152. Making God The Champion of Your Life: Olympian Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Release Date: 08/01/2024
It’s Your Story, Too: Thank You, Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast Listeners
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Sally Lloyd-Jones and Team Jesus Storybook Bible have loved connecting with listeners the last three plus years on The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast, a place for us to share thoughts and stories from guests who give us a peek inside their everyday lives—often giving us a glimpse into the extraordinary circumstances they’ve experienced in their faith. In this episode, Sally shares a personal, special message of thanks for our listeners and recaps some of our most notable guest stories—including a never-before-shared reading from the Jesus Storybook Bible. Starting in January 2025, the...
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173. Building Little Habits to Grow a Big Faith: Christie Thomas
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Author and mom of three boys Christie Thomas knows that when it comes to building faith in the lives of our children, there are three golden rules: keep it short and simple, keep it real, and make it playful. She shares how instilling small habits with a dose of fun can be the spark that lights a growing faith for the whole family. Quotes “There are so many spots in the Bible where we just offer something really little. God is the one that takes it and makes it into something big and beautiful. When we focus on these little tiny things that we can do in our lives—following...
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172. Hope, Peace, & Great Joy: Christmas Readings with Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Merry Christmas! In celebration, author Sally Lloyd-Jones shares stories from her book Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing and The Jesus Storybook Bible, perfect for listening to with your little ones to show them the real reason for the season. Quotes “Christmas is about hope and peace and great joy.” - Sally Lloyd-Jones “Are you worried about something today? Is something frightening you? God says to you, ‘Don't be afraid. I'm with you. I will help you.’ Whatever it is, you can put it in God's hands.” - Sally Lloyd-Jones “Christmas is when God says to us, ‘Don't be...
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171. Shattering Limiting Behaviors By Knowing Our True Worth: Maurice F. Martin
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Maurice F. Martin is a best-selling author, award-winning vocalist, and a life coach. Early in Maurice’s life, he found his identity came from how many accolades he could collect, but when it all came crashing down, he sadly realized there wasn’t much else keeping him going. After sinking to the lowest point in his life, Maurice turned to the real source of his identity, and the truth that he was “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God. Transformed by that truth, Maurice’s goal became to help others overcome their self-limiting beliefs and find their worth in the light of God’s...
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170. The Hope of Advent with Sally Lloyd-Jones
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
In celebration of the season of advent, author Sally Lloyd-Jones shares the meaning of hope, and how it means we can be certain of God’s love for us. She also reads a few stories from The Jesus Storybook Bible to get us in the spirit of the Christmas season. Quotes “Advent means expectation. And expectation, of course, has everything to do with hope.” - Sally Lloyd-Jones “This arrival of this Promised Child, Advent, is when we trace the magnificent story of God keeping His promises from the very beginning of the world, His promise to come and rescue His children, to do for...
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169. Our Home Is Found in Who God Says We Are: Rev. Chris Lee
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Reverend Chris Lee unexpectedly found himself with an online platform where he shares short, encouraging messages that authentically reflect what he’s facing in any given moment. The messages have resonated with thousands, bolstering Chris’s belief that people are longing for an understanding of their identity and who God says they are. Quotes “I felt just the whisper of God say, ‘I want you to be on this platform and give a message of the gospel to a younger generation—to young people who were searching.’” - Rev. Chris Lee “I think a lot of people online are...
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168. A Gift of Hope in the Midst of Fear: Peter Martin from Hope Lebedyn
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Hope Lebedyn is a nonprofit organization in Ukraine providing aid and hope during a time of war, chaos, fear, and uncertainty. Co-founder Peter Martin shares the realities of what Ukrainian families are currently facing, and how God’s love has shown up as a lifeline. Quotes “My family hasn’t been asked to leave their home because a bomb might come through their roof. I haven't had to abandon all my things. So I see love in the blessing of God, in the things that I have around me, which so often I take for granted.” - Peter Martin “About twenty-five years ago, I...
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167. Ordinary People Becoming Extraordinary Believers: Dandi Daley Mackall
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Dandi Daley Mackall is an award-winning writer whose most recent work is a devotional called Women Who Followed Jesus, which honors ordinary women who were early church believers and key figures in the life of Christ. Dandi shares how God showed up in the lives of these women and what lessons we can draw from their extraordinary faith. Quotes “God lets me write, and then He takes it and touches hearts and works His grace in other people. I get to be a little part of it.” - Dandi Daley Mackall “I don't know how people get through life without our Refuge and our Helper. I just...
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166. You’re Never Too Far Gone for God: Molly Stillman
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Author and speaker Molly Stillman was raised by a Vietnam veteran Army nurse, who acted as the hands and feet of Jesus when chaos and pain and terror were all around. As Molly grew up, she watched her mom trailblaze for veteran’s rights, so when she passed away, Molly was devastated and confused and hurt. As she spiraled into a deep, dark place, she found herself looking for hope—and she realized that no one is ever so far gone that God’s love can’t bring them back. Quotes “My mom's death, in a lot of ways, was the catalyst for the rest of my life. Growing up the daughter of...
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165. The Difference Between Happiness & True Joy: Tara Dew
The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast
Tara Dew is an educator, author, and mother of four. Tara discusses the difference between joy and happiness, and the importance of cultivating intentionality versus balance. Her insights offer a refreshing perspective on finding lasting peace and contentment through faith, even amidst life's daily challenges. Quotes “I have learned that your circumstances do not determine joy.” - Tara Dew “Happiness is a state of being that often is equated with our circumstances. Joy is not. Joy described all through the Bible as being something that is like an anchor. It's this hope that we...
info_outlineAs a record breaking hurdler and sprinter who won an Olympic Gold medal in her sport, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has been trained to win. But when the losses do come, Sydney tries to use those moments to transform her heart and perspective, strengthening her resolve and trust that God will be there when it’s time to cross the finish line.
Quotes
“I ran my first race and I was so terrified to do it. But once I actually started and the gun went off, I just felt so free.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
“I think every athlete trains to reach a certain goal, or point, or whatever it is that they've set their minds on—whether it be winning a medal at the Junior Olympics, the college National Championship, a gold medal at the Olympics, or the world record. I think when that's always your dream and aspiration for so long, that when it comes to fruition, it truly is just like a jaw-dropping moment.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
“Being able to cross the line, and just know that the Lord was still with me, that He had a plan for my life, and as an athlete, you didn't win, but [you’re] still intact… As hard of a time as that was, I'm grateful for it because I don't think I would have realized my need for God without it.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
“I think being able to show that even in losses, I'm satisfied in the Lord and His plan for me is the best thing I could do because it shows people that I'm not relying on winning to be okay. And I think that honesty is actually the best way to share the gospel, because it shows that even someone who has world records and gold medals still needs the Lord.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
“I can show up to the track every day and understand that this is a gift He's given me—that win, lose, or draw, it's an opportunity to glorify Him. My value is already secure in Christ, so there's no fear of not being enough and everything I need is found in Him.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
Guest’s Links
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s website
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Instagram
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Facebook
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Twitter
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook
Jesus Storybook Bible Instagram
*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*