Looking for connection, for comfort, for hope. Our prayer is that those who may stumble upon LifeSongs and hear a familiar holiday tune would find the true “thrill of HOPE” in our only source, and in the reason we have to celebrate: Jesus. Please pray for them, invite them to the table, and that they stick around, even after Christmas, to continue hearing messages of good news and great joy on LifeSongs.
Christmas may be a rare season that has its own soundtrack, but there are so many songs of gratitude and thanks that might be perfect to incorporate around your Thanksgiving table! Here are a few of my favorites:
Happy Thanksgiving! My heart is full of gratitude for you. Now, pass those sweet potatoes!
Welcome, September! Are you glad to say farewell to August? This year, in particular, August felt long. Maybe it was the 20th anniversary of Katrina. Did those conversations dominate your world, too?
As we sit with this marker in time, I feel a mix of not wanting to dwell in the Katrina space we lived through, but also never wanting to forget or minimize its significance. Can you relate? It’s a weird place to be. A place I tend to look for hugs, humor and hope to lean on.
My reflections on that time lead me to not just relive the painful moments, but to look at what has come of them. To not sit in what was, but to see how God has used it since and look toward what could be. What WILL be? My prayer is that God will bring whole healing to our community. That He will help us to truly love our neighbors well, to come together and reflect His light to encourage others. That we can laugh together, cry together, eat together and continue to allow Him to write our stories, and the collective story of redemption and hope in New Orleans.
How about you? What’s your story, and what do you hope for in the chapters to come?
I’m so grateful that in every experience, in every moment big and small, we haven’t had to go through them alone. We are in this together, and in every season, we can lean on each other, care for one another, and be a reflection of Jesus to our community.
It’s because of your support for LifeSongs that we have been able to weather the storms of life together, and the reason we are still here, every day, proclaiming the goodness of God. Thank you for your generous commitment to this ministry, and to bringing Hope to our deep-rooted swampy lil’ corner of the world. You belong here.
Josh & Libby talk about the last 20 years in a post-Katrina New Orleans – share stories – dream about the future! Including excerpts from local pastors and LifeSongs listeners.
We look back at what GOD HAS DONE in the past two decades. What good came from tragedy? What changes did He make in you and your life that you can now look back and say “I see Jesus in the storm”?
Thank you for being part of the LifeSongs family! We’re so grateful we get to share God’s love together through hope & encouragement.
If God has used this ministry to have a positive impact in your life, used a song to encourage you when you needed it most, we want to hear about it! Everyone has a story to share, and when you share what God is doing in your life, you encourage others!
Share your story with us below the video:
Share Your Story Everyone has a story to share. How has God moved in your life? Has HE used LifeSongs to impact you and your family?
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I’m not good with transitions. Neither is my son, which has been on full display this summer as we switch gears between travel and camp and out of town visitors and playdates and more.
Summer can be like that. It’s just long enough to enjoy a break, but not long enough to really settle into any sort of rhythm or routine. It’s great, it’s fun, it can be jam-packed and exhausting, and just when you think you’re getting the hang of it, it’s time to shift back to the routine of school and life and all the things.
My family’s summer season has been filled with family and friends, visits that were long overdue and also heartbreak and loss. Lots of laughter and plenty of tears. Somedays, we hold both simultaneously. The time together is so sweet and compacted, and it can then amplify the distance when it’s time to part.
I’m constantly learning that life-long lesson from Ecclesiastes 3. God designed life to have a cyclical nature. We go through different phases, experience different seasons, and each one has its own purpose and place. This isn’t a random thing! It’s part of God’s plan for nature, our world, and for us, too. And as hard as it is for me to do so, I know I can embrace each moment, the joyful ones, the ones where we weep, the ones that feel uncertain, because He is unchanging. There is hope and purpose when we trust in Him.
So, as the shift happens from sunscreen to composition books, from sno-balls to PSLs, from hellos to goodbyes, let’s accept and welcome each season, knowing that each one has purpose, and we can find our peace through them all in Jesus.
Libby got to hang with some future leaders – some inspiring young women – some GIRL SCOUTS!
These girls want to invite you to Cookies for a Cause, this Saturday (June 21) from 10 AM – 6 PM at the Cox Store in Metairie (4852 Veterans Memorial Blvd).
For each box/case of cookies sold, another will be donated to Second Harvest. It’s also our last chance to stock up on cookies to use as Hurricane snacks later in the season… just saying.
