The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

I’m going to be honest, with the election year right around the corner, I start getting nervous! The political climate and the way the Church weaves into it can be unsettling. But is it possible for us to fight the narrative that it’s “us against them”? Is it possible to talk about things that Jesus taught about during his time on Earth, and have a biblical lens and not a political lens? Is it possible to stay humble, work on relationships, and truly be the salt and light of the world? On today’s show Phil Vischer and I tackle how we think the answer to all of those questions is a resounding YES!Phil is a filmmaker, author, speaker and humorist, best known as the co-creator of VeggieTales, creator of What's in the Bible? and co-host of the Holy Post Podcast. He lives in West Chicago, IL with his wife Lisa and 3 adult children. He is funny, insightful, and so much fun to be around. Phil creates content that is thought provoking and calls out problems we see in evangelicalism today and potential threats to the American church. Even if this conversation made you feel a little uncomfortable or gave you food for thought, my prayer is that we all are slow to speak, quick to listen, and love people like Jesus! SHOW LINKS:Holy PostThe Bulletin Good Faith The Ballot and the Bible The Evangelical ImaginationThe Rise and Fall of DispensationalismBiblical Critical TheoryCONNECT WITH JAMIEHappy Hour Book Club

As the world’s conversation around same-sex relationships and marriage gets louder, it’s my desire as a christian to know how to listen and engage in a humble, Christ-like way. Today’s guest loves the Word of God and the people of God and engages in this topic with such love, compassion, depth, and thoughtfulness. I’m so incredibly grateful to have Preston Sprinkle on The Happy Hour for the very first time!Dr. Preston Sprinkle is a biblical scholar, speaker, podcaster, a New York Times bestselling author, and is the co-founder and president of The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender. Preston loves talking and writing about hot-button cultural and theological issues with thoughtfulness, honesty and grace. He is passionate about approaching topics that everyone wants to know about, but few are willing to talk honestly and graciously about. Topics like sexuality, gender, race, violence, patriotism, hell, politics, war, and what it means to follow a Jewish prophet-king who was executed for treason. He works hard to challenge himself and others to read the Bible with conviction and humility, while holding their predetermined beliefs loosely.Maybe you think this topic doesn’t affect you, or you’re feeling apprehensive after listening to our conversation. My prayer is that we can think more deeply, love more widely, and learn to listen and engage in conversations in Christ-honoring ways.SHOW LINKS:Center of FaithPeople to be LovedDoes the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?Launch PodcastTheology in the RawChristian SexualityCONNECT WITH JAMIEHAPPY HOUR BOOK CLUB

Too often we try to fill a God-size void with the things and people of this world. It isn’t until we wholeheartedly allow God to fill us and satisfy us with his love that we can have a healthy relationship with Him, ourselves, and others. A new guest to the Happy Hour, Madison Prewett Troutt, joins me in a conversation about a time when her life was transformed as she began to fully be satisfied in God alone. Madison "Madi" Prewett Troutt is a bestselling author of Made for This Moment, speaker, social media influencer, and TV personality. Madi’s life mission is to share the name of Jesus and to help women discover who they were made to be and where to find the truest form of love. Madi currently lives in Waco, Texas, with her husband, Grant Troutt.On today’s show Madi and I talk about filling our heart with a love that can only come from God and the pursuit of purity in our lives. Whether you’re single and in your twenties, or married in your forties, we’ve all experienced times of loneliness or discontentment. I hope today’s episode encourages you to trust God with your heart and allow him to satisfy your every need! The love you're looking for is already yours! SHOW LINKS:The Love Everyone Wants Matthew 22:35-39Matthew 5 Why Do I Do What I Don’t Want to DoThe PIlgrim’s Progress HH Book Club

Happy Friday friends! I am so thrilled to be bringing you a special series today. This month’s bonus series is on World Religions. We have two episodes covering this topic with expert guests Doug Groothuis and Preston Perry. Both of these men are filled with a wealth of knowledge and I’m so excited for us to learn together!After completing my first interview with apologist, Dr. Doug Groothuis, I knew I wanted to have a similar conversation with my friend, Preston Perry. Preston is a poet, author, apologist, and co-host, along with his wife Jackie, of a podcast called “With the Perry’s.”  His love for people inspires him to pair transparency and vulnerability with his creativity in a way that promotes freedom. Preston pursues engagement with people from various faith backgrounds. He has a palpable passion for God’s word, and stands on biblical truth amidst his study of other religions. In today’s episode, Preston and I talk about evangelism, apologetics, and the opportunities to engage people with different religious beliefs than our own.Talking with someone who doesn’t share your beliefs can be intimidating. I hope this series reminds you that the gospel holds up where other faith systems don’t. You don’t have to have every answer before pursuing intentional conversations with lost people!SHOW LINKS:Where Does It Say That?With the Perrys Podcast Tedashii on HHEsau McCaulley on HHHow Far to the Promised LandHappy Hour Book ClubThe Peasant King

Happy Friday friends! I am so thrilled to be bringing you a special series today. This month’s bonus series is on World Religions. We have two episodes covering this topic with expert guests Doug Groothuis and Preston Perry. Both of these men are filled with a wealth of knowledge and I’m so excited for us to learn together! Christians today are facing the growing reality of religious pluralism, with all of the unique challenges and opportunities that come along with that reality. In part 1 of this series I sit down with Dr. Douglas Groothuis, a professor at Denver Seminary and author of 19 books. His passion is to bring the truth of Christianity to the church and to the world according to his gifts as a teacher, preacher, writer, and mentor. He has been married to his wife Kathleen since 2019 and he’s an avid jazz and dog lover. In our conversation Dr. Groothius shares insights about some of the major religions of the world and encourages followers of Jesus to be prepared to engage these ideas in their everyday lives.Although it can feel like an overwhelming task, our proximity to people with different religious views provides followers of Jesus with a massive opportunity for the gospel. I hope my conversation with Dr. Groothuis encouraged your faith and inspired you to share the good news of Jesus with a friend, family member or neighbor who needs him!SHOW LINKS:Doug Groothuis World Religions in 7 SentencesNavigating Gospel TruthTessa AfsharThe Peasant KingThe Happy Hour Book ClubCONNECT WITH JAMIE 

