POSITIVELY JOY: Healing Hearts After Divorce

‘You are worth it‘: Cassandra Hill tells women they can heal and manifest God‘s gift

Season 3, Episode 27: Cassandra Hill is a Holistic Wellness & Life Coach. She’s also a Christian. Cassandra empowers women to renew their minds, body, and soul. Her testimony is powerful, as she describes overcoming her lupus symptoms and using her personal experience to help other women. If you need to get your health back, or have achieved success but still don’t feel happy, Cassandra has a Bible-based message for you.

She has a free resource on following "God's Plan to Crush your Goals" here: https://cassandrarhill.com/follow-gods-plan-guide/

She also has a book, He "Restoreth My Soul: Triumph Through Adversity" and a prayer journal on Amazon.com.

To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven

Season 3, episode 26: It's a fact – everything (and everyone) is only around for a season. Some seasons are longer, some shorter. Sometimes we wonder why relationships end, people die and things break. But we must remember that the only relationship that never dies is the one with God. I’ve been reading Sarah Philpott’s new book, “A  Growing Season.” It’s a year of down on the farm devotions, and it’s really got me thinking about seasons in life. It’s available now at her website, allamericanmom.net, and on Amazon.

How to come into God‘s presence: Rich Lewis coaches Centering Prayer

Do you have difficulty staying in prayer for more than a minute or two? Do thoughts of shopping lists, work projects, or kids’ schedules start to pop in your mind? Author and speaker, Rich Lewis coaches on contemplative, or centering prayer. It’s a way to stay in connection with God, silently, waiting on His still small voice to come to us. Today we talk to Rich about this kind of prayer, and we even attempt some of this prayer later in the show, so stay tuned. 

Photo by William Farlow on Unsplash.

Rejoice when you go through trials! It builds faith

Season 3, Episode 24: We see similarities in passages from James, the brother of Jesus, and from Peter, who Jesus named the head of the church. These two men both wrote on trials. Interestingly, the two books of Peter directly follow the book of James. Coincidence? I think not.

Destructive thinking can block our relationship with God

Season 3, Episode 23: The Ego. The id. Personality, Psychology. When I first talked to Christian de la Huerta, I wondered if his secular message of personal transformation would fit with the mission of this podcast. He told me, “our language might different,” but that he believed in the authentic message of Christ. After our interview, I realized that many of us can have a different way of talking about what gets in the way of our ability to get closer to God. I think you might find his ideas of the power of the soul stimulating and relevant, and I’d love to know your thoughts on this episode. 

Stand firm in your joy, even when your ground is shaky

Season 3, Episode 22: Welcome to 5-minute  Mondays, where  I share some encouragement, motivation and honesty in just five minutes! In the book of James, Jesus' brother starts off writing about Joy. This drew my attention, of course, not because he writes about just any joy, but rather, this joy is found through troubles and tribulations.

This kind of joy is the hardest to grasp, and in many ways, is the whole reason for this podcast. How can we grasp and hold on to joy when we are at our lowest? James explains his reasoning in chapter 1, verse 2-5:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Let’s take this line by line and study how to find joy through trials.

Celebrating International Podcast Day by asking you ‘what brings you joy?‘

Season 3, Episode 21: Hello, and thanks for stopping by! It’s a special day today. It’s Sept. 30, International Podcast Day. And as many of you know, it’s also the week after I published my 100^th episode. I’ve been celebrating all last week and this week. And I wanted to make something special, and I wanted you to be a part of it. So I asked you to tell me what brings you Joy?

Today I want to feature 7 amazing people who answered that question. Before I do that, let me tell you what brings me joy. It’s the ability of doing this. Talking to you about the real, true joy of the Lord, every week on this podcast. I love doing this and I appreciate all of you who listen.

Our voices today will be, in order, the following media moguls, podcasters, and students of the Bible:

• Paula Lorraine, Editor-in-Chief, of Brilliant Awakening Magazine
• Lori Morrison of the Unlovely Truth podcast
• Kim Stewart of Kim Stewart marketing and host of the Book Marketing Mania podcast
• Brittany Boatman of the Trust Falls and High Kicks Podcast
• Liz Bullard of the Coffee and Convos with Liz Podcast
• Nii of the Amazing Grace podcast
• James Early of the Bible Speaks to You podcast

Thanks again for sharing what brings you joy.

 

Did you miss it? Listen to win prizes, watch videos and appear on the show

Welcome to 5-minute  Mondays. Where  I share some encouragement, motivation, and honesty in just five minutes! Today, we’re coming down from last week, where I celebrated publishing 100 episodes. I packed so much into that week that you might have missed something. And I certainly don’t want you to miss a thing. Listen to find out the three things you might have missed!

Choosing faith over fear, she went from a corporate job to serving women

Chelle Johnson had the kind of career that most people dream of. She worked for major corporations and had a loving husband and two kids. But she had some limiting beliefs and a childhood history that God wanted to heal her of: loss of a child, alcoholic husband, fear of leaving a big job. After going through recovery with her husband, God taught her what faith over fear really is.  Now, Chelle helps other women through career resilience.

 

God loves you just the way you are: El Edwards

Season 3, Episode 18: Today marks our 100th episode of the podcast, and we are spending it with El Edwards of Youier! El lives in Wales, and is a "silver lining spotter," and her message is to stop worrying about being anyone's brand of normal and to be yourself. God loves you just the way you are. And the Holy Spirit will drive your life. Her story will resonate with all girls, women and mothers. 

