LifeAudio

Have you ever wondered how you can make a difference in this crazy world? Or wondered how to help your kids or grandkids develop a heart of compassion?  Especially during the holidays? Join me as I chat with Kristy Graham, the vibrant host of On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse. 

From her home in the mountains of North Carolina, she beautifully balances motherhood, ministry, and a mission to bring hope where it’s needed most.

You’ll be inspired as Kristy explains how a simple family connection led her into the life-changing work of Samaritan’s Purse. Together, we explore disaster relief, medical missions, and how the Christmas catalog can teach children empathy through meaningful gifts. 

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that generosity—big or small—can shape our lives, bring Jesus’ hope to the world, and strengthen faith.

And remember, I'd love to connect more on Instagram, where you'll find me at @donnaajones. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

Xo,

Donna

Listen in to learn more :

(01:48) On the Ground With Samaritan's Purse 

(08:47) Christmas Catalog Gifts

(14:03) Gifts of Dignity and Purpose 

(23:42) Impactful Livelihood Projects at Local Churches 

Donna’s Resources:

Order a copy of my latest book - 

Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: A Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret. 

It is available anywhere books are sold– here is the link on Amazon. 

If you need a helpful resource for someone exploring faith and Christianity or simply want to strengthen your own knowledge, you’ll want a copy of my book, Seek: A Woman’s Guide to Meeting God.

It’s a must for seekers, new believers, and those who want to deepen their confidence in their faith.

Connect with Kristy

Podcast https://ontheground.samaritanspurse.org/home 

Samaritan’s Purse - samaritanspurse.org/Needed
Shop the Christmas Catalog HERE

Connect with Donna 

Instagram: @donnaajones    

Website: www.donnajones.org    

Donna’s speaking schedule:

https://donnajones.org/events/

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A Prayer to Know God is Faithful to Forgive

Let us not forget the comforting and steady truth that God is faithful to forgive. In today’s episode by Erin H. Warren, we are reminded that we can cling to God’s promise that He not only forgives but purifies us from all unrighteousness.Through confession, we can find freedom and restored fellowship with God. Forgiveness leads to joy, light, and renewed intimacy with the Father.

Reference: 1 John 1: 9-10

Prayer: Lord, we confess before you that we have missed the mark. Please forgive us. help us to walk in your light teach us and guide us as we do let your steadfast love surround us as we continue to trust you lord we shout for joy in your forgiveness and thank you that we can experience fellowship with you it's in your name I pray amen

LINKS:

How to Pray God's Word For Your Children Guide

Connect with Erin Warren

Get today's devotion and prayer in written form to keep for future use! 

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Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Desire is part of being human—but Psalm 73:25 reminds us that nothing on earth can satisfy us the way God does. When our plans stall, doors close, or God simply says “not yet,” it’s easy to feel the sting of disappointment. Yet in those very moments, He invites us to rediscover a deeper truth: He is enough. The longings we carry—relationships, opportunities, fulfillment—are not wrong, but they are never meant to replace the One who satisfies the soul. When we release our grip on what we think we need, we often discover that God has already given us everything essential for life, peace, and joy.

Highlights

• Our desires are real, but they can quietly take priority over God without us realizing it.

• God’s “no” or “not yet” often shapes our character more than His “yes.”

• Seasons of lack can reveal how fully God satisfies the weary and longing heart (Psalm 107:9).

• Blessings are gifts, not guarantees—and never substitutes for intimacy with God.

• Contentment grows when we trust that God withholds nothing we truly need (Psalm 23:1).

• God is unchanging—faithful in abundance and faithful in scarcity (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8).

• Choosing gratitude over discontent quiets fear and centers our hearts on His goodness.

Gift Inspiration: Crosswalk's Holiday Gift Guide

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the season? Check out our Holiday Gift Guide—from beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels, greeting cards, and picture books, there’s something for everyone on your list. Wrap up stories for loved ones, tuck a book into your own nightstand, and join us in celebrating the wonder of giving this Christmas!

Full Transcript Below:

God Is Everything We Truly Need

By Hannah Benson

Bible Reading:

“Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.” - Psalm 73:25 ESV.

We know that truly, there is no one in heaven that we have but God Himself, and none on earth that we ought to desire besides Him, but that is SO much easier said than done.

If you’re anything like me, then there are probably so many desires tucked away in the secret corners of your heart. Hopes and dreams that you treasure in your heart like Mary.

What should we do when God says “no”? When God doesn’t give us everything we ask for?

How can we truly say with a heart full of faith, “there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you,” when there are other things we want as well?

Think about it.

What is something you long for?

Perhaps a child. A spouse. A new job.

About a year ago, the Lord really impressed on my heart a time in my life where every “no” from Him meant to grow and cultivate me into His image felt like a devastating blow to my plans.

During one of my moments of discontentment, the Lord whispered to my weary heart, “Am I enough for you?

Every season of life carries memories—some that warm our hearts, and others that weigh heavily on our souls. As we move into the holiday months, today's prayer and devotional reminds us that many of us feel a deep mixture of joy and sorrow. Vivian Bricker reminds us that no matter what season we find ourselves in, God’s blessings are still present, even if they feel difficult to see.

Scripture tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father (James 1:17). Apart from God, we have no good thing (Psalm 16:2). And even in the hardest seasons, God is still at work—bringing life out of what feels dead (Ezekiel 37) and working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Vivian vulnerably shares her own struggle to see God’s goodness in a difficult season. Perhaps you can relate. Sometimes life feels like Paddington Bear’s lament: “Why do bad things always happen to me?” And yet, the truth of Ecclesiastes 3:1 brings hope—this season will not last forever. Seasons change. Hardship has an end. God’s faithfulness does not.

