Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners. This week, we’ll hear from Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Ed bridged the hearing and deaf worlds for his parents, fostering immense empathy but also hardship. Later, following his parents’ deaths, he faced a tidal wave of despair and suicidal thoughts. He sought professional help and openly shared his struggle with his church, who responded with grace. Now, Ed advocates for the church to be a hospital for the broken, urging people to seek help and recognize it’s okay not to be okay, but not to stay that way. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Wendell Vinson and Todd Lamphere from CityServe, an organization that helps equip and empower churches to serve their communities. They discuss CityServe’s mission to equip local churches and to meet the last mile of need in their communities. They highlight the church’s role in community transformation, citing reduced recidivism rates, and its essential “ministry of presence” before, during, and after crises like natural disasters or war. Finally, they acknowledge compassion fatigue, emphasizing that faithful service requires spiritual replenishment in order to continue to serve others well.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Erica Campbell Upcoming interview: Kathie Lee Gifford Jesus Calling app   Ed Newton CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) Romans 8:28 www.ednewton.com Why Not You? Believing What God Believes About You   CityServe Canyon Hills Church Matthew 16:13-27 prison recidivism This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org   Interview Quotes: “My mission was to actually be the voice for two people that could not speak and to help them understand how to aggregate and acclimate into a hearing world.” - Ed Newton “It’s okay not to be okay. It’s just not okay to stay that way. God can break every chain.” - Ed Newton  “I believe some of the healthiest people I have ever met sit on somebody’s couch. I actually think the red flag of danger is for somebody that says, ‘I’m good. I don’t need counseling.’ I would say watch out for that slippery slope of destruction that’s about to happen.” - Ed Newton “I just think for most people, life gets shaken up and they don’t know what to do with that. Don’t live life all bound up when you can find somebody that would love you, sit with you, and go, ‘Hey, let me tell you what I hear and see. You’re not alone.’” - Ed Newton “Sometimes churches get it wrong and we slap Bible verses on a chemical disruption in the body. And I want to say, ‘I’m sorry you got hit with a Bible verse when you just needed someone to sit in the puddle of your tears.’” - Ed Newton “We’re constantly hearing and listening and feeling, but when we do not align our heart to what God says, who is the ultimate voice, then it just conflicts with the directional, navigational component of our life.” - Ed Newton “There’s a God who never changes, who operates out of the character of sovereignty and goodness, and who’s always working for your greater good. So why not begin a day with Him, and let Him frame the filter of how you’re to see the world?” - Ed Newton “It’s a beautiful partnership that allows pastors and churches that have a desire to meet the practical, physical needs of the community it was called to serve, and to have an organization come alongside it to help make that happen. This is the beauty of the partnership between the local church and CityServe.” - Todd Lamphere  “When a person connects with the body of Christ and starts moving down a different path, it transforms community.” - Wendell Vinson  “What people need in times of disaster more than anything, is they need the ministry of presence.” - Todd Lamphere  “Compassion is scalable. You start where you are with what you have, and God will take you further.” - Wendell Vinson “Compassion fatigue is just a reality. You cannot give out what you do not have in you. This is why being saturated in God’s Word every day is so vitally important. It’s a non-negotiable to stay in God’s Word to commune with Him, to listen to worship music, to pray for God to just continue to be your strength, to be your source, to be your all in all.” - Todd Lamphere “If any of us think that we can in our own strength or power just live out what the Lord’s called us to, we’re mistaken. It all flows out of that personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Wendell Vinson ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week, we’re joined by author and speaker John O’Leary. John shares the story of a joyful Midwestern childhood that was forever changed at age nine by a devastating house fire that doctors said he would not survive. Through the unwavering love of his parents, the kindness of unexpected heroes, and a hard-fought choice to live, John’s life became a testimony to hope rising from unimaginable pain.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from finance executive and advisor Athanase Kadita Tshibaka, known as A.T., who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A.T. shares a journey shaped by poverty, displacement, and profound loss, and the faith that sustained him through imprisonment, injustice, and life-threatening trials.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Alice Marie Johnson Upcoming interview: Ed Newton   John O’Leary Soul on Fire Jack Buck www.johnolearyinspires.com   Athanase Kadita Tshibaka Son of the Congo   This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org   Interview Quotes: “The heroes show up, and none of them wear tights. None of them wear capes. They just look like ordinary friends who faithfully live out the message of Jesus in life.” - John O’Leary “I think when we get burned in life, whatever that looks like for all of us, we can become bitter about it and wonder where God is in our mess. Or you can recognize that God is all over this mess with you and that you can reveal that goodness and that grace and that mercy to others through your life.” - John O’Leary  “I think when you go through a [difficult] event, at any age, it’s easy to really quickly decide whether I will be a victim or a victor to this. Even if you feel like you have no talent, your life is a precious, priceless gift. You have one job, to say yes to being used for good.” - John O’Leary “Your life, in spite of what you’ve been through or done, can be used in mighty ways.” - John O’Leary  “Even though we were essentially living in poverty… [my mother] had to struggle, she had to really work hard. But even with her very meager means, my mom showed me the value of hospitality and the value of generosity. There was never an instant where some strangers came and she let them just go hungry. Above it all, God’s grace.” - Athanase Kadita Tshibaka  “When I decided to accept Christ as Lord and Savior, I had nobody pushing me, I had nobody influencing me except that very still voice, very gentle, saying that was my day of decision.” - Athanse Kadita Tshibaka “Like most people, I am a cracked pot, a leaking vessel, and I need to be refilled by His Holy Spirit daily. Reading the Bible and being attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit helps keep us growing.” - Athanase Kadita Tshibaka ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the struggles in your marriage aren’t just about today, but about untold stories from long ago? In this episode of “Jesus Listens,” Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Steve Call explore how past wounds, unspoken patterns, and even everyday tones of contempt shape our relationships more than we realize. The themes discussed are found in their new book “The Deep-Rooted Marriage.”  