Episodes

  • On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we hear from musician Colton Dixon. From his American Idol days to the unexpected challenges in the music industry, Colton shares how his unwavering faith in God has served as his guiding light through every circumstance–enabling him to be a light to others facing their own storms.

    Guest’s Links
    Colton’s Facebook: @ColtonDixonMusic

    Colton’s Twitter: @ColtonDixon

    Colton’s Instagram: @ColtonDixonMusic

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    *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

  • Sometimes, our dreams seem so far-fetched that even we don’t believe we’ll ever achieve them. But in Romans 12:2, it says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” When we train ourselves to look for the good, to see God’s opportunities around every corner, we’ll find that the life of our dreams isn’t so far away after all.

    As we celebrate our 400th episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, we’ll hear from Savannah Guthrie and John Tesh, who both had unconventional and unexpected breakthroughs into television. Savannah, co-anchor of the Today Show on NBC, shares how her greatest dream of being in journalism came only when she made peace with leaving it behind. Musician and former host of Entertainment Tonight John Tesh shares about the challenging road to his career in television; including being expelled from college to living in a tent, wondering if he’d ever have a career in any kind of media. Until one night, during a desperate prayer to God, he got the answers he was looking for.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Ainsley Earhardt

    Upcoming interview: Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Charles Fay

    Jesus Calling for Easter

    Romans 12:2 NIV

    Savannah Guthrie

    Today Show on NBC

    Michael Feldman

    Down Syndrome

    LSAT

    Court TV

    Hoda Kotb

    Psalm 121:1-2 NIV

    Mostly What God Does

    John Tesh

    Entertainment Tonight

    Juilliard School

    The Dave Clark Five

    The Beatles

    Jimi Hendrix

    NC State

    Matthew 6:9-13 NIV

    Mary Hart

    The Moody Blues

    Red Rocks

    Philippians 1:21-26 NIV

    The Purpose Driven Life

    www.tesh.com

    ***Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org

    Interview Quotes:

    “When you get really discouraged about the world and the state of the world, for me that really indicates that you could benefit from a different perspective and a higher perspective. And that's why my faith is so important to me.” - Savannah Guthrie

    “In this business, we cover so many sad stories and you don't want to get a thick skin. I don't want to get a thick skin. I don't ever want my heart to be hard and cold toward the suffering that we sometimes talk about or witness firsthand. It's okay to show that you have a heart and that you care.” - Savannah Guthrie

    “When we are consumed by the grief of the world, our own griefs, we are usually looking inward, and sometimes we need to look up and out for help, for help coming on the horizon, for perspective, for sunshine, for a belief that not only is help on the way, but help is coming from God Himself, who is all-powerful and all-seeing and has a perspective that I cannot possibly have as a human being.” - Savannah Guthrie

    “The only prayer that I could remember was the Lord's Prayer. And I would pray that prayer and I would just ask God to save me. And I woke up in the middle of the night, it was like 2:00 in the morning. And the answer came to me, it was basically God saying, ‘Do something.’” - John Tesh

    “In the Bible, there was never a promise that you were instantly going to be happy, and that you were instantly going to be devoid of any of any hardships. You understand that there's really only one choice, that is to tough it out, shoulder to shoulder with God, and get through it. And when you do get through it, it's an amazing place to be.“ - John Tesh

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

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  • This week’s stories are set an ocean apart, but share a common thread of two individuals placing their trust in God to be a lighthouse in the dark while mapping a new course for their lives.

    Joseph Rojas, the lead singer of the Christian rock band Seventh Day Slumber, candidly shares a background where abuse, addiction, and suicidal ideation haunted his days, and how that led to a rock-bottom moment in the back of an ambulance, where he had a life-changing encounter with God. Author and podcaster Monica Swanson is a mom to four boys who she decided to start homeschooling when they were elementary age. Though Monica and her husband initially had doubts about handling the boys’ education, they leaned into the task and discovered some of the benefits of this type of education, and now help others who desire to choose this route for their own families.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Brandi Rhodes

    Upcoming interview: Savannah Guthrie

    Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org

    Jesus Calling for Easter

    Joseph Rojas

    Seventh Day Slumber

    Third Day

    Skillet

    Prayer Chain

    Bleach

    Unveiled Skies: Conquering Emotional Battles

    Monica Swanson

    Deuteronomy 6 NIV

    www.monicaswanson.com

    Becoming Homeschoolers

    Interview Quotes:

    “It was hard to believe that if there really is a God and He's holy and good, what would He want with someone as messed up as me?” - Joseph Rojas

    “I gave my heart to Him. I was talking with my heart to God. I don't remember exactly what I prayed, probably something along the lines of, God, if you'll still have me, if you still want me, I'll give my life to you.” - Joseph Rojas

    “When I saw the people come forward and give their hearts to the Lord, I said, ‘That's what I want to do.’” - Joseph Rojas

    “I wish that someone would have told me earlier on that I need to quit looking to everybody else to try to tell me who I am
At the end of the day, if you want to know who you are, you should ask the One who created you, and He will tell you that you're not a throw away, that you're not a lost cause, that you're not too fat, that you're not stupid, that you're not worthless. He'll tell you that you are loved beyond measure.” - Joseph Rojas

    “Faith has been a huge element of our homeschool experience, mostly because we've been able to live out the Deuteronomy chapter six idea of talking about God's commands as we get up, as we walk along the road, as we lie down.” - Monica Swanson

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

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  • This week, we speak with Navy veteran Michael Hyacinthe, who is also an artist and sculptor. Michael recounts the profound impact of his time in the military, and how, after he returned to civilian life, he wanted to use his talent in the arts to support veterans, and eventually children through his company Wimage, who created a toy robot named Wimee, featured on the PBS children’s show called Wimee’s Words. Our second guest is climate scientist and speaker Katharine Hayhoe, whose work bridges the gap between science and faith. Interpreting complex climate data through the lens of religious stewardship, Katharine educates faith-based communities on their role as protectors of creation. Both individuals exemplify how unconventional talents can spark change and encourage others to utilize their own unique gifts for the greater good.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Elisabeth Hasselbeck

