Joyful Journey

Submission. Why do we shudder when we hear that word? Perhaps we equate it with being a doormat, being taken advantage of, or told we have no voice or value. But true biblical submission is not about value: It's about order. In this episode, Janet and Alexandra will discuss some common misunderstandings of submission and look to Jesus's example to reshape our understanding, as we seek to l...

Imagine someone knowing everything about you. Even the deepest, darkest parts of who you are and how you think that you don't want to acknowledge, even to yourself... Imagine Someone does know and does see - and loves you dearly anyway. This is the kind of love we find in our Creator. Janet and Alexandra take a long look at Psalm 139 to see how we are both fully known and fully loved. Main Pas...

Gender. Womanhood. Beauty. Value. Equality. All of these terms swirl in our heads when we think about the messages the world shouts at us as women and our role in society today. Janet and Alexandra examine Genesis 1-2 to answer the most important question when it comes to a right view of womanhood: What does GOD think of women? Part of pursuing truth in our journeys of women of God includes answer...

Today on the podcast, hosts Janet and Alexandra discuss principles and methods. In the church, we should base all of our life principles on scripture, even though the methods we use might be different from person to person. Understanding the difference between principles and methods is crucial to experiencing the unity of Christ.  Main Passage: 1 Peter 3:8 Episode Transcript Resources: Books Fruit...

Modern sensibilities resist the idea of meekness. And yet, it is one of the words that Jesus uses to describe Himself! A biblical understanding of the power and strength in true meekness gives us much hope! In this episode, Janet and Alexandra focus on a Christ-like quiet spirit, and the beauty of freedom of not resisting what God allows into our lives. Main passages: 1 Peter 3:1-4, Psalm 131 Epis...

How can we process suffering in a way that results joy in the midst of hard times? Alexandra Nitzschke opens up about her personal experience in suffering in self-destructive ways and in biblical ways, and shares four steps she uses to pursue joy when times get tough. Main Passage: Psalm 34 Episode Transcript Resources: Books Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy - Mark Vroegop God’s Healing for Life’s Losses -...

Janet Aucoin and Alexandra Nitzschke discuss how a biblical understanding of the unfulfilled longings we all experience will help us see the tastes of God’s goodness all around us. Episode Transcript Resources: Books Heaven - Randy Alcorn Gospel Primer - Milton Vincent Video Dealing with Unfulfilled Longings - Janet Aucoin Visit the Joyful Journey website to sign up for our newsletter, view transc...

Janet Aucoin and Alexandra Nitzschke walk through the complex topic of anxiety and its various underlying heart issues by studying the Sermon on the Mount, and discuss how to find freedom within anxiety in our relationship to Christ. Episode Transcript Resources: Books Anxiety: Anatomy and Cure - Bob Kellemen Anxious for Nothing - John MacArthur Gentle and Lowly - Dane Ortlund Overcoming Fear, Wor...

As Janet Aucoin and Alexandra Nitzschke continue talking about the tools we have to fight temptation, we turn our eyes to the powerful Word of God, which helps us fight against the pull of our sinful desires. Alexandra dives deep into Matthew 4 to look at how Jesus was tempted during His 40 days in the desert - and how we too can have victory over temptation if we study, know, and embrace the Scri...

Joyful Journey welcomes co-host Alexandra Nitzschke back to the podcast! Janet Aucoin and Alexandra will discuss the story of Gethsemane from Matthew 26 and the stark difference between Jesus and His disciples as they respond to temptation. Their story helps guide our thoughts about how we react when temptation comes our way: Desperate prayer is a powerful tool the Lord uses to help us overcome th...

This is a special one! Joyful Journey welcomes Janet's husband, Pastor Brent Aucoin, to talk about the desires of our heart. Why do we do what we do? Because we want what we want. But why do we want what we want - and why do we want it so badly? Brent and Janet take a look at Genesis 3 to explore the process that leads us to the decisions we make - and how to align our heart's treasure wit...

