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Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

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Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

Sarah Young

Millions have been encouraged and inspired by the words of the #1 best-selling 365-day devotional "Jesus Calling." Listen to real-life stories of faith as told by those who have experienced the power of living in His presence.

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  1. 241Unfailing Grace and Sacred Rest: Julie Carrick and Dr. Saundra Dalton-SmithA beautiful element of Christianity is that when we allow ourselves to relax into the peace and grace that God offers, we experience true rest and healing that restores every part of our soul. Catholic recording artist Julie Carrick has seen God touch her life in the moments she was suffering the most—through infidelity, miscarriage, and cancer—and it’s led her to appreciate His unfailing grace and perfect love, which meets her in all of her brokenness and boosts her with the strength to carry on. Physician and author Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is an expert on rest in all of its forms, and knows how crucial it is that we give ourselves the type of rest our bodies, minds, and souls truly need. Because it is only when we are well-rested and energized that we can dedicate the best of ourselves to Christ—even the King rested on the 7th day.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Past interview: Jana Kramer & Mike Caussin Upcoming interview: Karen Ehman   Julie Carrick Carrick Ministries Foundation Unfailing Grace Grotto JulieCarrick.com   Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith Good Housekeeping Doctors’ Secrets Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity John 10:10 http://www.drdaltonsmith.com/   Interview Quotes: “God's unfailing grace. No matter what we go through, that grace is there.” - Julie Carrick “The scripture—although it was written thousands of years ago—it wasn't written just for a thousand years ago. It was written timelessly. There is no beginning. There's no end. It was written for us today as much as it was back in the day.” - Julie Carrick “We're in a position where we are working out of our exhaustion rather than working out of the fullness of all that we have to give. We're not fully being able to use our gifts and our talents and all that God's placed inside of us because we are always working out of that place of depletion.” - Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith “To give of our best, we have to be able to take the time to intentionally rest well.” - Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith “I always like to meditate on a characteristic of God or even a word that brings you back to think about who God is in your life. Peace, love, joy. Pick a word, a phrase that you will focus on as a way of calming your mind and keeping it from being able to just jump to whatever thought that it decides it wants to.” - Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith “I believe every one of us needs to have those people in our lives, whether it's a counselor or a therapist or a trusted friend, a family member, someone who knows at the very core of what's going on with you.” - Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith “We need to see the value in spending time with those people who can pour back into us. We can't always be the ones pouring out into others.” - Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith “Spiritual rest is the rest we experience when we have intimacy with God, when we take time to break away just to be with Him where we're not coming with our agenda. We're not coming with our prayer list. We're coming simply to just spend time in His presence and to enjoy being with Him.” - Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith “God's best for us is where we actually go back to the very beginning and we do it as He has modeled even from the very beginning of creation.” - Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.26 min
  2. 242Growing Our Faith Through Hard Times: Karen Ehman & Kristina KotlusThough times of pain and difficulty are hard to weather, they are often the seasons of life that bring the greatest spiritual reward, because it is often when we are desperate for healing and relief that we cry out to God, and those are the times that we can see great improvement by clinging to Him. Throughout her marriage, author and speaker Karen Ehman has been surprised by the difference in expectations and reality, and she’s learned that by looking for God in the little moments and continuing to show up in prayer, you can tackle any problem with your spouse. Kristina Kotlus had laid out a specific prayer to God: “Let me see you working.” She never imagined that her encounter with Him would come in the form of two cancer diagnoses, but she’s been amazed at how God took that opportunity to show her just what He was capable of.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Past interview: Dawn Barton Upcoming interview: Tim Storey   Karen Ehman Proverbs 31 Ministries Make Their Day https://www.karenehman.com Keep Showing Up   Kristina Kotlus I Quit: Facing Cancer with Faith, Family, & Friends College of the Holy Cross George Mason Philippians 4:7 kristinakotlus.com   Interview Quotes: “It brings this little level of excitement when you watch God work while you two are forming a team and working together.” - Karen Ehman “So often the way that we show love is not the way our spouse receives love.” - Karen Ehman “I think that's just a real crucial way that we can keep showing up is to use our words to speak to God about our marriages and to speak to God about our own behavior.” - Karen Ehman “I can look back in my life and see those exact difficulties, those problems, those pains, they were kind of the fertilizer for my faith. They’re when my faith grew the most.” - Karen Ehman “It really wasn't until I was diagnosed that I really understood an actual really scary thing, and I actually saw God's ability to step into that huge void where I couldn't carry the load and I couldn't change my circumstances—but He could.” - Kristina Kotlus, on her cancer diagnosis “I let myself have the emotions I was going to have, but I put a time limit on it. So I would literally set an egg timer or a timer on my cell phone and give myself fifteen minutes. I would have all of the negative thoughts. I would have all of the fears. I would just have them all and cry it out. And when my timer went off, I would literally out loud say, ‘Okay, you have been heard.’” - Kristina Kotlus “I don't think that God gave me cancer, I don't think that He shot down a lightning bolt from heaven and put the tumor inside of my head, but I do think that He used that experience as an answer to that prayer for me to see Him.” - Kristina Kotlus “I am choosing joy and I am deciding that I am going to go forward with confidence because I know my God has this.” - Kristina Kotlus ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.25 min
  3. 243Facing Life with a Miracle Mentality: Tim Storey and Gordon MoteIt is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we take for granted the little miracles that come together to form our very existence. If we learn to train our minds to sort out God’s miracle moments from the mundane, we will learn to live from a posture of reverence and awe—making our faith walk more wondrous than we could’ve thought. Life coach Tim Storey is a miracle himself—raised in a low income family, Tim relied on his understanding of God from a young age, and it led him to become a leader among some of Hollywood’s most successful names. Now, Tim seeks to point others to God by unifying them through universal principles straight out of the Bible, bringing healing where there was once hurt. Pianist Gordon Mote was born blind, but he was also born with immense musical talent, which took him to Nashville where he eventually became a first call studio keyboardist--performing on albums for the biggest names in country music. After 9/11, Gordon prayed deeply for one thing: to make a difference in the world. Each of us has the potential to be a miracle to someone else and to appreciate the miracles in the world around us—if only we ask God to let us see ourselves and His creation through His eyes.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Sarah Young Jesus Calling 40 Days of Jesus Always Christianbook.com Jesus Calling® for Easter Past interview: Joyce and John Smith Upcoming interview: Michael Jr.   Tim Storey Pastor Ron Prinzing Jack Lemmon Walter Matthau Vidal Sassoon Lee Iacocca James Caan Charlton Heston Miracle Mentality   Gordon Mote Alan Jackson Brad Paisley Blake Shelton Martina McBride Carrie Underwood Alabama School for the Blind Pig Robbins  Country Music Hall of Fame “Amazing Grace” “Grace Became Amazing” LOVE LOVE LOVE   Interview Quotes: “I take time to really look at things through the eyes of faith on a daily basis.” - Tim Storey ”I believe that grace fills in the gaps.” - Tim Storey “A lot of people say, ‘I used to be into faith, but I feel let down,’ or ‘Religion has become big business,’ and that's my opportunity to really talk more about Christ as the friend and Christ as the One who understands and Christ as the humanitarian.” - Tim Storey “If you have sadness, He came to bring you joy. If you have dead things, He wants to exchange your ashes for beauty.” - Tim Storey “No matter what you've been through, God is still there for you. God will still guide you, guard you, govern you.” - Tim Storey “God is a miracle working God, that's part of what He does.” - Tim Storey  “We are walking miracles, even in our limitations, our setbacks, our frailties, our faults, our failures.” - Tim Storey “If we could comprehend—which we can't—what it must be like for Jesus to have that kind of mercy and grace for us and then to look down on this earth He created and see how we treat each other...I just feel like we need to love and do our very best to love because He first loved us.” - Gordon Mote ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.29 min