    Upcoming interview: Joseph Rojas

    Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org

    Jesus Calling for Easter

    Michael Hyacinthe

    Has Heart

    U.S. Navy Seabee

    Wimage

    Wimee’s Words

    Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 40

    ArtPrize

    Katharine Hayhoe

    climate change

    Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World

    Interview Quotes:

    “We're using art as a bridge for the veterans to express themselves and to connect and be a part of the community that they live in.” - Michael Hyacinthe

    “There are a lot of ups and downs in this journey of life, which sometimes are completely out of our control, but knowing that ultimately I'm doing God's will and I need His strength, I know that I am not alone, that I have someone—the Creator—that is with me and that is guiding me through good and bad.” - MichaelHyacinthe

    “I need to do everything I can to help fix this problem, because otherwise, how can I truly feel that I am expressing God's love and using the gifts that God has given me to love and to care for others? You don't often think of physics as being a way to love others, but this was a way that I could use my skills to do this.” - Katharine Hayhoe

    “More than 70% of scientists at research universities in the U.S. identify as spiritual people, but surveys have shown that most of us don't engage in our local churches just because we feel like we wouldn't be accepted if we talked about our science.” - Katharine Hayhoe

    “Just initiating conversation from the heart rather than the head, talking about what we have in common rather than what divides us, and connecting it to our hands—what we can do to make a difference.” - Katharine Hayhoe

    “It's just about having that conversation and expressing how you feel, whether it might be joyful, whether it might be sad, whether it might be stymied, not knowing where to go.” - Katharine Hayhoe

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

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  • People of faith have many opportunities to demonstrate how that faith leads and guides them. As a star athlete recognizes where their gifts and talents come from on a platform for all to see, we can also be faithful in our normal daily interactions with others, demonstrating grace—especially when we disagree—and showing kindness, understanding, and humility, all which reflect the love of Christ in our lives.

    Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, an American hurdler and sprinter, competes in the 400 meter hurdles. She is the 2020 Tokyo Olympic champion with the Games record, and 2022 World champion with a world record time of 50.68 seconds. It takes work to be the kind of athlete Sydney has become, but she always acknowledges the One who gave her the talent and the strength to persevere in her sport. Eugene Cho is a pastor, author, and the president of Bread for the World, a Christian advocacy organization that is committed to ending hunger. Many years ago, while pastoring a church, Eugene noticed a tension that was sweeping through his congregation—and it involved groups of people who disagreed strongly over faith and politics. Over time, he began to look at these situations, drawing parallels from the life of Jesus and how He handled those who disagreed with Him and His work.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Emily Chang

    Upcoming interview: Michael Hyancinthe

    Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org

    Jesus Calling for Easter

    Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

    2020 Tokyo Olympic champion

    Doha World Championships in 2019

    Far Beyond Gold: Running From Fear to Faith

    Eugene Cho

    Bread for the World

    Luke 10:25-37 NIV

    John 10:10 NIV

    Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk

    Interview Quotes:

    “God really helped to rework my mind and my heart to truly put Him on the throne of my life. And because of that, I was able to reprioritize how I viewed track and field and how I prepared for races, how I viewed wins versus losses.” - 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, and my value is already secure in Christ.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

    “I want to make sure that I'm keeping company with people that are not just people that will agree with everything that I will say, that are willing to challenge me, but also making sure that I'm rooted and guided in the gospel through Jesus Christ.” - Eugene Cho

    “I just think it's really important that we be wise, cautious, careful not to dehumanize those that we disagree with, because in our self-righteousness, we can become the very things that we criticize in others and not even know it.” - Eugene Cho

    “We have to understand that the ultimate call for us as followers of Jesus is not to be successful. It's not to be outrageous. It's not to be the loudest. It's not to be the one that's most heard, but the one that's rooted in Christ, who seeks to be faithful, who walks with integrity, who seeks to love like Jesus loved, including making sure that we're mindful of the lessons of the Good Samaritan.” - Eugene Cho

    “I think it's so important that we understand that everything that we do as followers of Christ must be rooted in this commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. That’s our anchor and our foundation.” - Eugene Cho

    “Maybe part of the reason why I have always appreciated the invitation to spend time in God's Word on a regular basis is so that as we go about doing this work, we don't lose ourselves in the blustery winds of our culture and times.” - Eugene Cho

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

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  • On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we hear from author and podcaster, Rebekah Lyons. Rebekah opens up about her experiences with anxiety, raising her beloved son who has Down Syndrome, and how faith and prayer got her through some uncertain moments.

    Guest’s Links
    Rebekah’s Instagram

    Rebekah’s Facebook

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    *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

  • This week, we’re talking to two women who grew up checking off the boxes to be the best Christians they could possibly be, and who would learn later in life would come to know a God who was more concerned with their hearts than with their behaviors.