Are you a thrill-seeker? The type of person who loves the extreme? Or are you more of a play-it-safe kind of person? There’s probably a spectrum between those two, and maybe we all fall a bit more in the middle, but I know I definitely lean more toward the familiar and comfortable range.
Climbing a mountain, riding the most extreme roller coaster, eating the spiciest food on the Scoville Scale – those don’t really draw me in. Even simply trying something new can trigger a sense of anxiety deep inside. But what about the times we feel that nudge to do something “scary?” The times we feel like we might be called to move into some sort of transition, despite the nerves, the concern, the uncertainty?
We recently traveled to visit family across the country, and my 8-year-old had plenty of opportunities to try new things. He ran head first into the waves of the Pacific Ocean. He worked up his courage to ride a log flume. He took a hike through the Redwoods. He met new people and tried new foods. And while these things may seem small, I could feel God working on my own heart as I watched Gus “be brave.”
When we seek a sense of calm or peace in our circumstances or in the controlled environment we’ve created for ourselves, it may feel like the more comfortable option. But the truth is, we’re not really the ones in control.
I’m still nervous about the idea of change, especially when it’s on a bigger scale than a log flume, but I know that obedience to what God’s calling us to leads to far more true and lasting peace than trying on our own. Imagine how terrifying it must have been for Peter, Andrew, James and John to fully leave their careers as fishermen and follow Jesus! It required risk, sacrifice and trust.
The unknown can be scary no matter what. Wisdom and worry can be difficult to distinguish for those of us who tend to make decisions based on worst case scenarios. But if God is calling you to it, He will be in it! He is working for our good. We simply have to trust Him.
Is He calling you to take a (big or small) leap of faith? Because of Jesus, we can leap without fear because every step He tells us to make will turn out for our good.
Libby & Jamie MacDonald are just too great together! Check out their chat and learn about Jamie’s hit song “Desperate” and why she’s spent so much time in prison! For real…
*The following is a transcript (using A.I. via Restream) of the interview between Libby & Jamie MacDonald
Hello, Libby. Hey. How are you?
I’m good. How are you?
You’re so cute.
Oh, thank you. Can I be long ways like you? Is this better? Long?
Oh, yeah. That’s awesome. Yeah. You look adorable too. I love your fit, your hair, your bangs, everything.
I look back at pictures of me with long hair, and I’m like, yeah. That there was no sass. It was just looking average. So we’ll keep the sass.
It suits you. It looks good. It looks good.
Thank you.
Well, we wanna welcome singer songwriter, artist behind the song Desperate, Jamie MacDonald to LifeSongs. I’m so excited to get to know you and for our listening family to get to know you more as well. So let’s start with the obviously important facts. You love sardines. You’re from Michigan. Right? Anything else we need to know upfront?
I’m a dog lover.
Oh, alright. Excellent.
Yes.
How many dogs do you have?
I have one, big greyhound black lab, and she’s old and gray, and she’s so sweet. And Aw. We’re we’re pals. We’re inseparable.
Oh, awesome. So there’s only room for one in your heart right now?
Well, we have, I live with a roommate who has a dog too. So there’s a tiny little hairy dog. I forgot what it’s called. Yorkie.
Yorkie. Okay. Yeah. Sure. Yeah. It’s it’s not your dog. So, you know, whatever.
Yeah. Right. Right. Something else running around over here.
Okay. Exactly. So you love dogs. Love music? It’s clearly God’s calling on your life, but it’s been more behind the scenes until recently. Can you tell us a little bit? Share some of that journey with us?
Yeah. So, I mean, for the past five years, I kind of haven’t released any music. So this is all kinda happening very suddenly. It’s been really, really exciting, but I had a kind of a hard five years laying down music, looking after my dad who was in the final stages of dementia and Parkinson’s. Kind of reconnected with him over the pandemic after years of not having my dad in my life. So it was just an interesting, but really beautiful plot twist in my life where I just thought, okay. I never imagined I’d be living with my dad and helping look out for him.
Sometimes he didn’t know who I was. A lot of the time he didn’t know who I was, and it was just some really hard things that we walked through together in the hospital and having falls and, you know, just I didn’t have any friends or family in Georgia, so it was really just my dad and I, and I hadn’t ever cared for anyone with a mental illness, so there was just a lot happening.
Mhmm.
