Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

Faith In The Midnight Hour: Cristina Baker & Becky Thompson

*This episode mentions suicide and depression and may not be suitable for all listeners.* This week, we’re joined by Cristina Baker [https://cristinabaker.com/], a speaker, author, and digital creator. After growing up in a tumultuous family environment, experiencing homelessness, addiction, and jail time, Cristina bravely rebuilt her life after someone she barely knew encouraged her to go to a prayer meeting.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Becky Thompson [https://beckythompson.com/]. Becky is the founder of the Midnight Mom Devotional [https://www.midnightmomdevotional.com/] online community, where more than two million mothers gather each night to pray and encourage one another. Becky reminds moms of the strength found in community and the simple power of prayer.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/] Jesus Calling [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/] Jesus Always [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/] Jesus Listens [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/] Past interview: Monique Rodriguez [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/seeking-wholeness-after-loss-monique-rodriguez-adam-young/] Upcoming interview: Chynna Phillips [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0680307/] Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season  [https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Listens-Prayers-365-Day-Illustrated/dp/1400254671] Cristina Baker [https://cristinabaker.com/]  www.cristinabaker.com [http://www.cristinabaker.com] Hope in 60 Seconds [https://www.amazon.com/Hope-60-Seconds-Encountering-Impossible/dp/0785253629]   Becky Thompson [https://beckythompson.com/] Midnight Mom Devotional [https://www.midnightmomdevotional.com/]  www.beckythompson.com [http://www.beckythompson.com] Healing Rest [https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Rest-Invitation-Mommas-Carry/dp/0785244441]   Interview Quotes: “The great equalizer of life is pain, and we all end up in that place one way or another—where it’s just us and it’s God and that’s it.” - Cristina Baker “What happens when God leads you into what you think is a disaster, but actually that disaster is the very thing that He’s going to use to bless you?” - Cristina Baker “There’s no better place to be than when your back is up against the wall and you have no other option but God. He will take that night season that was meant to destroy you and turn it into something that you could have never thought or imagined.” - Cristina Baker “God hasn’t changed the subject because humanity will always need hope. And hope is not a concept, He’s a person. Hope is found in Him.” - Cristina Baker  “I am a spirit that lives in a body, and sometimes my body doesn’t line up with what my spirit knows is true.” - Becky Thompson “Just because the healing hasn’t come instantly, and just because it hasn’t happened as quickly as you wanted it to, does not mean that the Lord is not a part of the process.” - Becky Thompson “I think it’s so important that we remember that mental health situations don’t disqualify us from being women full of faith, they actually often cause us to be women of greater faith that lean more heavily on God’s sufficiency.” - Becky Thompson  “No one says you have to wake up the next day and do the hardest thing. You just have to wake up the next day and do the next thing that makes the most sense for you, which is whatever the Holy Spirit is putting on your heart.” - Becky Thompson  “The gift of this season in my life is that I’m learning to rest in the Lord even before the work is done. I can rest in a promise that I am safely held by a good God who loves me and promises to never leave.” - Becky Thompson  “Rest is not a reward for our finished work. Scripture’s very clear about that. We actually get to rest because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. We get to receive the rest that He offers to us in relationship with Him because of what He has accomplished.” - Becky Thompson  “You get zero stars for trying to do it on your own when the Lord sends people to help you. Receive the help that the Lord is sending you because there may be other seasons when you can turn and be the help that you needed in another mama’s story.” - Becky Thompson “You have never been solely responsible for carrying that heavy burden on your own, and the rest that you really crave is attached to His presence and found in surrender.” - Becky Thompson   ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 [https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7]  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw [https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw]  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C [https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C]  Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj [https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj]  Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u [https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u]  What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj [https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj]  Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY [https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY]  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&etslf=5858] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1] Website [https://www.jesuscalling.com/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en] Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

From Public Service to Personal Sacrifice: A Journey of Care with John Kasich & Marty Schreiber

