Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith - Jesus Calling

Faith & Family Help Us Find Our Way: Randy Travis & wife, Mary Travis and John Berry

June 6, 2019 - 35 min

Sometimes we look at the path before us, and we can’t see the way ahead. But there are two things that bolster our courage and help us take a step forward: a God we know will see us through, and family standing by our sides. Country superstar Randy Travis and his wife Mary, and country artist John Berry have seen their share of highs and lows: humble beginnings, family tragedies, award-winning songs and medical trials. And through it all, they’ve made it to the other side thanks to the love of their God and the unwavering faith of their families. Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling devotional Jesus Calling books Jesus Calling calendar Randy Travis Randy Travis memoir: “Forever and Ever Amen” Nashville Palace Randy Travis, Rise & Shine album Randy Travis, Three Wooden Crosses video Randy Travis, When Mama Prayed video Randy Travis, 1982 video Randy Travis, On the Other Hand video John Berry John Berry, Saddle in the Wind John Berry, You Love Amazes Me video Inspirational movie, Beautifully Broken on DVD Interview Quotes: “The more [Randy] heard [his music] touched somebody, the more inclined he was to sing a new song, write a new song. So I think that's why now . . . we have such a beautiful catalog of Randy Travis music straight from the heart.” - Mary Travis “Randy’s life and music has had an impact on millions of people.” - Mary Travis “I think the great thing about love is that you know the worst about each other, but you only see the best.” - Mary Travis “To watch [my dad] grieve and watch him to lean on Christ and to get up in the morning to deal with face and every day, it was quite a lesson to see my father cling to Christ throughout that time of his life [after my mom’s death].” - John Berry “I found out later every time I was off the bus, the guys in the band would go rummage through the back room, trying to find the drugs they knew I had to have been on.” John Berry “I have to think our Heavenly Father every day for the love [my wife Robin] has for me.” - John Berry ________________________ Enjoy these videos on Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio podcast: https://bit.ly/2uCnNM0 Original Series video podcast: https://bit.ly/2WzFY0O ________________________ 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.

Connected in Christ: Live at Brookland Baptist Church Women’s Day

May 30, 2019 - 18 min

God’s Love In Action: Altar’d State & Compassion That Compels

May 23, 2019 - 17 min

Running Toward God to Find Our True Value: Ryan Hall and Holly Dowling

May 16, 2019 - 24 min

Moving from Worry to Worship: Chris Tomlin & Darren Whitehead

May 9, 2019 - 29 min

God Mends Our Broken Stories: Jay DeMarcus and Kim Walker-Smith

May 2, 2019 - 35 min

Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus and Jesus Culture’s Kim Walker-Smith remind us how God can use the shattered pieces of our lives to create a beautiful mosaic that shows His glory. Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Devotional Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids Jay DeMarcus’s book, Shotgun Angels: My Story of Broken Roads and Unshakeable Hope Max Lucado’s book, Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year Kim Walker-Smith’s book, Brave Surrender: Let God’s Love Rewrite Your Story Jesus Culture Jesus Culture Conference Interview Quotes: “I'm grateful I had a mom who cared enough to really lay the groundwork for me for later on in life.” - Jay DeMarcus “[My mom] kept pushing me and telling me that I was right where God wanted me to be and that I didn't need to let the enemy defeat me.” - Jay DeMarcus “As long as you keep your ears and your eyes and your heart open, you also can recognize those God moments.” - Jay DeMarcus “You have to be very deliberate about making time for everything that's important to you in your life.” - Jay DeMarcus “The thing I love about Jesus Calling is I feel like He's speaking right to me when I'm reading it.” - Jay DeMarcus “Man makes his plans, but the Lord aligns his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 “I feel Jesus constantly pulling me back and reminding me to live in that moment with Him.” - Kim Walker-Smith “Freedom and authenticity and vulnerability in worship is something that I have contended for in my life.” - Kim Walker-Smith “I poured out my heart into this book with as much vulnerability and honesty as I could, because I wanted people to see the reality of Jesus in our circumstances, our pain, our mess, whatever it is we're facing.” - Kim Walker-Smith “One thing that I have learned in my journey with Him is that it's really easy to surrender when you feel beatdown, broken, at the end of yourself. “ - Kim Walker-Smith “[God] is a kind and loving Father that comes to us and meets us where we are and answers when we call out to Him.” - Kim Walker-Smith “As I surrender to Him and [am] present with Him in the moment, He can transform that and create something beautiful out of that.” - Kim Walker-Smith ________________________ Enjoy these videos on Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio podcast: https://bit.ly/2uCnNM0 Original Series video podcast: https://bit.ly/2WzFY0O ________________________ 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.

