Jesus Calling: Stories of Faith
Jesus Calling
Recent Episodes
Today, we are thrilled to be joined by Nicholas Sparks, a renowned author whose novels like The Notebook and A Walk to Remember have touched hearts around the world. While many know him for his captivating love stories, few realize that Nicholas’ journey to writing was born out of personal setbacks and unexpected moments of faith. He’ll let us in on his latest book, Counting Miracles, a powerfully emotional novel about wondering if we can change—or even make our peace with—the path we've taken.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Mattie Jackson Smith—author, speaker, and daughter of country music legend Alan Jackson—as she shares about the process of grieving her husband, Ben, and the identity loss that came with it. As Mattie struggled to trust God in the face of unimaginable suffering, she watched as God turned her life story around in a way she never could have imagined.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Willie Robertson
Upcoming interview: Dr. Sarita Lyons
Jesus Calling commemorative edition
Jesus Calling app - Premium subscriptions 20% off for a limited time!
Other Jesus Calling interviews about forgiveness
Mattie’s first interview on the Jesus Calling Podcast
Other Jesus Calling interviews about making peace with our circumstances
Interview Quotes:
“I’ve learned a couple of things about myself [while becoming a writer]. Number one, that I had it in me to finish a story once I started, and number two, there were parts of telling a story that I really enjoyed.” - Nicholas Sparks
“It's the nature of life for challenges to happen. And I think in the end, what is most important to God is that we choose to still believe.” - Nicholas Sparks
“All of a sudden a widow at twenty-eight, it upends everything about your life. The loss and grief of him and our love, but also our future and everything else we had planned for. There is this devastating emptiness of that person not being in your life. But there is also this emptiness in this really painful and unwanted shift of our identity in relation to that person.” - Mattie Jackson Smith
“God didn't design us to hold the weight of death on our own.” - Mattie Jackson Smith
“He is always faithful not to fix our circumstances, but to meet us in them over and over and over again.” - Mattie Jackson Smith
“What's the balance of really asking God for what I want and surrendering it to Him? He keeps writing our stories into more joy and into more beauty and into a more abundant life.” - Mattie Jackson Smith
“You think back to being a kid and If you're afraid of the dark, it's still dark. But when your parents hold you tightly, what's around you doesn't change, but you feel secure. And I think that's the way that I experience the peace of God. And I think that's one of the most miraculous things that we experience as believers.” - Mattie Jackson Smith
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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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Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
This content may be triggering for some listeners.
This week we talk with Scotty Hasting, a combat wounded Army infantryman turned national recording artist. Scotty’s journey from the battlefield to the stage is nothing short of remarkable. After surviving a harrowing attack in Afghanistan, where he was shot multiple times, Scotty fought to recover physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Through his battles with PTSD and depression, he found healing in music—an outlet that not only brought him peace, but gave him a new lease on life.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from Dave Gibbons, a globally connected advisor, author, and senior pastor at New Song Church in California. With a life shaped by diverse cultures and a deep understanding of human struggles, he opens up about his early experiences with faith, the hidden wounds from his past, and his journey through betrayal, forgiveness, and mental health breakthroughs—revealing how forgiveness has the power to heal even the deepest wounds.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Nona Jones
Upcoming interview: Nicholas Sparks
Jesus Calling commemorative edition
“How Do You Choose” by Scotty Hasting
80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France
Other Jesus Calling interviews with veterans
The Shape of My Eyes: A Memoir of Race, Faith, and Finding Myself,
Other Jesus Calling interviews about betrayal and forgiveness
Interview Quotes:
“After going through everything that I've gone through, it truly made me understand that life is precious, that every moment is precious, and that you need to live every second to the fullest. Because as I have seen, life can change very quickly.” - Scotty Hasting
“When it's quiet is when the demons knock the loudest. And for the longest time, I wanted nothing to do with going to church and with God.” - Scotty Hasting