But God did an incredible work in my heart and, during kind of the final few months of his life, I got invited to sing in a prison, and it was kind of the first thing of me stepping back into doing music. And I thought, okay. This feels safe for me because I’m really broken and I know these women are also really broken and so I don’t have to show up with any, you know, amazing like best foot forward, I can just show up and be myself and sing and share my gift and so that changed my life. I showed up and they were, there was a choir of women who all have a life sentence, and they had rehearsed one of my songs. And so, as I was coming down the hallway to meet them, I could hear, you know, a song playing in it live, and it was my song. And so I walked into all these faces singing my song back to me with so much joy, and I just break down crying, and it was the most hope I had felt in years. And so from then it was just like, okay, I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be and, I never wanted to leave after that.
I mean, I started, we did a wonderful performance after rehearsing for about a month, right there in the prison. And then after that, it was like, well, I can’t stop coming now. I’ve been coming weekly. And so I ended up joining staff there, as a volunteer to teach songwriting weekly. And just these girls became my closest friends, and a lot of them are my age and had been in there for almost twenty years already and just completely filled with the joy of the Lord and so much strength.
So they were actually the ones who walked me through losing my dad and, you know, I thought I was showing up to give them something and they were pouring into me and carrying me this whole time. And so, when I saw, you know, the result of Christian music on them in the prison and how much they live and breathe on Christian radio and Christian music. I was like, okay. This is huge and it’s this is so important. And if I could get a song on the radio, I can reach all these prisons at one time.
And I just kinda saw this new purpose in, music, and it felt really just kind of God was breathing on it. And I thought, I don’t have to ask God if this matters. I know this matters. And so I I was like, let’s go sign a record deal and let’s get a song on the radio. And, and now, like, you got it. Let’s do this. And then now it’s not much later. And it doesn’t always happen that way, but I just kinda in my head, that’s how it happens. You sign a record deal, and then you’re on the radio. And I guess it that’s not always how it goes, but this time it was. So God was like, well, this is what she expected. And so I guess I’ll I guess I’ll do that.
Oh, it’s so beautiful. I but you’re so right. You know, the power of music, it’s it’s really it’s so healing, you know, just talking about your dad. And I bet music was able to … my mom’s in the early stages of dementia as well, and there’s something so powerful about music, reconnecting memories, and kinda restoring some relationships and firing those neurons that haven’t, those muscles that haven’t been used in a long time. And Yes. Gosh. I just think that’s so powerful to go from that with your dad to then being in the prison with these women who were having life transformation. The power of music and how God’s using you is just awesome.
Thank you so much. And I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. Oh, lovely. Do you guys do you guys ever have moments where you’re listening to music together and it’s just kinda, like, activates, like, more in her brain? It unlocks something.
It really does. Yeah. It’s incredible. And it it’s amazing to watch because it seems like how can that possibly, how can that possibly be? But it really it really does.
Yeah. Yes. I saw the same with my dad. Sometimes I couldn’t have a normal conversation with him. Most of the time, I couldn’t. And Yeah. I would put on a song, which he hadn’t heard all of his favorite music in years because he just you know, with the mental illness, he forgot about all his music. And I still remembered from when I was a kid, the songs that he liked from the eighties and, like, old Christian songs and, I don’t know, Petra and Michael W. Smith. And so I’d pull up one of his old favorites and suddenly, he’s just you know, Jimmy was back, and he could remember things. And he wanted to talk about his boxing career and then talk about, you know, being married and having us kids.
And it was just like the music unlocked those memories for him. And he knew every word to the songs too, which was cool to see. Because he hadn’t heard them in fifteen, twenty years and with his mental illness, none of that mattered. And he, all the words were still right there, and it was so beautiful. Beautiful.
Oh my gosh. So I guess Christian music, has that been a a part of your life for a long time? Like, do you have any old CCM jams that you rock out to or that you love?
I mean okay. So when Place in This World just made a comeback, that was, like, the best thing ever because I have loved that song my whole life, and my dad used to sing that when we were kids. And and the message has just always meant a lot to me because I’ve always felt that way. Like, where do I belong? Like, is there something I can call my own in this world? It’s just, like, it’s so fun to belt that song with all your heart, and it’s always been a part of my life. So for it to now be back on the radio, I just kinda feel this little wink, like, looking up to heaven and thinking about my dad.
Like, he’s up there jamming to this too because this has always been his favorite song, and now it’s back on the radio. And I don’t know. It just feels really special, but that’s definitely a a jam that’s always been alive for me and I love the new version. Yeah. It’s awesome.
And, you know, who knows what song might play next? Maybe Desperate, perhaps. You never know.