God Lifts Us Up to Our Full Potential: Philanthropist Melinda Gates & Pastor Tony Evans

April 25, 2019 - 23 min

For decades, Melinda Gates and Dr. Tony Evans have empowered women and men to reach for lives of dignity and hope. Since she and her husband Bill began their foundation in 2000, Melinda has been working tirelessly to improve the lives of women and children worldwide. And in that time, she’s seen when you lift up a woman, she lifts up everyone else. She’s written about her experiences in her new book The Moment of Lift. Dr. Evans believes God wants every man to be a world changer, and in order to do so, he needs to take responsibility for his life and his actions. He shares how an ordinary man can become extraordinary in his new film Kingdom Men Rising. Links, Products and Resources: Melinda Gates book, The Moment of Lift Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Tony Evans documentary film, Kingdom Men Rising Tony Evans’ The Urban Alternative Jesus Calling 365 Day Devotional Book Jesus Calling Daily Email Interview Quotes: “We have this need as human beings to connect to one another.” - Melinda Gates “If you lift up a woman, she lifts up everyone else.” - Melinda Gates “I spend quiet time every morning. That's where I find my soul and my inspiration, and where I focus closely on who is it that I want to be in the world.” - Melinda Gates “Men have to be willing for God to tell them what to do in their personal life, in their family life, their church life, and in their civic life.” - Dr. Tony Evans “The way a man leads his family best is around the table—praying and blessing, guidance, correcting—he does all that at the table.” - Dr. Tony Evans ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio podcast: https://bit.ly/2uCnNM0 Original Series video podcast: https://bit.ly/2WzFY0O ________________________ 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.

Trusting the God of Miracles: the Real-Life Story Behind “Breakthrough” Movie

April 18, 2019 - 24 min

Today we hear the miraculous true story of one mother’s belief in the power of prayer that not only brought her son back to life, but continues to inspire people around the world in a new inspirational movie called Breakthrough, starring Chrissy Metz from NBC’s This Is Us. On a cold winter’s day in Missouri, John Smith was a 14-year-old boy playing on a frozen lake with two of his best friends. But a carefree day soon grew dire as the ice gave way and boys fell into the lake. While John’s friends were able to escape, John remained underwater for fifteen minutes. And by the time he was pulled out by first responders, he didn’t have a pulse. John’s mother Joyce was summoned to the hospital, and when she saw her son’s lifeless body on the hospital bed, she turned to God for a miracle. Later, we hear how the Smiths’ story traveled from a Missouri hospital room to a Hollywood studio, and how the cast and crew of Breakthrough were able to see God’s hand throughout the creation of the film. Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: “Breakthrough” movie “Breakthrough” book Beth Moore’s “Believing God” “Miracles from Heaven” movie NBC’s “This Is Us” Interview Quotes: “I had drowned and was underwater for 15 minutes.” - John Smith “I lay lifeless. They did everything medically, scientifically that they could do.” - John Smith "I believe God is who He says He is. I believe God can do what He says He can do. And I believe in God." - Joyce Smith “Anybody would be [upset] when they tell you that you know they've just pulled your son out of the lake and he doesn't have a heartbeat. . . . But my first go-to was God to pray. That was what I had been prepared to do over the weeks beforehand.” - Joyce Smith “[God], You say we can come to You with the things going on in our lives, and You're there to be faithful to us and answer our prayers." - Joyce Smith “Holy Spirit, please come and bring me back my son." - Joyce Smith “When [Mom] prayed, something so powerful rushed up my body that it pushed three nurses searching for a pulse physically back, and they can't explain it.” - John Smith “Because God is omnipotent, and we are created in His image, our words have potency to them, they have power.” - Joyce Smith ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio podcast: https://bit.ly/2uCnNM0 Original Series video podcast: https://bit.ly/2WzFY0O ________________________ 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.

