Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

Life can be a long, difficult ride and there are times that fill us with despair, especially when giving our best isn’t enough to help us change our circumstances. While we wrestle with fear and uncertainty, God works quietly in the background, filling the gaps in our efforts, carefully nudging us forward so we can keep going. Our guests have held onto their faith as they’ve traveled the winding roads of Western sports: world champion rodeo athlete Tyson Durfey and his wife, country music artist Shea Fisher, and former champion bull rider Cody Custer.    Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling devotional Jesus Calling books Jesus Calling.com/daily-email    Tyson Durfey Shea Fisher Central Park by the Bethesda Fountain,   Cody Custer National Finals Rodeo PBR Interview Quotes: “I go in 100 percent with whatever I decide to go after. I picked up the Bible, and it grabbed hold of my heart. It was just that transition, and it was truly amazing for me.” - Tyson Durfey “When you hear the word of the Lord that vivid and that audible, it shakes you to your core, it really does.” - Tyson Durfey “Where you don't see the way, God sees the way.” - Tyson Durfey “It's important to remember that if you can't do it, God will fill in the gap.” - Tyson Durfey “I don't know if everything happens for a reason, but I believe there's a reason in the middle of what happens.” - Cody Custer  “I don't believe that God ever takes His hand off any of us, no matter what we're doing, no matter what's going on in our lives.” - Cody Custer ”I think people get too wrapped up in circumstances and forget [success is] not the end all.” - Cody Custer “I learned a lot more from my boy than I ever thought I did.” - Cody Custer “[Jesus Calling] is just a book with words until the Spirit hits it, and then it's life.” - Cody Custer “Everybody grieves their own way. Grieve how you grieve. There's no there's no cookie cutter way to grieve.”  - Cody Custer  ________________________ 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.

No matter how careful, each of us will go through life with bumps, bruises and scars. Behind each wound we receive is a story of how we tried, failed, and persevered through hardship. And one of the ways God can redeem our scars is to help us share those experiences with others so they feel less alone. Our guests this week—pastor and writer Mark Eaton, and country music singer/songwriter Kelsey Lamb—come from different places and circumstances. But Mark and Kelsey have each rolled up their sleeves to do the hard work of sharing their scars with others, helping them walk through or avoid pain in their own lives.   Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling devotional Jesus Calling books Jesus Always July 2019 Family Prayer Calendar Mark Eaton, Eaton Leadership Susie McEntire Eaton Kelsey Lamb Pali Adventures Interview Quotes: "[When I became a Christian], I somehow had the impression that life was going to get better the next day." - Mark Eaton "I met the Lord when I was 14 because of a church that cared enough to . . . bring a youth pastor onto their staff."  - Mark Eaton "What was a tool became an addiction and later became a compulsion. 'I have to be popular. I have to be liked.' . . . And there's a point when those tools fail." - Mark Eaton "What a gift [my dad] gave me by stepping off his platform and being willing to change and adjust our relationship." - Mark Eaton "To me, every day not not divided up into good and bad, but easy and hard . . . because what's a bad thing one day might be the thing that saves you the next." - Mark Eaton “I want to be around people who have scars, who are willing to talk about them and not afraid to show them.” - Mark Eaton “Almost all of my songs come from personal experiences: my break ups, moving to Nashville, college. All of that is in my music, hoping to help someone else get through it.” - Kelsey Lamb  "When you jump back into [Jesus Calling] you start to realize that every devotion ends up being completely applied to what you're going through." - Kelsey Lamb "I don't think [my career] will ever just be handed to me. I think [God] puts opportunities in my path to help me work to get to the next step." - Kelsey Lamb ________________________ 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.

While we may not realize it at the time, struggle is a blessing because down the road, remembering the struggles we have endured helps us empathize with others going through the same hardship. Our guests—country and gospel music legend Jimmy Fortune and US Army veteran and dragon boat racing champion Jess Key—have used their lives to spotlight this truth: no matter what you’ve been through, God is not done with you yet. He can use anything in your life, the good and the bad, and make it beautiful.   Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling devotional Jesus Calling books Jesus Calling on Zulily   Jimmy Fortune Jimmy Fortune’s new album God and Country Jimmy Fortune, I Believe music video Jimmy Fortune, Meet at Arlingon video   The Statler Brothers Bill Gaither Music  Cracker Barrel   JESS KEY Childhood PTSD National Dragonboat Team National Suicide Hotline   Interview Quotes: “[My dad’s true character] came to the forefront when he let God have his life.” - Jimmy Fortune  ”The Statler Brothers were a safe place for me because they were all about God and family and their country.” - Jimmy Fortune  “Whatever I do with my music, I want it to be in a positive way to help people in their lives.” - Jimmy Fortune  “God works through us. And in His love for us, He works through people and He works through books like this Jesus Calling.” - Jimmy Fortune “So we [need to] all work together to accomplish the goal that God wants us to accomplish, and that's to help the downtrodden and the people of this world who need to hear about Him.” - Jimmy Fortune “It's so important that we acknowledge our soldiers and thank them for what they did for us. They gave, they sacrificed their lives for us.” - Jimmy Fortune “God is where you need to turn to and give your life, because He's going to be the one that's going to help you through all this, because it is no secret what God can do." - Jimmy Fortune “I grew up seeing this abuse, and I was abused myself. I thought it was normal thing, but come to think of it, I was becoming the abuser. I would get drunk and ballistic with an uncontrollable kind of anger. If you imagine an MMA fighter, that's the kind of rage I had inside and I didn't know why.” - Jess Key “One night I got drunk, and I attempted suicide. I was not in my right mind. I thought that was the way out. I had suffered so much that I didn't know how to cope.” - Jess Key “As a kid, I always said to myself I would never grow up and be my mom. Yet I was living that same life, choosing the same path that she did.” - Jess Key “Through it all, God worked these miraculous things out.” - Jess Key “Your story is not over. It's just beginning. God will use any circumstance, whether it be good or bad, and He'll turn it into something beautiful.” - Jess Key “The waves of adversity crashed over me all throughout life, but God is simply saying, ‘Keep your focus on My presence, and be in the present.’” - Jess Key “You can find freedom once and for all, and it's through Christ. He is our freedom. He is our hope. He is our everything. You’ve just got to trust in that.” - Jess Key ________________________ 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.