Guest’s Links YouTube: @AllenderCenterFacebook: @allendercenter Instagram: @reconnectmarriage | @allendercenter   Watch this interview on our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/4pqVSZ4  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website TikTok   *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week, we’re thrilled to be celebrating our 500th podcast episode with actor Sarah Drew, known for her roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Everwood. Sarah shares how her faith shaped her career from a pastor’s kid who found joy in acting to eventually navigating the pressures of Hollywood. She discusses the rewarding challenge of developing her Grey’s Anatomy character, April Kepner, into an honest portrayal of a person of faith, including the storyline of April’s crisis of faith and her eventual return. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from actor Janine Turner. Janine recounts her own tumultuous path to Hollywood, characterized by countless rejections and setbacks. She shares the story of her darkest period, when she had only eight dollars and felt entirely alone, right before landing her breakthrough, unexpected role as a bush pilot in Northern Exposure. Janine’s experience with closed doors taught her to wait on unexpected, better opportunities—proving that perseverance, even through black holes of despair, can take us to where we’re meant to be.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Erin Hicks Moon Upcoming interview: John O’Leary Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season Sarah Drew Eric Liddell Grey’s Anatomy   Janine Turner Northern Exposure Rocky www.JanineTurner.com Northern Disclosure   This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org   Interview Quotes: “The gift of having so many seasons to develop [a character] is you actually have time to sort of unpack and allow someone to take different turns and twists and upside downs. You get to experience a far more human life when you see someone on a series for a long period of time.” - Sarah Drew   “If I don’t have the thing that rooted me and anchored me to the whole purpose of my life, if that somehow comes undone and is shaking under my feet, then what am I doing here? How do you keep breathing when you are so shaken to your core?” - Sarah Drew   “So many people are suffering, so when they welcome a character [into their life], day after day, week after week, year after year, and really become kind of friends with this person who’s walked this path, they’re feeling through it with them.” - Sarah Drew  “In every job I walk on to, I want the folks that I’m working with, the cast, crew, and everyone to really feel a sense of belonging and that they deserve to be there and that they are part of this community and we’re so happy that they’re here and we’re all in this together. I think that’s one of the biggest ways that I live out my faith.” - Sarah Drew  “If God closes the door, He opens the window. There will be a window. There will be the right thing at the right time.” - Janine Turner “I didn’t give up before the miracle because eighty percent of success is just showing up.” - Janine Turner  “[Northern Exposure] became the most miraculous opportunity for me that I think also used my talents in such a way that were dignified, respected, and it had an impact that made people’s lives happier. Don’t let anybody put out your flame that God has given you or me, and don’t give up before that miracle.” - Janine Turner  “I’ve hit this kind of, literally, sort of a wall of blackness where I’m desperate or I’m in a panic attack or I’m crying hysterically. I don’t see the light, I don’t see the hope, but there’s always been something that has kept me from going over that cliff. I believe it is my faith and it’s God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. If I just stick with it, tomorrow will be a better day.” - Janine Turner ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

*This episode contains content that may be triggering for some listeners.* This week, we hear from Stephen McWhirter, a songwriter and worship leader whose early life was marked by deep trauma, addiction, and a shattered view of God shaped by his father’s hypocrisy and abuse. After years of rebellion and anger toward faith, Steven encountered Jesus in an unexpected moment that transformed everything. Today, he shares a powerful story of grace, redemption, and the hard-won freedom found on the other side of forgiveness. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from author and speaker Courtney Pray Duke, who opens up about the tragic loss of her husband. Courtney shares what it was like to navigate grief while raising three children alone, and how it encouraged her to draw closer to God as a source of comfort when everything felt like it was falling apart.