Joyful Journey

Sooner or later, we are all touched by grief. It’s part of living in a world broken by sin. When we have a friend who is in the throes of grief, our usual instinct is to want to help ease their suffering. But how? Gail McGinty joins Janet and Jocelyn in this week’s episode to discuss practical ways to say and do (and what to avoid) as we work to provide comfort to those who are grieving. Episode T...

Sexual intimacy is one of the most beautiful pictures of the relationship between Christ and the church. Sin has twisted and deformed biblical sex into something that God never intended. In today’s episode, Janet and Jocelyn discuss how God designed sexual intimacy to be a beautiful expression of love within a marriage relationship.  Episode Transcript Books When Two Become One - McClusky Marital...

Chronic pain is a problem that many people live with each day. How can Christians honor Christ in the middle of such debilitating suffering? Today, Janet and Jocelyn interview special guest Dr. Criag Svensson, the author of the book When There is No Cure . He is a trained pharmacist who is also an adjunct professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the Indiana University School of Medicine. In thi...

Forgiving those who have hurt us can be one of the most difficult challenges as a Christian. In this episode, Janet and Jocelyn link Christ’s forgiving heart with our own to show that we can follow Christ’s example in how we forgive one another. Episode Transcript Books Unpacking Forgiveness - Chris Brauns Gospel Primer - Milton Vincent Podcast Episodes Purpose: The Creation Mandate - Joyful Journ...

Our God is infinite, but he has created us with limits in our daily lives. In this episode, Janet and Jocelyn unpack scriptures that help us to understand how we can glorify God in spite of limitations of time and money. Episode Transcript Resources Books Managing God’s Money - Randy Alcorn Money, Possessions, and Eternity- Randy Alcorn Redeeming Money - Paul David Tripp Money, Debt, and Finances...

Many Christians struggle with an anxious heart that can lead to panic attacks. How can we as Christians consider this often overlooked symptom of an anxious heart? In this episode, Jocelyn & Janet discuss how to handle anxiety and panic attacks with a biblical perspective. Episode Transcript Books Anxiety and Panic Attacks - Jocelyn Wallace Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety - Elyse Fitzpatri...

Marriage is the closest human relationship we could ever experience... Which means, as fallen sinners, husbands and wives get a front row seat to each other's exposed sin on a regular basis. In this episode, Brent and Janet discuss how healthy marriages should be a safe space — not for sin to persist— but one where sinners can receive compassion and help from each other as they fight sin toget...

God’s word is sufficient to guide us in our daily lives. There are many scriptures that can be go-to passages to help us in the problems that we face. Today we welcome Kevin Carson to discuss his five favorite scripture passages that he often uses in counseling. This episode will be encouraging for counselors and counselees alike. Episode Transcript Resources Books Gospel Primer - Milton Vincent L...

The word “worship” can cause many thoughts and emotions in different Christian circles. Today we welcome Josh Aucoin as we discuss the topic of worship. We’ll discuss the “why” behind worship, and what corporate worship really means to God and others around us in our churches. Episode Transcript Resources Books Corporate Worship - Matt Merker Worship Matters - Bob Kauflin  Document Faith Church Wo...

When we talk about defending our faith, often the discussion of science comes into the mix sooner or later. So today, we'll tackle this hot button topic head-on: Are the Bible and science really opposed to each other, as our culture often says? How can a basic knowledge of science help us understand WHY we believe? And how does the gospel fit in here? In part 2 of our Apologetics mini-series,...

Believer, are you prepared to defend your faith? Our dear friend Alexandra is back as a guest this week to kick off our mini series on apologetics! This episode, Alexandra joins Janet to discuss 1 Peter 3:15 and how we as believers can answer the biblical call to always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in us. Episode Transcript Resources Books Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Ever...

Do you have a friend who is suffering? You may desperately long to encourage them, but it’s often hard to know where to begin... This episode's special guest, speaker and author Caroline Newheiser, joins Jocelyn and Janet to offer biblical wisdom on discerning what to say to loved ones who are worried, weary, wayward, or weeping - and how friendships based on Scripture can have a lasting impac...

