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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!"

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)

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. 

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.

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!

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. 

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.

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. 

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!

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!

Father Bill Miller and his beloved dog, Nawiliwili Nelson (Wili for short), went on a journey to celebrate the end of Wili's life. They raised money for local animal shelters, shared stories of Wili's greatness, and had fun along the way. Father Bill believes when you are in communion with a dog, you see a glint of God's love. Like Bill says, God, and dog, is love.

Podcaster and community-builder Melissa Moore lost her mother to suicide, had three miscarriages before safely delivering her "miracle boys," and works to maximize her own mental health. Through it all, she is God's servant and a cheerleader for women suffering through grief. Her podcast and Facebook community group Faith Hope Love brings together women to worship and share testimonies. Melissa and I also share an episode of grief, and I hope you will learn from her strength, as I did.

Today, two Christian podcasters join me to talk about a TV ad that raised a lot of controversy: Jeep’s Super Bowl ad with musician Bruce Springsteen that talked about unity and featured a little church in the middle of the USA. What did you think about the ad? Was it Christian? Patriotic? Offensive? Or just right? Tim Winders of Seek Go Create and David Weaver of Revitalize Kindness join the Positively Joy podcast to tackle an important issue. Is Unity the same for everyone? If you haven’t already seen the ad, watch the ad here (which has been removed because of a past DUI by the singer). You can also watch this conversation on YouTube here.

Roselly Genao is the host of the Good News podcast and also a counselor for Jesus Saves, a service that helps victims of domestic abuse. When she was nearly killed by her boyfriend one night, there was no one available to come to the hospital to help her through it. She is making sure other women don't have to go through that experience.

Debra Boyette and Brooke Powers of Your Centerpeace mentor couples and families to find joy together, even during the pandemic. Kids at home? Parents working from the next room? No worries! There are many references in the Bible on family and forgiveness: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." -- Ephesians 4:2-3 "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." -- Ephesians 6:4 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." -- 1 Peter 4:8-11

Today, Matt Tommey tackles the hard questions for Christian artists: how do I create AND align my business with God? The quick answer is to listen to God, but Matt has a lot more to say in this lively episode.TODAY, Matt begins his 5-Part Artist Rise Up Masterclass and Art Challenge to learn how to thrive spiritually, artistically and in business as an artist in God's Kingdom. It's not too late to join! http://artistsriseup.com/

Alec Kassan is a Renaissance Man: author of "Planting your Purpose," host of the Digital Ministry Mastermind podcast, and the Current Christian, a YouTube channel dedicated to helping people succeed in their walk with Jesus Christ. Amazon.com calls him a "modern-day man after God's heart." In his book and on his channels, Alec looks for refreshing and encouraging takes on how to lead a fruitful life with Christ as the foundation. 

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. 

Happy New Year’s Eve! I wanted to take this time to wish you a happy, healthy, and wealthy 2021! And I saved a special conversation for you on the topic of Self-Care. Author and publisher Paula McDade talked about the importance of self-care as we go into the New Year, and why God says that’s a good thing. Her self-care challenge on Facebook and Instagram has ended, but you can go to her pages and look back at the 30 days of self-care prompts. We also talk about balance and rest, and what that means in our lives. 

It's here! Christmas week is here and I am so excited! Today we're talking about the Nativity, how in 2020 we're seeing a new kind of  Christmas Star, and we take a look at how Angels get a starring role in the Christmas story. I'm geeking out over Christmas, and I encourage you to do so, too. Thanks to NASA and Denison Ministries for information for today's episode.