    Comedian Anita Renfroe grew up in a church that didn’t consider laughter to be appropriate within its walls. As a person who always had something funny running through her head, it took her years to realize that joy, which bubbles over into laughter, is actually something that pleases the heart of God. Writer and teacher Hollylu Jostes also grew up in an environment that had very specific notions on what it meant to be a “good Christian.” Basically playing a role that ran counterintuitive to who she was as a person, she struggled to find her authentic self until she learned to know the God who loved her madly, who gave her the freedom to be exactly who she was meant to be.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Rachael Lampa

    Upcoming interview: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

    Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org

    Jesus Calling for Easter

    Anita Renfroe

    Women of Faith

    “The Mom Song”

    Good Morning America

    Modern Family

    The Middle

    www.anitarenfroe.com

    Hollylu Jostes

    Salty: The Deconstruction of a Good Christian

    Proverbs 31 NIV

    Matthew 5:13 NIV

    www.hollyluspeaks.com

    Interview Quotes:

    “One of my favorite things about how the Lord led me into this is that it takes, sometimes, other people to point out things that should be obvious to you, but are not.” - Anita Renfroe

    “I feel it's a gift when the body of Christ can call out [talents] in each other.” - Anita Renfroe

    “I like to sign up for things I don't know how to do and do it, and I think that's how I communicate with God the best, is when I'm pushed way out on a limb.” - Hollylu Jostes

    “I chose Him because He's God. He is the only rational choice, and then everything falls under that. And once that is in the right place, then you are free to be who God created you to be.” - Hollylu Jostes

    “I think it's important to connect with God daily because He is the fuel. He is what gets us through our day. He's what gives our day meaning and He's what infuses our day with joy. He will meet you in these meager little moments that we offer Him and He will grow them.” - Hollylu Jostes

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

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  • This week, we’ll hear the stories of two individuals who were tragically separated from their families at an early age. Though they faced unimaginable losses, they fought to hold onto what was left of their families, and continued to seek God as they also searched for their belonging in the world.

    Jochen Wurfl has seen more than his fair share of suffering. As a Holocaust survivor who experienced firsthand Hitler’s persecution of the Jewish people, and separation from his parents, Jochen clung to his brother to survive, and held onto faith that they would make it through. Holly Marie’s parents were members of a cult, who compelled them to give Holly Marie up for adoption when she was just a baby. When members of her biological family connected with her years later, there was an emotional reunion, and revelations that would forever change her life.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Ellie Holcomb

    Upcoming interview: Anita Renfroe

    Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org

    Jesus Calling for Easter

    Jochen Wurfl

    Holocaust survivor

    Anschluss

    Hitler Youth

    Sachsenhausen

    Czechoslovakia

    Mauthausen

    D-Day

    My Two Lives

    Holly Marie

    Genealogy for Justice

    Dean and Tina Linn Clouse Memorial Fund

    Finding Baby Holly

    [email protected]



    Interview Quotes:

    “We found the cell where my mother was, and she said, ‘Boys, be good at school. Learn as much as you can. Pay attention. I know you love me and I love you. I want you to leave right now because I am afraid you're going to be arrested and you're going to be sent along with me.’ We never talked to our mother again. We never saw her again. She was taken to Auschwitz and she was killed there.” - Jochen Wurfl

    “Eventually, our entire family was killed in the concentration camps, or somewhere by the Nazis. Everybody. My brother and I were the only two people who survived.” - Jochen Wurfl

    “That was probably the happiest day of my life when we landed in LaGuardia and I knew that I was in this country, a country where we had freedom, where you had democracy. Coming from Germany, from the Second World War, the difference was so immense.” - Jochen Wurfl

    “I still remember when I was twelve years old back in Germany, and we heard then on the BBC that the troops had landed successfully in Normandy. And here all these years later, I was in the color guard in Normandy to celebrate the success of the invasion. The sun was rising over the channel, and we stood there lowering the flags, listening to the tides. It was just an unbelievable experience.” - Jochen Wurfl

    “I was so blessed in this country and by my life as a whole.” - Jochen Wurfl

    “I felt overwhelming joy that my biological family actually searched and prayed for me to be found and wanted to meet me.” - Holly Marie

    “I praise God every day for blessing me with an adopted and biological family who both loved me and prayed with me, and always have my whole life.” - Holly Marie

    “I praise God for the platform He has opened up for me to share my story. This is an honor that I don't deserve, but shows how great our God is, and that He bestows His greatness upon all those who call upon His name, not because we earn it or deserve it, but because He loves us that much.” - Holly Marie

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

    ________________________

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  • God's love transcends human understanding and surpasses any love we could envision for ourselves. It is pure, unconditional, and ceaseless, unlike human love, which can be influenced by imperfection and self-interest. This divine love serves as an unfaltering source of comfort, healing, and transformation, exceeding any form of love we could dream of in its depth, breadth, and constancy.

    You may recognize actress Jen Lilley from her appearances on Criminal Minds, General Hospital, Days Of Our Lives, and several Hallmark and Great American Family movies. Her road to becoming an actress had its fair share of challenges, but her faith that God cared about the outcomes of her decisions kept her pushing forward. Authors and influencers Christian and Sadie Huff have learned firsthand that their relationships with friends, family, and as husband and wife dramatically improve when Christ’s love is at the center.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Kerry Washington

    Upcoming interview: Jochen Wurfl

    Thank you to our sponsors: www.give.cru.org | www.ReadRelief.com

    Jen Lilley

    Criminal Minds

    General Hospital

    Days Of Our Lives

    Bulimia

    www.jenlilley.com

    Christian and Sadie Huff

    How to Put Love First

    4:8 Men Podcast

    Live Original

    1 Corinthians 13 NIV

    Galatians 5 NIV

    Interview Quotes:

    “I think anytime you are choosing to center your day around Jesus, you're gonna get through life easier, you're going to get through life with the fruit of the spirit, and you're going to get through life in a way where God really is the author and finisher of your faith.” - Jen Lilley

    “If your relationship with God is first, how to put love first essentially is saying how to put God first, because if God is first, then love will flow into all your other relationships from there and it'll bless every relationship that you touch.” - Sadie Robertson Huff

    “Your relationship with God does not have to look one certain way.” - Sadie Robertson Huff

    “I think that if you do put love first, meaning if you put God first in your life, then you will see these things produced in your life; you will see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control.” - Christian Huff

    “Before [the Bible] says ‘love your neighbor as yourself,’ it says, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength.’ You’ve got to love God first so that you can love who He created–you–-so that you can love people, be a good person in your community and love others in your community well.” - Sadie Robertson Huff

    “I think connecting to God, prayer and reading; it does make you feel less alone. The Bible and Scripture says that ‘God's always with you,’ it says ‘He will never leave you and never forsake you.’ And I think if you're constantly aware that He's with you in all those moments, it is easier to not go it alone.” - Sadie Robertson Huff

    _______________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

    ________________________

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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  • Of all the languages in the world, music is one of the most profound. Its many shapes and forms can stir up a vast spectrum of emotions and tell stories in a way like no other.

