Country music has a rich tradition, inspired by gospel music—sharing a common core of storytelling, emotional expression, and a love of faith and family. Some of today’s brightest country stars embrace those roots, and sing their faith to the thousands of listeners who come to their shows and buy their music. Today, we have a special bonus episode featuring some of those artists, all who have contributed to a brand new collection of music from Jesus Calling, called “Songs for Sundays.” 



Links to Full Episodes

Anne Wilson

Jordan Davis

Mattie Jackson Smith

Reba McEntire

________________________ 

Connect with Jesus Calling

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Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

Jesus Calling Website



*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Country music has a rich tradition, inspired by gospel music—sharing a common core of storytelling, emotional expression, and a love of faith and family. Some of today’s brightest country stars embrace those roots, and sing their faith to the thousands of listeners who come to their shows and buy their music. Today, we have a special bonus episode featuring some of those artists, all who have contributed to a brand new collection of music from Jesus Calling, called “Songs for Sundays.” 
 
Links to Full Episodes
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/when-the-unthinkable-happens-we-can-turn-to-god-kechi-okwuchi-and-anne-wilson/">Anne Wilson</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/the-beauty-of-leaning-on-each-other-jordan-davis-curt-thompson/">Jordan Davis</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/finding-tidbits-of-joy-in-seasons-of-pain-mattie-jackson-selecman-deborah-evans-price/">Mattie Jackson Smith</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/the-faith-between-sisters-reba-mcentire-susie-mcentire-eaton-alice-foran/">Reba McEntire</a>
________________________ 
Connect with Jesus Calling
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/">Facebook</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling">Twitter</a>
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&amp;etslf=5858">Pinterest</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1">YouTube</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en">TikTok</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/">Jesus Calling Website</a>
 
*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Millions have been encouraged and inspired by the words of the #1 best-selling 365-day devotional "Jesus Calling." Listen to real-life stories of faith as told by those who have experienced the power of living in His presence.

Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith

Millions have been encouraged and inspired by the words of the #1 best-selling 365-day devotional "Jesus Calling." Listen to real-life stories of faith as told by those who have experienced the power of living in His presence.

Jesus Calling

[BONUS] Songs For Sundays: Country Artists Sing Their Faith

This week, we’re joined by beloved television host, actress, songwriter, and author Kathie Lee Gifford. Kathie Lee shares her deeply personal faith journey, emphasizing that she is not a “churchy person” but a “relationship person.” She advocates for understanding the Scriptures deeply, going beyond surface-level readings, and ultimately seeking to bring Jews and Christians together in the love story of God.

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Dr. Julia Garcia, also known as Dr. J., who joins us to dismantle the myth that hope is an elusive personality trait. Drawing from years of clinical practice and her own raw, lived experience—including overcoming addiction, failed businesses, and seasons of deep uncertainty—Dr. J offers a powerful, practical pathway back to hope, even when the darkness feels permanent.

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview:Tauren Wells

Upcoming interview: Nathan Davis Jr.

Jesus Calling app

 

Kathie Lee Gifford

Psalm 143:8

Psalm 103

Psalm 25:4-5

Acts 17:28

www.KathieLeeGifford.com

Nero and Paul 

Herod and Mary

 

Dr. Julia Garcia

The 5 Habits of Hope

www.DrJuliaGarcia.com

 

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference.https://trinitycredit.org

 

Interview Quotes:

“When Jesus says. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant,’ He didn’t say ‘perfect servant.’ He said ‘good.’ ‘Your heart was good. Your heart was in the right place. You walked with Me and were faithful to the little things, faithful to proclaim Me.’” - Kathie Lee Gifford

“I would never take a role that required anything that dishonored the Lord. The Lord gives us a conscience for a reason.” - Kathie Lee Gifford 

“I follow Him, and I’m going to use every opportunity that comes my way to proclaim Him, because people are hurting. People are broken. People are desperate. People are hungry, not just for food. They’re hungry for life itself. They’re hungry for the truth. The only thing that has been constant in my life that never changes is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” - Kathie Lee Gifford 

“Our life should be a prayer constantly.” - Kathie Lee Gifford

“I think religion puts us in chains, and Jesus came to get us out of the chains. It’s all about relationship, not religion, and I think we’ve really lost touch with that in Western Christianity.” - Kathie Lee Gifford

