POSITIVELY JOY: Healing Hearts After Divorce

Dallas Jenkins of 'The Chosen' understands failure, doubt and what joy really is

Dallas Jenkins has created a different kind of series about Jesus. And, Jenkins said, he’s “obsessed” with making the experience authentic and intimate for viewers. I spoke to Dallas at the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Texas. We had a great conversation but the audio was noisy, being on the conference floor. Still, his message is important and worth listening.

And, when he talked about JOY he was really speaking my language!

Key takeaways:

• Dallas made "The Chosen" after coming off a failed movie project
• He openly talks about sin
• He intentionally made the series cast diverse, especially in the portrayal of women.
• He said there is a difference between joy and happiness. "Joy is eternal."
• He tries to keep the show Biblically accurate while creating an interesting story.

“I don’t want people to glorify the show to the point where they think this is a replacement for the Bible,” Jenkins said. “I’m saying from the beginning, that the show is not God’s word. Jonathan (Roumie), who plays Jesus is not Jesus. I’m not the creator of the universe. I’m a broken, flawed man … who’s trying to do my best to capture the character and intentions of Jesus in the Gospels."

Read the Oklahoma and NewsOK.com on Saturday, July 3 for the print edition of this podcast.

 

Does your passion spark real JOY? These podcasters say yes. What about you?

The Positively Joy podcast takes you on a journey to discover that JOY IS NOT A FEELING, IT’S FAITH. Today's episode comes from the  Spark Media Convention and we hear from three podcasters on why they came and why they do what they do. We are in Season Three, and this season has taken the podcast into the vantage point of what joy is. I’d like you to listen to each episode this season through the lens of how Jesus Christ defines joy.  You can find previous episodes at positivelyjoy.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

 

 

 

 

Remember the Karate Kid? Sequel Cobra Kai shows the clergy in a new light

Positively Joy is BACK with all new shows for Season three! Still seeking the joy of God in all seasons of life, this season, we will take an occasional look at how pop culture represents the Christian faith with the Rev. Dr. Leah Schade. Today: Cobra Kai. Upcoming episodes include comedian Michael Jr. and Dove-award-winning group The Erwins.

NEXT WEEK: "The Chosen's" Dallas Jenkins!

Enjoy our brand new podcast music by Marrell Sanders!

Day 2 of Christian Media: Spark Media and podcasters

Day two of these conferences are really turning it out! Day 2 of NRB and day 1 of the Spark Media Podcast Conference. I will be podcasting live from these different events all this week and I hope you stay with me and learn a lot about Christian media.

Live at the NRB Christian Media Conference and The Chosen!

Check out day one of the Christian Media Conference with me this week in Grapevine, Texas. I’ll be talking to Christian luminaries of the media world. Walk the set of The Chosen! I’ll be broadcasting all this week from the conference, as I countdown to the launch of season three of the Positively Joy Podcast this Thursday!

Throwback Thursday: Kindness comes in unexpected places -- through a box of cookies

This is a real throwback, an early one all the way from season one when I was still calling this podcast Finding Joy. It's the one where I tell a story of a surprise visit that returned a dose of kindness in a very unexpected way. Listen to hear how my name ends up in Scripture. I hope you have been enjoying these throwback episodes. Season 3 is coming soon, bigger and better! 

On Memorial Day, our hearts hold different memories -- of a father who wasn't a war hero

Happy Memorial Day! Today's episode veers off our regular focus of finding Joy. Today, we remember Memorial Day and the men and women of the armed forces. But for those of us who had a father who didn't fight, our hearts hold different memories.

(PHOTO: from left, my mother, a family friend, and my father, circa the late 1940s, early 1950s)

Throwback Thursday: Coffee and Convos with Liz Bullard

I've gotten to know Liz Bullard since we first met in the podcasting world last year. She's another force of positivity, and a great writer, too! Check out this Throwback Thursday interview of Liz about her life and why she created her podcast, Coffee and Convos.

 

Throwback Thursday: A single, saved woman behind the wedding camera

Throwback Thursday! As we come into wedding season, we throw back to  season 1, episode 7: Photographer Jaleccia Ates shares her insights about joy and the experiences of a single, saved woman and finding joy amid the stress of life and work.

Photo Credit: Ariel C. Burns Photography

S.2 Ep.46 Finding joy, not pride, in an award, a dog named Lemon and a Mr. Bill toy

It's a weird one, but here goes: You know God is working when you can learn about the Fruits of the Spirit -- most notably Joy --  through a dog named Lemon and a Mr. Bill dog toy. But that's how God works sometimes, and I love Him for it. Listen for a lesson from Paul's letter to the Galatians, not just about the Fruits and walking in the Spirit, but to abstain from walking in the flesh. We're talking pride today, and a reminder to run away from envy, hate and selfish ambition.

S.2 Ep.45 Becky Wade talks about writing, her characters and how God her to Christian romance writing

Writer Becky Wade's new book, "Let It Be Me," released this week. Wade shared with the Positively Joy podcast how she got started writing ... and it wasn't in Christian fiction! But when the Lord led her to this, she knew immediately it was her genre. Wade offers a FREE novella, "Take A Chance On Me,"  on her website, beckywade.com. Join the Positively Joy Facebook community as we begin a new book club, and Wade's novella will be our first book!

Christian romance author Becky Wade is on Thursday's show!

Becky Wade is a Christy and Carol award-winning author of heartwarming and humorous contemporary Christian romances. "Let it Be Me" is her new book, released today! She’ll talk about the book, her family and faith walk, and also how God led her into writing Christian Romances. You’ll come away inspired and encouraged. Tune in Thursday for another great episode of the Positively Joy podcast! Subscribe, follow, and set your notifications! You don't want to miss this!

