POSITIVELY JOY: Healing Hearts After Divorce

Celebrating Black voices this month on Spotify

BONUS: February is Black History month, and the Positively Joy podcast honors Black Voices this month by showcasing all our joyful interviews with African Americans on a special Spotify playlist

A family farm, cows and lightning bugs: Sarah Philpott describes God’s blessings

Season 3, Ep. 47: Sarah Philpott lives on a working farm with her husband and children. Her book, “The Growing Season” reflects on the life lessons she has observed on the farm and how it relates to God’s provisions and blessings for us.

Her website

Her reading club

Listen in to this Clubhouse conversation on the apostle Paul and acceptance

Season 3, Ep. 46: It's a Clubhouse Collab! Let's read Galatians Chapter two, where the apostle Paul explains acceptance and hypocrisy. Featuring Ngozi Robinson of the People of the Way Ministry and podcaster Nii Tsakle Akofio-sowah.

Creative LaQuisha Hall encourages everyone to be God’s confident canvas

 

Bible journaler, artist, and crafter LaQuisha Hall founded the online channel and social brand Confident Canvas to reflect that she is God’s canvas. She has a lot to share with us today about creativity making us whole after tragedy, trauma, and anxiety, and, she emphasizes that we must use the talents God has given us.

Website: ConfidentCanvas.com

@ConfidentCanvas on all social media

John 3:16 on Clubhouse: Risk it all for Jesus!

Season 3, Ep. 44: Listen to this replay of the "House of Joy on Clubhouse," where we talk about John 3:16 and the whole of chapter 3. Thanks to Coach Qiana Nicole, podcaster Ngozi Robinson, and coach Chuck Taylor for a great discussion!

"The House of Joy" is a room on the Clubhouse social audio app. We're part of Christian Podcasters Connect and Positively Joy. Join us for great live conversations every Friday at 6 pm Central.

God said change, so lawyer-turned-life coach learned to pivot

Season 3, Ep. 43: Jenny Toh was a lawyer. An admirable accomplishment! But God had plans for her to help people in a different way. As a life coach, Jenny is using her God-given talents to inspire and encourage others.

Jenny is an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach (ACC) who runs her own coaching practice, River Life Coaching Pte. Ltd. She is also a lawyer in the U.K., Singapore, and Malaysia with 24+ years of experience.

She can be reached at River Life Coaching: https://www.riverlifecoaching.com/

 

Moms, are you tired and overwhelmed? Hannah Keeley can help

 

Season 3, Ep. 42: Hannah Keeley, a mother of 7, coaches other moms needing help. She’s the author of the book "Mom Fog," and the founder of Mom Mastery University. Today she talks about using her faith and trust in God to revolutionize her way of thinking and revitalize her family. She uses 8 steps to help women use vision and focus and push through the fog.

Her book is available for free or very low cost, along with other resources at hannahkeeley.com.

 

Clubhouse collab! Proverbs chapter 3: Trust in the Lord

Season 3, Ep. 41: Welcome to The House of Joy, a room on the Clubhouse app that I will share with you on Mondays here on Positively Joy. My co-moderator is Nii Tsakle Akofio-sowah of the new and upcoming podcast "Unleashed." We are starting a new yearlong series on prayer and scripture, and we start with Proverbs chapter 5. Let us know if you like this, and join us Fridays at 6 p.m. on the Clubhouse audio app to participate LIVE!

Hospitable and welcoming, Sue Donaldson makes her home an invitation to faith

 

Season 3, Ep. 40: The author of hundreds of icebreakers, hospitality ideas and recipes, Sue Donaldson turns a simple plate of cookies or a coffee cake into an invitation for faith and fellowship. You can find all sorts of ideas and resources at her website, WelcomeHeart.com, and she has a special resource for listeners: "Prayer for a Hospitality Heart" and "10 Mentoring Worksheets."

Prayer is the only way to find joy and to be fulfilled

Season 3, Ep. 39: It’s the beginning of a new year, and like most of you, I’m thinking about my place in 2022 and what God has for me. I took Dayspring’s Word of the Year quiz, where you answer a series of questions to get a word that you will commit to living by for the next 365 days. What word did I get? Where is God leading me in 2022? How about you?

 

2021 year end replay with Melissa Moore on mental health, grief and trust in God

Other than our perennial favorite, the Financial Diva Victoria Woods, our top-ranked interview was with Melissa Moore of the Faith Hope and Love podcast and community. Moore discusses holding on to her faith despite crushing grief in her life from her Bipolar II disorder, miscarriage, and the suicide of her mother. 

Join us and gain wisdom through the Positively Joy book club!

 

Welcome to 5-minute  Mondays. Where  I share some encouragement, motivation and honesty in just five minutes! Today I want to talk about self-improvement through reading.

As I listened to God in 2020 command me to begin this ministry, I didn’t know what it would look like or what I would do. I never doubted his command or his Word, but like Moses, I did worry that I would not have the words to do it. I am not a Bible scholar or a minister. I had no training in religion, divinity or theology.

But he said to do it, and I said, “Yes, Lord.” I’m a journalist and educator by profession, and what I do know how to do is research. 

That’s right, I’m starting the Positively Joy Book Club! If you’d like to read along with me, I’ll list the books I choose in the show notes. We’ll start with one book a month.

My first entry in the log? it will be “Contact with God: The Amazing Power of Prayer” by Jeanne Wilkerson. Come along with me and start your own reading log. Let’s gain the wisdom we need this year to share God’s word!

Find the book link through positivelyjoy.com.

