The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

Have you ever felt like life was just too busy but had no idea how to slow it down? Have you had the desire for change, but didn’t have the space or time to explore those changes? In today’s episode my friend Hosanna Wong and I discuss what it means to abide in Christ and live the life He has called you to live. Hosanna Wong is an international speaker, best-selling author, and spoken word artist helping everyday people know Jesus for real. Hosanna preaches in churches, conferences, prisons, & other events around the world. She serves together with her husband Guy in various ministries equipping people with tools to share the gospel of Jesus in today’s world.  Hosanna is passionate about spreading the gospel and helping people know and love as who they really are. Her newest book You Are More Than You’ve Been Told is available now! You may have heard the term, "to abide in Christ". In today’s episode Hosannah challenges us to look at what that practically means for our day to day life. You’ll hear how we can fight for our schedules to create structures that look like the rhythms of Jesus’ life. Four rhythms she dives into today are:Rhythm of scripture Rhythm of prayerRhythm of rest Rhythm of real communityIf I’m being honest, there are two rhythms on this list that I really struggle with. But Hosanna said some things today that have really stuck with me and even though they’re not my strengths, I’m committed to leaning into them and asking God to help me! Which of these rhythms are your strengths and which are some you can grow in to help you abide in Christ each day? SHOW LINKS:You Are More Than You’ve Been ToldI Have A New Name spoke wordThe Spirit of Disciplines by Dallas WillardOn Living Well by Eugene PetersonChinatown PrettyHH Book ClubConnect with Jamie

Dr. Russell Moore, Editor in Chief at Christianity Today and father of 5 sons with his wife Maria, challenges the idea of 'Evangelical Christianity' and explores the importance of finding identity in Christ. They discuss the thought-provoking book 'Losing Our Religion' and touch on relationship breakdowns, the dangers of Christian nationalism, and maintaining hope in a politically divided world.

You don't normally hear from me on a Tuesday, but I couldn't wait to share all that we have coming up! Our summer of Encounter stories were incredible and if you haven't listened to all of them yet I encourage you to! It never gets old hearing the ways Jesus calls his people to himself! We have a great line up for August: Russell Moore, Hosanna Wong, Heather MacFadyen, Curt Thompson, and Tedashii! Trust me, you don't want to miss these shows! BIG UPDATE to The Happy Hour: we are going to one episode a week. We want to give you the absolute best shows we can and we belive this is the best step forward. With that, some months we will have special bonus series that we're excited to sahre with you! Our first series will start in Septemeber where we'll be discussing World Religions. We have some incredible and meaningful series lined up for the rest of the year!Have you joined our book club yet? This month we are reading An American Immigrant by Johanna Rojas Vann. We read the book together and you get a live chat with the author!! It's easy to sign up, click here to join!Happy August Friends! Connect with Jamie!

At 15 years old and after years of having difficulty hearing, Sammi woke up to realize her hearing was completely gone. Everything changed for Sammi in that moment. Needing to rely heavily on interpreters and a cochlear ear plant, Sammi was left feeling overwhelmed, lost, and forsaken. Sammi wondered if her life even mattered.  Sammi Schouten is Deaf and communicates using American Sign Language. She is married to Kody who is also Deaf and they have a beautiful one year old KODA (Kid of Deaf Adult) named Donovan. Knowing first hand how hard it is to find community and belonging as a Deaf person in the church, Sammi is passionate about sharing the Gospel in American Sign Language through leading worship in asl for church services, doing translation work, teaching, and being involved in Deaf Millennial Project. The Deaf community is one of the largest unreached people groups in the world with less than 2% of the deaf community claiming to know Jesus. It wasn’t until 2020 that a completed Bible in ASL was available to the community. In today’s episode Sammi will share with us practical ways we can reach the deaf community with the love of Christ and how to better love our neighbor! If you haven’t checked us out on YouTube yet, this is the perfect episode to go watch! Thanks for sharing with a friend! SHOW LINKS:Sammi’s InstagramSammi’s WebsiteHappy Hour Book ClubCODASound of MetalIMDB Recommended Deaf FilmsOpen Hands Willing Heart by Vivian MabuniDeaf Millenial ProjectCompassion Project Connect with JamieAdvertise on The Happy Hour 

As a college athlete and rising professional runner, Kaylee had it all. She was certain of the path ahead of her as she considered training for Track and Field at the Rio Olympics in 2016; however, her senior year was bringing about challenges she had never faced. As Kaylee experienced a death in her family and a career ending injury, she was forced to ask herself, “Who is Kaylee without a track career?” Kaylee Morgan is a four-time all American college athlete, writer, speaker, youth pastor, and racial justice educator who is madly in love with Jesus. Outside of the hours of nine to five, you can find her dodging the sun in St. Petersburg, Florida, playing her PlayStation, reading crime novels, enjoying a good meal, and obsessing over the Spice Girls. Ultimately, Kaylee’s desire is to love God and love people while promoting Gospel-Centered Unity. She is passionate about teaching how we find our identity in Christ and how that plays into our interactions with others.You may have never had a career-ending track injury, but my guess is you know the pain of loss. Whether it’s a job that wasn’t what you expected, a broken dream, or the death of a loved one, we can trust that God is faithful through it all. Friends, praise God we are not identified by our performance or lack thereof! You are a child of God and all of your identity can be found in our loving Father! SHOW LINKS:Be the BridgeLatasha Morrison on the HHKerygma SummitHappy Hour Book ClubCompassion SponsorshipThe Action BibleAdvertise on The Happy HourCONNECT WITH JAMIE!

