Affiliate Disclosure: Some FishWorship links are affiliate links and may earn us a commission at no additional cost to you.

FishWorship

🔍Monday Memories – Metro Bible Study

by

Every Monday here at FishWorship, I take a little journey into the past. In Monday Memories, I dive into some of my most cherished memories connected to Christian music—songs, artists, concerts, churches, Bible studies, and the people who helped make those musical memories such an important part of my life. Some of these memories go back decades, but I’ve discovered that the music has a remarkable way of bringing those moments right back to life.

Today’s memory takes me back to Metro Bible Study in Atlanta. For me, Metro was far more than a weekly Bible study. It was a place where I grew spiritually, made lifelong friendships, discovered and experienced Christian music, and became part of a community of young believers who were trying to figure out what it meant to follow Jesus.

The history of Metro Bible Study actually goes back well before my own involvement. The ministry began with Charles “Dad” Ellis, who started a small interdenominational Bible study in his basement. As word spread, that little gathering outgrew the basement and moved to Griffin Middle School. By the late 1970s, hundreds of teenagers and young adults were gathering every Tuesday night. The music was an important part of the experience, with groups such as the Pat Terry Group providing contemporary Christian music. Eventually, Metro moved to First Baptist Church of Smyrna, where attendance grew to roughly 1,200 people.

One of the great teachers in those early years was Dan DeHaan. Dan had a tremendous gift for communicating the Gospel to young people, and Metro continued to grow under his leadership. Tragically, in the summer of 1982, Dan was killed when the airplane he was flying crashed near Paint Rock in North Alabama. When Dan went missing, Dad Ellis and several men from Metro Bible Study traveled from Atlanta to North Alabama and joined the search. They eventually found the crash site and Dan’s body. It is one of those heartbreaking chapters in Metro’s history that I think is important to remember, because it reminds me that Metro wasn’t simply an organization—it was a community of people who cared deeply about one another.

After Dan’s death, John Riley became the teacher of Metro Bible Study. It was during John’s years teaching Metro that I became involved. By then, Metro had become a huge gathering of young people, eventually moving to Mt. Paran Church of God as attendance continued to grow. Some accounts put the attendance under John’s leadership at around 1,500, while others who were involved in the music ministry remember the weekly attendance eventually reaching several thousand.

Mt. Paran North — a place that brings back so many Metro memories.

My involvement during the John Riley years became much more than simply showing up on Tuesday nights. I became an integral part of the Metro Bible Study leadership, and some of my closest friendships came from those years. I quickly became friends with Sonny and Randy, who were part of the music ministry, as well as Cheryl, one of our keyboard players. The music was such an important part of Metro, and being around those people gave me the opportunity to experience Christian music not merely as something I listened to, but as something I could participate in.

I also took responsibility for leading the official singles group at Metro. We called ourselves Metro Singles, and there was always something going on. On Tuesday nights after Bible study, I would organize activities for the group. Sometimes restaurants would actually invite us to come and host our group after the Bible study, which made those Tuesday nights continue long after the teaching and music were finished.

Our activities weren’t limited to Tuesday nights, either. I organized weekend activities for Metro Singles, including basketball and volleyball at the facilities of Mt. Paran during the colder months. When the weather warmed up, we moved outside for softball. Those activities became another important part of the Metro experience for me. We weren’t just people who met once a week—we were friends who spent time together, played together, ate together, laughed together, and encouraged one another in our faith.

And every now and then, I even had the opportunity to perform music myself at Metro Bible Study. Several of my friends did the same. That was another special part of Metro for me: music wasn’t something happening somewhere far away on a stage. It was something that many of us could participate in. We sang it, played it, shared it, and experienced it together.

Looking back now, I realize just how special those Tuesday nights were. Metro Bible Study brought together teaching, friendship, fellowship and some of the most memorable Christian music of that era. The songs became part of the soundtrack of my life, and decades later, hearing some of them can still take me right back to those Tuesday nights in Atlanta.

So for today’s Monday Memories, I want to share some of those songs with you. These are ten of the praise and Christian songs that help me remember what made Metro Bible Study such a special part of my life.

Michael W. Smith – “Great Is The Lord”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“Great Is the Lord” is one of the songs I remember singing the most during my years at Metro Bible Study. There were so many songs that were part of the music at Metro, but some of them just seemed to become part of the fabric of our Tuesday nights, and this was definitely one of them. Whenever I hear it today, I can almost picture myself back there with all those people singing together.

What I remember most isn’t simply the song itself, but the way it sounded when a large group of young people sang it together. There was something powerful about being surrounded by hundreds of other college-age and young adults, all singing the same words and lifting our voices in praise. It wasn’t a concert where we were watching someone else worship—it was something we were all participating in together.

Looking back, “Great Is the Lord” is one of those songs that reminds me why the music at Metro was so important to me. The songs gave us a common language for our faith, and they helped create an atmosphere that made those Tuesday nights so memorable. Decades later, this is still one of the first songs that comes to mind when I think about singing at Metro Bible Study.

🐟

Terry Clark – “He Has Made Me Glad (I Will Enter His Gates)”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

I always loved it when Sonny would fire up the drum machine for the rhythm accompaniment as he and Randy led the music at Metro. And when the drums and that familiar intro to “He Has Made Me Glad (I Will Enter His Gates)” started, you could feel the excitement build. This was one of those songs that everybody seemed to know and love, and it was just plain fun to sing. You knew right away that we were in for an energetic few minutes of praise, and I can still remember how much I enjoyed those moments.

🐟

Maranatha! Music – “I Will Call Upon The Lord”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“I Will Call Upon the Lord” was another one of those songs that was just so much fun to sing at Metro Bible Study. It had that energetic, almost infectious quality that made it hard not to get caught up in it when everyone around you was singing along. These were the kinds of songs that could get a room full of young people really engaged in the music, and I remember how much I enjoyed being part of it. Looking back, songs like this are a big part of what made the music at Metro so memorable for me.

🐟

Angel Smythe – “We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise” was another one of those upbeat songs that was just a lot of fun to sing at Metro Bible Study. It had a great energy to it, and when we started singing it together, you couldn’t help but get caught up in the excitement. I remember how much fun we had with songs like this—there was a genuine joy in the room as we sang, and it was another great example of how the music at Metro could bring all of us together in praise.

