Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

The beloved historical drama television series The Chosen [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5622316/] has burst onto the scene with its real, raw, and accurate depiction of the life of Jesus. As the first multi-season series about the life and ministry of Jesus, the show focuses on the people who met and followed Him, giving viewers a personal perspective through the eyes of those who knew Him—bringing out an emotional, personal, and intimate side of the life of Christ. This week, we’re joined by the creative mind who brought The Chosen to life, Dallas Jenkins [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420817/]. Accompanying him are actors and actresses Elizabeth Tabish [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3355902/], Paras Patel [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4407460/], Shahar Isaac [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6051304/], Abe Bueno-Jallad [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5201551/], and Jonathan Roumie [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0745751/]—who each share what it means to them to be able to portray these iconic characters, and how they work together as a team to lift each other up in telling this important story.   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: Priscilla Shirer [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/overcomers-are-defined-and-refined-by-god-priscilla-shirer-jeremy-ray-taylor/] Upcoming interview: Mart Green [https://www.martgreen.net/]   The Chosen [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5622316/]  Dallas Jenkins [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0420817/] Elizabeth Tabish [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3355902/] Paras Patel [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4407460/] Shahar Isaac [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6051304/] Abe Bueno-Jallad [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5201551/] Jonathan Roumie [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0745751/] 5&2 Studios [https://www.thechosen.tv/en-us/explore/5and2studios] The Best Christmas Pageant Ever [https://bestchristmaspageantever.movie/] www.thechosen.tv [http://www.thechosen.tv]   Interview Quotes: “I really did say to myself, and to God, ‘Okay, I'm willing to give up [my career]. I truly care more about being in Your will and doing what You want me to do than I care about achieving anything or getting certain affirmation.’” - Dallas Jenkins “My hope is that I'm making the best show [through The Chosen] I can that honors God and accurately captures the character and intentions of Jesus in the Gospels.” - Dallas Jenkins “If you look at the Gospels, there are women at really pivotal moments of Jesus's ministry.” - Elizabeth Tabish “I knew the only thing that I had left to do—which I really hadn't done—was to get on my knees and completely and wholly surrender myself, my career, and my circumstances to God.” - Jonathan Roumie  “Playing Jesus, there's a reason that God put me in this role and not somebody else. And so I had to recognize that and take up that mantle and know that I was where I was meant to be.” - Jonathan Roumie “One thing that I take away from [the biblical life of] James is the conviction, and the will that you have to have to stand by your convictions. For me, taking on the character has deepened my understanding of what it truly means to be convinced about what you believe.” - Abe Bueno-Jallad  ________________________ 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].

This week, we talk with two highly creative individuals who have been able to bring positive, uplifting, and spiritually striking stories to the world through the mediums of television, film, and animation.  Nika King [https://www.nikaking.com/] is an actor and producer who is best known for her comedic abilities and her breakout role as Leslie on the HBO series Euphoria [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1519739/]. King honestly shares about her early life watching family members battle addiction, and how they ultimately overcame through faith and determination—which had a great impact on the direction Nika’s life would take as an actress. She also lets us in behind the scenes to her newest film role in Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6881490/]. Chris Wall [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jchriswall] is the executive producer and showrunner on The Wingfeather Saga [https://www.wingfeathersaga.com/] animated series, and co-founder of Shining Isle Productions. Chris shares his early love of storytelling and how he chased his dreams through animated children’s stories, including directing shows for the popular children’s animated series VeggieTales [https://veggietales.com/].    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: Stephanie Quayle [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/wherever-life-takes-you-god-is-there-stephanie-quayle-anna-broadway/] Upcoming interview: The Chosen [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5622316/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1] | Jonathan Roumie [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0745751/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1]   Nika King [https://www.nikaking.com/]  HBO series Euphoria [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1519739/] Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6881490/] First Lady Donna Martin and Bishop W.S. Martin [https://www.ambassadorspeakers.com/speakers/unique/bishop-w.-c.-and-first-lady-donna-martin] www.nikaking.com [http://www.nikaking.com]   Chris Wall [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jchriswall] The Wingfeather Saga [https://www.wingfeathersaga.com/]  VeggieTales [https://veggietales.com/] Cray supercomputers [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cray] Little House on the Prairie [https://www.amazon.com/Little-House-Volumes-Set/dp/0064400409] Raiders of the Lost Ark [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/] The Little Mermaid [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097757/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2] Oral Roberts University in Tulsa [https://oru.edu/]  Max Lucado [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/life-changing-grace-for-our-darkest-moments-max-lucado-jeff-allen/] You Are Special [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0820496/] “The Search for Samson’s Hairbrush” [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0471422/] Andrew Peterson [https://www.andrew-peterson.com/] The Chronicles of Narnia [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363771/] www.shiningisleproductions.com [http://www.shiningisleproductions.com] www.wingfeathersaga.com [http://www.wingfeathersaga.com]   Interview Quotes: “I just realized that God was always directing my life. The Holy Spirit was always guiding me, preparing me for something greater.” - Nika King “When I am performing, that's what the human experience is. It's allowing oneself to be vulnerable, but also know that that's not a weakness.” - Nika King   “The world is hurting right now. We have to show them that God is still on the throne and He's still moving. No matter what you're going through in life, it's going to get better.” - Nika King   “You have to face the unknown. What's next? Will there be another creative idea ever? Will I ever get to be involved in something like this ever again? And just kind of sitting back and saying, ‘All right, God, you have led this journey. What's next?’” - Chris Wall  “I think that endless discovery, curiosity, is something that I believe God and His Holy Spirit does in us if we're willing to patiently listen. I think when we're patient to listen to His leading, we can go to places that are really beautiful and change the world. And I believe stories can really do that.” - Chris Wall  ________________________ 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].