I love what you said about the song Desperate, which is connecting with so many people. And I think you described it like, the lyrics as giving language as a tool to help us in those moments when we feel so heavy, and things are out of our control. And it is just such an anthem. It is so powerful, and I can tell it came from a very deep well. Can you share with us a little bit about just how that song came to be?
I, like I said, I was living in Georgia and going through just, like, some of my hardest times. Lost my dad in August of 2023, and shortly after, I was offered a record deal. And so it was just, like, walking off the grief of losing my dad and just that whole five years, which was just so isolating and really, really tough. I was afraid to step into these writing rooms as a new artist because I couldn’t pretend I was okay at at that time, you know. I was in the midst of heavy grief and loss and, not to mention not having done music in five years and just feeling like I don’t know what I’m doing, and it was just cool to see God kind of breathe on all of that and say, No. That’s actually why I have you here because I want you to write from that place and I have something I’m gonna give you that, you know, is gonna help a lot of people and you wouldn’t have it had you not just walked through what you walked through.
And so now I’m, you know, walking in the writing rooms and, even still I’m processing a lot and it wasn’t that long ago. So I’m still in different phases of grief and, facing some other things in my family, but I’m not afraid to write about that stuff anymore because I’m seeing the way it’s connecting to people. And I think there’s a time coming where I’m gonna get to write about this new season I’m in and there’s gonna be joyful, songs. And I do have a few on the way that are more joyful. My next single is going to be, a bit more just like upbeat in Gospel.
And I feel like that reflects my true personality more than, some of these other ballads that I’m doing, but I just love that God is using, like, my darkest time to bring light and hope to other people. And I, I’m always gonna be bringing the heartfelt ballads because I’ve just got a lot of experiences to draw from.
Yeah, yeah, if you gotta go through the tough times there may as well be a purpose, right?
Exactly. Exactly and it’s, it’s just like casting this, almost like a rainbow over all that happened. You know? It just feels like hope. Yeah. Yeah. It feels like hope.
Yes. That’s like a song title right there.
I’m just I was just thinking that.
I’m looking forward to that one. That’s gonna be a jam.
Oh, okay. Well, we’ll make sure you get your little cut since you help to highlight this moment.
Perfect.
So that’s what I’m hoping for.
Okay.
I know we only have a couple minutes left, so we’re running short on time. I just wanna do a really quick little Lifesongs Lightning Round. You can tell us which of these you might be more Desperate for, if you will. Just answer first thing comes to your mind. I was gonna say dog or cat, but I already know the answer to that one.
Yeah. Okay.
Dog. Right?
Dog.
Okay. Sure. Coffee, tea, Bone broth?
Bone broth. Yeah.
Okay. Yeah. Alright. I had a feeling.
She knows me.
What about summer or winter?
Summer. Absolutely. Summer. Yeah.
Yeah. Beach or mountains?
Woah. That one’s hard right now.
It is hard.
Mountains.
Mountains. Okay. That’s okay. It can change. It can fluctuate. I know sometimes it’d be beach. That’s alright. Okay. Early bird or night owl?
Night owl, but I’m having to change in this season, and I’m struggling.
Yeah. That’s where the bone broth comes in handy. Right? Gets you gets you going first thing.
Yeah. Yes.
What about a rainy day or a sunny day?
Sunny. Yeah.
No questions. Yes. This is a tough one. Call or text?
Oh. Text.
Text. Yeah. Okay. And do you like surprises or or no?
I think I’m growing to like surprises. In the past, probably not, but I think as I grow and heal, I’m just more open to everything. And Yeah.
That’s a great answer. Is there a surprise you can think of that you got?
Just the best? I got invited up to Capitol [Records] a couple weeks ago, and they said, we just want you to come up and high five the team, which was, like, a radio team, which is five people. And they’re like, yeah. We just wanted, come have you high five us because, something to do with your single, going to radio, Desperate. And so I show up there, and it was the whole entire staff all waiting, you know, to celebrate.
And then, you know, they let me know that Desperate made history for the most radio spins debut single of all time. And I just, there was a video of me, and you can tell I’m like, what’s going on here? Because it was just I was surprised. I wasn’t… I’m a slow processor, so I’m trying to say, like, why is everyone in this room? I thought I was high fiving five people.
I may have, like, you know, done things differently that morning. Maybe had some coffee first to be like, I’m here. I’m awake. I know what’s going on. I was like, AH. But it was so beautiful. And, yeah, I just feel so supported and loved in this season. So I think I feel like a safe place for anything.