God’s Gift of Pets: Animal Rescue Advocate Lavonne Redferrin and Country Singer Irlene Mandrell

April 11, 2019 - 36 min

We’re celebrating one of God’s most special gifts: our pets. Animal rescue advocate Lavonne Redferrin and musician Irlene Mandrell have been deeply touched by God’s creatures and share sweet stories of how animals have impacted their lives. Lavonne Redferrin is the founder and executive director of Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, which not only matches animals up with loving families, but works with local organizations, like prison ministries, to provide the therapeutic benefits of being around animals. Lavonne tells us about the earliest days of the organization and why she thinks God blessed us with the gift of pets. Growing up, Irlene Mandrell saw her fair share of miracles as she watched her sister Barbara rise to country music fame, then saw her sister Louise’s star rise alongside her own as the three formed the group Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters. Irlene reflects on everyday miracles and special relationships she’s had with her family, her pets, and with God. Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Devotional “6 Things Pets Teach Us” download Proverbs 12:10 Rescue Chewy Pet Food & Supplies Davidson County TN Second Chances (Offender Dog Program) Irlene Mandrell’s “God Rains Miracles” book Interview Quotes: “Proverbs 12:10 is an organization dedicated to saving as many of His helpless as we can.” - Lavonne Redferrin “[The] animal has blessed [inmates] or taught them patience or given them something to wake up for inside those bars.” - Lavonne Redferrin, on the Second Chances program with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office “[Proverbs 12:10 is] at the point that we place an average of a thousand animals a year.” - Lavonne Redferrin “We truly are dedicated to all [animals] in our care.” - Lavonne Redferrin “The best way to show your animals that you love and care for them is to give them a proper home in which to live.” - Lavonne Redferrin “We've had animals surrendered to us, and they will literally sit and watch for hours and days for that person to come back.” - Lavonne Redferrin "Push back the demands pressing in on you, and create a safe space around you, a haven in which you can rest in Me." - Jesus Calling “I truly believe that [animals are] everything God meant for us to be.” - Lavonne Redferrin “You’d wish God would just slow down time a little bit because everything's so wonderful. And I just find myself thanking Him.” - Irlene Mandrell “God rains miracles all around us—we just have to look for them!” - Irlene Mandrell Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jesus Calling Website Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel: Audio podcast Original Series video podcast Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

God’s Power Over Wrong Choices: Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase and WWE’s Marc Mero

April 4, 2019 - 43 min

Former WWE wrestlers Ted DiBiase and Marc Mero learned just how powerful our choices could be: they can either leave us empty, or allow us to be used by God for His good. Wrestling fans may know Ted DiBiase as “The Million Dollar Man,” but today, we get a look at the man behind the persona. Ted looks back on how his father, who was also a wrestler, influenced Ted to pursue the sport he loved. As Ted rose through the ranks and became a world-famous wrestler, he reveals how he got caught up in a destructive lifestyle that led him to the brink of losing everything that really mattered to him. A talented athlete from an early age, Marc Mero always had dreams of being in professional sports. As he acquired all the things he had dreamed of since he was a little boy—fame, wealth, status—he quickly realized his choices had consequences. After he recognized he’d been dreaming of the wrong things, Marc took a long, hard look at what he was living for. Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling devotional by Sarah Young Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase Heart of David Ministry Marc Mero Champion of Choices Ministry National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Crisis Text Line Interview Quotes: “But before you can commit your life to Christ, you have to surrender it first. And you're either all in or you're not in.” - Ted DiBiase “Be a leader, not a follower. Be the head, not the tail. If you're willing to sacrifice, if you're willing to pay the price, you can be anything you want to be in life.” - Mike DiBiase, Ted’s father “I had been so faithful to my convictions until God gave me what I wanted.” - Ted DiBiase “I want to tear up and cry because of the realization that there's a God that big who could love me that much.” - Ted DiBiase “I'm at the height of my career. I've got everything I ever dreamed, I ever wanted. Plus I've got this unbelievable wife and these three beautiful children, but I have no character. I have no integrity. I don't have the stuff that counts. And wow, that was a wakeup call.” - Ted DiBiase “God, I don't know where we're going. All I know is this: I don't ever want to feel like this again. I don't ever want to feel this lost, this low. I know You have a plan for me, and I know You’ll help me figure it out. . . . You take the helm of the ship. . . . I'm giving You my world to take care of.” - Ted DiBiase “You always want to be a part of things. You always want to be liked. You want to be a good teammate or a good person. And I think because I wasn't good at first in sports, it made me work that much harder.” - Marc Mero “I often tell kids that failure's not aiming high and missing. Failure's aiming too low and hitting. And I just say, ‘Dream big, aim high.’” - Marc Mero “When you realize it's you that has to change, everything around you starts to change.” - Marc Mero “We all go through hard times. We all go through storms in life. . . . Don't give up because I promise you, after every storm, the sun will eventually shine brighter than you could ever imagine.” - Marc Mero “Many people are guilty of just being too hard on themselves. And when you're hard on yourself, you have to learn to love and value yourself because you can't give away what you don't have.” - Marc Mero Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Jesus Calling Website Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.