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Chynna Phillips Upcoming interview: Sarah Drew   Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season Stephen McWhirter Lee Strobel Ephesians 2:8 John 6:29 www.worshipjesus.life Radically Restored   Courtney Pray Duke www.courtneyprayduke.com And She Got Up: Shattered by Loss, Restored by Jesus   This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org   Interview Quotes: “I was the guy that literally would have either cussed you out or tried to knock you out had you mentioned Jesus’ name around me. I literally had this deep anger and this wound in me that really was connected to my earthly father and a broken view of who God is.” - Stephen McWhirter “I’m in this room and I have drugs on the side table next to me. I always say it’s the kindness of a very real God to meet a wounded evangelist son in a place like this. I knew God was in the room, and I’m like, ‘I want to give you my life. I want to quit all this addiction, all this darkness, all this anger, all this depression, and this trauma that I’ve known for so long.’” - Stephen McWhirter “Jesus never healed anyone [from addiction] the same way twice, because every story has a purpose. If it takes you five times or eleven times to fall at the feet of Jesus and you mean it, He’s going to use your story to draw people to Him.” - Stephen McWhirter “There is something truly powerful on the other side of forgiveness. It’s not about reciprocation. Somebody may not say to you, ‘I’m asking for your forgiveness,’ but you have the ability to tear up the debt and throw it away. That’s real freedom, that’s real restoration.” - Stephen McWhirter  “Those early days of grief were so messy and they were so uncharted. And to be honest, I didn’t even know what grief really meant until I was in the place where I was grieving with everything inside of me.” - Courtney Pray Duke “The Lord was so faithful to meet me in every moment, and I could lay my head on my pillow at night and look over the day and I could see where He was when I would open up the Word of God. It was like His promises and His love were illuminating off the page and they were bringing sustenance to my life.” - Courtney Pray Duke  “It wasn’t until I lost everything that my faith grew legs. It was walking through fiery times and profound loss where Jesus met me with strength and love and power and life.” - Courtney Pray Duke “Holding the grief of my kids’ hearts and mine was impossible for me to bear. I learned so much during that time about releasing my children.” - Courtney Pray Duke “It’s just so beautiful when you see a nugget of truth that comes from the Word of God—something that you can remind yourself of what’s true, even when your circumstances look anything like what it is that you’re contending for, to know that this is what’s true. Truth is immovable. It’s not going to change shape and waver like my life does. Truth is truth.” - Courtney Pray Duke  “God can do anything through a life surrendered to Him.” - Courtney Pray Duke  ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, where we do a deep dive on the book of Philippians with Nate Pickowicz, the pastor of Harvest Bible Church. Nate walks us through the context of Philippians, and the life of the author—the apostle Paul—revealing how when we turn to God in the middle of our fear, anxiety, and uncertainty, we can find joy and peace that transcends our circumstances.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens   Nate Pickowicz Overcoming the Darkness  Book of Philippians Interview Quotes: “Paul is writing from a very personal experience, sort of an authoritative experience. He’s in prison writing about joy, this is something very near and dear to his heart.” - Nate Pickowicz “Even though [Paul’s] uncomfortable, even though he’s probably not where he wants to be, he’s not happy about where he is in prison, he has this transcendent view of his suffering that actually gives hope and gives an element of joy, because he knows that the gospel of Jesus Christ is going out because of that.” - Nate Pickowicz “Regardless of our circumstances, not only can we find joy in the midst of trouble, we can actually find a purpose for our suffering that God is using to accomplish His end.” - Nate Pickowicz “Paul connects these two worlds: he connects the experience of anxiety and worry and fear about the future, and he pairs it with thanksgiving and contentment and rejoicing.” - Nate Pickowicz “Once you recognize that everything that’s good comes from God, suddenly you realize that, If I’m anxious or worried, what might I need from the Lord? I can actually just turn to Him.” - Nate Pickowicz “Learning to become thankful becomes an antidote to anxiety and worry and fear and discontent. Being grateful to God for what He’s given changes the entire focus of our hearts.” - Nate Pickowicz ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners. This week, in celebration of Super Bowl Sunday, we’ll hear from Tim Green, a former NFL player, bestselling author, and commentator. Tim, who now speaks with the assistance of technology due to a diagnosis of ALS, reflects on a life marked by ambition, the identity-shaking diagnosis of this neurodegenerative disease, and the perspective that transformed his understanding of what matters most in life.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Mike Flynt, whose story inspired the 2023 sports drama film The Senior. One day when talking with his friends, Mike shared one of his deepest regrets—getting kicked off the college football team as a senior. When asked, “Why don’t you do something about it?” Mike decided to pursue a second chance, and became the oldest linebacker of a college football team in NCAA history at age fifty-nine, proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Rosie Rivera Upcoming interview: Stephen McWhirter Super Bowl Sunday   Tim Green ALS Tracheotomy www.authortimgreen.com Rocket Arm   Mike Flynt The Senior D-Day  Battle of The Bulge www.mikeflynt.com   This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org   Interview Quotes: “These days, the most important thing I do is simply try to serve the people I love. My life’s work now is about family, about helping others, and about using whatever time and gifts God has given me to make a difference.” - Tim Green  “God had other plans—plans that were bigger than anything I could have imagined. Looking back, every step prepared me for the next one. He was weaving the story long before I knew it.”- Tim Green “What really matters is your faith, family, and identity in Christ—not in a jersey or a job. Football gave me a platform, but it’s faith and family that gave me a purpose.” - Tim Green  “My diagnosis forced me to confront what really matters—to put Christ at the center, not tucked quietly in the background. It made every day, every relationship, every breath more precious and more purposeful.” - Tim Green  “One morning, I woke up with a clarity I didn’t create that this wasn’t the end of my story. I realized that God had left me here for a reason. Maybe to show that even in suffering, His goodness can still shine. That moment was a second chance, and I wasn’t going to waste it.” - Tim Green  “Prayer became less about asking and more about resting. Peace came in small moments—a hand held, a smile, a sunset—reminders that God was still here.” - Tim Green  “Every chapter of my life has required a deeper anchor than achievement. When the applause stops, when the career ends, when the body fails, you need a foundation that won’t.” - Tim Green  “It was my profession of faith in Christ, and my realization that I know so little about Him, that started me on my journey in faith that I still pursue today.” - Mike Flynt  “So many people need to know that somebody else has overcome and that Christ was there and they can take that same concern, those same weaknesses, to Him and know that if He did it for Mike, He’d do it for anybody.” - Mike Flynt  ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Our first guest is Jeremy Rosado, who traced a path from New York City dreams to the bright lights of American Idol and The Voice. But the biggest spotlight in his life wasn’t a stage—it was the decision to lay down his music career for a season to become a father to his niece. Jeremy shares how choosing fatherhood over fame became a pivotal act of faith, and how God used the quiet, waiting years to prepare him for a powerful return to music.