1 00:00:08,257 --> 00:00:14,177 Speaker 1: Life audio. This episode mentioned suicide and may be triggering 2 00:00:14,257 --> 00:00:18,177 Speaker 1: for some listeners. 3 00:00:18,736 --> 00:00:20,057 Speaker 2: Who's ready for Christmas. 4 00:00:20,537 --> 00:00:24,017 Speaker 3: With Rocking around the Christmas Tree as your ultimate festive companion, 5 00:00:24,297 --> 00:00:27,057 Speaker 3: you can jinkle and mingle in the new old fashioned way, 6 00:00:27,657 --> 00:00:30,177 Speaker 3: whether you're swaying at the Christmas party hop or cuddling 7 00:00:30,297 --> 00:00:34,017 Speaker 3: under the mistletoe. This vibrant guide promises heaps of holly 8 00:00:34,097 --> 00:00:37,577 Speaker 3: jolly fun with everything from Christmas carol lyrics, to food 9 00:00:37,656 --> 00:00:41,857 Speaker 3: and drink recipes, decorating ideas, and holiday trivia. Rocking around 10 00:00:41,897 --> 00:00:44,777 Speaker 3: the Christmas Tree has all the feels, fun and festivities 11 00:00:44,777 --> 00:00:47,577 Speaker 3: you'd love about the season. It's the perfect gift for 12 00:00:47,617 --> 00:00:50,497 Speaker 3: the Christmas enthusiast in your life, or a groovy treat 13 00:00:50,537 --> 00:00:50,976 Speaker 3: just for you. 14 00:00:51,577 --> 00:00:52,337 Speaker 1: So why wait? 15 00:00:52,696 --> 00:00:55,537 Speaker 3: Grab Rocking around the Christmas Tree and let the Christmas 16 00:00:55,577 --> 00:00:56,297 Speaker 3: spirit ring. 17 00:01:04,857 --> 00:01:08,217 Speaker 4: I really start of digging deeply into the Word of 18 00:01:08,257 --> 00:01:12,857 Speaker 4: God and understanding that my identity isn't in what I do, 19 00:01:13,337 --> 00:01:15,537 Speaker 4: my occupation, or. 20 00:01:15,217 --> 00:01:19,017 Speaker 5: Who I know, or how much money I have. My 21 00:01:19,177 --> 00:01:20,497 Speaker 5: identity is. 22 00:01:20,657 --> 00:01:24,537 Speaker 4: Rooted in Christ that I am the daughter of the King. 23 00:01:26,177 --> 00:01:29,657 Speaker 2: Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast. On today's episode, we 24 00:01:29,737 --> 00:01:32,137 Speaker 2: talk with two guests who have navigated both the heights 25 00:01:32,177 --> 00:01:35,737 Speaker 2: of success and the depths of personal struggle, learning of 26 00:01:35,817 --> 00:01:39,417 Speaker 2: profound truth, finding hope isn't just for the good times. 27 00:01:39,857 --> 00:01:43,777 Speaker 2: Candace Cameron bat the beloved actress and author, shares how 28 00:01:43,777 --> 00:01:46,897 Speaker 2: she rooted her identity not in Hollywood fame, but in 29 00:01:46,937 --> 00:01:50,657 Speaker 2: her faith, discovering her true value. When the applause stopped, 30 00:01:51,097 --> 00:01:54,817 Speaker 2: then Pastor Shawn Johnson opens up about his lifelong battles 31 00:01:54,857 --> 00:02:00,017 Speaker 2: with anxiety, depression, and a devastating medical diagnosis, revealing how 32 00:02:00,017 --> 00:02:02,657 Speaker 2: he found the courage to kiss the fire and walk 33 00:02:02,697 --> 00:02:06,457 Speaker 2: through his harnessed seasons with God's strength. Let's start with 34 00:02:06,577 --> 00:02:07,457 Speaker 2: Kandas's story. 35 00:02:10,537 --> 00:02:15,337 Speaker 4: I'm Candace Cameron Burray and I'm best known for my 36 00:02:15,457 --> 00:02:19,697 Speaker 4: acting on Full House, on Fuller House, lots of Hallmark 37 00:02:19,777 --> 00:02:24,337 Speaker 4: and Great American Family movies, mysteries, Christmas movies, and rom coms. 38 00:02:24,777 --> 00:02:27,417 Speaker 4: I do a few other things too, but it's probably 39 00:02:27,457 --> 00:02:33,457 Speaker 4: where you know my voice and my face best. I 40 00:02:33,497 --> 00:02:36,697 Speaker 4: started acting when I was five years old, and I 41 00:02:36,697 --> 00:02:39,897 Speaker 4: did lots of commercials, went out on lots of auditions. 42 00:02:40,017 --> 00:02:42,417 Speaker 4: One day I got an audition for a new TV 43 00:02:42,537 --> 00:02:47,577 Speaker 4: show and I went on it and auditioned three times 44 00:02:47,617 --> 00:02:50,496 Speaker 4: for it, and I got the part of DJ on 45 00:02:50,697 --> 00:02:52,937 Speaker 4: Full House, But I didn't know it was going to 46 00:02:52,937 --> 00:02:58,177 Speaker 4: be a wildly successful and popular television show that would 47 00:02:58,217 --> 00:03:01,377 Speaker 4: never be off the air in almost forty years. At 48 00:03:01,417 --> 00:03:03,897 Speaker 4: the time, I was just a ten year old girl 49 00:03:04,177 --> 00:03:08,297 Speaker 4: that was really excited to have booked a part on 50 00:03:08,377 --> 00:03:12,857 Speaker 4: a show. And that is truly one of the most 51 00:03:12,857 --> 00:03:17,017 Speaker 4: memorable and proud seasons of my life because being on 52 00:03:17,057 --> 00:03:20,897 Speaker 4: Full House really did shape me. I had a wonderful 53 00:03:20,977 --> 00:03:24,977 Speaker 4: experience in entertainment because there were so many good people 54 00:03:25,017 --> 00:03:28,217 Speaker 4: around me on set, other actors, the cast is great. 55 00:03:28,297 --> 00:03:33,377 Speaker 4: We're a very tight knit family. My parents viewed me 56 00:03:33,577 --> 00:03:36,297 Speaker 4: and my brother just as kids, and this was our 57 00:03:36,417 --> 00:03:40,137 Speaker 4: extracurricular activity. You know, you could play soccer, you could 58 00:03:40,177 --> 00:03:42,977 Speaker 4: take tap in ballet, but because we lived in la 59 00:03:43,697 --> 00:03:47,897 Speaker 4: we were actors auditioning and so it really was never 60 00:03:48,097 --> 00:03:51,657 Speaker 4: much more than that. And I'm grateful that my parents 61 00:03:51,817 --> 00:03:59,377 Speaker 4: were very level headed about everything. Finding our identity can 62 00:03:59,457 --> 00:04:02,617 Speaker 4: often be difficult, especially when we're younger. We're trying to 63 00:04:02,657 --> 00:04:05,857 Speaker 4: figure out who we are, and I think with time 64 00:04:06,057 --> 00:04:08,777 Speaker 4: and with wisdom, it becomes. 65 00:04:08,577 --> 00:04:11,417 Speaker 5: A little bit clearer, maybe a little bit easier. 