Joyful Journey

Guest: Steve Viars, Senior Pastor of Faith Church in Lafayette, IN. They discuss defeating bitterness using scripture, exploring its portrayal in the Bible and the consequences it holds. They emphasize the role of God's grace in fighting bitterness, and how bitter circumstances can reveal hidden parts of the heart. The story of Ruth and Naomi is explored, highlighting the transformation from bitterness to hope and the power of belief in overcoming bitterness.

At the beginning of each year, people are excited and motivated to set new goals and become better in different areas of their lives. Often those looking for change in the new year strive for perfection, and give up when they get burned out or make mistakes. It is wise to set goals and work toward positive change, but Christians often lose sight of the ultimate motivation of glorifying God. In this episode, Janet and Jocelyn discuss the topic of ordinary faithfulness, how to be faithful in our day to day lives and in our relationship with the Lord. Episode Transcript Resources Books  Ordinary - Michael Horton Articles Devote Yourself to Faithfulness - Jon Bloom Faithfulness in Forgotten Places - Scott Hubbard The Unique Joy of Ordinary Faithfulness - Chris Martin Visit the Joyful Journey website to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes. Emails us with questions or comments at joyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com Facebook, Instagram  Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their MABC through Faith Bible Seminary.

By popular demand, IT’S BACK! We have a treat in store for you today in the form of our second annual Ask Us Anything episode, where we take questions from you, our listeners, and answer as many as we can throughout the episode! You asked us questions like, What are some ways we can help or encourage our pastors and their wives, especially those who counsel? What do I do when my parents are making choices I don’t agree with or believe are sinful? If you could go back and change one thing in your life, what would it be? As always, a big thank you to our listeners and social media followers for your input, questions, and support this year. We are so thankful the Lord has blessed us with this sweet community! Episode Transcript Resources The Meaning of Marriage - Tim Keller, Marry Wisely, Marry Well - Ernie Baker, What Did You Expect Book - Paul Tripp, When Sinners Say I Do - Dave Harvey, When Two Become One - Chris McCluskey, Gospel Treason - Brad Bigney, Sufficient Hope - Christina Fox, Gospel Primer - Milton Vincent More on the Show notes linked above! Visit the Joyful Journey website to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes. Emails us with questions or comments at joyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com Facebook, Instagram  Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their MABC through Faith Bible Seminary.

Christmas is almost here! For many of us, the frantic pace of the season crowds out the celebration of Christ’s birth. Join Janet and Jocelyn as they take some time to slow down and contemplate Christ and his incarnation. Listen in as they discuss the beauty and glory of Christ and how it shines so brightly at Christmas. Episode Transcript Resources Books The Glory of Christ Abridged - John Owens Things of Earth - John Piper Knowing God - J. I. Packer Biblical Doctrine - John MacArthur Songs No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus - Stephanie Gretzinger Christ Our Treasure - Sovereign Grace Articles Beholding the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus - Suzanne McDonald Websites Faith Bible Seminary MABC Visit the Joyful Journey website to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes. Emails us with questions or comments at joyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com Facebook, Instagram  Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their MABC through Faith Bible Seminary.

We all encounter people who try to manipulate our actions or emotions for their own purposes. How does Scripture call us to respond to those who try to manipulate others around them? In this episode, Janet and Jocelyn explore the heart behind manipulative behavior and discuss ways to come alongside those who try to control others and respond with Christ-likeness. Episode Transcript Resources Books Manipulation - Lou Priolo How to Handle Trouble - Jay Adams Websites ACBC Counselor Faith Bible Seminary Visit the Joyful Journey website to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes. Emails us with questions or comments at joyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com Facebook, Instagram  Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their MABC through Faith Bible Seminary.