Yeah. I love that. That’s awesome. Well, thank you for being so vulnerable and and sharing your story with us and just being a part of what God’s doing. It’s so great to see his purpose over your life and and that he’s using you uniquely you exactly as you are in such a beautiful and powerful way. Appreciate you joining us today.
Thanks for having me, and I hope to talk to you again soon.
I’ve had so much fun chatting with you. Thank you so much.
Alright. Bye bye.
‘Tis the season! Cold and flu season. And sometimes, no matter how many precautions you take, you get sick. And you know what? The rest of the world doesn’t stop, even if you’re not feeling well. Which is why you SHOULD.
Rest is an important factor in getting well when you’re fighting illness. (I learned this the hard way this year as my household was hit with the flu.) Rest is also an important factor in life in general. So important, in fact, that God established it into the fabric of creation. When His work was complete, He rested. He took joy in what He had made and established a healthy rhythm for us to follow.
The idea of entering God’s rest reminds us that there’s nothing we can do to earn God’s love. It doesn’t come through hard work. Instead, Jesus did the work on the cross, which means we can rest in His love and accept this incredible gift. Imagine that kind of rest! Being free from the burden of trying to do everything on our own? It’s not the same as “taking a break.” It’s letting go of our attempts at control and instead trusting in the completeness of what God has done.
As someone who loves a good nap, I didn’t think I was resisting rest. But as someone who also likes to know what’s coming and have a plan, I think I may have been carrying some things I wasn’t meant to. How about you? Is it time to stop trying to do everything on your own and instead find peace in God?
Let’s lay down our burdens. Lay down our heads and our hearts in surrender. Believe that the One who made the world (and rested!) is also taking care of you and me.
Ah, Christmas. The twinkling lights, the smell of fresh-baked cookies, the heartwarming carols wafting through the air. And then… the burnt cookies, the tangled lights, and the desperate Amazon Prime order placed on December 22nd. If you’ve ever felt the sting of holiday stress or found yourself yelling at a roll of wrapping paper, you’re not alone. But here’s a little secret: it’s the mess, not the perfection, that makes Christmas so special.
Somewhere along the way, we bought into the idea that Christmas needs to look like a Hallmark movie—spotless homes, pristine gingerbread houses, perfectly coordinated outfits. But let’s be honest: that level of perfection is exhausting. If you’ve ever stood in the middle of a chaotic holiday kitchen with flour in your hair and a smoke detector blaring, you know that Christmas rarely goes as planned.
So, consider this your official permission slip to let go of the pressure. You don’t have to have a Pinterest-worthy tree or bake the cookies from scratch to create joy. In fact, it’s the little mishaps that often bring the biggest laughs.
Every family has its traditions—some intentional, and others… not so much. In our family, one of those “traditions” was my grandfather burning the bread. Every single year. It didn’t matter if we tried timers, reminders, or even appointing someone else as the bread-watcher—somehow, the rolls always came out resembling charcoal. But it became a running joke, and the smell of burnt bread became as much a part of Christmas as the scent of pine.
Then there was the year everything felt different. My mom was in the middle of her battle with cancer, and for a while, it seemed like Christmas would be overshadowed by fear and exhaustion. But instead, the family rallied. Everyone pitched in—My aunt cooked the turkey, my brother and I decorated the tree, and everyone made sure the bread came out just right. We laughed, sang carols, and shared our favorite family memories. It wasn’t the prettiest or most picture-perfect Christmas, but it became one of the most memorable—because we were together.
Even the very first Christmas was far from perfect. The birth of Jesus didn’t happen in a pristine palace or under perfectly controlled conditions. It happened in a stable, surrounded by animals, in the most humble and unexpected of settings. Yet from that messy moment came perfection—a story of hope, love, and salvation that still resonates today. It’s a beautiful reminder that even the messiest beginnings can bring about the most profound joy.
So this year, let’s rewrite the holiday script. Burn the cookies? Laugh about it. Have to wrap a gift in yesterday’s newspaper? Call it creative. Let the kids decorate the tree, even if it’s lopsided. The truth is, the best memories are the ones where everything doesn’t go according to plan.
Now, here’s a challenge: think about your own “messy and merry” holiday moments. What’s a time when things didn’t go as planned but ended up becoming a cherished memory? Share it with your family, write it down, or post it online. You may be surprised how much joy those imperfect moments bring to others.
At the end of the day, Christmas isn’t about having it all together—it’s about being together. So go ahead, embrace the chaos. Celebrate the imperfections. Let the messy moments create the merriest memories.