“I’ve always had to go back to different habits at different times to make sure that I don’t associate how I feel with who I am.” - Dr. Julia Garcia

“Hope is not a personality trait. People can feel like they need to have a huge amount of hope. It just takes that mustard seed—a tiny, tiny, tiny, little piece of hope is enough to carry you through.” - Dr. Julia Garcia

“Habits of hope are an emotional framework to help us with those perspective shifts so we can interrupt harmful thought patterns.” - Dr. Julia Garcia

“We’re going to have to get a lot stronger in our ability to emotionally risk so that we can deepen our relationships, not just with other people, but in our faith and with ourselves.” - Dr. Julia Garcia

“We can reshape our thought patterns by constantly interrupting them and building these little tiny practices of hope, these emotional practices.” - Dr. Julia Garcia

“The more we learn language around identifying what support would look like or feel like, the more we can get in the emotional habit of receiving that support. But it starts with us identifying what it is, who it is, and what we need from those people—our support pillars—so that we can receive hope.” - Dr. Julia Garcia 

“Being honest has helped me heal because you can’t have hope without honesty.” - Dr. Julia Garcia 

“Keep coming back to that place that aligns you with God’s call on your life. Even if the external things around you don’t make sense and it feels chaotic inside, just keep coming back, keep aligning back to the voice that you know is real and true.” - Dr. Julia Garcia

“If we can just take a moment to receive the truth that we are not alone, that we are enough, then that is a building place for us to help navigate out of that feeling of feeling stuck or overwhelmed. It’s to replace these feelings with truth, with identity statements, reminding us who we are. We are not alone and we are made perfect in His image.” - Dr. Julia Garcia 

