POSITIVELY JOY

My strongest memory of Mom: Faith, love and church

It's Mother’s Day on Sunday. My mother left this earth two decades ago and I think of her often. Today, I’ll tell you about my fondest and strongest memory of her, sharing faith and being in church together. Bonus: A new song release!

Song lyrics to "My Mother's Hands"

Beautiful lady, we bow before the altar
You’re my everything I’m your little daughter
Every Sunday, your hand in mine. I remember...

Chorus
My mother’s hands, so warm so soft
Not perfect, no, but strong enough
My mother’s hands, caring but worn
You carried me from the day I was born

Standing in this church, I see you as a saint
To others you’re a servant, helping everyone
You’re out the door, there’s so much to be done. But I remember…

My mother’s hands, so warm so soft
Not perfect, no, but strong enough
My mother’s hands, caring but worn
Those hands held me till I was grown

She never forgot me;
Here’s what she taught me
Love justice, mercy and walk ever so humbly
And now, I’m all that’s left of …

My mother’s hands, so warm so soft
Not perfect no but strong enough
My mother’s hands caring but worn
She carried me till I was grown.

Drug screening reminds me of the persecution of Jesus

I have accepted a new job and I recently had to get a drug screening. It made me think of Jesus. Listen to hear why. This is part of my month of stories about me. It's a little break from the regular interviews, but we’re gearing up for a new season, season 5, of the Positively Joy podcast, which launches in May. I’m so excited to share with you all the new guests, including faithful women and men who have learned to find the joy of God despite trauma and loss. Their stories are compelling and will bless you. 

Why I go to two churches - it’s the good spiritual food

We’re spending some time in special solo episodes during the month of April. You know, I don’t do this very often. I’d rather share others’ stories and not my own. Today I reveal why I attend two churches. If you don't have a church home, please visit some in your area, and find one (or two!) that connects with you. 

Nationwide church directory. (Not all churches are listed.)

Holy Week: Why I got married on Good Friday

It's Holy Week, and it’s a very special week to me for more than the reasons you might think. Today, I’d like to share my story of how I got married on Good Friday.

We’re gearing up for a new season, season 5, of the Positively Joy podcast, which launches in May. I’m so excited to share with you all the new guests, including faithful women and men who have learned to find the joy of God despite trauma and loss. Their stories are compelling and will bless you. In the meantime, I’ll spend some time with you in special solo episodes.

See the original story and photos from Yvette's wedding.

For more about Yvette, or to book her for speaking engagements, go to her website.

Revisiting LaQuisha Hall, Bible journaling and overcoming trauma

This replay with creative journaler LaQuisha Hall is one of my favorite conversations! Since this recording, she has gone on to win Mrs. Maryland International 2023 with her platform to end bullying.

Listen to LaQuisha as she discusses her challenges with abuse growing up, and shows how she overcame many of them through using her God-given tools of creativity.

Website: http://laquishahall.com/ Confidence Coaching: http://laquishahall.com/confidence-coaching/

Reporter John Lundy leaves journalism for ministry media

TODAY is a special episode of Positively Joy because I’m sharing the latest episode of the Journalists Advancing Ministry podcast. I started thejam.online because I’ve noticed more journalists turning to ministry and professing their faith. Today’s guest, John Lundy, went from a 40-year career of reporting the news to telling the good news of what God is doing in the world for TWR, a global digital company that spreads the gospel. 

Jessica Snowden ignites her God-given spark

Jessica Snowden is an entrepreneur who found encouragement from God in the most random way: through an encounter with a total stranger. This spark helped her to reach her highest goal, one that she never thought she would reach. It’s a message you need to hear and it will bless you in your home or work life.

Make sure to Follow our show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, so that you get notified each time a new episode is available. If you already follow our show, help a friend follow the show too.

Find Jessica on social media

Jessica's website

Ministry leaders need self-care -- a Lenten lesson for 2023

The Rev. Dr. Margie Bryce is the no-nonsense host of The Crabby Pastor podcast, and she’s a Ministry coach that counsels the pastors, church leaders, and others in ministry who work so hard to help the rest of us. Margie says more ministry leaders should practice self-care and sustainability, especially during this weighty season of Lent. She reminds us that God is in control and that ministry leaders, and everyone, can rely on Him.

Make sure to Follow our show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen, so that you get notified each time a new episode is available.”