Here’s to a Christmas season that’s gloriously messy, wonderfully merry, and uniquely yours.
Before leading worship alongside Maverick City Music – Stephen McWhirter shared his incredible story and goofed off Josh & Libby on Friday’s Morning Show!
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Waiting is not easy. (Any Gerald & Piggie fans out there?) This is the title of a children’s book my son loves to read. It’s also the truth. There’s a reason many of us are hesitant to pray for patience, right?
And yet, waiting is also a part of life. On average, we spend 47 days of our lives just…waiting. (Anyone who dealt with the CCC bridge lighting project over the summer knows all too well just how it feels to wait.)
Waiting takes patience, yes. It also takes courage. And faith. Sometimes, we have to wait out a storm, whether literal or more of a challenging stormy season of life. We have to shift our expectations from what we had planned to waiting to see what God’s got in store. (Spoiler alert: It’s always better! God’s plans and timing are perfect, even if they involve waiting.)
Just because a specific door isn’t open or a particular opportunity isn’t available at this moment doesn’t mean that God isn’t moving. Even when we are waiting, God is working! So, no matter what you’re facing, trust that God is in control – even in the waiting.
God’s timing is always the right timing. Our Fall fundraiser may not have happened in our originally planned timing, but we’ve seen the goodness of God, even in the waiting. Thank you for your generosity! God is using you to make a difference every day.
Please give now!
What are your expectations? Somehow, I think unrealized or unmet thoughts (by ourselves or others) about how something will turn out can take a toll on us. We can’t possibly know how every situation is going to unfold, but managing our expectations can help if things take an unexpected turn. And by “managing,” I mean letting go of the tight grip we have on our own ideas and allowing God to take the reins.
The U.S. men’s gymnastics team took home a bronze medal this year in Paris – their first medal in SIXTEEN years! Can you imagine the weight of those expectations over the years? And yet, in a way, it’s actually unmet expectations that contributed to their win.
In what might be the most pressure-packed situation you could imagine in men’s gymnastics − the last routine of the last rotation of the Olympic final − Stephen Nedoroscik’s incredible performance on pommel horse ultimately helped secure the bronze medal for the team.
Stephen started in gymnastics when he was just 5 years old. By the time he was in high school, he noticed that his gymnastics path wasn’t exactly going as he had expected. He wasn’t progressing the way he’d thought he would. So, at the tail end of high school, he decided to let go of how he thought things were going to be and instead focus on one thing: the pommel horse. He went all in. And because of that, Team USA has a bronze medal for the first time in 16 years!
Maybe you feel like you need to be great at everything. Maybe you feel like you’ve got to balance every spinning plate in your life. Maybe, it’s time to reframe those expectations.
Proverbs 16:9 says “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
What is God asking of you? What’s He calling you to do? Focus on him, go all in! Trust that He is in control and know that He has great plans for you.
The flowers are in bloom, festival season has begun and students are donning caps and gowns to march across the graduation stage. This time of year can be a time of big changes, from weather to schedules to life in general. (Congratulations, by the way, to the Class of 2024! May God guide you on His path for what’s next.)
Maybe it’s been awhile since you held that diploma. Chances are you’ve been through many changes since then. Can you think of an experience, a moment or time that was a life-changing season for you?
Julie in Houma shared this: “Over 20 years ago I was at work just coming back from my lunch hour. I was in my car about to head back in when I started hearing Christian lyrics on the radio and discovered LifeSongs! Because that moment changed my life forever, I will forever love LifeSongs. I stay thankful, I stay encouraged, I get to hear beautiful Christian music, all day everyday. I’m just so grateful for LifeSongs and how they remind me of how good our God is to me and my family.”
I’m not someone who typically loves change. It can be hard. But the idea of God using this ministry to change lives is one I welcome! Imagine a change that brings more gratitude, encouragement and hope! God is doing that through this ministry in Julie’s life, and in the lives of so many others who listen. And it’s your support that makes that happen! Thank you!
May we embrace the newness of this season with thankful hearts, together. Look at what God is doing! Thank you for being part of changing lives.
“Throw Me Somethin’, Mister!” That’s the cry heard all over New Orleans today, by kids and adults alike, hoping coconuts, rubber chickens and plenty of beads rain down upon them. Sometimes it feels like those float riders are holding back. Other times, they are unhinged – freely dumping the goods.