Look up in wonder as you listen to these messages of the joy of Christmas

I'm pleased to present this special Christmas episode, a compilation of podcasters from the Spark Media Network --  including yours truly. It features a special song I co-wrote with Rick Amburgey and Alyssa Newton, "Wonder." Alyssa beautifully sings the vocals. I hope all the messages fill you with the wonder of Christmas.

A different Christmas story: Podcaster Shea Watson looks at Joseph, Jesus‘ earthly father

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 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.

Podcaster Lori Morrison combines faith and true crime

It's a Replay! In Season 3, Episode 13, Lori Morrison is a private investigator and a woman of faith. Her podcast, “The Unlovely Truth,” is the intersection of both of these passions. On her show, she reviews true crime books with guests who can discuss crime and faith.

Doubt in yourself is doubt in God

Recently I was talking with a friend about the fear and doubt that many Christian women experience. The “I could never do” the thing God asked us to do. The “I’m not worthy” of His trust. The “I’m not good enough” to share His message. That’s fear. But then, you decide to take a step. You do the thing. You obey. But there is something that is holding you back from fulfilling your holy mission. That thing is doubt. Listen today to learn how to conquer your doubt!

Read the rest of this entry »

Speaker and worship artist, Marina McLean boosts women in the faith

Season 3, Ep. 35: Dr. Marina McLean is a keynote speaker, recording artist, songwriter, and  author. London born of Jamaican descent, her angelic voice captivates crowds and ushers in the true presence of God. She talks about her work supporting women entrepreneurs in the faith community, and the Mega Women project. Her spirit will draw you in!

Joy can live alongside anxiety and depression, as long as there is Jesus

Season 3, Ep. 34: Author, speaker, and podcaster, Jodi Howe joins me on the podcast today representing Joy. Throughout crippling anxieties and the journey to discover what was happening to her, she was introduced to God in a deeper and richer way. Now she sees the joy in life with Jesus.

(The conversation took place in July in Dallas, after the NRB/Spark Media Conference.)

Her podcast, The Air That I Breathe: https://www.jodihowe.com/podcast

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

Failure in life and business set Carenda Deonne on a path to transform

Season 3, Ep. 33: Author and speaker Carenda Deonne once questioned Christianity and turned to other religions, but she recognized that the failures in her life here opportunities to teach others. Now, she challenges people not to make lemonade when life gives you lemons, but instead throw those lemons back by changing your thought process, taking risks, and delivering a new you.  After going through two failed marriages and failed business relationships, Carenda stopped pointing the finger outward and instead inward. Only when doing that was she able to live a fulfilled and fruitful life.

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

Her free membership: https://www.carendadeonne.com/phswomensgroup

 

A week of gratitude on the Positively Joy podcast, and book launch!

Season 3, Ep. 32: Welcome to 5-minute  Mondays. Where I share some encouragement, motivation, and honesty in just five minutes! Today, I want to talk to you about gratitude. I am so grateful to all of you who are listening to me right now. You have any number of podcasts to listen to and the fact that you pick this one is not lost on me. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to produce a book of devotions that pay honor and glory to the God of the every day. The Lord of our lives. The Father who actually is there in every small moment.

Today is the launch of “Whispering in His Ear.” In many ways, this book was written by God, in all the direction he gave me, over a two-year period. And you can get a copy today on Amazon, in paperback or digital download. The book will help fund the Positively Joy online ministry.

Buy it here! "Whispering in His Ear."

Expecting victory: Jessica Houston engages a spirit-led life and career

Season 3, Ep. 31: Dr. Jessica Houston has overcome it all. She has overcome poverty, depression, low self-esteem, and domestic abuse. Through her strong belief in God and herself, she is passionate about sharing how others can live an abundant and satisfying life, full of joy, despite any obstacles they may encounter. 

Her website: Expectingvictory.com

Download: THE ULTIMATE BREAKTHROUGH STRATEGY on her website.

Don‘t rob yourself of joy, and understand your purpose

Today I read an excerpt from my new book of devotions, "Whispering in His Ear."  I'm reading from Chapter Two: Understanding Your Purpose -- Joy Robber." It's about the real reason we should serve our church and our community. The devotional, in multiple scripture translations and with multimedia links and QR codes, is available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K5SCJF9?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420.

Fierce and joyful, Doris Swift says every woman of God has a calling

Doris Swift has long felt a calling from God. Even when life was hard, she knew He was there -- From an unplanned teen pregnancy to difficult life choices to people trying to discourage her. Even when detractors told her no, she knew her message would be called Fierce Calling, which turned into a podcast. Doris tells women how to forgive themselves of past mistakes. 

Her podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fierce-calling/id1486667407

Her website: https://dorisswift.com/

Dealing with the suicide of a child and overcoming the odds

Season 3, Episode 28: When the death of a child triggers painful memories of another one years earlier, how do you cope? Author and coach Peggy Green has overcome the odds, and shares her personal story of life after losing two of her four children, one to suicide. We talk about her philosophies for surviving suicide loss and leaning on God in the middle of the mess.

 

 

Coach Tom Mullens taught this girl to ‘stay on offense‘

One from the vault: Pastor and former coach Tom Mullens has a message: Get on offense. What does that mean? Well, have you ever felt like you were on a moving sidewalk? Not walking under your own power, just moving forward. Just going, not even toward an object or destination. That’s what’s it like to live “on defense.” Today, I reflect on Mullens’ message. And be encouraged — there’s a way out. I'll be back with a new episode next week!