________________________

Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

________________________ 

Connect with Jesus Calling

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

YouTube

Website

TikTok

This week, we&rsquo;re joined by beloved television host, actress, songwriter, and author <a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/big-changes-new-dreams-kathie-lee-gifford-and-jim-jill-kelly/">Kathie Lee Gifford</a>. Kathie Lee shares her deeply personal faith journey, emphasizing that she is not a &ldquo;churchy person&rdquo; but a &ldquo;relationship person.&rdquo; She advocates for understanding the Scriptures deeply, going beyond surface-level readings, and ultimately seeking to bring Jews and Christians together in the love story of God.
Later in the episode, we&rsquo;ll hear from <a href="https://www.drjuliagarcia.com/">Dr. Julia Garcia</a>, also known as Dr. J., who joins us to dismantle the myth that hope is an elusive personality trait. Drawing from years of clinical practice and her own raw, lived experience&mdash;including overcoming addiction, failed businesses, and seasons of deep uncertainty&mdash;Dr. J offers a powerful, practical pathway back to hope, even when the darkness feels permanent.
&nbsp;
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/">Jesus Calling Podcast</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/">Jesus Calling</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/">Jesus Always</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/">Jesus Listens</a>
Past interview: <a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/a-counter-cultural-guide-to-joy-tauren-wells-out-of-eden/">Tauren Wells</a>
Upcoming interview: <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5461771/">Nathan Davis Jr.</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/app/">Jesus Calling app</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/big-changes-new-dreams-kathie-lee-gifford-and-jim-jill-kelly/">Kathie Lee Gifford</a>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20143%3A8&amp;version=NIV">Psalm 143:8</a>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%20103&amp;version=NIV">Psalm 103</a>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2025%3A4-5&amp;version=NIV">Psalm 25:4-5</a>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts%2017%3A28&amp;version=NIV">Acts 17:28</a>
<a href="http://www.kathieleegifford.com">www.KathieLeeGifford.com</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nero-Paul-Gospel-Defeated-Ancient/dp/140033666X">Nero and Paul&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Herod-Mary-Tyrant-Mother-Ancient/dp/1400336627/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YBYD2UWX0UM7&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QYPyE0Eky18aSZqEfMuFRqC-p7fKg2WxPTdVqFwHlZpalEwn9DvL9soImNimI7D18Tq2z9gD2eXihGNjltuW1mVOP8hgz86jRWDKK9iS1FF8h2bdLXKR4RK8_wfOsPT-r7U0rmmKNTERnY76TE9CIZLl4uQjrrUQfx9UakRiq9sQI9wMAtzFyNVejCndfQt9.ltx6tlvlRRuCebgovcCvZJ1Z_ciIfJAf8sEFnjD05co&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=herod+and+mary+kathie+lee+gifford&amp;qid=1772199432&amp;sprefix=herod+and+mary+%2Caps%2C118&amp;sr=8-1">Herod and Mary</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.drjuliagarcia.com/">Dr. Julia Garcia</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Hope-Stories-Strategies-Help/dp/1400250854">The 5 Habits of Hope</a>
<a href="http://www.drjuliagarcia.com">www.DrJuliaGarcia.com</a>
&nbsp;
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity&rsquo;s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we&rsquo;re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
&nbsp;
Interview Quotes:
&ldquo;When Jesus says. &lsquo;Well done, my good and faithful servant,&rsquo; He didn&rsquo;t say &lsquo;perfect servant.&rsquo; He said &lsquo;good.&rsquo; &lsquo;Your heart was good. Your heart was in the right place. You walked with Me and were faithful to the little things, faithful to proclaim Me.&rsquo;&rdquo; - Kathie Lee Gifford
&ldquo;I would never take a role that required anything that dishonored the Lord. The Lord gives us a conscience for a reason.&rdquo; - Kathie Lee Gifford&nbsp;
&ldquo;I follow Him, and I&rsquo;m going to use every opportunity that comes my way to proclaim Him, because people are hurting. People are broken. People are desperate. People are hungry, not just for food. They&rsquo;re hungry for life itself. They&rsquo;re hungry for the truth. The only thing that has been constant in my life that never changes is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.&rdquo; - Kathie Lee Gifford&nbsp;
&ldquo;Our life should be a prayer constantly.&rdquo; - Kathie Lee Gifford
&ldquo;I think religion puts us in chains, and Jesus came to get us out of the chains. It&rsquo;s all about relationship, not religion, and I think we&rsquo;ve really lost touch with that in Western Christianity.&rdquo; - Kathie Lee Gifford
&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve always had to go back to different habits at different times to make sure that I don&rsquo;t associate how I feel with who I am.&rdquo; - Dr. Julia Garcia
&ldquo;Hope is not a personality trait. People can feel like they need to have a huge amount of hope. It just takes that mustard seed&mdash;a tiny, tiny, tiny, little piece of hope is enough to carry you through.&rdquo; - Dr. Julia Garcia
&ldquo;Habits of hope are an emotional framework to help us with those perspective shifts so we can interrupt harmful thought patterns.&rdquo; - Dr. Julia Garcia
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to have to get a lot stronger in our ability to emotionally risk so that we can deepen our relationships, not just with other people, but in our faith and with ourselves.&rdquo; - Dr. Julia Garcia
&ldquo;We can reshape our thought patterns by constantly interrupting them and building these little tiny practices of hope, these emotional practices.&rdquo; - Dr. Julia Garcia
&ldquo;The more we learn language around identifying what support would look like or feel like, the more we can get in the emotional habit of receiving that support. But it starts with us identifying what it is, who it is, and what we need from those people&mdash;our support pillars&mdash;so that we can receive hope.&rdquo; - Dr. Julia Garcia&nbsp;
&ldquo;Being honest has helped me heal because you can&rsquo;t have hope without honesty.&rdquo; - Dr. Julia Garcia&nbsp;
&ldquo;Keep coming back to that place that aligns you with God&rsquo;s call on your life. Even if the external things around you don&rsquo;t make sense and it feels chaotic inside, just keep coming back, keep aligning back to the voice that you know is real and true.&rdquo; - Dr. Julia Garcia
&ldquo;If we can just take a moment to receive the truth that we are not alone, that we are enough, then that is a building place for us to help navigate out of that feeling of feeling stuck or overwhelmed. It&rsquo;s to replace these feelings with truth, with identity statements, reminding us who we are. We are not alone and we are made perfect in His image.&rdquo; - Dr. Julia Garcia&nbsp;
________________________
Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!
Audio Episodes: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7">https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7</a>&nbsp;
Bonus Podcasts: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw">https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw</a>&nbsp;
Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:&nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C">https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C</a>&nbsp;
Peace for Everyday Life: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj">https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj</a>&nbsp;
Peace in Uncertain Times: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u">https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u</a>&nbsp;
What&rsquo;s Good? &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj">https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj</a>&nbsp;
Enneagram: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY">https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY</a>&nbsp;
________________________&nbsp;
Connect with Jesus Calling
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/">Facebook</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling">Twitter</a>
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&amp;etslf=5858">Pinterest</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1">YouTube</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/">Website</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en">TikTok</a>