It’s Thanksgiving week, and this week’s episode is a little different! Janet and Jocelyn interview each other about all the goodness and grace that God has shown to them this year. We hope you enjoy this more informal chat as we praise our Good Shepherd for the amazing ways He has blessed us. Episode Transcript Resources Books The Pursuit of Holiness - Jerry Bridges Untangling Emotions - J. Alasdair Groves, Winston T. Smith How Long O Lord - D. A. Carson Dark Clouds, Deep Mercies - Mark Vroegop The Glory of Christ - John Owens Gentle and Lowly - Dane Ortlund Sermons Blessed Self-Forgetfulness - Tim Keller Handling Criticism - Faith Church Visit the Joyful Journey website to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes. Emails us with questions or comments at joyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com Facebook, Instagram  Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their MABC through Faith Bible Seminary.

The podcast discusses navigating the relationship between adult children and parents, offering biblical guidance on building healthy boundaries and fostering a respectful, loving relationship. Topics include transitioning from parenting to guiding adult children, navigating expectations and communication, prioritizing communication in marriage, counseling family members, transitioning to adulthood and serving together in the church, and honoring and esteeming parents while recognizing disagreements and seeking support.

As a Christian, there is perhaps no greater story you will ever tell than the story of how you came to know and love the Lord. But many of us are not great orators, speech writers, or gifted natural communicators. This week, Janet and Jocelyn discuss why sharing our testimony - the story of what God has done in and through our lives - is an important skill that we as believers should hone and develop so God’s glory shines through stronger and brighter than our own accomplishments, trials, or circumstances. Episode Transcript Resources: Books Gospel Primer - Milton Vincent Gospel Primer Booklet - Milton Vincent Ultimate Questions - John Blanchard What is the Gospel - Greg Gilbert Leading Your Child to Christ - Marty Machowski Gospel Story Bible - Marty Machowski Beginners Gospel Story Bible - Jared Kennedy Documents Tips for Writing Your Testimony Visit the Joyful Journey website to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes. Emails us with questions or comments at joyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com Facebook, Instagram  Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their MABC through Faith Bible Seminary.

Sooner or later, we are all touched by grief. It’s part of living in a world broken by sin. When we have a friend who is in the throes of grief, our usual instinct is to want to help ease their suffering. But how? Gail McGinty joins Janet and Jocelyn in this week’s episode to discuss practical ways to say and do (and what to avoid) as we work to provide comfort to those who are grieving. Episode Transcript Books God’s Healing for Life’s Losses - Robert Kellemen Home: How Heaven and the New Earth Satisfy Our Deepest Longings - Elyse Fitzpatrick Dark Clouds Deep Mercy - Mark Vroegop Hearing Jesus Speak Into Your Sorrow - Nancy Guthrie  Gentle and Lowly - Dane Ortlund Why? Trusting God When You Don’t Understand - Anne Graham Lotz Heaven - Randy Alcorn Websites: GreifShare  Restoration Documents List of Bible Passages Visit the Joyful Journey website to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes. Emails us with questions or comments at joyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com Facebook, Instagram  Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their MABC through Faith Bible Seminary.

Sexual intimacy is one of the most beautiful pictures of the relationship between Christ and the church. Sin has twisted and deformed biblical sex into something that God never intended. In today’s episode, Janet and Jocelyn discuss how God designed sexual intimacy to be a beautiful expression of love within a marriage relationship.  Episode Transcript Books When Two Become One - McClusky Marital Intimacy: Rejoicing in What God Created - Rob Green (appears to be out of print) Tying the Knot - Rob Green Intended for Pleasure - Ed Wheat Renewing Marital Intimacy - David Powlison Marriage Whose Dream - Paul Tripp Restoring Your Broken Marriage - Robert Jones Redeeming Sex in Marriage - Scott Mehl Websites ACBC Counselors Biblical Counseling in Action Podcast Visit the Joyful Journey website to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes. Emails us with questions or comments at joyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com Facebook, Instagram  Donate to Joyful Journey Podcast Joyful Journey Podcast is a ministry of Faith Bible Seminary. All proceeds go to offset costs of this podcast and toward scholarships for women to receive their MABC through Faith Bible Seminary.