🐟

Twila Paris – “We Will Glorify”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“We Will Glorify” is another song that takes me right back to my years at Metro Bible Study. Twila Paris wrote several of the songs that we experienced regularly at Metro, and her music became an important part of the Christian music landscape during those years. There was something especially meaningful about hearing these songs sung by a large group of young people week after week, as they became familiar parts of our worship together.

For this one, I’ve chosen to present Twila Paris’s own recording of “We Will Glorify” rather than a version performed by a praise team. I think there’s something special about hearing the songwriter sing her own song, and Twila’s recording gives us a chance to hear the song in the way she originally envisioned it. For me, though, the words will always carry me back to those Tuesday nights at Metro and the many times we sang them together.

🐟

Maranatha! Praise Band – “He Is Exalted”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“He Is Exalted” was another very popular praise song that we sang many times on those Tuesday nights at Metro Bible Study. By that point, songs like this had become so familiar to us that the opening notes could immediately bring everyone into the music. I remember the sense of unity we had as we sang these songs together week after week. Looking back, “He Is Exalted” is another one of those songs that is forever connected in my mind with the music, fellowship, and worship that made Metro such a special part of my life.

🐟

Maranatha! Music – “In Moments Like These”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“In Moments Like These” was one of those songs that could completely change the atmosphere at Metro Bible Study. As we sang it, I remember seeing the crowd gently swaying back and forth, with many of us raising our hands toward Heaven and simply embracing the moment. The energy and excitement of the upbeat praise songs would give way to something much quieter and more reflective.

It was during moments like these that we often felt the Holy Spirit moving most strongly among us. There was no need for a lot of activity or excitement. We could simply stand together, sing, worship, and focus our hearts on the Lord. Those quiet moments of worship are some of my most cherished memories of Metro Bible Study, and “In Moments Like These” will always be connected to them in my mind.

🐟

Maranatha! Music – “Father, I Adore You”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“Father, I Adore You” was another beautiful, worshipful song that became part of those special quiet moments at Metro Bible Study. It was the kind of song that encouraged all of us to sing along, close our eyes, and simply take in the warmth of the Holy Spirit’s presence. There was something very intimate about standing together in a large crowd and yet feeling as though, for those few moments, we were each having our own personal time of worship with the Lord.

Those are the moments I remember so fondly. The room would become quiet and reflective, and we could put aside everything else for a little while and just focus our hearts on God. Songs like “Father, I Adore You” helped make those moments some of the most meaningful and memorable parts of my Metro Bible Study experience.

🐟

Maranatha! Vocal Band – “Jesus Name Above All Names”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“Jesus Name Above All Names” was another worshipful song that invited us to move beyond simply singing and into a time of prayer and reflection. I remember how many of us would raise our hands, close our eyes, and just let ourselves be fully immersed in the moment. There was something very peaceful about standing there with so many other people worshiping together.

Those moments seemed to invite us to slow down and focus completely on Jesus. We weren’t concerned about what was happening around us; we were simply worshiping. I remember feeling the warmth of the Holy Spirit washing over us as we sang, and those quiet times remain among my most cherished memories of Metro Bible Study.

🐟

Maranatha! Praise Band – “He Is Lord”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

I have chosen “I Love You Lord” as the final song in this collection, not because it is the least important, but because it is, in many ways, the most important. Our love for Jesus is what drives us, fills us, guides us, and frees us. It is through Him that we find salvation, hope, and the promise of a life transformed by His love.

I remember this song being sung on many occasions at Metro Bible Study, and it always seemed to draw us a little closer to God. As we sang those simple words, we were reminded of why we were there in the first place. We weren’t simply gathering together to hear a Bible study or to sing some good Christian music. We were there because we loved Jesus and wanted to know Him more deeply.

For me, “I Love You Lord” represents so much of what made those Tuesday nights special. It brings back memories of a room full of young people worshiping together, drawing closer to God, closer to His love, and closer to His message for our lives. And after all these years, that is still what I hear when I hear this song: a simple declaration of love for Jesus that never grows old.

🐟

Share this message of worship with someone today.

📖Hymn of the Week

by

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Fountainview Academy Orchestra & Singers

Each Sunday, FishWorship features a Hymn of the Week—a chance to revisit the great hymns of the Christian faith and the timeless messages of worship, faith, and praise they continue to share with us. This week, we’re turning our attention to one of the most majestic hymns in the Christian tradition: “Crown Him With Many Crowns,” presented in a beautiful performance by Fountainview Academy. As you listen, we invite you to reflect on the words and the many ways they point us toward the majesty, glory, and kingship of Jesus Christ.


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“Crown Him With Many Crowns” is a hymn with a history nearly as rich as its message. Matthew Bridges wrote the original six-stanza hymn in 1851, drawing heavily on the imagery of Revelation 19:12, which describes Christ with “many crowns.” Godfrey Thring later wrote a new set of verses, first published in 1874, and over the years the two versions were combined and adapted into the form of the hymn that is most familiar today. The magnificent tune, “Diademata,” was composed by George Job Elvey in 1868, giving the words a majestic musical setting that has helped make this hymn a favorite for generations.

What makes “Crown Him With Many Crowns” so powerful is the way it presents a succession of pictures of who Jesus is. He is the Lamb upon the throne, the Lord of life, the Lord of love, the Lord of peace, and the Lord of years. Each “crown” becomes another reason to worship Him—not simply because He reigns, but because of what He has done for us. The hymn moves from Christ’s incarnation and sacrificial death to His resurrection, eternal reign, and ultimate victory. It is both an affirmation of who Christ is and a personal invitation to “awake” our souls and praise Him.

And then there is the Fountainview Academy presentation. Their performance brings this centuries-old message of worship into a setting that feels remarkably alive. Fountainview Academy has a wonderful tradition of taking its orchestra and singers outside the concert hall and into beautiful locations, allowing the surrounding scenery to become part of the presentation. Their “Crown Him With Many Crowns” performance was filmed as part of their God So Loved the World project, and the combination of the young musicians, the orchestra, the voices, and the spectacular setting makes the performance feel less like simply watching a hymn being performed and more like joining in its declaration of praise.

There is something especially fitting about hearing young people sing a hymn that has been proclaiming the kingship of Christ for more than 175 years. The words may be centuries old, but the message is anything but old-fashioned: Jesus is still the Lamb, still the Redeemer, still the Lord of life and love, and still worthy of every crown we can offer Him. As you watch Fountainview Academy’s beautiful on-location performance, take a moment to let the words sink in—and then, as the hymn invites us to do, awake your soul and sing.