  4. 244Grace That Is Greater Than All We Do: Michael Jr. and Jordan MatthewsThere is no better feeling than the moment you discover you are a part of something bigger than yourself—when you know God is there with a plan for you, and you realize that you have been soaked in His grace since the beginning of time. Comedian Michael Jr. had that moment after using his last few dollars to get to New Jersey to perform a show with iconic comedians George Wallace and Jerry Seinfeld. After performing, the manager invited Michael to church with him. Dejected about being completely broke and unable to get back to New York, Michael was gifted $200 and a napkin with a church address on it. That was a turning point, pushing Michael to read the Bible and use his gift of creating laughter to help spread the gospel. NFL player Jordan Matthews was trying desperately to navigate a performance-based world, but he was getting caught up in the highs and lows. Longing for consistency, Jordan looked to other guys in the NFL who had built a foundation of faith that allowed them to be okay no matter their circumstances. That’s when Jordan found Jesus, and began to walk in true relationship with Christ.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Ephesians 2:8-9 Jesus Calling®: The Story of Easter Sarah Young Past interview: Trevor Brazile Upcoming interview: Mica Paris   Michael Jr. Jerry Seinfeld George Wallace Chris Rock Seinfeld A Red Blueprint michaeljr.com   Jordan Matthews Trey Burton  Chris Maragos Nick Foles Galatians 5 Psalm 34:4-6 Psalm 105:4 2 Corinthians 1:3-4    Interview Quotes: “All these people I never even knew before gave me all this love because I gave them a part of me.” - Michael Jr. “It's just super exciting to be able to see this and notice and feel it—that heaven is real, that God gave me this gift not to serve me, not so I can do a bunch of shows and get a bunch of people and just laugh. It's so much more to do than just laughter. Comedy is the vehicle. It is not a destination.“ - Michael Jr. “I know I'm called to help people understand their purpose.” - Michael Jr.  “I want to make laughter common in uncommon places.” - Michael Jr.  “Everything [humans make is], 100-percent, always going to be performance-based. If you don't meet this criteria, you're out, you're done.” - Jordan Matthews “I realized that those pages in the Word, they weren't just words on a page. Those things meant something.” - Jordan Matthews “And I was like, ‘Look, Lord, I know I haven’t been doing this thing right. I know that I'm probably still going to mess up at times, but I know this whole thing is about You. And I can't save myself, so it's up to You to do it, and I feel that happening right now.’” - Jordan Matthews “I know that I have a foundation that I can stand on and a relationship that can't be taken away, no matter my performance. And that's something that's very freeing.” - Jordan Matthews “I just felt like the gospel was able to give me perspective. I don't serve a God who sat on a throne and didn't know what suffering was. He came down, and He did the work, and He suffered. If He can go through that for me, I can go through this for somebody else.” - Jordan Matthews ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.28 min
  5. 245God Put the Song in Our Hearts: Kari Jobe & Mica ParisGod finds great joy in us using our gifts to share His light in the world—there is no greater feeling than recognizing our purpose and fulfilling it to the best of our ability, giving voice to His faithfulness. Worship artist Kari Jobe began writing and singing songs of praise when she was only thirteen, paving the way for a lifetime of ministry. Now she pours blessings over her listeners and brings her family along for the journey, and feels honored that God has fulfilled her deepest desires to sing. British gospel singer Mica Paris was raised in the church, and got her start in music there. Over the years, Mica began to stray from her faith and got caught up in glittery fame. Looking back, she realizes that God was always there holding her steady, and her renewed hope in Him has changed her voice and her message.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Calling® for Easter Past interview: Lacey Buchanan Upcoming interview: Father James Martin   Kari Jobe “The Blessing”  Numbers 6  www.karijobe.com   Mica Paris  The Gospel According to Mica: The Story of Gospel Music in Six Songs Gospel Windrush generation Rupert the Bear https://gospel.micaparis.com   Interview Quotes:“I brought everybody [my listeners] along that journey with me, because I realized there are people who probably have been through that or a similar thing. And it's like, ‘I need your wisdom and maybe anything I'm learning could be ministry to you.’” - Kari Jobe “God is so faithful, we can look back and see similarities in our lives where we weren't sure what was going to happen. But God came through. God did a miracle. God changed our perspective. God brought healing. And so I just want to say, let's look to the future and realize that the same God that walked us through all those other things, is the same God that walks with us into our future.” - Kari Jobe “If you don't have a little time with Him on your own, you kind of feel a bit disconnected if you don't do it for a bit. So you literally have to keep checking in.” - Mica Paris “I feel like even the times when I did forget the faith, it was something that was always looking after me.” - Mica Paris ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.20 min
  6. 246The Pursuit of Prayerfulness & Selflessness: Father James Martin and Richard LuiAs we seek to determine God’s wishes for who we are to become, pursuing Him through prayer is one of our most trustworthy tools. If we seek to strengthen that bond with our Savior by staying in constant communication with Him, we’ll have clarity on where we are headed, and we will also begin to live from a more selfless perspective. Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest and editor-at-large of America Magazine, has learned over the years that prayer requires honesty, trust, and acceptance—but the good news is that there isn’t a right or a wrong way to pray, because God will reveal Himself to each of us differently. A relationship with God requires the same elements and effort as any of our human relationships, and when we take that approach, our faith walk will begin to change. MSNBC and NBC news anchor Richard Lui is the first Asian American man to anchor a daily national cable news program. As his career was soaring to new heights, he was presented with the greatest challenge yet: to care for his aging father who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Taking this opportunity as a lesson in selflessness, Richard was prepared to walk away from his dream job, but luckily was given a chance to balance both his career and his family. Richard shares about his father’s faithfulness throughout the years, and what he’s learned by being a caregiver.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Philippians 2:3-4 Jesus Calling®: The Story of Easter Sarah Young Jesus Calling Past interview: Greg Alan Williams Upcoming interview: Charles Martin Matthew 18   Father James Martin Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business Thomas Merton The Seven Storey Mountain Jesuits Karl Rahner Matthew 26:38-40 John 11   Richard Lui Alzheimer’s disease Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness Mrs. Fields cookies  City College of San Francisco  Berkeley Rodney King  Magic Johnson   Interview Quotes: “I was invited to think about having a personal relationship with Jesus and a real, open relationship with God.” - Father James Martin, S.J. “For the most part, I think that people can trust within reason the kinds of things that happen to them in their prayer and in their daily life. If they feel that it is God's presence, it usually is.” - Father James Martin, S.J. “All the things that make for a good personal relationship make for a good relationship with God.” - Father James Martin, S.J. “God loves us. And so once people are able to accept that love, it really is transformational. They know that they're valued and who they are and that they are enough.” - Father James Martin, S.J. “The idea is to trust that God is waiting to hear from you and that also there's no wrong way or right way to pray.” - Fames James Martin, S.J. “Sometimes you get up in the morning, and you walk outside and you take a deep breath and something hits your brain and hits you in a way that says, You know what? I think my calling just may have changed and what I want to do just changed.” - Richard Lui “[This memory of my dad] gave me a point of view that these little things I was doing, they were important.” - Richard Lui ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.33 min
