I’ve put together a playlist for you–for your early mornings, your commute, your bad days. Your good days. Your best days. It’s mostly gospel with a touch of hip-hop. And actually, I can’t take credit for it.

A month or two ago my friend Kim saw that Kirk Franklin would be performing at Virginia State University on October 21. I’ve always wanted to see him, so I was like, “Yes! I’m in!” Then I realized I’d have chemotherapy that day, and I probably wouldn’t be able to make it through the show. (Thursdays are pretty tiring.) Lame.

So last Thursday was October 21. Kim sent me a text that said, “Liz! It’s a beautiful day for a Praise Party! Since you aren’t able to come to the Kirk show tonight, just know that I am thinking about you today (from my office at work). Kick some cancer booty at chemo today. God’s got you, and as this song says, “There’s a healing in this room with your name on it.” She included a link to the video for Tasha Cobbs’ Put A Praise On It.

Then I started getting more text messages from different friends. I got them all throughout the day. More songs, more videos. So many songs–many of them new to me. I had to share them with you, because music can get you unstuck.

Seriously, if you ever need to be reminded of the Truth, or you need to have a little fun, run and download some of these songs.

Thank you for organizing this, Kim.

Kim’s Praise Party Playlist

Tasha Cobbs featuring Kierra Sheard: Put A Praise On It

Kirk Franklin: A God Like You

Jermaine Dolly: You

Mary Mary: In the Morning

Hezekiah Walker: Every Praise

Mary Mary: Walking

Kierra Kiki Sheard: You Don’t Know

CeCe Winans: Hallelujah Praise

John P. Kee: Never Shall Forget

Isaac Carree: In The Middle

Kirk Franklin: My Desire

Yolanda Adams: Victory

Tye Tribbett: Nobody

Kirk Franklin: Road Trip

Fred Hammond: They That Wait

Byron Cage: I Will Bless The Lord

Charles Jenkins: Winning

Tedashii featuring Lecrae: Dum Dum

Jonathan McReynolds: Gotta Have You

Whitney Houston: I Go To The Rock

Mississippi Mass Choir: When I Rose This Morning

Kirk Franklin presents 1NC (One Nation Crew): Unconditional

The movie Higher: Joyful Noise

Kirk Franklin: He Reigns

Lecrae featuring Mali Music: Tell The World IMG_1033.JPG

Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”

Lamentations 3:22-26 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”

Thanks for being part of the praise party: Kim Forquer, Heather Jarvis, Julie Smith, Kerri Swaim, Joe Brown, Robin Huff, Marti Shelby, Sarah O’Dell, Melissa Daniels, Ann Long, Sandy Kim, Tiffanie Chan, Haley Hollenbach, Amanda Krieger, Kristin Livingston, Zuzana Johansen, Ruben Nigaglioni, Sarah Doerfler, Lisa Nida, Kristen Purdy, Lisa Nelson, Elizabeth Minor, Kevin Greene, Shannon Essad, Becca Hankins, Allison Hearn, Jay Smith, and [if I forgot you, please forgive me. It was the Benadryl.]

Thanks to my sister and Laura Bland for joining me for chemo that day.