🐟

Share this message of worship with someone today.

🏆Artist of the Week

by

Every Friday, FishWorship recognizes one artist whose music has given us something worth discovering, remembering, or sharing. The FishWorship Artist of the Week isn’t necessarily about who is the biggest name in Christian music or who has the most streams. It’s about the artists whose music connects with us, points us toward something bigger than ourselves, and reminds us why Christian music matters. This week, we’re delighted to recognize an artist whose powerful voice, honest songwriting, and unmistakable ability to communicate faith through music have made her one of the most recognizable voices in contemporary Christian music: Lauren Daigle.

There are some artists you discover, and there are others who seem to find you right when you need them. Lauren Daigle has become one of those artists for millions of listeners. With a voice that can be powerful without losing its warmth, and songs that can be deeply rooted in faith without feeling like a sermon, Lauren has built a remarkable career by doing something deceptively difficult: making music that feels both deeply personal and completely accessible.

Her story is especially interesting because Lauren didn’t arrive on the Christian music scene as a manufactured star. Growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana, she was surrounded by gospel, blues, Cajun and zydeco influences, and music became an important part of her life from an early age. She eventually became involved in worship ministry, and that combination of musical influences and Christian faith would become a defining part of her sound.

Lauren’s breakthrough came with her 2015 debut album, How Can It Be, which introduced listeners to a singer with a remarkably distinctive voice and an equally distinctive way of expressing faith. Songs such as “How Can It Be” and “Trust in You” established a pattern that would continue throughout her career: honest questions, genuine vulnerability, and an underlying confidence that God is present even when life doesn’t make much sense.

Then came Look Up Child in 2018 — and, of course, “You Say.” The song became far more than a Christian radio hit. It crossed over into mainstream audiences while retaining the heart of its message, eventually becoming one of the defining songs of Lauren’s career. Look Up Child earned Lauren a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, while “You Say” earned another for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.

And that’s one of the things we appreciate about Lauren at FishWorship. Her music doesn’t seem particularly interested in drawing a line between “Christian music” and “regular music.” Instead, she takes her faith with her wherever the music goes. That has allowed songs like “You Say,” “Rescue,” “Hold On to Me,” and “Thank God I Do” to reach listeners far beyond the traditional Christian-music audience.

Her self-titled 2023 album, Lauren Daigle, showed that she wasn’t content simply to repeat the formula that had already made her successful. The album explores pop, soul, gospel and other influences while continuing to center many of the themes that have defined her music: hope, gratitude, perseverance and the presence of God.

Why “Thank God I Do”?

That’s why we chose “Thank God I Do” as the featured video for this Artist of the Week.

It’s a remarkably simple idea: Thank God I don’t have to do this life alone.

There isn’t a complicated theological argument here. There isn’t a list of instructions telling the listener what they should believe. Instead, Lauren sings from a place of gratitude for God’s presence — and somehow that simple idea becomes surprisingly powerful.

The official video takes that same approach visually. Flowers surround Lauren throughout the video, creating an image that is beautiful but also intentionally delicate. The result is something that feels much more like an expression of a person’s faith than a staged performance of it.

And maybe that’s the best way to describe Lauren Daigle.

Genuine. Soulful. Hopeful.

She’s not afraid to sing about faith, but she also doesn’t seem to feel the need to shout about it.

A Few Lauren Daigle Essentials

If you’re new to Lauren’s music, here are a few places to start:

“You Say” — The song that introduced Lauren to an enormous audience beyond Christian radio. It’s an anthem about remembering what God says about us when our own doubts get louder.

“Rescue” — A beautiful reminder that God sees us in the middle of our struggles and doesn’t abandon us there.

“Trust in You” — One of Lauren’s signature songs, built around choosing trust even when we don’t understand what God is doing.

“Hold On to Me” — A vulnerable prayer for God’s presence and strength when our own strength isn’t enough.

“Thank God I Do” — A quieter, deeply personal expression of gratitude for simply having God present in our lives.

And if those songs lead you to explore further, there’s plenty more to discover. Lauren’s catalog has grown considerably since How Can It Be, including the Grammy-winning Look Up Child, the self-titled Lauren Daigle, and the live/acoustic Sessions.

Why Lauren Daigle Is Our Artist of the Week

At FishWorship, we’re not looking for artists who simply tell us what we’re supposed to think.

We’re looking for artists who make us feel something.

Lauren Daigle does that exceptionally well.

Her music can be joyful without being shallow, vulnerable without being self-indulgent, and openly Christian without becoming preachy. She can sing about doubt, hope, loneliness, gratitude and faith in a way that leaves room for the listener to bring their own story along for the ride.

That’s worth celebrating.

So this week, FishWorship is happy to say:

Lauren Daigle is our Artist of the Week.

If you’ve been listening to her for years, maybe this is an excuse to revisit an old favorite.

And if you’re just discovering her?

Well…

You’re in for a pretty good listen.

Visit our Lauren Daigle Artist Page

🐟

Share this message of worship with someone today.

🤖AI Worship Discovery of the Week

by

Each week, AI Worship Discovery explores a different way artificial intelligence can reimagine a familiar worship song, giving us a chance to hear beloved songs from an entirely new perspective. Today, we’re turning the clock back to the glory days of big guitars, soaring vocals, and unmistakable hair-metal power with an AI-generated hair metal cover of “Revelation Song.”

“Revelation Song” is one of those worship songs that seems to get bigger every time you hear it. Written by Jennie Lee Riddle and famously recorded by Kari Jobe Carnes, the song has also become closely associated with PASSION, whose worship gatherings helped introduce it to countless listeners. At its heart, “Revelation Song” is a powerful declaration of the holiness, majesty, and worthiness of Jesus—drawing its imagery from the book of Revelation and inviting us to join the eternal worship of heaven.

Today’s AI Worship Discovery takes that deeply reverent song and gives it a surprisingly different musical identity: hair metal. Suddenly, the gentle worship atmosphere is replaced by big electric guitars, powerful drums, soaring vocals, and the larger-than-life energy that defined the classic hair-metal era. It is an almost unexpected pairing—and that’s precisely what makes it so much fun to hear.

Yet beneath all of that musical transformation, something important remains unchanged. The AI-generated arrangement doesn’t need to alter the message of “Revelation Song” to make it sound completely different. The words still point to the same glorious truth: Jesus is holy, worthy, and worthy of all praise. The guitars may be louder and the performance may sound like it belongs on a late-’80s rock stage, but the meaning of the song remains every bit as exceptional.