“As someone who suffers from PTSD, depression, and anxiety, it's hard to find a moment to be lost in, because it's hard to not be over there. It's hard to not be back in Afghanistan all the time.“ - Scotty Hasting
“PTSD and depression and anxiety will always be there. My relationship with God makes it a little bit more manageable.” - Scotty Hasting
“It makes me incredibly proud to be able to say that I served my country, that I was a part of something bigger than myself. I'm a part of a brotherhood that will never waver, a brotherhood that will always be there for each other no matter what.” - Scotty Hasting
“Suffering can actually be part of a way to go deeper into your humanity.” - Dave Gibbons
“When you realize how much you've been loved and forgiven, it helps you to love others.” - Dave Gibbons
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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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Connect with Jesus Calling
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
![[BONUS] Songs For Sundays: Country Artists Sing Their Faith](https://us-central1-podcastguru-217d6.cloudfunctions.net/gcf_get_image?image_url=https://www.omnycontent.com/d/clips/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/1095fe93-5321-4d9f-82dd-b1fc010d7843/4872b728-3e02-42b5-ae9b-b204013816a3/image.jpg?t=1728500370&size=Large&width=300&height=300&api_key=xqFmUFX5BHLBTA)
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
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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
*This episode mentions suicide and depression and may not be suitable for all listeners.*
Our first guest is Sabrina Greenlee—the mother of NFL star DeAndre Hopkins, a grandmother, and a survivor—whose faith was the lifeline that broke the cycle of violence that followed her throughout her life.
Later in the episode, we’ll hear from professional IndyCar driver Sting Ray Robb, who shares how his childhood passion evolved into a lifelong career, and how his faith has guided him through life’s most uncertain times, both on and off the track.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Mary Marantz
Upcoming interview: Scotty Hasting
Jesus Calling commemorative edition
Other Jesus Calling guests talking about domestic violence disputes
Other Jesus Calling guests talking about achieving their dreams
Interview Quotes:
“I began to start repairing my life. What that looked like, I had no idea. I just knew that I couldn't allow my children to be captivated by the streets or people. I made up my mind that what happened to me, I didn't want them to use as an excuse for them not succeeding in life.” - Sabrina Greenlee
“There were so many different things that happened to me, and each time I got up. No matter what happened, I stood for myself. I stood in my truth.” - Sabrina Greenlee
“Once I found the presence of God and He met me where I was, everything turned around. But you first have to surrender and give God your life. In the end, He'll give you the glory for your story.” - Sabrina Greenlee
“It kind of seems that how I was challenged in the racing world, I was also challenged in my faith. I said a long time ago that I would not be a racer if it wasn't for my faith. It's my foundation that I lean on, and it's the thing that I call to and find purpose in.” - Sting Ray Robb
“I had the realization and clarity and peace that came from knowing that [the race] wasn't in my control. I could trust God's sovereignty.” - Sting Ray Robb
“I'm doing my best with racing to glorify Him and use this as a platform to reach others and provide some form of excellence that people can see a reflection of God through.” - Sting Ray Robb
“God has called us in a direction, and it's our job to hitch ourselves to that direction and go with what He's telling us to do.” - Sting Ray Robb
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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
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
![[JESUS LISTENS MONTHLY SERIES] Prayers for the Next Generation: Dr. Jim Burns](https://us-central1-podcastguru-217d6.cloudfunctions.net/gcf_get_image?image_url=https://www.omnycontent.com/d/clips/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/1095fe93-5321-4d9f-82dd-b1fc010d7843/eaf96ab3-204d-42e7-872c-b20301053b7a/image.jpg?t=1728403056&size=Large&width=300&height=300&api_key=xqFmUFX5BHLBTA)
On this episode of Jesus Listens, we hear from Dr. Jim Burns, the president of HomeWord and a renowned author and speaker. Dr. Burns shares his passion for empowering families to succeed by helping parents and children navigate the challenges of today's culture.
Guest’s Links
Facebook: @jim.burns
Instagram: @drjimburns
Twitter: @drjimburns
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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.