Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

This week, we’ll hear from Alyssa Bethke, who’s a mom of three, a blogger, YouTuber, and co-host of the Real Life Podcast with her husband, Jeff. Alyssa reflects on the overwhelming pressures women face to excel in every area of life, and the need for honesty and grace toward ourselves, others, and God about our struggles. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from author and content creator Chelsea Damon, who takes a closer look at the inner workings of marriage. She offers valuable insights into communication, conflict resolution, and seeking the power of grace for couples, with practical advice to keep their relationships thriving.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Christa Hardin  Upcoming interview: Davey Blackburn  Jesus Calling commemorative edition   Alyssa Bethke Real Life Podcast  Psalms www.jeffandalyssa.com When Doing It All Is Undoing You   Chelsea Damon Living the Sweet Wife Liberty University Jesus Calling blog post about prayer in marriage www.chelseadamon.com  I Thought This Would Make Me Happy   Interview Quotes: “I came to this place of feeling completely undone. It wasn't that I needed to find the solution or that the outcome was the answer, but it really was meeting God in those moments. How do I bring my real life to Him? How do I really work through those disappointments with God? How do I still have hope in my life that doesn't look the way I want?” - Alyssa Bethke “I think that as a church, we need to know how to lament, because this is such a part of being human.” - Alyssa Bethke “First and foremost, we are not what we do. We are children of God, and we have to learn to rest and to be and to know that our value is not based on our performance, but our value is based on that we're image bearers of God.” - Alyssa Bethke  “He has this way of increasing our capacity, increasing time, helping us get the things done that we need to get done. But learning to do it out of a place of rest and peace instead of this anxious, stressful spirit. And we can do that when we invite Him into it.” - Alyssa Bethke  “Eventually, we found ways to manage our disagreements in loving and respectful ways that gave each other the benefit of the doubt. And we couldn't have done that without looking at how much grace we've been given by Jesus Christ and then learning how to mirror that same grace in our lives with each other.” - Chelsea Damon “I wholeheartedly believe that if you really want to see change in your marriage, you need to be willing to be the first one to step up and make a change.” - Chelsea Damon  ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7  Bonus Podcasts:     ht

As we enter the season of Advent and Christmas, we’re bound to be overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. The list of dishes to prepare, gifts to buy and wrap, cards to send, and parties to attend feels never-ending… which often results in the real reason for the season getting pushed aside. But when we set time aside to properly prepare our hearts to honor the birth of Jesus, the experience of Christmas can take on a whole new meaning—becoming a season of hope, rest, and renewal.  For this special holiday bonus episode, we’re joined by Lanier Ivester, a writer and homemaker who has taken time-honored holiday traditions and shaped and molded them to fit her family—keeping restful intentionality at the center of it all. Lanier shares how to let go of what doesn’t serve your soul, how to embrace the imperfection that makes gathering with our communities more authentic and real, and how to find glimmers of joy when you’re celebrating Christmas with a grieving heart.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Jesus Listens for Advent & Christmas Jesus Calling for Christmas   Lanier Ivester’s website Glad & Golden Hours by Lanier Ivester  Lanier Ivester’s Facebook Lanier Ivester’s Instagram Lanier Ivester’s Twitter   Interview Quotes “We can burden ourselves even with wanting to bring intention into the holiday season. But the fact is that very turning of our hearts towards intention is itself intention. And that's honoring to God.” - Lanier Ivester  “In Christ, we can serve and prepare for the holidays and love our people and do all the things from a place of unconditional love. And that is a resting place. We don't have to do it all. We can step in, out of the wind of our culture, and just take refuge under His wings and really ask Him for wisdom.” - Lanier Ivester  “Scientists will tell you that taste and scent really create these pathways in our brain. They are what's known as memory bridges that can connect us to a place and a people and a time really effortlessly. And it's for that reason I've subconsciously carried forward a lot of my favorite meals and recipes from my childhood and brought them into my celebrations to this day with my husband and our friends.” - Lanier Ivester  “It's definitely a combination of anticipation and savoring. We need both, and there's so little room in our culture for either one of those.” - Lanier Ivester  “The reality is, many times the holiday season can be extremely difficult. Whatever we're walking through—whether it's grief, whether it's loss, whether it's deferred hopes or unanswered prayers, or things just not being the way that we want them to be—the holidays really amp that up, because it's easy for expectations of what a happy holiday is supposed to look like to slam up against our reality and make us feel a sense of lack in the light of what seems to be going on in the world around us.” - Lanier Ivester “Traditions serve our relationships. The traditions that we love are a container for our relationships—they were not the thing. The people are the thing, and the traditions hold the people.” - Lanier Ivester  “We serve a God who is in the details of our lives, and it's very easy to overlook that or think something is not large enough or important enough for His notice. But when we sit down with our plans for our holidays, our plans for our gatherings, and invite Him first before we invite anyone else into this space—asking Him to create a welcoming atmosphere—I think that that brings our holidays into a much more sacred space.” - Lanier Ivester “Advent makes space for our grief. It gives us freedom to name our sorrows, our longings, our yearnings to the One who will set them right, ultimately. But the flip side of that is if Advent makes space for our grief, Christmas makes space for