  7. 247We Are All Worth Rescuing: Paul Cardall & Charles MartinThough it can be difficult to comprehend, God places equal weight on the lives of all His children. That’s the beauty of the cross—no matter what we’ve done, our sins are washed clean. And no matter what sort of trouble we may find ourselves in, He will rescue us over and over. Pianist Paul Cardall was born with only half a heart, which meant years of stress, surgery, and pain. When finally given the opportunity for a transplant, Paul faced the hardship of knowing that his survival meant someone else lost their own life. Paul battled PTSD and survivor’s guilt for years, finally coming to accept that God laid down His own life willingly for Paul, and that he was worth being rescued. Author Charles Martin spent years trying to uncover what his parents had always instilled in him: what was the thing God created you to do? After walking away from an amazing employment opportunity to pursue writing full force, Charles dove into Matthew 8 and the story of the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to save the one, which inspired his newest book, The Water Keeper.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Psalms 32:7 Jesus Calling Jesus Calling for Armed Forces edition JesusCalling.com Past interview: Lecrae Moore Upcoming interview: Kierra Sheard-Kelly   Paul Cardall New Life The Broken Miracle album Trauma-related guilt The Broken Miracle book “Family” “For Better Or Worse”   Charles Martin The Water Keeper Matthew 18 www.charlesmartinbooks.com   Interview Quotes: “I was feeling God telling me, ‘Everything is okay. I've got you. This is a gift I'm giving you.’” - Paul Cardall  “The hardest thing in my world was I knew that for me to live, it meant somebody had died.” - Paul Cardall “It struck me as completely illogical that the shepherd would leave the flock and the safety of the flock to go get the one who's got himself lost. And yet He does it repeatedly, and of course, I know that's the story of the gospel and of course, I know that's what Jesus does for us.” - Charles Martin ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.21 min
  8. 248Owning The Person God Meant You To Be: Kierra Sheard-Kelly and Shannon BreamFinding our God-given purpose is just the first step—it’s truly owning who He meant us to be that makes a difference, because follow through and commitment mean everything. However, earthly obstacles can get in our way of fully believing in and accepting ourselves. That’s why we need Christ so desperately, to help us understand our own value. Gospel singer Kierra Sheard-Kelly has waded through her fair share of negativity and body-shaming, and pursuing a career in the spotlight meant that there were scores of mean comments thrown her way. Kierra decided that she’d fortify herself by rooting her heart and her feelings in the word of God, which centered her and helped her embrace how God shaped her. Now, she’s living her faith boldly and proudly, encouraging others to stand out. Fox News anchor Shannon Bream started out as a lawyer, but felt a deep pull to the world of journalism, and sacrificed endlessly to work her way in. After being told by one television exec that she wasn’t good for TV, and that she’d never make it in the business, Shannon took a good hard look at her skills and her purpose, dug her heels in, and trusted that God would open the doors needed, and eventually she was led to a series of opportunities that got her where she is today. Now, she’s sharing stories about women in the Bible who sat at God’s feet, and is highlighting how passionately Christ cared for His relationships with women—placing them in positions where they can maximize their influence.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Romans 8:38 and 39 Jesus Calling Jesus Always Past interview: Mike Weaver Upcoming interview: Darryl Strawberry   Kierra Sheard-Kelly Clark Sisters Big, Bold, and Beautiful: Owning the Woman God Made You to Be Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren Proverbs 11:14   Shannon Bream Fox News at Night Women of the Bible Speak Finding the Bright Side Liberty University Florida State Miss America pageant program Miss USA Brit Hume Fox News Queen Esther Deborah   Interview Quotes: “I literally have gotten so many answers from my advisors. And that can be my friends, my loved ones, my sibling, anybody that I feel like God has said yes to. And they've contributed so much to the path of my life.” - Kierra Sheard-Kelly “I live my faith, bold and proud, by owning who I am, owning what God is doing in my life.” - Kierra Sheard-Kelly “Because you know Jesus, it doesn't make you small, it doesn't make you weird, it doesn't make you abnormal, it actually puts you in a secure place, in a sure place,” - Kierra Sheard-Kelly “There's a glory that rests on your life, and heaven is rejoicing when you live it out and when you own it.” - Kierra Sheard-Kelly “Even if you don't speak the same language, you can have the same heart and be a part of the body of Christ.” - Shannon Bream “Your job cannot be your God, it can't be what drives your life.” - Shannon Bream “Jesus treated women as equals. They were studying with Him at His feet, which was not common in those days.” - Shannon Bream “The God who intervened in all of these situations centuries ago is the same God today. I'm struck by the fact that these frustrations and troubles and challenges the women had, many of them are very common to today. Family troubles, sibling rivalries, chronic illness, financial trouble, widowhood, infertility, betrayal.” - Shannon Bream  ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.26 min
  9. 249Starting Over After Our “Wake-Up Call” Moments: Darryl Strawberry & Amy DownsOutcomes in our lives are comprised of both decisions we make and things that happen to us. Some we can control and others we can’t, but what we do have a say in is how we respond to the events that take place. We can allow our experiences to pull us into darkness, or we can use them as a catalyst for good change—getting us closer to the lives God intended.  Former Major League Baseball player Darryl Strawberry had a difficult childhood full of abuse and violence at the hands of his alcoholic father. Those difficulties left him unable to handle the stardom that would come his way once he entered the professional sports world, and he found himself down a path paved with sin. Darryl’s mother prayed fervently that God would knock him from his throne, and God saved Darryl when he couldn’t save himself. Now, Darryl has been called to spread the message of God’s forgiveness and redemption all over the country through Strawberry Ministries.  Amy Downs was just an average girl who found herself in a tragic situation: she was a clerk at a bank that was destroyed in the Oklahoma City bombing, which claimed the lives of eighteen of her coworkers. Amy was one of the last survivors to be pulled from the rubble, and once she saw the sunlight, Amy told God that she wanted to live her life differently. That sparked a myriad of changes, including improvements to her health, her spiritual life, her education, and her career—and now Amy is the CEO of the very same bank where she was once a “math challenged” teller who saw no hope in her future.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling for Graduates Jesus Calling Past interview: Kurt Angle Upcoming interview: Holly Hayes   Darryl Strawberry Strawberry Ministries MVP of the Texas League Findingyourway.com Turn Your Season Around   Amy Downs Murrah Building https://amydowns.org   Interview Quotes: “I wore a baseball uniform for seventeen years and I identified myself as a baseball player. And it wasn't until I came to Christ that I was able to identify myself as a man.” - Darryl Strawberry “Everybody was praising me for this great baseball player I was about to become. But I always say it was my pain that started to lead me to my greatness and my greatness would lead me to my destructive behavior.” - Darryl Strawberry “God was doing for me what I couldn't do for myself because of my mother’s prayers to cover her children.” - Darryl Strawberry “God made me understand that the forgiveness was not for [my father]. It was for me.” - Darryl Strawberry “When God does His transformation, He does it for you, but He does it to get through to you so He can get somebody else to have the same revelation that you have had.” - Darryl Strawberry “I remember looking up at the gray sky and just taking that first breath of fresh air and promising God I will never live my life the same.” - Amy Downs “I thought, if I had an issue with drugs, I would go to rehab. I'm going to have to do what it takes for me to get free [from obesity] and just not worry about judgment from others. So I did.” - Amy Downs “Having that experience of facing death at twenty-eight and just sort of realizing, like, I want to live my life with intention, and whether that's doing things purely for my own selfish enjoyment, like a triathlon, you know, or whether that is wanting to serve people in a very difficult role and position, like being CEO of an organization.” - Amy Downs ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.37 min
  10. 250Loving People Out Of Their Trauma: Holly Hayes & Rebecca SmithThe Bible shows time and time again that Jesus was near to the broken. He was close to those that society discarded, He brought healing to the hopeless, and He reached into the pit of sin and rescued those who didn’t even believe themselves worth rescue. That is our call as Christians, to provide that same type of love and support to those who need it the most, rather than turning our backs on them. CEO of the Sanctuary Project, Holly Hayes, was saved from a life of violence and trauma by turning to a stolen Bible. Now, Holly uses her company, which creates jewelry, to employ women coming out of violence, trafficking, and addiction, giving them a place to start fresh, a place to feel loved, and a place to develop a relationship with Christ, free of judgement. Founder of Better Life Bags Rebecca Smith thought God had made a mistake calling her to move to a little town in Michigan, thinking she’d never feel at home. But after Rebecca’s bag company grew too big for her to handle by herself, she found that there was a large community of women who desperately needed employment and a place to connect with other women. Holly and Rebecca have both experienced the call of God in their lives, and now hope to make that same difference for the people they help by meeting them in their pain and needs.