One of the hardest parts of our Christian walk is to make that walk consistent, especially in the storms of life. But today’s guests, pastor Rich Wilkerson, Jr. and entertainers David & Tamela Mann, have found when they draw near to God, especially when they’re in the valley, He remains faithful to us. And in fact, God’s presence gives us the strength to keep going so we can perform one of our highest callings: to nurture relationships with the people around us and fill them with His love.   Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling devotional Jesus Calling books Jesus Calling June Prayer Calendar Rich Wilkerson, Jr.  (Facebook) Vous Church Rich Wilkerson book, Friend of Sinners: Why Jesus Cares More About Relationship Than Perfection David Wilkerson book, The Cross and the Switchblade The Cross and the Switchblade movie trailer Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) David and Tamela Mann (Facebook) David and Tamela Mann book, Us Against the World: Our Secrets to Love, Marriage, and Family The Manns television reality show Kirk Franklin & The Family Tyler Perry   Interview Quotes: “[Our time at  VOUS church] has been an amazing three years, getting to see people's lives changed and transformed by the message of Jesus.” - Rich Wilkerson, Jr. “I'm just thankful for the heritage [to] know so many things that have happened in my life are because I stand on the shoulders of the giants in the faith [who] have gone before me.” - Rich Wilkerson, Jr. “From a young age, I was always very sensitive towards God. I knew I loved God, and I knew that God loved me. I don't think I was always sure how I fit in. I didn't really see how I was going to play my part.” - Rich Wilkerson, Jr. “I think so often in church, we're so good at talking about things after the miracle happens. I think we need more people to be open when they're actually in the midst of pain.” - Rich Wilkerson, Jr. “Many times we don't allow ourselves to be honest with God in our pain, in our worry, in our fear to ever discover that He's actually right there with us.” - Rich Wilkerson, Jr. “When it comes to God, there are certain things you can't learn on the mountaintop. You actually have to learn it in the valley.” - Rich Wilkerson, Jr. ”Storms either have a way of pushing you away from God, or you can choose to allow your storm to push you towards God.” - Rich Wilkerson, Jr. “Ultimately the way that you view God is going to dictate how you receive and communicate with God.” - Rich Wilkerson, Jr. “I want people to hear the truth, that the gospel is good news, that God is not mad at you. He’s madly in love with you.” - Rich Wilkerson, Jr. “In any marriage you're gonna have some challenges, [but] you have to make up your mind that you love each other enough to fight for each other.” - Tamela Mann “Singing was our passion, it was our heart.” - Tamela Mann “I'm just so happy to be able to share my gift and to be where we are today. We take no credit. All glory goes to God.” - Tamela Mann “[Jesus Calling] gives you some practical things I can take home [and go,] ‘Oh okay, I can do that.’” - David Mann “People won't judge you on your perfection. They'll judge you on your consistency.” - David Mann “We just want to let people know there is still hope. Our Savior still lives.” - David Mann ________________________ 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.

We all have seasons when we feel crushed by the weight of our problems. A job loss. A loved one grows seriously ill. An unexpected bill in the mail. In the middle of overwhelming anxiety, it’s hard to remember, let alone believe, the promise God gives us in Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” But today’s guests, Bishop T. D. Jakes and worship leader Don Moen, remind us that in the middle of our problems, we can take a step back and remember that “God will make a way,” and He can redeem everything, even our darkest moments, for His glory.   Links, Products and Resources Mentioned: Jesus Calling devotional Jesus Calling books Jesus Calling Daily Email   T. D. Jakes The Potter’s House Church T. D. Jakes’ book, Crushing: God Turns Pressure Into Power   Don Moen Don Moen’s book, God Will Make A Way: Finding His Hope in Your Story Integrity Music Oral Roberts University   Interview Quotes: “The cross itself was a horrific emblem of suffering and shame. It was not something that Jesus enjoyed. The Bible says He despised the shame of it, but for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the suffering of the cross.” - T. D. Jakes “There may be some things that are bad that still work together for [our] good.” - T. D. Jakes “You have to be gentle with people that are hurt. You have to be empathetic.” - T. D. Jakes “I'm at that stage of my life now that I really want to leave footprints behind about what it really costs to be who you are and how to survive crushings that people don't see.” - T. D. Jakes “God develops us through the crushing. God develops the world around us. . . . There will be something good that comes out of it, if you can resist the temptation to become bitter and take the more difficult choice of becoming better.” - T. D. Jakes “I did not ever try to be an artist. I never wanted to be an artist.” - Don Moen “And as human vessels, we need to just get out of the way and let God do what He wants to do.” - Don Moen ”God will make a way where there seems to be no way.” - Don Moen “We look at setbacks in our lives sometimes as way too permanent, but God uses these setbacks to bring us to the place where He wants us to be, to help transform us into the men and women He wants us to be.”  - Don Moen ________________________ 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.

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.