Relationship, Resilience, and the Habits of Hope: Kathie Lee Gifford & Dr. Julia Garcia

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/c98afe84-1c8a-48c9-b927-b40300ff0a44/transcript

Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, where we do a deep dive on misunderstood women in the Bible with author, podcaster, and speaker Mary DeMuth. Many of us grew up hearing the stories of women like Bathsheba, Tamar, and the Woman at the Well, often presented in a simplified—and sometimes judgmental—light. But what if the Sunday School lessons we learned missed the mark by overlooking the cultural context, the brutal realities of the time, and what the Bible actually says about these women? Mary DeMuth takes us through a powerful rereading of their narratives, challenging the common misconceptions.

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

 

Mary DeMuth

Pray Every Day Podcast

The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible by Mary DeMuth

Restory Your Life by Mary DeMuth





Interview Quotes:

“There are some amazing women in the Bible, and sadly I have not heard them preached much except for the heavy hitters. And it gave me an ignited desire to highlight these women because they are part of the story of Scripture.” - Mary DeMuth

“These women, maybe like you, were misunderstood, misjudged. You can learn a lot from these women of the Bible.” - Mary DeMuth

“I think a lot of women ask, How can I get rid of this feeling? How can I get rid of this pain, this trauma, this worry? And yet the Lord is so good, He is with us when we walk through those kinds of really painful journeys.” - Mary DeMuth

“If you have felt like things have been really, really, hard, God is at work. And there will be a moment when He brings healing.” - Mary DeMuth

“One of the themes of my life has been how God has intersected a very broken, traumatic story and brought beauty out of it, healing me to bring me into places of ambassadorship where I am able to walk alongside those who have a similar story and just to see the beauty of the Lord intersecting them.” - Mary DeMuth

________________________ 

Connect with Jesus Calling

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

YouTube

Website

TikTok

 

*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Welcome to a special scripture-focused bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, where we do a deep dive on misunderstood women in the Bible with author, podcaster, and speaker Mary DeMuth. Many of us grew up hearing the stories of women like Bathsheba, Tamar, and the Woman at the Well, often presented in a simplified&mdash;and sometimes judgmental&mdash;light. But what if the Sunday School lessons we learned missed the mark by overlooking the cultural context, the brutal realities of the time, and what the Bible actually says about these women? Mary DeMuth takes us through a powerful rereading of their narratives, challenging the common misconceptions.
&nbsp;
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/">Jesus Calling Podcast</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/">Jesus Calling</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/">Jesus Always</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/">Jesus Listens</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.marydemuth.com/">Mary DeMuth</a>
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pray-every-day/id1341945281">Pray Every Day Podcast</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Most-Misunderstood-Women-Bible-Thriving/dp/1684512255/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XGFEIXTYVQ6L&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Lwp0n2_qYxpdDESySpBG_sv2_-XGTWOE3mT6ZSguaYw-CViGgkUBT1Fi3VY7mIFLerM_OAS8A3EjMp0CUEDotA.e7fN96qSumy51CtdTFwKEKOXbY7LvB8i7lhzxjJe_KY&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+most+misunderstood+women+of+the+bible+mary+demuth&amp;nsdOptOutParam=true&amp;qid=1764783287&amp;sprefix=the+most+misunderstood+women+of+the+bible+mary+demuth%2Caps%2C68&amp;sr=8-1">The Most Misunderstood Women of the Bible by Mary DeMuth</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Restory-Your-Life-Reframes-Redefines/dp/B0FD7QP5C3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PXTK7BUQYDCI&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.vUGEtaXs9-5dGGySM7ytK06iTRsbKFapkX52-BvPiI3GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.NSi71frMC38vzEEKjP6DJuxh_dO_m7K87Nm_XrogTPo&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=restory+your+life+mary+demuth&amp;qid=1764783269&amp;sprefix=restory+your+life+mary+demuth%2Caps%2C77&amp;sr=8-1">Restory Your Life by Mary DeMuth</a>
 