This week, we explore the profound impact of service and caretaking for others, as highlighted by our two inspiring guests, former governor and presidential candidate John Kasich [https://www.johnkasich.com/], and former governor Marty Schreiber [https://www.nga.org/governor/martin-james-schreiber/]. Join us as they share their personal journeys and insights into how dedicating oneself to the well-being of others can transform lives, both for those who serve and those who receive care.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/] Jesus Calling [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/] Jesus Always [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/] Jesus Listens [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/] Past interview: Justin Knoop [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/from-overgrown-yards-to-overflowing-hearts-stories-of-families-transformed-ft-justin-knoop-and-tricia-goyer/] Upcoming interview: Cristina Baker [https://cristinabaker.com/] Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season [https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Listens-Prayers-365-Day-Illustrated/dp/1400254671]   John Kasich [https://www.johnkasich.com/] Ohio State [https://www.osu.edu/] Heaven Help Us [https://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Help-Communities-Strengthen-Neighborhoods/dp/0310368820]   Marty Schreiber [https://www.nga.org/governor/martin-james-schreiber/] Dementia [https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia] www.mytwoelaines.com [http://www.mytwoelaines.com] My Two Elaines [https://www.amazon.com/Two-Elaines-Surviving-Alzheimers-Caregiver/dp/1945271213]   Interview Quotes: “All of us who go through trials and tribulations, which we all do in one way or another,, we can hang in there. Even though very bad things can happen, there’s a higher power that cares about you and loves you even through difficult times.” - John Kasich “When I ran for president, the people that I was meeting with, they didn’t really care about my position on issues. They really cared that I cared about them.” - John Kasich “If people can get involved in some way in their community, where you would be helping somebody else—helping somebody else is going to make you feel good.” - John Kasich “People are so focused on these things that are far away instead of focused on what’s happening right next door. Because of my Father’s love for me, I believe fundamentally that we have a God who loves us, forgives us, gives us grace, gives us gifts, and encourages us. Faith, to me, is a gift. I think that’s something I can hold on to.” - John Kasich  “We may lose something, but we may never allow ourselves to feel defeated.” - Marty Schreiber “A person morphs into being a caregiver, and because of that morphing process, the mind, the energy, and the psychology—all of that has to change you as you morph from being a loving husband or spouse to being a caregiver.” - Marty Schreiber  “A caregiver understands the importance of joining the world of this person who now is. And a caregiver has to let go of this person who once was so that we can now embrace the person who is now.” - Marty Schreiber  “I had a chance, really, by the grace of God, to love two Elaines and to take care of two Elaines and to repay her for all of the great, wonderful things she did for me during our married life.” - Marty Schreiber  “The medical profession does not understand that when there is a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, there are two patients. There is the person who is ill, and then also, there is the caregiver.” - Marty Schreiber “I know I couldn’t fight Alzheimer’s disease because it is impossible to fight it. But I do know that I could give my wife moments of joy. I do know that I helped her have a better life. There’s a lot of comfort that we can take in that.” - Marty Schreiber “If you are a friend or a relative of a caregiver, as someone who’s taking care of their loved one on the Alzheimer’s journey, one of the most important things you can do is to simply acknowledge that you understand what a challenge it is to be a caregiver.” - Marty Schreiber  “It’s a difficult transition, there’s no question about it. You enter a dark room and you just kinda have to feel your way along and try to identify a specific guidepost, specific things that are going to help you on this journey to deal with this grief, to deal with this new world.” - Marty Schreiber  ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 [https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7]  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw [https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw]  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C [https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C]  Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj [https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj]  Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u [https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u]  What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj [https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj]  Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY [https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY]  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&etslf=5858] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1] Website [https://www.jesuscalling.com/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en] Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

