Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

Dads hold a tender place in our hearts. Like our heavenly Father, they have a unique way of showing they see us, we matter, and we are loved. And as we become parents, we want to shower our children with the same kind of love and provision a good father graciously gives. Our guests are Christian singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman and his daughter Emily Chapman Richards, and Sawyer Brown frontman and Christian music producer Mark Miller and his daughter, TV host Madison Brown. These dads and daughters talk about special moments they had with their own fathers, along with the faithful legacies they’re working to pass on to their children today.   Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling devotional Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids Jesus Calling books Jesus Calling calendar   Steven Curtis Chapman Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows, Steven Curtis Chapman’s latest album Show Hope Compassion International   Mark Miller, frontman to Sawyer Brown Madison Brown, host of Chasing Down Madison Brown Casting Crowns Star Search American Idol Interview Quotes: “My dad, even if he's not here in physical presence, I know that I'm in his heart and I'm on his mind. I'm in his prayers and his thoughts. He's got my back, and he sees with me." - Steven Curtis Chapman   “I love my dad. Dad has always, and continues to remain to this day, always very intentional with every moment he has.” - Emily Chapman Richards   “There's nothing sweeter to the heart of a dad than to hear his children bless him.” - Steven Curtis Chapman   “That’s what’s so beautiful about Jesus Calling, I think. It's just the approach of speaking in a language where you feel like Jesus is speaking these things to you and right into your situation.” - Steven Curtis Chapman   “There were several other things throughout my career that were crossroads that really challenged my faith. I always went in the direction of my faith, and it always was the right thing to do.” - Mark Miller   “I want [my kids] to grow up the way that I did, to know that if you're willing to work, you can achieve anything you want to. But you have to work to get it.” - Mark Miller   ”[Jesus Calling has] become not only a great way for all of us to have a good daily devotional, but at the same time a great way to stay together as a family.” - Madison Brown ________________________ 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.

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.

Every year, the women of Brookland Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina hold an annual Women’s Day for the community, where they endeavor to lift each other up in Christ. We were honored to listen to mothers, daughters, and friends discuss the importance of community and talk about their weekly prayer call, where they read Jesus Calling together, pray for each other and pray for the women attending their event.   Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Devotional Jesus Always Devotional Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids Jesus Calling books Jesus Calling Groups Brookland Baptist Church   Interview Quotes: “Jesus Calling really helps prepare me for that workday because it asks me to get in His presence and go to Him and not to try and carry all of it with me.” - Angela, Brookland Baptist Church “[Jesus Calling] has really brought my daughters and I together.” - Johanna, Brookland Baptist Church ”Jesus Calling book has shown me that God loves us, no matter what. No matter what. Through it all, He loves us. - Josephine, Brookland Baptist Church ________________________ 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.

  Altar'd State is a faith-based retail company that gives back and works with organizations to help people around the world. One of their partners is Compassion That Compels, who provides hope and emotional support to women fighting cancer, one compassionate act at a time. Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Devotional Jesus Calling books   Altar’d State Compassion that Compels   Interview Quotes: “One of the things I love about Altar’d State is I'm able to do what I'm passionate about and what I really love, but also live out my faith and give back to my community.” - Aaron Walters, Altar’d State “I am a living testimony of if you follow God's plan, He will take care of you.” - Aaron Walters, Altar’d State “We provide hope and emotional support to women fighting any type of cancer, one compassionate act at a time.“ - Kristianne Stewart, Compassion That Compels “Instead of telling people we're Christians, we just show them that we're Christians.” - Mary Beth Fox, Altar’d State ________________________ 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.

Olympic runner Ryan Hall and inspirational thought leader Holly Dowling have found their true worth comes from God, not the world.   Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Devotional Jesus Calling books   Ryan and Sara Hall website Ryan Hall’s book, Run the Mile You’re In: Finding God in Every Step Team World Vision   Holly Dowling website Young Life organization Girl Up organization   Interview Quotes: “God was telling me that He gave me a gift to run with the best guys in the world, but He gave me that gift so that I could help other people.” - Ryan Hall “I started seeing myself how God sees me, and that was a really, really powerful shift for me.” - Ryan Hall “I want to extract all these lessons that God's taught me, all the things I feel like He's told me along the way, and I want to share those with people so I can help them on their journey.” - Ryan Hall “I believe that it's in our imperfections that we're beautiful. When we're broken, we’re beautiful.” - Holly Dowling “I think the greatest gift we can give to ourselves is permission to love ourselves for who we are.” - Holly Dowling ________________________ 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.

There are 7 words that can change the way we worship. Today, Christian music songwriter Chris Tomlin and pastor Darren Whitehead let us in on a few and explain how we can revolutionize our relationship with God when we learn the true meaning of worship.     Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Devotional Chris Tomlin & Darren Whitehead book:  Holy Roar: Seven Words That Will Change the Way You Worship   Chris Tomlin, How Great Is Our God song Chris Tomlin, Good, Good Father book   Church of the City (Franklin, TN) Watoto Children’s Choir of Uganda Ocean Way Studio (Nashville, TN)   Interview Quotes:  “Toldah is the idea of lifting your hands in praise...thanking God for what He has done, but it's also thanking God for what He has not yet done.” - Darren Whitehead   “This is the essence of Toldah. It is, ‘I will trust You when I'm uncertain. I will trust You when I'm afraid. I will worship You when I'm anxious. I will lift my hands to You for that which has happened and that which has not yet happened. I will trust You.’” Darren Whitehead   “When we make praising God a lifestyle, He guides us in ways that we are aware of and ways that we are not aware of.” - Darren Whitehead   “Worship is, it's universal. It is a universal language. And just to play a small role in that has been an incredible journey in my life.” - Chris Tomlin ________________________ 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.