66 00:04:11,897 --> 00:04:15,817 Speaker 4: But I remember a specific story in my life when 67 00:04:16,457 --> 00:04:18,617 Speaker 4: I had finished working on Full. 68 00:04:18,457 --> 00:04:21,936 Speaker 5: House and I. 69 00:04:21,176 --> 00:04:24,496 Speaker 4: Was married to my husband Val, and I was pregnant 70 00:04:24,496 --> 00:04:28,377 Speaker 4: with our first child. I was twenty two years old 71 00:04:28,736 --> 00:04:31,817 Speaker 4: and I probably looked like I was fifteen. And I 72 00:04:31,856 --> 00:04:35,697 Speaker 4: was at the grocery store. I was getting some dinner 73 00:04:35,856 --> 00:04:40,256 Speaker 4: and I was at the butcher counter, and the butcher 74 00:04:40,537 --> 00:04:44,136 Speaker 4: recognized me and he said, aren't you that girl from 75 00:04:44,176 --> 00:04:49,056 Speaker 4: Full House? And I said, yes, I am. And then 76 00:04:49,376 --> 00:04:52,816 Speaker 4: he said, what are you working on now? What TV 77 00:04:52,976 --> 00:04:56,777 Speaker 4: show are you on now? And I said, I'm not working, 78 00:04:57,017 --> 00:05:00,537 Speaker 4: I'm having a baby. And I showed him my pregnant belly, 79 00:05:01,376 --> 00:05:02,657 Speaker 4: and the look. 80 00:05:02,457 --> 00:05:07,496 Speaker 5: On his face just dropped. He seemed so unimpressed, and 81 00:05:07,537 --> 00:05:12,217 Speaker 5: he said, oh, okay, and he just moved on to 82 00:05:12,337 --> 00:05:12,777 Speaker 5: helping me. 83 00:05:13,777 --> 00:05:17,377 Speaker 4: It was a moment that he probably didn't realize how 84 00:05:17,416 --> 00:05:20,337 Speaker 4: it made me feel. He probably wasn't intentionally trying to 85 00:05:20,376 --> 00:05:23,857 Speaker 4: make me feel bad, but it was a moment of, oh, 86 00:05:23,897 --> 00:05:26,577 Speaker 4: my goodness, I'm not working on something that he can 87 00:05:26,616 --> 00:05:27,496 Speaker 4: watch on TV. 88 00:05:28,097 --> 00:05:30,976 Speaker 5: And that was disappointing to him. 89 00:05:31,296 --> 00:05:34,617 Speaker 4: And he just saw that I was having a child, 90 00:05:34,697 --> 00:05:37,017 Speaker 4: and who knows if he knew that I was very 91 00:05:37,056 --> 00:05:39,897 Speaker 4: happily married or not because I looked like a kid. 92 00:05:39,936 --> 00:05:44,376 Speaker 4: You know, he was probably thinking the worst and felt 93 00:05:44,416 --> 00:05:48,537 Speaker 4: sad for me. But it was at that moment I 94 00:05:48,616 --> 00:05:52,496 Speaker 4: really felt like, Oh, no, what am I doing in 95 00:05:52,496 --> 00:05:53,017 Speaker 4: my life? 96 00:05:53,056 --> 00:05:53,136 Speaker 6: Like? 97 00:05:53,257 --> 00:05:55,897 Speaker 4: Am I not valued? Am I not valued because I'm 98 00:05:55,897 --> 00:05:57,337 Speaker 4: not working because I'm not on. 99 00:05:57,296 --> 00:05:58,136 Speaker 5: A TV show? 100 00:05:58,296 --> 00:06:01,857 Speaker 4: Is being a mom not valued enough? Do people look 101 00:06:01,897 --> 00:06:05,176 Speaker 4: at this as a fallback? All these things started racing 102 00:06:05,217 --> 00:06:07,936 Speaker 4: through my mind and I realized too at that moment 103 00:06:07,976 --> 00:06:11,617 Speaker 4: that I very much sought my identity within my work 104 00:06:12,457 --> 00:06:17,376 Speaker 4: and being an actress. Over the years, after I had 105 00:06:17,496 --> 00:06:21,856 Speaker 4: our daughter, Natasha, I had two more boys, Levin Max, 106 00:06:22,537 --> 00:06:26,016 Speaker 4: and I really started digging deeply into the Word of 107 00:06:26,056 --> 00:06:30,777 Speaker 4: God and understanding that my identity isn't in my occupation 108 00:06:31,376 --> 00:06:34,577 Speaker 4: or who I know or how much money I have. 109 00:06:35,537 --> 00:06:40,016 Speaker 4: My identity is rooted in Christ that I am the 110 00:06:40,137 --> 00:06:43,217 Speaker 4: daughter of the King, and to go back to that 111 00:06:44,097 --> 00:06:47,696 Speaker 4: every single day of my life, knowing that's who I 112 00:06:47,736 --> 00:06:50,736 Speaker 4: am at the core, and that is my purpose in life. 113 00:06:50,856 --> 00:06:54,337 Speaker 4: My purpose is to glorify God in all that I do, 114 00:06:54,976 --> 00:06:57,777 Speaker 4: so no matter what I accomplish, no matter whether I 115 00:06:57,816 --> 00:07:00,496 Speaker 4: have a family or not, or I clim a corporate. 116 00:07:00,257 --> 00:07:02,097 Speaker 5: Ladder, or how much money I have or don't have. 117 00:07:02,657 --> 00:07:08,017 Speaker 4: Those are all circumstantial and they are secondary to who 118 00:07:08,056 --> 00:07:11,657 Speaker 4: I am in my identity as a human being. That 119 00:07:11,777 --> 00:07:15,577 Speaker 4: I am an ambassador for Christ. I am his princess, 120 00:07:16,257 --> 00:07:19,537 Speaker 4: and I get to call myself that every day, no 121 00:07:19,577 --> 00:07:22,777 Speaker 4: matter what anyone else calls me. I am a princess 122 00:07:23,097 --> 00:07:31,537 Speaker 4: because I'm the daughter of God. Coming back to do 123 00:07:31,697 --> 00:07:35,097 Speaker 4: Fuller House and reprise the role of DJ Tanner and 124 00:07:35,217 --> 00:07:38,177 Speaker 4: work with the people that I had grown up working 125 00:07:38,217 --> 00:07:41,417 Speaker 4: with that have really been some of my best friends 126 00:07:41,457 --> 00:07:45,697 Speaker 4: in life was so exciting and it was almost like 127 00:07:45,816 --> 00:07:48,576 Speaker 4: riding a bike. You just get on and you just go, 128 00:07:48,857 --> 00:07:53,737 Speaker 4: and it seemed effortless to be DJ but also work 129 00:07:53,816 --> 00:07:58,857 Speaker 4: with my castmates. It was interesting to think about who 130 00:07:59,337 --> 00:08:02,696 Speaker 4: DJ was today and think of the kind of woman 131 00:08:02,816 --> 00:08:05,696 Speaker 4: she is, and now that she has three children and 132 00:08:05,777 --> 00:08:08,017 Speaker 4: she's a widow, you know, what is she like now? 133 00:08:08,097 --> 00:08:10,857 Speaker 4: And I guess I kind of took on the persona 134 00:08:11,057 --> 00:08:14,177 Speaker 4: of Danny Tanner aka Bob Saggatt. 135 00:08:13,816 --> 00:08:14,497 Speaker 5: Within the role. 136 00:08:14,977 --> 00:08:18,337 Speaker 4: It was very fun to just figure out her personality 137 00:08:18,537 --> 00:08:20,737 Speaker 4: and be a little over the top, a little bit 138 00:08:20,737 --> 00:08:24,297 Speaker 4: of a perfectionist, which I can relate to very much 139 00:08:24,417 --> 00:08:27,177 Speaker 4: just wanting everything to be picture perfect and your children 140 00:08:27,217 --> 00:08:31,057 Speaker 4: to be so wonderful at all times. But that's not reality, 141 00:08:31,097 --> 00:08:34,337 Speaker 4: and that's where the comedy comes in. It has been 142 00:08:34,537 --> 00:08:38,137 Speaker 4: a joy of my life and probably one of the 143 00:08:38,177 --> 00:08:41,417 Speaker 4: most memorable things all have done in my career because 144 00:08:41,577 --> 00:08:46,016 Speaker 4: being DJ Tanner full House and Fuller House is associated 145 00:08:46,257 --> 00:08:50,457 Speaker 4: over so many generations, at least three generations of families, 146 00:08:51,137 --> 00:08:57,417 Speaker 4: and I get the warmest, loveliest compliments from people and 147 00:08:58,137 --> 00:09:03,177 Speaker 4: stories that resonate so deeply with people that don't have 148 00:09:04,097 --> 00:09:07,737 Speaker 4: that picture perfect family, and not that any of us 149 00:09:07,817 --> 00:09:10,377 Speaker 4: really do, but there was always a hug at the 150 00:09:10,537 --> 00:09:12,937 Speaker 4: end of full House and Fuller House, and we always 151 00:09:13,017 --> 00:09:16,257 Speaker 4: worked through the problems, and it was a really great 152 00:09:16,257 --> 00:09:20,897 Speaker 4: model for so many people that have families that don't 153 00:09:20,937 --> 00:09:23,697 Speaker 4: feel safe, and this was a family that they could 154 00:09:23,937 --> 00:09:31,457 Speaker 4: look to for that as a mom, as a wife, 155 00:09:31,537 --> 00:09:34,257 Speaker 4: as a working woman. There's so many days that I 156 00:09:34,257 --> 00:09:37,617 Speaker 4: can feel overwhelmed, I can feel stressed out, and I 157 00:09:37,737 --> 00:09:40,937 Speaker 4: have to remind myself and renew my mind that my 158 00:09:41,297 --> 00:09:44,857 Speaker 4: joy doesn't come from my circumstances around me, but my 159 00:09:45,097 --> 00:09:48,657 Speaker 4: joy comes from the Lord and the goodness that he 160 00:09:48,777 --> 00:09:53,937 Speaker 4: gives me and having hope in Him for eternity, and 161 00:09:54,057 --> 00:09:57,136 Speaker 4: through that joy, he gives me my strength to persevere 162 00:09:57,297 --> 00:10:00,297 Speaker 4: each day, to endure every day, to take another step, 163 00:10:00,617 --> 00:10:04,217 Speaker 4: to be able to breathe deeply. God calls us to 164 00:10:04,297 --> 00:10:06,497 Speaker 4: walk with Him and you, I can't get to know 165 00:10:06,617 --> 00:10:09,937 Speaker 4: someone if you don't spend time with them. I remember 166 00:10:10,137 --> 00:10:13,377 Speaker 4: Jesus calling a friend. Gave that to me years and 167 00:10:13,457 --> 00:10:16,177 Speaker 4: years ago. I have a couple of the Jesus Calling books, 168 00:10:16,617 --> 00:10:19,497 Speaker 4: and whether I wake up and read that as a 169 00:10:19,537 --> 00:10:22,777 Speaker 4: devotional or usually, I like that more before I go 170 00:10:22,857 --> 00:10:25,257 Speaker 4: to bed because it just puts my mind in the 171 00:10:25,337 --> 00:10:28,337 Speaker 4: right place before going to sleep. 172 00:10:28,737 --> 00:10:31,177 Speaker 5: I just love that, and they are just ways. 173 00:10:30,897 --> 00:10:35,297 Speaker 4: To renew my mind every day, spending time with God 174 00:10:35,457 --> 00:10:38,777 Speaker 4: every single day, just like you would if you were 175 00:10:38,817 --> 00:10:39,217 Speaker 4: a mom. 176 00:10:39,297 --> 00:10:41,057 Speaker 5: You want to spend every day with your child, or. 177 00:10:41,017 --> 00:10:44,777 Speaker 4: Your wife, or your husband or your best friend. That's 178 00:10:44,897 --> 00:10:48,697 Speaker 4: how you get to know them, and days apart from them, 179 00:10:48,737 --> 00:10:50,617 Speaker 4: you miss them and you want to be with them. 180 00:10:50,617 --> 00:10:53,937 Speaker 4: And that's how I feel about God. When I miss 181 00:10:53,937 --> 00:10:57,337 Speaker 4: a day that doesn't start in prayer, that doesn't start 182 00:10:57,577 --> 00:11:01,577 Speaker 4: with reading His word, I think of opportunities that may 183 00:11:01,617 --> 00:11:04,417 Speaker 4: have been missed, whispers that I might not have heard 184 00:11:04,497 --> 00:11:07,497 Speaker 4: because I didn't send for myself in his presence for 185 00:11:07,577 --> 00:11:12,657 Speaker 4: the day. So as I've gotten older, I've understood how 186 00:11:12,817 --> 00:11:16,577 Speaker 4: important it is, and it's something that I genuinely crave 187 00:11:16,737 --> 00:11:20,577 Speaker 4: to spend time with God. He really does recenter us. 188 00:11:20,697 --> 00:11:24,256 Speaker 4: He can refocus us by reading his word, to know 189 00:11:24,977 --> 00:11:30,777 Speaker 4: what truth is, to know what his characteristics are. I 190 00:11:30,817 --> 00:11:34,257 Speaker 4: am always excited about Christmas. I never stopped talking about 191 00:11:34,297 --> 00:11:37,737 Speaker 4: it all year long, and I've been making Christmas movies 192 00:11:38,057 --> 00:11:42,377 Speaker 4: every year for the past I think maybe fifteen years, 193 00:11:42,977 --> 00:11:46,857 Speaker 4: so it's always exciting. I'm so grateful that our family 194 00:11:47,017 --> 00:11:52,057 Speaker 4: is very, very close, and our kids love coming back home. 195 00:11:52,457 --> 00:11:56,217 Speaker 4: We still have one at home, but I love that 196 00:11:56,257 --> 00:11:58,657 Speaker 4: they still love being with us. And there's nothing better 197 00:11:58,777 --> 00:12:01,617 Speaker 4: than for this mama than to be with my husband 198 00:12:01,697 --> 00:12:06,177 Speaker 4: and our children together. So what I'm looking forward too 199 00:12:06,297 --> 00:12:09,777 Speaker 4: is everyone still gathering, will still be all in one 200 00:12:09,817 --> 00:12:14,817 Speaker 4: place on Christmas morning. And we started a new tradition 201 00:12:16,017 --> 00:12:19,417 Speaker 4: five years ago and we do a sunrise hike Christmas 202 00:12:19,497 --> 00:12:23,217 Speaker 4: morning and we love it. So we'll go to a 203 00:12:23,257 --> 00:12:27,097 Speaker 4: little mountaintop and it's not rigorous or anything, but we 204 00:12:27,177 --> 00:12:31,377 Speaker 4: will watch the sun rise, and we bring the Bible, 205 00:12:31,977 --> 00:12:35,337 Speaker 4: and we always reluke to just to remind ourselves that 206 00:12:35,417 --> 00:12:38,577 Speaker 4: this is the day that represents the day Jesus was 207 00:12:38,617 --> 00:12:41,217 Speaker 4: born and brought to earth and all the reasons why 208 00:12:41,257 --> 00:12:45,377 Speaker 4: we celebrate Christmas. And then we always go home and 209 00:12:45,417 --> 00:12:46,697 Speaker 4: have a great breakfast. 210 00:12:46,817 --> 00:12:49,937 Speaker 5: We eat way too much, but it's delicious. 211 00:12:49,457 --> 00:12:53,537 Speaker 4: Those eggs and bacon and sausage and fruit and all 212 00:12:53,577 --> 00:12:57,697 Speaker 4: the good yummy stuff and pancakes. And I have another 213 00:12:57,737 --> 00:13:01,457 Speaker 4: little tradition that I always take polaroid pictures of our family, 214 00:13:01,697 --> 00:13:05,177 Speaker 4: a good old instant photograph, and then I have a 215 00:13:05,257 --> 00:13:08,657 Speaker 4: Christs Book and I fill that out every year, and 216 00:13:08,697 --> 00:13:11,737 Speaker 4: I write in the details about how we spent our 217 00:13:11,817 --> 00:13:14,937 Speaker 4: Christmas Eve and how we spent Christmas Morning and some 218 00:13:15,017 --> 00:13:17,537 Speaker 4: of the special things that went on that day, along 219 00:13:17,617 --> 00:13:20,577 Speaker 4: with those instant pictures that capture the day. 220 00:13:25,097 --> 00:13:26,257 Speaker 5: This is for Jesus. 221 00:13:26,337 --> 00:13:33,097 Speaker 4: Listens for Advent and Christmas. RESTful, Lord Jesus, I come 222 00:13:33,177 --> 00:13:37,057 Speaker 4: to you seeking to find rest in your presence. As 223 00:13:37,097 --> 00:13:40,737 Speaker 4: I relax with you, Lord, I can enjoy your peace during. 224 00:13:40,497 --> 00:13:42,537 Speaker 5: This exciting, hectic season. 