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Nashville singer, songwriter, and author Jason Gray. Jason offers a vulnerable look into his life—one shaped by music, but also by instability, a painful childhood divorce, and reckoning with his own difficult divorce. Jason shares how the wounds he incurred became the very doorway through which he met God. He reveals the radical peace found in accepting divine love and unpacks why allowing yourself to be loved is the most radical, powerful act of faith.  Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: nobigdyl. Upcoming interview: Tim Green   Jeremy Rosado American Idol  The Voice www.iamjeremyrosado.com The Waiting Room   Jason Gray Acoustic Story Time Frederick Buechner The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence www.jasongraymusic.com Sparrows   This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org   Interview Quotes: “I came off [American Idol] and took a few months—went to Nashville to start chasing this dream of mine. I quickly realized that my life was going to change and that there was a decision to be made [whether or not] to step in and help and become a father.” - Jeremy Rosado  “Even though that decision [to become a father to my niece] was not easy, it was worth it, and I would do it a million times over for my child. God provided and made ways for us. I look back now, and even in the pain and the tears, I can see His faithfulness and how He’s carried us.” - Jeremy Rosado  “When I did [The Voice], that trust and that reliance began to grow even more. It felt like every room I walked into, every stage I walked on, there was victory already there.It gave me renewed confidence in the God that I serve and in my ability to walk knowing that He’s with me and He’s for me. ” - Jeremy Rosado  “God knew how to cut through all of that [chaos] and speak the thing that He wanted me to hear in the way that He knew that I could understand it.” - Jason Gray  “All of a sudden, I had this profound sense of a loving presence in the car with me, as though it was holding me and it was saying, ‘Psst, hey, the words of this song that you love so much, this is my heart toward you. ‘When you’re weary, when you’re feeling small, when tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all like a bridge over troubled water.’” - Jason Gray “From a very young age, I was drawn to music, and it has always been one of the places that I meet with God and one of the ways through which He speaks.” - Jason Gray “I believe that when something connects us to our own heart, then in that same moment, worship spontaneously happens, and we are connected with the divine in that moment. Music has a way of connecting me to my heart and therefore brings me to the place where God meets with me.” - Jason Gray  “If you love tinkering on a car or working in the garden or listening to music or a conversation with a friend, those moments where you lose track of time and you forget yourself indicates that you’re on holy ground.” - Jason Gray “The Lord has usually come to me through other people. As inconsistent and as unreliable as we often are, He demonstrates that we are still His preferred delivery system for His love in the world.” - Jason Gray “My whole life, all the painful things—everything was leading to this moment to break me open enough to be able to receive the transformation that I had been praying for as long as I could remember. And that gave me a sense of peace and helped me to feel like I was no longer at the mercy of the storms of my life, but that this storm held within it the power to make me who I’d always wanted to be.” - Jason Gray “The way that I have observed how God works in my life is that if I get connected to my own heart, all of a sudden, He’s meeting with me there.” - Jason Gray  “If I love the Bible so much that I only allow God to speak to me through it rather than allowing it to train me to be more in tune with the still, small voice, the voice of the Holy Spirit, then I’ve probably loved it too much.” - Jason Gray ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we’re joined by beloved authors/speakers who coined the term “Godwink”—SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt. Godwinks are the little gifts left on our doorstep, the personal connection moments in which God lets us know we’re not alone. SQuire and Louise share about the latest title in their collection, Godwinks for Moms, and how the mothers and mother figures in our lives impact us, make a difference, and shape us into the people we are—all a part of God’s grand design and a way to show us how much He loves us.    Guest’s Links YouTube: @godwinks Facebook: @Godwinks Instagram: @godwinkguy Watch this interview on our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/3M8hI54  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website TikTok *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week, we sit down with Chris Blair, the owner of the Listening Room Cafe in Nashville, a place known not just for great music, but for the spirit of generosity that lives within its walls. Chris came to Nashville chasing a dream, but what began as a pursuit of music slowly became a calling to create space for others—space where stories are honored, community is formed, and giving back becomes more important than getting ahead. Later in the episode, we’ll also hear from country artist Cyndi Thomson, who experienced a rapid rise to fame with her debut album My World and hit song “What I Really Meant to Say.” At the height of her success, she began to struggle with panic attacks and a deep sense that God was moving her in a different direction. She shares the private process of wrestling with this decision, and how after walking away from her career, her focus became on the one individual over the accolades of the world.