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Mark 2:17 NIV Jesus Calling Life in His Presence Past interview: Tammy Arnold Upcoming interview: Lucas Hoge   Holly Hayes The Sanctuary Project Oprah’s book recommendations  John 8:7 NIV SanctuaryProject.com   Rebecca Smith Better Life Bags Kiva www.betterlifebags.com A Better Life   Interview Quotes: “I went from this really normal, healthy young girl who had trauma but didn't know it to someone who began acting out in every sense of the word and in every way. And all of the sudden my inward trauma became very outward.” - Holly Hayes “I was homeless, addicted, completely lost, completely broken. And I was on the floor of a public bathroom just crying and watching my tears hit the floor one day and three words fell out of my mouth. I said, ‘God help me.’” - Holly Hayes “You would think I cried out to God and then I was all better, right? It took years for me to even realize who that God was that I cried out to.” - Holly Hayes “I was desperate to know who this God was that saved me all those years ago on that bathroom floor, because at this point, I knew I had been so miraculously rescued and everything I had searched for had come up empty.” - Holly Hayes “I stood face to face for the first time with this God who had rescued me off the floor of that bathroom those years ago. And so it was so clear in that moment that Jesus was the God that would rescue someone in the pit of sin and give them a whole new life.” - Holly Hayes “I know there is only one way to get needs met, and that is through prayer.” - Holly Hayes “He is so faithful to the people He loves, especially the vulnerable.” - Holly Hayes “When it comes to meeting the needs of his Beloved, of His people, He is so faithful.” - Holly Hayes “Anything that's different than what we grew up with or are used to is scary if you're just entering it. But my challenge to myself and to people who are scared, I think any time we are confronted with fear of any sort of race, religion, like any sort of difference, is just meet somebody. Like, get a face and a name and shake their hand, get to know their story.” - Rebecca Smith “If we're hurrying through life and rushing, we can't hear those [whispers from God]. We're just too loud and too busy to be able to hear His still, small whispers.” - Rebecca Smith “God has a plan for each one of our lives. He has it laid out for me. He has this pathway laid out. And my only job is just to take one step at a time. I don't have to run down the path. I can simply walk and God reveals the next step as it comes.” - Rebecca Smith “To me, the goal in life, in business, in parenting, in any of it is not winning. The goal is not to finish first, the goal is to finish and to finish well in the lane that God has given us to run.” - Rebecca Smith ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.32 min
  11. 251Moving The World For Jesus: Lucas Hoge & Brian TomeMinistry has many layers—it must be adaptable, malleable, able to meet the needs of whoever needs serving the most. It requires a lot of creativity, and often, it means stepping outside our comfort zone, stretching our abilities to fill the gaps. Number 1 Billboard-charting artist Lucas Hoge has integrated his faith and his music for years, and has gotten to travel all over the world experiencing God’s creation. But when he and his bandmates faced seasons in which they weren’t able to get to church, they came up with a creative solution to a common problem: virtual Sunday sessions that cater to those who can’t attend a brick-and-mortar gathering, enabling them to fill their souls with a good word regardless of location. Pastor Brian Tome has seen firsthand how the church often does not cater to men’s learning styles, and has dedicated his life to speaking guys’ language through movement, camping, and connection in a way that effectively reaches the leaders of the household and inspires them to walk in the Christian way. He shares about the concept of understanding our identity, and how to take the one small step that will make God’s heart smile, even if it scares you.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling  Life in His Presence Past interview: Angus Buchan Upcoming interview: Lathan Warlick   Lucas Hoge Sunday Sessions Sunday Sessions album Golden Knights https://www.lucashoge.com/   Brian Tome  Crossroads Church Move Matthew 3:16-17 NIV www.briantome.com   Interview Quotes: “God is the center of my relationship with Him and with the world, I feel we can get through this if I know that He's there guiding me.” - Lucas Hoge “I feel like God put songs and ideas into my heart so that I can put them out there. And even if it's one person that hears that song that resonates for them and maybe helps them or gets them through a tough time or might even change their life, that's what that means to me.” - Lucas Hoge “I came into a relationship with Jesus, which I found a relationship with Him is different than a relationship with religion. And that changed everything.” - Brian Tome “I couldn't have predicted that God would do those things in and through us. But what I found, is if you take just one faithful step every day, if you actually do the thing, whatever the thing is that God is putting before you, that thing will snowball.” - Brian Tome “Most men feel very disconnected from their church. Most men, if they go to church, they feel like they are in an environment that is foreign to them.” - Brian Tome “Jesus didn't come to hold class. He came to change the world. He came to move you and me out of the place of apathy and into a place of challenge.” - Brian Tome ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.21 min
  12. 252God’s Unexpected Answers to Our Toughest Questions: Lathan Warlick and Dr. William CookeSometimes when we pray, we really want answers, and sometimes we don’t always get those answers we’re seeking. However, our faith tells us that when we ask for help, whether we see it or feel it, God is there. When we ask for guidance, He leads us, not always on the path we would choose, but one that shapes who we are to become; and always to a place where He knows we can be used well. Lathan Warlick is a positive musician who had a near-death experience one night when he was confronted by two men with a gun. Lathan did the only thing he could think of—ask God for help—and when he was inexplicably saved, he decided to dedicate his life and career to spreading God’s word and encouraging positivity. Growing up in poverty, Dr. William Cooke shares how he wanted to truly make a difference by helping others. That desire led him to begin a practice in a community that was dealing with a devastating opioid crisis that was so overwhelming, after several exhausting years, Dr. Cooke questioned God as to if he had pursued the right path. Just as he was ready to throw in the towel, the answer to his question came from a very unexpected place. Both men looked to God for what roads they should take next, and God was faithful to lead them to the next season of faithfulness to Him, and better equipped to serve others.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith  Circleallacess.com Jesus Calling book Past interview: Carlos Whittaker Upcoming interview: Harry Connick Jr.   Lathan Warlick Luke 15 NIV lathanwarlick.com   Dr. William Cooke National Physician of the Year Canary in the Coal Mine Community Health and Economic Prosperity Hepatitis C HIV   Interview Quotes: “It was like something was sitting on my shoulders. It was like something was holding me, you know, and the feeling was so powerful that it made me start weeping for no reason.” - Lathan Warlick “God was calling me to be a light out into the world.” - Lathan Warlick “It was like God put me out of my comfort zone to put me over here in order for something else to happen. God will make stuff so uncomfortable for you for Him to get your attention.” - Lathan Warlick “I felt my calling was to try to work with individuals, families in a community that didn't have access to health and opportunity and hope.” - Dr. Willam Cooke “As I started working with patients and families, I started to realize that there was something really dark there, that there was this sense that the American dream was not available to everyone.” - Dr. William Cooke “We had to treat people, not diseases. So this seemed like the opportunity to do something new that, you know, this had never happened before. No one really knew how to respond to this.” - Dr. William Cooke “I had this idea that if I had enough faith and I fought hard enough for the people of Austin, [Indiana] that God would come in and fill in the gap and make the change. And I'd done my part. I had done my part. The people of Austin had tried. Why was God not doing what I thought was His end of the bargain?” - Dr. William Cooke ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.37 min