And that’s what makes this week’s discovery especially interesting. AI has essentially changed the musical lens through which we hear “Revelation Song,” allowing us to experience familiar words with a completely different emotional texture. Whether hair metal is normally your thing or not, this version is a fun reminder that a great worship song can cross musical boundaries without losing the message that made it great in the first place.

🐟

Share this message of worship with someone today.

🎵Praise Song of the Week

by

Praise Song of the Week is a weekly celebration of the songs that have become meaningful expressions of Christian faith and worship, from timeless favorites to newer songs that deserve a closer listen. Each week, we feature a song that invites us to pause, worship, reflect, or simply appreciate the music and message that make Christian music so special. Some selections are presented through memorable live performances, while others are accompanied by the original recording through Apple Music. For this week’s feature, we turn our attention to one of the most recognizable worship songs of the past two decades: “How Great Is Our God” by Chris Tomlin.


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“How Great Is Our God” has become one of the defining worship songs of the modern Christian music era. Written by Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves, and Ed Cash, the song first appeared in 2004 and quickly grew far beyond the contemporary Christian music audience. Its straightforward declaration of God’s greatness, combined with a melody that practically invites a congregation to sing along, has helped make it a modern worship classic. More than two decades later, it remains a song that can be heard in churches and worship gatherings around the world.

There is something especially fitting about featuring this song in a performance recorded here in Nashville. Tomlin’s 2022 Good Friday Nashville event brought thousands together at Bridgestone Arena for an evening of worship, with the event also reaching a worldwide audience. The official live recording of “How Great Is Our God” features Tomlin alongside Hillsong UNITED, capturing the song in the kind of large-scale worship setting for which it has become so well known.

And perhaps that is the enduring strength of “How Great Is Our God.” It doesn’t require complicated theology or elaborate musical ideas to make its point. It simply turns our attention toward the greatness, majesty, and holiness of God and invites us to respond together. That simplicity has given the song remarkable staying power—and when thousands of voices join in, the message of the song becomes more than something we hear; it becomes something we experience together.

🐟

Share this message of worship with someone today.

Christian Music You May Have Missed

by

August 26 – September 1, 2026

There’s always more great Christian music being released than any one of us can possibly keep up with—and that’s exactly why we’re here. This week’s edition of Christian Music You May Have Missed brings together a fresh collection of songs worth adding to your listening list, from current Christian chart favorites and new releases to a few outstanding selections from our Evergreen and Worship rotations. Whether you’re looking for something completely new or simply need a reminder of a great song you may have overlooked, we’ve got plenty of music for you to discover this week.

🎵Songs Worth Exploring

Brandon Lake – “How Good God Is”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

Brandon Lake has a gift for taking a simple truth about God and turning it into a song that feels both personal and completely congregational. “How Good God Is” is a beautiful example of that gift, centering on the goodness of God and the natural response it inspires: praise. Rather than trying to overcomplicate its message, the song invites listeners to stop and recognize just how faithful and good God has been.

What makes the song especially effective is its sense of joyful gratitude. “How Good God Is” doesn’t merely tell us that God is good—it encourages us to respond to that goodness. The result is a worship song that can work equally well as a personal listening experience or as part of a larger worship setting, with a message that is easy to embrace and sing along with.

For anyone who appreciates contemporary worship music that combines a memorable melody with a straightforward, faith-filled message, “How Good God Is” is well worth a listen. It’s the kind of song that can leave you with a simple thought that stays with you long after the music ends: God is good, and He is worthy of our praise.

🐟

Matthew West – “Here In Heaven”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

Matthew West has a particular talent for turning deeply personal emotions and experiences into songs that connect with listeners on a very human level. “Here In Heaven” is a moving example of that songwriting approach, reflecting on the hope of heaven and the longing that comes with being separated from someone we love. It’s a song that speaks to both grief and faith without losing sight of the promise that death is not the end for those who belong to Christ.

There’s something especially powerful about the way “Here In Heaven” connects the emotions we experience now with the hope Christians have for eternity. The sadness of missing someone is very real, but the song points beyond that sadness toward the day when separation will be over. That combination of vulnerability and hope gives the song an emotional depth that makes it easy to relate to, particularly for anyone who has experienced the loss of someone close.

For listeners who appreciate Christian music that addresses real-life emotions while remaining grounded in faith, “Here In Heaven” is a song worth discovering. It reminds us that even in moments of sorrow, Christians can hold onto the hope of heaven—and to the promise of being reunited with those we love in the presence of God.

🐟

Anne Wilson – “Who Am I To You”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

Anne Wilson brings a wonderfully personal quality to “Who Am I To You,” a song that explores the deeply meaningful question of how God sees us. At its heart, the song is about identity, worth, and the incredible realization that the God who created us knows us completely and still chooses to love us. It’s a reminder that our value isn’t determined by the opinions of other people or by the things we accomplish.

One of the song’s greatest strengths is the way it turns that question into an opportunity for reflection. We can spend so much of our lives wondering whether we are good enough, important enough, or worthy of love. “Who Am I To You” points us toward a different perspective—one rooted in our relationship with God. His love gives us an identity that doesn’t depend on our circumstances or our own feelings of inadequacy.

For anyone who has ever struggled with questions of identity or wondered how God could possibly see value in them, “Who Am I To You” offers an encouraging perspective. Anne Wilson delivers the message with the sincerity and emotional conviction that have become hallmarks of her music, making this a song that can do more than simply sound good—it can remind us of who we are in the eyes of the One who matters most.

🐟

Tasha Layton – “There Is A God”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

Tasha Layton’s “There Is A God” is a confident declaration of faith built around one of the most fundamental truths of Christianity: God is real, He is present, and He is still at work in our lives. Rather than presenting faith as something distant or abstract, the song brings that truth into the everyday world, reminding us that God is there even when we may not always recognize what He is doing.

The song also speaks to the reassurance that comes from knowing we aren’t facing life on our own. Circumstances can leave us with plenty of questions, but our faith doesn’t require us to have every answer. “There Is A God” points listeners back to the One who remains constant when everything around us seems uncertain, offering a message of confidence and hope.

For anyone who enjoys Christian music with a strong, straightforward declaration of faith, “There Is A God” is an excellent song to discover. Tasha Layton delivers the message with both strength and warmth, creating a reminder that sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply remember—and proclaim—that God is there.