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary Upcoming interview: Jeremy Rosado   Chris Blair The Listening Room Cafe  Tootsies Brian White Bridget Tatum Danny Myrick  Hands On Nashville  www.chrisblair.com www.listeningroomcafe.com   Cyndi Thomson My World  www.cyndithomson.com   This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org   Interview Quotes: “At The Listening Room, we connect people with the stories behind the songs. That’s our mission.” - Chris Blair “Part of the reason that I wanted to start the Listening Room in the first place [was] to bring in and spend thirty minutes to an hour with individual artists and songwriters and really share their story of not just the songs, but how they got started, their struggles, their wins, and all of that.” - Chris Blair  “We went through a lot of hard times in the early days, but that was the early dream of what I wanted people to experience when they walked into the doors of The Listening Room for the first time—that they just felt like they belonged and that they could walk out feeling like they were connected to the stories behind the songs in a way that they had never heard and couldn’t wait to come back.” - Chris Blair  “Because I’d come out of a bullying experience, I didn’t know what I was. [A teacher] was the first person to really call out what God had put on my life. She saw an anointing that I didn’t see, and I needed a teacher like that in my life.” - Cyndi Thomson “Looking back now, [walking away from my career] was self-preservation, and it was obviously the Lord’s hand on my life. So that decision came with much prayer. I remember having this moment where I was like, Okay, Lord, if you really want me to do this, I need something supernatural from You only.” - Cyndi Thomson “I think that time with the Lord on a daily basis can either make or break your day. How many times can we call it out by the end of the day, like, I didn’t spend my time with the Lord? You just know it. It just runs so differently when you do.” - Cyndi Thomson “God really does care about the ‘one,’ and He’ll go to any length to reach them.” - Cyndi Thomson ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens   Patsy Clairmont Herman Mendoza Kristin Smedley Tamron Hall Kevin Olusola Sabrina Greenlee ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok   *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week, we hear from retired Washington D.C. police sergeant and pastor Dale Sutherland, who shares how his faith carried him through dangerous undercover work, false accusations, and ultimately inspired him to launch a ministry that brings hope to families in crisis. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Haley Scully, who has spent nearly fifteen years with Hope for the Heart, equipping people to offer compassionate care within their communities. Through her own journey of navigating disappointment and renewal, she’s gained a deep understanding of the struggles others face—and a passion to restore their confidence and hope.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Clarissa and Fiona Moll Upcoming interview: Chris Blair   Dale Sutherland Ephesians 2:10 2 Corinthians 1:9 Boost Others www.boostothers.org  www.theundercoverpastor.com   Haley Scully Hope for the Heart www.hopefortheheart.org The Care and Counsel Handbook   Interview Quotes: “I’ve been shot at, robbed, and threatened a lot of times. But by God’s grace, I’m here.” - Dale Sutherland “[Being a police officer] was intense, yes, but the great thing is knowing Jesus the Lord went with me on all those calls. When I got ready to do an undercover, I prayed and asked the Lord for help. I really think any success I’ve received or been blessed with has truly been a result of the Lord’s work and answering all those prayers.” - Dale Sutherland “The Lord helped me a tremendous amount so that I could do my job but not let my own worries or feelings about what might happen or what has happened—almost like an on and off switch.” - Dale Sutherland  “That time of trying to understand the goodness of God and His calling, in spite of some of the biggest disappointment and hurt in my life, that was certainly a time that I didn’t feel uncertain of Him, but I was feeling afraid and definitely stretched. I had to search through His Word with Him and really dig in to believe that He is good in spite of those disappointments.” - Haley Scully “When we allow God to use the gifts that He’s given us and we allow Him to shape that, it takes off all the pressure. That’s when the burden is light, when the yoke is on the Lord. I just get to help lead people to His Word.”-  Haley Scully “Whether we are in a village in Africa or we’re in a high rise in Hong Kong, it does not matter where we are, the struggles of the human heart are the same.” - Haley Scully “We know that people are carrying quite a load as they try to care for others, and we want to help them be the most prepared to do that so they can still have joy in their calling and that they truly can trust in God to be the One to manage these things and be a vessel of help and hope.” - Haley Scully ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, where we do a deep dive on the book of Proverbs with author Sherri Hughes-Gragg. Sherri walks us through the wisdom and compassion of God that are on full display in Proverbs, how short scripture passages like these can serve as a touchpoint to bring us back to God, and what it truly means to love our neighbors as ourselves.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens   Sherri Hughes-Gragg The Compassionate Christ Book of Proverbs   Interview Quotes: “I think if we only read Proverbs at face value, we are missing a lot of the depth and the richness of the text. And I think that’s true for all of Scripture, actually. When we approach Scripture with the culture and history of the Bible in mind, it really illuminates it.” - Sherri Hughes-Gragg “One of the things I love about the Proverbs is how practical it is. When I open the Proverbs to read them, pretty much every time something hits me right between the eyes and challenges me, usually about the way I’m loving my neighbor.” - Sherri Hughes-Gragg “Books like the book of Proverbs have challenged me on what it means to live in right communication with God and my neighbor.” - Sherri Hughes-Gragg “God really is a compassionate, merciful God. More so than we could ever even imagine. His mercy and compassion are beyond our imagination. And when we begin to rest in that, we then have the capacity and the responsibility to live compassionately with others.” - Sherri Hughes-Gragg ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok   *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In the foothills of Appalachia, Jordan Smith, a young boy from Harlan, Kentucky, found his voice in the hymns of a small country church. Years later, that voice would capture the nation’s heart when Jordan Smith won NBC’s The Voice in 2015. In our conversation, Jordan reflects on how hymns shaped his journey and how prayer and Scripture continue to anchor him through every season of life. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Tyler White, also known as DJ TyWy. Growing up on the spectrum, Tyler discovered the power of music to break through social struggles, from singing in talent shows to dancing at school events. Today, he DJs across Florida, including Autism Speaks Walks, using his platform to inspire others on the spectrum. In our conversation, Tyler reflects on perseverance, faith, and how music has shaped his journey and dreams.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Johnny and Donnie Van Zant Upcoming interview: Dale Sutherland Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season Jordan Smith NBC’s The Voice  Psalms The People’s Hymnal Gaither Music www.therealjordansmith.com   Tyler White Autism Speaks Walks Love on the Spectrum CMA Fest  Dillon Weldon Randy Travis *Tyler White would like to thank Clay Bradley, President of BMI, his manager Brent Daughrity, the board of directors for the CMA, and his attorney J. Reid Hunter for introducing him to the platforms for writing and recording in Nashville. He’d also like to thank Drew Trosclair, Jeff Garrison, Jackson Nance, and Cameron Bedell for helping him write and produce the songs.    Interview Quotes: “Hymns are songs that are meant to be memorized and sung together. They’re songs that bring people together, they are songs that are centered around the message of the gospel. They highlight the truth of Scripture. They also bring people together and allow people to experience that truth together.” - Jordan Smith  “When you have a group of people coming together to sing these uplifting messages, to sing these messages of hope, and to sing these messages of the gospel, I think something just comes alive in you, and there’s something profound about it.” - Jordan Smith  “I found myself in moments where worry was stealing the joy of what God was doing in my life. Worry was taking away the happiness that I should feel in doing what God created me to do. I had to learn how to cultivate a consistent prayer life with God in order to remain at peace in every situation. I continually had to come back, sometimes even every single day, to give Him the same worries and fears and trade them and exchange them for His love and His peace.” - Jordan Smith “I think the beautiful thing about faith and about a relationship with God is that it’s universal and it does bring unity and it does connect us together, but it’s also so extremely personal.” - Jordan Smith  “Christian faith is built on Christ as the foundation, but it’s sustained by Christian community. And we need each other to get through this thing.” - Jordan Smith “With hard work, perseverance, determination, positive attitude, and faith in God, you can overcome any obstacle and do anything you set your mind to. I say that because really that’s how I’ve learned how to overcome things. I think everybody needs Jesus.” - Tyler White  “With my life growing up on the spectrum, I always say my autism is what’s helped me draw closer to Jesus. And I think it’s very important, no matter what you go through, to always put Jesus first and He’ll help you. I always ask God to use me in the way He’d have for me to be and always make sure that I’m using this to glorify Him, as well as inspire others on the spectrum.” - Tyler White ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week, we welcome Ben Higgins back to the show—entrepreneur, author, and former star of The Bachelor who has turned public fame into a platform for authentic connection. Ben shares why true connection can’t be found through screens or status, but through honest conversation and shared life with others.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Nashville singer-songwriter Jamie MacDonald. From growing up in a home where singing wasn’t allowed to standing on stages sharing songs of hope, Jamie’s story is a powerful reminder that some voices are too full of light to stay silent.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Ali Gilkeson Upcoming interview: Jordan Smith Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season  Ben Higgins  Generous Coffee Alone in Plain Sight www.thebenhiggins.com www.generouscoffee.com   Jamie MacDonald Michael W. Smith  Stephen Curtis Chapman www.jamiemacdonaldmusic.com Interview Quotes: “There’s still this piece of our heart that screams out to sit beside somebody else, to look somebody else in the eye, to ask them the questions that actually matter. I think we’re seeing that even when everything’s handed to us, there’s still something missing, which is the connection to humans face-to-face.” - Ben Higgins “I think if you want to really get to know somebody, if you really want for somebody to get to know you, you have to let them see the stop moments of your life. You have to be able to sit with them in their roughest seasons and their most joyous seasons and celebrate when joy is at the table and also mourn with them when maybe mourning is necessary.” - Ben Higgins  “Life doesn’t give us the gift of hiding out when pain is at the forefront of our experience. I think we’ve all learned that when pain is a part of our life, sitting alone in that is not the most healing. It is getting with people who can relate. It is speaking to professionals who can process. It is getting around friendships who can love on you and getting around family who can give you a hug.” - Ben Higgins “When divisiveness is no longer the common thread amongst us as humans, I think we’re going to really look back on a time where we maybe burnt too many bridges and be embarrassed by that. I want to hopefully give people the warning to not jump too quickly into cutting everybody out that they don’t agree with.” - Ben Higgins  “Being in the public eye has taught me that the more vulnerable I become and the more outspoken I become on the things that are tough in my life, the more connected I feel to others because there’s other people dealing with it also.” - Ben Higgins “I knew I felt good singing. It’s the one thing that brought me the most joy throughout some of my lonely, hardest times when I was young. It brought me happiness and peace. And it was also a way to encounter God’s presence.” - Jamie MacDonald  “There were just a lot of miracles that [God] did in my life to get me out of that place, and it’s been a slow, steady climb—a lot of behind the scenes work that He’s done in my heart to heal me and all the identity issues that come with letting your life hit the bottom.” - Jamie MacDonald “Singing in the prison really gave me courage again and hope to sing, and it really gave me my why. When they sing in there, there’s no cameras, there’s nobody putting them on YouTube. It’s all for the Lord, and it’s an encounter with God’s presence and a ministry to each other.” - Jamie MacDonald  “I think where all of the best songs come from is when you can be yourself and you’re not trying to reach a certain audience necessarily or trying to be commercial.” - Jamie MacDonald  “God is really good at picking up the broken pieces and making it into something beautiful. I want people to know that it’s never too late, and no matter what you’ve done in your life, when you give it to Jesus and you turn to Him and you confess and you give Him those things, He chooses to forget them.” - Jamie MacDonald ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