  13. 253Signs & Wonders Are All Around Us: Harry Connick, Jr. and SQuire Rushnell, & Louise DuArtHave you ever asked God to send you a sign? Just a little signal that you’re going in the right direction, or maybe a big red warning sign when you’re not? Whether we see them every day or not, God has a way of showing up and showing His love for us in the simple things—and in the complex things of life. Whether it’s a beautifully composed song that brings tears to your eyes, or the faithful wagging tail of a beloved canine companion, God has a way of delighting us by filling our world with little signs every day of His love and care for us, and if we stay on the lookout for those signs, we’ll begin to see His presence much more clearly. Harry Connick, Jr. recognizes the power of music, and loves to use his talent for singing, writing, and performing to bring joy to others—and now, through a new collection of gospel songs, he’s sharing the faith that has carried him through the ups and downs of his life. SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt are the authors of the bestselling books Godwinks—and now a brand new book called Dogwinks that tells the true stories of how God has used our canine companions to show His love for us in simple and profound ways.     Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Jesus Calling Podcast Season 2 of the TV Show Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith Circleallacess.com Past interview: Bradley Walker Upcoming interview: Dr. Don Wilton   Harry Connick, Jr. When Harry Met Sally The Memphis Belle “Alone with My Faith” single Alone With My Faith album   SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt Godwinks Dogwinks Schoolhouse Rock The Carol Burnett Show Sandi Patty Nicole C. Mullen www.godwinks.com   Interview Quotes: “I've always been someone who really wanted to try as many things as possible. I really love life. I love living life. I love—this sounds a little strange, I guess—but I love the potential to fail, I like taking risks, I like the potential to succeed more, but I don't mind failing.” - Harry Connick, Jr. “I'm a work in progress. I'm imperfect. I have a long way to go, so I feel like my purpose is to try—quotes around the word “try”—to be the best person that I can be every day. I don't always succeed, but if I can continue to try to emulate what I believe to be true, I think that's my most powerful way of getting the message of my faith across.” - Harry Connick, Jr. “My faith is what continues to get me through these tough times. But I just thought about how complex it is and how it's a gift, I think, from God to really compel us to want to communicate with Him.” - Harry Connick, Jr.  “We may forget our prayer, but God never does.” - Louise DuArt  “God had a plan and a purpose the whole time.” - Louise DuArt  “A dogwink is simply God using that vessel to just love us through them.” - Louise DuArt “I just love how God uses everything in nature. He uses everything. He's sovereign.” - Louise DuArt  “It's very logical that if you have a conversation daily with your own earthly mother or father or children or boss or neighbor, the more conversation that you have on a regular basis, the better your relationship. So it stands to reason that if we have a great conversation, a relationship every day with our Father in heaven, He's going to be listening to us as much as we're listening to Him.” - SQuire Rushnell ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.26 min
  14. 254A Love You Can Trust At All Times: Gary LeVox and Dr. Don WiltonWhen we’re having a bad week and it seems like everything is going wrong, it’s nice to be able to have one constant to look to—something that never changes, is always reliable and there for us when we need it. This week two men of faith share how God’s love has been that constant in their lives; Grammy award winning country singer from the group Rascal Flatts, Gary LeVox and pastor, speaker, and evangelist—and the personal pastor of Dr. Billy Graham, Dr. Don Wilton.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Listens Sarah Young Past interview: Lauren Akins Upcoming interview: Brandi Rhodes   Gary LeVox Rascal Flatts Board of DD, Developmental Disabilities “Someone Else's Star” Hebrews 11 NIV One On One   Dr. Don Wilton Dr. Reverend Billy Graham Saturdays With Billy Africa Inland Mission theencouragingword.org   Interview Quotes: “I was like, ‘Lord, I think you've given me the gift of a gift to sing,’ and I just felt so convicted, I was like, ‘I'm so sorry that I have not used it.’” - Gary LeVox “I really trust and believe that He's got everything laid out, His purpose and His plan for me is going to be perfect, even though I don't see it, sometimes I get so frustrated that I have no other choice but to trust Him.” - Gary LeVox “There's so many times I look back through my musical career and just my life and being a husband and a dad that I've looked and have just [seen] where God has shown up, where I have fallen short, where He's picked it back up and, you know, God has always been with me at times I didn't even know to help me get through things.“ - Gary LeVox “I came into a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. And my life has never been the same again, because the Lord gave to me a fresh purpose and a new meaning, and He changed my life and my perspective forever. And I will forever be grateful to the Lord and the influence of people in my life.” - Dr. Don Wilton “To describe the impact of Mr. Graham on my life is almost impossible for me to do. Mr. Graham didn't just talk to me about how to live. He showed me, up close and personal. I didn't just watch him. I sat with him. I didn't just listen to him. I conversed with him. And we became so close. He enabled me to see my own life in a fresh way. He challenged me at the deepest level of my soul spirit.” - Dr. Don Wilton “The very love with which he [Billy Graham] loved me was in and of itself the greatest reflection of [the way] God loves you, which he said over and over and over again to peoples and nations of every tongue and of every tribe and of every race and of every culture.” - Dr. Don Wilton ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.29 min
  15. 255Rooting Our Identity in Christ: Brandi Rhodes & Dr. Sasha ShillcuttThe concept of identity is a lofty one to wrap our minds around, and we are often encouraged to make sure our identity aligns with who God has called us to be. But how do we do that in real life? It often takes a situation beyond our control, where we feel over our heads, to get us to a point where we realize we have to realign our priorities. It’s there, in that space, that we often find God, and we see clearly what He wants for us. All Elite Wrestling star Brandi Rhodes is the wife of Cody Rhodes and daughter-in-law of the legendary Dusty Rhodes and is a star herself in American Elite Wrestling, talks about how faith and family played a role in forging her into the strong woman she is today. Renowned cardiac anesthesiologist and TedX speaker Dr. Sasha Shillcutt discusses the difficulties of juggling the roles of mom and a physician, how she found the balance by developing a spiritual practice of seeking God daily for 30 minutes.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Peace For Everyday Life video with Rolene Strauss Upcoming guest: Christine Caine Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith TV Show Host: Susie McEntire-Eaton How to watch: Circleallacess.com   Brandi Rhodes Cody Rhodes Dusty Rhodes All Elite Wrestling Christopher Bowman   Dr. Sasha Shillcutt Brave Enough Jesus Calling app https://www.becomebraveenough.com/ Between Grit and Grace Interview Quotes: “I had a really, really core upbringing in church and Christianity. And I love that because it was a situation, at least back then, where everybody was okay with everybody. We had all kinds of people across the board at that little school. Everyone was accepted, and we learned so much. I think that alone is the reason why I continue to pursue faith today.” - Brandi Rhodes “I remember I just prayed that whole time that I was just warming up around, God, please be my legs. I can't feel them. This is important. I really need You right now. And that was the best I ever skated in my entire life.” - Brandi Rhodes, on prepping for one of her biggest skating competitions as a young adult “I felt like I was failing as a mom. And when I would spend time trying to be the best mom I could be, I felt like I was failing as a physician. I think this is something that happens to a lot of women. I recognized how isolated I was, how I had really drifted away from the person God had called me to be.” - Dr. Sasha Shillcutt “When you bring women together from diverse backgrounds, you recognize that so many of our trials and tribulations are similar, and we may be in different stages of our life or different phases, different states, different countries even. But we often face the same struggles.” - Dr. Sasha Shillcutt “There's times as a doctor that it’s 3:00 in the morning and I'm in the operating room, and I don't know the next thing I should do to help a patient. I don't know the best thing. I'm not sure we're gonna make it out of the operating room. I'm struggling. And I can tell you in those moments, what I lean on is Christ.” - Dr. Sasha Shillcutt “I pray that when I show up, I will affect the people in the room--sometimes that's two people, sometimes that's a thousand people--but that God will just help me bring kindness and clarity wherever I go, because the world is hard right now and there's a lot of anger and anxiety. And I just want to be a person that can bring clarity and kindness.” - Dr. Sasha Shillcutt ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.27 min