Growing up with parents with differing belief systems, Alicia became a student of all world religions and quickly came to the conclusion that there was no God. Firm in her beliefs her agitation grew towards those sharing their faith and happily took on any christian debate. As a deal to never be invited to church again, Alicia stepped foot inside a church on its last leg. It was in that back pew that Jesus met her and life as she knew it was forever changed!Alicia Britt Chole is an award winning author and holds a doctorate in leadership and spiritual formation from George Fox Seminary. She serves as the founding director and lead mentor of Leadership Investment Intensives, a nonprofit devoted to providing customized soul-care for leaders in business and ministry. Alicia is also a wife of 32 years to Dr. Barry Jay Chole and is blessed with the miracle of adoption with three children. Alicia’s new book, The Night is Normal, releases next week and you’re going to want to get yourself a copy! Today’s episode reminded me so much of Jesus’ love for us no matter how resolute we think we are in our doubts or lack of faith. His pursuit for all of our hearts is relentless! I pray as you listen today that just as Alicia realized Jesus wanted her, your confidence in his desire for you is restored! SHOW LINKS:Become a Compassion Sponsor Creative Prayer by E. HermanAlicia Britt CholeAlicia's last HH episodeThe Night is NormalAdvertise on The Happy HourCONNECT WITH JAMIE!

Hey friends! I hope you had a great 4th of July celebration! I am so excited to continue our Encounter Series with one of my real friends Toni Collier. Toni Collier is the founder of an international women’s organization called Broken Crayons Still Color, which helps women process through brokenness and get to healing and hope. She is a Speaker, Host of The Still Coloring Podcast and Author of Brave Enough to be Broken. Toni is teaching people all over the globe that you can be broken and worthy and unqualified and still called to do great things. She doesn’t want you to just face your demons, she wants you to quash the illusion of your brokenness so you can live the most colorful life possible, on and off stage.In today’s episode you’ll hear how despite rebellion, heartaches, and a near death experience, God was pursuing Toni’s heart and how she discovered He was there all along! Toni challenges us to look at our own life and ask the tough question, are we a fan of Jesus or a follower of Jesus? Toni’s funny personality and transparency is an encouragement to every listener. No matter where you’re at in your walk with God, we hope at the end of this episode you are confident that Jesus loves you deeply and is with you always! SHOW LINKS:Story ChurchRedeeming Heartache by Dan B. AllenderStill Coloring PodcastBroken Crayons Still Color Kid’s BookBroken Crayons Still Color ResourcesGod Made You to be You BookAdvertise on The Happy HourCONNECT WITH JAMIE

Enduring her parent’s divorce, living in an unstable environment, and experiencing abuse, Lacy found herself in a world of hurt and wondered if she would ever be seen. Would her life ever matter to the people around her? Her pain led her down a path of self harm, eating disorders, and no desire to live. Through the faithfulness of a prayerful grandmother, Lacy found herself reading Psalm 139 and realizing for the first time the Creator of the Universe knows her, sees her, and loves her! Lacy’s life was forever changed! Lacy Abercrombie is a Social Media Manager, has the best Tik Toks, and is a woman passionate about discipling students. Though she met Jesus in Psalm 139, it was through the discipleship of a great mentor that taught her the Bible is a Living Word and transforms every area of your life. Friends if you’re listening and you don’t yet have a Bible, please reach out to us and we will easily ship you one! We hope in today’s episode you’ll be encouraged by the faithful prayers of Lacy’s grandmother, the healing that God worked in Lacy’s life, and the truth that we serve a father who knows us, sees us, and loves us! SHOW LINKS:Becoming SomethingLisa Harper’s Back Porch TheologyPraying Like Monks Living Like FoolsAnnie F. Downs Read Through the Gospels Lacy’s Tik TokAdvertise on The Happy Hour

Have you ever felt like your sin was just too big for God? Have you experienced the burden of shame? Today’s episode is such an amazing reminder that there is no sin too big for the cross and that Jesus desires for all his people to experience his grace! After years of hardships and trying to do everything on her own, Inés Franklin was a single mom, in the middle of an affair, and feeling more broken and lost than ever before. As she visited a church and heard an amazing message about the love and grace of Jesus, her entire life changed. Inés shares with us the years it took for her to finally believe in grace, lay down the burden of shame, and walk in the peace of forgiveness. Today, Inés lives with her husband  and they share a loving and large blended family. She received her Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary and is the founder of Trochia Ministries, a Christian discipleship ministry. Inés also serves as a teaching pastor at Mariners Church in southern California where she loves sharing the good news of Jesus! Inés' testimony of how she encountered Jesus is such a reminder of God’s pursuit of his people. There is truly no sin that can keep you from the love of the Father! Jesus offers forgiveness, grace, peace, and victory to all! SHOW LINKS:Compassion InternationalTrochia MinistriesUncharted: Navigating Your Unique Journey of FaithAdvertise on The Happy Hour

Friends, I am thrilled to continue our Encounter Series today! This summer, we'll be focusing on stories of how a person encountered Christ, how they began living their life for Jesus, and what their life looks like now. Today I have the privilege of sitting down and listening to the transformative power of Jesus in the life of Tessa Afshar. Tessa Afshar is an incredible author whose books have been translated into 11 different languages. Tessa's books have won a number of awards including the Christian Book Award, and she has been on Publishers Weekly and CBA best-selling lists. Tessa is a devoted wife, self-proclaiming mediocre gardener, and is passionate about navigating the hard seasons of life with peace and grace. Tessa was born to a nominally Muslim family in the Middle East. In the midst of abandonment trauma and unbelievable heartbreak, God continued to pursue Tessa's heart through dreams and friends. Today you'll hear how God redeemed the broken spaces in Tessa's heart and how she learned the true love of a father.SHOW LINKS:Julie Klassen - Historical Fiction BooksThe Peasant KingWomen Who Risk by Tom Doyle & JoAnn Doyle Interested in partnership opportunities? Please reach out here!