225 00:13:43,137 --> 00:13:46,737 Speaker 4: How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are 226 00:13:46,817 --> 00:13:51,457 Speaker 4: thinking about me constantly I long to be increasingly mindful 227 00:13:51,497 --> 00:13:54,537 Speaker 4: of you. You've been teaching me that awareness of your 228 00:13:54,577 --> 00:13:57,937 Speaker 4: presence can give me rest even when I'm very busy, 229 00:13:58,657 --> 00:14:02,697 Speaker 4: and inner peacefulness flows out of remembering that you are 230 00:14:02,737 --> 00:14:08,377 Speaker 4: always with me. The remembrance permeates my heart, mind, and spirit, 231 00:14:08,777 --> 00:14:12,977 Speaker 4: filling me with joy. I confess that sometimes I get 232 00:14:13,017 --> 00:14:16,256 Speaker 4: so focused on the problems I see and the predictions 233 00:14:16,297 --> 00:14:19,497 Speaker 4: I hear that my joy gets buried under layers of 234 00:14:19,537 --> 00:14:23,817 Speaker 4: worry and fear. When this happens, I need to bring 235 00:14:23,857 --> 00:14:28,097 Speaker 4: my concerns to you, talking with you about each one, 236 00:14:28,577 --> 00:14:32,017 Speaker 4: seeking your help and guidance, asking you to remove those 237 00:14:32,057 --> 00:14:36,217 Speaker 4: worry layers. As I entrust my concerns into your care 238 00:14:36,377 --> 00:14:41,217 Speaker 4: and keeping, joy begins to emerge again. I've learned that 239 00:14:41,257 --> 00:14:44,177 Speaker 4: the most effective way for me to nurture this gladness 240 00:14:44,617 --> 00:14:48,257 Speaker 4: is speaking and singing praises to you, the King of 241 00:14:48,417 --> 00:14:52,017 Speaker 4: Glory in your praiseworthy name Amen. 242 00:14:55,857 --> 00:15:01,617 Speaker 2: To learn more about Candace Cameron beat visit Candacecburret dot com. 243 00:15:01,657 --> 00:15:04,617 Speaker 2: Also be sure to check out her devotional one hundred 244 00:15:04,697 --> 00:15:07,217 Speaker 2: Days of Joy and stre and her new Christmas movies, 245 00:15:07,377 --> 00:15:12,297 Speaker 2: including Timeless Tidings of Joy and Another Sweet Christmas, available 246 00:15:12,377 --> 00:15:17,817 Speaker 2: on Great American Family and streaming on Pureflix. Stay tuned 247 00:15:17,817 --> 00:15:27,777 Speaker 2: to Shawn Johnson's story after our brief message. In a 248 00:15:27,777 --> 00:15:31,697 Speaker 2: world that moves so fast, the Christmas season can feel overwhelming, 249 00:15:32,217 --> 00:15:34,737 Speaker 2: But what if you could actually find deeper peace at 250 00:15:34,737 --> 00:15:38,377 Speaker 2: this time of the year. Discover the Jesus Calling line 251 00:15:38,377 --> 00:15:42,377 Speaker 2: of Christmas books devotionals for all ages and stages that 252 00:15:42,457 --> 00:15:45,657 Speaker 2: guide you to the heart of the season. For adults, 253 00:15:45,937 --> 00:15:49,777 Speaker 2: check out the beautifully illustrated Jesus Listens for Advent and Christmas, 254 00:15:50,217 --> 00:15:54,457 Speaker 2: Jesus Calling for Christmas, and Jesus Listens Prayers for every season. 255 00:15:55,617 --> 00:15:57,337 Speaker 2: The children in your life will love. 256 00:15:57,257 --> 00:16:01,497 Speaker 3: Opening Jesus Calling, Advent and Christmas Prayers, Jesus Calling the 257 00:16:01,537 --> 00:16:05,497 Speaker 3: Story of Christmas, and the brand new seasonally illustrated Jesus 258 00:16:05,577 --> 00:16:09,937 Speaker 3: As Listens for Christmas. Whether you're seeking personal renewal or 259 00:16:10,017 --> 00:16:13,737 Speaker 3: the perfect meaningful gift, these books remind us that Christmas 260 00:16:13,737 --> 00:16:16,577 Speaker 3: isn't about the rush, It's about the peace that comes 261 00:16:16,617 --> 00:16:20,937 Speaker 3: from God's love. Give the gift of quiet moments, spiritual comfort, 262 00:16:21,257 --> 00:16:25,377 Speaker 3: and the true joy of Christmas. Find Jesus Calling Christmas 263 00:16:25,377 --> 00:16:29,937 Speaker 3: Books at your local bookstore or visit Amazon dot com 264 00:16:29,937 --> 00:16:42,377 Speaker 3: slash Jesus Calling. Our next guest is Sean Johnson, pastor 265 00:16:42,417 --> 00:16:46,417 Speaker 3: of Redrock's Church and author of Attacking Anxiety and Kiss 266 00:16:46,457 --> 00:16:50,697 Speaker 3: the Fire. After battling depression, panic attacks, and a devastating 267 00:16:50,737 --> 00:16:55,497 Speaker 3: medical diagnosis, Shawn discovered that faith isn't about avoiding the fire, 268 00:16:55,737 --> 00:16:58,257 Speaker 3: but learning to walk through it with God's strength. 269 00:16:59,737 --> 00:17:00,977 Speaker 1: My name is Sean Johnson. 270 00:17:01,097 --> 00:17:04,057 Speaker 6: I'm the pastor of Red Rocks Church in Denver, Colorado, 271 00:17:04,696 --> 00:17:08,097 Speaker 6: and now we have multiple locations here in Denver, Austin, Texas, 272 00:17:08,137 --> 00:17:17,537 Speaker 6: and Russell's, Belgium. My upbringing was interesting, to say the least. 273 00:17:17,537 --> 00:17:20,657 Speaker 6: You know, we all have our past. My mom when 274 00:17:20,657 --> 00:17:22,857 Speaker 6: she got pregnant with me, she was a seventeen. 275 00:17:22,457 --> 00:17:23,977 Speaker 1: Year old heroin addict. 276 00:17:24,337 --> 00:17:27,216 Speaker 6: And when the father found out the biological father, he 277 00:17:27,777 --> 00:17:28,417 Speaker 6: left the. 278 00:17:28,417 --> 00:17:30,897 Speaker 1: State and we've never seen or heard from him. 279 00:17:30,937 --> 00:17:36,057 Speaker 6: And my mom was a single mother, teenage girl addicted 280 00:17:36,057 --> 00:17:36,617 Speaker 6: to heroin. 281 00:17:37,137 --> 00:17:39,297 Speaker 1: She didn't know what to do, felt overwhelmed. 282 00:17:39,417 --> 00:17:42,177 Speaker 6: At one point, she put me in a car seat 283 00:17:42,297 --> 00:17:44,897 Speaker 6: and put me on a stranger's porch with just a 284 00:17:44,937 --> 00:17:47,697 Speaker 6: note attached to me saying please take care of him. 285 00:17:48,057 --> 00:17:50,257 Speaker 6: And she went and jumped off of a bridge into 286 00:17:50,297 --> 00:17:54,337 Speaker 6: oncoming traffic to kill herself. She didn't die and broke 287 00:17:54,457 --> 00:17:58,377 Speaker 6: I think every bone waists down. I stayed with my grandma. 288 00:17:58,057 --> 00:18:00,257 Speaker 1: While she was in the hospital. One night, my mom 289 00:18:00,337 --> 00:18:03,217 Speaker 1: was in a parking lot and a lady that. 290 00:18:03,417 --> 00:18:08,937 Speaker 6: Didn't know her just saw this teenage heroin addict lost 291 00:18:09,137 --> 00:18:11,377 Speaker 6: girl and invited her to a church. 292 00:18:12,217 --> 00:18:14,777 Speaker 1: And my mom got saved at that church. 293 00:18:15,577 --> 00:18:18,777 Speaker 6: But she had already married her drug dealer, and so 294 00:18:18,857 --> 00:18:21,657 Speaker 6: she started going to church, but he did not. 295 00:18:21,777 --> 00:18:24,577 Speaker 1: Want to and he would have turned into be my stepdad. 