*This episode mentions violence and may be triggering for some listeners.* This week, we’re joined by Demi-Leigh Tebow, a South African native, former Miss Universe, and wife of NFL superstar Tim Tebow. Demi-Leigh is a passionate advocate for individuals with special needs and disabilities. She discusses how her faith helped her overcome personal challenges, including a life-altering carjacking, and how it now fuels her mission to empower women through her Unbreakable Women’s Workshop. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Kendall Vanderslice, a baker, writer, and teacher, who takes us on a profound dive into the practice of bread making. Kendall shares how she discovered baking as her calling, explores the rich symbolism of food in scripture, and reveals how the kitchen can become a sacred place for encountering God.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Molly Stillman Upcoming interview: Alyssa Bethke Jesus Calling commemorative edition  Jesus Calling app   Demi-Leigh Tebow Tim Tebow Unbreakable Conference A Crown That Lasts cerebellar agenesis The Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine Miss Universe human trafficking 1 Corinthians 9:25 NIV www.demitebow.com   Kendall Vanderslice Genesis 1 and 2 NIV Genesis 3 NIV www.kendallvanderslice.com Bake & Pray: Liturgies & Recipes for Baking Bread as a Spiritual Practice Interview Quotes: “I eventually realized that I had a choice to make. I could choose to question God for the rest of my life, or I could choose to trust Him for the rest of my life. I knew choosing to trust Him also meant making peace with knowing that I was not going to have all of the answers, and that that was going to be okay.” - Demi-Leigh Tebow “I don't like being interrupted. I don't like being taken off the course of my day. I don't like stopping to help somebody else in need. Right? That's uncomfortable. Well, I think that there can be so much blessing in obedience in those moments where we are willing to be interrupted for the sake of somebody else.” - Demi-Leigh Tebow  “I had to learn that if I truly wanted to have real confidence in my identity, I had to root my confidence in something other than myself. Something that is fixed. Somethi