    Candi Staton is a legendary, 4x Grammy nominated R&B and gospel singer. Candi vulnerably opens up about how her music was a direct reflection of things she was facing, including an absent father, an abusive marriage, and a battle with alcoholism, and how the music helped her build a bridge to God for herself and others. nobigdyl. found his way into the music industry at an early age, and stumbled upon an unexpected blessing when his mentor, Christian rapper Derek Minor, fired him so that he would be “pushed out of the nest.” Now, in his music, he addresses difficult topics like mental health problems in order to help listeners feel less alone.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Gloria Gaynor

    Upcoming interview: Jen Lilley

    Thank you to our sponsor: www.give.cru.org

    Candi Staton

    Nashboro Records in Nashville

    Sam Cooke

    Lou Rawls

    Aretha Franklin

    Five Blind Boys

    Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

    www.candi-staton.com

    nobigdyl.

    Holy Smoke Festival in Nashville, Tennessee

    MTSU

    Reflection Music Group

    Lecrae

    Kirk Franklin

    Interview Quotes:

    “The passion that I have for music, the sincerity
 when I sing, I sing from my heart, not because I know a song. I put everything in that song that I would do if I was singing it for the first time.” - Candi Staton

    “Difficult times always come, you just trust God. He knows the ending from the beginning and the beginning from the ending. He knows all of that. He's already been there. He's already paved the way out. And if you keep those kinds of things in mind, knowing that God has got your back and He's going to lead you into the path of righteousness for His namesake, you can make it through anything.” - Candi Staton

    “Whatever job you have, whatever career you have, that amount of hours and those setbacks and changing direction and second guessing yourself and redoing it and failing and then succeeding, it's the same thing for artists.” - nobigdyl.

    “I think that being a believer, a follower of Christ, no part of our life is exempt from caring and honoring for the other person.” - nobigdyl.

    “He has created us in His image, we are very complex creatures, and I think that an honest look at the Scriptures suggests so much of what we need in these situations where we feel depressed or we feel anxious or we're hurting in any way. We need people to sit with us, to walk with us, to care for us tangibly.” - nobigdyl.

    “Prayer is essential for me, and one thing that I learned about prayer was that the less I thought of it as a kind of rigid ritual and the more I thought about it as meeting with a Father who loves me, that kind of opened up my prayer life in a whole different way.” - nobigdyl.

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

    ________________________

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  • Life is a tapestry of dreams and aspirations, yet sometimes, despite our best efforts, we fail to see our dreams come to life. In these moments, we might feel engulfed by a sense of loss and disappointment. But we can find solace in a promise from God; when one dream fades, a new one is waiting on the horizon, ready to infuse our lives with renewed hope and purpose.

    Bryce Kenny is a professional Monster Jam driver who is known as the Great Clips Mohawk Warrior. Bryce always dreamt of being a professional racer, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was a professional drag racer. Before reaching his dreams, and eventually setting a World Record in 2021 for the fastest speed in a monster truck, Bryce encountered many roadblocks, and felt he was seeing his dream die before it could even begin—but he would eventually realize that God was working to bring a new dream alive, all in His perfect timing. Also featuring a special segment from the Jesus Calling YouTube Channel: an interview with Susie McEntire Eaton talking to actress Charlene Tilton as recorded for our YouTube monthly video series, Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer!

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Emily Chang

    Upcoming interview: nobigdyl

    Bryce Kenny

    Monster Jam driver

    Great Clips Mohawk Warrior

    Guinness World Record in 2021

    Live Like Warriors

    Monster Jam University

    www.brycekenny.com

    Geared For Life: Making the Shift Into Your Full Potential

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer YouTube series

    Charlene Tilton

    Interview Quotes:

    “I made that faith jump and said, ‘Look, I don't know what's on the other side of this jump. I don't know where I'm going to land here, but I do know, God placed a calling on my life and the circumstances of my life do not change the calling of my life.’” - Bryce Kenny

    “I want people to begin to understand that your purpose, that God-given dream that you've had, every God-given dream goes through three stages: a birth, a death and a resurrection.” - Bryce Kenny

    “God wants to watch us in the skill sets that He gave us. He gave us passions for a reason and it's not just to use us, it's to be in relationship with Him.” - Bryce Kenny

    “There's no better joy in the world for me than to know that the Heavenly Father is using me somehow to put those smiles on people's faces. I'll never get used to that. And I've never had more fun watching God move His hand over an environment that I couldn't have impacted if it was just myself trying to make it happen.” - Bryce Kenny

    “No matter how bad it is, I know that God is going to take my situation, even the dire situations, and bring something amazing out of it, whether I get to see it now or twenty years from now. And when you operate with that level of faith, you cannot help but act on that belief, and that is what faith truly is.” - Bryce Kenny

    “God is the one that is in control and He still has the creative power that He brought all of this into existence with the spoken word—He still has that same creative power to create the life that you have always believed that God has called you to.” - Bryce Kenny

    “God really had His hand on my life.” - Charlene Tilton

    “If you are in depression or anxious or in grief or feeling sorry for yourself, what do you do? You go help somebody else. Because that's the best thing.” - Charlene Tilton

    “It's just a blessing to be able to start every day in the Word of God and in prayer.” - Charlene Tilton

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

    ________________________

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  • Do you find it difficult to believe that you have a life that could be used for good in the world? We tend to minimize the gifts and talents God gave us, wondering how we—just one individual—could ever make a difference. Nature gives us a beautiful example in the way a small, unassuming caterpillar is eventually transformed into a colorful, winged butterfly, bringing joy to others by simply being viewed. When we believe in ourselves and the unique abilities God has given us, and open ourselves up to sharing those gifts with the world, we create impact in a way that might touch lives for years to come.