296 00:18:25,337 --> 00:18:27,817 Speaker 6: And so growing up, I went to church a couple times, 297 00:18:27,857 --> 00:18:29,897 Speaker 6: not a ton, but one of the times I went, 298 00:18:30,137 --> 00:18:33,017 Speaker 6: a kid's worker told me about heaven and hell. Fast 299 00:18:33,057 --> 00:18:35,617 Speaker 6: forward graduate from college, I went to Los Angeles to 300 00:18:35,657 --> 00:18:38,577 Speaker 6: work in the film business. I was twenty four years old, 301 00:18:38,817 --> 00:18:41,057 Speaker 6: and I had kind of followed in some of my mom's. 302 00:18:40,737 --> 00:18:43,257 Speaker 1: Footsteps when it comes to drug usage. I had become a. 303 00:18:43,177 --> 00:18:47,016 Speaker 6: Cocaine addict, and at twenty four, I sat down one 304 00:18:47,097 --> 00:18:48,537 Speaker 6: day to take my own life. 305 00:18:49,017 --> 00:18:51,777 Speaker 1: I was just getting ready to do it, and all 306 00:18:51,777 --> 00:18:53,497 Speaker 1: of a sudden, I had this thought that hit me. 307 00:18:53,537 --> 00:18:55,736 Speaker 1: It was like, wait a second, that lady told me 308 00:18:56,017 --> 00:18:57,457 Speaker 1: about heaven and hell. 309 00:18:57,537 --> 00:18:59,377 Speaker 6: When I was a kid, and what if she's right, 310 00:19:00,057 --> 00:19:01,377 Speaker 6: I'm going to be in one of them in like 311 00:19:01,537 --> 00:19:04,617 Speaker 6: thirty minutes. And so I called the one Christian person 312 00:19:04,657 --> 00:19:08,057 Speaker 6: I knew and said, Hey, man, I know this is awkward, 313 00:19:08,097 --> 00:19:09,377 Speaker 6: but this is what I'm about to do, and I 314 00:19:09,417 --> 00:19:12,137 Speaker 6: just need a real quick cliff notes on heaven and Hell. 315 00:19:12,177 --> 00:19:14,216 Speaker 1: And he ended up not knowing what to say to me. 316 00:19:14,297 --> 00:19:16,897 Speaker 6: So he took me to a church service and I 317 00:19:16,937 --> 00:19:20,417 Speaker 6: got saved at twenty four with cocaine in my pocket 318 00:19:20,457 --> 00:19:23,137 Speaker 6: at a church service. And I remember walking out of 319 00:19:23,137 --> 00:19:25,257 Speaker 6: the church service that day and I said to God, 320 00:19:25,297 --> 00:19:27,417 Speaker 6: I don't know what this means, and I don't know 321 00:19:27,457 --> 00:19:29,377 Speaker 6: how you could ever do anything with my life. It's 322 00:19:29,377 --> 00:19:31,417 Speaker 6: so messed up. But if you want me to, I'll 323 00:19:31,417 --> 00:19:33,377 Speaker 6: spend the rest of my life telling people about you. 324 00:19:41,817 --> 00:19:45,457 Speaker 6: In twenty nineteen, I had been the senior pastor of 325 00:19:45,497 --> 00:19:50,456 Speaker 6: Redrock's Church for about fourteen years. I had a history 326 00:19:50,457 --> 00:19:53,497 Speaker 6: with dealing with anxiety and depression, and for the most 327 00:19:53,537 --> 00:19:55,977 Speaker 6: part I tried to hide it as best I could, 328 00:19:56,857 --> 00:20:01,496 Speaker 6: especially once I became a pastor, because I just thought, like, 329 00:20:01,537 --> 00:20:05,377 Speaker 6: I can't tell people I talk about Jesus, who is 330 00:20:05,537 --> 00:20:09,177 Speaker 6: supposed to bring us peace and joy and hope, and 331 00:20:09,257 --> 00:20:11,297 Speaker 6: some days I don't have any of those. I don't think, 332 00:20:11,377 --> 00:20:13,177 Speaker 6: and so like, what's wrong with me? And maybe I'm 333 00:20:13,177 --> 00:20:15,577 Speaker 6: a hypocrite, maybe I shouldn't be a pastor, And I 334 00:20:15,617 --> 00:20:17,097 Speaker 6: just didn't know what to do. So I kept trying 335 00:20:17,137 --> 00:20:20,137 Speaker 6: to process all of those thoughts and anxiety and depression 336 00:20:20,337 --> 00:20:27,177 Speaker 6: by myself. And in twenty nineteen, it just escalated very quickly, 337 00:20:27,217 --> 00:20:31,097 Speaker 6: and I started having panic attacks, like multiple times a day. 338 00:20:31,577 --> 00:20:34,337 Speaker 6: Something would just kind of snap in my mind and 339 00:20:34,337 --> 00:20:36,337 Speaker 6: then all of a sudden, I couldn't breathe and my 340 00:20:36,417 --> 00:20:38,537 Speaker 6: chest felt tight and I felt like I was suffocating, 341 00:20:38,617 --> 00:20:40,897 Speaker 6: and then my mind would start spinning and I would 342 00:20:40,937 --> 00:20:43,017 Speaker 6: start shaking and crying. 343 00:20:43,137 --> 00:20:43,937 Speaker 1: And if I was in a. 344 00:20:43,857 --> 00:20:45,417 Speaker 6: Car, I'd have to get out of the car, If 345 00:20:45,457 --> 00:20:47,577 Speaker 6: I was in a restaurant, I'd have to leave the restaurant. 346 00:20:47,897 --> 00:20:51,417 Speaker 6: I started missing like family get togethers because I was 347 00:20:51,497 --> 00:20:53,337 Speaker 6: having a panic attack and couldn't. 348 00:20:53,017 --> 00:20:56,577 Speaker 1: Be there, And so it just started overwhelming me. 349 00:20:58,777 --> 00:21:01,417 Speaker 6: I told my wife and friends and even the church 350 00:21:01,657 --> 00:21:05,297 Speaker 6: at times, little bits and pieces. I just never told 351 00:21:05,537 --> 00:21:08,297 Speaker 6: anyone how bad it actually was. Like I told people, yeah, 352 00:21:08,337 --> 00:21:09,897 Speaker 6: little I have a little depression or I have a 353 00:21:09,897 --> 00:21:10,696 Speaker 6: little anxiety. 354 00:21:11,577 --> 00:21:13,456 Speaker 1: Nobody knew that. 355 00:21:13,537 --> 00:21:16,617 Speaker 6: I was at the time pastoring one of the faster 356 00:21:16,777 --> 00:21:19,337 Speaker 6: going churches in our country, and I was sitting up 357 00:21:19,417 --> 00:21:21,497 Speaker 6: late at night when everyone went to bed, thinking of 358 00:21:21,537 --> 00:21:24,057 Speaker 6: ways to take my own life. I was struggling that bad, 359 00:21:24,657 --> 00:21:28,337 Speaker 6: and nobody knew. The panic attacks became so frequent that 360 00:21:28,377 --> 00:21:31,177 Speaker 6: I couldn't hide it anymore. And one day I was 361 00:21:31,257 --> 00:21:34,097 Speaker 6: driving and I called my wife and I was just crying, 362 00:21:34,217 --> 00:21:37,337 Speaker 6: and I said, I can't live like this. Please pray 363 00:21:37,377 --> 00:21:39,097 Speaker 6: for me. I pulled my car over to the side 364 00:21:39,097 --> 00:21:42,417 Speaker 6: of a highway in Denver and just was like yelling 365 00:21:42,457 --> 00:21:44,897 Speaker 6: at God, like why won't you help me? And I 366 00:21:45,017 --> 00:21:47,777 Speaker 6: just had like a total breakdown. I ended up leaving 367 00:21:47,777 --> 00:21:50,177 Speaker 6: our church for about five months. They told me I 368 00:21:50,217 --> 00:21:51,897 Speaker 6: needed to take time off, which I did. I went 369 00:21:51,937 --> 00:21:56,897 Speaker 6: to a seven week inpatient anti anxiety treatment