In this episode, Jonathan & Melissa Helser and Chris Miller un-pack some of the stories behind our new Christmas album, Sing Winter. While the conversation revolves around this album, the heart of what they share is so much deeper than simply song stories. The purpose of this record is to embrace every part of the holidays and the winter season; the joy and the sadness, the pain and the relief. Jonathan & Melissa share beautiful stories from their lives and open up places where they have been meet by Emmanuel, God With Us.   Through the laughter and the tears in this episode, we hope you find a deeper meaning behind Sing Winter, as well as the inspiration to live the season you are in to the fullest, letting God meet you in every moment.   It is in embracing every part of life that we know we are truly alive. Our prayer is that your winter season will sing, and that you will feel enveloped in the hope that Jesus brings. May you cherish moments that become sacred memories, and may you feel deeply met as you unapologetically honor the reverence, sorrow, and joy of life. Merry Christmas from the Cageless Birds 🕊️    Listen to Sing Winter Here: https://lnk.to/SingWinter To learn more about our ministry: www.cagelessbirds.com www.jonathanhelser.com www.18inchjourney.com

In a heartfelt conversation, the hosts explore the balance between sadness and joy, emphasizing that experiencing one enhances the other. They share personal stories, underscoring the importance of honoring grief and building deeper connections through honesty. Listeners are encouraged to embrace vulnerability, especially during challenging seasons like winter. Practical tools like meditation and community support are discussed as ways to navigate emotional storms, ultimately fostering resilience and hope. Cherishing sacred moments becomes a central theme.

In this episode, Jonathan shares about living a life of wholehearted worship and becoming a lover of God for the long-haul. King David cultivated a well-worn path of honest worship with the Lord throughout His whole life. Our dream is that you would be 80 years old, still clinging to Jesus, astonished at who He is. This podcast is full of stories and reflections from Jonathan about being steadfast, honest, and passionate in the lifelong pursuit of God’s presence. The introduction to this podcast was recorded at David’s Tent in the United Kingdom, where our team leads worship every single August. To learn more about David’s Tent UK and get tickets for 2025, you can head to: www.davidstent.net The 18 Inch Journey: Phase One is our 65-day discipleship school of the heart dedicated to helping adults ages 20-30 have a thriving relationship with Jesus in every area of life. Male applications for Phase One are still open! To learn more and apply, you can visit: www.18inchjourney.com To support our 18 Inch Journey Campus Campaign, go to: www.cagelessbirds.com/donate  To learn more about our ministry: www.cagelessbirds.com www.jonathanhelser.com www.18inchjourney.com

In this engaging discussion, Adam Cox, a longtime friend of Jonathan Helser and author of "The God Story," shares his passion for helping others encounter God's love. They reminisce about their 25-year friendship and its transformative moments, emphasizing how personal perceptions of God shape identity and community. Adam discusses the power of storytelling in faith and mentorship's role in creative journeys. The conversation highlights the importance of belonging and identity through divine love, encouraging listeners to foster curiosity in their spiritual quests.

Jonathan and Melissa Helser, leaders in spiritual wisdom, discuss the vision and mission behind the transformative 18 Inch Journey. They explore how discipleship shapes identity and purpose, weaving in personal stories of healing and community impact. The Helser's insights reveal how meaningful connections foster change, illustrated by youth-led initiatives like providing clean water in Africa. They emphasize the importance of nurturing relationships and the power of collective dreams to drive community growth, making a heartfelt case for embracing the struggles that lead to profound transformation.

This episode is a special conversation between Melissa Helser and Chris Miller. Melissa shares about her song, Beautiful Jesus, and a worship moment from the 2023 18 Inch Journey that was recently shared on the Cageless Birds YouTube channel. She reflects on the season of her life during which that song was first written as well as what it’s like to lead worship within the context of our discipleship schools. At the end of this podcast, we play the full worship moment that Melissa is referencing, so please stick around to the end and enjoy this song and spontaneous worship moment! You can also watch the moment on our YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/ScIzMcvCdQc?si=FsjrZH3qqjji8EgZ To learn more about our ministry, go to www.jonathanhelser.com, www.18inchjourney.com, or www.cagelessbirds.com.

Delve into the contrasting approaches of King Saul and King David in worship, emphasizing David's pursuit of authenticity amidst life's challenges. Explore the transformative power of worship and leadership through their stories, highlighting the influence of music in alleviating anxiety. Reflect on envy, murder, and worship, drawing parallels to modern struggles with comparison. Discover the essence of true worship, emphasizing genuine devotion and pleasing God above all else.

This episode features an excerpt from a conversation Jonathan and Melissa recently had with our friend, Morgan Snyder. In it, the Helsers share song stories from their most recent album: The Land I’m Livin’ In. This episode features the stories behind the songs I Believe, and We Make Space! Morgan Snyder is an entrepreneur, teacher, writer, speaker, and friend of our community. His passion is to both be shaped by and shape the men and women who are shaping the kingdom of God. He is the creator of Become Good Soil and the author of the book “Becoming A King.” For more about Morgan, head to http://becomegoodsoil.com. To learn more about our ministry, go to www.jonathanhelser.com, www.18inchjourney.com, or www.cagelessbirds.com. To learn more about our Audio Upgrade Campaign, we invite you to visit http://cagelessbirds.com/donate. Thank you!

Exploring perseverance, maturity, and the role of God's discipline in cultivating wisdom and discernment. Story of overcoming technical difficulties during a live performance. Reflecting on the importance of pruning and maturity. The significance of the Art Barn and fundraising for audio system upgrade.

Melissa discusses the difference between growth and maturity, emphasizing the importance of living generously. They share personal experiences of encountering God in everyday moments and reflect on the parallels between personal growth and planting a eucalyptus tree. They emphasize the importance of maturity as individuals and leaders, cautioning against external success. The concept of generosity goes beyond financial giving, emphasizing the importance of being present and obedient.