“Passion is what we can't stop doing despite not having any accolades or open doors.” Get ready for a real and raw conversation on Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer as Heather Thompson Day shares her journey with Susie McEntire-Eaton. Discover how to find God's delight in our attempts, even in failure.   Guest’s Links Heather’s YouTube: @heatherthompsonday1 Heather’s Facebook: @HeatherThompsonDay Heather’s Instagram: @heatherthompsonday Watch this interview on our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/480YXcq  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Jesus Calling Website TikTok   *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This week, we welcome a music legend whose voice has become synonymous with the sounds of the season. At just twelve years old, Brenda Lee recorded “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” She shares memories of recording in Nashville alongside country greats, her deep respect for the team behind every hit, and the enduring value of kindness in a competitive industry.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from pastor, author, and publisher Philip Nation, who has dedicated his career to making Scripture accessible to readers everywhere. Philip opens up about his desire to know and understand God’s Word more fully.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Lisa Harper Upcoming interview: Ben Higgins Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season    Brenda Lee “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”  Owen Bradley  Johnny Marks Anita Kerr Quonset Hut Studio  Loretta Lynn www.brendaleeofficial.com Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree book   Philip Nation Gospel of John John 3:16 John 17 Hosea 14:4 about.me/philipnation   Interview Quotes: “It was a team effort, so if I had a hit, so did they, all those wonderful people. And we just had a ball.” - Brenda Lee “I try to tell the new artists that are coming up, ‘You don’t do this by yourself. You may be the greatest singer that ever walked the earth, but if you don’t conform and listen, you’ll still be a great singer, but nobody will know.’” - Brenda Lee “If you don’t make it on your voice, you’ll make it on your kindness. Goodness always wins out.” - Brenda Lee “I think that walking alongside other people in celebrations and in painful times, and constantly looking to the Scripture to inform, guide, and help you make decisions, to find hope when times are dark, and to be able to magnify your joys when you’re celebrating—to do that together is the very nature of what we see God unfolding in the Bible.” - Philip Nation  “[God] is constantly calling people together to live by faith and to walk through this world, not as lone rangers and solitary believers, but to do it together.” - Philip Nation “There is plenty of anxiety and stress and pressure that just flows through our lives, which is why we need the study of Scripture. It’s why we need to be able to pause in prayer [and do as] the Scripture tells us, to pray without ceasing, just to let our hearts be abounding in prayer and our minds being constantly renewed by the Scripture.” - Philip Nation “When I pick up the Bible, I realize that this is God knowing what humanity is all about and desiring to speak with me personally, kindly, and clearly.  Even in the midst of stress and anxiety, it is the place we can turn our minds and allow the Holy Spirit to say, ‘I want to meet you and care for you in this moment of need.’” - Philip Nation ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.   On today’s episode, we talk with two guests who have navigated both the heights of success and the depths of personal struggle, learning a profound truth: finding hope isn’t just for the good times. Candace Cameron Bure, the beloved actress and author, shares how she rooted her identity not in Hollywood fame, but in her faith, discovering her true value when the applause stopped. Then, Pastor Shawn Johnson opens up about his lifelong battles with anxiety, depression, and a devastating medical diagnosis, revealing how he found the courage to “kiss the fire” and walk through his hardest seasons with God’s strength.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Anthony Lucia Upcoming interview: Brenda Lee   Candace Cameron Bure Full House Fuller House  Bob Saget Luke 2 NIV Jesus Listens for Advent and Christmas www.candacecbure.com   Pastor Shawn Johnson Attacking Anxiety Kiss the Fire Mayo Clinic  Parkinson’s disease www.redrockschurch.com   Interview Quotes: “I really started digging deeply into the Word of God and understanding that my identity isn’t in my occupation, who I know, or how much money I have. My identity is rooted in Christ, that I am the daughter of the King. My purpose is to glorify God in all that I do.” - Candace Cameron Bure  “There was always a hug at the end of Full House and Fuller House, and we always worked through the problems. It was a really great model for so many people that have families that don’t feel safe. This was a family that they could look to for that.” - Candace Cameron Bure  “My joy comes from the Lord and the goodness that He gives me and having hope in Him for eternity. And through that joy, He gives me my strength to persevere each day, to endure every day, to take another step, to be able to breathe deeply. God calls us to walk with Him, and you can’t get to know someone if you don’t spend time with them.” - Candace Cameron Bure  “As a working woman, there are so many days that I can feel overwhelmed. I have to remind myself that my joy doesn’t come from the circumstances around me, but from the Lord. He gives me the strength to persevere, endure, and take another step each day.” - Candace Cameron Bure “I started to realize the more I would be willing to talk about my real struggles, the more people felt like, Oh my gosh, me too. If that guy can admit he struggles, then I could too.