The thing about most of those throws, though, is that no matter how badly you thought you wanted it in the moment, once you get home or even back to your car, you realize that you’re saddled with a useless rubber chicken or weighed down by a million beads. (Unless, of course, you can save them for next year and, in turn, generously recycle that haul!)
(This is probably a weird way to talk about generosity, but hey, it’s New Orleans. And it’s Fat Tuesday.)
What if we could be generous in ways that mattered? Not just excess stuff, but freely giving to others by dedicating time to them, purposely being kind, using our talents to help those around us or donating financially? When you take the time to sit with someone who needs it or encouraging someone who’s going through a tough time, that’s giving. That’s being generous. And there’s something pretty awesome about being on the giving AND receiving end of kindness. It’s like a feel-good infinity loop!
2 Corinthians 9:7-8 says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
So, as the excess broken beads on the streets are washed away and we prepare our hearts for Lent, maybe we can do so with a realization that it’s not just “stuff” we can be generous with. We can ask God to give us a benevolent heart, one that encourages us to cheerfully and freely give to others, motivated by His great love for us. That is so much MORE (in 2024) than plastic throws!
P.S. – Thank YOU for so generously giving to support the ministry of LifeSongs. We’re incredibly grateful to serve our community by sharing God’s love together!
Happy new year! It’s natural this time of year to reflect back on the previous year, and to set some intentional goals and healthy habits as we start a new year. I hope your 2024 is off to a fantastic start.
January can be tough. The holidays are over, it’s cold, and it’s still getting dark so early! Too early, even for someone like me, who loves a good early-bird dinner special. Now that the Christmas lights are put away and we’re thrust back into our routines this winter, sometimes we’ve got to find ways to combat the darkness – with light.
The sun and stars are bright, sure, but they burn their own light. The moon, on the other hand, shines in the darkness as it reflects the light of the sun. That’s how I want to be! Not shining my own spotlight, but reflecting the light of the Son of God. That Light of the World combats so much more than literal darkness. How can we be intentional about reflecting Jesus in this new year?
One way is to encourage others, and one of the ways we can do that together daily is through scripture. LifeSongs posts a daily Uplifting Word on social media each day. Would you share that with someone you know? It’s a great way to start off 2024 uplifted, and to encourage others, too. Plus, as a bonus, every time you share the LifeSongs Uplifting Word this month, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the upcoming Zach Williams concert!
As we reflect on 2023, let’s reflect God’s light and love to those around us and encourage more in 2024!
It’s not hard to find something to be thankful for. God has given us breath in our lungs and a new day! Family, friends, jobs, homes – the list goes on and on. And yet, if I’m being honest, it’s not always praise and thanksgiving that I’m spouting. Why is it so easy to focus on what we think we’re missing vs. all that we’ve been given?
Life is crazy busy, maybe busier than it’s ever been. I think maybe that’s part of it. We’re so busy “doing,” that we feel overwhelmed – and that can lead to complaining. If we don’t keep that in check, it can become our default setting. Yikes!
Can we challenge ourselves instead to be purposeful in our gratitude? When our days feel like one big blur that leaves us exhausted, let’s thank God for the gift of today, the day He has made. When life feels hard and we’re in a season of waiting, let’s thank God for His perfect timing as He works it all out for good. Those days that feel filled with setbacks and aggravations? We can thank Him then, too. Thank Him for being present, even in the smallest of trials.
When our perspective shifts away from ourselves and onto God (who is so generous He gave up everything for us!), we can find fresh hope, beauty, joy and purpose all around us. Thank God! And thank you for joining me on this journey of thankfulness. I’m grateful you’re part of this LifeSongs family.
And if you’re thankful for God’s generosity and looking forward to celebrating the Greatest Gift ever given, be sure to join LifeSongs for your Christmas soundtrack, beginning Thanksgiving evening at 8pm. Why Christmas music? We know just how many people are searching for some comfort and joy these days. Our prayer is that those who may stumble upon LifeSongs and hear a familiar holiday tune would find the true “thrill of HOPE” in our only source, and in the reason we have to celebrate: Jesus. Please pray that they stick around, even after Christmas, to continue hearing messages of good news and great joy on LifeSongs. We have so much to be thankful for!
Sometimes, we fall short. That’s true in life, and in Share-a-thons.
We wrapped up our recent fundraiser falling just a little short of where we hoped to be. (Just 3%!) Still, our hearts are incredibly grateful.
As for me, I fall short what feels like constantly. Example? My parenting skills. I wish my son ate more fruit/veggies. We try! And he’s a willing participant. He just doesn’t really seem to keep going. (More than 3% short on that one!)