We want to live out our singleness in a way that honors the Lord. But how do we do that in a world often obsessed with finding fulfilment in all sorts of human relationships? Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace discuss biblical truths to help combat the common struggles and unique battles singles face, as well as how marrieds and singles can come together to help each other live out the Creation Mand...

Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace break down Titus 2:3-5 by sharing bot the context of the passage and application of Paul's calling for the "older women" and the "younger women" in the local church. Main passage: Titus 2:3-5 Episode Transcript Resources: Books Adorned: Living Out the Beauty of the Gospel Together - Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth Blogs/Articles 100 Questions to Fuel...

Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace sit down with our very first guest, Pastor Dustin Folden, to discuss how feasting at the table of God's goodness can help us fight against the temptations and dangers of sin. Main Passage: Colossians 2:20-3:4 Episode Transcript Resources: Books Christ’s Glorious Achievement - C. H. Spurgeon  Incomparable Christ - John Stott Knowing Christ - Mark Jones Incompara...

There are so many voices in our head and in the world telling us what to think about our body. But what does God's Word have to say about it? Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace walk through II Corinthians to help us think through a biblical view of our physical bodies. Main Passage: II Corinthians 4-5 Episode Transcript Resources: Booklet The Freedom of Self Forgetfulness - Tim Keller Teaching T...

God sometimes ordains trials for his people. Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace explore how truth from James 1 can help us fight for joy for ourselves and those around us—even when we can’t understand His plan for the trials we face. Episode Transcript Resources: Books Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy - Mark Vroegop Valley of Vision Gospel Primer - Milton Vincent The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible The Stu...

Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace discuss how the hesed love of God changes our perspective and response to unjust suffering. Sometimes we suffer as a result of someone else's sin. Sometimes we suffer due to circumstances outside of our control: an accident, a pandemic, or a variety of other results of living in a broken world. And it's not fair! Regardless, looking to our Savior's exam...

Last episode, we explored the hesed love of God - a sacrificial love that faithfully pursues even to its own hurt. Now Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace will take a look at what hesed love can look like, as we as Christ's followers attempt to live it out in everyday life. Main Passage: John 13 Episode Transcript Resources: Books Inexpressible - Michael Card Gentle and Lowly - Dane Ortlund The S...

When we think about the love of God, what do we picture? In this episode, Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace examine the faithful hesed love God holds for His people - the kind of sacrificial love that loves to its own hurt, an unchanging love that pursues those who actively run away from Him. He loves first. He loves most. He loves even to His own hurt. Taking a closer look at the steadfast love of...

Rebellion. Redemption. Rescue. This is what the gospel is all about: Jesus Christ coming to rescue us from our sin and enabling us to be reconciled to God, restoring us to the purpose for which we were created. In this episode, Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace discuss the salvation story and help us think through how life can be radically different as a result of Jesus's deep, abiding love for...

Janet Aucoin and Jocelyn Wallace discuss our God-given purpose in life as described in the pages of Scripture and the joy found in following that purpose. (Main Passage: Genesis 1:26-28) Episode Transcript Visit the Joyful Journey website to sign up for our newsletter, view a transcript, and search previous episodes. Emails us with questions or comments at joyfuljourneyquestions@outlook.com  Faceb...

In our very first Joyful Journey episode, Janet Aucoin, Jocelyn Wallace, and Alexandra Nitzschke discuss how true joy can be found only in following God and what that looks like in practical life. No matter the circumstance, we all can choose joy when we know the truth about who we are in Christ and our ultimate purpose here on earth. (Main Scripture: Psalm 16) Episode Transcript Visit the Joyful...

Hosts Janet Aucoin, Jocelyn Wallace, and Alexandra Nitzschke come together from different walks of life to discuss a mutual passion for gospel-focused theology. In this introductory episode, the ladies introduce themselves and share why they love teaching women how theology applies to everyday life, the purpose in launching this podcast, and what they hope to accomplish through this ministry. Epis...