Even when blessings feel hidden, God’s presence remains constant. Psalm 23 reminds us that He is with us in every valley and on every mountaintop. And the greatest blessing of all—His unfailing love—cannot be taken from us (Romans 8:37–39).

This Thanksgiving season, may we ask God for renewed vision to see His blessings, even in small ways, and to trust His steady love through every change.

Today's Bible Reading:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

Takeaway Truths

• God’s blessings surround us even when life feels heavy.

• Every season of life—good or painful—has a purpose and an appointed end.

• God’s presence and His love remain the greatest blessings we will ever receive.

Let’s Pray

Dear God, help me to see Your blessings in every season. Although this present season feels heavy, allow me to see You. Your blessings are always around me, and they fill me with much joy. Despite the difficult hardships and struggles I'm facing right now, I turn my focus to You.

Shield my heart from negativity and help me to see Your blessings. I know they are always around me, just as Your presence always surrounds me. Walk with me as I enter this new season and help me to remember that You are eternally with me. There is time and a place for everything, and I praise You that You are the orchestrator behind them all.

In Your Son’s Name, I pray, Amen.

Related Scriptures

• James 1:17

• Psalm 16:2

• Romans 8:28

• Psalm 23

Related

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast at the website.

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If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

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The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast at the website.

.

If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

.

The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

.

To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What should Christians think about AI? Artificial Intelligence is reshaping culture, business, education, and even the way we think about human identity. In this roundtable conversation, I sit down with 3 Biola professors–and bonafide experts on AI-to explore how believers can navigate the rapidly changing world of AI with wisdom and clarity.

WATCH: The End of the World? John Lennox on AI and the Book of Revelation (https://youtu.be/mAfRswipXiE) In this discussion: Michael Arena, Dean of Crowell Business School Mihretu Guta, Professor of Apologetics/Philosophy Yohan Lee, Department of Math and Computer Science

*Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA (https://bit.ly/3LdNqKf)

*USE Discount Code [smdcertdisc] for 25% off the BIOLA APOLOGETICS CERTIFICATE program (https://bit.ly/3AzfPFM)

*See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK)

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Twitter: https://x.com/Sean_McDowell

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sean_mcdowell?lang=en

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Website: https://seanmcdowell.org

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The holiday season can magnify both joy and sorrow. In tonight's prayer and devotional, we reflect on the fact that for those walking through grief, loss, or loneliness, the glittering lights and festive gatherings can sometimes make the ache feel sharper. Chelsea Ohlemiller reflects honestly on this tension — the heaviness that can accompany holidays when someone you love is no longer there.

Since the loss of her mother, the holidays have carried a different weight. The decorations she hauls from the basement feel as heavy as her grief. Though she once masked her pain behind smiles and songs, she discovered that pretending to be “fine” only deepened her isolation.

Her turning point came when she stopped performing and started praying. In the quiet moments surrounded by half-unpacked boxes of decorations, she surrendered her pain to God. Instead of forcing cheer, she brought her heartbreak to the One who had already invited her to do so:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

In that sacred space of honesty, Chelsea found peace — not by escaping the heaviness, but by inviting Jesus into it. His rest didn’t erase her grief, but it transformed her heart from performance to presence, from pretending to peace.

This Advent and Christmas season, remember: God does not require you to perform. He simply asks you to come. When joy feels hard to find, He offers Himself as the ultimate source of comfort and rest.

Tonight's Scripture:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28

MAIN TAKEAWAYS

• The holidays can amplify grief and loneliness, even amid celebration.

• God doesn’t ask us to perform joy — He invites us to bring our burdens to Him.

• True peace is found in honesty and prayer, not in pretending everything is okay.

• Jesus offers rest to the weary and comfort to the brokenhearted.

• Letting go of expectations — from others and ourselves — creates space for God’s healing presence.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

• Matthew 11:28

• Psalm 34:18

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What happens when rock’s most infamous showman finds redemption—and discovers his true purpose? On this week’s episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg sits down with legendary rockstar Alice Cooper for an honest, electrifying conversation about faith, fame, addiction, and the power of second chances.

Once dubbed “the villain of rock and roll,” Alice shares the untold story behind the persona—revealing how decades of stardom brought him face-to-face with despair, addiction, and spiritual emptiness. Together, Pastor Greg and Alice dig deep into life’s biggest questions: What does it mean to reach the top and feel nothing? Why do so many icons lose themselves chasing fame, wealth, or escape? What happens when you finally answer the one knock that matters? If you’ve ever wondered how someone can turn the darkest chapters of life into hope for others, Alice and Pastor Greg’s conversation will serve as the testimony we all need to never give up on others, or ourselves. 

Learn more about Alice Cooper on his website: https://alicecooper.com/. 

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Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit:  

https://harvest.org/.

Find Pastor Greg on social media:

https://www.instagram.com/greglaurie/

https://x.com/greglaurie

https://www.facebook.com/harvest.greglaurie

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:07 Alice Cooper Breaks Down Backstage Crying
01:57 Alice Cooper Hears His First Hit on the Radio
06:39 Meeting Elvis: A Loaded Gun and Priceless Story
08:53 Prison of Fame: Elvis’s Loneliness Revealed
11:13 Emptiness at the Top Without the Lord
14:05 Cocaine, Depression, and a Miraculous Turning Point
18:06 Walking into a Room of Rock Legends
23:32 Hollywood Vampires: Drinking with the Legends
24:44 God Heals Alice Cooper’s Addiction
26:06 Who Is Jesus to Alice Cooper?
29:36 Advice from Older Alice Cooper to His Younger Self
32:14 Answer the Door: Message to Addicts
35:12 Redemption & Life Priorities Redefined
41:11 Defining Redemption: None of Us Deserve It
43:24 Closing: Friendship, Faith, and Connecting Through Shared Stories

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