I get frustrated in traffic. I over-schedule my days. I get stressed out by finances and overwhelmed by my circumstances. I’m simultaneously not doing enough and doing too much. You get it. I fall short. (A lot.)
When I do, I know I need more fruit in my life. And not the kind Gus needs to eat more of. I’m talking about the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Those things are a result of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Which means, I need more of Him.
Spending time with God may feel daunting when we’re already overwhelmed and tossing out unused produce. But the reality is, He’s always with us, always ready to spend time with us. It doesn’t have to be some formal, planned out event. We can spend time with God when we read His Word. We can spend time talking to God on our commute. We can listen to His voice as we’re preparing dinner or taking a walk.
LifeSongs has been a huge part of reminding me of God’s constant presence. I spend time reading His Word daily through the LifeSongs Uplifting Word emails. I spend time in prayer as I drive through those school zones. I listen for Him to speak to me through the songs I hear on my drive each day, and I get to talk to Him during that time, too. Which means YOU help me plant the seeds that lead to that good fruit in my life. Thank you for giving to support this ministry, and for helping to make those moments possible each day.
Here’s to more fruit, in our diets and in our lives!
PACKED. What comes to mind when you hear that word? Maybe it’s lunches and book bags. Or maybe bottled water, snacks and batteries in your hurricane kit. Or maybe you ...
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Darren Mulligan got up EARLY to hang out at the LifeSongs Studio and chat about The Healer Tour – TONIGHT – at the Pontchartrain Center!
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NEW DATE! NEW VENUE! AWESOME CONCERT!
Get ready for an amazing spring – Casting Crowns has extended The Healer Tour and are bringing the show to New Orleans!
Tickets are on sale now!
What: The Healer Tour featuring Casting Crowns, We Are Messengers & Ben Fuller
When: Monday, April 17th
Where: Pontchartrain Center | 4545 Williams Blvd. in Kenner
Tickets: On Sale NOW!
Do you have a daily routine? I’m a creature of habit. From big things to small ones. I mean, it’s like muscle memory, turning down the roads that lead me to my daily stops (work, school, home, Domino’s…). But when those roads are closed or the carpool line changes or the parking lot at work is being reworked, I am shook. (Is that a thing “the kids” say still?) Seriously, it takes me a really long time to adjust. Re-routing takes a LOT of getting used to. I guess I’m on “auto-pilot” much more than I realize.
I feel like I’ve had lots of opportunities to be more adaptable lately, with changes continually shaking up the familiar and comfortable. And while I can’t say I’ve “enjoyed” those curveballs, I can choose to look at them as something God is doing, and trust Him in the process. He IS in control, after all. I mean, if I can trust my GPS to re-route me when needed around the torn up parking lot, I can DEFINITELY trust the ultimate Navigator to lead me in the right direction, right?!
And His timing is perfect. The 40 days of Lent have begun, and this can already be such a special time to be reminded of God’s sacrificial love for us. It’s time to intentionally create space by shifting gears out of auto-pilot into a new routine, habit or discipline and focus on and appreciate what is always there: our HOPE in Christ.
Thank you, by the way, for supporting this ministry and helping LifeSongs share that message of hope every day (and on every route).
I was shoving the last handful of red and green holiday M&Ms into my mouth when I received an email notice that my gym is officially closing. Mind you, I have not stepped foot in this gym since maybe November 2019, but still. It’s officially now no longer an option – much like those seasonal mint M&Ms. Great. How am I supposed to get healthy now?!
The good news is, it only takes a little bit to get fit. It can be as simple as making a small adjustment here and there to create a healthy habit. How does LifeSongs fit into your routine this year? Join us as we start this new year with some healthy habits – like regularly listening to LifeSongs for doses of hope! Download the FREE LifeSongs app, and take us with you – as you focus on getting fit physically, we’ll help with the spiritual encouragement along the way! Maybe “getting fit” looks like exercising more or drinking more water (or putting down those M&Ms), or maybe it looks like taking a few deep breaths, writing in a gratitude journal, or starting your day in scripture with the LifeSongs Uplifting Word email.
Would you join us? Let’s kick off this year with some healthy habits, like listening to LifeSongs each day! Not only are we starting 2023 with health, hope and encouragement together, but you could also win a Fit Bit and hang with Lauren Daigle at an upcoming exclusive live event! Click here to get started! And keep listening to LifeSongs to hear encouragement on your journey to get fit, try healthy habits and start the new year UPLIFTED!
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