center, and 370 00:21:56,977 --> 00:21:59,897 Speaker 6: after about five months of a lot of counseling, a 371 00:21:59,897 --> 00:22:02,857 Speaker 6: lot of therapy, a lot of pastoral care, ended up 372 00:22:02,897 --> 00:22:03,977 Speaker 6: going back. 373 00:22:03,737 --> 00:22:06,216 Speaker 1: To the church. It had been there for a few weeks, 374 00:22:06,377 --> 00:22:07,457 Speaker 1: and I remember my wife. 375 00:22:07,297 --> 00:22:09,817 Speaker 6: One day said something, she said, I can't wait until 376 00:22:10,057 --> 00:22:12,617 Speaker 6: you get done with all this and you're healthy. And 377 00:22:12,657 --> 00:22:16,897 Speaker 6: I remember thinking, oh, shoot, like what if I don't 378 00:22:16,897 --> 00:22:18,577 Speaker 6: get healthy, Like, what does that mean? Does that mean 379 00:22:18,617 --> 00:22:20,777 Speaker 6: I don't have anxiety or depression? Because I'm doing all 380 00:22:20,777 --> 00:22:24,377 Speaker 6: these things, I'm getting all this help, I'm getting better, 381 00:22:24,577 --> 00:22:27,777 Speaker 6: but I'm not like fixed. I had a counselor one 382 00:22:27,817 --> 00:22:30,256 Speaker 6: time say it's not that you're going to be healthy, 383 00:22:30,337 --> 00:22:31,617 Speaker 6: because that almost makes it sound like. 384 00:22:31,577 --> 00:22:34,417 Speaker 1: Oh, you're gonna be perfect. He said, you're gonna be healthier. 385 00:22:34,617 --> 00:22:38,496 Speaker 6: Yeah, you're gonna be healthier and better and stronger, and 386 00:22:38,577 --> 00:22:39,937 Speaker 6: that's still going to be a process. 387 00:22:40,937 --> 00:22:43,337 Speaker 1: Well. I went back to our church in twenty fifteen. 388 00:22:43,377 --> 00:22:46,377 Speaker 6: I told him everything I told him about, all the anxiety, 389 00:22:46,417 --> 00:22:49,456 Speaker 6: the depression, even the suicidal thoughts, and I just told 390 00:22:49,537 --> 00:22:53,017 Speaker 6: him the truth. I said, Hey, I'm I'm a broken pastor. 391 00:22:53,577 --> 00:22:56,216 Speaker 1: I'm not perfect. I'm better and healthier and stronger than 392 00:22:56,217 --> 00:22:57,177 Speaker 1: I ever thought I would be. 393 00:22:57,697 --> 00:23:00,577 Speaker 6: And if you are okay with a guy being your 394 00:23:00,617 --> 00:23:04,097 Speaker 6: pastor who's just not perfect, then I'm in and let's roll. 395 00:23:04,377 --> 00:23:06,977 Speaker 6: And honestly, I thought that church might just like shut down. 396 00:23:06,977 --> 00:23:09,617 Speaker 6: I'm like, who wants that guy as their pastor? And 397 00:23:09,697 --> 00:23:11,977 Speaker 6: to my surprise, I think the church doubled. It was 398 00:23:12,017 --> 00:23:15,857 Speaker 6: the craziest thing, and I started to realize the more 399 00:23:15,897 --> 00:23:19,297 Speaker 6: I would be willing to talk about my real struggles, 400 00:23:19,337 --> 00:23:22,977 Speaker 6: the more people felt like, oh my gosh, me too, 401 00:23:23,377 --> 00:23:25,976 Speaker 6: And if that guy can admit he struggles, then I 402 00:23:26,017 --> 00:23:27,777 Speaker 6: could too. And if he could get help, then I 403 00:23:27,897 --> 00:23:35,497 Speaker 6: can too. About three years ago, I went to a 404 00:23:35,537 --> 00:23:37,897 Speaker 6: doctor's appointment. I thought I had a pinched nerve in 405 00:23:37,977 --> 00:23:41,256 Speaker 6: my neck, and I was getting some symptoms of like 406 00:23:41,377 --> 00:23:44,337 Speaker 6: numbness and a little bit of shaking in my left 407 00:23:44,337 --> 00:23:46,977 Speaker 6: hand and arm, and so they did some scans. I 408 00:23:46,977 --> 00:23:49,377 Speaker 6: thought they were doing scans of just my neck. They 409 00:23:49,417 --> 00:23:51,897 Speaker 6: were actually doing scans of my brain as well, because 410 00:23:51,937 --> 00:23:53,696 Speaker 6: they knew what they were looking for and I didn't. 411 00:23:54,297 --> 00:23:56,217 Speaker 6: So me and my wife go to a doctor's appointment. 412 00:23:56,257 --> 00:23:58,017 Speaker 6: I mean, I think we had a date planned after this, 413 00:23:58,097 --> 00:24:02,137 Speaker 6: at like a day date. And he says, I'm so sorry, 414 00:24:02,497 --> 00:24:05,537 Speaker 6: you don't have a pinch nerve. You have a incurable 415 00:24:05,577 --> 00:24:10,337 Speaker 6: brain disease. And I'm like, wait, what you've heard people 416 00:24:10,377 --> 00:24:12,697 Speaker 6: say like my life changed in a doctor's appointment. 417 00:24:13,377 --> 00:24:14,377 Speaker 1: I never thought that'd be me. 418 00:24:15,057 --> 00:24:16,897 Speaker 6: So honestly, I think I was in shock, and I 419 00:24:16,937 --> 00:24:19,257 Speaker 6: was like, wait, what are you, saying like I don't. 420 00:24:19,537 --> 00:24:21,977 Speaker 6: I go, well, what's like best case scenario? 421 00:24:22,537 --> 00:24:27,057 Speaker 1: And he goes that we find lung cancer. And my 422 00:24:27,057 --> 00:24:28,537 Speaker 1: wife's just like squeezing my. 423 00:24:28,497 --> 00:24:30,377 Speaker 6: Hand as we're sitting in these chairs, and I'm like, wait, 424 00:24:30,417 --> 00:24:32,697 Speaker 6: I don't understand, Like, what do you mean lung cancer? 425 00:24:32,737 --> 00:24:35,177 Speaker 1: And he goes, well, at least something like that could 426 00:24:35,257 --> 00:24:35,937 Speaker 1: explain some. 427 00:24:35,897 --> 00:24:38,257 Speaker 6: Of the symptoms you're having, and at least that's something 428 00:24:38,297 --> 00:24:40,456 Speaker 6: that we could fight. He says, if this is what 429 00:24:40,497 --> 00:24:43,257 Speaker 6: I think it is, there's nothing you can do about it. 430 00:24:43,417 --> 00:24:45,337 Speaker 6: And if it's the variant of it that I think 431 00:24:45,337 --> 00:24:47,057 Speaker 6: it is, you could have an average. 432 00:24:46,737 --> 00:24:50,497 Speaker 1: Lifespan of seven years. And I said, okay, well what's. 433 00:24:50,377 --> 00:24:54,777 Speaker 6: Worst case scenario? And he said that your wife feeds 434 00:24:54,817 --> 00:24:59,497 Speaker 6: and dresses you. So that was like the craziest thing 435 00:24:59,537 --> 00:25:02,097 Speaker 6: I could ever imagine. We just go to the parking lot. 436 00:25:02,097 --> 00:25:02,977 Speaker 6: We sit in my truck. 437 00:25:03,057 --> 00:25:05,897 Speaker 1: I just cried. I remember telling my wife, you know, 438 00:25:05,897 --> 00:25:07,617 Speaker 1: I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I don't know what 439 00:25:07,657 --> 00:25:08,577 Speaker 1: this is going to mean for you. 440 00:25:08,617 --> 00:25:09,897 Speaker 6: I don't know what this is going to mean for 441 00:25:09,937 --> 00:25:14,617 Speaker 6: our boys. I drove home and I sent two text messages. 442 00:25:14,657 --> 00:25:17,337 Speaker 6: One was to my small group. I'm in a small group. 