You know you want to dig into God’s Word. But… where to begin? Our special guest, Sandy Esgar, joins Jocelyn and Janet this week to share some basic Bible study principles that will encourage you to grow deeper in your understanding of Scripture. Episode Transcript Books Bible Knowledge Commentary John McArthur Study Bible Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Blue Letter Bible Commentaries Warren W...

A special guest joins us today to wrap up our mini series on parenting, with a look into how to care for our children with special needs. Rita Jamison will share her wisdom on how the Lord has equipped us through His Word and a relationship with Him to love those who are often isolated and hurting. Episode Transcript Resources: Booklet Parenting Your ADHD Child MP3 ADHD (highly recommend all paren...

In part two of our mini series on parenting, Janet and Jocelyn return this week to discuss how to bring up our children in the Lord in a way that honors and glorifies God through daily connections to the Gospel. Main Passage: Ephesians 6:4 Episode Transcript Resources: Books The Heart of Anger - Lou Priolo For the Love of Discipline - Sara Wallace Shepherding a Child’s Heart - Tedd Tripp Websites...

We want to make it easy for our children to choose righteousness. It's not our job to MAKE them choose righteousness, but as Christian parents, we want to intentionally create an environment in our home that showcases the beauty and superiority of God's ways. So how do we go about doing that? In part one of our mini-series on Parenting, Janet and Jocelyn discuss the foundational principles...

Repentance is a word that is used so often in Christian circles, but what is it exactly? This week, Janet and Jocelyn discuss true repentance and how it doesn’t mean we work to pay for our sins as a form of penance, but instead turn from sin and to God. Episode Transcript Resources Books Unpacking Forgiveness - Chris Brauns Articles False Repentance Leads to False Conversions - Michael Lawrence  T...

Everywhere we turn, the world is bombarding us with ideas about sexuality. How should we as Christians be thinking about sex? This week Janet and Jocelyn tackle the tough subject of human sexuality. Christians often tend to shy away from this issue, while the world talks about it constantly. How should our Biblical worldview shape the way we view sexuality? What does God have to say about it, and...

As we start the new year, many people focus on developing new healthy habits or ditching bad ones. But can a person REALLY change their habits? Does the Bible offer guidance in how to break away from the bad or sinful patterns that seem so enslaving in our lives? Listen in to hear Janet and Jocelyn discuss how God’s Word can help us in our everyday struggles with bad habits. Episode Transcript Res...

As human beings made by God, we all have a purpose on earth. How do we know our purpose and learn how to live according to that purpose as a believer? And how does God’s sovereignty play into all of this? Listen in this week as Janet and Jocelyn teach through the story of Samson in Judges 13-14 and discuss the dangers of living without a purpose. Episode Transcript Resources: Episodes Hesed Love o...

Introducing our very first Joyful Journey Q&A episode! Janet and Jocelyn answer listener questions, from how to spend time with the Lord while raising small children, to the difference between godly grief and self-pity. We pray that as you listen, you find yourself encouraged and strengthened to choose truth and to choose joy on your journey as a woman of God. Episode Transcript Resources: Epi...

Thank you for joining us on this journey! We wanted to share a little bit of what it actually looks like during the recording process. Enjoy this short blooper episode and we look forward to continuing the journey next year!

Our thought life matters to God! Our theology should impact the way we think. The Bible teaches us how to take our thoughts captive in submission to Christ. In this week’s episode, we are thrilled to welcome back our co-host, Jocelyn, as she and Janet take a look at Psalm 1 and 2, which instruct us to meditate on truth and show us how to conform our thinking to Christ Main passage: Psalm 1 and 2 E...

We have an exclusive episode of the Joyful Journey Podcast! Today's podcast is entitled,  Special Gentle & Lowly Interview . In this new episode, Janet's husband, Pastor Brent, had the unique opportunity to interview Dane Ortlund, author of the bestselling book  Gentle & Lowly  and senior pastor of Naperville Presbyterian Church in Illinois. In this...

Sometimes it feels like criticism comes from all around us. How can we humbly process and respond to the criticism leveled at us? Alexandra and Janet discuss how God’s view of us in Christ can help us to consider and respond to the critics in our lives from a biblical perspective. Main Passage: Proverbs Episode Transcript Resources: Website ACBC Counseling Episode Principles and Methods - Joyful J...