On this episode of Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer, we’ll hear from author Marie Chapian, who shares about her practice of quiet prayer, and how we can go to that still, peaceful place in the presence of God to keep the chaos of the world from taking us over.    Guest’s Links Facebook: @marie.chapian.9 [https://www.facebook.com/marie.chapian.9/?paipv=0&eav=AfYlBPF-hl7p0iT56M3RDCCmYrwS5hbIQS4sdMqPWz8wKcTrxpjTQKiJ3ZrC1e_IPMI&_rdr] Twitter: @mariechapian [https://twitter.com/mariechapian] ________________________  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].

*This episode mentions suicide and may not be suitable for all listeners.* This week, we’ll hear from BeBe Winans [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6D9xBdOOyGHqOam9OShAWl], a celebrated figure in gospel and R&B music from the renowned Winans family, known for their deep-rooted musical legacy. Raised in a household steeped in gospel traditions and surrounded by the influences of Motown, Bebe experienced some of the ups and downs of the music scene as he and his sister, CeCe Winans [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/cece-winans/], ultimately rose to fame as a beloved singing duo.  Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Tasha Cobbs Leonard [https://www.tashacobbsleonard.com/], a powerful worship leader, pastor, and entrepreneur. Raised in a faith-filled family, Tasha was encouraged by her father, a pastor, to embrace her gifts. A “divine setup” led to her first album, and she went on to inspire millions with songs like "Break Every Chain [https://open.spotify.com/album/3egIrLj6n5pwXXAxA1c1P3]," which grew from her own battle with depression.   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: Gloria Gaynor [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/i-will-survive-believing-god-can-get-you-through-gloria-gaynor-and-jeff-huxford/] Upcoming interview: Nika King [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1519739/] Jesus Calling commemorative edition [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-calling-commemorative-edition/]   BeBe Winans [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6D9xBdOOyGHqOam9OShAWl] CeCe Winans [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/cece-winans/] Motown [https://www.motownrecords.com/] Mighty Clouds of Joy [https://open.spotify.com/artist/1i6bV1rRKRPTyssKZuLfwS] Shirley Caesar [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5hrUVXJsPParZB87QtAz1R]  Andraé Crouch [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3pxLSxg8klHu1L9d93cpq7]  Smokey Robinson [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0h9smro0z3HqUbD94jotU8] Stevie Wonder [https://open.spotify.com/artist/7guDJrEfX3qb6FEbdPA5qi] Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jim-Bakker] The PTL Club [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0125638/] Bebe and CeCe [https://open.spotify.com/artist/3WNUkxJcJeliFx9KXWXMgs] Keith Thomas [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0cK8gYd1Awbgz03RH2eAjY] “Father In Heaven [Right Now]” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2512xzxWIU0] Luke 12:48 NIV [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2012%3A48&version=NIV]   Tasha Cobbs Leonard [https://www.tashacobbsleonard.com/] “Break Every Chain” [https://open.spotify.com/album/3egIrLj6n5pwXXAxA1c1P3] Naomi Raine [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyUVJeqlWjs] Luke 14:23 NIV [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2014%3A23&version=NIV] www.tashacobbsleonard.com [http://www.tashacobbsleonard.com] Do It Anyway [https://www.amazon.com/Do-Anyway-Devotional-Bolder-Faith/dp/0593600908]   Interview Quotes: “Your gift will make room. What you have to go through is okay. It does work out if you believe and continue to have faith in what God has called you to do.” - BeBe Winans  “I'm amazed at the doors that God opens. I find myself in places that I never dreamed of and working with people I never thought I would.” - BeBe Winans “There's such a roller coaster of emotions that we are blessed with because of what God has done through us, through music. It really never gets old to hear what our music has done for others.” - BeBe Winans “We live in a world where we are consumed with, ‘Hey, this is the beginning, and this is the end.’ A lot of people don't really embrace the process in the middle. But I think in the process is when we gain all of the knowledge, all of the wisdom that we need in order to be great stewards of what God entrusted us with.” - Tasha Cobbs Leonard “I believe it's always intentional on God's part to place people in your life who see things in you that you may not see in that season.” - Tasha Cobbs Leonard “Though many days I was discouraged and I didn't know what I was doing, I know that God was with me every step of the way.” - Tasha Cobbs Leonard ________________________ 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].