Faith in the Face of Danger and Despair: Jason and Erica Redman & Scott Payne

This week, we’ll hear from husband and wife team Jason and Erica Redman [https://jasonredman.com/meet-the-team/]. After Jason’s twenty-one years as a Navy SEAL—including surviving severe combat injuries in Iraq—and Erica’s steadfast role as caregiver, entrepreneur, and mother of three, the couple has learned to face life’s toughest battles together.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Scott Payne [https://www.instagram.com/scottpaynebigcountry], a retired law enforcement officer who spent twenty-eight years serving his community, including twenty-three years with the FBI. Specializing in undercover work, Scott infiltrated gangs, drug cartels, and domestic terrorist groups, constantly stepping into roles far from his true self. Today, he shares how those experiences tested him and shaped who he would become.   Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/] Jesus Calling [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/] Jesus Always [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/] Jesus Listens [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/] Past interview: Tom and Pam Banwart [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/a-prayer-for-peace-hope-at-christmas-chris-tomlin-and-tom-pam-banwart/] Upcoming interview: John Kasich [https://www.johnkasich.com/] Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season [https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Listens-Prayers-365-Day-Illustrated/dp/1400254671]   Jason and Erica Redman [https://jasonredman.com/meet-the-team/] Mission: Invincible Marriage [https://www.amazon.com/Mission-Invincible-Marriage-Battle-Tested-Relationship/dp/0063376415] Navy SEAL [https://www.navy.com/careers-benefits/careers/special-operations/navy-seal] Al-Qaeda [https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF11854] www.jasonredman.com [http://www.jasonredman.com]   Scott Payne [https://www.instagram.com/scottpaynebigcountry] South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy [https://sccja.sc.gov/] Isaiah 41:10 NIV [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2041%3A10&version=NIV] Code Name Pale Horse: How I Went Undercover to Expose America’s Nazis [https://www.amazon.com/Code-Name-Undercover-Expose-Americas/dp/1668032902] *Signed/personalized copies of Scott’s book can be procured from Union Ave Book in Knoxville, TN: https://unionavebooks.com/book/9781668032909-1 [https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/unionavebooks.com/book/9781668032909-1__;!!MbTiNj2pbBzljg!LQvgCyQY2YeFuQwGDhm0rWkng6-6uM6r-4crc6lojpRfXbHf6MbP_cY6orLgZQ-xbrb_kXXV7o5CKwBu-N8Qw8w-yXh0Ue8p$] Interview Quotes: “I think you go into a marriage and you say ‘for better or worse, until death do us part,’ but there are a lot of marriages that get put to that test that break.” - Jason Redman “Marriage is continually communicating, continually updating your goals and what your priorities are and how you support each other and how we address the problems we’re facing together, whether those are financial or personal or whatever external things.” - Jason Redman “That night on the battlefield, I think there was no doubt I was dying. I prayed in that moment, ‘Lord, please let me go home to my wife and kids again,’ and I think that was a miracle moment.” - Jason Redman “Jesus is perfect, but it’s really guided me in my job to offer those second chances—third, fourth, fifth chances, twentieth chances.” - Scott Payne “It’s a calling—you take an oath—and in my mind, and the way I see it is, you are a servant. You have a servant’s heart. You are a shepherd. You’re not just a warrior, you’re a shepherd and you protect and you will leave the ninety-nine to go save the one.” - Scott Payne  “Throughout my career in law enforcement, there were times my marriage almost didn’t make it. Had it not been for God, prayer, and our small groups—they prayed for me even when I couldn't tell them what was going on—I wouldn’t have made it.” - Scott Payne ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 [https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7]  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw [https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw]  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C [https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C]  Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj [https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj]  Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u [https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u]  What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj [https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj]  Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY [https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY]  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&etslf=5858] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1] Website [https://www.jesuscalling.com/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en] Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

Trusting God with the Glorious and the Ordinary: Michael Iskander & Christian Dearman