    Actress and comedian Yvonne Orji was raised in a Nigerian family, and she was shaped by traditional views on family life: a hard drive for pleasing people, and a fear of failure. When her dreams of becoming a doctor didn’t pan out, Yvonne began looking at her own unique gifts and leaned into those, which led her to becoming an actor, writer, and producer. Advocate Naghmeh Panahi made headlines when her husband, Saeed, was arrested in Iran for his Christian beliefs. As a missionary herself, Naghmeh had seen many of her friends persecuted for their faith, and was determined to get her husband released—despite the abuse she faced in their marriage. Naghmeh found herself with a huge platform she had dreamed about as a child, and the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives all over the world.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Damon West

    Upcoming interview: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

    Thank you to our sponsor: BetterHelp.com/JesusCalling

    Yvonne Orji

    George Washington University medical school

    DC Improv

    Luke 1:45 NIV

    Bamboozled by Jesus

    Naghmeh Panahi

    Saeed Abedini

    Tahrir Alnisa Foundation

    Islamic Revolutionary Guards

    I Didn’t Survive

    Interview Quotes:

    “I was like, Could it be that God sees something in me that I don't even yet see in myself?” - Yvonne Orji

    “For the first time in my life, somebody was giving me the luxury, the privilege, of potential failure. And that's not a thing that I was accustomed to.” - Yvonne Orji

    “Like food poisoning, fear is one of those things where if you push past it, you might throw up, you might move about, it doesn't feel good in the moment, because you are not on the other side of it to see, What if God has something? But then you do it and you overcome it. And now you can't see yourself without it.” - Yvonne Orji

    “One of the most confusing things to me, or interesting things to me, was in elementary school when they asked me, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ Which is a normal thing that children say to each other. And I remember thinking, Wow, I've never thought about this. Growing up in war and revolution, you don't really think about growing up.” - Naghmeh Panahi

    “I got to see the plight of the persecuted church for the first time, and the fear of gathering in homes just to pray together, just to worship together, just to read the Bible together. The fear of being caught with a Bible; it carries the death penalty. And I couldn't wrap my mind around it.” - Naghmeh Panahi

    “How was I going to get my husband out of one of the worst prisons in the entire world, in one of the most radical countries in the world? I didn't know. The only way I knew was to get on my knees and pray.” - Naghmeh Panahi

    “I stepped out in faith, and I saw God telling me to do that as I was reading His word and I was praying, God was encouraging me and building up my confidence to step out.” - Naghmeh Panahi

    “I got to be a voice for the persecuted church. The people I had seen get arrested and beaten and killed because they simply follow Jesus, I got to advocate for them and be a voice for them. And that was encouraging to me.” - Naghmeh Panahi

    “I cried out to God and said, ‘God, what are you doing? My life's already hard. You're making my life harder.’ But I didn't know at that time that what God was doing was He was setting me free. He was separating me from my abuser so that the fog of confusion, of abuse, was lifting and He was setting me free as His daughter.” - Naghmeh Panhi

    “The joy and peace can be there in any of our lives as His children, no matter the situation, no matter the loss.” - Naghmeh Panahi

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

    ________________________

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  • Living with a negative worldview, often born out of childhood trauma or difficult experiences in one's life or workspace, can feel as if you're perpetually shrouded in a bleak fog. The world may seem unkind and unfair, every experience tainted by the shadows of your past. Sometimes it can feel like there’s danger around every corner, stealing our joy and our ability to live without constant fear.

    Former FBI investigator Jana Monroe worked on some notorious and heinous murder cases, including those of Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer. She shares about the demanding challenges of interviewing serial killers and how it affected her mindset and her view of the world–and how prayer and daily reflection with God was a lifesaver in rescuing her from fear. Ike Miller, a pastor and author, shares about the hurdles he faced during his formative years, navigating the difficulties of growing up with an alcoholic father and overcoming unhealthy coping mechanisms.

    Content Warning: This episode mentions violence and may not be suitable for all listeners.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Herman Mendoza

    Upcoming interview: Yvonne Orji

    Jana Monroe

    Quantico behavioral science unit

    Hearts of Darkness

    Ike Miller

    Bright City Church

    alcoholism

    Codependency

    Good Baggage

    Interview Quotes:

    “I would pray and I would have conversations with the Lord, and always there would be this overwhelming sense of calmness.” - Jana Monroe

    “I began my journey, or He began that journey for me, of starting to look at the good in other people. It was a process. It was certainly nothing that happened overnight, but by having those conversations, He opened up my heart and mind to a whole different perspective and optic of looking at things.” - Jana Monroe

    “I have faith that the Lord is going to show me the way out of this and show me a different path, and I was never disappointed.” - Jana Monroe

    “I began to rid myself of some of these unhealthy behaviors when I honestly started paying attention to the pain that these things were causing me: anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, and being able to do the work to connect those back to childhood experiences and that environment so that I could begin to disarm the impact of some of those things on me as an adult.” - Ike Miller

    “One of the things that I often tell people, whether that is in my congregation in preaching or in one-on-one conversations, is pain in the past doesn't die just because we bury it.” - Ike Miller

    “One of the things that I often tell people, whether that is in my congregation in preaching or in one-on-one conversations, is pain in the past doesn't die just because we bury it.” - Ike Miller

    “Connecting with God in prayer can help us feel less alone because it creates space for us to understand what pain and fears prevent us from connecting and experiencing intimacy now.” - Ike Miller

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

    ________________________

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  • Perhaps you are facing a time in your life where the world around you seems to be crumbling, and your heart is heavy with the weight of unexpected trials. How, in the midst of our struggles, can we remain steadfast, continue to show up, and face each day with courage and resolve when the pain and fear threaten to steal any last shred of hope we have? Our guests this week believe that every challenge, every hardship, is a part of God's grand design. They found strength in the belief that their trials were not random occurrences, but purposeful events, shaping them, refining them, and guiding them toward a deeper understanding of God’s love for us.