Positively Joy Live! 100 episodes

Listen and find out about all the celebrations we have going on next week!

Pamela Henkelman is Be[Loved], and you can be, too

Season 3, Episode 17: She spells it Be[Loved], but Pamela Henkelman shares how we are all beloved in Christ. The author and speaker wrote a manifesto for women noting how God thinks about us. 

No wonder we love music. God created it

Season 3, Episode 16: I went to the movies on Sunday, and as I walked in, a billboard the size of a Mack Truck greeted me. It was about the new upcoming movie "The Jesus Music." One phrase from the trailer really touched my heart: "Let’s not forget, music was God’s idea." Today I explore the first mentions of music in the Bible, and how Christian music is important to my faith walk. Watch the trailer for "The Jesus Music" here.

How does pop culture represent evil? ‘Exorcist,‘ ‘Evil‘ and ‘Sabrina‘

Season 3 Episode 15: Don't be scared, but we're talking about EVIL on the show today with the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade. It's part of our occasional series on how pop culture represents issues of faith and religion. We discuss "The Exorcist," "Evil" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." OK, it might be a little scary, but fun. Check it out!

Listen to the God of Hope when you are hopeless

 

Have you ever felt hopeless? I have many times, in the past and recently, too. In fact, just this past week. But this time, instead of succumbing to my hopelessness and allowing it to overtake me, I listened to the God of Hope.

Photo by Bradyn Shock on Unsplash

 

Podcaster Lori Morrison combines issues of faith and true crime

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. 

You can find divine strength in mortal weakness

Season 3, Episode 11: Welcome to 5-minute Mondays, where  I share some encouragement, motivation, and honesty in just five minutes! Today I want to talk about weakness. What does weakness have to do with finding God’s joy? Everything! Even though no one wants to be thought of as weak, and most of us would prefer to be strong, there is a relationship between the two.

Jenasa Staples went from New Age to Saved in Jesus Christ

Season 3, Episode 10: People come to Christianity in lots of different ways. And the place they come from can be just as varied. But finding Jesus is a blessing, no matter where you’ve come from. For Jenasa Staples, it was a New Age life of chakras and other practices that  she believed was helping her. But one night, a video call to worship transformed her life. 

Disability, divorce and death: Michaela Cox thrives after a life of tribulation

Season 3, Episode 9: Michaela S. Cox is a 7-time published author who has traveled her journey of 38DDD to go from tribulation to thriving. What is 38DDD? It's not what you think! Michaela talks about her lifelong disability of legal blindness; divorce at 26; and the death of her beloved husband at 38.

Chasing satisfaction: It's not through food or drink, only through the Holy Spirit

Season 3, Episode 9: Welcome to the launch of a new segment:  5-minute  Mondays. It's where  I share some encouragement, motivation, and honesty in just five minutes! Today, I want to talk to you about being full and satisfied, from the book of Ephesians. Paul talks to the church about how to find true contentment and satisfaction through the Holy Spirit. 

JoyKeeper: Suzie Eller will change how you think about joy

Season 3, Episode 8: Suzanne Eller is a best-selling author, the co-host of The More Than Small Talk podcast, and is a joyous woman. Her saying - "joy is more than a feeling, It's a knowing" - goes perfectly with the Positively Joy podcast. Her book, "JoyKeeper, six truths that change everything you thought you knew about joy," will help you understand the true nature of God's joy, even while you're walking through the valleys. 

Dallas Jenkins dropped in my Clubhouse room!

Season 3, Episode 7: This episode is completely unexpected! Creator and director of "The Chosen," Dallas Jenkins, dropped in The House of Joy, my Clubhouse room, last Friday. Dallas shared more wisdom and but also interacted with members in the room. The audio quality is, well, "special," but listenable. Be sure to listen to my previous podcast interview with Dallas at positivelyjoy.com.

Photo caption: Director Dallas Jenkins preps a scene for episode 3 of the first season.

What is your testimony? Mine is learning that I had been 'comfortably numb' in Christ

 

Season 3, Episode 6: Classic Rock group Pink Floyd called the feeling “comfortably numb,” in their song that talked about being anesthetized to get through life.

The funny thing is, you don’t know when you are numb to God. You don’t realize how your feelings, once so sharp and bright, like a burning flame, become cooled and dulled to the senses. It’s so easy to slip out of the light into numbness as we stop listening to his still, small voice, and tuning out the world.

Go to PositivelyJoy.com and click the TALK tab to let us know your testimony. Or join the Positively Joy Facebook Community and let us know your motivation.

Enneagrams translated: Amy Wicks shows how this personality test helps unpack our baggage

Season 3, episode 5: Amy Wicks of Simply Wholehearted is a certified Enneagrams coach and helps Christians learn more about themselves to become better-functioning people at home, at work and even at church! I'm a 3-wing-2. Don't know that that means? Listen!

Counselor Lois Hollis says shame and guilt are the reason for many mental conditions today.

Season 3, Episode 4: Lois Hollis battled physical and mental pain for years, but she learned that often the underlying condition is shame and guilt, which partner together to push us down. Hollis also says shame and guilt do not come from God, and that we don't have to own them. Her video and a free resource is available at loishollis.com

Takeaway quote:

"(Shame and guilt are) not of the human condition ... it's not of us, so we don't have to own it. It's a negative energy placed upon humanity. We do not need shame/guilt to live."