This week, we’ll hear from actor Michael Iskander [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16028322/] who currently portrays King David on the House of David series [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30955673/?ref_=nm_knf_t_1]. Michael opens up about his unconventional route to acting, the prayer and fasting that became his ritual as he waited to hear whether or not he would be cast in his dream role, and what portraying David has taught him about trusting God in every moment and in every decision.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Christian Dearman [https://www.instagram.com/mr_electr1k/]—a professional baseball player with the Savannah Bananas [https://thesavannahbananas.com/], a team known not just for their show-stopping performances, but their heart for people. Christian shares how his journey toward the big leagues was nearly cut short by a career-threatening injury and how that difficult season became a turning point in his faith.    Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling Podcast [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/] Jesus Calling [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/] Jesus Always [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/] Jesus Listens [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/] Past interview: Erin Hicks Moon [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/trusting-god-in-the-not-yet-and-the-what-if-dawnchere-wilkerson-erin-hicks-moon/] Upcoming interview: Jason and Erica Redman [https://jasonredman.com/meet-the-team/]  Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season [https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Listens-Prayers-365-Day-Illustrated/dp/1400254671]    Michael Iskander [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16028322/]  House of David  [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30955673/?ref_=nm_knf_t_1] The Chosen [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/the-life-story-of-jesus-dallas-jenkins-the-cast-of-the-chosen/]  Jon Erwin [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2296528/?ref_=tt_ov_1_1] Psalm 8:3-6 NIV [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%208%3A3-6&version=NIV]   Christian Dearman [https://www.instagram.com/mr_electr1k/] Savannah Bananas [https://thesavannahbananas.com/] latissimus dorsi tendon [https://www.physio-pedia.com/Latissimus_Dorsi_Muscle] Jake Peavy [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/peavyja01.shtml] Florida International University [https://www.fiu.edu/] Jesse Cole [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/faith-that-takes-us-beyond-the-ordinary-jared-orton-rachel-g-jordan/]   Interview Quotes: “Even in the mundane, God has a will for us, even in something that we think is unimportant or that doesn’t have a big impact. Maybe it feels like we’re throwing a tiny rock in the ocean and it has no ripple effect. God wills for that to happen, because He is pruning us and training us for something bigger.” - Michael Iskander  “Prayer is extremely important, and always having a moment of reflection of why we’re doing this is vital. For me, the show is not about David. The show is about God. I think even in the acting process of this, God was teaching me just to let go of any sort of idea of control that I have and just to surrender to Him and to trust that prayer is powerful.” - Michael Iskander “I’m just so grateful that God had put me into a positive mindset, because through reading Scripture, I was learning a lot of verses that I was looking at as motivational quotes.” - Christian Dearman “It’s insane because at one point, they were telling me I would never be able to pick up baseball again, and now, my name is in the Hall of Fame. It’s surreal. God is so good all the time.” - Christian Dearman “What I am able to do every single game is connect with kids about Jesus with something as simple as just wearing a cross.” - Christian Dearman “If you could add just a smile to brighten someone’s day—that’s truly God’s work right there.” - Christian Dearman “It doesn’t matter what you’re going through—Jesus already accomplished the ultimate goal. He fought the ultimate battle, and we are saved by grace.” - Christian Dearman  ________________________ Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel! Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 [https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7]  Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw [https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw]  Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C [https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C]  Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj [https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj]  Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u [https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u]  What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj [https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj]  Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY [https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY]  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&etslf=5858] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1] Website [https://www.jesuscalling.com/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en] Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].

[JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] God, Please Hear My Desperate Prayers: Rachel Wojo

In this honest and hope-filled interview, Rachel Wojo shares how her faith was tested through her daughter’s 22-year battle with a terminal illness, and how God met her in her grief. From wrestling with anger to discovering the power of simple, heartfelt prayers, her story is a raw reminder that it’s never too late to call on Jesus.   Guest’s Links Facebook: @rachelwojoauthor [https://www.facebook.com/rachelwojoauthor/] Instagram: @rachelwojo [https://www.instagram.com/rachelwojo/] Watch this interview on our YouTube channel! https://bit.ly/46vT2eL [https://bit.ly/46vT2eL]  ________________________  Connect with Jesus Calling Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling] Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&etslf=5858] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1] Jesus Calling Website [https://www.jesuscalling.com/] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en]   *Episode produced by Four Eyes Media* Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com [https://www.lifeaudio.com/] and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us [https://www.lifeaudio.com/contact-us].