On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we’ll hear from country singer/songwriter Paige King Johnson, who first fell in love with music when her grandfather gifted her a guitar when she was just a little girl. Paige shares about her new song, “I Thank God,” a prayer turned into a song that reminds us to be grateful for the gifts God gives us, and how practicing being grateful can change our lives for the better.    Guest’s Links Facebook: @PaigeKingJohnson Instagram: @paigekingjohnson YouTube: @PaigeKingJohnson ________________________  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 explore the journeys of two remarkable women who have navigated the complexities of faith, community, and personal struggles. First, we’ll hear from Dr. Sarita Lyons, Director of Discipleship and Women’s Ministry at Epiphany Fellowship Church in Philadelphia. Sarita shares her deep love for Scripture, and how that juxtaposed with her personal, challenging experiences in a church setting. She attempts to shed light on the complexities of church relationships and the importance of healing and restoration within the faith community. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Lisa Victoria Fields, founder and president of the Jude 3 Project. Lisa went from an aspiring Wall Street financier to a passionate Christian apologist. She discusses the significance of wrestling with faith and how her work equips others to explore and affirm their own convictions.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Erwin McManus Upcoming interview: Demi-Leigh Tebow   Dr. Sarita Lyons Epiphany Fellowship Church Pastor Mark Lyons Pastor Eric Mason www.saritalyons.com Church Girl: A Gospel Vision to Encourage and Challenge Black Christian Women Other Jesus Calling interviews about church hurt Other Jesus Calling interviews about prayer   Lisa Victoria Fields Jude 3 Project John 6:67-69 NIV When Faith Disappoints: The Gap Between What We Believe And What We Experience Other Jesus Calling interviews about wrestling with questions   Interview Quotes: “Before we decide to quickly leave [the church], I would say try to find a way to make connections with leaders to share what your experience was, to see if there's a path created for restoration. Give the house a chance to do the right thing before presuming and assuming that they would not.” - Dr. Sarita Lyons  “Defining clearly what the situation is and getting help from the community and not isolating are really, really key in trying to make good choices and discern what to do next.” - Dr. Sarita Lyons  “God is so good and He's so big that He can handle all of those different seasons of life that we are in as we are healing and working through church hurt. Sometimes the healing that we are looking for is literally one prayer away.” - Dr. Sarita Lyons  “I think you need a space to wrestle with God so He can be the one to give you the answer to the questions you're facing.” - Lisa Victoria Fields “A faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted.” - Lisa Victoria Fields “Part of our healing comes from communicating our frustrations and our doubts and our pains to others, and then taking those in prayer to God.” - Lisa Victoria Fields  ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Callin

Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Nicholas Sparks, a renowned author whose novels like The Notebook and A Walk to Remember have touched hearts around the world. While many know him for his captivating love stories, few realize that Nicholas’ journey to writing was born out of personal setbacks and unexpected moments of faith. He’ll let us in on his latest book, Counting Miracles, ​​a powerfully emotional novel about wondering if we can change—or even make our peace with—the path we've taken. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Mattie Jackson Smith—author, speaker, and daughter of country music legend Alan Jackson—as she shares about the process of grieving her husband, Ben, and the identity loss that came with it. As Mattie struggled to trust God in the face of unimaginable suffering, she watched as God turned her life story around in a way she never could have imagined.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Willie Robertson Upcoming interview: Dr. Sarita Lyons Jesus Calling commemorative edition Jesus Calling app - Premium subscriptions 20% off for a limited time!    Nicholas Sparks  The Notebook  A Walk to Remember  Counting Miracles Notre Dame Book of Job www.nicholassparks.com Other Jesus Calling interviews about forgiveness   Mattie Jackson Smith Alan Jackson Mattie’s first interview on the Jesus Calling Podcast John 11:35 NIV www.mattiejackson.net Through the Valley of Grief Other Jesus Calling interviews about making peace with our circumstances   Interview Quotes: “I’ve learned a couple of things about myself [while becoming a writer]. Number one, that I had it in me to finish a story once I started, and number two, there were parts of telling a story that I really enjoyed.” - Nicholas Sparks   “It's the nature of life for challenges to happen. And I think in the end, what is most important to God is that we choose to still believe.” - Nicholas Sparks “All of a sudden a widow