S.2 Ep.44 Saying yes in a season of no: Getting on offense for God

Pastor and former coach Tom Mullins 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 Mullins' message. And be encouraged -- there's a way out.

S.2 Ep.43 Why is God like a broken fridge? You'd be surprised!

Today's episode is a short one but is uppermost on my mind today. I've been thinking that there are some things that run in the background of our lives. We don’t think about what makes them run, we don’t even think about them running at all. Until they don’t. And then, we realize how much we have depended on them. God's love and faithfulness is like that. Much like a broken-down refrigerator!

Throwback Thursday: Misty Phillip sparks a conference and a call to people to speak for God

Kingdom-builder Misty Phillip knows how to throw a party where all God’s people can come and be inspired. With the Spark Christian Podcasting Conference, she builds up, inspires and connects people. Listen to hear about Spark, and to hear how Misty finds God in the every day! The IN-PERSON conference takes place in June in Grapevine, Texas. Get tickets at sparkmedia.ventures.

S.2 Ep.42 The future looked bleak. But faith warrior Coni Knepper believed in God's promises.

Coni Knepper is a children’s books author whose passion is to write about the children living in Tanzania, East Africa, where she and her husband founded Hope of the Nations not-for-profit. Her story of believing when everything went wrong is a reminder to us to always believe that God has a bigger and better plan. Coni says, "Rest in Jesus He has a plan. It may not look like yours so be patient and REST in Him. He does amazing things!"

S.2 Ep.41 A very special inspired episode: Driving back from Easter service

This is a pretty unusual episode. Don't look for perfection. It's just me driving from one Easter service to another. I'm on the highway listening to Christian music and feeling inspired to talk to you. 

As I mention in the service, here is Keith Green's Easter song. His music deepened my relationship with God and saved me during a very difficult summer while alone and on an internship in New York in 1982. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG8Tko3BzHk

Here is his Grace By Which I Stand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60T4c3MPrXE

Here are the Bible verses read in the episode: Isaiah 52:13-53:12 and 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11 (I mispeak in the audio, It's not Isaiah 54)

Throwback Thursday: Mary Jo Pierce worships in her kitchen by baking bread

It's fitting that for this Throwback Thursday I showcase the first show of Season 2: Mary Jo Pierce! Mary Jo Pierce calls her kitchen her second prayer room, because she observes the traditional Jewish Sabbath by baking Challah and worshipping on Friday nights. With others around her table, they eat and celebrate Jesus. The act is a form of worship and Biblical, she says, because the Lord is present in the form of the bread.

As Jews and Christians alike this week celebrate our God (through Passover and Easter) the act of Sabbath connects us. Let Mary Jo inspire you through her passion of prayer and bread. 

S.2 Ep.40 Dear Lil Nas X: Come out, sure, but why to a Satanic drama?

Hip hop artist Lil Nas X this week released a new song and music video, “Montero,” in which the Grammy Award winner for “Old Town Road” appears in the Garden of Eden, falls from Heaven to Hell to give a lap dance to Satan, and then snaps the devil’s neck, puts on his horns and appears to assume the new title of the Evil One. Is this a slap in the face to the Body of Christ? Both the images and the lyrics are intense. The song paints a dark picture of drug use, fornication, and envy.

S.2 Ep.39 As we count down to Holy Week, film buffs dish on 'Last Temptation of Christ,' 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' and other depictions of Christ

We love Jesus, and we love movies! The Rev. Dr. Leah Schade and Ph.D. student Ben Hollenbach join the show today to talk about how film depicts Jesus Christ and other Biblical figures ... sometimes right, sometimes wrong, but we three movie nerds have fun talking about it. Leah and Ben share a lot of knowledge and history on these films. Plus, a BIG announcement at the end of the show. So listen, and stick around till the end!

S.2 Ep. 38 Author and leader, Laura Warfel is 'More than a Widow'

Laura Warfel is more than a widow. She is a widow who is living beyond the label and encouraging other widows to do the same. A follower of Jesus, she wants to make sure that no widow ever has to walk alone on this journey. More Than A Widow is her outreach ministry for helping widows to go on with their lives. And she is also an author and community builder who tells her audience that widows are still here for a reason. 

S.2 Ep. 37 'Radically Normal' Josh Kelley helps people write their testimonies

Author Josh Kelley penned his book "Radically Normal" after struggling with the question of how much he had to do to believe he was a real Christian. He learned that you can be a devoted follower of Christ by not comparing yourself with others. After writing "Normal" and another one on bartending, he now helps others write their own testimonies. Listen to this important message on following Jesus and not others.

Throwback Thursday: Financial planner Victoria Woods says, 'it's all about the money, honey!'

It's Throwback Thursday! In one of our most popular episodes, Victoria Woods of FinancialDiva.com and CEO and Chief Investment Advisor at Chappell Wood Financial Services says Christians don’t need to feel weird about money. Smart financial practices begin with giving, and staying the course. 

S.2 Ep.36 Do you know your Bible Trivia? Listen to this week's Q&A about Eve

Welcome to Bible Trivia, where we ask a question, give you the answer with a little context, and read the entire Bible verse that is related to the question and answer. 

This week’s Question: Of what, specifically, was man not allowed to eat in the Garden of Eden? Listen to hear the answer! It's not as easy as you think!

S.2 Ep.35 Do you know your Bible Trivia? Listen to this Q&A

Welcome to our new weekly Bible Trivia, where we ask a question, give you the answer with a little context, and read the entire Bible verse that is related to the question and answer. This week's Question: What was the name of the woman who hid the spies at Jericho? Listen to hear the answer!