  16. 256You Can’t Move Forward If You Keep Looking Back: Christine Caine & I Am TheyIt’s often been said that we shouldn’t live in the past, but sometimes, inevitably, our past mistakes can haunt us. Regret over decisions made, things we’ve said and done that impacted others negatively, or opportunities missed. But God calls us to a different reality—one that is based on the present with Him and the promise for a future that He lovingly prescribes. Our guests this week have all had events in their past that haven’t been easy to overcome. But each of them took a step forward, a step toward God, and stepped away from having their past define them. We’re talking to author and speaker Christine Caine and the members of the popular worship band I Am They—Matt Hein, Justin Shinn, and Abbie Parker.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Listens jesuscalling.com/jesuslistens Jesus Calling Past interview: Jamie Blane Upcoming interview: Rosie Rivera   Christine Caine Propel Women Romans 8:38-39 NIV 1 John 1:5 NIV Psalm 119 NIV Revelation 21:5 NIV Hebrews 12 NIV A-21 Campaign ChristineCaine.com How Did I Get Here?   I Am They Foursquare Church Vicodin  OxyContin Heroin Mennonite church Romans 5:20-21 NIV “Scars” https://www.iamthey.com/ Faithful God   Interview Quotes: “There are a lot of things in my life that, you know, it would seem naturally speaking, should have stopped me from fulfilling my purpose and destiny. But Jesus being the amazing God that He is, He not only saved me and healed me and restored me, but He used those broken fragments of my past to not only give me a future, but to help me give other people a future.” - Christine Caine “You are never too far gone for God not to be able to bring you back.” - Christine Caine “I have found in my life that prayer moves God, and when God is moved, God can move mountains.” - Christine Caine “I think that if we could trust the character and the nature and the goodness of God, we will get to the other side and find that our God was in control the whole time. I love that about God.” - Christine Caine “I went into an eighteen month drug court program, so I was doing outpatient rehab, I was doing counseling, all that stuff. But what really made the biggest difference in keeping me clean was getting back involved with my church.” - Justin Shinn “When you disappoint yourself, it can be really hard to believe that anyone else would not be disappointed in you, so that was a lesson that took a long time to relearn.” - Abbie Parker “We sort of flipped the narrative that shame would have cast in our lives and decided this is no longer going to be a shameful narrative. This is going to be a story of God's grace and forgiveness and goodness and redemption in our lives.” - Abbie Parker “It was just something that became the hidden addiction. And I never drank and I never got into drugs and that kind of thing, but [pornography] was kind of the thing that I could hide that was slowly but surely, in the same ways, eating me up from the inside.” - Matt Hein “[Sitting in my pastor’s office confessing my addiction] was the moment that I found and I realized Grace and who Grace was and what Grace was capable of.” - Matt Hein ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.39 min
  17. 257God Knows Our Whole Story And Still Loves Us: Rosie Rivera and Jason SautelMaybe you’ve heard someone say “Well, if you really knew me, you might not like me…” or maybe you’ve even said that to yourself. There can be much fear in being truly known—will I still be loved, despite my mistakes, despite my desperate thoughts, despite that I might not ever be enough on my own? The resounding answer to that question from God’s perspective is yes. God promises to love us with an everlasting love, and is continually drawing us to Himself with loving kindness, as we’re told in the scripture (Jeremiah 31:3). Our guests this week hit lows in their lives they didn’t know if they’d recover from, and just when they lost hope, they turned to God only to find that He was there, loving them despite their mistakes, fear, and pain. We’re speaking with television personality Rosie Rivera, the CEO of Jenni Rivera enterprises, and firefighter turned evangelist Jason Sautel.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jeremiah 31:3 Jesus Calling  for First Responders editions ChristianBook.com Past interview: The Next Door organization Upcoming interview: Cece Jones-Davis   Rosie Rivera Jenni Rivera enterprises Rosierivera.com God Is Your Defender   Jason Sautel The Rescuer California Conservation Corps California Department of Forestry https://jasonsautel.wordpress.com/   Interview Quotes: “I really, really loathed myself and I thought everyone else would, too, if they really, really knew me and that somehow transferred into God.” - Rosie Rivera  “I told God I was a mess. I was still hung over. I still smelled like alcohol and everything. And I was just at the front of the altar crying my eyes out, letting Jesus know everything that He already knew, that I didn't want to live anymore without Him, and that day I just realized what the cross was, like, it just hit me in such a beautiful way that He had died for me. He already knew everything, and that He loved me. And it can still fill me with love.” - Rosie Rivera “Power comes with His word. I can trust that no matter what is going on with the world, as long as I am holding His hand, I am safe and I am on the right path. It reminds me that in the highs and the lows, He is the same.” Rosie Rivera “No matter what goodness of this world I'd try to throw into it, it would not seal it up and it would actually make things worse. So being a firefighter that was called to help other people but had no idea how to rescue himself, it was really challenging, especially at that point in my life.” - Jason Sautel “At the end of the day, all that is on that fire truck and under all that gear and behind that badge is a human being who just wants to help other people.” - Jason Sautel “I started recognizing Grace, even though I didn't realize what it was at the time, in the form of people being nice to me when I didn't deserve it.” - Jason Sautel “I'm just praying for people that draw closer to God and I'm praying for people to put their faith in Jesus. And for those who have, I'm praying that they will reflect on what their faith truly means, because I have learned over the many years of responding to the bad stuff of this world, I can't fix anything, nor can time. Time alone heals nothing. Time with Jesus heals everything.” - Jason Sautel ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.36 min
  18. 258Everyone Is Worthy of God’s Love: Cece Jones-Davis & Danielle CokeThe idea of loving others doesn’t seem too difficult when we put it in the context of those closest to us, the ones who support us, care for us, and who give love in return. But the love that God commands us to have as Christians goes beyond that love we have in small circles—and it demands that as Jesus first loved us, we must love others in return. In the Bible, we’ll find in I John 4:20-21, it says: Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. Our guests this week have committed their lives to showing the world that there isn’t anyone who isn’t worthy of love—both God’s love and the love of their fellow man. We’re talking to singer, speaker, and social advocate Cece Jones-Davis, and digital artist Danielle Coke.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast John 4:20-21 NIV Jesus Calling devotional for kids  Jesus Calling Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith on Circle TV Circleallacess.com Past interview: Linsey Davis Upcoming interview: Chad Robichaux   Cece Jones-Davis Matthew 5:6 NIV Howard University Yale Divinity School Yale Institute of Sacred Music, Worship, and the Arts Sing for Change www.cecejonesdavis.com Alive    Danielle Coke Artivism Luke 10:27 NIV Good Samaritan Worthy https://ohhappydani.com/ @ohhappydani   Interview Quotes: “As a kid, I was curious, I wanted to know more, even though there was a lot about spirituality that was really scary to me. And the older I got, that yearning just never left me, it constantly chased me down. And it drove me into pursuing God.” - Cece Jones-Davis “God has had to do a lot of work with me over the years to say, ‘You are smart, you are enough, you're not just what other people have said about you.’” - Cece Jones-Davis “My ministry has from the beginning more so been about my public witness and about how I can outwardly face toward the world outside of the church. What can I do? And so I'm happy to be living in this time when I feel like my life can be used in some way to advance God's kingdom and to stand up for what I believe God is on the side of.” - Cece Jones-Davis “Sometimes I'm connecting as I'm sitting at my desk and I'm like, ‘Okay, now, Lord, I know we haven't had a long conversation today yet, but Lord, you saw the calendar. I'm going to need you to be with me every step of the way.’” - Cece Jones-Davis “I've witnessed what happens when diversity is not a priority.” - Danielle Coke “A big part of why I'm so passionate about justice is tied back to my relationship with God and how I view His calling for our lives.” - Danielle Coke “I encourage people to seek the scriptures about how God is consistently calling us to seek justice and love mercy, how He's giving us stories like the Good Samaritan and illustrating what it means to not just walk past by someone who is struggling, but to help them, lift them up, and be there in a tangible way.” - Danielle Coke “We are all worthy of love. We are worthy of being valued and we're worth fighting for.” - Danielle Coke ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.28 min
  19. 259Braving Our Way to a Better Life: Chad Robichaux and Tim AtwoodAt this time of year, as we celebrate the brave men and women who fought for the freedom of our country, it’s a good time to reflect on what it actually means to be brave. Sometimes, as in the case of our military heroes, bravery means laying down your life for a greater good, or for your fellow man. Sometimes bravery can mean stepping into something new, apart from everything you’ve known before, to pursue something greater for your life. And sometimes bravery is the simple act of pushing through something hard, something painful, in order to climb out of the darkness to step back into the light. Our guests this week have each shown acts of bravery in their lives—one in service to our country as a Marine, and in his own personal battle with PTSD, and another who faced addiction and fights each day not to be pulled back into its grip; we’re talking with Chad Robichaux, a former Force Recon Marine who served in Afghanistan, and Tim Atwood, a touring musician who has shared the stage with some of country music’s biggest legends.