This content may be triggering for some listeners. This week we talk with Scotty Hasting, a combat wounded Army infantryman turned national recording artist. Scotty’s journey from the battlefield to the stage is nothing short of remarkable. After surviving a harrowing attack in Afghanistan, where he was shot multiple times, Scotty fought to recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through his battles with PTSD and depression, he found healing in music—an outlet that not only brought him peace, but gave him a new lease on life. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Dave Gibbons, a globally connected advisor, author, and senior pastor at New Song Church in California. With a life shaped by diverse cultures and a deep understanding of human struggles, he opens up about his early experiences with faith, the hidden wounds from his past, and his journey through betrayal, forgiveness, and mental health breakthroughs—revealing how forgiveness has the power to heal even the deepest wounds.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Nona Jones Upcoming interview: Nicholas Sparks Jesus Calling commemorative edition   Scotty Hasting Black River Entertainment PTSD  U.S. Paralympic program “How Do You Choose” by Scotty Hasting 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France Dennis Bolt www.scottyhasting.com Other Jesus Calling interviews with veterans   Dave Gibbons www.davegibbons.org The Shape of My Eyes: A Memoir of Race, Faith, and Finding Myself, Other Jesus Calling interviews about betrayal and forgiveness   Interview Quotes: “After going through everything that I've gone through, it truly made me understand that life is precious, that every moment is precious, and that you need to live every second to the fullest. Because as I have seen, life can change very quickly.” - Scotty Hasting “When it's quiet is when the demons knock the loudest. And for the longest time, I wanted nothing to do with going to church and with God.” - Scotty Hasting “As someone who suffers from PTSD, depression, and anxiety, it's hard to find a moment to be lost in, because it's hard to not be over there. It's hard to not be back in Afghanistan all the time.“ - Scotty

Country music has a rich tradition, inspired by gospel music—sharing a common core of storytelling, emotional expression, and a love of faith and family. Some of today’s brightest country stars embrace those roots, and sing their faith to the thousands of listeners who come to their shows and buy their music. Today, we have a special bonus episode featuring some of those artists, all who have contributed to a brand new collection of music from Jesus Calling, called “Songs for Sundays.”    Links to Full Episodes Anne Wilson Jordan Davis Mattie Jackson Smith Reba McEntire ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube TikTok Jesus Calling Website   *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 depression and may not be suitable for all listeners.* Our first guest is Sabrina Greenlee—the mother of NFL star DeAndre Hopkins, a grandmother, and a survivor—whose faith was the lifeline that broke the cycle of violence that followed her throughout her life.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from professional IndyCar driver Sting Ray Robb, who shares how his childhood passion evolved into a lifelong career, and how his faith has guided him through life’s most uncertain times, both on and off the track.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast Jesus Calling Jesus Always Jesus Listens Past interview: Mary Marantz Upcoming interview: Scotty Hasting Jesus Calling commemorative edition   Sabrina Greenlee DeAndre Hopkins Other Jesus Calling guests talking about domestic violence disputes Augusta Burn Center Philippians 4:13 NIV www.sabrinagreenlee.co Grant Me Vision   Sting Ray Robb NTT IndyCar series Skip Barber series James 1 NIV Ecclesiastes 4 NIV Proverbs 16:9 NIV Other Jesus Calling guests talking about achieving their dreams www.stingrayrobb.com   Interview Quotes: “I began to start repairing my life. What that looked like, I had no idea. I just knew that I couldn't allow my children to be captivated by the streets or people. I made up my mind that what happened to me, I didn't want them to use as an excuse for them not succeeding in life.” - Sabrina Greenlee  “There were so many different things that happened to me, and each time I got up. No matter what happened, I stood for myself. I stood in my truth.” - Sabrina Greenlee “Once I found the presence of God and He met me where I was, everything turned around. But you first have to surrender and give God your life. In the end, He'll give you the glory for your story.” - Sabrina Greenlee  “It kind of seems that how I was challenged in the racing world, I was also challenged in my faith. I said a long time ago that I would not be a racer if it wasn't for my faith. It's my foundation that I lean on, and it's the thing that I call to and find purpose in.” - Sting Ray Robb  “I had the realization and clarity and peace that came from knowing that [the race] wasn't in my control. I could trust God's sovereignty.” - Sting Ray Robb “I'm doing my best with racing to glorify Him and use this as a platform to reach others and provide some form of excellence that people can see a reflection of God through.” - Sting Ray Robb  “God has called us in a direction, and it's our job to hitch ourselves to that direction and go with what He's telling us to do.” - Sting Ray Robb   ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw  Jesus L

On this episode of Jesus Listens, we hear from Dr. Jim Burns, the president of HomeWord and a renowned author and speaker. Dr. Burns shares his passion for empowering families to succeed by helping parents and children navigate the challenges of today's culture.    Guest’s Links Facebook: @jim.burns Instagram: @drjimburns   Twitter: @drjimburns ________________________  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.