    Jay Hewitt, a pastor in Southern California, found out at 37 years old that he had a malignant brain tumor. What could have sent him into a tailspin fueled him to do something that seemed counterintuitive to someone who would face months of chemo and treatments that would weaken his body: he decided to run an Ironman race. What he learned in this process about his faith and his relationship with God changed his perspective and gave him an appreciation for how God works through our suffering like he’d never had before. Amanda Held Opelt, a seasoned author, speaker, and songwriter, focuses on faith, grief, and creativity. With fifteen years of experience in non-profit and humanitarian work, she’s seen the human love that rises above and surrounds a hurting community—and the hope that gets rediscovered after seemingly, your life is destroyed.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Meg Apperson

    Upcoming interview: Jana Monroe

    Jay Hewitt

    IRONMAN race

    Grade II Astrocytoma

    2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

    ABC’s Wide World of Sports

    Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

    I Am Weak, I Am Strong: Building a Resilient Faith for a Resilient Life

    Amanda Held Opelt

    Matthew 26: 36-46 NIV

    www.amandaheldopelt.com

    Holy Unhappiness

    Interview Quotes:

    “I’d wrestled with God plenty of times before, and I think that real strength comes from wrestling. When you wrestle with God, He strengthens your inner being.” - Jay Hewitt

    “I've got the grace that I need to get through this. Somehow, I'm going to get to experience God's power being demonstrated through my weakness. And not only that, but I'm going to get to experience the paradox of faith that it's when I'm weak, that I'm strong.” - Jay Hewitt

    “Any time there's a large obstacle ahead of you, there's great opportunities within that obstacle.” - Jay Hewitt

    “In His power, get up, stay strong, and press on and see the dreams that God has given you be fulfilled in your life.” - Jay Hewitt

    “I'm passionate about how the experience of loss or hardship becomes integrated into a person's story—how it makes them who they are, how it impacts their relationship with God and with others, and how people rise up and move forward in the aftermath of grief or a disaster.” - Amanda Held Opelt

    “I got to witness what happens when people show up for other people when we live as neighbors and offer ourselves and offer resources to one another and come alongside one another in those spaces of lack.” - Amanda Held Opelt

    “We are given these holy songs of lament as a form of worship, because part of being human made in the image of God, is to suffer pain, and in fact, God Himself is a highly emotive God.” - Amanda Held Opelt

    “I think part of the reason I believe lament is such a high form of worship is that to me, worship is just any time we stand in agreement with God about what is true, about who He is, and who we are, and when we cry out to Him because the world is not as it should be, when we lament injustice and violence, or when we weep over death.” - Amanda Held Opelt

    “I think what God really wants with us, where He knows the blessing is, is in intimacy. He wants a relationship with us, and that's where we find the blessing. Relationship with God, intimacy with God, is something He offers to all of us, and sometimes it's actually the path of pain or those uncomfortable emotions. It's the path of lack that brings us into a deeper, richer intimacy with God.” - Amanda Held Opelt

    “I love committing to rhythms of prayer and scripture reading, because those practices serve as a safeguard to us when our emotions aren't really feeling connected to God. When we have these habits, they make space for our faith, even when our faith feels small.” - Amanda Held Opelt

    “I think grief will still feel like grief, loss is still going to feel like loss, no matter our commitment to the spiritual disciplines. God doesn't always take away that heavy burden we are carrying, but I do believe He gives us the strength that we need to carry it.” - Amanda Held Opelt

    “My prayer is that as a Christian, I would not be someone who's just marked so much by my happiness, but more that I would be a person who is marked by hope.” - Amanda Held Opelt

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

    ________________________

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  • Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast. The Enneagram system is a widely accepted personality model that offers deep insight into our core driving motivations, opening up exciting possibilities in the prediction and understanding of human behavior. As a doorway to self-discovery and self-awareness, the Enneagram is also a powerful tool for spiritual transformation that can replenish our energy toward our relationship with God and others.

    This week podcaster and counselor Christa Hardin shares how she’s used the Enneagram as a tool to help couples communicate better and learn more about each other so that they can learn to grow together. Doctors of psychology, Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, share how we can use the Enneagram to deepen our relationship with God by learning more about emotions and personalities.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Enneagram video series

    Upcoming interview: Jay Hewitt

    Enneagram

    Christa Hardin

    Enneagram Type 7

    Wheaton College

    The Enneagram in Marriage: Your Guide to Thriving Together in Your Unique Pairing

    Bill and Kristi Gaultiere

    Soul Shepherding

    Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith

    Enneagram 6

    Interview Quotes:

    “I think that it's important that couples realize that they can shine even more beautifully as they walk through these seasons together with faithfulness and learn about one another's [Enneagram] types, learn about how one another thrives, what makes each other feel safe and secure, what makes one another feel like a bit of a basket case.” - Christa Hardin

    “It's so lovely to have time and space with God every day to journal, to pray, to be in the Word, to really allow God's Word to refresh us, to trust Him that though pain lasts through the night, joy comes in the morning.” - Christa Hardin