443 00:25:17,177 --> 00:25:18,097 Speaker 1: With eight guys. 444 00:25:18,257 --> 00:25:19,737 Speaker 6: I sent one of the guys a text and just 445 00:25:19,777 --> 00:25:21,857 Speaker 6: said I won't be a small group. And then I 446 00:25:21,857 --> 00:25:23,456 Speaker 6: sent one of the guys I work with a text 447 00:25:23,457 --> 00:25:25,297 Speaker 6: and just says I'll be out of the office for. 448 00:25:25,217 --> 00:25:26,337 Speaker 1: The rest of the week. That was it. 449 00:25:27,297 --> 00:25:29,777 Speaker 6: And I mean, in a day, I went to this 450 00:25:29,977 --> 00:25:34,297 Speaker 6: dark place in my mind of God doesn't love me, 451 00:25:34,377 --> 00:25:37,456 Speaker 6: God doesn't care. This isn't right, this makes no sense. 452 00:25:38,417 --> 00:25:40,257 Speaker 6: I didn't want to go to church. I didn't want 453 00:25:40,257 --> 00:25:43,017 Speaker 6: to talk to any church people. I definitely didn't want 454 00:25:43,017 --> 00:25:45,657 Speaker 6: to be a pastor. Just in my soul kind of 455 00:25:45,697 --> 00:25:47,497 Speaker 6: just went I think I just give up on everything, 456 00:25:47,537 --> 00:25:53,817 Speaker 6: like I don't even know what to do. And I 457 00:25:53,817 --> 00:25:56,177 Speaker 6: got a call and I was ignored every call except 458 00:25:56,217 --> 00:25:57,937 Speaker 6: for this one call I kind of had to take. 459 00:25:57,977 --> 00:25:59,017 Speaker 1: He's in my small group. 460 00:25:59,257 --> 00:26:02,537 Speaker 6: He's a UFC coach, MMA coach, and he was voted 461 00:26:02,577 --> 00:26:04,857 Speaker 6: like one of UFC's twenty best coaches of all time. 462 00:26:04,897 --> 00:26:06,377 Speaker 1: He's one of the scared his dudes, I know. So 463 00:26:06,377 --> 00:26:08,057 Speaker 1: I'm like, I'm scared not to take his call. 464 00:26:08,337 --> 00:26:11,377 Speaker 6: So I took the call and I call him coach, 465 00:26:11,697 --> 00:26:14,177 Speaker 6: and I said, you know, what's up, coach, And he said, 466 00:26:14,177 --> 00:26:16,417 Speaker 6: what's going on? And I think my wife maybe sent 467 00:26:16,497 --> 00:26:18,257 Speaker 6: some texts to some of the wives or something ask 468 00:26:18,377 --> 00:26:18,897 Speaker 6: him to pray. 469 00:26:18,977 --> 00:26:20,696 Speaker 1: But anyways, he's like, what's going on? 470 00:26:20,817 --> 00:26:25,017 Speaker 6: And I told him about the diagnosis, and you know, 471 00:26:25,057 --> 00:26:27,897 Speaker 6: I was just a mess, trying to fight through tears 472 00:26:27,937 --> 00:26:31,217 Speaker 6: to even talk, and he just listened and he goes, well, 473 00:26:32,777 --> 00:26:35,177 Speaker 6: we're going to kiss this fire and walk away whistling. 474 00:26:36,337 --> 00:26:39,817 Speaker 6: And I went, Coach, that sounds great. I don't know 475 00:26:39,857 --> 00:26:43,456 Speaker 6: what that means. And he goes, I'm not saying this 476 00:26:43,537 --> 00:26:45,297 Speaker 6: is not gonna be hot. I'm not saying it's not 477 00:26:45,377 --> 00:26:48,177 Speaker 6: gonna burn. From time to time, he said, I'm telling 478 00:26:48,217 --> 00:26:51,257 Speaker 6: you this is not going to steal your piece. This 479 00:26:51,377 --> 00:26:53,497 Speaker 6: is not going to steal your joy. This doesn't change 480 00:26:53,497 --> 00:26:55,777 Speaker 6: who you're called to be. You are going to get 481 00:26:55,817 --> 00:26:57,497 Speaker 6: through this and you're going to be stronger on the 482 00:26:57,497 --> 00:26:59,736 Speaker 6: other side, and I'll be with you every step of 483 00:26:59,777 --> 00:27:00,097 Speaker 6: the way. 484 00:27:00,297 --> 00:27:02,137 Speaker 1: And then he said it again, We're going to kiss 485 00:27:02,177 --> 00:27:04,097 Speaker 1: this fire and walk away whistling. 486 00:27:04,617 --> 00:27:07,057 Speaker 6: And so that phrase kissed the fire just sort of 487 00:27:07,097 --> 00:27:10,897 Speaker 6: became almost like a mantra for me. I didn't really 488 00:27:11,097 --> 00:27:12,657 Speaker 6: I didn't talk to anyone else about it. But I 489 00:27:12,657 --> 00:27:14,537 Speaker 6: would remind myself daily, like. 490 00:27:14,937 --> 00:27:17,057 Speaker 1: I'm not going to give up. I'm not going to quit. 491 00:27:17,097 --> 00:27:19,177 Speaker 6: I'm not going to stop trusting God, although part of 492 00:27:19,217 --> 00:27:22,097 Speaker 6: me wants to. I'm not going to stop believing that 493 00:27:22,137 --> 00:27:24,577 Speaker 6: he has a plan for my future. I'm not going 494 00:27:24,657 --> 00:27:26,377 Speaker 6: to stop trying to do the things I think He's 495 00:27:26,417 --> 00:27:29,177 Speaker 6: called me to do. But every day I would remind myself, like, 496 00:27:29,257 --> 00:27:32,457 Speaker 6: kiss the fire. You can do this, and God's with you. 497 00:27:34,217 --> 00:27:37,216 Speaker 6: I take medicine four times a day. I go to 498 00:27:37,257 --> 00:27:40,097 Speaker 6: Mayo Clinic anywhere from two to four times a year. 499 00:27:41,937 --> 00:27:45,977 Speaker 6: There's no cure. The medicine I take is simply to 500 00:27:46,257 --> 00:27:49,857 Speaker 6: mask symptoms. I'm trying to eat healthy. 501 00:27:49,577 --> 00:27:51,457 Speaker 1: And stay in shape. And they know. 502 00:27:51,457 --> 00:27:54,137 Speaker 6: So little about this disease. It's in the family of 503 00:27:54,177 --> 00:27:57,097 Speaker 6: Parkinson's disease. They have no idea where it comes from. 504 00:27:57,137 --> 00:28:00,017 Speaker 6: They don't even know if it's genetic, and they don't 505 00:28:00,057 --> 00:28:03,617 Speaker 6: know how fast it will progress because everyone progresses at 506 00:28:03,657 --> 00:28:04,417 Speaker 6: a different rate. 507 00:28:12,657 --> 00:28:14,377 Speaker 1: So I box a lot. 508 00:28:14,457 --> 00:28:18,696 Speaker 6: Now, it's interesting they think that boxing maybe one of 509 00:28:18,697 --> 00:28:23,817 Speaker 6: the rare things that could potentially keep it from degenerating. 510 00:28:23,977 --> 00:28:27,857 Speaker 1: My brain degenerating at the same rate and I guess. 511 00:28:27,617 --> 00:28:31,496 Speaker 6: The theory is when your body is physically just exhausted 512 00:28:32,017 --> 00:28:33,976 Speaker 6: and your mind has to work really hard at the 513 00:28:33,977 --> 00:28:35,777 Speaker 6: same time. So it's not like running in a straight 514 00:28:35,777 --> 00:28:38,857 Speaker 6: line and you're just tired. It's you're exhausted and your 515 00:28:38,897 --> 00:28:41,497 Speaker 6: brain is working really hard, because in boxing, you're always 516 00:28:41,497 --> 00:28:44,337 Speaker 6: going you know, what's my footwork, what's my counter strike, 517 00:28:44,417 --> 00:28:48,617 Speaker 6: what's the combination, what's the defense. I box with coach 518 00:28:48,897 --> 00:28:50,657 Speaker 6: who told me we were going to kiss the fire, 519 00:28:50,737 --> 00:28:53,017 Speaker 6: because you know, he teaches some of the world's best 520 00:28:53,017 --> 00:28:55,537 Speaker 6: fighters how to box. And in fact, they actually have 521 00:28:55,617 --> 00:28:57,417 Speaker 6: things all around the country. I didn't even know about this. 522 00:28:57,497 --> 00:29:01,177 Speaker 6: It's called Boxing for PD, which is boxing for Parkinson's Disease, 523 00:29:01,297 --> 00:29:04,177 Speaker 6: and it's places around the country that have people with 524 00:29:04,217 --> 00:29:07,217 Speaker 6: Parkinson's disease come do like little boxing workouts and stuff. 