This week, we’ll hear from Dr. Chris Rappazini [https://andersonuniversity.edu/faculty_profile/chris-rappazini/]—a professor of leadership and former pastor—as he shares a deeply personal story through the lens of grief and recovery. Chris reveals how his father's death propelled his brother into a downward spiral of addiction and estrangement. Yet, amidst the chaos, a narrative of hope and forgiveness emerges, highlighting the profound realization that our past does not define our future. Later in the episode, we’ll hear from author, editor, and speaker Lisa-Jo Baker [https://lisajobaker.com/]. She discusses her awakening to the cycle of anger she risked repeating from her father if she continued to live on autopilot. Through her journey of healing and reconciling with her father, Lisa-Jo illustrates how we can all seek reconciliation and live life to the fullest.   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: Rosie Rivera [https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/god-knows-our-whole-story-and-still-loves-us-rosie-rivera-and-jason-sautel/] Upcoming interview: BeBe Winans [https://www.grammy.com/artists/bebe-winans/17583] Jesus Calling commemorative edition [https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-calling-commemorative-edition/]   Dr. Chris Rappazini [https://andersonuniversity.edu/faculty_profile/chris-rappazini/] Anderson University [https://andersonuniversity.edu/faculty_profile/chris-rappazini/] www.faithfulstepsforward.com [http://www.faithfulstepsforward.com] Moving Forward After Messing Up [https://www.amazon.com/Moving-Forward-After-Messing-Up/dp/0802432824]   Lisa-Jo Baker [https://lisajobaker.com/] Apartheid [https://www.britannica.com/topic/apartheid] Zululand in South Africa [https://www.britannica.com/place/Zululand] Dr. Christiaan Barnard [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6062759/] www.lisajobaker.com [https://lisajobaker.com/] It Wasn't Roaring, It Was Weeping [https://www.amazon.com/Wasnt-Roaring-Was-Weeping-Interpreting/dp/0525652868]   Interview Quotes: “God is in the business of fixing broken relationships, and that's what He's been doing in our relationship for the last several years.” - Dr. Chris Rappazini   “For us to be able to ask forgiveness from those that we've hurt the most, I mean, it's hard to do. And I think the only way you can do it is somehow with the grace of God, with the power and the strength of the Holy Spirit.” - Dr. Chris Rappazini   “If we're going to have a future that God wants for us, we have to keep our eyes moving forward. We have to keep our eyes on what we want that relationship to look like, not what it has looked like in the past.” - Dr. Chris Rappazini   “Oftentimes, the hardest person to get forgiveness from is ourselves. The hardest person to forgive is the person that we see in the mirror every morning, because we feel so guilty and we feel so shameful for what we've done and how we've hurt people.” - Dr. Chris Rappazini  “The beauty of Jesus that I've discovered is that, as we know, God is not limited by time. This is what's so powerful about Him.” - Lisa-Jo Baker  “I needed to stop and pull off onto the side of the road and figure out the story I had inherited, because I was really determined to write a new one.” Lisa-Jo Baker  “I think for family trees to heal, we have to be willing to lay down our defenses. It doesn't happen all at once. It happens slowly over years between generations, because we have a God who is so adamant, passionate about forgiveness, about reconciliation, about redeeming generations, who wrote a new plot line out of an old bloodline.” - Lisa-Jo Baker ________________________ 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].