Interview Quotes:
&ldquo;There are some amazing women in the Bible, and sadly I have not heard them preached much except for the heavy hitters. And it gave me an ignited desire to highlight these women because they are part of the story of Scripture.&rdquo; - Mary DeMuth
&ldquo;These women, maybe like you, were misunderstood, misjudged. You can learn a lot from these women of the Bible.&rdquo; - Mary DeMuth
&ldquo;I think a lot of women ask, How can I get rid of this feeling? How can I get rid of this pain, this trauma, this worry? And yet the Lord is so good, He is with us when we walk through those kinds of really painful journeys.&rdquo; - Mary DeMuth
&ldquo;If you have felt like things have been really, really, hard, God is at work. And there will be a moment when He brings healing.&rdquo; - Mary DeMuth
&ldquo;One of the themes of my life has been how God has intersected a very broken, traumatic story and brought beauty out of it, healing me to bring me into places of ambassadorship where I am able to walk alongside those who have a similar story and just to see the beauty of the Lord intersecting them.&rdquo; - Mary DeMuth
________________________&nbsp;
Connect with Jesus Calling
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/jesuscalling/">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/JesusCalling/">Facebook</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/Jesus_Calling">Twitter</a>
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling/?eq=jesus%20calling&amp;etslf=5858">Pinterest</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/Jesuscallingbook?sub_confirmation=1">YouTube</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/">Website</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@jesuscalling?lang=en">TikTok</a>
&nbsp;
*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

[BONUS] Jesus Calling Scripture Study: Misunderstood Women in the Bible with Mary DeMuth

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/a93ee708-0784-4ff9-9994-b3e50105969d/transcript

*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.

This week, we’ll hear from Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Ed bridged the hearing and deaf worlds for his parents, fostering immense empathy but also hardship. Later, following his parents’ deaths, he faced a tidal wave of despair and suicidal thoughts. He sought professional help and openly shared his struggle with his church, who responded with grace. Now, Ed advocates for the church to be a hospital for the broken, urging people to seek help and recognize it’s okay not to be okay, but not to stay that way.

Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Wendell Vinson and Todd Lamphere from CityServe, an organization that helps equip and empower churches to serve their communities. They discuss CityServe’s mission to equip local churches and to meet the last mile of need in their communities. They highlight the church’s role in community transformation, citing reduced recidivism rates, and its essential “ministry of presence” before, during, and after crises like natural disasters or war. Finally, they acknowledge compassion fatigue, emphasizing that faithful service requires spiritual replenishment in order to continue to serve others well. 

 

Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:

Jesus Calling Podcast

Jesus Calling

Jesus Always

Jesus Listens

Past interview:Erica Campbell

Upcoming interview: Kathie Lee Gifford

Jesus Calling app

 

Ed Newton

CODA (Child of Deaf Adults)

Romans 8:28

www.ednewton.com

Why Not You? Believing What God Believes About You

 

CityServe

Canyon Hills Church

Matthew 16:13-27

prison recidivism

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity’s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org

TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference.https://trinitycredit.org

 

Interview Quotes:

“My mission was to actually be the voice for two people that could not speak and to help them understand how to aggregate and acclimate into a hearing world.” - Ed Newton

“It’s okay not to be okay. It’s just not okay to stay that way. God can break every chain.” - Ed Newton 

“I believe some of the healthiest people I have ever met sit on somebody’s couch. I actually think the red flag of danger is for somebody that says, ‘I’m good. I don’t need counseling.’ I would say watch out for that slippery slope of destruction that’s about to happen.” - Ed Newton

“I just think for most people, life gets shaken up and they don’t know what to do with that. Don’t live life all bound up when you can find somebody that would love you, sit with you, and go, ‘Hey, let me tell you what I hear and see. You’re not alone.’” - Ed Newton