“ - Shawn Johnson “We’re gonna kiss this fire and walk away whistling. That phrase ‘kiss the fire’ just sort of became almost like a mantra for me. I didn’t talk to anyone else about it, but I would remind myself daily that, I’m not going to give up. I’m not going to quit. I’m not going to stop trusting God, although part of me wants to. I’m not gonna stop believing that He has a plan for my future. I’m not going to stop trying to do the things I think He’s called me to do.” - Shawn Johnson “I work out a lot, and remind myself every day that none of us know how long we’re going to live. And so today I’m going to be a really good dad to my three boys. I’m going to be a good husband to my wife. I’ll try to be a great pastor this week, a good friend.” - Shawn Johnson “A daily devotion is so important because life’s already hard enough, and we need to constantly be reminded that God is with us and that God is working and that God has a plan even when we can’t see it and don’t understand it.” - Shawn Johnson  ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.* This week, we hear from author, podcaster, and entrepreneur Theresa Bruno. After experiencing a profound loss that threatened to plunge her into complete despair, Theresa shares how through raw honesty and unwavering prayer, she discovered the strength to not only keep going, but to find hope amidst the wreckage.  Next up, we talk with Reverend Joash Thomas, author, speaker, and tireless advocate for liberation, especially for those caught in the brutal grip of trafficking and all who suffer at the margins. The Reverend’s spiritual work centers on a justice-focused interpretation of Scripture, guiding us to envision a faith that unifies rather than separates, pleading for mercy for all of God’s precious souls.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past  episode: God Loves Broken People Upcoming interview: Candace Cameron Bure   Theresa Bruno The Soul Talks Podcast He’s Not Coming Back: Rewriting Life After Loss   Reverend Joash Thomas Anglican Episcopalian tradition Luke 4:18 NIV The Justice of Jesus Psalms   Interview Quotes: “The way I really like to look at the whole of my life and all the things I’ve done is that early on, the beauty of music organized me.” - Theresa Bruno “Even though I was mad and I yelled at [God] a lot, there was still a presence I was being invited into, and I think that word is so important. There’s an invitation in our darkest times.” - Theresa Bruno  “I tried to be perfect, because I thought if I was perfect, then God would love me. But I never really understood what it meant at all to have any kind of intimacy with God.” - Theresa Bruno  “I’ve tried to flip my prayers into thankfulness for whatever is provided, so I don’t feel like I live in a place of constant begging and beseeching. In order to live more fully into faith and less into fear, it requires dedicated practice.” - Theresa Bruno  “Courage is like a burst. You have enough courage to do something. Resilience is that slow burn that gets stronger and stronger and rises and rises, and that builds with every little tiny step.” - Theresa Bruno “Grief, the way we deal with it, is such a jagged line. And everybody does grief differently. I know you can’t feel it or know it right now, but this is not your final moment. Your story is still being written.” - Theresa Bruno “I know that if it breaks my heart, it also breaks the heart of God. Who we see throughout the Bible is a God of justice and mercy. If something like sexual abuse or human trafficking is keeping the little children from coming to Jesus, then we need to remove those hindrances.” - Rev. Joash Thomas “Jesus coming down to earth is called the incarnation and that was physical, through which spiritual truths were made known. My hope for the church is to retrieve the physical good news while still holding onto the spiritual good news that we embody, and to fully proclaim both together so that it actually sounds like good news to people who are poor and oppressed.” - Rev. Joash Thomas  “People read the Bible in very different ways, but we’re still united in Jesus, and we have to be united in Him to bring the good news to a world in need of good news today—a world full of injustice and oppression.” - Rev. Joash Thomas “We’re human beings with mistakes who don’t always get everything right. But at the same time, there’s also goodness in us because we’re all made in the image of God.” - Rev. Joash Thomas ________________________ 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 Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Welcome to a new monthly bonus series of the Jesus Calling Podcast, where we focus on specific books of scripture with an expert guest. This month, we’re doing a deep dive on the book of Luke with pastor and author Rob Morgan. Rob walks us through Luke’s vision for the gospel and the eyewitness accounts that it’s formed out of. He shares what we can learn from Zechariah and Elizabeth about being faithful, even when we’re anxious and disappointed.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens   Robert Morgan World Outreach Church Book of Luke God Hasn’t Forgotten You   Interview Quotes: “Luke is a very consummate historian who wrote with great accuracy and gave us the facts of the gospel so that we could be absolutely certain that when we read it, we were reading truth and true history.” - Rob Morgan “Whenever we worry, especially if the worry overtakes us and we just begin living in chronic anxiety, it’s a sign that we aren’t really trusting those promises of the God whom we believe. We are saying, ‘Well, I believe in God, but at this particular moment in my life, I’m not sure He is able to handle this.’” - Rob Morgan “John was the opening act for the Lord Jesus. He was the one who was going to preach a message of repentance which would convict people of their sins and give them a spiritual openness for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Rob Morgan “Everything about our background, the good and the bad, everything about our lineage, the good characters and the bad characters, has been preparing us to do what God has called us to do. It’s all bound up in Jesus Christ. It’s His work and His ministry, but we have been appointed and preordained in order to be exactly where we should be to do what the Lord wants us to with the gifts that He has chosen for us to have.” - Rob Morgan “We may age, but we never get beyond the place where God can use us in ways greater than He’s ever used us before.” - Rob Morgan “The Lord has not forgotten us, and He wants to do some remarkable things in us and through us. And we get a pretty good glimpse of what some of those things are by reading Luke chapter one and the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth.” - Rob Morgan ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube Website TikTok   *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.