525 00:29:07,257 --> 00:29:11,497 Speaker 1: So it's real. It's my life right now. Obviously, I'm 526 00:29:11,497 --> 00:29:12,937 Speaker 1: praying for a miracle every day. 527 00:29:13,297 --> 00:29:15,697 Speaker 6: I go to the doctor a lot, I work out 528 00:29:15,737 --> 00:29:18,697 Speaker 6: a lot, and remind myself every day that none of 529 00:29:18,777 --> 00:29:20,217 Speaker 6: us know how long we're going to live. And so 530 00:29:20,337 --> 00:29:22,617 Speaker 6: today I'm going to be a really good dad to 531 00:29:22,697 --> 00:29:24,857 Speaker 6: my three boys. I'm going to be a good husband 532 00:29:24,857 --> 00:29:25,137 Speaker 6: to my. 533 00:29:25,097 --> 00:29:28,257 Speaker 1: Wife, try to be a great pastor this week, good friend. 534 00:29:28,297 --> 00:29:28,737 Speaker 1: You know all that. 535 00:29:30,777 --> 00:29:34,017 Speaker 6: All throughout God's word, he tells us of benefits that 536 00:29:34,057 --> 00:29:35,017 Speaker 6: we receive. 537 00:29:34,737 --> 00:29:36,577 Speaker 1: When we just spend time in his presence. 538 00:29:37,057 --> 00:29:40,457 Speaker 6: There's peace in his presence, joy in his presence, strength 539 00:29:40,497 --> 00:29:45,497 Speaker 6: in his presence, guidance, victory. And so a daily devotion 540 00:29:46,097 --> 00:29:50,297 Speaker 6: is I think so important because life's already hard enough. 541 00:29:50,977 --> 00:29:54,497 Speaker 6: We need to constantly be reminded that God is with us, 542 00:29:54,537 --> 00:29:56,417 Speaker 6: and that God is working, and that God has a 543 00:29:56,457 --> 00:29:59,217 Speaker 6: plan even when we can't see it and don't understand it. 544 00:30:02,137 --> 00:30:06,097 Speaker 6: I was reading part of the Jesus Listens book recently. 545 00:30:06,137 --> 00:30:08,377 Speaker 6: I read one of the devotions that was actually from 546 00:30:08,377 --> 00:30:12,097 Speaker 6: a previous month, and the whole devotion was that you 547 00:30:12,177 --> 00:30:15,537 Speaker 6: will have troubles, but that you have God's presence and 548 00:30:15,577 --> 00:30:18,057 Speaker 6: you have God's promises, and you can also look at 549 00:30:18,057 --> 00:30:20,457 Speaker 6: what He's brought you through in the past and it'll 550 00:30:20,457 --> 00:30:24,137 Speaker 6: give you confidence and build your faith today. And I mean, 551 00:30:24,217 --> 00:30:26,697 Speaker 6: what an amazing way to start your day with that, 552 00:30:26,897 --> 00:30:29,857 Speaker 6: just reminder of He's with me, and he's promised he 553 00:30:29,937 --> 00:30:31,857 Speaker 6: won't leave me, and that he's got a plan for me, 554 00:30:32,217 --> 00:30:34,297 Speaker 6: and he has got me through some things in the past, 555 00:30:34,417 --> 00:30:36,337 Speaker 6: and so I know he'll get me through this, and 556 00:30:36,377 --> 00:30:38,697 Speaker 6: so yeah, things like that I think can be absolutely 557 00:30:38,937 --> 00:30:47,177 Speaker 6: life changing. Jesus listens January fifth, Sovereign God, help me 558 00:30:47,257 --> 00:30:50,177 Speaker 6: to make friends with the problems in my life. Every 559 00:30:50,257 --> 00:30:54,577 Speaker 6: problem can teach me something, transforming me little by little 560 00:30:54,817 --> 00:30:58,297 Speaker 6: into the person you designed me to be. I've discovered 561 00:30:58,297 --> 00:31:00,537 Speaker 6: that the best way to make friends with my troubles 562 00:31:00,897 --> 00:31:04,857 Speaker 6: is to thank you for them. This counterintuitive act opens 563 00:31:04,857 --> 00:31:09,817 Speaker 6: my mind to the possibility of blessings emerging from my difficulties. Moreover, 564 00:31:09,897 --> 00:31:13,497 Speaker 6: when I bring you my prayers with my thanksgiving, my 565 00:31:13,537 --> 00:31:18,017 Speaker 6: anxiety diminishes. In your peace that transcends all understanding, regards 566 00:31:18,097 --> 00:31:19,577 Speaker 6: my heart and my mind. 567 00:31:19,937 --> 00:31:21,457 Speaker 1: In your wonderful name, Jesus. 568 00:31:23,617 --> 00:31:27,537 Speaker 2: To learn more about Sean Johnson, visit Redrockschurch dot com 569 00:31:27,737 --> 00:31:29,577 Speaker 2: and be sure to check out his new book, Kiss 570 00:31:29,577 --> 00:31:33,457 Speaker 2: the Fire, available at your favorite retailer. If you'd like 571 00:31:33,537 --> 00:31:35,777 Speaker 2: to hear more stories about how we can walk through grief, 572 00:31:36,137 --> 00:31:43,297 Speaker 2: check out our interview with Anthony Luccia. Next time on 573 00:31:43,377 --> 00:31:47,177 Speaker 2: the Jesus Calling podcast, we'll hear from Brenda Lee, legendary 574 00:31:47,177 --> 00:31:50,457 Speaker 2: singer of the holiday hit rocking around the Christmas Tree. 575 00:31:50,817 --> 00:31:53,137 Speaker 2: Brenda shares a bit about the staying power of the 576 00:31:53,217 --> 00:31:56,177 Speaker 2: song and why Christmas is her favorite time of the year. 577 00:31:57,817 --> 00:32:02,017 Speaker 1: People would say, how can you do that over and over? 578 00:32:02,857 --> 00:32:03,577 Speaker 1: You do it. 579 00:32:03,497 --> 00:32:07,937 Speaker 4: Because the song is good and you don't get tired 580 00:32:08,017 --> 00:32:08,257 Speaker 4: of it. 581 00:32:09,377 --> 00:32:10,537 Speaker 5: We love Christmas. 582 00:32:11,057 --> 00:32:14,057 Speaker 4: I guess that's our favorite allay, because everybody gets together. 583 00:32:21,017 --> 00:32:23,577 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to the Jesus Calling Stories of Faith 584 00:32:23,617 --> 00:32:27,497 Speaker 2: podcast on the Life Audio Network. Every week, we'll bring 585 00:32:27,497 --> 00:32:30,097 Speaker 2: you stories from people who share their journeys of faith 586 00:32:30,457 --> 00:32:34,137 Speaker 2: and how prayer and a relationship with God transformed their lives. 587 00:32:34,897 --> 00:32:38,297 Speaker 2: Be sure to follow us on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or 588 00:32:38,337 --> 00:32:41,617 Speaker 2: wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave us a review 589 00:32:41,697 --> 00:32:45,897 Speaker 2: so others can be inspired weekly by these stories of faith. Finally, 590 00:32:46,177 --> 00:32:49,697 Speaker 2: you can find encouragement resources and more on the Jesus 591 00:32:49,737 --> 00:32:52,497 Speaker 2: Calling website at Jesuscalling dot com.