“Sometimes churches get it wrong and we slap Bible verses on a chemical disruption in the body. And I want to say, ‘I’m sorry you got hit with a Bible verse when you just needed someone to sit in the puddle of your tears.’” - Ed Newton

“We’re constantly hearing and listening and feeling, but when we do not align our heart to what God says, who is the ultimate voice, then it just conflicts with the directional, navigational component of our life.” - Ed Newton

“There’s a God who never changes, who operates out of the character of sovereignty and goodness, and who’s always working for your greater good. So why not begin a day with Him, and let Him frame the filter of how you’re to see the world?” - Ed Newton

“It’s a beautiful partnership that allows pastors and churches that have a desire to meet the practical, physical needs of the community it was called to serve, and to have an organization come alongside it to help make that happen. This is the beauty of the partnership between the local church and CityServe.” - Todd Lamphere 

“When a person connects with the body of Christ and starts moving down a different path, it transforms community.” - Wendell Vinson 

“What people need in times of disaster more than anything, is they need the ministry of presence.” - Todd Lamphere 

“Compassion is scalable. You start where you are with what you have, and God will take you further.” - Wendell Vinson

“Compassion fatigue is just a reality. You cannot give out what you do not have in you. This is why being saturated in God’s Word every day is so vitally important. It’s a non-negotiable to stay in God’s Word to commune with Him, to listen to worship music, to pray for God to just continue to be your strength, to be your source, to be your all in all.” - Todd Lamphere

“If any of us think that we can in our own strength or power just live out what the Lord’s called us to, we’re mistaken.It all flows out of that personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Wendell Vinson

________________________

Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!

Audio Episodes:     https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7 

Bonus Podcasts:     https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw 

Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:  https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C 

Peace for Everyday Life:     https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj 

Peace in Uncertain Times:     https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u 

