Lifting Up Others Through Service: Country Singer Jimmy Fortune and US Army Veteran Jess Key

While we may not realize it at the time, struggle is a blessing because down the road, remembering the struggles we have endured helps us empathize with others going through the same hardship. Our guests—country and gospel music legend Jimmy Fortune and US Army veteran and dragon boat racing champion Jess Key—have used their lives to spotlight this truth: no matter what you’ve been through, God is not done with you yet. He can use anything in your life, the good and the bad, and make it beautiful.

 

Links, Products and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling devotional

Jesus Calling books

Jesus Calling on Zulily

 

Jimmy Fortune

Jimmy Fortune’s new album God and Country

Jimmy Fortune, I Believe music video

Jimmy Fortune, Meet at Arlingon video

 

The Statler Brothers

Bill Gaither Music 

Cracker Barrel

 

JESS KEY

Childhood PTSD

National Dragonboat Team

National Suicide Hotline

 

Interview Quotes:

“[My dad’s true character] came to the forefront when he let God have his life.” - Jimmy Fortune 

”The Statler Brothers were a safe place for me because they were all about God and family and their country.” - Jimmy Fortune 

“Whatever I do with my music, I want it to be in a positive way to help people in their lives.” - Jimmy Fortune 

“God works through us. And in His love for us, He works through people and He works through books like this Jesus Calling.” - Jimmy Fortune

“So we [need to] all work together to accomplish the goal that God wants us to accomplish, and that's to help the downtrodden and the people of this world who need to hear about Him.” - Jimmy Fortune

“It's so important that we acknowledge our soldiers and thank them for what they did for us. They gave, they sacrificed their lives for us.” - Jimmy Fortune

“God is where you need to turn to and give your life, because He's going to be the one that's going to help you through all this, because it is no secret what God can do." - Jimmy Fortune

“I grew up seeing this abuse, and I was abused myself. I thought it was normal thing, but come to think of it, I was becoming the abuser. I would get drunk and ballistic with an uncontrollable kind of anger. If you imagine an MMA fighter, that's the kind of rage I had inside and I didn't know why.” - Jess Key

“One night I got drunk, and I attempted suicide. I was not in my right mind. I thought that was the way out. I had suffered so much that I didn't know how to cope.” - Jess Key

“As a kid, I always said to myself I would never grow up and be my mom. Yet I was living that same life, choosing the same path that she did.” - Jess Key

“Through it all, God worked these miraculous things out.” - Jess Key

“Your story is not over. It's just beginning. God will use any circumstance, whether it be good or bad, and He'll turn it into something beautiful.” - Jess Key

“The waves of adversity crashed over me all throughout life, but God is simply saying, ‘Keep your focus on My presence, and be in the present.’” - Jess Key

“You can find freedom once and for all, and it's through Christ. He is our freedom. He is our hope. He is our everything. You’ve just got to trust in that.” - Jess Key

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Enjoy these videos on Jesus Calling YouTube channel:

Audio podcast: https://bit.ly/2uCnNM0 

Original Series video podcast: https://bit.ly/2WzFY0O 

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