🐟

Jon Reddick – “Holding On (Praise God)”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

Jon Reddick’s “Holding On (Praise God)” is a powerful reminder that praise isn’t reserved for the moments when everything is going right. Sometimes faith means simply holding on—trusting God through the uncertainty, the disappointment, and the circumstances we don’t understand. The song captures that perseverance beautifully, turning the act of holding onto faith into an expression of worship.

What makes the song particularly compelling is its honesty. Life doesn’t always give us easy reasons to celebrate, but we can still choose to praise God because of who He is. “Holding On (Praise God)” embraces that kind of resilient faith, reminding us that God’s faithfulness doesn’t change simply because our circumstances do.

For listeners who enjoy worship music that acknowledges life’s struggles while ultimately pointing toward hope, “Holding On (Praise God)” is an especially meaningful discovery. Jon Reddick delivers a message of perseverance that feels both personal and encouraging—a reminder that even when all we can do is hold on, we can still praise God along the way.

🐟

Megan Woods – “Heaven Down Here”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

Megan Woods’ “Heaven Down Here” is a beautiful reminder that we don’t have to wait until eternity to experience glimpses of God’s goodness. The song looks at those moments in everyday life when God’s presence feels especially close, offering a comforting picture of heaven breaking into our ordinary circumstances. It’s an invitation to recognize and appreciate those unexpected reminders of God’s love right where we are.

The song carries a sense of longing, but it is ultimately filled with hope. While Christians look forward to the promise of heaven, “Heaven Down Here” encourages us to notice the blessings, relationships, and moments of peace that can give us a taste of that future hope today. There is something wonderfully encouraging about the idea that God can make even the ordinary moments of life feel extraordinary.

For listeners who enjoy Christian music that combines a heartfelt message with an uplifting perspective, “Heaven Down Here” is well worth discovering. Megan Woods brings warmth and sincerity to the song, creating a reminder to slow down and recognize the evidence of God’s goodness that may already be right in front of us.

🐟

Maverick City Music – “I Thank God”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

Maverick City Music’s “I Thank God” is an energetic celebration of the transformation that comes through faith. Rather than dwelling on where we have been, the song focuses on the joy of discovering new life in Christ. Its message is simple and powerful: when we recognize what God has done for us, gratitude and praise become a natural response.

There is an infectious sense of freedom running through the song. “I Thank God” reminds us that our past doesn’t have to define our future and that God can bring hope and new purpose into lives that may once have seemed stuck. The song’s upbeat approach makes its message feel less like a quiet reflection and more like a joyful testimony—something to sing about because of what God has done.

For listeners who enjoy Christian music that makes you want to turn up the volume and join in, “I Thank God” is an easy song to add to the playlist. Maverick City Music combines a celebratory sound with a message of redemption and gratitude, creating the kind of worship experience that can leave you smiling, singing along, and remembering just how much there is to thank God for.

🐟

Elevation Worship & Brandon Lake – “Graves Into Gardens”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

“Graves Into Gardens” is a powerful declaration of what God can do with the places in our lives that seem hopeless. Performed by Elevation Worship and Brandon Lake, the song celebrates God’s ability to bring beauty, purpose, and new life out of circumstances that may appear beyond repair. Its central message is one of transformation: God can take what looks like an ending and turn it into the beginning of something new.

The song is especially compelling because it doesn’t pretend that difficult seasons don’t exist. Instead, it points listeners toward the God who can meet us in those seasons and change our perspective. The imagery of turning graves into gardens is a striking picture of redemption—the idea that God isn’t limited by our past, our failures, or the situations we believe cannot be changed.

For anyone looking for a worship song that builds from reflection into a bold celebration of God’s power, “Graves Into Gardens” remains a memorable choice. Elevation Worship and Brandon Lake deliver a song that encourages us to trust that God is capable of far more than we can see in the moment—and to believe that He can bring new life even from the places where we least expect it.

🐟

CityAlight – “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

CityAlight’s “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” is a beautiful expression of Christian dependence on Christ. The song recognizes that the Christian life isn’t ultimately about our own strength, accomplishments, or ability to persevere. Instead, it is Christ who gives us the strength to continue, the grace to endure, and the hope to keep moving forward. Its message is both humbling and deeply encouraging.

The song takes listeners through the realities of the Christian journey—joy and suffering, uncertainty and confidence, life and ultimately death—while continually returning to the same foundation: Christ is with us. There is a quiet confidence throughout the song that doesn’t come from believing life will always be easy, but from knowing that we don’t face any part of it alone.

For anyone who appreciates thoughtful worship music with substantial biblical themes, “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” is an especially meaningful song to discover. CityAlight combines beautiful, understated music with lyrics that invite genuine reflection, leaving listeners with a powerful reminder that our hope isn’t found in ourselves. As the title so beautifully expresses, it is not I, but Christ in me.

🐟

Abbie Gamboa – “Ways of God”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

Abbie Gamboa’s “Ways of God” is a heartfelt invitation to trust God even when His plans don’t look the way we expected. The song reflects on the reality that God’s ways are higher than ours, and that following Him sometimes means surrendering our own expectations and choosing faith when we can’t see the entire path ahead.

There is a beautiful sense of humility at the center of the song. We don’t always understand why God allows certain circumstances or leads us in particular directions, but we can still trust His character. “Ways of God” encourages listeners to move beyond the need for every answer and instead rest in the confidence that God sees what we cannot and is faithful even when His ways remain mysterious to us.

For anyone who enjoys worship music that encourages deeper trust and surrender, “Ways of God” is well worth discovering. Abbie Gamboa delivers the message with an intimate, prayerful quality that makes the song feel less like a performance and more like a personal conversation with God—a reminder that sometimes faith means trusting the One who knows the way, even when we don’t.

🐟

Gracie Binion – “Wild Rushing Wind”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

Gracie Binion’s “Wild Rushing Wind” is an expressive worship song centered on the powerful presence and movement of the Holy Spirit. The title itself evokes the biblical imagery of wind as a picture of God’s Spirit—something we cannot see, yet something whose presence and power can be unmistakably felt. The song invites listeners to open their hearts to that presence and allow God to move in their lives.

There is an expectant quality to “Wild Rushing Wind” that makes it feel less like a song about simply knowing about God and more like a prayer for experiencing His presence. It encourages surrender, inviting us to let go of our own control and make room for God to work. That sense of spiritual hunger gives the song an especially compelling quality for personal worship and reflection.