Lent devotional "Following in the Wilderness"

Listen to The Crabby Pastor

Margie's Coaching website for ministry leaders

Feeling spammy? Gail Root says you can sell and still have faith

After over 25 years in Direct Sales and Network Marketing, Gail Root says God called her to coach women in the Industry. Today, she coaches and trains faith-filled women, who are ready to renew their perspective of the Industry. Gail says, “everybody sells,” and we shouldn’t be ashamed of it.

Gail's website: calledtoawaken.com

Gail's podcast: Kingdom Dream Chasers

 

Revival means becoming new, and making room for Jesus

People started calling the worship meetings in Asbury University revival, but sadly the word took a nasty turn. What is revival? And after its two-week 24/7 services, why has Asbury in Kentucky become a scapegoat for false motives? This is what we will tackle today on the Positively Joy podcast. And I don’t have a guest today, it’s just me, but I want to share with you my thoughts on this and what revival meant to me as a teenager growing up and learning to love God.

Bible reading can be confusing, but Australian pastor shows how

Chad Mansbridge is a pastor in Australia and a Bible teacher and he wants you to know that you can handle the truth of the Bible. He will share his threefold method on reading God’s holy Word on the show today. 

Chad's book: "You Can Handle the Truth: Making Sense of the Bible in 3 Simple Steps"

Chad's YouTube Channel

Amanda Jenkins, ’The Chosen’ and Sam Smith’s performance on the Grammys

It’s a two-fer on the show today! Stay tuned to hear Amanda Jenkins talk about her life and the hit TV show about Jesus, "The Chosen," which has just wrapped up season 3. And then listen to the Rev. Leah Schade speak about Sam Smith’s provocative performance on the Grammys, and how entertainment uses the imagery of evil to sell.

• Amanda Jenkins is the wife of Dallas Jenkins, creator of the Chosen. But Amanda is an important part of the show in her own right. She talks about her contributions, and her important faith walk that helped her and Dallas say YES to this amazing gift from God, The Chosen.
• The Rev. Leah Schade and I post an occasional series on entertainment and faith. We’ve talked about evil onscreen in the past. But the 2023 Grammy put the devil on full display on broadcast TV. Is this the latest Lil Nas X?

"The Chosen": Watch the TV show about the life of Jesus

"UnHoly": (watch a clip of the Grammy performance for yourself)

 

Amish upbringing and later God’s grace prepared Sara Daigle to survive marriage

Sara Daigle was raised in an Amish Community. When she married, her history of obedience caused her to put up with a marriage that tolerated pornography and even considerations of possibly having multiple partners in marriage. But these trials forced her to cling to the Lord, who delivered her from that relationship. She also began to teach her girls how to have a blessed relationship.

Sara's books: https://sara-daigle.org/book/

Sara's blog: https://sara-daigle.org/

• Make sure to Follow our show on Apple Podcasts so that you get notified each time a new episode is available.”
• “If you already follow our show, help a friend follow the show too.

’Performance Christianity’ without a relationship with Jesus fails

Author, podcaster, and speaker Jon Fugler has Fresh Faith 24/7. That’s his ministry. But he had to break from his habit of what he calls Performing for Christ and build a deeper relationship with the Lord.

Overcome Performance Christianity at Fresh Faith 24/7

Take the Spiritual Self-Assessment test

Coaching and training with Jon

 

’Just Rest’ and learn to find God’s perfect hope

Melanie Redd has an essential message of Hope through Rest. I need that, don’t you? Her book "Just Rest" and her previous devotionals have this message running through them: God is all you need, even as we go through our most difficult trials. 

Her website: https://melanieredd.com/

“Just Rest” can be found on Amazon. 

A journalist talks about speaking faith and truth in the newsroom

TODAY’s special episode gives me joy. It’s a new episode of my other podcast, Journalists Advancing Ministry, featuring my good friend, author and podcaster Cindy LaFavre Yorks. I started this at thejam.online because as a former journalist, I know I wrestled with my faith and my job. But I’m seeing more journalists turn to ministry, and I think that is a good thing. I still believe in the importance of journalism, but I know God created communicators to give him glory, and former journalists like Cindy and me are doing this. 

Listen to Cindy's on "His GPS for Your SOS" here.

Find Cindy's "Door" book series here. 

When God leads you to evangelize in a grocery store

God led to me set up a table in a grocery store to tell people about my Devotional series, "Whispering in His Ear" and "God's Voice and How to Listen." But along with sales, came evangelism, prayer, and an opportunity to remind people that God is faithful and is with us always!

Special shoutout to Danielle Bernock of the Victorious Souls podcast for telling me about the Authors in Grocery Store program!