What’s Good?     https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj 

Enneagram:     https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY 

________________________ 

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*This episode mentions suicide and may be triggering for some listeners.
This week, we&rsquo;ll hear from <a href="https://www.communitybible.com/pastor-ed">Ed Newton, pastor of Community Bible Church </a>in San Antonio, Texas. Growing up as a <a href="https://www.coda-international.org/">CODA (Child of Deaf Adults)</a>, Ed bridged the hearing and deaf worlds for his parents, fostering immense empathy but also hardship. Later, following his parents&rsquo; deaths, he faced a tidal wave of despair and suicidal thoughts. He sought professional help and openly shared his struggle with his church, who responded with grace. Now, Ed advocates for the church to be a hospital for the broken, urging people to seek help and recognize it&rsquo;s okay not to be okay, but not to stay that way.
Later in the episode, we&rsquo;ll hear from Wendell Vinson and Todd Lamphere from <a href="https://cityservenetwork.com/">CityServe</a>, an organization that helps equip and empower churches to serve their communities. They discuss CityServe&rsquo;s mission to equip local churches and to meet the last mile of need in their communities. They highlight the church&rsquo;s role in community transformation, citing reduced recidivism rates, and its essential &ldquo;ministry of presence&rdquo; before, during, and after crises like natural disasters or war. Finally, they acknowledge compassion fatigue, emphasizing that faithful service requires spiritual replenishment in order to continue to serve others well.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/">Jesus Calling Podcast</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/">Jesus Calling</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-always/">Jesus Always</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/books/jesus-listens/">Jesus Listens</a>
Past interview: <a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/created-on-purpose-for-gods-purpose-erica-campbell-and-crystal-paine/">Erica Campbell</a>
Upcoming interview: <a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/podcast/big-changes-new-dreams-kathie-lee-gifford-and-jim-jill-kelly/">Kathie Lee Gifford</a>
<a href="https://www.jesuscalling.com/app/">Jesus Calling app</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.communitybible.com/pastor-ed">Ed Newton</a>
<a href="https://www.coda-international.org/">CODA (Child of Deaf Adults)</a>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208%3A28&amp;version=NIV">Romans 8:28</a>
<a href="http://www.ednewton.com">www.ednewton.com</a>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Why-Not-You-Believing-Believes/dp/1400350875">Why Not You? Believing What God Believes About You</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://cityservenetwork.com/">CityServe</a>
<a href="https://canyonhills.com/pastors/">Canyon Hills Church</a>
<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016%3A13-27&amp;version=NIV">Matthew 16:13-27</a>
<a href="https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/corrections/recidivism">prison recidivism</a>
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt, call Trinity today. Trinity&rsquo;s counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps! Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
TrinityCredit &ndash; Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we&rsquo;re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. <a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org</a>
&nbsp;
Interview Quotes:
&ldquo;My mission was to actually be the voice for two people that could not speak and to help them understand how to aggregate and acclimate into a hearing world.&rdquo; - Ed Newton
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s okay not to be okay. It&rsquo;s just not okay to stay that way. God can break every chain.&rdquo; - Ed Newton&nbsp;
&ldquo;I believe some of the healthiest people I have ever met sit on somebody&rsquo;s couch. I actually think the red flag of danger is for somebody that says, &lsquo;I&rsquo;m good. I don&rsquo;t need counseling.&rsquo; I would say watch out for that slippery slope of destruction that&rsquo;s about to happen.&rdquo; - Ed Newton
&ldquo;I just think for most people, life gets shaken up and they don&rsquo;t know what to do with that. Don&rsquo;t live life all bound up when you can find somebody that would love you, sit with you, and go, &lsquo;Hey, let me tell you what I hear and see. You&rsquo;re not alone.&rsquo;&rdquo; - Ed Newton
&ldquo;Sometimes churches get it wrong and we slap Bible verses on a chemical disruption in the body. And I want to say, &lsquo;I&rsquo;m sorry you got hit with a Bible verse when you just needed someone to sit in the puddle of your tears.&rsquo;&rdquo; - Ed Newton
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re constantly hearing and listening and feeling, but when we do not align our heart to what God says, who is the ultimate voice, then it just conflicts with the directional, navigational component of our life.&rdquo; - Ed Newton
&ldquo;There&rsquo;s a God who never changes, who operates out of the character of sovereignty and goodness, and who&rsquo;s always working for your greater good. So why not begin a day with Him, and let Him frame the filter of how you&rsquo;re to see the world?&rdquo; - Ed Newton
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a beautiful partnership that allows pastors and churches that have a desire to meet the practical, physical needs of the community it was called to serve, and to have an organization come alongside it to help make that happen. This is the beauty of the partnership between the local church and CityServe.&rdquo; - Todd Lamphere&nbsp;
&ldquo;When a person connects with the body of Christ and starts moving down a different path, it transforms community.&rdquo; - Wendell Vinson&nbsp;
&ldquo;What people need in times of disaster more than anything, is they need the ministry of presence.&rdquo; - Todd Lamphere&nbsp;
&ldquo;Compassion is scalable. You start where you are with what you have, and God will take you further.&rdquo; - Wendell Vinson
&ldquo;Compassion fatigue is just a reality. You cannot give out what you do not have in you. This is why being saturated in God&rsquo;s Word every day is so vitally important. It&rsquo;s a non-negotiable to stay in God&rsquo;s Word to commune with Him, to listen to worship music, to pray for God to just continue to be your strength, to be your source, to be your all in all.&rdquo; - Todd Lamphere
&ldquo;If any of us think that we can in our own strength or power just live out what the Lord&rsquo;s called us to, we&rsquo;re mistaken. It all flows out of that personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.&rdquo; - Wendell Vinson
________________________
Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!
Audio Episodes: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7">https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7</a>&nbsp;
Bonus Podcasts: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw">https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw</a>&nbsp;
Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer:&nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C">https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C</a>&nbsp;
Peace for Everyday Life: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj">https://bit.ly/3zzwFoj</a>&nbsp;
Peace in Uncertain Times: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u">https://bit.ly/3cHfB6u</a>&nbsp;
What&rsquo;s Good? &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj">https://bit.ly/3vc2cKj</a>&nbsp;
Enneagram: &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY">https://bit.ly/3hzRCCY</a>&nbsp;
________________________&nbsp;
Connect with Jesus Calling
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Dropping Our Masks to Confront Anxiety, Despair, and Real Needs: Ed Newton, Wendell Vinson, and Todd Lamphere

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/de80a909-11af-487a-9789-b3fb0128541a/transcript

[BONUS] Songs For Sundays: Country Artists Sing Their Faith

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