For listeners who enjoy contemporary worship music that builds an atmosphere of anticipation and surrender, “Wild Rushing Wind” is well worth discovering. Gracie Binion brings an earnestness to the song that reinforces its central message: when we invite God to move, we should be ready for His presence to change us in ways we may not have expected.

🐟

Lakewood Music & Leeland Mooring – “Inhabit”


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

Lakewood Music and Leeland Mooring’s “Inhabit” is a heartfelt invitation for God’s presence to take center stage. At its core, the song expresses a desire not simply to sing about God or worship Him from a distance, but to make room for His presence to dwell within us. It carries the beautiful idea that worship is about creating space for God to work in our hearts and lives.

There is a sense of surrender woven throughout the song. We can become so focused on our own plans, worries, and circumstances that we leave little room for God. “Inhabit” turns that realization into a prayer, asking God to fill the places we might otherwise try to control ourselves. The result is a worship experience that feels intimate and personal while still carrying the kind of message that works beautifully in a congregational setting.

For anyone who enjoys worship music that emphasizes God’s presence, surrender, and a deeper relationship with Him, “Inhabit” is well worth discovering. Lakewood Music and Leeland Mooring deliver a song that encourages us to move beyond simply knowing about God and instead invite Him to become an active and abiding presence in every part of our lives.

🐟

💿Albums Worth Exploring

DOE – Shiloh


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full album.

DOE’s Shiloh is an album that feels both deeply personal and intentionally worshipful. Throughout the project, DOE explores themes of faith, identity, trust, and the presence of God, creating music that feels honest without losing its sense of hope. Rather than relying solely on big, dramatic worship moments, Shiloh allows its message to develop through intimate songwriting and a sound that gives DOE plenty of room to express herself.

One of the album’s greatest strengths is its emotional honesty. Shiloh recognizes that faith is lived out in the middle of real life, where questions, struggles, uncertainty, and moments of joy can all exist together. DOE’s music encourages listeners to bring those experiences before God rather than trying to hide them, ultimately pointing toward the peace and confidence that can be found in His presence.

For anyone looking to discover Christian music that feels thoughtful, contemporary, and genuinely personal, Shiloh is an album worth exploring. DOE combines soulful vocals with meaningful songwriting to create a project that isn’t simply background music—it invites listeners to slow down, listen closely, and consider what it means to walk with God through every season of life.

🐟

James River Worship – Holy Moment


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full album.

James River Worship’s Holy Moment is an album centered on the beauty of encountering God in the midst of everyday life. The project embraces the idea that worship isn’t limited to a church service or a particular time and place—it can happen whenever we pause, turn our attention toward God, and recognize His presence. That focus gives the album an intimate and inviting quality.

Throughout Holy Moment, the music carries themes of surrender, faith, gratitude, and the desire to draw closer to God. Rather than treating worship as simply a collection of songs, the album feels like an invitation to create space for reflection and connection with Him. There is a sense of anticipation running through the project, encouraging listeners to be attentive to what God may be doing in their lives.

For listeners who enjoy contemporary worship albums designed to encourage both personal devotion and congregational worship, Holy Moment is a worthwhile discovery. James River Worship combines heartfelt vocals and worshipful arrangements with messages that point consistently toward God’s presence, making this an album that can serve as a meaningful soundtrack for quiet reflection, prayer, or simply spending time in worship.

🐟

Noah Paul Harrison – Do Not Go Gentle


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full album.

Noah Paul Harrison’s Do Not Go Gentle is an album with a title that immediately suggests determination, perseverance, and a refusal to surrender in the face of difficulty. The project explores faith through the realities of life, offering music that feels personal and reflective while ultimately pointing listeners toward hope. There is a sense throughout the album that following God doesn’t mean avoiding difficult seasons—it means learning how to walk through them with faith.

The title Do Not Go Gentle evokes the idea of standing firm when circumstances become challenging. That makes the album particularly fitting for listeners who appreciate Christian music that doesn’t shy away from struggle. Rather than pretending that everything is easy, Harrison’s music encourages perseverance and reminds us that even in difficult moments, our faith can give us a reason to keep going.

For anyone looking to discover Christian music that feels thoughtful, honest, and encouraging, Do Not Go Gentle is an album worth exploring. Noah Paul Harrison brings a personal perspective to themes of faith and endurance, creating a project that can resonate with listeners who are navigating their own difficult seasons while looking for reminders of God’s faithfulness.

🐟

Elevation Worship – Promise & Presence


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full album.

Elevation Worship’s Promise & Presence is a worship project centered on two powerful aspects of the Christian faith: the promises of God and the assurance that He is present with us. The album points listeners toward the faithfulness of God, reminding us that His promises remain true even when our circumstances may leave us with questions or uncertainty.

That combination of promise and presence gives the project an encouraging message. We don’t have to know exactly what the future holds to trust the One who does. God’s presence gives us confidence in the middle of the journey, while His promises give us something solid to hold onto. The songs create an atmosphere that encourages listeners to worship not simply because of what God has done, but because of who He is.

For anyone who enjoys contemporary worship music with an emphasis on God’s faithfulness, Promise & Presence is an album worth exploring. Elevation Worship combines expansive worship arrangements with messages of trust, hope, and surrender, creating a project that can work equally well for personal worship, prayer, or simply taking some time to reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of God.

🐟

We The Kingdom – Dear Jesus


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full album.

We The Kingdom’s Dear Jesus feels like an honest and personal conversation with Christ. The album explores faith through the joys, struggles, questions, and experiences that make up everyday life, creating a project that feels both deeply personal and broadly relatable. Rather than presenting faith as something distant or complicated, the music brings it into the middle of real life.

One of the album’s strengths is its combination of vulnerability and hope. Dear Jesus doesn’t require listeners to have everything figured out before coming to God. Instead, it encourages us to bring our gratitude, our struggles, our doubts, and our hopes directly to Him. That honesty gives the album an inviting quality and makes its message particularly easy to connect with.

For anyone who enjoys Christian music that blends contemporary sounds with heartfelt, faith-centered songwriting, Dear Jesus is an album worth exploring. We The Kingdom brings its familiar energy and emotional authenticity to a project that ultimately points listeners back to the most important relationship of all—the one we have with Jesus.

🐟

Share this message of worship with someone today.