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Calling armed forces edition Christianbook.com Past interview: Sara Evans Upcoming interview: Paula Faris   Chad Robichaux PTSD United States Marines Recon marine  TS-SCI clearance Mighty Oaks Foundation www.mightyoaksprograms.org National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255   Tim Atwood Mel Street Lynn Anderson Jim Ed Brown Grand Ole Opry’s staff band Taylor Swift  Carrie Underwood Vince Gill Inspirational Country Music Awards Who I Am www.timatwood.com   Interview Quotes: “I'll be forever grateful for the Marine Corps for giving me that second chance, a clean slate of life and to escape that childhood that I was in and have a chance to build a life.” - Chad Robichaux “What I discovered is that the Bible has a very clear blueprint on how to navigate each and every situation.” - Chad Robichaux “During that time, I really dove into martial arts as a professional fighter and won a world championship, ranked number six in the world as a flyweight. And so on the surface, everything looked really good. But I was spiraling personally. And I was still dealing with panic attacks. I was still dealing with a lot of anger issues in my life. And my marriage was falling apart.” - Chad Robichaux “I surrendered my life to Christ. I began to find restoration in my marriage and my relationship, in my own brokenness, and the PTSD. And so I was able to get hold of my life again. So I found restoration. I found hope again for the first time in a very long time.” - Chad Robichaux “We really have to seek our purpose to find out what His purpose is. And I think when we find that we find a role in His purpose, that's when we find our contentment, our joy, and then we are able to tap into everything we're created for.” - Chad Robichaux “One day I just decided, you know, I've played behind everybody I can think of, just enjoyed it. But I think that I would be better served at the front of the stage. And by watching all these entertainers over the years, I kind of learned exactly how to do it.” - Tim Atwood “I’m really just enjoying the opportunity to get out front and entertain because I feel like I'm more of an entertainer than anything. It gives me a platform to talk at most of the shows I do. I've mentioned to everybody that I'm a Christian and that God gave me the gift and I've given the gift back to God.” - Tim Atwood “You have to believe that you've got what it takes, but you also have to listen to the Voice.” - Tim Atwood “I thank God that there’s servicemen and women out there fighting for our freedom.” - Tim Atwood “I pray for Him to give me guidance and show me the way that I should go and the things that I should do to be a blessing to other folks.” - Tim Atwood ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.26 min
  20. 260When God Changes Our Direction: Paula Faris & Jason BrownMany of us have had a moment in our lives that define us as people and as servants of God—and sometimes that moment comes at a fork in the road. Which path will you take? The one you’ve worked hard for and the world tells you you should want? Or the one God wants you to take? It’s almost guaranteed that every time you decide to take the Lord’s path, you will encounter mountains of blessings that you’d never have expected. ABC News reporter Paula Faris was at the height of her career when she faced a devastating series of tragedies that forced her to slow down and recognize that God was calling her to go in another direction. Former NFL lineman Jason Brown had worked hard to make his way up the football ladder, eventually becoming the highest-paid center in the sport. It seemed he had everything he wanted, but the luxurious lifestyle he pursued took his focus off his family and marriage which began to suffer, causing him to reassess what he really wanted out of life.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Sarah Young Jesus Listens jesuscalling.com/jesuslistens Past interview: Zim Flores Upcoming interview: Jamie Kern Lima, IT Cosmetics   Paula Faris Morning Star Christian Community Good Morning America Weekend The View Joshua 5-6 NIV Journeys of Faith at ABC  Faith & Calling Podcast The Paula Faris Show www.paulafarisofficial.com Called Out   Jason Brown First Fruits Farm Lunsford Bernard Brown II UNC Chapel Hill 2005 NFL draft wisdomforlife.org  Centered   Interview Quotes: “And at the end of the day, I think what's most important is that we don't get caught up in the differences, but that we can unite on some of the main tenets of the Bible...the most important thing at the end of the day is that if we are Christians, they'll know it by our love for one another.” - Paula Faris  “I think we owe it to not only ourselves, but we owe it to unbelievers to have a reason for the hope that is within us.” - Paula Faris “Trying to keep a positive mindset when you're in that valley, when you're circling that city, that this is where the growth is happening and God is getting ready to start a new chapter and write a new chapter in your life.” - Paula Faris “I don't want to just have five, ten minutes out of the day where I'm talking to God, I try to talk to God throughout my day, and I'm the type of person where I need encouragement throughout the day. So for me, it's a daily conversation. God is always by my side.” - Paula Faris “Once you ask the spirit to come into your life and to allow you to see things in a new way, you will. And it'll transform your relationship with God. It will transform your belief in God, it’ll transform the way that you see God. And you'll start seeing Him in the sunsets across the sky. You'll start to hear Him in the voices of loved ones and in the faces of loved ones. And you'll feel Him in that gentle breeze and you'll hear Him speaking softly in the depths of your spirit.” - Paula Faris “What do you want people to truly remember you by at the end of your life?” - Jason Brown “Everybody on the outside thought that we were this picture perfect family, but on the inside, behind closed doors, we weren't. We were still going to church every single Sunday, and we knew the talk and the lingo of how to put on the fakeness and the front of being a good Christian. Right? But when we left church and came back home, you know, there was no true mission. There was no true obedience to Christ.” - Jason Brown “Because of my success and my pride in sports and football, it developed an arrogance that I thought I was strong enough and smart enough to be in control and to fight hard enough in my flesh and figure this thing out. And Jesus simply told me that there's nothing that you can do in and of yourself that can bring about the faithfulness that He desires for me.” - Jason Brown ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.33 min
  21. 261Jesus Listens to Our Doubts: Jamie Kern Lima & Cole Arthur RileyEvery Christian faces a time in their relationship with Jesus that is frustrating, that’s full of questions, full of doubt, full of wondering if God is even real, if He listens, or if He cares. But time and time again, the Lord has proven that He does hear your every prayer, as Psalm 66:19 reminds us: “God has surely listened and has heard my prayer.” God is also okay with our doubts—He gives us the space we need to figure out for ourselves that He is good, all the time, and He will be with us always. This week’s guests are two dreamers—the founder of IT Cosmetics, the largest luxury makeup company in the country, Jamie Kern Lima, who faced years of trials and God doubt but managed to find a way to keep the faith, and God rewarded her with the breakthrough she’d been longing for. And the creator of Black Liturgies, Cole Arthur Riley, a born skeptic who educated herself on a variety of religions before finding a home in the Christian church who held space for her questions.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Psalm 66:19 NIV Jesus Calling TV show Jesus Calling Stories of Faith Susie McEntire-Eaton Circleallacess.com Past interview: Dominic Done Upcoming interview: Michael Franzese   Jamie Kern Lima IT Cosmetics Believe It Jesus Calling app Rosacea QVC Cosmetic Executive Women Miss Lisa Mason. QVC show host jamiekernlima.com  itcosmetics.com   Cole Arthur Riley Black Liturgies Chesterton House Blackliturgust.com Instagram   Interview Quotes: “I think so many of us learn that sometimes God's setbacks are really set ups for what we're supposed to do next.” - Jamie Kern Lima “Truthfully, there are nights when I’d get these really hard rejections and I’d end up crying myself to sleep. And the one thing that kept going as I would literally pray and be like, ‘God, I feel like you put this dream on my heart and I don't understand why it's not working, am I wrong?’” - Jamie Kern Lima “All of us have had people reject us or tell us we're not enough or we need to change who we are to fit in or we don't belong. And I think so many times learning to turn down the volume on that and not let it take root in our spirit is so important, because I believe our calling is always stronger than our opposition.” - Jamie Kern Lima “I would rather show real women all ages, shapes, sizes, skin challenges, skin tones. And if the single mom in Nebraska is going to give me two seconds of her time and she turns on her television, even if she buys nothing, I would rather have her see women who look like her and me calling them beautiful and meaning it, than sell a ton of product and stand for nothing.” - Jamie Kern Lima “I was really fortunate to have spiritual mentors early on that allowed me to have a lot of agency over my seeking even as they were teaching me things that probably felt really basic to them in many ways.” - Cole Arthur Riley “Words do have tremendous power, both their presence and their absence. I think our task as Christians is to be really honest and faithful discerners of what any given moment calls for, voice or silence. Both can be oppressive, but both can be beautiful disciplines of rest, hope, and solidarity.” - Cole Arthur Riley “It can be a real gift for us to join voices with other people across space and across time to say, ‘This is who God is, this is who we are,’ and to tell the story.” - Cole Arthur Riley ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.31 min