    “As we bring our emotions honestly, intimately into relationship with Jesus, it results really in us growing in our emotional intelligence and experiencing the positive emotions of the gifts He's given us, which emotions they move us, they motivate us, they enable us to thrive in our life with Jesus.” - Kristi Gaultiere

    “Cultivating healthy feelings is such an important key to a healthy faith, and the Enneagram is just a great tool to help us be healthy in our emotions, relationships, and spirituality, particularly when we take a Jesus-centered and a Biblical approach to the Enneagram, that's when God can really use this tool to bring transformation in our lives.” - Bill Gaultiere

    “We've come to blend our personalities together, we've learned that we're better together.” - Kristi Gaultiere

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

    ________________________

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  • For so many, the holidays don’t always represent a time of joy, but trigger memories of painful past trauma, or reminders of deep loss. Whether we greet the holidays with anticipation or dread, we can all be a part of helping each other heal during the holidays. Small acts of kindness, beyond traditional Christmas gifts, can have a big impact in spreading love and creating positive change, especially during a time that brings mixed emotions for so many.

    Our first guests this week are digital creators Stevie and Sazan Hendrix. They share some tips about how to navigate the holidays, even when they are hard, and how to find hope even when things feel hopeless. Dr. Emily Smith, who is an epidemiologist at Duke University. Emily’s love for both science and people inspired her to help others answer some difficult questions.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Bo Stern

    Upcoming interview: Christa Hardin

    Thank you to our sponsor: BetterHelp.com/JesusCalling

    Stevie and Sazan Hendrix

    Leukemia

    Bible

    A Real Good Life

    Dr. Emily Smith

    Duke University

    Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist

    Luke 10:25-37 NIV

    Mercy Ships

    COVID

    Ephesians 3 NIV

    Hebrews 12:2 NIV

    Psalm 27:4 NIV

    The Science of the Good Samaritan

    Interview Quotes:

    “Sometimes life happens in the midst of holidays and exciting things and all the happenings and these unexpected, chaotic things happen, but you're still able to stop and see the good, find that hope in the hopeless moments.” - Sazan Hendrix

    “It's not these larger than life things, it's just these small little tokens of appreciation that you can pour into your community and it just is one little thing at a time. And what is that one thing you can do when you look around to help spread God's kingdom and His love?” - Sazan Hendrix

    “As an epidemiologist, my job is to quantify the need for children in very low income, impoverished areas and then using that data to choose not to walk by. It's like the Good Samaritan story of where we see someone helping the person on the side of the road in some really tangible ways.” - Dr. Emily Smith

    “I think that what it looks like to be a good neighbor in today's world is just wherever you are, be a good human.” - Dr. Emily Smith

    “We don't have to do it all, but we can do what our great work is. I think if people can discern where they are and what great work they are doing, I think it helps not get so paralyzed.” - Dr. Emily Smith

    “During Christmas, take some time to just breathe and maybe remember who has neighbored us well, to tell them thank you
it cost Jesus so much to be a Good Samaritan, but it gives us courage now to do the same.” - Dr. Emily Smith

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

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  • On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we’re talking to author, singer/songwriter and multiple Dove Award winner Ellie Holcomb, who shares about the humbling experience of singing on a stage for an audience, her Christmas family traditions, and the hopes she has for the season.

    Guest’s Links
    Facebook: @ellieholcombmusic

    Twitter: @ellieholcomb

    Instagram: @ellieholcomb

    ________________________

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    *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

  • The Bible is filled with stories of people who faced uncertain times; like Joseph who was betrayed by his brothers and was sold as a slave, or Job who went through unbearable pain and loss. But their hardships didn’t cause them to give up—in fact, their lives went on to have profound impact, despite the challenges along the way.

    This week’s guests know what it’s like to feel like giving up after enduring a trying season, but instead, persevered in the hope of making their lives count. South Florida rapper Otis has collaborated with artists such as Rick Ross and Flo Rida. As a youth, Otis was kicked out of multiple schools and made some unwise choices due to peer pressure. Instead of succumbing to a label of being a “problem,” he took the challenges he faced in his youth and turned them into a passion to help all kids succeed. Collegiate softball player Katelyn Pavey was born without a full arm. You might think this could have been an impediment to pursuing a sport like softball, but Katelyn was determined to be the best she could be—and ended up becoming one of the top players in her sport.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Darnell Ferguson

    Upcoming interview: Stevie and Sazan Hendrix

    www.ReadRelief.com

    Otis Kemp

    Flo Rida

    Katelyn Pavey

    Phocomelia Syndrome

    FCA

    Midway University

    Kentucky Christian University

    I Can

    Interview Quotes:

    “I’ll never forget. I said, ‘What am I doing? You know, God, you gave me this gifting or whatever it is,’ I didn't understand it, but I knew that I was supposed to be using it for Him. “ - Otis Kemp

    “It was hard, it wasn't easy, and I think that's why God is faithful and He’s blessing me now, because I gave up something at a time where it was just insane to the normal individual.” - Otis Kemp

    “It's been ups and downs, but God has been able to sustain us all the way through. He never said it would be easy, but He said, ‘I'll be there with you even until the end of the age.’” - Otis Kemp

    “Anything you do for the Lord and you present it to Him in the right heart posture, He will come and consume it and He will dwell there. And so I'm honored that He chose Otis. And that's something no one can ever take from me, that God has smiled on me, and it's just the beginning.” - Otis Kemp

    “I ended up recovering in four and a half months from this injury, and it just proved to me that trusting in God and trusting that He has a plan, really pushed me to get better and pushed me to come back and play softball again.” - Katelyn Pavey

    “I don't need to play for myself. I need to play for Him in all my playing and all my life, my actions and my words should be glorifying to Him and show others to Him through my play.” - Katelyn Pavey

    “He has a plan for me, even though I didn't know what the future held, I just was reminded that I know who holds my future, and that in the end, there's going to be a reason why these things happened.” - Katelyn Pavey

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

    ________________________

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  • As we celebrate the season of advent, it’s a wonderful time to focus on prayer. This dialogue with God can be an avenue leading us to tranquility by enabling us to articulate our deepest fears, hopes, and concerns. It provides an opportunity to let go and surrender our burdens. In the practice of releasing our worries, we open ourselves up to God’s calming embrace of serenity.