🔍Monday Memories – This Little Light

by

Monday Memories gives me a chance to look back at the music and moments that have been part of my journey. Today’s Monday Memories is especially meaningful as I revisit the song I played for my very first public performance—a song that takes me all the way back to where my musical journey began.

“This Little Light of Mine”

I started playing piano as a young child. By the age of 4, my parents had me taking piano lessons, and my very first “public performance” came when I was just 4½ years old. I was in Children’s Church when I walked over to the piano and started playing “This Little Light of Mine.” It wasn’t fancy, but it was well received, and I knew from that moment that I was on to something special.

(AI-created recapture of the moment)

This song—and its glorious meaning—has stayed with me throughout the years. It has always been a part of me, and I have always tried to do anything and everything I could to let my light shine. It was with me through high school and college, as I played piano and keyboards and performed music in church and Christian settings whenever I could. It was with me as I served in church staff positions as Worship Leader, Music Minister, and Music/Youth Pastor. It was even with me during my “heathen years,” when I was engineering Top 40 cover bands and programming and sequencing music for party and dance bands. And it remains with me today. So, for this Monday Memories, I want to take a look back at some of the more notable performances of this timeless song: “This Little Light of Mine.”

Caleb & Kelsey – “This Little Light of Mine”

Caleb & Kelsey bring a beautiful and deeply personal feel to “This Little Light of Mine.” Sitting together in an intimate setting, they strip the song down to its heart, allowing their voices and the simple message to take center stage. There’s something especially powerful about hearing this familiar childhood song performed with such sincerity and warmth. Their performance is a wonderful reminder that the message of letting our light shine never really grows old—it simply takes on new meaning as we grow older.


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

🐟

One Night in Dublin

The next performance takes “This Little Light of Mine” in a completely different direction. This is Bruce Springsteen and the Sessions Band performing the song live at The Pointe Theater in Dublin, Ireland. Bruce is certainly not who most people would expect to find performing a song that has its roots so deeply embedded in Christian faith, but that is precisely part of what makes this performance so fascinating to me. I have spent much of my life around music in all kinds of settings, and I don’t believe a song’s significance is diminished simply because it crosses musical or cultural boundaries. In fact, sometimes hearing a familiar song in an unexpected setting can make its message stand out even more clearly.

And make no mistake—this is the most electrifying performance of “This Little Light of Mine” that I have ever seen. The energy is absolutely incredible, and the audience is swept up in it from beginning to end. But beyond the music itself, I take great joy in something else: if only for a brief moment on a Sunday night at The Pointe Theater in Dublin, Ireland, the full attention of that room was turned toward a song that exists purely to honor God. Whatever else was happening that night, whatever brought those people through the doors, for those few minutes they were singing along with a song whose simple message has been shining for generations. And I find something genuinely beautiful about that.


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

🐟

AI-Created 90s Rock Ballad

And now, just for fun, I wanted to imagine what “This Little Light of Mine” might have sounded like as a ’90s rock ballad. This AI-created version takes the familiar song and gives it a completely different musical identity, with soaring guitars, big drums, and the kind of emotional intensity that defined many of the great rock ballads of that era. It may be a long way from the little boy sitting at a piano in Children’s Church, but the message remains exactly the same: this little light is still meant to shine.

🐟

What about a TikTok Dance?

What if you made a TikTok dance out of “This Little Light of Mine”? Well, folks, this is about as close as you can get! Steve Fee took the basic idea of the classic song and turned it into a brand-new song called “This Little Light,” complete with an energetic, contemporary sound and choreography that feels tailor-made for the TikTok generation. It may not be the traditional version I grew up with, but the spirit of the original is unmistakable – and watching this, I can’t help but think that my four-year-old self would have loved it!

🐟

Thanks for taking this walk down memory lane with me and spending a little time with one of the most important songs of my life. From a four-year-old boy sitting down at a piano in Children’s Church to the many places, people, performances, and seasons of life that followed, “This Little Light of Mine” has been there through it all. After all these years, its message remains as simple—and as powerful—as ever: let your light shine!

🐟

Share this message of worship with someone today.

📖Hymn of the Week

by

“Because He Lives”
Caleb & Kelsey

Each week, FishWorship highlights a beloved hymn that continues to inspire and encourage believers today.


Apple Music subscribers: Sign in above to hear the full song.

This week’s Hymn of the Week is the beloved Christian classic “Because He Lives,” performed by Caleb & Kelsey. Caleb Grimm is perhaps best known as a member of the contemporary Christian vocal group Anthem Lights, but he and his wife, Kelsey, have also become well known as Caleb & Kelsey for their arrangements of hymns, worship songs, and other Christian favorites. Their 2019 recording of “Because He Lives” gives this familiar hymn a fresh, intimate treatment, with the couple singing together from a church pew. The official video was released by Anthem Lights on April 18, 2019.

The performance is particularly fitting because Caleb & Kelsey have made a specialty of bringing older Christian songs to a new generation through their own arrangements. Rather than treating “Because He Lives” simply as a traditional congregational hymn, they approach it as a husband-and-wife duet, allowing their two voices to complement one another while keeping the central message of the hymn intact. Their version was also released as an official Caleb & Kelsey arrangement, with the recording listed as a 2019 arrangement of the song originally composed by William J. Gaither and Gloria Gaither.

“Because He Lives” itself dates back to 1971, when Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote the song during a particularly uncertain period in their lives. They were preparing for the birth of their son Benjamin while facing the troubling social climate of the early 1970s. The song grew out of their realization that, despite everything happening around them, their faith in the risen Christ gave them confidence to face the future. The song was released by the Bill Gaither Trio in October 1971 and quickly became one of the Gaithers’ best-known compositions.

The song soon moved beyond the Gaithers’ recordings and into congregational worship. Its first appearance as a congregational hymn was in the 1975 edition of the Baptist Hymnal, where it was hymn #448, under the title “Because He Lives” and with the tune identified as RESURRECTION, composed by Bill Gaither. And its reach has gone far beyond that first hymnal appearance: Hymnary.org currently lists “Because He Lives” in 82 hymnals. That is quite a remarkable journey for a song that was written only in 1971.

More than five decades after it was written, “Because He Lives” continues to express one of the most fundamental assurances of the Christian faith: because Jesus Christ conquered death, Christians can face the future without fear. That enduring message is what makes this hymn such a natural choice for FishWorship—and Caleb & Kelsey’s heartfelt rendition gives us another opportunity to hear a familiar hymn with fresh ears.