  22. 262God Is The Healer Of All Wounds: Michael Franzese & Michele Wilbur-ChristiansenWhen we face life experiences that hurt us, that drastically alter the way things go, it can cut deep and cause us significant pain. But as the Bible says in 1 Peter 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” Remember that even in the most daunting of circumstances, Jesus took your wounds as His own so that you may know peace and hope in salvation. Our guests this week have experienced their own personal wounds. Former mafia member Michael Franzese shares about growing up in one of the most notorious crime families, how he himself descended into the darkness, and how ultimately, God healed every element of his past and made him a new person. Michele Wilbur-Christiansen shares the tragic story of her parents’ heartbreaking death, and how her and her siblings found peace in knowing that one day, they will be reunited with them in heaven.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast 1 Peter 2:24 NIV Jesus Listens Sarah Young Jesus Calling  Past interview: Lecrae Moore Upcoming interview: Hal Donaldson   Michael Franzese New York Cosa Nostra  Joe Colombo Rudy Giuliani Book of Proverbs   Michele Wilbur-Christiansen Capital University in Columbus, Ohio   Interview Quotes: “The night I went back into prison, they told me I'd never see the street again, I'd never seen my wife and children, they were going to try and indict me on new charges. The government was upset with me because I wouldn't cooperate. They threw me in a hole, I was in solitary, and it was probably the worst night of my life. I thought I was going to lose everything that was dear to me, never see my wife and kids again, I was in my mid thirties. I was still a young guy. So it was a very difficult night. And I was lying on the cot, honestly, I just wanted to close my eyes and not wake up.” - Michael Franzese “The Bible became my Bible. It became true to me.” - Michael Franzese “The heroism of my life kind of transferred from my father to Jesus. I was enamored with the personality of Jesus, the character of Jesus as a man. He was a true man's man.” - Michael Franzese “When times are at their worst for us is when Jesus is the most powerful in our lives.” - Michael Franzese “I did stray away from God, but never really from family. And then over time, I saw how God was working for me in my life, I became a born-again Christian. So I was able to see how God was working for me, even if I kept Him behind the scenes. And then eventually I came to know Him as more than just a religion, but more as my personal friend and Savior.” - Michele Wilbur-Christiansen “Knowing our parents were in His presence gave us comfort through our pain. And a reminder that He always has our best interests in mind, even in the worst moments of our lives.” - Michele Wilbur-Christiansen “This tragedy has caused me to question God at times. I've asked, ‘Why them God, why now?’” - Michele Wilbur-Christiansen “God continually reminds me that we are to trust Him with all of our heart, not just some or not just the parts that we decide to give Him.” - Michele Wilbur-Christiantiansen “Take your anger, your sadness, and all your emotions and all your questions to God, He can handle it and still lovingly accepts you with open arms. He will meet you in your mess.” - Michele Wilbur-Christiansen ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.23 min
  23. 263How Can We Help Others In Need?: Hal Donaldson & Will McGinnissMany of us feel called to serve others in some way—and often when we think about what that could look like, we feel paralyzed by too many options. There are so many needs all across the world that must urgently be met, so how do we know where to start? This week’s guests, CEO of Convoy of Hope Hal Donaldson and CEO of Haiti Made Will McGinniss share how they found a way to make real change in lives and in hearts—spreading the word of God and caring for His people at the same time.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith Susie McEntire-Eaton   Circleallacess.com Past interview: Brian Tome Upcoming interview: Sharon Jaynes   Hal Donaldson Convoy of Hope Mother Teresa Golden State Warriors San Jose State University Disruptive Compassion Your Next 24 Hours   Will McGinniss Audio Adrenaline Hands and Feet Project  Haiti Made “Hands and Feet” song James 1:27 NIV www.haitimade.com   Interview Quotes: “I met Mother Teresa. And during the course of that interview, she asked me, “What are you doing to help the poor and the suffering?” And I figured it was probably not a good idea to lie to Mother Teresa. So I told her the truth. I said, “I'm really not doing much of anything.” And she looked back at me and she said, “Everyone can do something.” And she began to talk to me about doing the next kind thing that Jesus put in front of me.” - Hal Donaldson “When you're obedient to God and you do the things that are important to God, God takes that step of faith and He grows it. He makes it something larger than we ever dreamed.” - Hal Donaldson “We can allow the images of despair to paralyze us or the enormity of the problems to paralyze us, or we can roll up our sleeves and say, “Let's get to work.” Jesus used me to make a difference.” - Hal Donaldson “The key to life, the key to fulfillment, purpose, it doesn't come from exceeding others. It comes from elevating others.” - Hal Donaldson “The very first week I got into this Christian rock band and God had a different plan, He would be like, ‘Yeah, I'm going to take your heart to help people and I'm going to give you a platform to do that. And you're going to reach a lot of people who come from all different walks of life and your music's going to bless them and encourage them.’” - Will McGinniss  “What we've learned through time is that there has to be a cultural exchange and we both learn from one another, you know, not that we come in with all the right ideas and completely, you know, just save them, because Jesus has been there for centuries, you know, and decades. But we often come in and feel like we know what's best for these people. And we want to help and have great intentions, but our helping can often create more problems. And so we want to do that in a way that's an equitable exchange.” - Will McGinniss “And as He's entrusted more to me, running Haiti Made now, I don't always feel qualified every day, but I know if I show up every day with a good effort and a good work ethic and just with God's spirit and His help, I call on Him daily to help me lead this team and to be able to get in the right doors, get the right doors open to sell these goods. And we're just continually trying to be creative and having this work grow and to create more jobs and touch more and more families through that.” - Will McGinniss ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.26 min
  24. 264Your Mistakes Don’t Define You: Sharon Jaynes & Christine SouleThe best news we could ever receive is that in the middle of our most broken, painful moments, there is Someone who will reach out to us—no matter what we’ve done, who we’ve hurt, or the mistakes that we’ve made. God does not care what you look like, or the road that you’ve traveled—all He cares for is your heart and where you’re headed. Sharon Jaynes is an international conference speaker and author. Time and time again, Sharon has seen the power of forgiveness in her life, and has seen how your worst, most heartbreaking moments can be the springboard for positive change. Christine Soule grew up in a broken home, struggled with drug addiction, was a victim of sex trafficking, and had nowhere to turn. Eventually, Christine found God and she did a 180 on her lifestyle—boldly making different life choices, relying on nothing but the goodness of God to heal her broken soul and spirit. Christine is now the the founder and CEO of Providence Heights, a nonprofit organization that was created to house women and children in need, as well as providing counseling, jobs, and education.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Listens Past interview: Zach Williams  Upcoming interview: Holly Singletary   Sharon Jaynes When You Don’t Like Your Story Proverbs 31 Ministries  Girlfriends in God, Inc. sharonjaynes.com   Christine Soule Providence Heights Benny Hinn Broken and Beautiful   Interview Quotes: “I always felt as a little girl that I wasn't good enough, I wasn't smart enough, I wasn't pretty enough. I wasn't a good enough daughter. And if I could be, then maybe my parents wouldn't be so angry and fight all the time.” - Sharon Jaynes “I said, ‘Dad, none of us can be good enough. If we could be good enough, then Jesus wouldn't have had to die on the cross.’ But he could not understand that kind of grace for a man like him.” - Sharon Jaynes “I want to encourage you that getting from that place to being able to tell your story of redemption is a process.” - Sharon Jaynes “We have to stop and think, Who is it that I am not forgiving? Because as long as we have unforgiveness in our heart, we will get stuck in a bad chapter in our story. So the first step is deciding you want to get well, the second step is to forgive those people who have hurt you.” - Sharon Jaynes “If someone steps in that church and they look a little different than you, they're seeking God. They need a savior and you know what? Grab a hold of them because they have made the scariest, most bold step, probably up to that point in their life. So love them. It's a huge deal to let them know that they matter.” - Christine Soule “Don't expect people to change overnight, just one step at a time so that they can really allow God to cultivate them. It's not our job just to fix them. It's God's job to cultivate them.” - Christine Soule “Just know friends, that He is for you. Even in the midst of difficult circumstances, He's for you. He's with you. He loves and adores you, and allow that to turn your life into something truly beautiful.” - Christine Soule ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PrbuwH Video Playlist: https://bit.ly/2PsmEkJ What’s Good? Playlist: https://bit.ly/3i7VUlZ ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.28 min
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