    Father James Martin is a Jesuit priest who is a student of scripture, helping bring it to life for people in new ways. In his latest book called Come Forth, Father Martin explores the story of Lazarus and how understanding the context for Jesus’ greatest miracle can have meaning for us as we strive to let go of things that no longer serve us, and have faith that Jesus can give us new life, just as He gave His friend Lazarus. After Father Martin walks us through the miraculous story of Lazarus, he brings a special message for us about the meaning of Advent as we celebrate this special time of year. Michael Freeland Miller is the founder and one of the senior leaders of UPPERROOM. In April of 2010, Michael and his wife started a small prayer meeting in an office space overlooking downtown Dallas. From that initial prayer meeting, God birthed a movement of prayer and worship that continues to grow globally.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Ryan Stevenson

    www.ReadRelief.com

    Not That Fancy

    Father James Martin

    Come Forth

    America Magazine

    Lent

    Advent

    Michael Freeland Miller

    UPPERROOM

    Deuteronomy 10:8 NIV

    www.upperroom.co

    Interview Quotes:

    “What do we want to let die? What do you want to let go of? What do you want to get rid of? What patterns, what behaviors, what addictions do we want to leave behind in the tomb to let die so that we can hear God's voice inviting us to come forth?” - Father James Martin

    “People feel so stressed at Christmas, and what is really a joyful holiday becomes sort of a burden. There's always this temptation at Christmas to want to do everything, visit every person, write every single person you know a Christmas card, buy everyone a gift, sort of go for broke when it comes to Christmas dinner. And I think doing less might be helpful.” - Father James Martin

    “What does it mean that God became human? What does that mean for me? What does it mean that God was human in the most vulnerable way possible? What does it mean that God would choose to be vulnerable and little and dependent on human beings, on Mary and Joseph?” - Father James Martin

    “Instead of being on Amazon all day and clicking for the next gift, trying to get the right thing—stressing out about it may not be as helpful as just five minutes of prayer. It's about balance, I think. And Advent enables us to slow down a bit.” - Father James Martin

    “God becomes human in order that we might relate to God better.” - Father James Martin

    “I died a thousand deaths to my various strategies and the resume that I had built up in ministry. And the Lord really stripped me in that season in discovering what it was like to build a church around prayer.” - Michael Freeland Miller

    “I think prayer is a means to God's presence, His spirit.” - Michael Freeland Miller

    “I find such joy in praying with God's people. I find it encourages my faith to listen to other people pray, and then I love to pray for them and then pray together.” - Michael Freeland Miller

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

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  • God's love knows no borders, boundaries, or limitations. It reaches every person, regardless of origin or language. When we strive to follow Jesus’s greatest commandment, “Love one another,” we can begin to break down the walls that often divide us.

    This week, we speak to pastor Eric Costanzo and one of his church members, Yana Sherdis, who have dedicated their lives to serving and supporting refugees and international families through their church’s powerful outreach program. We’ll also speak with the director of a new docuseries, ACROSS, Julie Mirlicourtois who shares the inspiring faith of Christian asylum seekers from Central America.

    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

    Jesus Calling Podcast

    Jesus Calling

    Jesus Always

    Jesus Listens

    Past interview: Anthony Ray Hinton

    Upcoming interview: Father James Martin

    www.ReadRelief.com

    John 13:34 NIV

    Eric Costanzo

    Yana Sherdis

    South Tulsa Baptist Church

    English second language program

    ESL classes

    www.southtulsa.org

    Julie Mirlicourtois

    ACROSS

    Oprah Winfrey Show

    CBS News

    Maybe God

    St. Luke's United Methodist



    Interview Quotes:

    “The biggest thing that made a difference was when folks who were from our church and had been there for a while really started to interact with their refugee and immigrant neighbors and they realized who they were, and they saw them, just who they truly are.” - Eric Costanzo

    “When anyone is looking for a safe place or a refuge—it could be because of physical circumstances or emotional circumstances or legitimate issues of safety or spiritual issues—the church can be that kind of safe harbor, just like a ship comes to the harbor so that it might find safe passage.” - Eric Costanzo

    “I think I had this gift of faith all along. I think I could feel God so clearly, I just had no clue who He was.” - Julie Mirlicourtois

    “It kind of felt like I had been talking to this person on the other side of a closed door my whole life, wondering if He was real or just part of my imagination, and then He revealed Himself to me in so many undeniable ways.” - Julie Mirlicourtois

    “I had believed for so long these lies, lies I'd been told about Christians, about Jesus, and I really became determined to cut through the noise of culture and politics and reach people in those secular audiences where I once was.” - Julie Mirlicourtois

    “Following the lives of these asylum seekers for the past two and a half, three years, I've never understood more of what the Bible tells us when it says ‘Blessed are the poor.’ Their faith has enriched and enhanced my faith and countless other people so much. It's taught me to shift my perspective that the hardships are there for a reason. I can't just make my life and my kids’ lives in this comfortable place. I have to really thank God for the good and the bad and keep growing through it.” - Julie Mirlicourtois

    ________________________

    Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

    Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7

    Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw

    Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C

    Peace for Everyday Life: https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj

    Peace in Uncertain Times: https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u

    What’s Good? https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj

    Enneagram: https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY

    ________________________

    Connect with Jesus Calling

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