Structural racism and social justice in the United States of America is a complicated story. I couldn’t think of anyone better to have on the show to talk about that complicated story other than today’s guest, my friend, Esau McCaulley. Esau McCaulley is an associate professor of New Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. He is the author of many works including Sharing in the Son’s Inheritance and Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope. He is a contributing opinion writer for the New York Times and his writings have also appeared in places such as The Atlantic, Washington Post, and Christianity Today.In Esau’s newest book, How Far to the Promised Land: One Family’s Story of Hope and Survival in the American South, he takes us on a journey through his family tree and the community that shaped him into the man he is today. He raises questions like what it means to be human and what does each person’s struggle to build a life teach us about what we owe each other? This book brings into light our often too-simple narrative of poverty and upward mobility. I encourage you to lean into the hard, engage in the tough conversations, and go pre-order this book today! SHOW LINKS:How Far to the Promised LandReading While BlackLast episode with Esau McCaulleyHappy Hour Book ClubDenver SeminaryThe Peasant KingLent: The Season of Repentance and RenewalJosey Johnson’s Hair and the Holy SpiritSharing in the Son’s InheritanceCONNECT WITH JAMIE

Esau McCaulley, Madison Prewett Troutt, Preston Sprinkle, and Phil Vischer join this month's lineup. September brings fresh starts, football excitement, and the introduction of a recommended TV show called Quarterback. Get ready for upcoming episodes, book club reads, and exciting events in Houston and Gatlinburg.

Once tragedy hits there is life before the tragedy and life after the tragedy. There is often a need for a new normal to be established. Tedashii knows this all too well after tragedy suddenly hit his family. On today’s show Tedashii shares with us how he came to know the Lord and how he clung to his faith as he found his new normal after the loss of his child. Tedashii is a tenured artist, musician, communicator, and writer burdened to see equity brought to the marginalized. Growing up in Texas on the fringes of society, family and football were everything - then he found faith in Christ. With this faith, he ventured into vocational ministry and eventually artistry as a member of the 116 on Reach Records. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a duel Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology to further his ambitions to reach those beyond his city limits. For the last twenty years he’s devoted his life to encouraging others to find their identity in God and leading a movement of unashamed believers who desire to engage the world for His glory. He is the founder of the Chase Foundation—an organization to serve families who have lost children by being a present help for future hope, the originator of Chase Wellness, the CEO of Unashamed Ministries, and the host of his podcast The Dash. Tedashii and his wife (Danielle) live in Atlanta, GA and are the proud parents of four amazing boys. You may not have lost a child, but I’m certain you’ve had tragedy in your life. Today’s episode encourages and challenges us to change our perspective of hardships and not our perspective of God.SHOW LINKS:HH Book ClubWalking with God Through Pain and SufferingBurn the BoatsCONNECT WTIH JAMIE

Disappointment and pain is all part of life’s journey. We can’t get through this world without experiencing it in some form or fashion. However, how we respond to that pain will determine our suffering. Today I sit down with Dr. Curt Thompson and we discuss the moments in life that form us and our response to those events that can lead us down a path of hope even in our suffering. Dr. Curt Thompson is a psychiatrist, speaker and author. He connects our intrinsic desire to be known with the need to tell truer stories about ourselves — showing us how to form deep relationships, discover meaning and live integrated, creative lives. Curt understands that deep, authentic relationships are essential to experiencing a healthier, more purposeful life — but the only way to realize this is to begin telling our stories more truly. He is married to his wife Phyllis and they have two adult children, Rachel and Nathan, and a son-in-law, Noah. In the midst of suffering, hope can be hard to find. I pray in your search for hope that you have confidence in knowing you are securely attached to your loving Father. When we fully grasp that truth I believe a peace beyond understanding washes over us and carries us through. SHOW LINKS:CONNECT WITH JAMIEConnect with Dr. Curt ThompsonBeing Known Podcast

If you’re anything like me you may have had a negative definition of humility. A definition that may mean punishment, or to make yourself less than. Maybe it was even used against you in response to an action. What if biblical humility doesn’t start with doing or being less, but instead starts with fully recognizing and living in your God-given space. What if biblical humility begins with stepping into the life God has for you? My friend Heather MacFadyen is back on The Happy Hour today. Heather is the host of the popular parenting podcast Don't Mom Alone, with more than 20 million downloads from around the globe, as well as the author of the book Don't Mom Alone. She finds great joy in connecting other women to mentors and experts through her podcast and in speaking at live events with women across the country. She and her husband and their four sons live in Dallas, Texas. Her newest book, Right Where You Belong, was released last April. On today’s show Heather challenges us to identify our God-given space and to fully occupy that space. She encourages us to walk in humility by trusting God with the journey and finding comfort and peace in the fact that we don’t know, but we follow and serve an all knowing God! Right Where You Belong is a book for every mother in every parenting stage! Go grab your copy today and share this episode with a mom that could use the encouragement!SHOW LINKS:Heather’s last HH episodeGod Made You to Be YouDon’t Mom AloneDon’t Mom Alone Podcast Crazy Rich AsiansAmerican MahjongRight Where You Belong Heather MacFadyenIn the Wild Light Tired of Trying to Measure UpCONNECT WITH JAMIE