🐟

Share this message of worship with someone today.

🏆Artist of the Week

by

Katy Nichole


Katy Nichole has quickly become one of the most compelling young voices in contemporary Christian music, connecting with listeners through songs that are honest, vulnerable, and deeply rooted in faith. Her music often meets people in the middle of real-life struggles—offering encouragement, hope, and a reminder that God is present even when life doesn’t look the way we expected. Rather than simply singing about faith from a distance, Katy brings a personal sense of honesty to her music that makes her songs feel like conversations with someone who understands what it means to hold on to God through difficult seasons.

Katy first captured widespread attention with “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” a powerful song of prayer and trust that resonated with listeners far beyond the Christian music audience. Its message of bringing our needs, fears, and impossible circumstances before God helped establish Katy as an artist with a distinctive ability to turn personal faith into music that speaks directly to the listener. Her subsequent songs have continued to explore themes of healing, surrender, identity, hope, and the transformative work of Jesus.

What makes Katy Nichole particularly meaningful is the authenticity that runs through her music. Songs such as “When I Fall,” “Have Your Way,” “I Found Jesus,” and “Healing Now” reveal an artist who isn’t afraid to acknowledge weakness while pointing toward the strength found in Christ. Her music reminds us that faith doesn’t require pretending that everything is easy. Sometimes worship begins with admitting that we need God—and trusting Him to meet us exactly where we are.

As FishWorship’s Artist of the Week, Katy Nichole represents the kind of Christian music we love to celebrate: music that encourages, tells the truth about life’s challenges, and ultimately points us back to Jesus. Whether you’re already familiar with her music or are discovering her for the first time, Katy’s growing catalog offers plenty of opportunities to find a song that speaks to your own journey of faith.

Visit Katie Nichole’s artist page

🐟

Share this message of worship with someone today.

A Tribute to Dolly Parton: There Was Jesus

by


There are some artists whose passing feels like the loss of a musician. And then there are those whose passing feels like the loss of someone who had simply always been there.

For generations of Americans, Dolly Parton was one of those people.

On August 25, 2026, Dolly Parton died in Nashville at the age of 80 after a brief battle with cancer. The news was met with an extraordinary outpouring of grief from across the world. Country music mourned. Hollywood mourned. Nashville mourned. And people who had never considered themselves country music fans found themselves grieving, too. Dolly had somehow become much more than a singer. She was part of the American story.

For those of us who live in Tennessee, there is something particularly difficult about imagining the state without Dolly in it.

She came from the mountains of East Tennessee, one of twelve children raised in a family with very little money but a great deal of music. She learned early that a song could tell a story, carry a memory, express a prayer, or simply help somebody make it through another day. Eventually, the little girl who grew up in a house without electricity would become one of the most successful and recognizable entertainers the world has ever known.

But the numbers don’t really explain Dolly Parton.

The awards don’t explain her.

The wigs, the rhinestones, the television appearances, the movies, the theme park, the hundreds of songs, the business ventures, the countless honors — none of those things quite explain why so many people feel as though they have lost somebody they knew.

Maybe it’s because Dolly always seemed to understand something about ordinary people.

She wrote about working people and lonely people. She wrote about mothers and daughters, heartbreak and hope, poverty and ambition, home and leaving home. She could make the world laugh at her one minute and then quietly break your heart with a song the next.

And underneath so much of it was faith.

For Dolly Parton, faith was never something separate from her music. It was part of the musical world she grew up in, part of the stories she told, and part of the way she understood her own life. Gospel music was woven into her Tennessee upbringing, and Christian themes remained a recurring thread throughout her songwriting and recording career.

That makes one particular song especially appropriate for FishWorship to revisit this week.

In 2019, Christian artist Zach Williams released “There Was Jesus,” a song built around the realization that God was present even during the seasons when His presence wasn’t obvious. The song looks backward over difficult moments and sees them differently in retrospect.

And then Dolly Parton joined him.

The collaboration could easily have been nothing more than an impressive pairing of two familiar voices. It wasn’t.

Dolly’s voice brings something deeply human to the song. There is history in it. There is tenderness in it. There is a sense that the words aren’t being performed simply because they are on a page, but because they mean something.

And perhaps that’s why the song feels particularly poignant now.

We spend our lives moving through moments we don’t understand. We lose people. We experience disappointment. We face illness, uncertainty, fear, and grief. Sometimes we look back years later and realize that God was present in places where we couldn’t see Him at the time.

There was Jesus.

There was Jesus in the joy.

There was Jesus in the sorrow.

There was Jesus in the moments we understood — and in the moments we didn’t.

For Christians, that isn’t just a comforting sentiment. It’s a promise.

And this week, as the world remembers Dolly Parton, it seems especially appropriate to remember her through a song that allows us to hear her voice speaking directly into that promise.

Dolly’s earthly story is finished. Her music isn’t. The songs she wrote will continue to be sung. The people she encouraged will continue to tell their stories. The books distributed through her Imagination Library will continue reaching children. The places she helped build will continue welcoming families. And the countless artists she influenced will continue carrying pieces of her musical DNA into the future.

Even Dollywood, the place she called a dream brought to life, is choosing to honor her wishes by remaining a place of joy, hope, music, laughter, and togetherness. That’s a fitting tribute to a woman whose public life was so often characterized by generosity and optimism.

But for FishWorship, there is another legacy worth remembering.

Dolly Parton understood that a song could do more than entertain.

A song could tell the truth.

A song could remind somebody that they weren’t alone.

A song could make somebody cry, laugh, remember home, or perhaps even look toward heaven.

And sometimes, a song could simply remind us of something we already knew but had temporarily forgotten:

There was Jesus.

So this week, as we say goodbye to Dolly Parton, we’re going to do something a little different at FishWorship.

We’re going to let Dolly sing.

And while you listen, perhaps don’t think first about the celebrity.

Think about the little girl from the Tennessee mountains.

Think about the woman who spent a lifetime turning stories into songs.

Think about the millions of people who found a little hope, a little laughter, or a little courage in something she created.

And then listen to the words.

Because even in a week when we’re mourning the loss of someone who seemed almost larger than life, the message of this song remains remarkably simple:

There was Jesus.

And we believe there still is.

Zach Williams & Dolly Parton – “There Was Jesus”

🐟

Share this message of worship with someone today.