If you missed me at the stores, get my Devotional series on Amazon.

What is your favorite show about Christmas?

Merry Christmas! What's your favorite Christmas movie or show? There are many excellent Christmas shows and movies to see, but there’s one show that, for me and my sister, Karen, beats them all. It's the 1968 TV show “The Little Drummer Boy.” Not the animated cartoon, but the original stop-motion show by Rankin & Bass and narrated by the incredible Greer Garson.

Today on the podcast, let me share some of YOUR favorites, and then I’ll tell you why I love this vintage TV show so much. Hint. It's about Joy.

 

Christmas replay: Shea Watson speaks about Joseph and fatherhood

Here is part two of our Christmas special replays! Season 3, Ep. 37: On his bio page, Shea Watson says, “I’m just a man who loves Jesus.” True, and a lot more. That’s why he’s my go-to interview for this different kind of Christmas story: Joseph’s role in the telling of the Nativity. Joseph was a man of God who shouldered the task given to him with compassion, grace, and love. In today’s episode. Watson, a husband, and dad, drops some wisdom on Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ.

Listen to last week's episode replay on Mary and Elizabeth, and motherhood: https://positivelyjoy.com/religion/holiday-replay-mary-elizabeth-and-a-season-of-motherhood-and-purpose/

Holiday replay: Mary, Elizabeth and a season of motherhood and purpose

In a special holiday replay of Positively Joy, host Yvette Walker and podcaster Angel McCoy have a stirring conversation about motherhood, women who are childless, and their connection to the Bible story of Mary, the Mother of God, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Two women, one younger, one older, both giving birth to purpose.

Gratitude became a practice for Phil Barth after a heart attack

Do you know Christmas in July? This week on the podcast, we are in Spring! What I mean is, I talked to author and speaker Phil Barth earlier this year, when my irises were blooming and I was grateful for it all! Phil knows a lot about gratitude! Listen as he shares his gratitude practice following a heart attack and the healing he received.

His website: PhilBarth.com

His Book: Great Things Happen Every Day: Finding joy with family, friends and banana milkshakes

Invitation to a Bible study was a gift to this Christian author

Author Jennifer Sienes didn’t grow up reading the Bible. An invitation from a friend to a Beth Moore Bible study changed her life and began her writing career. Jennifer’s next book in the Bedford County series is “These Simple Gifts.” Jennifer found God in that simple gift of invitation at a time she needed to be closer to Him. Listen as she reveals how she walks with God today. Here’s Jennifer.

Her website: https://www.jennifersienes.com/

Her books: https://www.jennifersienes.com/books/

 

’The Chosen’ director Dallas Jenkins reveals his heart for Jesus

 

"The Chosen," Season 3, launched last week in theaters worldwide. Audiences are able to see the first two episodes on the big screen. This is a fulfillment of director Dallas Jenkins’ dream to bring the life of Jesus to TV and movie watchers everywhere. I spoke to Dallas at a convention in 2021 and his honesty gives insight into where we are now with the series. I hope you enjoy this special replay episode.

As season 3 begins, Jesus gives the famous Sermon on the Mount, revealing the Beatitudes and feeding thousands with just a basket of fish and loaves. We know the miraculous end of this story, and season three begins to move away from the happy, fun, and Inspirational Jesus to the struggles of what will end with his death and resurrection. On this Thanksgiving weekend, Positively Joy presents a replay with Dallas as he discusses his intent for this series.

Angel Studios features "The Chosen" and other Christian entertainment here.

Listen Sister, Tess Scott can help you live the ”freak show” of life

Listen sisters, and brothers, let me tell you about Tess Scott. She’s is a mother of 8 and grandmother of 9, who has been set free by the Lord and has learned to get through what she called the Freak Show of life with humor and grace. Her book and company of the same name, Listen sister, helps women come together for encouragement wrapped in laughter and grounded in Biblical truths. 

Special episode: Pulitzer-winning journalist left the job for Jesus

Once a month you will hear an episode of my new multimedia podcast, Journalists Advancing Ministry, where I introduce you to journalists who have entered the ministry. Today, you’ll hear the story of Pulitzer Prize-winner Angelo Henderson told by his wife, Felecia. Angelo left this earth in 2014, much too soon, but in his short time here he accomplished so much, both in Journalism and in Ministry. I hope you enjoy today’s special episode, and be sure to visit the webpage at thejam.online to experience all the multimedia content. It’s presented by Positively Joy Ministries.